CA2147360A1 - Intravascular catheter - Google Patents

Intravascular catheter

Info

Publication number
CA2147360A1
CA2147360A1 CA002147360A CA2147360A CA2147360A1 CA 2147360 A1 CA2147360 A1 CA 2147360A1 CA 002147360 A CA002147360 A CA 002147360A CA 2147360 A CA2147360 A CA 2147360A CA 2147360 A1 CA2147360 A1 CA 2147360A1
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
proximal
region
catheter
guidewire
lumen
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
CA002147360A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Stephen M. Salmon
John R. Mckenzie
Peter Thornton
Richard Ginn
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Boston Scientific Ltd Barbados
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of CA2147360A1 publication Critical patent/CA2147360A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61BDIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B8/00Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
    • A61B8/06Measuring blood flow
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61BDIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B17/00Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets
    • A61B17/22Implements for squeezing-off ulcers or the like on the inside of inner organs of the body; Implements for scraping-out cavities of body organs, e.g. bones; Calculus removers; Calculus smashing apparatus; Apparatus for removing obstructions in blood vessels, not otherwise provided for
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61BDIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B8/00Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
    • A61B8/12Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves in body cavities or body tracts, e.g. by using catheters
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61BDIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B8/00Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
    • A61B8/44Constructional features of the ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic diagnostic device
    • A61B8/4444Constructional features of the ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic diagnostic device related to the probe
    • A61B8/445Details of catheter construction
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61MDEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M25/00Catheters; Hollow probes
    • A61M25/01Introducing, guiding, advancing, emplacing or holding catheters
    • A61M25/09Guide wires
    • A61M25/09041Mechanisms for insertion of guide wires
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61BDIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B17/00Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets
    • A61B17/32Surgical cutting instruments
    • A61B17/3205Excision instruments
    • A61B17/3207Atherectomy devices working by cutting or abrading; Similar devices specially adapted for non-vascular obstructions
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61BDIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B18/00Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body
    • A61B18/18Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by applying electromagnetic radiation, e.g. microwaves
    • A61B18/20Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by applying electromagnetic radiation, e.g. microwaves using laser
    • A61B18/22Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by applying electromagnetic radiation, e.g. microwaves using laser the beam being directed along or through a flexible conduit, e.g. an optical fibre; Couplings or hand-pieces therefor
    • A61B18/24Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by applying electromagnetic radiation, e.g. microwaves using laser the beam being directed along or through a flexible conduit, e.g. an optical fibre; Couplings or hand-pieces therefor with a catheter
    • A61B18/245Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by applying electromagnetic radiation, e.g. microwaves using laser the beam being directed along or through a flexible conduit, e.g. an optical fibre; Couplings or hand-pieces therefor with a catheter for removing obstructions in blood vessels or calculi
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61BDIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B17/00Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets
    • A61B17/22Implements for squeezing-off ulcers or the like on the inside of inner organs of the body; Implements for scraping-out cavities of body organs, e.g. bones; Calculus removers; Calculus smashing apparatus; Apparatus for removing obstructions in blood vessels, not otherwise provided for
    • A61B17/22004Implements for squeezing-off ulcers or the like on the inside of inner organs of the body; Implements for scraping-out cavities of body organs, e.g. bones; Calculus removers; Calculus smashing apparatus; Apparatus for removing obstructions in blood vessels, not otherwise provided for using mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic shock waves
    • A61B2017/22005Effects, e.g. on tissue
    • A61B2017/22007Cavitation or pseudocavitation, i.e. creation of gas bubbles generating a secondary shock wave when collapsing
    • A61B2017/22009Cavitation or pseudocavitation, i.e. creation of gas bubbles generating a secondary shock wave when collapsing reduced or prevented
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61BDIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B17/00Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets
    • A61B17/22Implements for squeezing-off ulcers or the like on the inside of inner organs of the body; Implements for scraping-out cavities of body organs, e.g. bones; Calculus removers; Calculus smashing apparatus; Apparatus for removing obstructions in blood vessels, not otherwise provided for
    • A61B2017/22038Implements for squeezing-off ulcers or the like on the inside of inner organs of the body; Implements for scraping-out cavities of body organs, e.g. bones; Calculus removers; Calculus smashing apparatus; Apparatus for removing obstructions in blood vessels, not otherwise provided for with a guide wire
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61BDIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B17/00Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets
    • A61B17/22Implements for squeezing-off ulcers or the like on the inside of inner organs of the body; Implements for scraping-out cavities of body organs, e.g. bones; Calculus removers; Calculus smashing apparatus; Apparatus for removing obstructions in blood vessels, not otherwise provided for
    • A61B2017/22038Implements for squeezing-off ulcers or the like on the inside of inner organs of the body; Implements for scraping-out cavities of body organs, e.g. bones; Calculus removers; Calculus smashing apparatus; Apparatus for removing obstructions in blood vessels, not otherwise provided for with a guide wire
    • A61B2017/22039Implements for squeezing-off ulcers or the like on the inside of inner organs of the body; Implements for scraping-out cavities of body organs, e.g. bones; Calculus removers; Calculus smashing apparatus; Apparatus for removing obstructions in blood vessels, not otherwise provided for with a guide wire eccentric
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61BDIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B17/00Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets
    • A61B17/22Implements for squeezing-off ulcers or the like on the inside of inner organs of the body; Implements for scraping-out cavities of body organs, e.g. bones; Calculus removers; Calculus smashing apparatus; Apparatus for removing obstructions in blood vessels, not otherwise provided for
    • A61B2017/22072Implements for squeezing-off ulcers or the like on the inside of inner organs of the body; Implements for scraping-out cavities of body organs, e.g. bones; Calculus removers; Calculus smashing apparatus; Apparatus for removing obstructions in blood vessels, not otherwise provided for with an instrument channel, e.g. for replacing one instrument by the other
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61BDIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B17/00Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets
    • A61B17/22Implements for squeezing-off ulcers or the like on the inside of inner organs of the body; Implements for scraping-out cavities of body organs, e.g. bones; Calculus removers; Calculus smashing apparatus; Apparatus for removing obstructions in blood vessels, not otherwise provided for
    • A61B2017/22072Implements for squeezing-off ulcers or the like on the inside of inner organs of the body; Implements for scraping-out cavities of body organs, e.g. bones; Calculus removers; Calculus smashing apparatus; Apparatus for removing obstructions in blood vessels, not otherwise provided for with an instrument channel, e.g. for replacing one instrument by the other
    • A61B2017/22074Implements for squeezing-off ulcers or the like on the inside of inner organs of the body; Implements for scraping-out cavities of body organs, e.g. bones; Calculus removers; Calculus smashing apparatus; Apparatus for removing obstructions in blood vessels, not otherwise provided for with an instrument channel, e.g. for replacing one instrument by the other the instrument being only slidable in a channel, e.g. advancing optical fibre through a channel
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61BDIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B17/00Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets
    • A61B17/22Implements for squeezing-off ulcers or the like on the inside of inner organs of the body; Implements for scraping-out cavities of body organs, e.g. bones; Calculus removers; Calculus smashing apparatus; Apparatus for removing obstructions in blood vessels, not otherwise provided for
    • A61B2017/22082Implements for squeezing-off ulcers or the like on the inside of inner organs of the body; Implements for scraping-out cavities of body organs, e.g. bones; Calculus removers; Calculus smashing apparatus; Apparatus for removing obstructions in blood vessels, not otherwise provided for after introduction of a substance
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61BDIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B90/00Instruments, implements or accessories specially adapted for surgery or diagnosis and not covered by any of the groups A61B1/00 - A61B50/00, e.g. for luxation treatment or for protecting wound edges
    • A61B90/36Image-producing devices or illumination devices not otherwise provided for
    • A61B90/37Surgical systems with images on a monitor during operation
    • A61B2090/378Surgical systems with images on a monitor during operation using ultrasound
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61MDEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M25/00Catheters; Hollow probes
    • A61M25/01Introducing, guiding, advancing, emplacing or holding catheters
    • A61M2025/0183Rapid exchange or monorail catheters

