DEVICE AND METHOD FOR GENERATING FORWARD DIRECTED SHOCK WAVES

Abstract

Described herein is a shock wave device for the treatment of vascular occlusions. The shock wave device includes an outer covering and an inner member inner connected at a distal end of the device. First and second conductive wires extend along the length of the device within the volume between the outer covering and the inner member. A conductive emitter band circumscribes the ends of the first and second wires to form a first spark gap between the end of the first wire and the emitter band and a second spark gap between the end of the second wire and the emitter band. When the volume is filled with conductive fluid and a high voltage pulse is applied across the first and second wires, first and second shock waves can be initiated from the first and second spark gaps.

Claims

1. (canceled)

2. A catheter for treating occlusions in blood vessels, comprising: a tubular member; a flexible member positioned at a distal end of the catheter, the flexible member forming an enclosure that is fillable with conductive fluid; and a shock wave emitter assembly supported by the tubular member and positioned within the enclosure proximate to a distal end of the flexible member, wherein when the flexible member is filled with the conductive fluid and an electrical pulse is applied to the shock wave emitter assembly, shock waves are generated that propagate in a distal direction out of the distal end of the catheter.

3. The catheter of claim 2, wherein the shock wave emitter assembly comprises: first and second wires extending along at least a portion of the tubular member; and a conductive sheath extending around the first and second wires such that a first spark gap is formed between the conductive sheath and a distal face of the first wire and a second spark gap is formed between the conductive sheath and a distal face of the second wire, wherein the shock waves are generated at the first and second spark gaps.

4. The catheter of claim 3, wherein the second wire is circumferentially offset from the first wire by 180 degrees.

5. The catheter of claim 3, wherein a distal end of the conductive sheath extends distally beyond the distal faces of the first and second wires.

6. The catheter of claim 3, wherein a distal end of the conductive sheath is proximate to the distal faces of the first and second wires.

7. The catheter of claim 3, comprising an insulating sheath circumscribing the tubular member in a region proximate to the distal faces of the first and second wires.

8. The catheter of claim 3, comprising a second pair of wires, wherein a second set of spark gaps are formed between distal faces of the second pair of wires and the conductive sheath.

9. The catheter of claim 8, wherein the second pair of wires are circumferentially offset from each other by 180 degrees.

10. The catheter of claim 9, wherein each wire of the second pair of wires is circumferentially offset from the first wire by 90 degrees.

11. The catheter of claim 2, comprising: a fluid pump connected to a proximal end of the catheter configured to provide the conductive fluid to fill the flexible member; and a fluid return line having an inlet proximate to the distal end of the catheter and configured to remove the conductive fluid from the flexible member, wherein the fluid pump and the fluid return line are configured to circulate the conductive fluid under pressure inside the flexible member.

12. The catheter of claim 11, comprising a pressure relief valve at an outlet of the fluid return line.

13. The catheter of claim 2, wherein the conductive fluid comprises saline or a combination of saline and a contrasting agent.

14. The catheter of claim 2, wherein the shock wave emitter assembly is a primary shock wave emitter assembly and the catheter comprises at least one secondary shock wave emitter assembly located within the enclosure proximally of the primary shock wave emitter assembly, wherein the at least one secondary shock wave emitter assembly is configured to generate shock waves that propagate radially outwardly.

15. The catheter of claim 14, wherein the at least one secondary shock wave emitter assembly is configured to generate shock waves independently of the primary shock wave emitter assembly.

16. The catheter of claim 14, wherein the at least one secondary shock wave emitter assembly comprises at least one conductive sheath.

17. The catheter of claim 2, wherein the tubular member comprises a guide wire lumen.

18. A method for treating occlusions in vasculature with a shock wave catheter, comprising: advancing the shock wave catheter to an occlusion in a blood vessel such that a distal end of the shock wave catheter faces the occlusion; and generating shock waves by a shock wave emitter assembly enclosed within an enclosure proximate to the distal end of the shock wave catheter such that the shock waves propagate in a distal direction out of the distal end of the shock wave catheter to treat the occlusion.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the enclosure comprises a balloon and the method comprises advancing the shock wave catheter into the occlusion such that the balloon is at least partially aligned with at least a portion of the occlusion.

20. The method of claim 19, comprising expanding the balloon to apply an angioplasty treatment to the at least a portion of the occlusion.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the shock wave emitter assembly is a primary shock wave emitter assembly, and the method comprises generating shock waves from at least one secondary shock wave emitter assembly to treat the at least a portion of the occlusion.

