U.S. patent application number 16/843736 was filed with the patent office on 2020-07-23 for small flexible liquid core catheter for laser ablation in body lumens and methods for use.
The applicant listed for this patent is RA MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.. Invention is credited to Cesar M. DIAZ, Dean S. IRWIN, James B. LAUDENSLAGER.
Application Number | 20200230294 16/843736 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48082766 |
Filed Date | 2020-07-23 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200230294 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
LAUDENSLAGER; James B. ; et
al. |
July 23, 2020 |
SMALL FLEXIBLE LIQUID CORE CATHETER FOR LASER ABLATION IN BODY
LUMENS AND METHODS FOR USE
Abstract
Embodiments relate to the design and use of a low profile
ablation catheter with a liquid core for use in laser ablation
removal of arterial plaque blockages to restore blood flow.
Inventors: |
LAUDENSLAGER; James B.; (San
Marcos, CA) ; IRWIN; Dean S.; (Carlsbad, CA) ;
DIAZ; Cesar M.; (Carlsbad, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
RA MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC. |
Carlsbad |
CA |
US |
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Family ID: |
48082766 |
Appl. No.: |
16/843736 |
Filed: |
April 8, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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15615734 |
Jun 6, 2017 |
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16843736 |
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13651070 |
Oct 12, 2012 |
9700655 |
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15615734 |
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61547435 |
Oct 14, 2011 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 2018/2025 20130101;
A61B 18/245 20130101; A61L 29/041 20130101; A61B 18/24 20130101;
A61B 2018/206 20130101; A61L 29/085 20130101; A61L 29/14 20130101;
A61B 2090/3966 20160201; A61L 29/08 20130101; A61M 25/0009
20130101; A61L 29/041 20130101; C08L 27/12 20130101; A61L 29/085
20130101; C08L 27/12 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61L 29/04 20060101
A61L029/04; A61B 18/24 20060101 A61B018/24; A61L 29/08 20060101
A61L029/08; A61L 29/14 20060101 A61L029/14 |
Claims
1. A liquid core ablation catheter, comprising: an elongate low
profile, kink resistant, torqueable, multi-layer catheter tube,
comprising: a base tubular layer including fluorinated or mostly
fluorinated material, a braided layer disposed over an outside
surface of the base tubular layer, a over-jacket layer coated over
the braided layer and base tubular layer to encapsulate the braided
layer, and a thin inner luminal layer of a low IR, U.V.
transparent, amorphous fluoropolymer having an index of refraction
of less than or equal to about 1.33 disposed on an inside surface
of the base tubular layer; an ultraviolet grade output optical
window or window assembly sealed to a surface of the catheter tube;
a ultraviolet grade input optical window sealed to a surface of the
catheter tube at a proximal end of the catheter tube to create a
fluid tight core liquid volume; and a biocompatible U.V.
transparent fluid disposed within and completely filling the core
liquid volume formed between an inner surface of the thin inner
luminal layer, a proximal surface of the output optical window and
a distal surface of the input optical window.
2. The liquid core ablation catheter of claim 1 wherein an area
ratio of the output optical window to an area of an outer diameter
of a distal end of the catheter tube is greater than about 40%.
3. The liquid core ablation catheter of claim 1 wherein a material
of the base tubular layer comprises FEP or PCTFE.
4. The liquid core ablation catheter of claim 1 wherein the core
liquid comprises a liquid selected from the group consisting of
water, normal saline and Ringers solution.
5. The liquid core ablation catheter of claim 1 wherein the thin
inner luminal layer is comprised of a single or multiple coatings
of an amorphous fluoropolymer selected from the group consisting of
Teflon AF 2400.RTM., AF 1601.RTM., Cytop.RTM., and Hyflon AD.RTM.
dissolved in a solvent such as a Fluorinert.
6. The liquid core ablation catheter of claim 1 wherein the thin
inner luminal layer is made from a coating solution including a low
index of refraction perfluoropolyether oil to improve adhesion,
increase the film thickness and lower the over all index of
refraction of the inner luminal layer.
7. The liquid core ablation catheter of claim 1 wherein the braided
layer of the multi-layer catheter tube comprises multiple metal
ribbons or round wires braided in a manner to provide kink
resistance, adequate torque and pushability for the plastic base
tubing layer.
8. The liquid core ablation catheter of claim 1 wherein the input
optical window comprises a U.V. grade synthetic silica or fused
quartz rod that acts as a waveguide input window using an
air/silica rod configuration such that an NA of the input window is
less than or equal to an NA of the liquid core ablation
catheter.
9. The liquid core ablation catheter of claim 7 wherein the input
optical window extends proximally beyond the multi-layer catheter
tube of the system to prevent laser damage to the catheter
tube.
10. The liquid core ablation catheter of claim 1 wherein the input
optical window comprises a U.V. grade optical fiber with a cladding
that acts as a fiber optic input window such that an NA of the
input optical window is less than or equal to an NA resulting from
the core liquid inner luminal layer interface of the liquid core
ablation catheter.
11. The liquid core ablation catheter of claim 1 wherein the
catheter tube, optical windows and U.V. transparent fluid are
configured to deliver full ablation energy for typical blockages in
arteries including calcified plaque with energy densities
substantially equal to or greater than about 14 mJ/mm2 and a
repetition rate of up to about 100 Hz.
12. The liquid core ablation catheter of claim 1 further comprising
a radiopaque marker at a distal end thereof to visualize the end of
the ablation catheter in the artery through standard fluoroscopic
imaging.
13. The liquid core ablation catheter of claim 12 wherein the
radiopaque marker comprises a tapered metal housing disposed at a
distal end of the liquid core ablation catheter.
14. The liquid core ablation catheter of claim 1 wherein the inner
luminal layer is made by applying a coating of low index amorphous
fluoropolymer solution to an inner luminal surface of the base
tubular layer and subsequent removal of a solvent of the solution
at temperatures near 100 degrees C. but well below the glass
transition temperature (Tg) of an amorphous fluoropolymer of the
solution and boiling point of the solvent to prevent damage to
lower temperature materials used for the base tubular layer or
over-jacket layer.
15. The liquid core ablation catheter of claim 1 further comprising
an outer diameter sufficient to pass through human arteries and is
in the range of about 1 mm to about 2.5 mm.
16. The liquid core ablation catheter of claim 1 further comprising
a red diode laser beam optically coupled to the liquid core
ablation catheter and configured to be emitted from a distal end
thereof during a procedure using the liquid core ablation
catheter.
17. The liquid core ablation catheter of claim 1 further comprising
an eccentric guidewire lumen disposed along an outer surface of the
catheter which has a distal port disposed proximally from a distal
end of the ablation catheter by at least about 5 mm and which has a
longitudinal length of at least about 10 cm.
18. A liquid core ablation catheter, comprising: an elongate, low
profile, kink resistant, torqueable, multi-layer catheter tube
including a thin inner luminal layer of a low IR, U.V. transparent,
amorphous fluoropolymer having an index of refraction of less than
or equal to about 1.33 disposed on an inside surface of the base
tubular layer; an ultraviolet grade output optical window or window
assembly sealed to a distal end of the catheter tube; an
ultraviolet grade input optical window sealed to a proximal end of
the catheter tube to create a fluid tight core liquid volume; and a
biocompatible U.V. transparent fluid disposed within and completely
filling the core liquid volume formed between an inner surface of
the thin inner luminal layer, the output optical window and the
input optical window.
19. The liquid core ablation catheter of claim 18 wherein an area
ratio of the output optical window to an area of an outer diameter
of a distal end of the catheter tube is greater than about 40%.
20. The liquid core ablation catheter of claim 18 wherein the core
liquid comprises a liquid selected from the group consisting of
water, normal saline and Ringers solution.
21. The liquid core ablation catheter of claim 18 wherein the thin
inner luminal layer is comprised of a single or multiple coatings
of an amorphous fluoropolymer selected from the group consisting of
PFPE oil, Teflon AF 2400.RTM., AF 1601.RTM., Cytop.RTM., and Hyflon
AD.RTM. dissolved in a solvent such as a Fluorinert.
22. The liquid core ablation catheter of claim 18 wherein the
catheter tube, optical windows and U.V. transparent fluid are
configured to deliver full ablation energy for typical blockages in
arteries including calcified plaque with energy densities
substantially equal to or greater than about 14 mJ/mm2 and a
repetition rate of up to about 100 Hz.
23. The liquid core ablation catheter of claim 18 further
comprising a radiopaque marker at a distal end thereof to visualize
the end of the ablation catheter in the artery through standard
fluoroscopic imaging.
24. The liquid core ablation catheter of claim 18 wherein the
output optical window is secured to the distal end of the catheter
tube with a tapered metal housing disposed at a distal end of the
catheter tube.
25. The liquid core ablation catheter of claim 24 wherein the
tapered metal housing comprises a radiopaque marker configured to
be visualized under fluoroscopic imaging.
26. The liquid core ablation catheter of claim 18 wherein the inner
luminal layer is made by applying a coating of low index amorphous
fluoropolymer solution to an inner luminal surface of the base
tubular layer and subsequent removal of a solvent of the solution
at temperatures near 100 degrees C. but well below the glass
transition temperature (Tg) of an amorphous fluoropolymer of the
solution and boiling point of the solvent to prevent damage to
lower temperature materials used for the base tubular layer or
over-jacket layer.
27. The liquid core ablation catheter of claim 18 further
comprising an outer diameter sufficient to pass through human
arteries and is in the range of about 1 mm to about 2.5 mm.
28. The liquid core ablation catheter of claim 18 wherein the
multi-layer catheter tube comprises a total wall thickness less
than or equal to about 0.015 inches.
29. The liquid core ablation catheter of claim 28 wherein the
multi-layer catheter tube comprises a total wall thickness less
than or equal to about 0.010 inches.
30. The liquid core ablation catheter of claim 29 wherein the
multi-layer catheter tube comprises a total wall thickness less
than or equal to about 0.008 inches.
31. The liquid core ablation catheter of claim 18 further
comprising a red diode laser beam optically coupled to the liquid
core ablation catheter and configured to be emitted from a distal
end thereof during a procedure using the liquid core ablation
catheter.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of copending U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 15/615,734, filed Jun. 6, 2017, entitled Small
Flexible Liquid Core Catheter for Laser Ablation in Body Lumens and
Methods for Use, by J. Laudenslager et al., which is a divisional
application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/651,070, filed
Oct. 12, 2012, entitled Small Flexible Liquid Core Catheter for
Laser Ablation in Body Lumens and Methods for Use, by J.
Laudenslager et al., now U.S. Pat. No. 9,700,655, which claims
priority under 35 USC 119(e) from U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 61/547,435, filed Oct. 14, 2011, entitled Small
Flexible Liquid Core Catheter for Laser Ablation and Method for
Use, by J. Laudenslager et al., each of which is incorporated by
reference herein in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Laser catheters and laser delivery systems in general have
wide range of applications in the medical field. Such systems may
be used to deliver laser energy to desired sites of a patient's
anatomy, and may be particularly suitable for delivering laser
energy to locations within a patient's body that allow for
minimally invasive treatment of a variety of indications using a
variety of treatment modalities. Examples of some laser treatment
modalities include heating tissue, stimulating tissue, drug
activation within a patient's tissue and ablation of tissue.
[0003] Laser catheters currently approved for clearing blockages in
human arteries may use single or more commonly multiple bundle pure
silica optical fibers for indications using ultraviolet laser pulse
durations greater than about 50 nsec, usually greater than about
100 nsec to prevent damage to small diameter optical fibers used in
multiple optical fiber delivery catheter designs. Typically,
optical fiber elements having a transmissive core with a transverse
dimension or diameter of about 50 microns to about 100 microns may
be used in ablation catheters having multiple optical fiber
bundles.