Abstract

The present invention provides an intravascular catheter (50) having a single common distal lumen (58) with a reduced pro-file connected to two proximal lumens (64 and 66). The catheter (50) is loadable over a guidewire (68) into a region of interest within a patient's vascular system. To ensure that the guidewire (68) moves into the desired proximal lumen (64) a tool (100) is provided to guide the advancing guidewire (68). Furthermore, the catheter (50) is provided with an axial expandable housing (118) to shield a drive shaft (72) of work element (75).

Description

WO94/11038 21~3~n PCI`/US93/1~769 INTRAVASCULAR CATHETER

BACKGROUND OF THE lNv~NllON
1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to the construction and use of vAcclllAr catheters and, more particularly, to vascular catheters having a re~l~c~-size distal tip capable of selectively receiving either a movable guidewire or a work element.
2. Descri~tion of the ~ac~uu~-d Art Arteriosclerosis, also known as atherosclerosis, is a common human ailment arising from the deposition of fatty-like substances, referred to as atheroma or pla~ue, on the walls of blood vessels. Such deposits occur both in peripheral blood vessels that feed limbs of the body and coronary blood vessels that feed the heart. When deposits accumulate in localized regions of the blood vessels, blood f low is restricted and the person's health is at serious risk.
Numerous approaches f or reducing and removing such vascular deposits have been proposed, including balloon angioplasty, where a balloon-tipped catheter is used to dilate a stenosed region within the blood vessel; atherectomy, where a blade or other cutting element is used to sever and remove the stenotic material; laser angioplasty, where laser energy is used to ablate at least a portion of the stenotic material; and the like.