22. The method of claim 18, comprising circulating fluid through the enclosure to prevent bubbles from becoming trapped within a distal portion of the shock wave catheter.

23. The method of claim 18, wherein generating shock waves by the shock wave emitter assembly comprises generating a first shock wave at a first spark gap between a conductive sheath and a distal face of a first wire and generating a second shock wave at a second spark gap between the conductive sheath and a distal face of a second wire.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the distal face of the second wire is circumferentially offset from the distal face of the first wire by 180 degrees.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein a distal end of the conductive sheath extends distally beyond the distal faces of the first and second wires.

26. The method of claim 23, wherein a distal end of the conductive sheath is proximate to the distal faces of the first and second wires.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] FIG. 1 depicts a cutaway perspective view of an example shock wave device for generating forward directed shock waves, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0015] FIG. 2 depicts a side sectional view of an example shock wave device for generating forward directed shock waves, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0016] FIG. 3 depicts a front sectional view of an example shock wave device for generating forward directed shock waves, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0017] FIG. 4 depicts an extended side sectional view of an example shock wave device for generating forward directed shock waves, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0018] FIG. 5 depicts a side view of an extended length of an example shock wave device, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0019] FIG. 6 is a flowchart representation of an exemplary method for generating forward directed shock waves.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Described herein are devices, systems, and methods for generating shock waves that propagate in a substantially forward direction to treat vascular diseases, such as chronic total occlusion (CTO) or circumferential calcium, or to treat urinary diseases, such as concretions or kidney stones in the ureter. In accordance with the present disclosure, a shock wave device includes an outer covering and an inner member forming a guide wire lumen. The outer covering and inner member are connected at a distal end of the device. A first conductive wire and a second conductive wire extend along the length of the device within the volume between the outer covering and the inner member, and end proximate to the distal end of the device. A conductive emitter band circumscribes the ends of the first and second wires to form a first spark gap between the end of the first wire and the emitter band and a second spark gap between the end of the second wire and the emitter band.

[0021] When the volume is filled with conductive fluid (e.g., saline and/or imaging contrast agent) and a high voltage pulse is applied across the first and second wires, first and second shock waves can be initiated from the first and second spark gaps. The voltage may range from 100 to 10,000 volts for various pulse durations. This high voltage may generate a gas bubble at the end surface of a wire and cause a plasma arc of electric current to traverse the bubble to the emitter band and create a rapidly expanding and collapsing bubble, which in turn creates a mechanical shock wave at the distal end of the device. The positioning of the emitter band in relation to the end of the wire may result in the shock wave propagating out in a substantially forward direction toward the distal end of the device. The shock waves may be mechanically conducted through the conductive fluid and through the outer covering in the substantially forward direction to apply mechanical force or pressure to impinge on an occlusion or calcium facing the distal end of the device. The size, rate of expansion and collapse of the bubble (and therefore, the magnitude, duration, and distribution of the mechanical force) may vary based on the magnitude and duration of the voltage pulse, as well as the distance between the end of the wire and the emitter band. The emitter band may be made of materials that can withstand high voltage levels and intense mechanical forces (e.g., about 1000-2000 psi or 68-136 ATM in a few microseconds) that are generated during use. For example, the emitter band may be made of stainless steel, tungsten, nickel, iron, steel, and the like.

[0022] FIG. 1 depicts a cutaway perspective view of an example shock wave device 100 for generating forward directed shock waves, in accordance with some embodiments. The device 100 includes an outer covering 102 (e.g., a flexible outer tube) and an inner member 104 that forms a lumen for a guide wire 114. The outer covering 102 and inner member 104 are connected at a distal end of the device 100, where the guide wire 114 may exit the device 100. The interior volume of the device 100 between the outer covering 102 and inner member 104 may be filled with a conductive fluid (e.g., saline and/or imaging contrast agent). Two insulated conductive wires 106 (e.g., insulated copper wires) extend along the length of the device 100 within the interior volume. While only one wire 106 is visible in FIG. 1, the second wire 106 extends along an opposing side of the inner member 104, as shown in FIGS. 2-3. The two wires 106 end near the distal end of the device 100 where the guide wire exits the lumen formed by the inner member 104. The ends of the two wires 106 include uninsulated portions (not shown). For example, the flat circular surfaces at the ends of the two wires may be uninsulated. An emitter band 108 is positioned within the interior volume around the ends of the two wires 106. The emitter band 108 may be a conductive cylinder with a diameter larger than the total diameter of the inner member 104 and the two wires 106 combined, such that the emitter band circumscribes the ends of the two wires 106 without contacting the wires, as shown in FIG. 2. An insulating sheath 110 (e.g., a polyimide insulator) may be positioned around the inner member 104 to separate the two wires 106 from the inner member 104 and to further insulate the two wires 106 from one another. In this way, the preferred conductive path between the two wires 106 is through the emitter band 108. When a high voltage pulse is applied across the two wires 106, an electrical current will arc from the uninsulated end of one wire to the emitter band 108, and then arc again from the emitter band 108 to the uninsulated end of the other wire. As a result, shock waves are initiated at the distal end of the shock wave device 100, which then propagate through the conductive fluid and the wall of the outer covering 102 to impinge on an occlusion or calcification.

