US6022309A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Opto-acoustic thrombolysis
Assignee: CALFORNIA UNIVERSITY OF REGENTS OF
•
Filing: 1996-04-24
•
Granted: 2000-02-08
•
Expires: 2016-04-24
Abstract
Abstract This invention is a catheter-based device for generating an ultrasound excitation in biological tissue. Pulsed laser light is guided through an optical fiber to provide the energy for producing the acoustic vibrations. The optical energy is deposited in a water-based absorbing fluid, e.g. saline, thrombolytic agent, blood or thrombus, and generates an acoustic impulse in the fluid through thermoelastic and/or thermodynamic mechanisms. By pulsing the laser at a repetition rate (which may vary from 10 Hz to 100 kHz) an ultrasonic radiation field can be established locally in the medium. This method of producing ultrasonic vibrations can be used in vivo for the treatment of stroke-related conditions in humans, particularly for dissolving thrombus or treating vasospasm. The catheter can also incorporate thrombolytic drug treatments as an adjunct therapy and it can be operated in conjunction with ultrasonic detection equipment for imaging and feedback control and with optical sensors for characterization of thrombus type and consistency.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter Celliers
- 👤 Luiz Da Silva
- 👤 Michael Glinsky
- 👤 Richard London
- 👤 Duncan Maitland
- 👤 Dennis Matthews
- 👤 Pat Fitch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 05:47
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/18; A61B18/20; A61B18/22; A61B18/26; A61B17/00; A61B17/22; A61B17/22004; A61B17/22012; A61B17/2202; A61B2017/00017; A61B2017/00022; A61B2017/22082; A61B2017/22084; A61B90/00; A61B90/36; A61B90/37; A61B2090/378
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 133
Claim 1
Independent Claim
149 words
A method for delivering acoustic energy into the cerebrovasculature during percutaneous transluminal access procedures, comprising: inserting a fiber optic into the vasculature to a point near an occlusion, wherein said fiber optic comprises a proximal end and a distal end; and coupling laser light into said proximal end, wherein said laser light has (i) a pulse frequency within the range of 5 kHz to 25 kHz, (ii) a wavelength within the range of 200 nm to 5000 nm and (iii) an energy density within the range of 0.01 J/cm 2 to 4 J/cm 2 , wherein said laser light emerges from said distal end and generates an acoustic radiation field in a liquid ambient medium, wherein said acoustic radiation field is generated through one or more mechanisms selected from a group consisting of thermoelastic expansion within said liquid ambient medium and superheated vapor expansion within said liquid ambient medium.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
149 words
A method for delivering acoustic energy into the cerebrovasculature during percutaneous transluminal access procedures, comprising: inserting a fiber optic into the vasculature to a point near an occlusion, wherein said fiber optic comprises a proximal end and a distal end; and coupling laser light into said proximal end, wherein said laser light has (i) a pulse frequency within the range of 5 kHz to 25 kHz, (ii) a wavelength within the range of 200 nm to 5000 nm and (iii) an energy density within the range of 0.01 J/cm 2 to 4 J/cm 2 , wherein said laser light emerges from said distal end and generates an acoustic radiation field in a liquid ambient medium, wherein said acoustic radiation field is generated through one or more mechanisms selected from a group consisting of thermoelastic expansion within said liquid ambient medium and superheated vapor expansion within said liquid ambient medium.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
103 words
A method, comprising: inserting a fiber optic into the vasculature to a point near an occlusion, wherein said fiber optic comprises a proximal end and a distal end; and coupling laser light into said proximal end, wherein said laser light has (i) a pulse frequency within the range of 10 Hz to 100 kHz, (ii) a wavelength within the range of 200 nm to 5000 nm and (iii) an energy density within the range of 0.01 J/cm 2 to 4 J/cm 2 , wherein said laser light emerges from said distal end and generates an acoustic radiation field in a liquid ambient medium.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
103 words
A method, comprising: inserting a fiber optic into the vasculature to a point near an occlusion, wherein said fiber optic comprises a proximal end and a distal end; and coupling laser light into said proximal end, wherein said laser light has (i) a pulse frequency within the range of 10 Hz to 100 kHz, (ii) a wavelength within the range of 200 nm to 5000 nm and (iii) an energy density within the range of 0.01 J/cm 2 to 4 J/cm 2 , wherein said laser light emerges from said distal end and generates an acoustic radiation field in a liquid ambient medium.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 2, wherein said pulse frequency range comprises from about 1 kHz to 25 kHz.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 3, wherein said laser light has a pulse duration of less than 200 ns, wherein said acoustic radiation field is generated through thermoelastic expansion of said liquid ambient medium.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 3, wherein said acoustic radiation field is generated through superheated vapor expansion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 3, further comprising the step of removing said occlusion by applying said acoustic radiation field to said occlusion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 6, wherein said occlusion is selected from a group consisting of atherosclerotic plaque and thrombus.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 3, further comprising the step of injecting said liquid ambient medium into the vasculature wherein said liquid ambient medium is selected from a group consisting of blood, a biological saline solution, a biological saline solution containing an absorbing dye, and a thrombolytic pharmaceutical.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 3, wherein said fiber optic is located within a catheter, said method further comprising injecting through said catheter into said liquid ambient medium a thrombolytic drug to emulsify said occlusion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 9, wherein a working channel runs parallel to said fiber optic within said catheter, wherein the step of injecting through said catheter into said liquid ambient medium a thrombolytic drug to emulsify said occlusion includes injecting said thrombolytic drug through said working channel.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 3, wherein said step of inserting a fiber optic into the vasculature includes inserting a fiber optic having a tip selected from a group consisting of a concave tip, and a planar tip.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 3, wherein said step of inserting a fiber optic into the vasculature includes inserting a fiber optic having a variable diameter into said vasculature.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 3, wherein said step of inserting a fiber optic into the vasculature includes inserting a fiber optic comprising a composite of glass and plastic into said vasculature.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 3, wherein said acoustic radiation field is generated through a mechanism selected from a group consisting of thermoelastic, thermodynamic and a combination of thermoelastic and thermodynamic mechanisms, to remove said occlusion.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
