Ultrasound catheter with embedded conductors
An ultrasound catheter comprises an elongate tubular body. The elongate tubular body has a proximal region and a distal region opposite the proximal region. The tubular body defines a central lumen having a central lumen diameter. The ultrasound catheter further comprises an elongate, hollow inner core extending through the central lumen. The elongate, hollow inner core has an inner core outer diameter that is less than or equal to the central lumen diameter. The ultrasound catheter further comprises an ultrasound radiating member positioned within the distal region of the tubular body and between the tubular body and the inner core. The ultrasound catheter further comprises at least two electrical conductors extending between the tubular body proximal region and the tubular body distal region. The at least two electrical conductors are positioned between the tubular body and the inner core. The at least two electrical conductors are electrically connected to the ultrasound radiating member. The at least two electrical conductors are wrapped around the inner core a plurality of times in a region between the ultrasound radiating member and the tubular body proximal region.
1 . A method comprising:
maneuvering a guidewire through a patient's vasculature, such that a guidewire distal region is adjacent to a treatment site;
passing an elongate tubular body over the guidewire, the elongate tubular body having a distal region, a proximal region opposite the distal region and a tubular ultrasound radiating member mounted to the elongate tubular body distal region, such that the ultrasound radiating member is adjacent the treatment site;
withdrawing the guidewire from the elongate tubular body;
passing an electronic driving signal to the ultrasound radiating member to cause the ultrasound radiating member to deliver ultrasonic energy to the treatment site;
passing a therapeutic compound through the elongate tubular body to the treatment site, such that a quantity of therapeutic compound delivered to the treatment site is exposed to ultrasonic energy.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the ultrasound radiating member is positioned within the elongate tubular body.
3 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising sensing a temperature at the treatment site.