Title:
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ADVANCING CATHETERS
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO1993013816
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
A catheter comprises a catheter body (10) having a proximal end, a distal end, and an electrode array disposed near the distal end(12). The electrode array includes a plurality of isolated electrode terminals (18). The electrode array and a common electrode (16) are connected to a high frequency power supply (32) and the common electrode (16) may be located on the catheter, may be secured separately to a patient's skin, or may be formed as part of a movable guidewire. By contacting the electrode array against a target location in the patient's body, the target location may be selectively heated, with current density being contacted at the points of contact between the electrode terminals (18) and the tissue or stenotic material. For example, by positioning the common electrode within a stenotic region and contacting a leading surface of the stenotic region with the electrode array, the stenotic material can be heated by applying a high frequency voltage between the electrode array and the common electrode. The stenotic region can thus be recanalized by advancing the distal end of the catheter body through the heated stenotic material.
Inventors:
EGGERS PHILIP E (US)
THAPLIYAL HIRA V (US)
THAPLIYAL HIRA V (US)
Application Number:
PCT/US1992/011265
Publication Date:
July 22, 1993
Filing Date:
December 28, 1992
Export Citation:
Assignee:
ANGIOCARE CORP (US)
International Classes:
A61B18/14; A61M25/01; A61B17/00; A61B17/22; A61B18/00; A61B19/00; A61F2/02; (IPC1-7): A61B17/36
Foreign References:
| US4998933A | 1991-03-12 | |||
| US2050904A | 1936-08-11 | |||
| US4709698A | 1987-12-01 | |||
| US4955377A | 1990-09-11 |
Other References:
See also references of EP 0624076A4
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