120 words
The method of claim 3, wherein said acoustic radiation field is generated to remove said occlusion, wherein said laser light has a pulse duration of less than 200 ns, wherein said acoustic radiation field is generated through thermoelastic expansion of said liquid ambient medium, wherein said laser light provides a controlled level of energy in said liquid ambient medium which creates a large thermoelastic stress in a small volume of said liquid ambient medium, wherein said volume of said liquid ambient medium that is heated by said laser light is determined by the absorption depth of said laser light in said liquid ambient medium, and wherein said absorption depth is controlled to produce a desired thermoelastic stress in said volume.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
72 words
The method of claim 3, wherein said acoustic radiation field is generated to remove said occlusion, wherein said laser light has a pulse duration that is short enough to deposit substantially all of the laser energy into the absorbing fluid in a time scale shorter than the acoustic transit time across the smallest dimension of absorbing region, wherein said acoustic radiation field is generated through thermoelastic expansion of said liquid ambient medium.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 3, wherein said liquid ambient medium is selected from a group consisting of blood, a biological saline solution, a biological saline solution containing an absorbing dye, a thrombolytic pharmaceutical, and thrombus.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 3, wherein said fiber optic is located within a catheter, said method further comprising injecting through said catheter into said liquid ambient medium a radiographic contrast agent to facilitate visualization.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
99 words
The method of claim 3, wherein said fiber optic comprises a bundle of fiber strands, each strand having a proximal and a distal end, wherein said coupling laser light into said proximal end comprises coupling said laser light into said strand proximal ends at varying times, wherein said laser light within individual strands of said bundle arrives at said strand distal ends at different times, wherein said different times are adjusted to control the directionality and shape of said acoustic radiation field, wherein said different times are adjusted in combination with the different spatial positions of said individual strands.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 3, wherein said laser light has a pulse duration of less than 200 ns.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
114 words
A method, comprising: inserting a fiber optic into the vasculature to a point near an occlusion, wherein said fiber optic is located within a catheter, wherein said fiber optic comprises a proximal end and a distal end; coupling laser light into said proximal end, wherein said laser light has (i) a pulse frequency within the range of from about 1 kHz to 25 kHz and (ii) a wavelength within the range of 200 nm to 5000 nm, wherein said laser light emerges from said distal end and generates an acoustic radiation field in a liquid ambient medium; and injecting through said catheter into said liquid ambient medium a radiographic contrast agent to facilitate visualization.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
114 words
A method, comprising: inserting a fiber optic into the vasculature to a point near an occlusion, wherein said fiber optic is located within a catheter, wherein said fiber optic comprises a proximal end and a distal end; coupling laser light into said proximal end, wherein said laser light has (i) a pulse frequency within the range of from about 1 kHz to 25 kHz and (ii) a wavelength within the range of 200 nm to 5000 nm, wherein said laser light emerges from said distal end and generates an acoustic radiation field in a liquid ambient medium; and injecting through said catheter into said liquid ambient medium a radiographic contrast agent to facilitate visualization.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
109 words
A method, comprising: inserting a fiber optic into the vasculature to a point near an occlusion, wherein said fiber optic comprises a proximal end and a distal end; coupling laser light into said proximal end, wherein said laser light has (i) a pulse frequency within the range of from about 1 kHz to 25 kHz and (ii) a wavelength within the range of 200 nm to 5000 nm, wherein said laser light emerges from said distal end and generates an acoustic radiation field in a liquid ambient medium; and monitoring and controlling the magnitude of the acoustic radiation field induced in the liquid ambient medium through a feedback mechanism.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
109 words
A method, comprising: inserting a fiber optic into the vasculature to a point near an occlusion, wherein said fiber optic comprises a proximal end and a distal end; coupling laser light into said proximal end, wherein said laser light has (i) a pulse frequency within the range of from about 1 kHz to 25 kHz and (ii) a wavelength within the range of 200 nm to 5000 nm, wherein said laser light emerges from said distal end and generates an acoustic radiation field in a liquid ambient medium; and monitoring and controlling the magnitude of the acoustic radiation field induced in the liquid ambient medium through a feedback mechanism.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
161 words
A method, comprising: inserting a bundle of fiber optic strands into the vasculature to a point near an occlusion, wherein each of said fiber optic strands comprises a proximal end and a distal end; and coupling laser light into each of said proximal ends, wherein said laser light has (i) a pulse frequency within the range of from about 1 kHz to 25 kHz and (ii) a wavelength within the range of 200 nm to 5000 nm, wherein said laser light emerges from said distal end to generate an acoustic radiation field in a liquid ambient medium; said laser light being coupled into said proximal ends at varying times, said laser light within individual strands of said bundle arriving at said distal ends at different times, wherein said different times are adjusted to control the directionality and shape of said acoustic radiation field, and wherein said different times are adjusted in combination with the different spatial positions of said individual strands.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