W094/11 ~ 4~ PCT/US93/10769 In order to more effectively apply such intervention te~hn;ques, a variety of vascular imaging devices and methods may be employed. Of particular interest to the present invention, intraluminal imaging catheters having ultrasonic transducers at their distal ends have been employed to produce images of the stenotic region from within the blood vessel.
A number of designs for ultrasonic imaging catheters have been proposed. One approach has been to use a phased-array of discrete ultrasonic imaging transducers at the tip of a vascular catheter. While this approach~is advantageous in that it does not require me~-hAn;cal manipulation of the transducers, it is problematic in that the image quality is limited. Such a phased-array intravascular imaging catheter is commercially available from EndoSonics Corporation, Rancho Cordova, California, as the CathScanner I System.
A more promising approach for intravascular ultrasonic imaging employs mech~n;cal rotation of the ultrasonic signal, either by mechAn;cally rotating the transducer itself or by mech~;cally rotating a mirror, which radially deflects the ultrasonic signal from the transducer.
MPrh~n;cal rotation generally provides better image quality than use of a phA~-array system, but the design of such catheters is problematic since the designs must provide for rotating the transducer and/or an associated mirror at speeds usually in the range from 500 to 2000 rpm. Moreover, the interior blood vessel must be protected from the rotating components, which could cause substantial injury should they come in contact with the blood vessel.
A number of specific designs for m~hAnical ultrasonic imaging catheters have been described. An early design is illustrated in U.S. Patent No. 4,794,93l, where the mechAn;cal components of the imaging system are located within a housing at the distal end of the catheter. The housing includes a fixed guidewire at its distal tip which is used to position the catheter within the vascular system. While the use of such fixed-guidewire designs can provide excellent image quality, under some circumstances it is desirable to use an "over-the-wire" design where the catheter may be introduced over a separate (movable) guidewire. The use of a movable guidewire offers certain advantages including improved steering capability through branch coronary arteries and elsewhere and easier catheter exchange, e.g. substitution of a interventional catheter after imaging has been completed.
A particular design for an over-the-wire ultrasonic imaging catheter is illustrated in Fig. 1. The catheter includes the catheter body 10 having an exterior catheter lumen 12 attached near its distal end. A rotatable ultrasonic imaging assembly 14 is mounted at the distal end of the drive member 16, and the device may be introduced over a conventional parallel lumens are disadvantageous, however, since the width of the distal tip must be sufficient to accommodate both the ultrasonic imaging element and the guidewire. To be able to cross very narrow lesions, the diameter of the catheter should diameter of the catheter in the region of the rotating imaging element should be minimized, preferably including only the imaging element surrounded by a catheter sheath. The requirement of the separate guidewire lumen increases the minimum size, making this design unsuitable for treatment of small blood vessel lesions and preventing passage through conventional guiding catheters.
Designs of the type illustrated in Fig. 1 are commercially available from Medi-Tech, Inc., Watertown, Massachusetts. A design similar to that of Fig. 1 is illustrated in U.S. Patent No. 5,024,234, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
An alternative design for mechanical ultrasonic imaging catheter avoids the need for a parallel guidewire lumen by providing for exchange of the mechanical imaging components with a conventional guidewire. As illustrated in Fig.2, such a catheter comprises a single lumen catheter sheath 20 which can receive a drive wire 22 carrying an ultrasonic imaging assembly 24 at its distal end. The catheter sheath 20 may be initially introduced over a conventional guidewire. The guidewire may then be completely removed and replaced with the WO94/11038 2~ 47 3 ~ ~ PCT/US93/10769~

imaging assembly. While the diameter of the catheter 20 i8 minimized, the need to ~chAnge the guidewire and imaging components whenever the catheter is to be repositioned is time consuming and disadvantageous. Such catheters are commercially available from Inter-Therapy, Inc., Costa Mesa, California.
For these reasons, it is desirable to provide ultrasonic imaging catheters which have a narrow profile in the distal region and which can be introduced over a separate, moveable guidewire. It is particularly desirable for such designs to allow for imaging within the narrow distal region of the catheter without the need to remove the guidewire entirely from the catheter body. In particular, such an imaging catheter should present a width of less than about 5 French, and more preferably less than about 3 French, to facilitate entry into the coronary arteries and even very tight lesions.
An imaging catheter of the type having a reduced profile distal region is the subject of co-pending U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 07/930,977, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Such a catheter is illustrated in Fig. 3. This catheter 50 includes a flexible catheter body 52 having a distal region 54 and a proximal region 56. The distal region 54 includes a single common lumen 58, which extends from a distal port 60 to a transition region 62. The proximal region 56 includes a first lumen 64 and second lumen 66. The first lumen 64 carries a movable guidewire 68 which, as illustrated, extends from a proximal port 70 through the common lumen 58 and in distal region 54 and out the distal port 60.
Catheter 50 further includes a proximal housing 80 secured to the proximal end of the catheter body 52. Proximal housing 80 includes a lever 82, which is attached to the drive shaft 72, which permits the user to selectively reciprocate the ultrasonic imaging assembly 74 between a retracted position and an exten~e~ position. The ultrasonic imaging assembly 74 would normally be utilized only when it is in its extended configuration. It will be retracted when the catheter 50 is being positioned over the movable guidewire 68.

