Catheter or guidewire device including flow sensing and use thereof

1. A method of performing a medical treatment procedure on a tissue, the method comprising:

disposing in proximity to the tissue an apparatus comprising:

an elongated member having a proximal portion and a distal portion;

at least one flow sensor disposed proximate to the distal portion of the elongated member, each of the at least one flow sensor comprising:

at least one temperature sensor; and

at least one heating element disposed proximate to the at least one temperature sensor;

a reference temperature sensor disposed on a proximal portion of the elongated member; and

a control module coupled to the at least one flow sensor and the reference temperature sensor;

using the control module to maintain a temperature difference between the reference temperature sensor and the temperature sensor of the at least one flow sensor at a stage of performance of the medical treatment procedure, comprising:

monitoring a value of a temperature measurement of the reference temperature sensor and/or a temperature measurement of the temperature sensor of the at least one flow sensor; and

controlling a first signal to the at least one heating element to cause the at least one heating element to emit heat or discontinue emitting heat, such that that the temperature difference is maintained,

wherein the temperature difference is a constant temperature difference or a time varying temperature difference.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the temperature difference is a constant temperature difference, and wherein the constant temperature difference is about 1.5° C., about 2.0° C., about 2.5° C., about 3.0° C., about 3.5° C., about 4.0° C., or about 4.5° C.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the control module comprises a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller or an anemometer.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the control module comprises a PID controller, the method further comprising:

applying the PID controller to:

compare the value of the temperature measurement of the reference temperature sensor to the temperature measurement of the temperature sensor of at least one flow sensor; and

determine a second signal based on the comparison;

using the control module to determine the first signal to the at least one heating element based on the second signal.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus further comprises at least one component to perform an ablation procedure on a portion of the tissue.

6. The method of claim 5 , further comprising:

applying the ablation procedure to the portion of the tissue;

using the control module to monitor a temperature measurement of the temperature sensor of at least one flow sensor, thereby monitoring a flow rate of a fluid proximate to the portion of tissue; and

using the control module to control the first signal to the at least one heating element to cause the at least one heating element to emit heat or discontinue emitting heat, such that that the temperature difference is maintained.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising recording the first signal to the at least one heating element.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first signal to the at least one heating element is a time-varying voltage signal.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the at least one heating element forms a cavity, and wherein at least a portion of the at least one temperature sensor is housed in a portion of the cavity.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the medical treatment procedure comprises a denervation procedure or a nerve stimulation procedure.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the medical treatment procedure is a carotid sinus denervation, a carotid body disruption, a vagus nerve stimulation, a pulmonary artery denervation, a celiac ganglion disruption, a bladder trigone ablation, or a renal denervation.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the temperature sensor is a thermistor or a thermocouple.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the elongated member is a catheter or a guide wire.

14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one flow sensor is a plurality of flow sensors.

15. A method of determining an efficacy of a medical treatment procedure performed on a tissue, the method comprising:

A) disposing in proximity to the tissue an apparatus comprising:

an elongated member having a proximal portion and a distal portion;

at least one flow sensor disposed proximate to the distal portion of the elongated member, and

at least one component coupled to the elongated member to perform a treatment procedure on a portion of the tissue proximate to the elongated member;

B) activating the at least one component to perform the treatment procedure on the portion of the tissue;

C) using the at least one flow sensor to perform at least one flow measurement, the at least one flow measurement providing data indicative of a change in the flow subsequent to the treatment procedure of a fluid proximate to the apparatus;

D) analyzing the data indicative of the flow of the fluid to determine at least one time-constant associated with the data; and

E) comparing the at least one time-constant associated with the data to a time-constant indicative of the flow of the fluid prior to performance of the treatment procedure,

wherein a difference provides an indication of the efficacy of the treatment procedure.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein (B), (C), (D) and (E) are repeated until the difference falls in a specified range of values.

17. The method of claim 16 , further comprising generating an indication of an endpoint of the treatment procedure when the difference falling in the specified range of values.

18. The method of claim 17 , further comprising displaying the indication of the endpoint of the treatment procedure on a display.

19. The method of claim 15 , wherein the medical treatment procedure is a carotid sinus denervation, a carotid body disruption, a vagus nerve stimulation, a pulmonary artery denervation, a celiac ganglion disruption, a bladder trigone ablation, or a renal denervation.

20. The method of claim 15 , wherein the time constant provides a measure of the rate of change in the flow from a highest value following the treatment procedure to a steady-state value at a later time.

21. The method of claim 15 , further comprising determining a first order rate of change with time of the at least one time constant and/or a second order rate of change with time of the at least one time constant.