161 words
A method, comprising: inserting a bundle of fiber optic strands into the vasculature to a point near an occlusion, wherein each of said fiber optic strands comprises a proximal end and a distal end; and coupling laser light into each of said proximal ends, wherein said laser light has (i) a pulse frequency within the range of from about 1 kHz to 25 kHz and (ii) a wavelength within the range of 200 nm to 5000 nm, wherein said laser light emerges from said distal end to generate an acoustic radiation field in a liquid ambient medium; said laser light being coupled into said proximal ends at varying times, said laser light within individual strands of said bundle arriving at said distal ends at different times, wherein said different times are adjusted to control the directionality and shape of said acoustic radiation field, and wherein said different times are adjusted in combination with the different spatial positions of said individual strands.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
111 words
A method for producing an acoustic radiation field through thermoelastic expansion of a liquid ambient medium located within vasculature, comprising: inserting a fiber optic into said vasculature; depositing laser energy in a volume of said liquid ambient medium comparable to the diameter of said fiber optic, in a time scale of duration less than the acoustic transit time across the length of said volume; controlling said laser energy such that the maximum size of a cavitation bubble is approximately the same as the fiber diameter; and pulsing said laser energy at a repetition rate such that multiple cycles of this process generates said acoustic radiation field in said liquid ambient medium.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
111 words
A method for producing an acoustic radiation field through thermoelastic expansion of a liquid ambient medium located within vasculature, comprising: inserting a fiber optic into said vasculature; depositing laser energy in a volume of said liquid ambient medium comparable to the diameter of said fiber optic, in a time scale of duration less than the acoustic transit time across the length of said volume; controlling said laser energy such that the maximum size of a cavitation bubble is approximately the same as the fiber diameter; and pulsing said laser energy at a repetition rate such that multiple cycles of this process generates said acoustic radiation field in said liquid ambient medium.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 21, further comprising synchronizing said repetition rate of said laser energy with the lifetime of said cavitation bubble to achieve resonant operation.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
102 words
A method for producing an acoustic radiation field through vapor expansion of a liquid ambient medium located within vasculature, comprising: inserting a fiber optic into said vasculature; depositing laser energy in a small volume of said liquid ambient medium to produce a vapor bubble; controlling said laser energy such that the maximum size of said vapor bubble is approximately the same as or less than the diameter of said vasculature; and pulsing said laser energy at a repetition rate such that multiple cycles of the generation and collapse of said vapor bubble generates said acoustic radiation field in said liquid ambient medium.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
102 words
A method for producing an acoustic radiation field through vapor expansion of a liquid ambient medium located within vasculature, comprising: inserting a fiber optic into said vasculature; depositing laser energy in a small volume of said liquid ambient medium to produce a vapor bubble; controlling said laser energy such that the maximum size of said vapor bubble is approximately the same as or less than the diameter of said vasculature; and pulsing said laser energy at a repetition rate such that multiple cycles of the generation and collapse of said vapor bubble generates said acoustic radiation field in said liquid ambient medium.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 26, further comprising the step of matching the pulse period of said laser energy to the lifetime of said vapor bubble to achieve resonant operation.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
109 words
An apparatus, comprising: a fiber optic for insertion into the vasculature to a point near an occlusion, wherein said fiber optic comprises a proximal end and a distal end; and a laser to provide laser light for coupling into said proximal end, wherein said laser light has (i) a pulse frequency within the range of 10 Hz and 100 kHz, (ii) a wavelength within the range of 200 nm and 5000 nm and (iii) an energy density within the range of 0.01 J/cm 2 to 4 J/cm 2 , wherein said laser light emerges from said distal end and generates an acoustic radiation field in a liquid ambient medium.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
109 words
An apparatus, comprising: a fiber optic for insertion into the vasculature to a point near an occlusion, wherein said fiber optic comprises a proximal end and a distal end; and a laser to provide laser light for coupling into said proximal end, wherein said laser light has (i) a pulse frequency within the range of 10 Hz and 100 kHz, (ii) a wavelength within the range of 200 nm and 5000 nm and (iii) an energy density within the range of 0.01 J/cm 2 to 4 J/cm 2 , wherein said laser light emerges from said distal end and generates an acoustic radiation field in a liquid ambient medium.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 28, wherein said laser light has a pulse frequency within the range of from about 1 kHz to 25 kHz.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 29, wherein said laser light has a pulse duration of less than 200 ns, wherein said acoustic radiation field is generated through thermoelastic expansion of said liquid ambient medium.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 29, wherein said acoustic radiation field is generated through superheated vapor expansion.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 29, wherein said acoustic radiation field is generated for the removal of said occlusion.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 32, wherein said occlusion is selected from a group consisting of atherosclerotic plaque and thrombus.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus of claim 29, further comprising a catheter and means for injecting said liquid ambient medium into the vasculature, wherein said fiber optic is located within said catheter, wherein a thrombolytic drug may be injected through said catheter into said liquid ambient medium to emulsify said occlusion.