Catheter for denervation

Abstract

A catheter for denervation includes a catheter body extending in one direction to have a proximal end and a distal end and having an inner space formed along the longitudinal direction thereof, a movable member provided at the distal end of the catheter body to be movable along the longitudinal direction of the catheter body, an operating member having a distal end connected to the movable member to move the movable member, a plurality of support members having one end connected to a terminal of the catheter body and the other end connected to the movable member, wherein when the movable member moves to decrease a distance between the terminal of the catheter body and the movable member, at least a partial portion of the plurality of support members is bent so that the bending portion moves away from the catheter body, a plurality of electrodes respectively provided at the bending portion of the plurality of support members to generate heat, and a lead wire respectively electrically connected to the plurality of electrodes to give a power supply path for the plurality of electrodes.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A catheter for denervation, comprising:
 a catheter body extending in one direction to have a proximal end and a distal end and having an inner space formed along a longitudinal direction thereof; 
 a movable member provided at the distal end of the catheter body to be movable along the longitudinal direction of the catheter body; 
 an operating member having a distal end connected to the movable member to move the movable member; 
 a plurality of support members having one end connected and fixed to a terminal of the catheter body and another end connected and fixed to the movable member, wherein when the movable member moves to decrease a distance between the terminal of the catheter body and the movable member, at least a partial portion of the plurality of support members is bent so that the bending portion moves away from the catheter body; and  
 a plurality of electrodes respectively provided at the bending a bendable portion of the plurality of support members to generate heat; and 
 a lead wire respectively electrically connected to the plurality of electrodes to give a power supply path for the plurality of electrodes, 
 wherein at least one of the catheter body and the movable member is connected and fixed to at least two of the plurality of support members at points which are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in the longitudinal direction of the catheter body, 
 wherein at least one of the catheter body and the movable member has stepped surfaces to which the plurality of support members are connected and fixed, 
 wherein at least two of the plurality of support members are connected and fixed to different stepped surfaces of the at least one of the catheter body and the movable member such
 that connection points of the at least two of the plurality of support members with respect to the catheter body are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in the longitudinal direction of the catheter body, and/or 
 that connection points of the at least two of the plurality of support members with respect to the movable member are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in the longitudinal direction of the catheter body. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The catheter for denervation according to  claim 1 , wherein the movable member is located outside the catheter body. 
     
     
       3. The catheter for denervation according to  claim 2 , further comprising a reinforcing member extending in the longitudinal direction of the catheter body and provided between the catheter body and the movable member,
 wherein a distal end of the reinforcing member is fixed to the movable member and a proximal end of the reinforcing member is inserted into a through hole of the catheter body, so that the proximal end of the reinforcing member moves through the through hole of the catheter body according to movement of the movable member. 
 
     
     
       4. The catheter for denervation according to  claim 1 , wherein the movable member is located within the catheter body, and wherein the catheter body has an opening through which the bending portion of the support member is drawn out of the catheter body when the support member is bent. 
     
     
       5. The catheter for denervation according to  claim 1 , wherein in a state in which the bending portion of the support member moves away from the catheter body, the plurality of electrodes is spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in the longitudinal direction of the catheter body. 
     
     
       6. The catheter for denervation according to  claim 5 , wherein the predetermined distance is 0.3 cm to 0.8 cm in the longitudinal direction of the catheter body. 
     
     
       7. The catheter for denervation according to  claim 5 , wherein at least one of the plurality of support members has a curved portion to define the bending portion according to movement of the movable member. 
     
     
       8. The catheter for denervation according to  claim 5 , wherein at least one of the plurality of support members is pre-shaped to define the bending portion according to movement of the movable member. 
     
     
       9. The catheter for denervation according to  claim 1 , wherein in a state in which the bending portion of the support member moves away from the catheter body, the plurality of electrodes is spaced apart from each other by a predetermined angle based on a central axis of the catheter body in the longitudinal direction. 
     
     
       10. The catheter for denervation according to  claim 1 , wherein surfaces of the catheter body and the movable member connected to the plurality of support members are perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the catheter body. 
     
     
       11. The catheter for denervation according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of electrodes is configured to generate heat by means of radio frequency. 
     
     
       12. The catheter for denervation according to  claim 1 , wherein the catheter body has a guide hole formed in the distal end thereof so that a guide wire moves therethrough. 
     
     
       13. The catheter for denervation according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one stopper for limiting a moving distance of the movable member. 
     
     
       14. The catheter for denervation according to  claim 13 , wherein the at least one stopper is fixed to the operating member. 
     
     
       15. The catheter for denervation according to  claim 13 , wherein the at least one stopper is fixed to the catheter body. 
     
     
       16. The catheter for denervation according to  claim 1 , further comprising an elastic member connected to the movable member to give a restoring force with respect to movement of the movable member. 
     
     
       17. The catheter for denervation according to  claim 1 , further comprising an end tip made of a composition containing polyether block amide and located at a front surface of the distal end of the catheter body and the movable member. 
     
     
       18. The catheter for denervation according to  claim 1  wherein a surface of the catheter body and a surface of the movable member, which are connected to the support member, are matched with each other. 
     
     
       19. The catheter for denervation according to  claim 1 , wherein a section of the plurality of support members in a width direction has an outer surface length longer than an inner surface length thereof. 
     
     
       20. A denervation apparatus, comprising:
 the catheter defined in  claims 1 ; and 
 a power supply connected to the catheter. 
 
     
     
       21. The catheter for denervation according to claim 1, further comprising a lead wire respectively electrically connected to the plurality of electrodes to give a power supply path for the plurality of electrodes.