[0023] In some embodiments, the device 100 may include a second pair of wires (not shown) offset from wires 106 by 90 degrees. For example, if wires 106 are positioned at 0 and 180 degrees, the second pair of wires may be positioned at 90 and 270 degrees. The second pair of wires also end near the distal end of the device 100 and include uninsulated portions at their ends. The emitter band 108 circumscribes the ends of the second pair of wires as well. A separate high voltage pulse may be applied across the second pair of wires to generate a second pair of arcs with the emitter band 108. As a result, a second set of shock waves are initiated from the distal end of the device 100. The first pair of wires 106 and the second pair of wires may be activated alternately, which may improve the effectiveness of the device 100 by further spreading the shock waves.

[0024] A fluid return line 112 with an inlet near the distal end of the device 100 draws in the conductive fluid from the interior volume, while a fluid pump (not shown) pumps in additional conductive fluid via a fluid inlet (shown in FIG. 5) at a proximal end of the device 100. In this way, the fluid return line 112 and fluid pump circulate the conductive fluid under pressure within the interior volume. Circulation of the conductive fluid may prevent bubbles created by the device 100 from becoming trapped within the distal tip of the device 100 due to the limited space within the tip. Furthermore, circulation of the conductive fluid may aid in cooling the device 100 and treatment site.

[0025] FIG. 2 depicts a side sectional view of an example shock wave device 100 for generating forward directed shock waves, in accordance with some embodiments. As shown in FIG. 2, the two conductive wires 106 (e.g., polyimide-insulated copper wires) are positioned along opposing sides of the inner member 104. Each of the wires 106 include uninsulated wire ends 202. The insulating sheath 110 (e.g., polyimide tubing) is positioned in a region proximate to the uninsulated wire ends 202 to decrease the likelihood of electrical current arcing from one wire end to the other. The emitter band 108 is positioned with a forward edge closer to the distal end of the device 100 than the wire ends 202, such that two spark gaps are formed between each of the wire ends 202 and the emitter band 108. The positioning of the wire ends 202, insulating sheath 110, and emitter band 108 makes it so that when a high voltage pulse is applied across the two wires 106, an electrical current will arc from the uninsulated end of one wire to the emitter band 108, and then arc again from the emitter band 108 to the uninsulated end of the other wire. As a result, shock waves are initiated at the distal end of the shock wave device 100, which then propagate through the conductive fluid and the wall of the outer covering 102 to impinge on an occlusion or calcification. The positioning of the emitter band 108 closer to the distal end of the device than the wire ends 202 helps to encourage the shock waves to propagate in a substantially forward direction (e.g., longitudinally out of the distal end of the device 100). Shock waves may be generated repeatedly, as may be desirable by the practitioner to treat a region of vasculature.

[0026] FIG. 3 depicts a front sectional view of an example shock wave device 100 for generating forward directed shock waves, in accordance with some embodiments. As shown in FIG. 3, the emitter band 108 circumscribes the two conductive wires 106 (e.g., insulated copper wires) and the fluid return line 112. The fluid return line 112 includes an inlet that draws in conductive fluid from the interior volume of the device to allow the conductive fluid to be circulated within the distal end of the device 100.

[0027] FIG. 4 depicts an extended side sectional view of an example shock wave device 100 for generating forward directed shock waves, in accordance with some embodiments. As shown in FIG. 4, in some embodiments, the outer covering of the device 100 includes an angioplasty balloon 402. The balloon 402 may be inflated by pumping additional fluid into the interior volume of the device. The balloon 402 may be inflated before or after applying shock waves to a treatment region. For example, in some embodiments, after forward directed shock waves are initiated using the emitter band 108 at the distal end of the device 100 to break apart an occlusion, the device 100 is advanced further into a patient's vascular, and the balloon 402 is inflated in the region of the occlusion to further treat the region.