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus of claim 29, further comprising a catheter and means for injecting a radiographic contrast agent into the vasculature, wherein said fiber optic is located within said catheter, wherein a radiographic contrast agent may be injected through said catheter into said liquid ambient medium to facilitate visualization.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 29, further comprising feedback means for monitoring and controlling the magnitude of said acoustic radiation field induced in said liquid ambient medium.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 29, wherein said fiber optic comprises a tip having a shape that is selected from a group consisting of concave and planar.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 29, wherein said fiber optic comprises a variable diameter.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 29, wherein said fiber optic comprises a composite of glass and plastic.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the volume of said liquid ambient medium that is heated by said laser light is determined by the absorption depth of said laser light in said liquid ambient medium, and wherein said absorption depth is controlled to produce a desired thermoelastic stress in said volume.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
62 words
The apparatus of claim 29, wherein said laser light has a pulse duration that is short enough to deposit substantially all of the laser energy into the absorbing fluid in a time scale shorter than the acoustic transit time across the smallest dimension of the absorbing region, wherein said acoustic radiation field is generated through thermoelastic expansion of said liquid ambient medium.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus of claim 29, wherein said fiber optic comprises a tip configured for use as an optical element to focus the light energy in said liquid ambient medium, wherein said tip is further configured to optimize the beam profile of said laser energy for generation of a desired acoustic radiation field.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 29, wherein said fiber optic comprises a tip having a surface that is prepared by a process selected from a group consisting of grinding, polishing and chemically etching.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 29, wherein said laser comprises means for changing the wavelength of said laser light produced by said laser.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 29, wherein said laser light has a pulse duration of less than 200 ns.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 29, wherein said liquid ambient medium is selected from a group consisting of blood, a biological saline solution, a biological saline solution containing an absorbing dye, a thrombolytic pharmaceutical, and thrombus.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 29, wherein said acoustic radiation field is generated through a mechanism selected from a group consisting of thermoelastic, thermodynamic, and a combination of thermoelastic and thermodynamic mechanisms, to remove said occlusion.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 28, wherein said liquid ambient medium is selected from a group consisting of blood, a biological saline solution, a biological saline solution containing an absorbing dye, a thrombolytic pharmaceutical, and thrombus.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus of claim 28, further comprising a catheter and means for injecting said liquid ambient medium into the vasculature, wherein said fiber optic is located within said catheter, wherein a thrombolytic drug may be injected through said catheter into said liquid ambient medium to emulsify said occlusion.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 49, further comprising a working channel that runs parallel to said fiber optic within said catheter, wherein said thrombolytic drug may be injected through said working channel to emulsify said occlusion.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 28, further comprising means for monitoring and controlling the magnitude of said acoustic radiation field induced in said liquid ambient medium.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 28, wherein said fiber optic comprises a tip having a shape that is selected from a group consisting of concave, and planar.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 28, wherein said fiber optic comprises a variable diameter.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 37, wherein said variable diameter fiber optic is tapered at the tip.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 28, wherein said fiber optic comprises a composite of glass and plastic.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 55, wherein said fiber optic composite of glass and plastic comprises a short section of plastic at the tip of said fiber optic, wherein said short section has a length within the range of 3 mm to 3 cm.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the volume of said liquid ambient medium that is heated by said laser light is determined by the absorption depth of said laser light in said liquid ambient medium, and wherein said absorption depth is controlled to produce a desired thermoelastic stress in said volume.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
62 words
The apparatus of claim 28, wherein said laser light has a pulse duration that is short enough to deposit substantially all of the laser energy into the absorbing fluid in a time scale shorter thin the acoustic transit time across the smallest dimension of the absorbing region, wherein said acoustic radiation field is generated through thermoelastic expansion of said liquid ambient medium.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus of claim 25, wherein said fiber optic comprises a tip configured for use as an optical element to focus the light energy in said liquid ambient medium, wherein said tip is further configured to optimize the beam profile of said laser energy for generation of a desired acoustic radiation field.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 28, wherein said fiber optic comprises a tip having a surface that is prepared by a process selected from a group consisting of grinding, polishing and chemically etching.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 28, wherein said laser comprises means for changing the wavelength of said laser light produced by said laser.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 28, wherein said acoustic radiation field is generated through a mechanism selected from a group consisting of thermoelastic, thermodynamic, and a combination of thermoelastic and thermodynamic mechanisms, to remove said occlusion.