~ WO94/11038 21~73~0 PCT/US93/10769 The housing 80 further includes an electrical connector plug 84 for coupling the electrical leads on the drive shaft 72 to the n~eCcAry electrical instrumentation for producing the ultrasonic image and a spindle 86 at the proximal S terminal end of the drive shaft 72 for coupling to a motor drive, as described hereinabove. Conveniently, rings and commutators (not shown) may be provided in a conventional arrangement to couple electrical leads (not shown) from the transducer (running along or through the drive shaft 72) to the connector plug 84.
The steps for inserting a catheter having a common distal lumen into a blood vessel are illustrated in Figs. 4 -6. Initially, a guidewire 68 is fed into the blood vessel 8V
so that the distal end lies beyond the region of stenosis S, as illustrated in Fig. 4. After positioning of the guidewire 68, the catheter 50 is introduced over the guidewire by passing the proximal end of the guidewire 68 through distal port 60 and subsequently threading the guidewire through common lumen 58 of distal region 54 and lumen 64 in proximal region 56. The catheter is advanced axially forward within the blood vessel until the proximal region 54 lies within the region of stenosis. Ater the catheter 50 has been properly positioned, the ultrasonic imaging assembly 74 may be advanced to the position shown in Fig. 5 (or alternatively it may have been in such position while the catheter was being introduced to the blood vessel). After imaging assembly 74 is located near the distal end of lumen 66, guidewire 68 will be retracted in the distal direction until it is removed from common lumen 58 in the distal region and lies wholly within lumen 64 within proximal region 56. Once common lumen 58 is cleared of guidewire 68, ultrasonic imaging assembly 74 may be advanced axially forward into common lumen 58, where it can then be used for imaging in a conventional manner.
At any time during the imaging procedure, the drive shaft 72 can be retracted to once again clear common lumen 58.
After clearing the lumen, the guidewire can again be advanced axially forward so that it is available for repositioning the catheter 50. Alternatively, guidewire 68 may be left in place WO94/11038 PCT/US93/10769~
2~73~ 6 and the catheter 50 withdrawn over the guidewire so that it remains in place for different catheters to be introduced.
Catheters having a reduced profile distal region offer significant advantages over those previously available.
The r~ r~ profile distal region allows for entry into narrow and tortuous regions of a patient's vascular system.
Additionally, the presence of two lumens in the proximal region allows for quicker and easier repositioning~f the catheter.
However, catheters of this type can be improved further. When inserting a catheter as shown in Fig. 3 into a blood vessel over the guidewire, the guidewire may advance into the wrong lumen in the proximal region, i.e., into the lumen containing the imaging core. It would be desirable to provide some means for directing the guidewire into the appropriate lumen.
Second, it would be desirable to seal the catheter at its proximal end and to provide a means for convenient advancement and retraction of the imaging core or other work element within the catheter body. This would be doubly advantageous in that it would prevent the entry of foreign or infectious material into the patient from the proximal end and also shield the rotating parts of the catheter at that end.
Such a proximal end seal and means for advancing the work element would be applicable not only to catheters having a reduced profile distal end, but other types of catheters as well.
Finally, although co-pending U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 07/930,977 speaks only in terms cf imaging, there is no reason why use of the refinements of the present invention should be so limited. The improvements of the present invention could also be included in catheters which use balloon angioplasty devices, laser ablation devices, mechAnical cutters, or other interventional devices as an alternative or in addition to an imaging device.
SUMMARY OF THE lNV~NllON
One aspect of the present invention provides an improvement to catheters of the type comprising a catheter body ~ WO94/11038 2 1 ~ 7 3 6 Q PCT/US93/10769 having a common distal lumen and a reduced distal profile. A
proximal region of the catheter body includes at least two lumens connected to and in communication with the common distal lumen, with at least one of the lumens being suitable for receiving a movable guidewire and another of the lumens being suitable for receiving an imaging or interventional device, e.g., a rotatable drive shaft having an ultrasonic transducer at its distal end. In this first aspect of the present invention, a means is provided for ensuring that a guidewire travels into the proper lumen as the catheter is positioned over the guidewire.
In a second aspect of the present invention, an improved catheter includes a proximal housing covering the proximal end of the rotating drive shaft and connectable to a motor drive unit. Both aspects of the present invention will be usable with catheters having imaging or interventional devices as work elements.
Various means may be provided to ensure that the guidewire is directed into the proper guidewire lumen. In a particularly preferred embodiment, a special tool is inserted through the exterior wall of the guidewire lumen and some distance into the common lumen. This tool can be used to direct the guidewire away from the work element lumen and into the guidewire lumen. Alternative emhoAiments modify the construction of the catheter to achieve a similar result. For example, the catheter may be preferentially bent or aligned so that the guidewire tends to travel into the guidewire lumen.
Additionally, the catheter may be constructed with a gate adapted to close off the work element lumen and deflect the guidewire into the guidewire lumen. Finally, the work element itself may be provided with a tip shaped to deflect the guidewire away from the work element and into the guidewire lumen.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, a catheter having a drive shaft will be provided with a proximal housing to cover and guard the drive shaft.
The proximal housing will also be configured to facilitate connection of the drive shaft to a drive motor at the proximal ~ ~7 3 ~ ~ PCT/US93/10769 ~

end of the catheter. In preferred embodiments, this proximal housing will be connected to an axially e~r~n~Ahle member ext~n~;ng between the proximal housing and the proximal end of the catheter body with the drive shaft running through the S e~p~n~Ahle member. Expansion and contraction of the ~YpAn~hle member will allow for convenient advancement and retraction of the work element within the common lumen of the distal region.
In a particularly preferred embodiment the ~Yp~n~hle member will comprise a pair of cylindrical shaft~ in overlapping, 0 COAX; ~ 1 (telescopic) engagement with on~ another.
Alternatively, the eYp~n~hle member may comprise a bellows or similar arrangement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. l is a partial sectional view of a prior art imaging catheter having two parallel lumens.
Fig. 2 is a partial sectional view of a prior art catheter using only one lumen rl~nn; ng its full length.
Fig. 3 is a partial sectional view of a catheter having a common distal region with a reduced profile and a proximal region having two or more lumens.
Fig. 4 is a side sectional view of a blood vessel having a stenosed lesion and a guide wire inserted therethrough.
Fig. S is a side sectional view of the catheter depicted in Fig. 3 inserted into the blood vessel of Fig. 4.
Fig. 6 is a side sectional view of the catheter of Fig. 5 with the guidewire withdrawn into the proximal region and the work element ext~n~ into the common lumen.
Fig. 7 is a side sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention with a special tool inserted through a lumen of the proximal region and into the common lumen for directing the guidewire into the appropriate lumen.
Fig. 8 is a side sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention showing a catheter having a preferential bend for ensuring that the guidewire travels into the appropriate lumen of the proximal region.