[0004] In some cases, single large diameter optical fibers having a
transmissive core with a transverse dimension or diameter greater
than about 130 microns may be too stiff or resistant to
longitudinal bending for use in the arteries of a patient,
particularly the coronary arteries of a human patient. Therefore,
multiple optical fiber bundles using optical fibers having a
smaller transverse dimension or diameter may be used to improve
flexibility of the catheter while maintaining a constant
transmissive core area. These optical fiber laser catheters may be
up to 12 feet long and contain from about 50 optical fibers to
about 300 optical fibers depending on the cross sectional size of
the catheter ablation tip. These pure silica optical fibers are
expensive and have a low percentage of cutting area due to the clad
and buffer used on the outside of the light conducting or
transmissive core as well as a low density packing factor for the
multiple fibers having a circular transverse cross section disposed
in a bundle.
[0005] Another way for delivering laser energy to a remote site
includes the use of a fluid core waveguide. Existing commercial
fluid core waveguides having a transmissive fluid core may
typically have an inner diameter of about 2 mm to about 5 mm and a
length of about 1 m to about 5 m and have useful light transmission
from the ultraviolet to the visible wavelengths at greater than 50%
transmission in some cases. Such designs may be robust for repeated
use but are large in size and may not be scalable to a smaller more
flexible design for use as a disposable catheter in tortuous
vessels such as a patient's vasculature. Such designs may also not
be adaptable to smaller more flexible embodiments to be used with a
high pulse power and high pulse energy laser such as the
ultraviolet excimer laser, particularly the 308 nm XeCl excimer.
Also, many of the previously disclosed fluids used for the
transmissive core of these fluid core waveguides may not be
suitably biocompatible for use inside the human body.
[0006] What has been needed is a fluid core waveguide based
ablation catheter that is small and flexible enough to navigate a
patient's vasculature, uses biocompatible fluids, and is economical
to manufacture. What has also been needed is a fluid core waveguide
based ablation catheter that can be efficiently packaged and
sterilized and maintain clinical integrity during a useful shelf
life after shipment to an end user.
SUMMARY
[0007] Some embodiments of a laser catheter system to ablate
blockages in body lumens using high energy and high power short
duration laser pulses may include a high energy, high power short
duration ultraviolet pulsed laser source. Such systems may also
include a low profile, kink resistant, torqueable liquid core
ablation catheter operatively coupled to the laser source. In some
cases, the liquid core ablation catheter may have an elongate
multi-layer catheter tube including a thin inner luminal layer of a
low index of refraction (IR), U.V. transparent, amorphous
fluoropolymer having an index of refraction of less than or equal
to about 1.33 disposed on an inside surface of the base tubular
layer; an ultraviolet grade output optical window or window
assembly sealed to a distal end of the catheter tube; an
ultraviolet grade input optical window sealed to a proximal end of
the catheter tube to create a fluid tight core liquid volume; and a
biocompatible U.V. transparent fluid disposed within and completely
filling the core liquid volume formed between an inner surface of
the thin inner luminal layer, the output optical window and the
input optical window.
[0008] Some embodiments of a laser system to ablate blockages in
body lumens using high energy and high power short duration laser
pulses include a high energy, high power short duration ultraviolet
pulsed laser source. The system may also include a low profile,
kink resistant, torqueable liquid core ablation catheter
operatively coupled to the laser source. Such a liquid core
ablation catheter may include an elongate multi-layer catheter
tube, which has a base tubular layer including fluorinated or
mostly fluorinated material, a braided layer disposed over an
outside surface of the base tubular layer, an over-jacket layer
coated over the braided layer and base tubular layer to encapsulate
the braided layer, and a thin inner luminal layer of a low index of
refraction (IR), U.V. transparent, amorphous fluoropolymer having
an index of refraction of less than or equal to about 1.33 disposed
on an inside surface of the base tubular layer that may be made by
drip coating a solution of amorphous fluoropolymer to the inside
surface and drying off the solvent. The liquid core ablation
catheter may also include an ultraviolet grade output optical
window sealed to a lumenal surface, such as an inner lumenal
surface of the catheter tube, wherein an area ratio of the output
optical window to a total area of an outer diameter of the catheter
tube, and in particular, the catheter tube distal tip, may be
greater than about 40%. The catheter may further include an
ultraviolet grade input optical window sealed to a surface of the
catheter tube, such as an inner lumenal surface or outer surface of
the catheter tube at a proximal end of the catheter tube to create
a fluid tight core liquid volume. A biocompatible U.V. transparent
fluid may be disposed within and completely filling a core liquid
volume formed between an inner surface of the thin inner luminal
layer, a proximal surface of the output optical window and a distal
surface of the output optical window.
[0009] Some embodiments of a support catheter for use supporting a
liquid core ablation catheter may include an inner tubular layer
that may be less than about 0.001 inches in thickness, a thin over
layer with of a material with a higher durometer than the inner
tubular layer, a braided layer disposed over an outer surface of
the inner tubular layer, and an outer layer covering the braided
layer. In some cases, the support catheter may also have a wall
thickness of less than about 0.006 inches. For some such
embodiments, the support catheter may include an inner lumen with
an inner diameter which is configured to accommodate passage of a
liquid core ablation catheter and space therebetween sufficient for
saline injection to flush blood and contrast fluid in front of the
ablation catheter distal end. For some embodiments, the inner
tubular layer of this catheter may include a low friction material
to ease passage of the ablation catheter and may also include the
requisite torqueability, pushability and kink resistance to guide
an ablation catheter with a low enough profile to advance through
an opening generated by such laser ablation of tissue with the
ablation catheter. Some support catheter embodiments may include a
multi-lumen support catheter, having one or more guidewire lumens,
such as 2, 3, 4 or more guidewire lumens, and a working lumen
configured for passage of an ablation catheter.
[0010] Some methods of ablation of blockages in a lumen of a human
vessel may include positioning a support catheter at a target site
of a blockage of the vessel, inserting a liquid core ablation
catheter adjacent the blockage, injecting saline through an inner
lumen of the support catheter to flush contrast fluid and blood
from a distal tip of the liquid core ablation catheter, emitting
ablative laser energy from a distal end of the ablation catheter
and advancing the liquid core ablation catheter about 4 mm to about
6 mm from a distal end of the support catheter while lasing. In
some cases, the ablation catheter may be advanced about 5 mm from a
distal end of the support catheter. Thereafter, the support
catheter may be repositioned so as to be substantially even with
the ablation catheter and this process continued until the blockage
is traversed.
[0011] Some other methods of making a multi-layer catheter tube for
a liquid core ablation catheter may use processes other than drip
coating or dip coating for generating a low index of refraction
film or layer on an inside surface of the catheter tube. For
example, some embodiments of making a multi-layer catheter tube may
include extruding a thin inner luminal layer of amorphous
fluoropolymer onto a metal mandrel, etching an outer surface of the
extruded inner luminal layer, applying a base layer tube configured
as a water barrier over the etched outer surface of the inner
luminal layer and applying a braided layer of thin metal filaments
onto an outer surface of the base layer tube with the metal mandrel
in place. Thereafter, an outer jacket layer may be applied over an
outer surface and braided layer and an outer surface of the base
layer tube and the metal mandrel removed from the inner luminal
layer by stretching the metal mandrel to reduce an outer diameter
thereof and withdrawing the metal mandrel from an inner lumen of
the inner luminal layer.
[0012] Some embodiments of a method of making an inner luminal
layer of a multi-layer catheter tube of a liquid core ablation
catheter may include coating a metal mandrel with an over coat of
an amorphous fluoropolymer solution and processing the coated
mandrel at temperatures above a boiling point of a solvent of the
amorphous fluoropolymer solution and above a glass transition
temperature (Tg) of an amorphous fluoropolymer material of the
amorphous fluoropolymer solution to drive off the solvent and
anneal the amorphous fluoropolymer material and form an inner
layer. Thereafter, the processed layer of amorphous fluoropolymer
may be coated with one or more additional coats of amorphous
fluoropolymer solution and the additional coat or coats processed
at temperatures above the boiling point of the solvent of the
fluoropolymer solution and above the glass transition temperature
(Tg) of the fluoropolymer material of the fluoropolymer solution to
drive off the solvent and anneal the fluoropolymer material to form
a multi-layer inner luminal layer of sufficient thickness. An outer
surface of the inner luminal layer may then be etched with an
appropriate etching process to produce a bondable surface and a
base layer tube configured as a water barrier applied over the
etched outer surface of the inner luminal layer. A braided layer of
thin metal filaments may also be applied onto the etched outer
surface of the inner luminal layer with the metal mandrel in place
and an outer jacket layer applied over the etched outer surface and
braided layer. Once the outer jacket has been applied, the metal
mandrel may be removed from the inner luminal layer by stretching
the metal mandrel to reduce an outer diameter thereof and
withdrawing the metal mandrel from an inner lumen of the inner
luminal layer.
[0013] Some embodiments of a method of making a multi-layer
catheter tube for a liquid core ablation catheter include applying
a base layer tube configured as a water barrier onto a metal
mandrel, applying a braided layer of thin metal filaments onto an
outer surface of the baser layer tube with the metal mandrel in
place and applying an outer jacket layer over an outer surface and
braided layer and an outer surface of the base layer tube. The
method may also include removing the metal mandrel from the inner
luminal layer by stretching the metal mandrel to reduce an outer
diameter thereof and withdrawing the metal mandrel from an inner
lumen of the inner luminal layer. The method may also include drip
coating a solution of amorphous fluoropolymer(s) onto an inside
surface of the base layer and removing a solvent of the solution of
amorphous fluoropolymer(s) to form an inner luminal layer of
amorphous fluoropolymer(s).
[0014] Some embodiments of a laser catheter system to ablate
blockages in body lumens using high energy and high power short
duration laser pulses, include a high energy, high power short
duration ultraviolet pulsed laser source and a low profile, kink
resistant, torqueable liquid core ablation catheter operatively
coupled to the laser source. The liquid core ablation catheter may
include an elongate multi-layer catheter tube including a thin
inner luminal layer of a low IR, U.V. transparent, amorphous
fluoropolymer having an index of refraction of less than or equal
to about 1.33 disposed on an inside surface of the base tubular
layer. The ablation catheter may also include an ultraviolet grade
output optical window or window assembly sealed to a distal end of
the catheter tube and an ultraviolet grade input optical window
sealed to a proximal end of the catheter tube to create a fluid
tight core liquid volume. Further, a biocompatible U.V. transparent
fluid may be disposed within and completely filling the core liquid
volume formed between an inner surface of the thin inner luminal
layer, the output optical window and the input optical window.
[0015] Some embodiments of a high energy laser coupler have a
coupler body including a proximal section with a cylindrical outer
surface, an inner bore disposed concentrically within the
cylindrical outer surface and extending distally from a proximal
end of the coupler body, a window connector bore disposed at a
distal end of the inner bore, and a distal section extending
distally from the window connector bore. Such laser coupler
embodiments may also have a window connector body including a
proximal section with a cylindrical outer surface configured to fit
closely with an inside surface of the window connector bore of the
coupler body, a flange portion disposed at a distal end of the
proximal section, a stepped portion extending distally of the
flange portion and an inner bore extending the length of the window
connector body from a proximal end to a distal end thereof. An
optical input window may be disposed within and secured to the
inner bore of the window connector body such that a proximal end of
the optical input window extends proximally from a proximal end of
the proximal section of the window connector body. In addition, a
flexible waveguide catheter tube including a proximal portion
thereof may be disposed over the stepped portion of the window
connector body and a cylindrical metal sleeve may be disposed over
the proximal portion of the flexible waveguide catheter tube so at
to secure the catheter tube to the stepped portion of the window
connector body.
[0016] Some embodiments of a liquid core ablation catheter package
assembly include a thin walled hermetically sealed enclosure having
an interior volume and a material suitable for gamma sterilization.
The package also includes a liquid core ablation catheter disposed
within the interior volume of the hermetically sealed enclosure and
a liquid disposed within the interior volume which is configured to
maintain a vapor pressure within the interior volume sufficient to
prevent loss of a liquid of a liquid core of the liquid core
ablation catheter due to diffusion of the liquid core into the
interior volume.
[0017] Some embodiments of an ablation catheter include an elongate
catheter body, a transmissive core which is configured to transmit
high energy laser light and which extends longitudinally from a
proximal end to a distal end of the elongate catheter body, and an
input surface in optical communication with the transmissive core
at a proximal end of the elongate catheter body. The ablation
catheter may also include an output surface in optical
communication with the transmissive core at a distal end of the
elongate catheter body. The ablation catheter may also have a
tapered metal housing which includes a distal end having an inner
bore that is disposed about the output surface, which includes a
distal end that is longitudinally coextensive with a distal end of
the output surface, which includes a tapered distal section that
terminates distally with a thin wall that facilitates passage of a
distal end of the ablation catheter through a lumen within a
patient's body and which is configured to be sufficiently
radiopaque in such as to be viewable by fluoroscopic imaging during
a medical procedure.
[0018] Certain embodiments are described further in the following
description, examples, claims and drawings. These features of
embodiments will become more apparent from the following detailed
description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying
exemplary drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] The drawings illustrate embodiments of the technology and
are not limiting. For clarity and ease of illustration, the
drawings may not be made to scale and, in some instances, various
aspects may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an
understanding of particular embodiments.
[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a laser system embodiment
including a laser and a disposable liquid core ablation catheter
coupled to the laser.
[0021] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a laser system embodiment
including a reusable extension waveguide connected between a laser
and a disposable liquid core ablation catheter.
[0022] FIG. 3 is an elevation view of an embodiment of a laser
catheter system including a liquid core ablation catheter disposed
within a support catheter, the support catheter having a saline
flush port.
[0023] FIG. 4 is an elevation view of the support catheter
embodiment of FIG. 2.
[0024] FIG. 5 is an elevation view of the liquid core ablation
catheter embodiment of FIG. 2.
[0025] FIG. 6 is an enlarged elevation view in partial section of
the laser connector ferrule embodiment of FIG. 3 for use with a
liquid core ablation catheter.
[0026] FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the encircled portion 7 of the
laser connector ferrule embodiment of FIG. 6.
[0027] FIG. 8 is an elevation view in partial section of a distal
portion of the liquid core ablation catheter embodiment of FIG.
3.
[0028] FIG. 9 is a transverse cross sectional view of the liquid
core ablation catheter of FIG. 8 taken along lines 9-9 of FIG.
8.
[0029] FIG. 10 is an elevation view in section of a distal portion
of a liquid core ablation catheter embodiment including a tapered
metal housing.
[0030] FIG. 11 is a transverse cross sectional view of the liquid
core ablation catheter of FIG. 10 taken along lines 10-10 of FIG.
10.
[0031] FIG. 12 is a transverse cross sectional view of the liquid
core ablation catheter of FIG. 10 taken along lines 12-12 of FIG.
10.
[0032] FIG. 13 is a transverse cross section of the liquid core
ablation catheter embodiment of FIG. 5 taken along lines 13-13 of
FIG. 5.
[0033] FIG. 14 is an enlarged view in section of the wall of the
liquid core ablation catheter of FIG. 13 indicated by the encircled
portion 14 in FIG. 13.
[0034] FIG. 15 is a transverse cross section view of an embodiment
of a liquid core ablation catheter with an eccentric guidewire
lumen.
[0035] FIG. 16 is an elevation view of a distal portion of the
liquid core ablation catheter embodiment of FIG. 15.
[0036] FIG. 17 is an elevation view of a distal portion of an
embodiment of the liquid core ablation catheter embodiment of FIG.
15 having a tapered metal housing disposed at a distal end
thereof.
[0037] FIG. 18 is a transverse cross section view showing an
embodiment of the support catheter of FIG. 4 and taken along lines
18-18 of FIG. 4.
[0038] FIG. 19 is an elevation view of a distal portion of the
support catheter embodiment of FIG. 18.
[0039] FIG. 20 is an elevation view of a distal portion of a
support catheter embodiment that includes a tapered distal
portion.
[0040] FIG. 21 is an elevation view of a distal portion of a
support catheter embodiment that includes an angled distal end.
[0041] FIG. 22 is an elevation view of a distal portion of a
support catheter embodiment having an angled distal section
configured for nutation of an ablation catheter disposed
therein.
[0042] FIG. 23 is an end view of the support catheter of FIG.
22.
[0043] FIG. 24 is a schematic representation of an annular area of
ablation swept by the distal end of the liquid core ablation
catheter while undergoing nutation due to rotation of the angled
support catheter of FIG. 22.
[0044] FIG. 25 is a schematic representation of a circular area of
ablation swept by the distal end of the liquid core ablation
catheter while undergoing nutation due to rotation of the angled
support catheter of FIG. 22.
[0045] FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a distal portion of an
embodiment of a multi-lumen support catheter having two eccentric
guidewire lumens.
[0046] FIG. 27 is an end view of the support catheter embodiment of
FIG. 8A.
[0047] FIGS. 28 through 32 illustrate a method embodiment of a
tissue ablation method.
[0048] FIG. 33 is a transverse section view of a patient's vessel
illustrating a method embodiment of producing a larger lumen after
a first pass of an ablation catheter.
[0049] FIG. 34 is an elevation view in partial section of a
patient's vessel lumen and catheter system embodiment disposed
therein.
[0050] FIG. 35 is an elevation view in partial section illustrating
an ablation catheter ablating new tissue laterally adjacent the
pilot lumen.
[0051] FIG. 36 is an elevation view in partial section illustrating
creation of an annular area of ablation of a vessel blockage by
nutation of an ablation catheter as shown in FIGS. 22-24.
[0052] FIGS. 37-43 illustrate schematic representations of various
catheter manufacturing process embodiments.
[0053] FIG. 44 is an elevation view in section of a distal portion
of a liquid core ablation catheter embodiment including a tapered
metal housing.
[0054] FIG. 45 is a transverse cross section view of the liquid
core ablation catheter of FIG. 44 taken along lines 45-45 of FIG.
44.
[0055] FIG. 46 is an enlarged elevation view in partial section of
a laser connector ferrule embodiment of FIG. 3 for use with a
liquid core ablation catheter.
[0056] FIG. 47 is a transverse cross section view of the laser
coupler of FIG. 46 taken along lines 47-47 of FIG. 46.
[0057] FIG. 48 is a transverse cross section view of the laser
coupler of FIG. 46 taken along lines 48-48 of FIG. 46.
[0058] FIG. 49 is an enlarged view of the encircled portion 49 of
the laser connector ferrule embodiment of FIG. 46.
[0059] FIG. 50 is a transverse cross section view of the input
optic coupler assembly of the laser coupler of FIG. 49 taken along
lines 50-50 of FIG. 49.
[0060] FIG. 51 shows a schematic representation of a packaging
embodiment for use with a liquid core ablation catheter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0061] As discussed above, laser catheters and laser delivery
systems in general have wide range of applications in the medical
field. Such systems may be used to deliver laser energy to desired
sites of a patient's anatomy, and may be particularly suitable for
delivering laser energy to locations within a patient's body that
allow for minimally invasive treatment of a variety of indications
using a variety of treatment modalities. Examples of some laser
treatment modalities include heating tissue, stimulating tissue,
drug activation within a patient's tissue and ablation of tissue.
Some examples of clinical indications for laser treatment may
include laser atherectomy. One drawback of some current laser
systems is the cost of the systems and devices used to deliver the
laser energy, particularly with regard to those components that are
designated as single use products. Liquid core catheter embodiments
22, as shown in FIG. 3, may generally be considerably less
expensive than a silica fiber optic based catheter and may also
have less dead space in the cutting area at the distal end of the
catheter. The reduced dead space (that distal surface area that is
not emitting laser energy) may be an important feature for ablation
of blockages in arteries and for the ability of the catheter to
cross a lesion in a patient's vessel.
[0062] FIGS. 1-27 show a laser ablation system embodiment 8 that
includes a laser energy source 10 including a housing 12, a power
cord 14, an activation footswitch 16, a control panel 18 and an
output coupler 20. A liquid core ablation catheter 22 has a laser
coupler 24 which is disposed at a proximal end 30 of the ablation
catheter 22 and which is coupled to the output coupler 20 of the
laser source 10. The ablation catheter 22 is disposed within an
inner lumen 28 (as shown in FIG. 18) of a support catheter 26 which
may be used to guide or support the ablation catheter 22 within a
body lumen of a patient. The support catheter 26 includes a
Y-adapter 32 coupled to a proximal end 30 thereof. The liquid core
ablation catheter 22 is disposed within and passes through a
central lumen (not shown) of the Y-adapter 32 as well. The support
catheter 26 and ablation catheter 22 each may have a radiopaque
marker 31 disposed at a respective distal end thereof. A working
length of the liquid core ablation catheter 22 may include the
length inside the patient's body between the access point and the
target lesion site and the length outside the body necessary to
couple or pass through the Y connector 32. An additional length may
be needed to couple this working distance of about 90 cm to about
120 cm to the laser source 10 in some cases. If a laser source is
large and located away from the patient, an additional length of
waveguide may be necessary. Some laser catheter embodiments may be
about 2 meters to about 3 meters long in some cases. In some cases,
the laser source 10 of the laser system 8 may include a XeCl
excimer laser which produces high energy pulses at a wavelength of
about 308 nanometers, however, other high energy pulsed ultraviolet
laser sources may be used. Some laser source embodiments 10 may
have a pulse width of less than about 50 nanosec and a repetition
rate of up to about 100 Hz. Some such laser source embodiments 10
may be capable of producing about 20 to about 100 mJ/pulse.
[0063] For some embodiments, the laser system 8 may also include an
aiming diode (not shown) for applications where locating the distal
tip 34 of liquid core ablation catheter 22 visually may be
desirable. For some embodiments, a red color diode light source
(not shown) may be used. This red diode wavelength may have a
wavelength that is configured to penetrate some tissue types and
may provide visibility of the distal tip 34 of the liquid core
ablation catheter 22 and its position in the leg anatomy. The red
diode light source may be located in the laser coupler 20 of the
laser source 10 and coupled to the liquid core ablation catheter 22
by turning mirror or beam splitter (not shown) in some cases.
[0064] Since some ablation catheters 22 are generally disposable or
single use only, the long 2-3 meter working length may be costly.
For embodiments discussed herein, a robust liquid filled extension
waveguide 36 for coupling from the laser source 10 to the single
use disposable liquid core ablation catheter 22 may be used outside
a patient's body and be designed to last for multiple uses. Such an
optional extension waveguide 36, as shown in FIG. 2, may be used to
connect the laser source 10 of the laser system 8' to a single-use
liquid core ablation catheter 22 and have a length suitable to
reach from the laser source 10 to the patient table (not shown). In
some cases, the extension waveguide 36 may have a length of about
75 cm to about 300 cm, more specifically, about 75 cm to about 150
cm. The extension waveguide 36 may also be configured to contain a
higher IR liquid core fluid than disposable liquid core ablation
catheter embodiments 22 because it is generally disposed and used
outside the patient's body and is not subject to some of the same
design constraints as discussed above. As such, core liquids that
have a higher IR may be used that may not be biocompatible in some
cases.
[0065] With regard to laser system embodiments 8 such as those
shown generally in FIGS. 1 and 2, there are some features of the
ablation catheter system 27, which includes the liquid core
ablation catheter 22 and support catheter 26, shown in more detail
in FIG. 3, that may be desirable or even necessary in some cases to
function as desired. The liquid core ablation catheter 22, as shown
in more detail in FIGS. 3, 5, 6, 8 and 10, includes a multi-layer
catheter tube 38 having a low profile to fit inside particular
blood vessels, which may have inner luminal diameters or inner
transverse dimensions that vary in size from about 2 mm to about 6
mm. The wall thickness of the multi-layer catheter tube 38 of the
liquid core ablation catheter 22 may be thin relative to a
transverse dimension of the liquid core 40, as shown in FIG. 13, to
insure flexibility and to minimize the "dead space" between an
outer distal surface 42 of the output window 82 (shown in FIG. 8)
which emits tissue ablating energy and an outer dimension of the
multi-layer catheter tube 38 which does not emit tissue ablating
energy. The non-emitting wall of the catheter tube 38 forms the
"dead space" that does not contribute to tissue cutting or
ablation. As such, the ablation catheter 22 has a large fraction of
cutting area relative to the overall area of the distal tip or
surface of the ablation catheter. This may be achieved by having a
multi-layer catheter tube 38 with a thin wall thickness as shown in
FIG. 13.
[0066] For some embodiments, the multi-layer catheter tube 38 of
the ablation catheter 22 is flexible enough to maneuver around
bends in a patient's artery without kinking yet be stiff enough to
be able to push the ablation catheter 22 through the vessel while
ablating blockages. In some cases, the catheter tube 38 is able to
be torqued and rotated at the distal end of the catheter tube 38
from a proximal portion 39 of the catheter tube 38 that extends
outside the patient's body.
[0067] In some cases, the core fluid 40 used in the ablation
catheter 22 is transparent in the ultraviolet laser energy
wavelengths and may be a biocompatible fluid in case of accidental
leakage from the catheter 22. In addition, the configuration of
fluid core ablation catheter 22 may be capable of transmitting high
power pulses above a tissue ablation threshold in the ultraviolet
wavelength range preferably with pulse widths shorter than 50 nsec
and at repetitions rates of up to 100 Hz in order to achieve the
desired results in some cases. For some indications, the liquid
core ablation catheter 22 may be designed for single use only but
may also have a long shelf life after sterilization of typically
one year or more for use in a clinical setting. Therefore, the core
liquid 40 disposed in the inner lumen 46 of the ablation catheter
22 should not diffuse out of the thin wall multi-layer catheter
tube 38 of the catheter system 27, as shown in FIG. 3, over this
type of time period for some embodiments. Also, for some
embodiments, the materials of the multi-layer catheter tube 38 may
be sterilizable without significant degradation or degradation that
would render the ablation catheter 22 unusable. Gamma or X-ray
sterilization may be ideal in some situations and may be useful in
order to ensure that any fluid, such as liquid water used for a
transmissive core, inside the ablation catheter is sterilized.
[0068] For some embodiments, the transmission of laser energy
through the liquid core ablation catheter 22 is high enough to
enable a relatively small laser source to be used for the laser
system 8 in order to save cost. For some indications, the ablation
catheter 22 allows sufficient transmission to achieve a minimum
output energy per pulse to ablate differing arterial plaque types.
In some cases, such a minimum output energy may range from about 4
milli-Joules/mm.sup.2 (mJ/mm.sup.2) to about 14 mJ/mm.sup.2 for a
XeCl laser at a wavelength of about 308 nanometers (nm) and an
approximate pulse width of about 10 nanoseconds (nsec) in some
cases. Longer 308 nm laser pulses of about 100 nsec may have
slightly higher ablation thresholds for the same tissue types. As
such, a fluid for the core of the liquid filled waveguide may
transmit high power and high pulse energy ultraviolet excimer laser
pulses in some cases and may be biocompatible for insertion into
human arteries. Pure water and normal saline (0.9% NaCl aqueous
solution) are highly transparent and are biocompatible but they
both have very low indices of refraction (IR) compared to the IR of
most polymer tubing materials used in liquid waveguide catheters.
For example, at a temperature of about 20 degrees C., water has an
IR of about 1.333 in the visible wavelength region and normal
saline has an IR of about 1.335. Teflon.RTM. fluorinated ethylene
propylene (FEP) tubing may have an IR in the visible range of light
of about 1.338 which may be too high to produce an effective
waveguide using water or saline for some ablation catheter
embodiments 22. This is because the IR of the inner luminal layer
48 of the catheter tube 38 as shown in FIG. 14, must be less than
the IR of the fluid core 40 to achieve total internal refraction of
laser energy being guided by the liquid core ablation catheter.
[0069] Embodiments of the catheter system 27 may be used for
navigation within the tortuous anatomy of a patient's vasculature
may include a multilayer design or designs. In some cases, a
central catheter tubing core 50 may be braided with a metal wire or
ribbon 52 and this portion may have an over jacket 54 as shown in
FIG. 13. This type of design may be used for applications that
require high torque, burst pressure resistance, pushability,
steerability and kink resistance. The physical characteristics of
such a braided catheter embodiment 27, as shown in FIG. 3, may be
varied by using different durometer values for the plastic tubing
of the catheter body and by varying the pitch and thickness for the
metal braid. This basic design concept may be applied to the unique
characteristics of liquid core ablation catheter embodiments
22.
[0070] In some cases, the laser ablation catheter system 27
includes means of guidance of the ablation catheter through a
vessel lumen or blockage thereof, such as an arterial blockage.
Guidewire 56, as shown in FIG. 31, which is disposed in a
concentric or eccentric position within a vessel 119 may be used in
some cases and may pass through one or more guidewire lumens, such
as guidewire lumen 58 of the liquid core ablation catheter
embodiment 22' as shown in the embodiments of FIGS. 15 and 16. The
ablation catheter 22' includes an eccentric guidewire lumen 58
disposed along an outer surface of the ablation catheter 22. The
guidewire lumen may have a distal port disposed proximally from a
distal end of the ablation catheter 22' by at least about 5 mm. The
guidewire lumen 58 may have a longitudinal length of at least about
10 cm. Support catheter embodiments 26''' including one or more
guidewire lumens such as the two guidewire lumens 60 and 62, as
shown in the embodiments of FIGS. 26 and 27, may also be used to
guide and support the ablation catheter.
[0071] In addition, straight support catheters 26 as shown in FIG.
19 or angled support catheters 26' as shown in FIG. 21, may be used
for guiding a liquid core ablation catheter 22 through restenosed
stents in that the stent itself may serve as a guide to prevent the
ablation catheter 22 from causing an arterial wall perforation.
Some support catheter embodiments may include a tapered support
catheter embodiment 26'', angled support catheter embodiment 26' or
profiled support catheter embodiment as shown in FIGS. 20 and 21 to
help center the liquid waveguide ablation catheter 22 remain in the
vessel lumen 118 during use as shown for example in FIGS. 28-32.
The angled support catheter embodiment 26' as shown in FIG. 21, may
have an angled distal tip with a discharge axis 57 disposed at an
angle, indicated by arrow 59, with respect to a nominal
longitudinal axis 61 of the support catheter 26'. For some
embodiments, the angle 59 of the discharge axis of the support
catheter 26' may be about 5 degrees to about 45 degrees, more
specifically, about 10 degrees to about 30 degrees.
[0072] In addition, an angled support catheter embodiment 26', as
shown in FIGS. 22-25, may be rotated about its longitudinal axis,
as shown by arrow 65 in FIG. 22, over an ablation catheter, such as
liquid core ablation catheter 22, which extends distally therefrom.
Such rotation of an angled support catheter 26' with a deflected
distal section may result in orbiting or nutation of the distal tip
of ablation catheter 22 during the ablation process, i.e. during
emission of ablation energy suitable for tissue ablation from the
distal end of the liquid core ablation catheter 22. This nutation
of the ablation energy emitting surface of the liquid core ablation
catheter 22 may produce a band or annulus of ablation or tissue
removal as shown in FIG. 24. Such a process is also illustrated in
the elevation view of a tissue ablation process shown in FIG. 36.
The band or annulus of ablation produced by such and configuration
and method may be suitable to create a larger neo-lumen or passage
through a lumenal obstruction or constriction than would be
possible by pushing the same liquid core ablation catheter 22
directly through the obstruction or constriction in a straight
line. Although FIGS. 24 and 36 illustrate a band or annulus of
ablation carried out by nutation of the support catheter 26' about
the liquid core ablation catheter 22, a circular area of ablation
may also be generated for rotations with lesser nutation magnitudes
as shown in FIG. 25. In such cases, some portion or portions of the
emitting surface of the distal end of the liquid core ablation
catheter 22 would be disposed over a center of the neo-lumen being
ablated into the obstructive tissue. In such cases, the neo-lumen
may still be substantially larger than an outer surface of the
emitting surface or outer transverse dimension of the liquid core
ablation catheter 22. In some instances, the angled distal section
of the angled support catheter 26' may have a length, as shown by
arrow 63 in FIG. 22, of about 5 mm to about 50 mm, more
specifically, about 5 mm to about 15 mm. In some cases, a discharge
angle as indicated by arrow 59' in FIG. 22 may be about 3 degrees
to about 10 degrees.
[0073] In some cases, the numerical aperture of a liquid core
ablation catheter 22 may be above a certain minimum value in order
to prevent losses in the catheter, particularly due to bending of
the catheter. The numerical aperture of the liquid core ablation
catheter 22 depends to a large extent on the difference between the
IR of the core liquid 40 and the IR of an inner luminal layer 48 of
the multi-layer catheter tube 38. The inner luminal layer 48 is a
tubular layer of material or materials of the catheter tube 38
which surrounds the core liquid 40 within the liquid core ablation
catheter 22. The inner luminal surface 64 (shown in FIG. 14) of the
inner luminal layer 48 is the surface that contacts the core liquid
40. It is the interface between the core liquid 40 and the inner
luminal layer 48 that may be configured to generate total internal
refraction of laser light disposed and propagating within the core
liquid 40. As such, in some cases, the IR of the core liquid 40
should be greater than an IR of the inner luminal layer 48 of the
catheter tube 38 by at least about 0.02.
[0074] The inner luminal layer 48 of the catheter tube 38 may also
be transparent or substantially transparent to the wavelength of
laser energy being transmitted through the core liquid 40. This may
be particularly desirable because the U.V. radiation refracting at
the core liquid 40 inner luminal layer 48 interface may extend into
the inner luminal layer 48 (and possibly beyond the inner luminal
layer 48 of the multi-layer catheter tube 38) by a distance of
about several wavelengths during the refraction process. When the
refracted light extends into the inner luminal layer 48 (or any
other subsequent layers of the multi-layer catheter tube 38 such as
the base layer tube 50 as shown in FIG. 14) during the refraction
process it may be strongly absorbed if the material of the inner
luminal layer 48 is not transparent or substantially transparent to
the wavelength and energy density of the refracted light. This
means that many materials may be incompatible for use as an inner
luminal layer 48 of the multi-layer catheter tube 38 of the liquid
core ablation catheter 22, particularly for embodiments using a
core liquid 40 of water or normal saline.
[0075] In view of the foregoing, inner luminal layer embodiments 48
may be generated by coating an internal surface 66 of the base
layer 50, as shown in FIG. 14, of a multi-layer catheter tube 38
made from common catheter materials with a film of material having
an IR of less than about 1.33. As discussed above, it may be
important for such a coating material to be transparent or
substantially transparent to the ultraviolet wavelength used in the
corresponding catheter. In addition, the inner luminal layer 48 may
also have a sufficient wall thickness to retain the high power U.V.
laser energy and prevent substantial losses through the inner
luminal layer 48 to those layers of the catheter tube 38
surrounding the inner luminal layer 48 as for some embodiments, the
surrounding tubular layers may include materials which absorb the
U.V. laser energy and may be damaged or destroyed by it.
[0076] Certain amorphous fluoropolymers may be used as coatings
having a low IR relative to some core liquids 40 and thus may be
used for the generation of an inner luminal layer 48 of catheter
tubes 38. DuPont.RTM. Corporation located in Wilmington Del. has
developed certain coatings including, in particular, fluorinated
(ethylenic-cyclo oxyaliphatic substituted ethylenic) copolymer
(Teflon AF.RTM.) which is a family of amorphous fluoropolymers
based on copolymers of
2,2-bistrifluoromethyl-4,5-difluoro-1,3-dioxole (PDD) and
tetrafluoroethylene (TFE). According to DuPont, the principle
differences between the various grades of Teflon AF.RTM. are based
solely on the relative amounts of TFE to PDD in the polymer chain.
Teflon AF.RTM. polymers have the lowest index of refraction of any
known polymer and are substantially transparent to light, even at
U.V. wavelengths making these materials suitable as low index
coatings for waveguide applications. In some cases, these amorphous
fluoropolymers may be formulated with different IRs. Teflon AF
2400.RTM. has a TFE to PDD ratio of about 11:89 and a particularly
low IR of about 1.29 in the visible light wavelength range. Teflon
AF 1601.RTM. has a TFE to PDD ratio of about 36:65 and an IR of
about 1.31 at the visible light wavelength range. Either of these
formulations may be used to form an inner luminal layer 48 of the
multi-layer catheter tube 38 of the ablation catheter 22. It should
be noted that the IR of these fluorinated polymers as well as the
IR of water and normal saline, increase in value for UV wavelengths
relative to values for light in the visible wavelength range.
[0077] We have measured the transmission of 308 nm laser pulses
through both water and saline filled tubes of uncoated Teflon.RTM.
FEP and observed that the light was lost in the first foot of the
tube. Pulses having a wavelength of about 308 nm may be readily
transmitted through a meter long FEP tube filled with the same
fluids when the tube was lined with Teflon AF 1601.RTM.. Therefore,
in the UV the IR difference between water or saline and the Teflon
AF 1601.RTM. or Teflon AF 2400.RTM. appears to be sufficient for
total internal refraction and high transmission of short pulse
laser energy having a pulse width of less than about 50 nsec and a
wavelength of about 308 nm.
[0078] These amorphous fluoropolymers discussed above may be
soluble in selected solvents to facilitate coating processes. In
some cases, these amorphous fluoropolymer coatings adhere best to
fluorocarbon polymers but not very well to other plastic types. As
such, when using an amorphous fluorinated polymer material for an
inner luminal layer 48 of the embodiments herein, the choice of
suitable materials for the remaining layers of the catheter tube 38
may be limited. These and other properties of the amorphous
fluorinated polymer materials may also create difficulties for
construction of suitable catheter tubes 38 utilizing amorphous
fluorinated polymer materials for the inner luminal layer. For
example, Teflon AF 2400.RTM. which has an IR of about 1.29 is
generally produced in a 1% solution which may be too dilute to
achieve a sufficient coating thickness to confine U.V. laser energy
to the core liquid 40 and inner luminal layer 48. Teflon AF
1601.RTM. with concentrations up to about 18% may be used to
produce a coating for an inner luminal layer 48 with sufficient
thickness to confine U.V. laser energy at 308 nm wavelength and
with an IR of about 1.31.
[0079] Teflon.RTM. FEP tubes may not be as suited for use with
liquid filled laser waveguides 22 because water and aqueous
solutions of saline over time will diffuse out of the FEP tube in
low humidity environments. As an example, we filled a thick wall
tube of Teflon.RTM. FEP with water, sealed the ends and placed it
in an oven at 50 degrees C. and saw bubble formation within 10
days. In some cases, we might prevent this diffusion of water by
placing the FEP water filled tube in a plastic enclosure which
contains water. In some cases, catheters 22 may be placed in an
oven at about 50 degrees C. to about 60 degrees C. for several
months to perform accelerated lifetime testing to simulate a one
year shelf life. Therefore, the multi-layer catheter tube 38 of the
ablation catheter 22 must not have a high permeability for water
transfer at oven temperatures of about 50 degrees C. to about 60
degrees C. to qualify as a medical catheter for long shelf life in
some cases. In addition, for some applications, the tubing material
or materials of the multi-layer catheter tube 38 and/or support
catheter 26 should be able to be sterilized with gamma radiation or
x-rays. Teflon.RTM. FEP is generally not as suitable for radiation
sterilization.
[0080] Another disadvantage with using an FEP tube liner may be
that the hardness shore durometer of about 55D is about half that
of PCTFE which may have a shore hardness of about 85D to about 95D.
When the FEP liner is thin and has a low durometer then there may
be an impression of thin elements of a braid material 52 used on an
outside surface 68 (shown in FIG. 14) of a base tube 50 of the
multi-layer catheter tube 38 to transfer into the inner luminal
surface 64 of the inner luminal layer 48 which may cause the light
to be scattered out of the tube. Also, when an ablation catheter 22
is placed in the Y adapter 32 and a corresponding hemostatic valve
thereof, the valve may compresses a low durometer ablation catheter
embodiment 22, distort the wall structure of the ablation catheter
and hinder transmission of light therethrough.
[0081] We have found that polychlorotrifluoroethylene, PCTFE, has
one of the lowest diffusion rates for water compared to other
polymer plastics, and can be coated with Teflon AF.RTM. solutions
and can also be sterilized using radiation. We filled a thin wall
PCTFE tube with water and sealed the ends of the tube and placed
the sealed assembly in an oven at 60 degrees C. for one month. No
diffusion of the water in the PCTFE tube was apparent even after
the one month dwell time in the oven. As such, PCTFE may be used in
some cases for certain layers of the multi-layer catheter tube
38.
[0082] The higher durometer for PCTFE of about 90 D even with thin
walls of about 0.002'' may provides extra stiffness that resists
penetration or transfer of a braid pattern onto an inner luminal
surface 64 of the inner luminal layer 48 a liquid core ablation
catheter 22. This higher durometer may also add stiffness and
pushability to the multi-layer catheter tube 38, but might kink
easily in some cases without the metal braid 52. PCTFE tubing does
have a draw back in that the maximum working temperature of the
material may be about 125 degrees C. in some cases. For some
embodiments, the ablation catheter 22 may include a multi-layer
catheter tube 38 an outer layer or over-jacket 54, as shown in
FIGS. 13 and 15, having a lower hardness durometer of about 65D to
about 75D, more specifically, about 70D. In some cases, the outer
layer or over-jacket layer 54, as shown in FIG. 13, may have to be
processed at a temperature level where the PCTFE wall of the base
tube is not compromised. This may have the effect of substantially
limiting the choice of materials and processing methods for the
over-jacket 54 for the multi-layer catheter tube 38 of the liquid
core ablation catheter 22.
[0083] There are several options for forming the inner luminal
layer 48 of the multi-layer catheter tube 38 from an amorphous
Teflon AF.RTM. or other suitable amorphous fluoropolymer on the
inside of a base tube 50, such as a PCTFE or FEP base tube 50. One
method of creating such an inner luminal layer 48 includes using a
solution of Teflon AF.RTM. dissolved at percentages of about 1% to
about 18% Teflon AF.RTM. solids in a suitable solvent such as
Fluorinert solvent. One type of Fluorinert is a perfluorcarbon made
by 3M Company under the description FC-40. The Fluorinert solvent
may be offered in various formulations that have differing boiling
points. In some cases, a Fluorinert solvent having a boiling point
of about 155 degrees C. may be used for the processes discussed
herein.
[0084] One or more coatings may be applied to the inside of the
PCTFE tube and the solvent may then be evaporated off to leave a
thin layer solid film of low IR of Teflon AF.RTM. of about 5
microns to about 50 microns thick, more specifically, about 5
microns to about 20 microns thick. Various Teflon AF.RTM. layers
with differing IRs and concentrations may be applied or mixtures of
differing solutions may be applied in a single mixed layer.
Examples of amorphous coatings with low indices of refraction may
include Teflon AF 1601.RTM., Teflon AF 2400.RTM., Cytop.RTM.
manufactured by Asahi Glass Company located in Japan, and Hyflon AD
40.RTM. or Hyflon AD 60.RTM. made by Solvay Solexis Company located
in Italy. Any of these amorphous fluoropolymers may be mixed with a
high boiling point perfluoropolyether (PFPE) oil to provide thicker
layers at lower cost. In some cases, a PFPE oil such as Fomblin YR
1800.RTM. sold by the Solvay Solexis Company may be used. The
boiling point of such a PFPE oil may be about 220 degrees C. to
about 275 degrees C. for some embodiments.
[0085] Regarding the processing of some inner luminal layer
embodiments 48, the manufacturer recommends in some cases that
these amorphous fluoropolymer coatings be annealed above the
boiling point of the solvent used and then tempered for several
minutes above the glass transition temperature, Tg, of the solid
amorphous fluoropolymer film which may be about 160 degrees C. for
Teflon AF 1601.RTM. and about 240 degrees C. for Teflon AF
2400.RTM.. Exposure to these temperatures might be detrimental for
the PCTFE tube and other low melt plastics such as Pebax.RTM. used
for the over-jacket 54 on the metal braid 52 of the multi-layer
catheter tube 38 of the liquid core ablation catheter 22. In some
embodiments, Pebax.RTM. materials may have a melting temperature of
about 135 degrees C., which is well below the recommended
processing temperatures to both remove the solvents and get the
materials above the Tg of the amorphous fluoropolymer. Method
embodiments discussed herein were specifically developed to enable
the application of these films onto an inner luminal surface of a
PCTFE tube (or the like) to create the inner luminal layer 48 of
the ablation catheter 22. In some cases, these techniques use
relatively lower process temperatures for longer time durations to
achieve workable amorphous fluoropolymer inner luminal layers 48,
as shown in FIG. 14, for multi-layer catheter tubes 22 which may
then be filled with a liquid core 40 such as water or saline.
[0086] For some embodiments, a method of generating a multi-layer
catheter tube 38 may include a drip coating method whereby a
solution of amorphous fluoropolymer or mixtures thereof are
dissolved in solution such as Fluorinert FC-40.RTM. from 3M at
concentrations high enough to provide at least a 5 micron or more
layer thickness per coat. One or more multi-layer catheter tubes 38
may be mounted vertically and cleaned on the inside luminal surface
with isopropyl alcohol or the like. The inner luminal surface of
the catheter tube 38 may then be coated with the solution of
amorphous fluoropolymer for a given dwell time and annealed at
temperatures less than about 100.degree. C. or the melting point of
the multilayer catheter material for times sufficient to remove all
the solvent. In some cases, dwell time at temperatures of less than
about 100.degree. C. may be up to about 4 hours. The lower
temperatures for annealing may be configured or otherwise selected
in order to prevent thermal damage to the polymer materials of the
multi-layer catheter tube 38 to which the coating is being applied.
This drip coating process may be repeated multiple times to produce
an inner luminal layer 48 thickness and uniformity that
encapsulates or otherwise contains high power laser energy at a
wavelength of about 308 nm in the resulting waveguide core of an
ablation catheter 22 constructed from such a multi-layer catheter
tube 38 and core-inner luminal layer junction therein. After
processing, the multi-layer catheter tube 38 may be filled with an
appropriate core liquid 40 and sealed with suitable windows at both
proximal and distal ends thereof.
[0087] For some embodiments, the inner luminal layer 48 should also
be thick enough to smooth out any surface irregularities on the
inner surface of a drip coated tube, such as a base layer tube 50
made from PCTFE, FEP or the like. For some embodiments, a thickness
of about 5 microns to about 15 microns for the low IR internal
material of the inner luminal layer 48 might provide for an
efficient coating. In some cases, Teflon.RTM. FEP or other
fluoropolymer based materials may be used as an alternative to
PTCFE for making base layer tubes 50 (see FIG. 14), however, there
may be issues with regard to keeping core fluids 40, such as water
core fluids, from diffusing out of the liquid core ablation
catheter 22 during shelf life storage. Packaging the finished and
sterilized liquid core ablation catheter 22 in a high humidity
package may mitigate this problem in some cases, particularly in
instances where FEP is used. Suitable materials for such a package
may include an openable enclosure made from metal coated plastic,
PCTFE or any other suitable material capable of producing a
hermetic or hermetic type seal that is sealable about a finished
ablation catheter or catheter system and is suitable for a desired
type of sterilization such as gamma e-beam or the like.
[0088] Other methods for forming such a low index layer from these
materials may include extruding a thin layer, for example, of solid
Teflon AF 2400.RTM. or Teflon AF 1601.RTM., over a smooth polished
metal mandrel to form the inner luminal layer 48 of the multi-layer
catheter tube 38 of the liquid core ablation catheter 22. In some
cases, such an extruded thin layer of low index material may have a
thickness of about 5 microns to about 50 microns. Once the
amorphous fluoropolymer inner luminal layer 48 is extruded over the
mandrel, the outer surface 76 (shown in FIG. 14) of the inner
luminal layer 48 may then be etched to promote surface adhesion
thereto. A thicker wall PCTFE base layer tube 50, or base layer
tube 50 made from another suitable material, such as FEP, may then
be over extruded onto the etched outer surface 76 of the inner
luminal layer 48, followed by braiding of a multi-filament braid 52
over the outer surface of the PCTFE tube 50. Then an over-jacket 54
may be extruded over an outer surface of the braided layer 52 and
PCTFE base tube 50. For some embodiments, the mandrel may then be
removed from the multi-layer catheter tube embodiment 38. The
tubular inner lumen 78 that remains once the mandrel has been
removed may then be filled with transmissive liquid 40 and sealed
with optical windows at each end, specifically an input optical
window 80 at the proximal end 84 (shown in FIGS. 3 and 6) of the
multi-layer catheter tube 38 and an output optical window 82, as
shown in FIG. 8, at the distal end 86 (shown in FIG. 3) of the
multi-layer catheter tube 38. The optical windows 80 and 82 may
also be transparent to the wavelength of laser energy to be guided
therein.
[0089] Some methods may include placing multiple coating layers of
an amorphous fluorocarbon material dissolved in a solvent over a
mandrel wire with heat annealing between layers to above the Tg of
the polymer to form the inner luminal layer 48. The outer surface
76 of the inner luminal layer 48 may then be etched in order to
facilitate adhesion thereto. A PCTFE base layer tube 50, or base
layer tube 50 made from another suitable material, may then be
over-extruded or otherwise applied over the outer surface 76 of the
inner luminal layer 48 with a subsequent braid 52 applied to an
outer surface of the base layer tube 68 and over jacket 54 added to
an outer layer of the braid 52 and base layer tube 50 to complete
the multi-layer catheter tube 38. In this example, all the high
temperature annealing is done with a high temperature mandrel wire
before the plastics are overlaid. No matter which method is used,
the PCTFE base tube 68 is independent of the inner luminal layer 48
which may be a thin low IR coating where all the refraction of the
guided laser energy takes place. In some cases, the thickness of
this thin inner luminal layer 48 must be at least several
wavelengths thick for refraction as discussed above.
[0090] This method may also include coating a mandrel wire with a
concentrated solution of an amorphous fluoropolymer dissolved in a
solvent. The percentage of solids may be greater than 10% for
maximizing wall thickness per coating layer. The coated mandrel
wire may then be annealed above the boiling point of the solvent,
which may be FC-40 whose bp is 155.degree. C. and then annealed up
to 30 minutes at or above the glass transition temperature, Tg, of
the solid fluoropolymer, which for Telflon AF 1601.RTM. may be
about 160 degrees C. The thickness of this layer may be about 10
microns to about 50 microns for some embodiments. This layer may
then etched and over extruded with a water barrier layer such as
PCTFE, braided and then overjacketed.
[0091] The input window 80 and output window 82 enclosing the fluid
volume 40 of the fluid core ablation catheter 22 generally include
a material with a high transparency to the ultraviolet high power
light pulses from the excimer laser or other suitable high power
laser sources. The input optical window 80 as shown in FIG. 6
extends past the interface with the multi-layer catheter tube 38 in
order that input laser energy spill over from an associated optical
coupler 20 does not impinge on the multi-layer catheter tube 38
which could be heated and damaged. A tubular capillary shield 88
(see FIG. 6) may also be placed over the elongated cylindrical
window 80 to further shield the catheter tube 38. The input optical
window 80 may have a numerical aperture (NA) that is less than or
matches the NA of the core fluid 40 of the ablation catheter 22 for
optimum coupling in some cases. For some embodiments, the input
optical window 80 may include a silica core silica clad window, but
it may also include an optically polished silica rod that is
radially surrounded by an air interface. The input optical window
80 of the ablation catheter 22 may also include a silica rod 90
(see FIG. 10) that has a low index amorphous fluoropolymer coating
91 such as Teflon AF 1601.RTM. or similar material applied to an
outer surface thereof. For some embodiments, the input optical
window 80 may have an outer diameter or transverse dimension of
about 0.5 mm to about 1.5 mm, more specifically, about 0.8 mm to
about 1.2 mm. The input window 80, capillary shield 88 and proximal
end of the ablation catheter 22 are held in alignment and position
for efficient coupling by a coupler body 89, as shown in FIG. 6,
which includes a barrel member made from a high strength material
with an inner lumen disposed therein. The proximal end of the
ablation catheter 22 and distal end of the window 80 abut each
other within the lumen of the barrel of the coupler body 89 as
shown in FIG. 7. The capillary shield 88 may extend over the
operative junction between the proximal end of the catheter tube 38
and distal end of the input window 80.
[0092] The output optical window 82 as shown in FIG. 10 may have an
overall length selected to minimize stiffness of the distal end 34
of the ablation catheter 22. In some cases, the output optical
window 82 may have a length less than about 10 mm, more
specifically, less than about 8 mm, even more specifically, less
than about 6 mm, to allow the tip to negotiate curves in the body
lumen. This output optical window 82 may have a numerical aperture
equal to or greater than the numerical aperture of a tubular body
portion of the liquid core ablation catheter 22 for maximum
coupling of laser energy out of the liquid core 40. This output
optical window 82 again may include a high NA optical fiber or a
silica rod 90 coated with a low index amorphous fluoropolymer
coating 91. For some embodiments, the output optical window 82 may
have an outer diameter or transverse dimension of about 0.5 mm to
about 1.5 mm, more specifically, about 0.8 mm to about 1.2 mm.
[0093] In order to protect the output optical window 82 from
stresses and to ease passage of the fluid filled ablation catheter
22, a tapered metal housing 96 may be used to encapsulate the
output optical window 82 as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 10. The
output window 82 assembly at the distal end 34 of the ablation
catheter 22 may be arranged with the proximal end 100 of the output
optical window 82 extending proximally beyond a proximal end 98 of
the tapered metal housing 96. The proximal end 100 of the output
optical window 82 may extend proximally slightly into the core
liquid 40 of the ablation catheter 22 in some cases as shown in
FIG. 10. The tapered metal housing 96 may include an inner bore
that extends the length of the tapered metal housing 96 from a
proximal end to a distal end thereof. An inside surface 104 of the
inner bore may be sized to fit closely with an outer surface 102 of
the coating 91 of the output optical window 82 in some cases such
that the output optical window 82 is stabilized laterally relative
to the tapered housing but with enough gap to allow materials such
as adhesives to extend therein. In some instances, the tapered
metal housing 96 may be secured to the output optical window 82 by
any suitable means such as by crimping, adhesive bonding, brazing,
soldering or the like. In some cases, the tapered metal housing 96
may be so secured such that there may be little to no gap between
the inside surface 104 of the inner bore of the tapered metal
housing 96 and the outer surface 102 of the coating 91 output
optical window 82. The tapered metal housing 96 may include a
tapered distal section 110 that tapers down in outer diameter or
dimension from a nominal outer diameter. The tapered distal section
110 may taper down to a reduced diameter or transverse dimension
that may be up to about 0.012 inches larger than an outer
transverse dimension or diameter of the output optical window 82.
In some cases, the tapered distal section 110 may have a wall
thickness at the distal end of the tapered distal section 110 of
about 0.003 inches to about 0.005 inches. The tapered metal housing
96 may also include a stepped portion 111 that extends proximally
from a proximal shoulder surface 112 of the tapered distal section
110. The stepped portion 111 may have a thin wall disposed between
the inner bore and an outer surface 108 that has an outer
transverse dimension or diameter that is small enough to be pushed
into the inner lumen of the multi-layer catheter tube 38. In some
cases, the wall thickness of the stepped portion 111 may be about
0.002 inches to about 0.006 inches, more specifically, about 0.003
inches to about 0.004 inches.
[0094] An outer surface 102 of the coating 91 of the output optical
window 82 may be bonded to the inside surface 104 of the metal
housing 96 with any suitable adhesive 106, such as a medical grade
class VI adhesive. The inside surface 104 of the metal housing 96
may also be secured to the outer surface 102 of the output optical
window 82 by any suitable method including crimping, adhesive
bonding, soldering, brazing or the like depending on whether the
window 82 is an all glass embodiment or polymer coated embodiment.
The outer surface 108 of the stepped portion of the metal housing
96 may be secured to a surface such as an inner luminal surface 66
of the catheter tube 38 by bonding, such as adhesive bonding, or
any other suitable method. The tapered distal section 110 of the
metal housing 96 may provide for a more efficient cutting tip
during the laser ablation process in that the configuration may
provide for more active cutting area relative to the non-cutting
area at the distal end of the ablation catheter embodiment 22. In
addition, the tapered end 110 of the metal housing 96 may
facilitate passage of the ablation catheter 22 through a lumen
created by the laser ablation process. For some embodiments, an
outer surface of the tapered end or section 110 may form an angle
with respect to a longitudinal axis 109 of the ablation catheter 22
indicated by arrow 113. The angle 113 of the tapered end 110 of the
metal housing 96 may be up to about 5 degrees in some cases, more
specifically, about 1 degree to about 2 degrees, for some
embodiments. In other embodiments, the angle 113 may be up to about
8 degrees, more specifically, about 6 degrees to about 8 degrees.
Further, the metal housing 96 may provide mechanical support and
strength to the output optical window 82 which may be made from
brittle or relatively fragile materials, such as quartz, silica or
the like. The tapered metal housing 96 may be made from a single
piece of high strength metal such as stainless steel, NiTi,
titanium or the like. Depending on the metal material of the
tapered metal housing 96, the tapered metal housing 96 may be
visible under fluoroscopic imaging and may be configured to serve
as a radiopaque marker for the distal end of the liquid core
ablation catheter 22. Other metals such as gold, tantalum, platinum
or the like may also be included in the tapered metal housing 96 in
order to facilitate radiopacity of the tapered metal housing
96.
[0095] Specific examples for use of the liquid core ablation
catheter 22 are discussed herein that are directed to clearing
obstructions in peripheral arteries of a patient, but similar
approaches may be used for coronary arteries and other lumens 118
in the human body. To initiate a percutaneous procedure, a short
introducing catheter (not shown) may be placed into an artery of
the groin of a patient. All other devices may generally be
introduced through this introducing catheter, which may include a
hemostatic valve to eliminate blood flow out of the introducing
catheter during the procedure. Contrast fluid may be introduced
through this introducer sheath or a longer introducing catheter may
be inserted through the sheath over a guide wire 56, as shown in
FIG. 31, to locate this catheter near a target lesion 116 disposed
within the patient's anatomy.
[0096] In some cases, a method embodiment for using a liquid core
ablation catheter system 22 may include placing the low profile
support catheter 26 through the introducing sheath and advancing
the support catheter 26 distally into close proximity to a target
lesion or material 116 as shown in FIG. 28. In some instances, the
support catheter 26 may be advanced, guided or positioned over a
guidewire 56 during this process. If a guidewire 56 is used for
advancing the support catheter 26, the guidewire 56 may then be
removed once the distal end 120 of the support catheter 26 is
disposed adjacent a target site or lesion 116. Once the guidewire
56 is removed from the inner lumen 28 of the support catheter 26,
the liquid core ablation catheter 22 advanced distally within the
inner lumen 28 of the support catheter 26 to the target lesion 116
as shown in FIG. 28. Saline may then be flushed through the inner
lumen 28 of the support catheter 26 and around an outer surface of
the liquid core ablation catheter 22 to remove blood from the tip
of the ablation catheter 22. The laser source 10 may then be
energized by depressing the footswitch 16 and laser energy at a
level sufficient to ablate tissue then be emitted from the distal
end 34 of the ablation catheter 22.
[0097] Upon activation of the laser, the distal end of the ablation
catheter 22 may be advanced distally in an axial orientation into
the target lesion 116 by a distance of about 5 to 10 mm for some
embodiments, while the support catheter 26 remains substantially
stationary with regard to its axial position. The support catheter
26 may then be advanced distally over the ablation catheter 22 and
through the lumen 122 created by the active ablation catheter 22
until the distal tip 120, as shown in FIG. 4, of the support
catheter 26 is substantially even with the distal tip 34 of the
ablation catheter 22 as shown in FIG. 29. The relative positions of
the respective distal ends 120 and 34 of the support catheter 26
and ablation catheter 22 may be determined by fluoroscopic imaging
of the respective radiopaque marker bands 31 at the respective
distal ends 120 and 34. The process is repeated as shown in FIG. 30
until the ablation catheter 22 crosses the lesion 116 as shown in
FIG. 31. The ablation catheter 22 is removed with the support
catheter 26 left in place and a guidewire 56 is advanced though the
newly created channel or lumen 122. The support catheter 26 may
then be retracted as shown in FIG. 32. Other devices, such as a
balloon or a stent, may then be deployed over this guidewire 56 to
achieve the necessary opening diameter in the vessel for adequate
blood flow. If the laser catheter 22 produces a sufficient lumen
122, then no further treatment with additional devices is required
in some instances.
[0098] For such a procedure, the support catheter 26 may be
configured to have a low profile with thin walls to be able to
follow the ablation catheter 22 through the lesion 116 and maintain
the ablation end parallel to the lumen 122 to prevent perforation.
To achieve this, the support catheter 26 may be a multilayer design
with a thin wall liner 124 of a low friction Teflon.RTM., such as
polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) to allow passage of the ablation
catheter with ease. An embodiment of the structure of a suitable
support catheter is shown in FIG. 18.
[0099] Referring to FIG. 18, this liner 124 of the support catheter
26 may have an over layer or base layer tube 126 then a metal braid
layer 128 disposed or braided over the base layer tube 126 to
achieve pushability and kink resistance and torque. The base layer
disposed over the PTFE liner 124 may have a high durometer with a
very thin coating and an ideal material may include a polyimide
base layer tube 126 covered with a thin over-jacket 130 of a lower
durometer material for flexibility over the braid material layer
128. A wall thickness of the support catheter 26 of less than about
0.005'' may be used for low profile for passage of the support
catheter 26 through the opening or lumen 122 made by the liquid
core ablation catheter 22. In essence this method may produce a
result which is equivalent to a result achieved by using an
external guidewire 56 for location of a cutting tip of an
over-the-wire type design of the ablation catheter 22 as shown in
FIGS. 15 and 16. The inner lumen 28 of the support catheter 26 may
also include sufficient space or cross sectional area to
accommodate both the ablation catheter 22 and a lumen or
longitudinal space therebetween for flow of saline. A flow of
saline or other desired fluid between an outside surface of the
liquid core ablation catheter 22 and an inside surface of the inner
lumen 28 of the support catheter 26 may be used to clear the blood
which is disposed at the target lesion 116 site. In some cases, the
saline may be introduced into the inner lumen 28 of the support
catheter 26 with a syringe 19, as shown in FIG. 1, coupled to the Y
connector 32 of the catheter system 27 as shown in FIGS. 1 and
2.
[0100] Some support catheter embodiments 26 may be straight as
shown in FIG. 19 or have an angled tip as shown in the support
catheter embodiment of FIG. 21 depending on the vessel contour at
the lesion site. The support catheter 26 may have a low friction
lubricious outer coating 132 on an outer surface 134 thereof (as
shown in FIG. 18) for low friction passage though tissue follow the
ablation catheter 22 through the lumen 122 created by the ablation
catheter 22 through the target lesion 116. Visualization of the
location of both the support catheter 26 and the ablation catheter
22 in the vessel lumen 118 and with respect to each other may be
made by means of one or more radiopaque markers 31 or 136 disposed
on the respective catheters at desired locations and with a least
one marker located at each distal tip (120 and 34 respectively) of
the catheters.
[0101] Interventional physicians often rely on a guidewire 56 for
advancing multiple devices to treat a lesion 116 within a patient's
vasculature and to maintain the position of a catheter inside the
lumen walls. Some method embodiments discussed herein may include
the use of a guidewire 56 to advance and/or position the support
catheter 26. Once the support catheter 26 is properly positioned at
a desired site within the patient's body, the guidewire 56 may then
be removed and replaced with an ablation catheter such as the
liquid core ablation catheter 22. Some interventionalist's may
prefer the protection of a guidewire 56 to place other devices over
in case of adverse event. In such cases, the ablation catheter 22
may be removed and a guidewire 56 inserted through the inner lumen
28 of the support catheter 26 and other treatment devices may then
be passed over the guidewire 56 through the inner lumen 28 of the
support catheter 26. In addition, the support catheter 26 may be
removed before inserting other devices in some cases. One or more
separate guidewire lumens 60 and 62 may also be attached to or
integral with the support catheter 26 as shown on the support
catheter embodiment 26''' of FIGS. 26 and 27. Additionally, a
guidewire lumen may be added to the ablation catheter 22' as shown
in FIGS. 15 and 16. In some cases, a separate guidewire lumen 60 or
any of the guidewire lumens discussed herein may be suitable for
passage of a 0.014'' sized guidewire or the like may be used for
additional protection. In some cases, this guidewire lumen would
only have a short length at the distal end for a rapid exchange
type configuration. This configuration could apply to the both the
ablation catheter 22' and the support catheter 26'''. That way the
physician would always have a guidewire present in case of an
adverse event and has the ability to withdraw the liquid core
ablation catheter 22 and advance a guidewire 56 over a total
occlusion after the dense cap entrance to the total occlusion is
cleared by energy emitted from the liquid core laser ablation
catheter 22 as shown in FIG. 32. For some embodiments, the
guidewire lumens 60 and 62 may have a length of at least about 10
cm. In addition, the respective distal ports of the guidewire
lumens 60 and 62, which may be disposed along an outer surface of
support catheter embodiments 26''', may be disposed proximally from
a distal end of the support catheter 26''' by at least about 5
mm.
[0102] For some embodiments, a support catheter such as the support
catheter 26''' may have multiple guidewire lumens 60 and 62 as
shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 26 and 27, a support catheter such
as the support catheter 26'' may have a tapered distal section as
shown in the embodiment of FIG. 20, and the support catheter 26'
may have a bend at the end as shown in the support catheter
embodiment of FIG. 21 to negotiate bends in the artery or to
displace the ablation catheter 22 towards an eccentric plaque. The
multiple guidewire lumens 60 and 62 may be used for saline flush,
contrast injection or for passage of a guidewire 56 in some
cases.
[0103] For some indications, it may be desirable to make a channel
in a patient's vessel lumen that is larger in transverse dimension
than a transverse dimension of the ablation catheter 22 itself. For
some such cases, after the liquid core ablation catheter 22, or any
other suitable ablation catheter embodiment discussed herein, forms
an initial channel and opens an occlusion 116 in a patient's vessel
118, a guidewire 56 or other device may then be inserted in the
opening or newly formed channel 122. The ablation catheter 22 may
then be activated to emit ablation energy and advanced through the
initial channel 122 adjacent the substantially parallel guidewire
56 to produce a lumen 122' which is larger than the lumen made with
the first active pass of the ablation catheter 22. Such a technique
embodiment is shown in FIGS. 33-35. Embodiments of this procedure
may be completed with a second guidewire 56' in a second guidewire
lumen 60 or 62 of a support catheter embodiment 26''' and a final
pass made. This method may produce a lumen 122' having a larger
inner transverse dimension or diameter and corresponding larger
transverse cross section than an outer transverse dimension or
diameter or cross section of the ablation catheter 22 used to make
the initial channel 122. During this type of method embodiment, the
guidewire placements after the first or initial lumen is made block
part of the initially created lumen which laterally forces the
distal end of the liquid core ablation catheter 22 up against the
remaining plaque 116. Such partial filling the first or initial
channel with one, two, three or more guidewires 56 and 56' forces
the ablation catheter 22 to ablate tissue disposed laterally with
respect to the initial channel 122 formed by the ablation catheter
22. Without the guidewire placement in the initial channel 122, the
ablation catheter 22 would likely just go through the first or
initial lumen 122 on a second pass with no further ablation or
channel widening or increase in cross sectional area. Such an
increase in cross sectional area of the ablation channel allows
more blood or other fluid to flow therethrough for a fixed
pressure.
[0104] Referring to FIGS. 37-42, a variety of manufacturing steps
are shown which may be useful for some or all of the processing
method embodiments discussed above. In particular, FIG. 37
illustrates a polished metal mandrel 140 being passed through an
extruder device 142 and applying a layer of amorphous fluoropolymer
144 to an outer surface of the mandrel 140. FIG. 38 shows a mandrel
140 having a solution of amorphous fluoropolymer 145 being applied
to an outside surface of the mandrel 140 by a spray coating device
146 to produce a thin layer of amorphous fluoropolymer 144. FIG. 39
depicts a mandrel 140 with a coating of amorphous fluoropolymer
solution 145 disposed in an oven 148 for thermal processing to
drive off the solvent of the fluoropolymer solution 145. FIG. 40
shows a mandrel 140 with a layer of amorphous fluoropolymer 144
applied thereto being passed through an extruder 142 to apply a
layer of base tube material 150. FIG. 41 shows the mandrel 140 of
FIG. 40 with a layer of amorphous fluoropolymer 144 and subsequent
base layer tube material 150 being passed through a braiding device
152 to apply a braided layer 154 to the base tube layer 150. FIG.
42 shows the mandrel 140 and layers 144, 150 and 154 being passed
through an extruder 142 to apply an outer jacket layer 156. FIG. 43
shows an amorphous fluoropolymer solution 145 being injected into a
catheter tube 38 by a pressurized amorphous solution source 158
which may be further processed to remove the solvent from the
solution 145 in an oven 148 as shown in FIG. 39.
[0105] FIG. 44 shows a distal portion of an embodiment of a liquid
core ablation catheter that may have some or all of the properties
of liquid core ablation catheter 22 discussed above. Once again, in
order to protect the output optical window 82 from stresses and to
ease passage of the fluid filled ablation catheter 22 through
tissue during ablation, a tapered metal housing 196 may be used to
encapsulate the output optical window 82 as shown in the embodiment
of FIG. 44. The output window 82 assembly at the distal end 34 of
the ablation catheter 22 may be arranged with the proximal end 100
of the output optical window 82 extending proximally beyond a
proximal end 198 of the tapered metal housing 196.
[0106] The proximal end 100 of the output optical window 82 may
extend proximally slightly into the core liquid 40 of the ablation
catheter 22 in some cases as shown in FIG. 44. The tapered metal
housing 196 may include an inner bore 197 that extends the length
of the tapered metal housing 196 in a proximal direction from a
distal end 199 of the housing 196 to a distal end 200 of a stepped
portion 202 of the housing 196. An inside surface 204 of the inner
bore may be sized to fit closely with an outer surface 102 of the
coating 91 of the output optical window 82 in some cases such that
the output optical window 82 is stabilized laterally relative to
the tapered housing but with enough gap to allow materials such as
adhesives to extend therein. In some instances, the tapered metal
housing 196 may be secured to the output optical window 82 by
methods such as by crimping, adhesive bonding, soldering, brazing
or the like. In some cases the tapered metal housing 196 may be
secured such that there may be little to no gap between the inside
surface 204 of the bore 197 of the tapered metal housing 196 and
the outer surface 102 of the coating 91 of the output optical
window 82. The tapered metal housing 196 may include a tapered
distal section 110 that tapers down in outer diameter or dimension
from a nominal outer diameter. The tapered distal section 110 may
taper down to a reduced diameter or transverse dimension that may
be up to about 0.012 inches larger than an outer transverse
dimension or diameter of the output optical window 82, in some
cases up to about 0.010 inches larger. In some cases, the tapered
distal section 110 may have a wall thickness at the distal end 199
of the tapered distal section 110 of about 0.003 inches to about
0.005 inches. The stepped portion 202 of the housing 196 may have a
thin wall disposed over a reduced diameter portion 206 of a distal
section of the multilayer catheter tube 38. In some cases, the
stepped portion 202 of the tapered metal housing 196 may have the
same or similar longitudinal length as that of the reduced diameter
portion 206 of the distal section of the multilayer catheter tube
38. In some cases, the wall thickness of the stepped portion 202
may be about 0.002 inches to about 0.005 inches, more specifically,
about 0.003 inches to about 0.004 inches. In some cases, the wall
thickness of the reduced diameter portion 206 of the multilayer
catheter tube 38 may be sized to have an overall outer diameter to
substantially match an inside diameter or transverse dimension of
the stepped portion 202 of the tapered metal housing 196. In
addition, the inside surface of the stepped portion 202 may be
secured to an outer surface of the reduced diameter portion 206
with an adhesive bond, crimp connection or the like. In some
instances, it may be desirable for an outside diameter or
transverse dimension of the tapered metal housing 196 to be the
same as or substantially the same as an outside diameter or
transverse dimension of the nominal multilumen catheter tube 38 so
as to provide a smooth regular transition between an outside
surface of the tapered metal housing 196 and an outside surface of
the multilumen catheter tubing 38.
[0107] The outer surface 102 of the output optical window 82 may be
bonded to an inside surface 204 of the metal housing 196 with any
suitable adhesive 106, such as a medical grade class VI adhesive or
the like. For all glass embodiments of the output optical window
82, methods such as soldering or bronzing may be used. The inside
surface 204 of the bore 197 of the metal housing 196 may also be
mechanically secured to the outer surface 102 of the output optical
window 82 by methods such as crimping or any other suitable
mechanical method as discussed herein. As discussed above, the
tapered distal section 110 of the metal housing 196 may provide for
a more efficient cutting tip during the laser ablation process in
that the configuration may provide for more active cutting area
relative to the non-cutting area at the distal end of the ablation
catheter embodiment 22. In addition, the tapered end 110 of the
metal housing 196 may facilitate passage of the ablation catheter
22 through a lumen created by the laser ablation process. For some
embodiments, the tapered end 110 of the tapered metal housing 196
may have the same or similar configuration as that of tapered metal
housing 96 discussed above and as shown in FIGS. 10-12. In
particular, the tapered end 110 may form an angle 113 with respect
to a longitudinal axis 109 of the ablation catheter 22 indicated by
arrow 113 in FIG. 10 of up to about 5 degrees in some cases, more
specifically, about 1 degree to about 2 degrees, for some
embodiments. In some instances, the tapered end 110 of the tapered
metal housing 96, or any other tapered metal housing embodiment
discussed herein, may form an angle 113 of up to about 9 degrees,
more specifically, of about 6 degrees to about 8 degrees. Further,
the metal housing 196 may provide mechanical support and strength
to the output optical window 82 which may be made from brittle or
relatively fragile materials, such as quartz, silica or the like.
The tapered metal housing 196 may be made from a single piece of
high strength metal such as stainless steel, titanium or the like.
Depending on the metal material of the tapered metal housing 196,
the tapered metal housing 196 may be visible under fluoroscopic
imaging and may be configured to serve as a radiopaque marker for
the distal end of the liquid core ablation catheter 22. Other
metals such as gold, tantalum, platinum or the like may also be
included in the tapered metal housing 196 in order to facilitate
radiopacity of the tapered metal housing 196.
[0108] FIGS. 46-50 illustrate an embodiment of a high energy laser
coupler 220 that may be operatively coupled to a proximal end of
any of the liquid core ablation catheters embodiments 22 discussed
herein as well as any other suitable laser ablation catheter. For
some embodiments, the high energy laser coupler 220 may include a
coupler body 222 that has a proximal section 224 with a cylindrical
outer surface 226 and an inner bore 228 which is disposed
concentrically within the cylindrical outer surface 226. The inner
bore 228 extends distally from a proximal end 230 of the coupler
body 222 to a proximal end 232 of a window connector bore 234. The
window connector bore 234 is disposed at a distal end of the inner
bore 228. The coupler body 222 also includes a distal section 236
extending distally from the window connector bore 234.
[0109] A window connector body 240 includes a proximal section 241
with a cylindrical outer surface which may be configured to fit
closely within an inside surface of the window connector bore 234
of the coupler body 222. A flange portion 244 of the window
connector body 240 is disposed at a distal portion or distal end of
the proximal section 241 and extends radially outward from a
nominal outer surface 246 of the proximal section 241 of the window
connector body 240. The window connector body 240 also includes a
stepped portion 250 which extends distally from the proximal
portion and has an outer diameter or transverse dimension that is
less than an outer diameter or transverse dimension of the proximal
section 241 of the window connector body 240. The outer diameter of
the stepped portion 250 may be configured to extend within an inner
lumen of a proximal section of the multilayer catheter tube 38. An
outer surface 252 of the stepped portion 250 may be secured to an
inside surface of the proximal section of the multilayer catheter
tube 38 by an adhesive bond, crimp bond or the like. An inner bore
254 extends the length of the window connector body 240 from a
proximal end 242 to a distal end 245 thereof. The inner bore 254
may be a straight bore that is configured to fit closely with an
outer surface 256 of an optical input window 80 disposed within and
secured to the inner bore 254 of the window connector body 240. The
outer surface 256 of the optical input window 80 may be secured to
an inside surface of the inner bore 254 of the window connector
body 240 with an adhesive bond, crimp bond, solder bond, braze bond
or the like. In some cases, it may be desirable for the bond
between the outer surface 256 of the input optical window 80 and
the inside surface of the bore 254 of the window connector body 240
to be fluid tight.
[0110] In some instances, a proximal end of the optical input
window 80 may extend proximally from a proximal end 242 of the
proximal section 241 of the window connector body 240. As shown in
FIGS. 49 and 50, a proximal portion of the flexible waveguide
catheter tube 38 is disposed over the stepped portion 250 of the
window connector body 240 with a cylindrical metal sleeve 260
disposed over the proximal portion of the flexible waveguide
catheter tube 38. The cylindrical metal sleeve 260 may be disposed
so at to secure an inside surface of the catheter tube 38 to an
outside surface of the stepped portion 250 of the window connector
body 240 in a fluid tight seal. The inside surface of the
multilayer catheter tube 38 may be secured to an outside surface of
the stepped portion 250 with an adhesive bond 263. In some cases,
an inside surface 262 of the metal sleeve 260 may be secured to an
outside surface of a proximal portion 267 of the multilayer
catheter tube 38 with an adhesive bond 263, with a crimp body or
the like. In addition, a potting material 264 such as an adhesive
or the like may be used to provide mechanical support and strain
relief between an outer surface of the multilayer catheter tube 38
and an inside surface of a back bore 266 of the distal section of
the coupler body 222.
[0111] The optical input window 80, which may include a multi-mode
length of optical fiber in some instances. In some embodiments, the
optical input window 80 may extend distally of a distal end 245 of
the stepped portion of the window connector body 240 making direct
contact with liquid core fluid 40 of the liquid core ablation
catheter. In some instances, the optical input window may have
axial length of about 0.5 inches to about 1 inch. For some
embodiments, the stepped portion of the window connector body may
have a wall thickness of about 0.002 inches to about 0.004
inches.
[0112] Regard packaging and transportation of liquid core ablation
catheter embodiments discussed herein, certain conditions or
structures may be desirable in order to keep the catheter
embodiments in good working order. In some cases, it may be
important to maintain a minimum vapor pressure of liquid in the
environment surrounding some liquid core ablation catheter
embodiments 22 in order to prevent loss of core fluid 40 during
storage or transportation of the catheter 22 due to diffusion
through the catheter tube 38. It may also be important to minimize
temperature extremes to which some liquid core ablation catheter
embodiments are exposed. FIG. 51 shows a liquid core ablation
catheter package assembly 250 that includes a thin walled
hermetically sealed enclosure 252 including an interior volume 254.
In some cases, a material of the enclosure 252 may be suitable for
gamma sterilization. A liquid core ablation catheter 22 is shown
disposed within the interior volume 254 of the hermetically sealed
enclosure 252, however, any suitable liquid core ablation catheter
discussed herein may be so packaged. A liquid 256 is disposed
within the interior volume and is configured to maintain a vapor
pressure within the interior volume 254 sufficient to prevent loss
of a liquid 40 of a liquid core 40 of the liquid core ablation
catheter 22 due to diffusion of the liquid core 40 into the
interior volume 254. The hermetic properties of the enclosure 252
prevents the liquid 256 from escaping the enclosure 252, thus only
a small amount of the liquid 256 may be necessary. In some
instances, the thin walled hermetically sealed enclosure may be
made from a thin metalized plastic or a non-metalized thin plastic
such as PCTFE that functions as a suitable liquid vapor barrier.
The thin walled plastic may include heat sealed edges in order to
form the enclosure from two flat thin sheets of the plastic
material. The package assembly may also include a liquid depot 258
that contains the liquid 256 disposed within the interior volume
254. In some cases, the liquid depot 258 may include a sponge or
the like that may also be configured to absorb a liquid such as the
core liquid 40 and be suitable for gamma sterilization. In
addition, the sealed enclosure 252 may be disposed within a
substantially rigid box 260.
[0113] With regard to the above detailed description, like
reference numerals used therein may refer to like elements that may
have the same or similar dimensions, materials and configurations.
While particular forms of embodiments have been illustrated and
described, it will be apparent that various modifications can be
made without departing from the spirit and scope of the embodiments
of the invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the
invention be limited by the forgoing detailed description.
[0114] The entirety of each patent, patent application, publication
and document referenced herein is hereby incorporated by reference.
Citation of the above patents, patent applications, publications
and documents is not an admission that any of the foregoing is
pertinent prior art, nor does it constitute any admission as to the
contents or date of these documents.
[0115] Modifications may be made to the foregoing embodiments
without departing from the basic aspects of the technology.
Although the technology may have been described in substantial
detail with reference to one or more specific embodiments, changes
may be made to the embodiments specifically disclosed in this
application, yet these modifications and improvements are within
the scope and spirit of the technology. The technology
illustratively described herein suitably may be practiced in the
absence of any element(s) not specifically disclosed herein. Thus,
for example, in each instance herein any of the terms "comprising,"
"consisting essentially of," and "consisting of" may be replaced
with either of the other two terms. The terms and expressions which
have been employed are used as terms of description and not of
limitation, and use of such terms and expressions do not exclude
any equivalents of the features shown and described or portions
thereof, and various modifications are possible within the scope of
the technology claimed. The term "a" or "an" may refer to one of or
a plurality of the elements it modifies (e.g., "a reagent" can mean
one or more reagents) unless it is contextually clear either one of
the elements or more than one of the elements is described.
Although the present technology has been specifically disclosed by
representative embodiments and optional features, modification and
variation of the concepts herein disclosed may be made, and such
modifications and variations may be considered within the scope of
this technology.
[0116] Certain embodiments of the technology are set forth in the
claim(s) that follow(s).
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