Claim 71
Independent Claim
134 words
An apparatus, comprising: a fiber optic for insertion into the vasculature to a point near an occlusion, wherein said fiber optic comprises a proximal end and a distal end; a laser to provide laser light for coupling into said proximal end, wherein said laser light has (i) a pulse frequency within the range of 10 Hz and 100 kHz and (ii) a wavelength within the range of 200 nm and 5000 nm, wherein said laser light emerges from said distal end and generates an acoustic radiation field in a liquid ambient medium; and a catheter and means for injecting a radiographic contrast agent into the vasculature, wherein said fiber optic is located within said catheter, wherein said radiographic contrast agent may be injected through said catheter into said liquid ambient medium to facilitate visualization.
Claim 72
Independent Claim
134 words
An apparatus, comprising: a fiber optic for insertion into the vasculature to a point near an occlusion, wherein said fiber optic comprises a proximal end and a distal end; a laser to provide laser light for coupling into said proximal end, wherein said laser light has (i) a pulse frequency within the range of 10 Hz and 100 kHz and (ii) a wavelength within the range of 200 nm and 5000 nm, wherein said laser light emerges from said distal end and generates an acoustic radiation field in a liquid ambient medium; and a catheter and means for injecting a radiographic contrast agent into the vasculature, wherein said fiber optic is located within said catheter, wherein said radiographic contrast agent may be injected through said catheter into said liquid ambient medium to facilitate visualization.
Claim 73
Independent Claim
131 words
An apparatus for producing an acoustic radiation field through thermoelastic expansion of a liquid ambient medium located within vasculature, comprising: a fiber optic for insertion into said vasculature; means for depositing laser energy in a volume of said liquid ambient medium, wherein said volume is comparable to the diameter of said fiber optic, wherein said laser energy is deposited in a time scale of duration less than the acoustic transit time across the length of said volume; means for controlling said laser energy such that the maximum size of a cavitation bubble is approximately the same as the diameter of said fiber optic; and means for pulsing said laser energy at a repetition rate such that multiple cycles of this process generates said acoustic radiation field in said liquid ambient medium.
Claim 74
Independent Claim
131 words
An apparatus for producing an acoustic radiation field through thermoelastic expansion of a liquid ambient medium located within vasculature, comprising: a fiber optic for insertion into said vasculature; means for depositing laser energy in a volume of said liquid ambient medium, wherein said volume is comparable to the diameter of said fiber optic, wherein said laser energy is deposited in a time scale of duration less than the acoustic transit time across the length of said volume; means for controlling said laser energy such that the maximum size of a cavitation bubble is approximately the same as the diameter of said fiber optic; and means for pulsing said laser energy at a repetition rate such that multiple cycles of this process generates said acoustic radiation field in said liquid ambient medium.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 64, further comprising means for synchronizing said repetition rate of said laser energy with the lifetime of said cavitation bubble.
Claim 76
Independent Claim
109 words
An apparatus for producing an acoustic radiation field through vapor expansion of a liquid ambient medium located within vasculature, comprising: a fiber optic for insertion into said vasculature; means for depositing laser energy in a small volume of said liquid ambient medium to produce a vapor bubble; means for controlling said laser energy such that the maximum size of said vapor bubble is approximately the same as or less than the diameter of said vasculature; and means for pulsing said laser energy at a repetition rate such that multiple cycles of the generation and collapse of said vapor bubble generates said acoustic radiation field in said liquid ambient medium.
Claim 77
Independent Claim
109 words
An apparatus for producing an acoustic radiation field through vapor expansion of a liquid ambient medium located within vasculature, comprising: a fiber optic for insertion into said vasculature; means for depositing laser energy in a small volume of said liquid ambient medium to produce a vapor bubble; means for controlling said laser energy such that the maximum size of said vapor bubble is approximately the same as or less than the diameter of said vasculature; and means for pulsing said laser energy at a repetition rate such that multiple cycles of the generation and collapse of said vapor bubble generates said acoustic radiation field in said liquid ambient medium.
Claim 78
Independent Claim
101 words
A method of removing an occlusion in a blood vessel, comprising: inserting a catheter into the vessel with an end adjacent the occlusion, the catheter including a plurality of optical fibers individually having a diameter of less than 400 microns and with ends thereof spatially distributed across the catheter end, and directing pulses of radiation within a wavelength range of from 200 to 5000 nanometers at a rate of more than 1 kiloHertz along individual ones of the fibers to exit their ends at different times and in a manner to generate acoustic vibrations within the vessel that emulsify the occlusion.