~ WO94/11038 21~ 7 3 6 ~ PCT/US93/10769 .. g Fig. 9 is a side sectional view depicting an alternative embodiment of the present invention in which the common lumen is aligned parallel to a lumen of the proximal region.
Fig. l0 is a side sectional view depicting an alternative embodiment of the present invention in which the catheter is provided with a gate to close off one of the lumens of the proximal region and deflect the guide wire into another of the lumens.
Fig. llA is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention having a proximal housing and a telescoping region for moving the proximal housing with respect to the distal end of the catheter body.
Fig. llB is a side view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention having a proximal housing and a bellows member for moving the motor housing with respect to the distal end of the catheter body.

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS
One aspec~ of the present invention provides an improvement to catheters having a r~ ce~ profile distal region. Such a catheter will comprise an elongate catheter body having a proximal end and a distal end. The catheter body will include at least two regions, a distal region and a proximal region. The distal region will extend from the distal end of the catheter body to a location spaced proximally from the tip. The proximal region will extend proximally from the proximal end of the distal region.
The distal region will have a common lumen exten~i~g through it and a reduced cross-sectional area to facilitate entry into coronary blood vessels and/or tight stenotic lesions. The proximal region will have a somewhat larger cross-sectional area to accommodate at least two lumens, a first lumen capable of receiving a conventional movable guidewire and a second lumen capable of receiving a work element attached to the distal end of a drive shaft. Both the first and second lumens connect to the common lumen in the distal region. A catheter having a reduced profile distal W094/11038 21 47 3 6 ~ PCT/US93/10769~