22. The method of claim 21 , further comprising comparing the first order rate of change with time of the at least one time constant to a standard for the first order rate of change, wherein the comparison provides a second indication of the efficacy of the medical treatment procedure.

23. The method of claim 21 , further comprising comparing the second order rate of change with time of the at least one time constant to a standard for the second order rate of change, wherein the comparison provides a third indication of the efficacy of the medical treatment procedure.

24. The method of claim 15 , wherein the at least one component is an ablative component, and wherein the medical treatment procedure is a denervation procedure.

25. A method of monitoring a hemodynamic effect during a medical treatment procedure performed on a vascular tissue, the method comprising:

A) disposing in proximity to the tissue an apparatus comprising:

an elongated member having a proximal portion and a distal portion;

at least one flow sensor disposed proximate to the distal portion of the elongated member, and

at least one component coupled to the elongated member to perform a medical treatment procedure on a portion of the tissue proximate to the elongated member;

B) activating the at least one component to perform the medical treatment procedure on the portion of the tissue;

C) administering a substance that causes a change in dimension of the vascular tissue;

D) using the at least one flow sensor to perform at least one flow measurement, the at least one flow measurement providing data indicative of a change in the flow subsequent to the medical treatment procedure of a fluid proximate to the apparatus;

E) analyzing the data indicative of the flow of the fluid to determine at least one parameter indicative of the change in the hemodynamics of the fluid,

wherein a reduction in the change in the hemodynamics of the fluid provides an indication of the efficacy of the medical treatment procedure.

26. The method of claim 25 , wherein (B), (C), (D) and (E) are repeated until the rate of reduction of the change in the hemodynamics of the fluid falls below a specified value.

27. The method of claim 26 , further comprising generating an indication of an endpoint of the medical treatment procedure when the rate of reduction of the change in the hemodynamics of the fluid falls below the specified value.

28. The method of claim 27 , further comprising displaying the indication of the endpoint of the medical treatment procedure on a display.

29. The method of claim 25 , wherein the substance comprises an endogenous substance or an exogenous substance.

30. The method of claim 29 , wherein the substance comprises a calcium channel blocker, a cAMP-mediated stimulant, or a nitrovasodilator.

31. The method of claim 29 , wherein the substance comprises a dopamine, adenosine, prostacyclin, saline, or nitric oxide.

32. The method of claim 25 , wherein the substance comprises a vasodilation substance or a vasoconstriction substance.

33. The method of claim 25 , wherein the at least one component is an ablative component, and wherein the medical treatment procedure is a denervation procedure.

34. The method of claim 25 , wherein the elongated member comprises an inflatable and/or expandable body, and wherein the inflatable and/or expandable body is disposed proximate to the distal portion of the elongated member.

35. The method of claim 34 , wherein the inflatable and/or expandable body is a balloon, an expandable spiral coil, an expandable mesh, or a deployable netting.

36. The method of claim 34 , wherein the inflatable and/or expandable body comprises an electronic circuit coupled with a portion of the inflatable and/or expandable body, wherein the electronic circuit comprises at least one stretchable interconnect, and wherein the electronic circuit is stretchable and conformable such that the electronic circuit accommodates an expansion of the inflatable and/or expandable body.

37. A method of performing a medical treatment procedure on a tissue, the method comprising:

disposing in proximity to the tissue an apparatus comprising:

an elongated member having a proximal portion and a distal portion;

at least one flow sensor disposed proximate to the distal portion of the elongated member, each of the at least one flow sensor comprising:

at least one temperature sensor; and

at least one heating element disposed proximate to the at least one temperature sensor;

a reference temperature sensor disposed on a proximal portion of the elongated member;

a control module coupled to the at least one flow sensor and the reference temperature sensor; and

at least one component to perform an ablation procedure on a portion of the tissue;

using the control module to maintain a temperature difference between the reference temperature sensor and the temperature sensor of the at least one flow sensor at a stage of performance of the medical treatment procedure, comprising:

monitoring a value of a temperature measurement of the reference temperature sensor and/or a temperature measurement of the temperature sensor of the at least one flow sensor;

controlling a first signal to the at least one heating element to cause the at least one heating element to emit heat or discontinue emitting heat, such that that the temperature difference is maintained.

38. The method of claim 37 , wherein the temperature difference is a constant temperature difference, and wherein the constant temperature difference is about 1.5° C., about 2.0° C., about 2.5° C., about 3.0° C., about 3.5° C., about 4.0° C., or about 4.5° C.

39. The method of claim 37 , wherein the control module comprises a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller or an anemometer.

40. The method of claim 39 , wherein the control module comprises a PID controller, the method further comprising:

applying the PID controller to:

compare the value of the temperature measurement of the reference temperature sensor to the temperature measurement of the temperature sensor of at least one flow sensor; and

determine a second signal based on the comparison;

using the control module to determine the first signal to the at least one heating element based on the second signal.

41. The method of claim 37 , wherein the apparatus further comprises at least one component to perform an ablation procedure on a portion of the tissue, the method further comprising:

applying the ablation procedure to the portion of the tissue;

using the control module to monitor a temperature measurement of the temperature sensor of at least one flow sensor, thereby monitoring a flow rate of a fluid proximate to the portion of tissue; and

using the control module to control the first signal to the at least one heating element to cause the at least one heating element to emit heat or discontinue emitting heat, such that that the temperature difference is maintained.

42. The method of claim 37 , further comprising recording the first signal to the at least one heating element.

43. The method of claim 37 , wherein the first signal to the at least one heating element is a time-varying voltage signal.

44. The method of claim 37 , wherein at least a portion of the at least one heating element forms a cavity, and wherein at least a portion of the at least one temperature sensor is housed in a portion of the cavity.

45. The method of claim 37 , wherein the medical treatment procedure comprises a denervation procedure or a nerve stimulation procedure.

46. The method of claim 37 , wherein the medical treatment procedure is a carotid sinus denervation, a carotid body disruption, a vagus nerve stimulation, a pulmonary artery denervation, a celiac ganglion disruption, a bladder trigone ablation, or a renal denervation.

47. The method of claim 37 , wherein the temperature sensor is a thermistor or a thermocouple.

48. The method of claim 37 , wherein the elongated member is a catheter or a guide wire.

49. The method of claim 37 , wherein the at least one flow sensor is a plurality of flow sensors.

50. A method of performing a medical treatment procedure on a tissue, the method comprising:

disposing in proximity to the tissue an apparatus comprising:

an elongated member having a proximal portion and a distal portion;

at least one flow sensor disposed proximate to the distal portion of the elongated member, each of the at least one flow sensor comprising:

at least one temperature sensor; and

at least one heating element disposed proximate to the at least one temperature sensor;

a reference temperature sensor disposed on a proximal portion of the elongated member; and

a control module coupled to the at least one flow sensor and the reference temperature sensor;

using the control module to maintain a temperature difference between the reference temperature sensor and the temperature sensor of the at least one flow sensor at a stage of performance of the medical treatment procedure, comprising:

monitoring a value of a temperature measurement of the reference temperature sensor and/or a temperature measurement of the temperature sensor of the at least one flow sensor;

controlling a first signal to the at least one heating element to cause the at least one heating element to emit heat or discontinue emitting heat, such that that the temperature difference is maintained,

wherein the first signal to the at least one heating element is a time-varying voltage signal.

51. The method of claim 50 , wherein the temperature difference is a constant temperature difference, and wherein the constant temperature difference is about 1.5° C., about 2.0° C., about 2.5° C., about 3.0° C., about 3.5° C., about 4.0° C., or about 4.5° C.

52. The method of claim 50 , wherein the control module comprises a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller or an anemometer.

53. The method of claim 52 , wherein the control module comprises a PID controller, the method further comprising:

applying the PID controller to:

compare the value of the temperature measurement of the reference temperature sensor to the temperature measurement of the temperature sensor of at least one flow sensor; and

determine a second signal based on the comparison;

using the control module to determine the first signal to the at least one heating element based on the second signal.

54. The method of claim 50 , wherein the apparatus further comprises at least one component to perform an ablation procedure on a portion of the tissue, the method further comprising:

applying the ablation procedure to the portion of the tissue;

using the control module to monitor a temperature measurement of the temperature sensor of at least one flow sensor, thereby monitoring a flow rate of a fluid proximate to the portion of tissue; and

using the control module to control the first signal to the at least one heating element to cause the at least one heating element to emit heat or discontinue emitting heat, such that that the temperature difference is maintained.

55. The method of claim 50 , further comprising recording the first signal to the at least one heating element.

56. The method of claim 50 , wherein at least a portion of the at least one heating element forms a cavity, and wherein at least a portion of the at least one temperature sensor is housed in a portion of the cavity.

57. The method of claim 50 , wherein the medical treatment procedure comprises a denervation procedure or a nerve stimulation procedure.

58. The method of claim 50 , wherein the medical treatment procedure is a carotid sinus denervation, a carotid body disruption, a vagus nerve stimulation, a pulmonary artery denervation, a celiac ganglion disruption, a bladder trigone ablation, or a renal denervation.

59. The method of claim 50 , wherein the temperature sensor is a thermistor or a thermocouple.

60. The method of claim 50 , wherein the elongated member is a catheter or a guide wire.

61. The method of claim 50 , wherein the at least one flow sensor is a plurality of flow sensors.