Claim 79
Independent Claim
101 words
A method of removing an occlusion in a blood vessel, comprising: inserting a catheter into the vessel with an end adjacent the occlusion, the catheter including a plurality of optical fibers individually having a diameter of less than 400 microns and with ends thereof spatially distributed across the catheter end, and directing pulses of radiation within a wavelength range of from 200 to 5000 nanometers at a rate of more than 1 kiloHertz along individual ones of the fibers to exit their ends at different times and in a manner to generate acoustic vibrations within the vessel that emulsify the occlusion.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 67, wherein the duration of individual ones of said radiation pulses is less than an acoustic transit time across a smallest dimension of a region within the vessel in which the radiation is absorbed.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 68, wherein the smallest dimension of the absorption region is a dimension across an individual optical fiber.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 67, wherein the duration of the individual radiation pulses is less than 20 nanoseconds.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 67, wherein the rate of directing radiation pulses is within a range of 5 kiloHertz or more.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 67, wherein the radiation emerging from the ends of the individual fiber optics has an energy density within a range of 0.01 to 4 Joules per square centimeter.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 67, wherein the radiation pulses are directed in a manner to avoid directly abating the occlusion.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 67, wherein the blood vessel in which the occlusion exists is within the cranial cavity of a human, said occlusion having caused an ischemic stroke.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 74, wherein inserting the catheter includes inserting the end of the catheter into a vessel that is higher within the cranial cavity than the carotid artery.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 67, additionally comprising delivering a stream of liquid into the vessel toward the occlusion.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 76, wherein the delivered liquid includes thrombolytic drug.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 76, wherein the delivered liquid includes a dye that absorbs said radiation.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 76, wherein the delivered liquid includes a radiographic contrast agent, thereby to facilitate visualization.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 67, wherein the occlusion that is removed includes a thrombus.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 67, additionally comprising monitoring and controlling the acoustic vibrations as part of a feedback mechanism.
Claim 94
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 67, wherein the radiation pulses are directed in a manner to generate the acoustic vibrations within the vessel by creating a repetitively expanding and collapsing bubble in liquid within the vessel or in the occlusion.
Claim 95
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 82, wherein the bubbles are generated by vaporizing a volume of the liquid or the occlusion in which the radiation is absorbed.
Claim 96
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 67, wherein the radiation pulses are generated by a laser.
Claim 97
Independent Claim
164 words
A method of removing a clot from a blood vessel within a human cranial cavity above the carotid artery, comprising: inserting a catheter into the vessel with an end adjacent the clot, the catheter including a plurality of optical fibers individually having a diameter of less than 400 microns and with ends thereof spatially distributed across the catheter end, introducing a stream through a lumen of the catheter that is directed toward the clot, and directing pulses of radiation within a wavelength range of from 200 to 5000 nanometers along individual ones of the fibers at different times with a rate of more than 1 kiloHertz, said radiation pulses exiting the fiber ends to be absorbed within a region of liquid in the vessel or the clot in a manner to generate acoustic vibrations therein that emulsify the clot, wherein the duration of individual ones of said radiation pulses is less than an acoustic transit time across a smallest dimension of said absorption region.
Claim 98
Independent Claim
164 words
A method of removing a clot from a blood vessel within a human cranial cavity above the carotid artery, comprising: inserting a catheter into the vessel with an end adjacent the clot, the catheter including a plurality of optical fibers individually having a diameter of less than 400 microns and with ends thereof spatially distributed across the catheter end, introducing a stream through a lumen of the catheter that is directed toward the clot, and directing pulses of radiation within a wavelength range of from 200 to 5000 nanometers along individual ones of the fibers at different times with a rate of more than 1 kiloHertz, said radiation pulses exiting the fiber ends to be absorbed within a region of liquid in the vessel or the clot in a manner to generate acoustic vibrations therein that emulsify the clot, wherein the duration of individual ones of said radiation pulses is less than an acoustic transit time across a smallest dimension of said absorption region.
Claim 99
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 85, wherein the smallest dimension of the absorption region is a dimension across an individual optical fiber.
Claim 100
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 85, wherein the duration of the individual radiation pulses is less than 20 nanoseconds.
Claim 101
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 85, wherein the rate of directing radiation pulses is within a range of 5 kiloHertz or more.
Claim 102
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 85, wherein the radiation emerging from the ends of the individual fiber optics has an energy density within a range of 0.01 to 4 Joules per square centimeter.
Claim 103
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 85, wherein the radiation pulses are directed in a manner to avoid directly abating the clot.
Claim 104
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 85, wherein the delivered liquid includes thrombolytic drug.
Claim 105
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 85, wherein the delivered liquid includes a dye that absorbs said radiation.