region is described in co-pending U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 07/930,977, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. The work element may be an imaging element such as a rotating ultrasonic transducer or it may be an interventional device such as a balloon angioplasty device, a rotational cutter, or a laser ablation device.
The design and use of ultrasonic maging transducers are described in U.S. Patent Nos. 3 ! 93;8,502; 4,576,177; and 4,794,931; disclosures of which are lncorporated herein by reference. Catheters employing interventional tools as work elements are described in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,648,402;
4,669,469; and 4,631,052, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
The catheter body may be introduced into a blood vessel with the guidewire passing through ~he common lumen of the distal region and a first lumen of the proximal region.
After the catheter body is in place, the movable guidewire may be retracted within the first lumen of the distal region and the work element advanced into the common lumen from a second lumen in the proximal region. The cross-sectional area of the distal region is thus minimized since it never has to simultaneously accommodate both the work element and the movable guidewire.
The overall dimensions of the catheter will depend on use, with the length varying widely, typically being between about 40 cm and 150 cm, usually being between about 40 cm and 120 cm for peripheral catheters and being between about 110 cm and 150 cm for coronary catheters. The diameter of the catheter body may also vary widely, with the diameter of the distal region typically being between about 2F (French) and 3F, and the diameter of the proximal region typically being about 3F and 6F. A particular advantage of the catheter of the present invention is that the distal region may be made very small, with the lower limit on size typically being based on the diameter of the ultrasonic tr~nCA~lc~r or other work element which is being achieved. As the size of such work elements is further decreased with advancements in the art, it is expected WO94/11038 ~ ~1 4 ~36 a PCT/US93/10769 that the diameter of the catheter body of the present invention may be made even smaller.
The catheter body may be composed of a wide variety of biologically compatible materials, typically being made from - 5 natural or synthetic polymers such as silicone rubber, natural rubber, polyvinyl chloride, polyurethanes, polyesters, polyethylene, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), and the like.
Frequently, the catheter body may be formed as a composite having a reinforcement material incorporated within the elastomeric body in order to ~nh~nC~ strength, flexibility, and toughness. Suitable enforcement layers include wire mesh layers. The flexible tubular members of the catheter body will normally be formed by extrusion, with one or more integral lumens being provided. The catheter diameter can then be modified by heat ~YpA7lsion and shrinkage using conventional ~h7-iques. Particular ter~;ques for forming the vascular catheters of the present invention are well described in the patent and medical literature.
The catheter body may be formed from a single tubular member, which extends the entire distance from the proximal end to the distal end, or it may be formed from two or more tubular members which are joined together, either in tandem or in parallel. For catheter bodies formed from a single tubular member, the proximal region will be ~xr~n~7e~7 relative to the distal region and a~ iate lumens will be formed in the interiors of the two regions. Alternatively, the distal region in the catheter body may be formed from a single tubular member having a single lumen while the proximal region is formed from a second tubular member having at least two axial lumens. The two regions may then be joined together so that the common lumen and the distal tl7hll 1 ~r element is contiguous with both the parallel axial lumens and the proximal region. As a second alternative, the catheter body may include a single tubular member having a single axial lumen which extends the entire length from the distal end to the proximal end. The proximal section is formed by securing a second tubular member to the side of the first tubular member and penetrating the first tubular member so that the respective lumens are made 214~ 12 PCT/US93/10769~
contiguous. The distal region of the catheter is that portion which remains forward of the point where the two tubes are joined.
The distal region of the catheter will typically have a length in the range from about 1 cm to 20 cm, more typically being in the range from about 2 cm to 10 cm, with the proximal region extending in the proximal direction from the distal region. The proximal region, however, need not extend the entire distance to the proximal end of ~he catheter body. It will often be desirable to extend the guidewire lumen formed by the proximal region only a portion o ~he distance from the distal region back toward the proximal end of the catheter body, typically ext~n~ing from about 10 cm to 30 cm, more typically ext~n~i~g from 15 cm to 25 cm. In this way, the guidewire lumen can have a "monorail" design which facilitates exchange in the catheter over the guidewire. Such monorail designs are described generally in U.S. Patent No. 4,748,982, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
The width of the distal region will typically be below about 0.15 cm, usually being below about 0.13 cm, and frequently being below about 0.1 cm. The width of the proximal region will typically be above about 0.17 cm, and frequently being above about 0.2 cm. The width, of course, need not be uniform along the entire catheter length and some variation is permitted.
The drive shaft, which is reciprocatably disposed within a lumen in the proximal region of the catheter, will be flexible and suitable for transmitting torque from the proximal end of the catheter to the work element at its distal end.
Depending on the application, the drive shaft may be a solid core wire, but will more typically have a braided construction.
Suitable drive shaft constructions are described in U.S. Patent No. 5,108,411, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. In the case of an ultrasonic transducer as the work element, the drive shaft will also carry the nec~c~ry electrical leads for connecting the transducer. Other work elements, e.g., laser ablation devices, will require electrical power. When such devices are used, the drive shaft can be used ~ WO94/11038 2 1 l 7 3 6 0 PCT/US93/10769 to carry power from an external power supply to the work element.
Catheters according to a second aspect of the present invention will include a proximal housing connected to an - 5 axially eYp~n~hle member at the proximal end of the catheter body. The proximal housing and axially ~Yr~n~hle member will cover the proximal end of the drive shaft and provide means for reciprocating the drive shaft axially within the catheter body.
In the case of ultrasonic imaging catheters, the housing will also include the n~c~cAry electrical connection means for coupling the electrical leads on the drive shaft to the associated electronic imaging producing equipment. Although it is contemplated that such a proximal housing will be most useful in catheters having a reduced profile distal region, this improvement may also be advantageous for other catheters, as well.
Fig. 7 depicts a preferred means for ensuring entry of the guidewire into a desired guidewire lumen in a catheter having multiple lumens in its proximal region. A catheter according to this embodiment will be provided with a tool port 71 for insertion of a special tool 100 into guidewire lumen 64 prior to the insertion of guidewire 68 into common lumen 58.
Tool 100 has a receiving tip 102 with cavity 103 at one end and grip 104 at the other. Bend 106 is provided to prevent entry of tool loo either into the catheter or the patient's body.
The catheter body will be sufficiently pliable to allow the insertion of tool 100 into the catheter through tool port 71. The tool should be inserted into the catheter to a point within common lumen 58. After insertion into the common lumen, guidewire 68 will be fed into the catheter until it engages with cavity 103 of receiving tip 102. The tool may then be used to direct the guidewire into guidewire lumen 64 and away from work element lumen 66. Guidewire 68 may be directed as desired either to exit the catheter body through tool port 71 or to travel further along guidewire lumen 64.
Fig. 8 depicts an alternative means for ensuring that guidewire 68 enters guidewire lumen 64 rather than work element lumen 66. In this embodiment, the catheter body is formed with W O 94/11038 2 1 4 7 3 6 0 P~r/US93/10769 ~
-a preferential bend 110 in the transition area between the distal region and the proximal region. The preferential bend is such that guidewire 68 will tend to travel preferentially into the appropriate lumen as the catheter is fed over the guidewire.
Another embodiment is shown in Fig. 9, which depicts a catheter in which common lumen 58 is preerentially aligned parallel to guidewire lumen 64. This alignment will tend to ensure that guidewire 68 enters guidewireJlumen 64. Fig. 9 also shows work element 75 fitted with a deflecting distal tip 76. Distal tip 76 is preferably in the form of a dome or other convex surface to deflect the guidewire away from work element lumen 66 and into guidewire lumen 64. The deflecting distal tip concept may be used alone or in combination with any of the other disclosed means for preventing entry of the guidewire into the work element lumen.
A further means for directing the guidewire into the appropriate lumen is shown in Fig. 10. In this embodiment, the catheter is provided with a gate 112 at the junction between the distal and proximal regions. Gate 112 is constructed so that it will normally close off work element lumen 66 and deflect guidewire 68 into guidewire lumen 64. Gate 112 is sufficiently flexible, however, so that work element 75 may push it aside in order to advance into common lumen 58. With this emho~;ment~ it may be npcecsAry or desirable to provide work element 75 with a rounded or sloping back surface 77.
Back surface 77 should be sloped to assist in pulling work element 75 back through gate 112 and into work element lumen 66 when desired.
Work element 75 will often be an ultrasonic transducer for imaging the interior of the blood vessel.
Alternatively, the work element may be an interventional device such as a rotating cutter or laser ablation device for treating the blood vessel. The work element may even be in the form of an interventional device having an angioplasty balloon for reducing the stenosis by dilating the blood vessel. In such a case, the material comprising the common lumen may be made compliant, so that the balloon may be inflated within the WO94/11038 2 1 4 7 3 ~ o PCT/US93/10769 common lumen and dilate the blood vessel without exiting the catheter body. The body of the common lumen will simply expand along with the balloon.
Catheters according to a second aspect of the present = 5 invention will be provided with a proximal housing and axially expandable member to enclose the rotating drive shaft and to facilitate connection of the drive shaft to a drive motor. A
preferred emho~;ment is depicted in Fig. llA, which shows proximal housing 128 and ~YpA~Ahle member 118 disposed at the proximal end of the catheter system.
Proximal housing 128 encloses the proximal end of drive shaft 72, which is connectable to a motor for rotating work element 75. Proximal housing 128 will also include suitable means for electrically connecting the drive shaft to an imaging means or power source for operating the work element. Means for connecting the power source to the rotatable drive shaft are well known; one such means is described in U.S. Patent No. 4,794,931, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
The catheter of Fig. llA includes axially ~rAn~Ahle member 118, which connects proximal housing 128 to the proximal end of the catheter body. In the exemplary embodiment of Fig.
llA, the eYpA~hle member comprises an inner cylindrical member 120, which is secured to the proximal housing, and outer cylindrical member 122, which is defined by the proximal end of the catheter body. Inner member 120 is slidably disposed within outer member 122. By telescoping these two members with respect to one another, the operator may change the effective length of the catheter body. This will result in movement of the work element (axially translated by the drive shaft) between common lumen 58 (see Fig. 7) and work element lumen 66.
Flush port 140 may be used with a hypodermic needle to vigorously inject fluid such as saline solution through the catheter body to clear it of air bubbles in the region of work element 75. This is particularly important if work element 75 is an ultrasonic trAnCAur~r as trapped air bubbles may interfere substantially with imaging.

W O 94/11038 2 1 ~ 7 3 6 0 P~r/US93/10769 ~

Alternatively, ~x;Ally eYrAn~hle member 118 may comprise a section of the catheter body in the form of an accordian-like bellows tube 119, as depicted in Fig. llA.
Bellows tube 119 performs the same function as telescoping members 120 and 122 depicted in Fig. 11. As the effective length of the catheter body is changed, work element 75 will be advanced or retracted within the distal end of the catheter body.
The proximal housing and ~YrAn~Ahle member will be very useful in a catheter having mul~iple proximal lumens and a common distal lumen. In such a catheter, this improvement will allow for convenient exchange of the work element between the proximal and distal regions. However, the proximal housing and expandable member may find use in other catheter types as well.
Such an arrangement provides a cover for the rotating drive shaft at the proximal end while allowing for convenient movement of the work element within the work element lumen.
Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of unders~ ;ng, it will be obvious that certain changes and modifications may be practiced which will still fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (18)

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. A vascular catheter system comprising:
a catheter body having a lumen therethrough, a proximal end, and a distal end;
a drive shaft having a proximal end and a distal end and being reciprocatably disposed within the lumen of the catheter body;
a work element secured to the distal end of the drive shaft;
an axially expandable member connected to the proximal end of the catheter body; and a proximal housing connected the proximal end of the drive shaft and to the axially expandable member, whereby the work element may be advanced or retracted within the lumen of the catheter body by selectively moving the motor housing with respect to the catheter body.
2. The catheter system of claim 1, wherein the proximal housing and axially expandable member enclose the drive shaft at its proximal end.
3. The catheter system of claim 1, wherein the axially expandable member comprises two or more elements in telescopic engagement.
4. The catheter system of claim 1, wherein the axially expandable member comprises a bellows structure connecting the proximal housing to the catheter body.
5. An improved vascular catheter system of the type comprising a catheter body having a proximal end, a distal end, a proximal region having at least two lumens, and a distal region having a single lumen which is connected to and in communication with both of the lumens in the proximal region and having a cross-sectional area which is less than the combined cross-sectional area of the two lumens of the proximal region; a drive shaft having a distal end and a proximal end and being reciprocatably disposed in one of the lumens in the proximal region of the catheter body; and a work element secured to the distal end of the drive shaft, wherein the improvement comprises:
a proximal housing connected to the proximal end of the drive shaft; and an axially expandable member extending between the proximal housing and the proximal end of the catheter body, whereby the work element may be advanced into the single lumen of the distal region or retracted into a lumen of the proximal region by selectively moving the proximal housing with respect to the catheter body.
6. A vascular catheter system comprising:
a catheter body having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the catheter body includes a proximal region having at least two lumens and a distal region having a single lumen connected to and in communication with both of the lumens of the proximal region and having a cross-sectional area which is less than the combined cross-sectional area of the two lumens of the proximal region;
a guidewire; and means for guiding the guidewire into a selected one of the lumens of the proximal region as the guidewire is introduced through the single lumen and advanced toward the proximal end.
7. The catheter system of claim 6, wherein the work element comprises an inflatable angioplasty balloon and associated inflation means, and wherein the distal region of the catheter body is made compliant to allow for inflation of the balloon inside the single lumen of the distal region.
8. The catheter system of claim 6, wherein the guiding means comprises a locating tool introducible into one of the lumens of the proximal region for guiding the guidewire from the distal region into the selected lumen of the proximal region.
9. The catheter system of claim 6, wherein the locating tool has a flared end for receiving a proximal end of the guidewire.
10. The catheter system of claim 6, wherein the guiding means comprises selective alignment of the distal region with a preferred one of the lumens of the proximal region, whereby the guidewire will tend to enter a selected one of the lumens of the proximal region when advanced from the distal region into the proximal region.
11. The catheter system of claim 6, wherein the guiding means comprises alignment of the lumen of the distal region parallel to one lumen of the proximal region.
12. The catheter system of claim 6, wherein the catheter body has a bend in the region of the junction of the proximal and distal regions whereby the guidewire will tend to enter a selected one of the lumens of the proximal region when advanced from the distal region into the proximal region.
13. The catheter system of claim 6, wherein the guiding means comprises a gate disposed at the junction of the proximal and distal regions to direct the guidewire into a selected lumen in the proximal region.
14. The catheter system of claim 6, further comprising:
a drive shaft having a distal end and a proximal end and being reciprocatably disposed in one of the lumens in the proximal region of the catheter body; and a work element secured to the distal end of the drive shaft, whereby the work element may be extended into the single lumen in the distal region or retracted into the lumen in the proximal region by selectively reciprocating the drive cable.
15. The catheter system of claim 14, wherein the guiding means comprises a distal tip on the work element, the distal tip shaped to deflect the guidewire away from the work element and into a lumen of the proximal region other than that occupied by the work element when the guidewire is fed from the distal region of the catheter body into the proximal region.
16. A method for introducing a guidewire through a catheter having a distal end, a proximal end, a proximal region having at least two lumens and a distal region having a single lumen connected to and in communication with the lumens of the proximal region, the method comprising the steps of:
inserting the guidewire into the distal end of the catheter;
feeding the guidewire through the lumen of the distal region;
using a locating tool inserted into the catheter body to guide the guidewire into a selected lumen of the proximal region.
17. A method for positioning a work element within a selected region of a patient's vascular system using a catheter system comprising a catheter body having a proximal end, a distal end, a proximal region having at least two lumens, and a distal region having a single lumen which is connected to and in communication with both of the lumens in the proximal region and having a cross-sectional area which is less than the combined cross-sectional area of the two lumens of the proximal region; a drive shaft having a distal end and a proximal end and being reciprocatably disposed in one of the lumens in the proximal region; a work element secured to the distal end of the drive shaft; a proximal housing connected to the drive shaft; an axially expandable member extending between the proximal housing and the proximal end of the catheter body; and a guidewire; the method comprising the steps of:
advancing the guidewire into the patient's vascular system until it lies within the region of interest;
inserting the guidewire into the distal end of the catheter;

advancing the catheter along the guidewire until the distal region of the catheter body lies within the region of interest within the patient's vascular system;
retracting the guidewire to evacuate the lumen of the distal region of the catheter body; and moving the proximal housing with respect to the catheter body to move the work element into the lumen of the distal region of the catheter body.
18. The method of claim 17, further comprising the steps of:
moving the proximal housing with respect to the catheter body to move the work element into a lumen of the proximal region of the catheter body and to evacuate the lumen of the distal region;
advancing the guidewire through the lumen of the distal region of the catheter body and beyond the distal end of the catheter body into the patient's vascular system;
repositioning the catheter body over the guidewire;
withdrawing the guidewire into a lumen of the proximal region of the catheter body; and moving the proximal housing with respect to the catheter body to position the work element within the distal region of the catheter body.
CA002147360A 1992-11-13 1993-11-09 Intravascular catheter Abandoned CA2147360A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US07/976,228 1992-11-13
US07/976,228 US5314408A (en) 1992-11-13 1992-11-13 Expandable member for a catheter system
PCT/US1993/010769 WO1994011038A1 (en) 1992-11-13 1993-11-09 Intravascular catheter

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CA2147360A1 true CA2147360A1 (en) 1994-05-26

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CA002147360A Abandoned CA2147360A1 (en) 1992-11-13 1993-11-09 Intravascular catheter

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EP (1) EP0746346B1 (en)
JP (1) JP3655304B2 (en)
AT (1) ATE257717T1 (en)
CA (1) CA2147360A1 (en)
DE (1) DE69333384T2 (en)
ES (1) ES2217263T3 (en)
WO (1) WO1994011038A1 (en)

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JPH08503629A (en) 1996-04-23
JP3655304B2 (en) 2005-06-02
US5314408A (en) 1994-05-24
WO1994011038A1 (en) 1994-05-26
EP0746346A1 (en) 1996-12-11
ES2217263T3 (en) 2004-11-01
EP0746346A4 (en) 1996-02-08
DE69333384D1 (en) 2004-02-19
EP0746346B1 (en) 2004-01-14
US5458584A (en) 1995-10-17
DE69333384T2 (en) 2004-11-04

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