[0028] In some embodiments, the shock wave device 100 may include secondary emitter bands 404 located in a medial location of the device 100. The device 100 shown in FIG. 4 includes two secondary emitter bands 404, but various numbers of secondary bands 404 may be used. For example, in some embodiments, the device 100 may include a single secondary emitter band 404. In other embodiments, the device 100 may include five or more secondary emitter bands 404. The secondary emitter bands 404 may generate shock waves using a variety of techniques. For example, the secondary emitter bands 404 may generate shock waves using low-profile or coplanar electrodes, such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,888,788 and U.S. application Ser. No. 15/346,132, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. The shock waves may radiate in a substantially radial direction from the medial location of the secondary emitter bands 404. In some embodiments, the secondary emitter bands 404 may initiate shock waves independently of the emitter band 108 at the distal end of the device 100. For example, in some embodiments, after forward directed shock waves are initiated using the emitter band 108 at the distal end of the device 100 to break apart an occlusion, the device 100 is advanced further into a patient's vascular until the medial location of a secondary emitter band 404 is aligned with the region of the occlusion. Then additional shock waves may be initiated from the secondary emitter band 404 to further treat the region. In order to permit independent operation, additional conductive wires may be provided between the high voltage source and the second emitter bands 404.

[0029] In some embodiments, forward directed shock waves from the emitter band 108, radial directed shock waves from the secondary emitter bands 404, and inflation of the angioplasty balloon 402 may be utilized in various sequences and combinations to treat plaques or obstructions in vessels. The vessels may include blood vessels in a patient's vascular system or ureters in the patient's urinary system.

[0030] FIG. 5 depicts a side view of an extended length of an example shock wave device 100, in accordance with some embodiments. The shock wave device 100 may be in communication with a fluid source and fluid pump (not shown) that introduces conductive fluid into an interior volume of the device 100 via a fluid inlet 502. The fluid pump may fill the interior volume with fluid to a certain pressure. The conductive fluid may be circulated within the interior volume of the device 100 by drawing fluid into the fluid return line shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, and then dispelling it through a waste outlet 504. The waste outlet 504 may include a pressure relief valve to maintain the fluid pressure within the interior volume of the device while the conductive fluid is circulated. Circulation of the conductive fluid may prevent bubbles created by the device 100 from becoming trapped within the distal tip of the device 100 due to the limited space within the tip. Trapped bubbles may block subsequent shock waves from propagating from the device 100, thus it is beneficial to prevent their build-up. In some embodiments, the waste outlet 504 may be connected to the fluid source so that the fluid pump recirculates the waste fluid.

[0031] FIG. 6 is a flowchart representation of an exemplary method for generating forward directed shock waves. As depicted in FIG. 6, a shock wave device is introduced into a vessel (602). The vessel may include blood vessels in a patient's vascular system or ureters in the patient's urinary system. The shock wave device may be the device 100 described in reference to FIGS. 1-5. The shock wave device is advanced within the vessel such that a distal end of the device faces a first treatment region (604). The first treatment region may include a chronic total occlusion (CTO), circumferential calcium, a kidney stone, or other obstructions or concretions. Once the distal end of the shock wave device is facing the first treatment region, a high voltage pulse is applied across first and second wires to initiate first and second shock waves from first and second spark gaps formed between the first and second wires and an emitter band (606). Due to the positioning of the first and second wires and the emitter band, the first and second shock waves propagate in a substantially forward direction out of the shock wave device to impinge on the occlusion or calcium in the first treatment area. In some embodiments, the shock wave device may then be advanced further within the vessel such that an angioplasty balloon is aligned with the first treatment region or with a second treatment region (608). The angioplasty balloon may then be inflated in the first or second treatment regions (610). In this way, conventional angioplasty balloon treatments may be applied to treat one or more treatment regions after the shock wave treatments are applied. Alternatively or in addition, in some embodiments, the shock wave device may be advanced further within the vessel such that a secondary emitter band at a medial location of the device is aligned with the first treatment region or with a second treatment region (612). Third shock waves may then be initiated from the secondary emitter band to apply additional shock wave treatment to the first or second treatment areas (614). Steps 604-614 may be carried out in various sequences or combinations, and repeated as necessary, when appropriate to treat the patient.

[0032] While this invention has been particularly shown and described with references to embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention. For all of the embodiments described above, the steps of the methods need not be performed sequentially.