Claim 106
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 85, wherein the delivered liquid includes a radiographic contrast agent, thereby to facilitate visualization.
Claim 107
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 85, additionally comprising monitoring and controlling the acoustic vibrations as part of a feedback mechanism.
Claim 108
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 85, wherein the radiation pulses are directed in a manner to generate the acoustic vibrations within the vessel by creating a repetitively expanding and collapsing bubble in liquid within the vessel or the clot.
Claim 109
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 85, wherein the bubbles are generated by vaporizing said absorption region.
Claim 110
Independent Claim
153 words
A system for opening an occlusion within a blood vessel by generating acoustical vibrations within the vessel, comprising: a flexible catheter adapted to be inserted into said vessel and including a plurality of optical fibers individually having a diameter of less than 400 microns and with first ends thereof spatially distributed across a free end of the catheter, a source of radiation pulses within a wavelength range of from 200 to 5000 nanometers optically coupled with second ends of said optical fibers in a manner to provide said radiation pulses along individual ones of the fibers to exit their first ends at different times with a repetition rate of more than 1 kiloHertz, a fluid channel terminating at the free end of the catheter for carrying liquid into the vessel during application of radiation pulses, and a feedback mechanism that monitors and controls acoustic vibrations generated within the vessel by the radiation pulses.
Claim 111
Independent Claim
153 words
A system for opening an occlusion within a blood vessel by generating acoustical vibrations within the vessel, comprising: a flexible catheter adapted to be inserted into said vessel and including a plurality of optical fibers individually having a diameter of less than 400 microns and with first ends thereof spatially distributed across a free end of the catheter, a source of radiation pulses within a wavelength range of from 200 to 5000 nanometers optically coupled with second ends of said optical fibers in a manner to provide said radiation pulses along individual ones of the fibers to exit their first ends at different times with a repetition rate of more than 1 kiloHertz, a fluid channel terminating at the free end of the catheter for carrying liquid into the vessel during application of radiation pulses, and a feedback mechanism that monitors and controls acoustic vibrations generated within the vessel by the radiation pulses.
Claim 112
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system according to claim 97, wherein the radiation source provides individual pulses with a duration of less than 20 nanoseconds.
Claim 113
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system according to claim 97, wherein the radiation source provides the pulses with a repetition rate of 5 kiloHertz or more.
Claim 114
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system according to claim 97, wherein the catheter has an outside diameter at its said free end of less than 2.5 millimeters.
Claim 115
Independent Claim
142 words
An apparatus for opening an occlusion within a fluid-containing body vessel by generating acoustical vibrations within the vessel, comprising: a flexible catheter adapted to be inserted into said vessel and including a plurality of optical fibers individually having a diameter of less than 400 microns and with first ends thereof spatially distributed across a free end of the catheter, and a source of radiation pulses within a wavelength range of from 200 to 5000 nanometers optically coupled with second ends of said optical fibers in a manner to provide said radiation pulses along individual ones of the fibers to exit their first ends at different times with a repetition rate of more than 1 kiloHertz, such that said pulses of radiation are absorbed by the vessel fluid or the occlusion in a manner to generate said acoustical vibrations that emulsify said occlusion.
Claim 116
Independent Claim
142 words
An apparatus for opening an occlusion within a fluid-containing body vessel by generating acoustical vibrations within the vessel, comprising: a flexible catheter adapted to be inserted into said vessel and including a plurality of optical fibers individually having a diameter of less than 400 microns and with first ends thereof spatially distributed across a free end of the catheter, and a source of radiation pulses within a wavelength range of from 200 to 5000 nanometers optically coupled with second ends of said optical fibers in a manner to provide said radiation pulses along individual ones of the fibers to exit their first ends at different times with a repetition rate of more than 1 kiloHertz, such that said pulses of radiation are absorbed by the vessel fluid or the occlusion in a manner to generate said acoustical vibrations that emulsify said occlusion.
Claim 117
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 101, further comprising a fluid channel terminating at the free end of the catheter for carrying liquid into the vessel during application of said radiation pulses.
Claim 118
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 102, wherein said liquid includes one or more of a thrombolytic drug, a dye that absorbs said radiation, and a radiographic contrast agent to facilitate visualization.
Claim 119
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 101, wherein the duration of individual ones of said radiation pulses is less than an acoustic transit time across a smallest dimension of a region within the vessel in which the radiation is absorbed.
Claim 120
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 104, wherein the smallest dimension of the absorption region is a dimension across an individual optical fiber.
Claim 121
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 101, wherein the duration of the individual radiation pulses is less than 20 nanoseconds.
Claim 122
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 101, wherein the rate of directing radiation pulses is within a range of 5 kiloHertz or more.
Claim 123
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 101, wherein the radiation emerging from the ends of the individual fiber optics has an energy density within a range of 0.01 to 4 Joules per square centimeter.
Claim 124
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 101, wherein the radiation pulses are directed in a manner to avoid directly abating the occlusion.
