U.S. patent application number 14/605556 was filed with the patent office on 2015-07-30 for cooled microwave denervation catheter configuration.
The applicant listed for this patent is Denervx LLC. Invention is credited to Philip J. Haarstad, Stanley E. Kluge, Eric N. Rudie.
Application Number | 20150209107 14/605556 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53677969 |
Filed Date | 2015-07-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150209107 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rudie; Eric N. ; et
al. |
July 30, 2015 |
COOLED MICROWAVE DENERVATION CATHETER CONFIGURATION
Abstract
A cooled microwave denervation catheter includes a catheter body
having at least one fluid passage and an interior lumen therein, a
balloon in communication with the at least one fluid passage to
receive cooling fluid to inflate the balloon, and a microwave
antenna catheter configured to be inserted into the interior lumen
of the catheter body. The microwave antenna catheter has a distal
end configured to engage a taper of the interior lumen, thereby
positioning the microwave antenna in a desired location of the
interior lumen.
Inventors: |
Rudie; Eric N.; (Maple
Grove, MN) ; Haarstad; Philip J.; (Chanhassen,
MN) ; Kluge; Stanley E.; (Watertown, MN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Denervx LLC |
Maple Grove |
MN |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
53677969 |
Appl. No.: |
14/605556 |
Filed: |
January 26, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61931420 |
Jan 24, 2014 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
606/33 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 2018/00023
20130101; A61B 2018/00285 20130101; A61B 2018/00029 20130101; A61B
2018/1846 20130101; A61B 18/1815 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61B 18/18 20060101
A61B018/18 |
Claims
1. A cooled microwave denervation catheter comprising: a catheter
body having at least one fluid passage and an interior lumen
therein, the interior lumen having a first portion in a first axial
region, a second portion in a second axial region, and a taper
between the first portion and the second portion, the second
portion having a smaller diameter than the first portion; a balloon
in communication with the at least one fluid passage to receive
cooling fluid for inflating the balloon into a shape that surrounds
the catheter body at the first portion of the interior lumen, the
cooling fluid having a temperature that is less than basal body
temperature; a microwave antenna catheter configured to be inserted
into the interior lumen of the catheter body, the microwave antenna
catheter including a coaxial cable and a microwave antenna
connectable to a microwave generator to supply power to the
microwave antenna to cause microwave energy to be emitted from the
microwave antenna, wherein a distal end of the microwave antenna
catheter is configured to engage the taper between the first
portion and the second portion of the catheter body upon insertion
into the interior lumen, thereby positioning the microwave antenna
in the first portion of the interior lumen.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/931,420 filed Jan. 24, 2014 for "Cooled
Microwave Denervation Catheter Configuration" by E. Rudie et al.,
which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present disclosure is directed to catheter
configurations for cooled microwave denervation.
SUMMARY
[0003] A cooled microwave denervation catheter includes a catheter
body having at least one fluid passage and an interior lumen
therein, the interior lumen having a first portion in a first axial
region, a second portion in a second axial region, and a taper
between the first portion and the second portion, the second
portion having a smaller diameter than the first portion. A balloon
communicates with the at least one fluid passage to receive cooling
fluid for inflating the balloon into a shape that surrounds the
catheter body at the first portion of the interior lumen, the
cooling fluid having a temperature that is less than basal body
temperature. A microwave antenna catheter is configured to be
inserted into the interior lumen of the catheter body, the
microwave antenna catheter including a coaxial cable and a
microwave antenna connectable to a microwave generator to supply
power to the microwave antenna to cause microwave energy to be
emitted from the microwave antenna. A distal end of the microwave
antenna catheter is configured to engage the taper between the
first portion and the second portion of the catheter body upon
insertion into the interior lumen, thereby positioning the
microwave antenna in the first portion of the interior lumen.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] FIG. 1 depicts a cooled microwave denervation catheter
embodiment wherein the treatment catheter is separated into a first
catheter and an antenna catheter.
[0005] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the distal end of the first
catheter shown in FIG. 1.
[0006] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the distal end of the first
catheter shown in FIG. 1, with the antenna catheter positioned
within a lumen and advanced until the distal end of the antenna
catheter engages a taper.
[0007] FIG. 4 is an enlarged and shaded view of the distal end of
the first catheter shown in FIG. 1, with the antenna catheter
placed within the first catheter.
[0008] FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross section of the middle section of
the first catheter shown in FIG. 1.
[0009] FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross section of a portion of the
middle section of the first catheter shown in FIG. 1.
[0010] FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross section of the distal end of the
first catheter shown in FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 8 depicts another cooled microwave denervation catheter
embodiment in which the treatment catheter is separated into a
first catheter and a second catheter.
[0012] FIG. 9 depicts the distal portion of the first catheter
shown in FIG. 8 with the second catheter placed within it.
[0013] FIG. 10 is another view of the distal end of the first
catheter shown in FIG. 8.
[0014] FIG. 11 is a cross section of multi lumen tubing showing
cooling lumens and also a guide wire/antenna cable lumen.
[0015] FIG. 12 is a shaded drawing of the distal end of the first
catheter shown in FIG. 8.
[0016] FIG. 13 depicts alternate cooled microwave denervation
catheter shaft embodiments that can be used in conjunction with any
embodiment that requires an antenna cable lumen, inflow cooling
fluid lumen, outflow cooling fluid lumen, and a guide wire lumen or
a subset of these.
[0017] FIG. 14 depicts a cooled microwave denervation catheter
embodiment in which two balloons are used to occlude the body
lumen, center the antenna within the body lumen, and create a
chamber within which coolant is circulated.
[0018] FIG. 15 depicts a cooled microwave denervation catheter
embodiment in which a guide catheter is equipped with an
occluding/locating balloon inflated through a port via a lumen
within a multi lumen tube, to locate guide catheter just proximal
to a treatment site adjacent to the body lumen.
[0019] FIG. 16 depicts a dual balloon cooled microwave denervation
catheter embodiment wherein the treatment catheter includes a
microwave antenna mounted within a balloon.
[0020] FIG. 17 is another view of the catheter shown in FIG.
16.
[0021] FIG. 18A and FIG. 18B are alternate views of the catheter
shown in FIG. 16.
[0022] FIG. 19 depicts the distal end of another embodiment of a
cooled microwave denervation catheter.
[0023] FIG. 20 depicts the distal end of a further embodiment of a
cooled microwave denervation catheter.
[0024] FIGS. 21-23 depict a dual catheter embodiment of a cooled
microwave denervation catheter similar to that depicted in FIG.
8.
[0025] FIG. 24 depicts an alternate cross section for the shaft of
the catheter shown in FIGS. 21-23.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0026] The present disclosure is directed to catheter
configurations for cooled microwave denervation. In certain
embodiments, denervation is performed by positioning a catheter
carrying a microwave antenna within a body vessel/lumen adjacent
targeted nerves being treated, circulating cooling fluid around the
microwave antenna in thermal contact with the inner wall of the
body vessel/lumen, supplying power to the microwave antenna to
cause microwave energy to be emitted from the microwave antenna
toward the targeted nerves. The power supplied to the microwave
antenna and the cooling fluid circulated around the microwave
antenna are controlled to cause the targeted nerves to be heated to
a temperature sufficient to cause thermal damage while the wall of
the body vessel/lumen is maintained at a temperature where thermal
damage does not occur. Various embodiments of cooled microwave
denervation catheter configurations are described herein and shown
in FIGS. 1-24.
[0027] FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment wherein the treatment catheter
is separated into two catheters. The first catheter 10 has distal
end 12, middle portion 14 and proximal end 16. Distal end 12
includes cooling balloon 20 adapted to communicate with lumens for
inflow and outflow. The lumens exit the catheter through inlet
connector 22 and outlet connector 24 on manifold 30. Catheter 10
also contains lumen 44 (shown in FIG. 2) extending from tip port 26
to proximal port 28 on manifold 30 through which a guide wire or
antenna catheter 50 may be inserted. The second catheter, antenna
catheter 50, contains microwave antenna 56 connected through
coaxial cable 58 to a suitable connector, 60, such as a
subminiature version A (SMA) connector, connected on the proximal
end 54 of antenna catheter 50. Antenna 56 may be any embodiment as
described in U.S. application Ser. No. 14/032,013 filed Sep. 19,
2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference.
[0028] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of distal end 12 of catheter 10.
Inner tube member 32 forms lumen 44 within which antenna catheter
50 or a guide wire may be inserted. Taper 40 serves to transition
the diameter of lumen 44 to match tip orifice 26. Taper 40 also
serves to align antenna catheter 50 correctly within cooling
balloon 20. A cooling lumen 37 (shown in FIGS. 5 and 6) is formed
in the annular space between tube member 32 and tube member 34.
Coolant flows into lumen 37 and exits into balloon 20 through
proximal exchange port 35 formed when outer tube member 38 ends.
Inner tube member 34 extends to the distal end of balloon 20 and
forms distal coolant exchange port 39 into which coolant flows and
into lumen 36 formed by the annular space between inner and outer
tube member. Distal exchange port 39 is located near the distal end
of balloon 20 to ensure that coolant is circulated within
substantially the entire length of cooling balloon 20. Tube member
38 serves as the outer wall of catheter 10 and forms a cooling
lumen in the annular space between tube member 34 and tube member
38. Radio opaque markers 46 are positioned about tube member 34 and
are used to facilitate location of catheter 10 within renal artery
under fluoroscopic guidance.
[0029] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of distal end 12 of catheter 10
with antenna catheter 50 positioned within lumen 44 and advanced
until distal end 52 of antenna catheter 50 engages taper 40.
Antenna 56 is shown correctly positioned within balloon 20.
[0030] FIG. 4 is an enlarged and shaded view of distal end 12 of
catheter 10 with antenna catheter 50 placed within catheter 10.
Shading of balloon 20 and catheter tubing helps to visualize the
tubing walls.
[0031] FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross section of the middle section 14
of catheter 10. Coolant flows in the annular spaces 37 and 36
between tube members 32, 34 and 38. The inner lumen 44, central to
tube member 32, may contain guide wire 70 to facilitate
introduction, or antenna catheter 50 for treatment. The guide wire
70 and antenna catheter 50 are each represented by the same
circular cross section. However, they may be of different diameters
and only one of them will be present at a time.
[0032] FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross section of the middle of section
14 of catheter 10. However, this drawing has inner lumen 44 empty.
Central lumen 44, tubing members 32, 34 and 38 and annular space 37
and 36 are the same as in FIG. 5.
[0033] FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross section of distal end 12 of
catheter 10. Radio opaque markers 46 are more clearly visible
within balloon 20 and are used to guide location of balloon 20
within the treatment location.
[0034] In an exemplary operation of the embodiment represented in
FIGS. 1-7, catheter 10 is advanced over a guide wire 70 to the
desired treatment location. Radio opaque marker bands 46 help the
operator position the cooling balloon catheter 10 in the desired
location via fluoroscopy. The guide wire 70 is then removed,
leaving the cooling balloon catheter 10 in place. The antenna
catheter 50 is then inserted into the central lumen 44 of catheter
10 and advanced until distal end 52 of microwave catheter 50
engages taper 40 and thereby locates antenna 56 within balloon 20
in order to precisely target the treatment location. Denervation
treatment is then executed by applying coolant flow and microwave
power in accordance with the U.S. application Ser. No. 14/032,013
referenced above. Once the treatment period is complete, coolant is
discontinued, balloon 20 is deflated, and both the cooling balloon
catheter 10 and microwave catheter 50 are removed.
[0035] It can be appreciated that one advantage of this embodiment
is that the number of lumens required to perform the treatment is
reduced. This is a result of the guide wire 70 and antenna catheter
50 sharing the same lumen at different times during the procedure.
Additionally, the lumen size available to the guide wire is much
larger. Typical guide wire diameters for vascular interventions may
be 0.014'', 0.018'', 0.035'' and 0.038''. Since the diameter of the
antenna catheter 10 in a preferred embodiment is greater than
0.038'', central lumen 44 may in some embodiments accommodate guide
wire sizes as large as 0.038. These larger guide wire sizes can be
an advantage in providing support to the delivery of the cooling
balloon catheter in comparison with the use of 0.014'' or 0.018''
guidewires.
Embodiment DNX-001 B
[0036] FIG. 8 depicts another embodiment in which the treatment
catheter is separated into two catheters. The first catheter 110 is
a cooling balloon catheter that contains a microwave antenna within
the cooling balloon 120 in the distal portion 112. Connection
manifold 130 is located on proximal portion 116 of catheter 110.
Cooling connections 122 and 124 communicate through manifold 130 to
cooling lumens within catheter 110 to the distal section 112. A
guide wire may be inserted into orifice 128 and advanced through
catheter 110, exiting orifice at tip 126 to facilitate placement of
catheter 110 within a body at the desired treatment location.
[0037] Once catheter 110 is in the desired location, the guide wire
may be removed and catheter 150 may be inserted into orifice 128.
Catheter 150 contains coaxial cable 158 extending from contacts 159
located at distal portion 152 to microwave connector 160. Microwave
connector 160 may be an SMA or other appropriate connector. Once
catheter 150 is properly positioned within catheter 110, contacts
159 on catheter 150 mate with corresponding contacts 157 (shown in
FIG. 9) located within catheter 110 to enable microwave excitation
of antenna 156 (FIG. 9). Coolant may be circulated through lumens
within 110 so that balloon 120 may be inflated and denervation
treatment may commence. Once the treatment period is complete the
cooling balloon with antenna and coaxial cable are removed.
[0038] FIG. 9 depicts distal portion 112 of catheter 110 with
catheter 150 placed within. Antenna 156 is located within balloon
120 and is electrically connected to catheter 150 by contacts 157
and 159 to enable it to be energized by microwave current applied
to connector 160 (FIG. 8) located on the proximal end of catheter
150. Coolant is circulated through manifold 130, lumens 136 and 137
and into balloon 120 through proximal and distal ports 135 and 139.
Balloon 120 is inflated by this circulating coolant so that the
body lumen containing treatment catheter 110 may be protected. With
catheter 150 placed within catheter 110 and connected as described,
denervation treatment may commence. Once the treatment period is
complete the cooling balloon with antenna and coaxial cable are
removed. Radio opaque marker bands may be used to help visualize
location of balloon 120 within the body lumen adjacent to the
region requiring treatment.
[0039] FIG. 10 is another view of distal end 112 of catheter 110.
Antenna 156 is clearly located on multi lumen tube 138 (shown in
cross-section in FIG. 11). Proximal and distal coolant ports 135
and 139 are more clearly visible as apertures in multi lumen tube
138 that enable communication with lumens 136 and 137 (FIG. 11).
Radio opaque marker bands may be used to help visualize location of
balloon 120 within the body lumen adjacent to the region requiring
treatment.
[0040] FIG. 11 is a cross section of multi lumen tubing 138 showing
cooling lumens 136 and 137 and also guide wire/antenna cable lumen
144.
[0041] FIG. 12 is a shaded drawing of distal end 112 of catheter
110. The location of antenna 156, and cooling ports 135 and 139 are
visible.
[0042] In some embodiments, for optimal microwave energy
transmission it may be desirable for the diameter of the microwave
antenna to be significantly larger than the commonly used 0.035''
or 0.038'' guidewires. Mounting this larger antenna inside the
balloon allows the lumen for guidewire and coaxial cable to be
suited for 0.035'' or 0.038'' guidewire. Marker bands may not be
necessary in this embodiment if the antenna is significantly
radiopaque.
Shaft Embodiments
[0043] FIG. 13 depicts alternate shaft embodiments that can be used
in conjunction with any embodiment that requires an antenna cable
lumen 245, inflow cooling fluid lumen 236, outflow cooling fluid
lumen 237, and a guide wire lumen 244 or a subset of these.
Embodiment DNX-005
[0044] FIG. 14 depicts an embodiment in which two balloons are used
to occlude the body lumen, center the antenna within the body
lumen, and create a chamber within which coolant is circulated. The
catheter of this embodiment is advanced over guide wire 370 exiting
the device at orifice 326 until proper position within the body
lumen is achieved. Distal occlusion balloon 320 is attached to
multi lumen tube 332 and is inflated through port 357. Proximal
occlusion balloon 321 is attached to outer multi lumen tube 334 and
is inflated through port 359. Both balloons center antenna 356
within chamber 361 formed by occluding balloons 320 and 321.
Coolant is circulated through lumens within multi lumen tube 334
and enters chamber 361 through port 339. Coolant exits chamber 361
through port 335 and returns through lumens within multi lumen tube
334. Cooling of the body lumen is accomplished by direct heat
exchange between coolant within chamber 361 and the body lumen.
Microwave antenna 356 may then be energized to accomplish
denervation.
Embodiment DNX-007
[0045] FIG. 15 depicts an embodiment in which guide catheter 472 is
equipped with occluding/locating balloon 421 inflated through port
459 via a lumen within multi lumen tube 434, to locate guide
catheter just proximal to a treatment site adjacent to the body
lumen. Antenna catheter 450 is advanced over guide wire 470 exiting
an orifice at tip 426, through guide catheter 472, until it is
positioned within the body lumen at the treatment site. Proximal
balloon 420 is inflated through port 457 via a lumen within multi
lumen tube 432 and thereby centers antenna 456 within chamber 461
formed by balloons 420 and 421. Coolant may then be circulated
through a lumen within multi lumen tube 432, through distal coolant
port 439 and into chamber 461. The body lumen is cooled by direct
contact with coolant along chamber 461. Coolant enters port 435
formed by the annular space between catheter 450 and the inner
lumen of guide catheter 472. Since the cooling fluid is returned
thru the guide catheter lumen by entering orifice 435 formed by the
guide catheter inner lumen and the antenna catheter 450 outer
shaft; catheter 450 does not require an outflow lumen. Therefore,
the available cross sectional area of 450 may be allocated to a
single, higher flow lumen.
[0046] In operation, the guide catheter 472 is first positioned
just proximal to the treatment site using standard interventional
techniques. Once the guide catheter is in position, the balloon 421
on the guide catheter can be inflated via port 459 to occlude the
body lumen. This balloon can also help anchor the guide catheter in
the body lumen for the entire procedure. Next, treatment catheter
450 is advanced through guide catheter 472 and into the desired
body lumen to the desired treatment location. Distal balloon 420
may then be inflated via port 457. Coolant circulation may then be
initiated, thus circulating coolant within chamber 461 from distal
port 439 to proximal port 435 formed by the annulus between the
outer shaft of 450 and the inner lumen of guide catheter 472.
Cooling fluid will make direct contact with artery wall for optimal
heat transfer effect.
Embodiment DNX-008
[0047] FIG. 16 depicts a dual balloon embodiment wherein the
treatment catheter 550 includes microwave antenna 556 mounted
within balloon 520. A second balloon 521 is mounted on guide
catheter 572. On the proximal taper of the treatment catheter
balloon 520 are apertures 535, which are small enough to allow the
balloon to inflate during the treatment period but large enough to
allow cooling fluid to leak therethrough under pressure.
Accordingly, coolant enters balloon 521 through distal port 539
into balloon 520 where it circulates and cools the body lumen.
Coolant exits balloon 520 through apertures 535 at the proximal
taper and flows into chamber 561 formed by balloons 520 and 521.
Coolant enters port 574 formed by the annular space between the
outer shaft of catheter 550 and the inner lumen of guide catheter
572 where it is captured externally. Coolant balloon 520 also
centers antenna 556 within the body lumen adjacent to the region be
treated.
[0048] In operation, guide catheter 571 is first positioned in the
body lumen using standard interventional techniques. Once the guide
catheter is in position, balloon 521 is inflated via port 559 to
locate the guide catheter and occlude the body lumen. Next,
treatment catheter 550 is advanced through the guide catheter 572
into the body lumen and to the desired treatment location. Once
there, balloon 520, is inflated by circulating cooling fluid as
described above. Antenna 556 is then energized as described in U.S.
application Ser. No. 14/032,013. Once treatment is finished,
balloon 520 is deflated by discontinuing coolant circulation.
Balloon 521 may then be deflated and catheter 550 and guide wire
572 may be repositioned to an additional treatment site or
removed.
[0049] FIG. 17 is another view of catheter 550. Antenna 556 is
mounted on catheter shaft 532 within balloon 520. Apertures on
catheter shaft 532 form distal cooling port 539 that permits
coolant to flow from the cooling lumen within shaft 523 and into
balloon 520. Proximal cooling port 535 allows coolant to flow out
of balloon 520. Orifice 526 located on distal tip of shaft 532
allows the guide wire to exit catheter 550. Radio opaque markers
may be utilized if needed.
Embodiment DNX-008 B
[0050] FIG. 18A and FIG. 18B are alternate views of catheter 550.
Catheter 550 may be placed into the desired body lumen using only
guide wire guidance through port at distal tip 526, or it may be
placed with a standard, single lumen guide catheter, or a
combination of both. In this case, coolant exits port 535 formed by
many small apertures sized to maintain balloon pressure under
active coolant flow, and flows directly into the body lumen. The
coolant flow rate and treatment duration are such that a relatively
modest amount of coolant is discharged into the body lumen of the
patient and is not harmful. This embodiment is similar to DNX-008
described above, but does not include a balloon on the distal end
of the guide catheter. In the case of the body lumen being an
artery or vein, cooling fluid will be discharged into the blood
stream of the patient. A blood compatible fluid like sterile
dextrose may be used in some embodiments.
Embodiment DNX-008 C
[0051] FIG. 19 depicts distal end of catheter 650. Balloon 620
functions as generally described in the preceding embodiments,
except that apertures 635 in balloon 620 serve to discharge cooling
fluid into the body lumen on the distal side of balloon 620.
Depending on the body lumen being treated, it may be preferable to
discharge cooling fluid either proximal or distal to cooling
balloon 620. A coolant port may be located in the distal end of
balloon 620 so that coolant along body lumen is optimally moving in
order that cooling may be most effectively accomplished.
Embodiment DNX-008 D
[0052] FIG. 20 depicts distal end of catheter 750. Balloon 720
functions as generally described in the preceding embodiments,
except apertures 735 in balloon 720 serve to discharge coolant both
proximal and distal to balloon 720. Depending on the body lumen
being treated, it may be preferable to discharge a smaller volume
of fluid on each side of inflated balloon 720. In this case, a
coolant port may be located in the center of the balloon or in
another location to optimize cooling flow adjacent the body lumen
being cooled.
Embodiment DNX-012
[0053] FIGS. 21, 22, and 23 depict a dual catheter embodiment
similar to that depicted in FIG. 8. Cooling balloon/antenna
catheter 810 includes central lumen 844 through which either a
guide catheter or a coaxial cable catheter exits orifice 826 at the
tip. Coaxial cable catheter 850 is initially separate from cooling
balloon catheter 810, so that catheter 810 may be placed over a
guide wire and positioned within body lumen adjacent the desired
denervation site. Once placed, the guide wire is removed and
coaxial cable catheter 850 is advanced within lumen 844 in catheter
810 so that contacts 859 on coaxial cable catheter engage with
mating contacts, 857 within catheter 810. Coolant flows through a
relatively large lumen 836 into balloon 820 through orifice 839 and
into the interior of balloon 820. Coolant exits balloon 820 through
apertures 835 on the proximal taper of the balloon and is
discharged into body lumen as described above in previous
embodiments.
[0054] Radio opaque markers 846 may be incorporated if helpful for
placement.
[0055] As can be appreciated, apertures 835 on balloon 820 may be
located on the proximal taper as shown in FIG. 22, on the distal
taper like those shown in FIG. 19, or on both proximal and distal
tapers as shown in FIG. 20. Alternately, the discharge holes may be
located on the cylindrical wall of balloon 820. Coolant port 839
may be moved within balloon in order to ensure that coolant is
moving along body lumen contact area so that cooling may be
accomplished.
[0056] FIG. 24 depicts an alternate cross section for the shaft of
catheter 810. In this figure, as in FIG. 23, the outer tubing wall
is identified as 838. The cooling lumen is 836, and the antenna
catheter/guide wire lumen is 844.
[0057] This concept combines the shared guidewire and coaxial cable
lumen concept in DNX-001 with the cooling fluid holes in the
balloon tapers as in DNX-008 B, C & D. The shaft of the
treatment catheter requires only two lumens. One lumen is a shared
lumen for guidewire and coaxial cable and the second lumen is for
inflow of cooling fluid. The lumen configuration can be either a
simple coaxial design or multilumen extrusion.
[0058] While the invention has been described with reference to an
exemplary embodiment(s), it will be understood by those skilled in
the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be
substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope
of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to
adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the
invention without departing from the essential scope thereof.
Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the
particular embodiment(s) disclosed, but that the invention will
include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended
claims.
* * * * *