Claim 125
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 101, wherein the body vessel in which the occlusion exists is within the carotid artery or the cranial cavity of a human.
Claim 126
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 110, wherein said occlusion caused an ischemic stroke.
Claim 127
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 101, wherein the occlusion that is opened includes a thrombus.
Claim 128
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 112, wherein the bubbles are generated at least in part by vaporizing a volume of the vessel fluid or the occlusion in which the radiation is absorbed.
Claim 129
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 101, wherein the said acoustical vibrations are generated by creating a repetitively expanding and collapsing bubble in fluid within the vessel fluid or in the occlusion.
Claim 130
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 101, wherein the radiation pulses are generated by a laser.
Claim 131
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 101, wherein the catheter has an outside diameter at its said free end of less than 2.5 millimeters.
Claim 132
Independent Claim
176 words
An apparatus for opening a clot within a blood vessel in a human cranial cavity by generating acoustical vibrations within the vessel, comprising: a flexible catheter adapted to be inserted into said vessel and including a plurality of optical fibers individually having a diameter of less than 400 microns and with first ends thereof spatially distributed across a free end of the catheter, and a source of radiation pulses within a wavelength range of from 200 to 5000 nanometers optically coupled with second ends of said optical fibers in a manner to provide said radiation pulses along individual ones of the fibers to exit their first ends at different times with a repetition rate of more than 1 kiloHertz, wherein the duration of individual ones of said radiation pulses is less than an acoustic transit time across a smallest dimension of a region within the vessel in which the radiation is absorbed, such that said pulses of radiation generate said acoustical vibrations which emulsify at least a portion of said occlusion without directly abating said occlusion.
Claim 133
Independent Claim
176 words
An apparatus for opening a clot within a blood vessel in a human cranial cavity by generating acoustical vibrations within the vessel, comprising: a flexible catheter adapted to be inserted into said vessel and including a plurality of optical fibers individually having a diameter of less than 400 microns and with first ends thereof spatially distributed across a free end of the catheter, and a source of radiation pulses within a wavelength range of from 200 to 5000 nanometers optically coupled with second ends of said optical fibers in a manner to provide said radiation pulses along individual ones of the fibers to exit their first ends at different times with a repetition rate of more than 1 kiloHertz, wherein the duration of individual ones of said radiation pulses is less than an acoustic transit time across a smallest dimension of a region within the vessel in which the radiation is absorbed, such that said pulses of radiation generate said acoustical vibrations which emulsify at least a portion of said occlusion without directly abating said occlusion.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3565062A
Cited
US3884236A
Cited
US3866599A
Cited
US3858577A
Cited
US4204528A
Cited
US4207874A
Cited
US4309998A
Cited
US4716288A
Cited
US4418688A
Cited
US4800876A
Cited
US4800876B1
Cited
US5041108A
Cited
US4448188A
Cited
EP0144764A2
Cited
US4686979A
Cited
US5026366A
Cited
US4587972A
Cited
US5188632A
Cited
AT380634B
Cited
US4641650A
Cited
EP0194856A2
Cited
US5496305A
Cited
WO1986006269A1
Cited
US4862886A
Cited
US4775361A
Cited
US4887600A
Cited
US4867141A
Cited
US4932954A
Cited
US5058570A
Cited
US4785806A
Cited
US4770653A
Cited
US4939336A
Cited
US4813930A
Cited
US4788975B1
Cited
US4788975A
Cited
US4791926A
Cited
US5163421A
Cited
US4887605A
Cited
US5026367A
Cited
US5158560A
Cited
EP0362466A2
Cited
US5269778A
Cited
US5041121A
Cited
WO1990007904A1
Cited
US5246447A
Cited
US5377683A
Cited
US5005180A
Cited
US5193526A
Cited
US5109859A
Cited
US5069664A
Cited
US5059200A
Cited
EP0454312A2
Cited
US5399158A
Cited
US5197470A
Cited
US5370609A
Cited
US5496306A
Cited
US5304171A
Cited
US5354324A
Cited
WO1992006739A1
Cited
US5254112A
Cited
US5324255A
Cited
US5304115A
Cited
US5368558A
Cited
US5326342A
Cited
US5397301A
Cited
EP0572435A1
Cited
US5116227A
Cited
US5473136A
Cited
US5254114A
Cited
US5662590A
Cited
US5472406A
Cited
WO1993007806A1
Cited
US5224942A
Cited
WO1993014869A1
Cited
US5281212A
Cited
US5380273A
Cited
US5242454A
Cited
US5366490A
Cited
US5486170A
Cited
US5397293A
Cited
US5350375A
Cited
US5334207A
Cited
WO1995027587A1
Cited
US5395361A
Cited
US5586981A
Cited
EP0707831A1
Cited
US5571151A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-02-07 | 2003-08-09 | 2004-02-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-02-07 | 2007-08-09 | 2008-02-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-02-07 | 2011-08-09 | 2012-02-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |