Small flexible liquid core catheter for laser ablation in body lumens and methods for use
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.
1. A support catheter for use supporting a liquid core ablation catheter, comprising:
a thin inner tubular layer that comprises an inner lumen and that comprises a low friction material to ease passage of the liquid core ablation catheter;
a braided layer disposed over an outer surface of the thin inner tubular;
an outer layer covering the braided layer;
a total wall thickness of less than 0.006 inches; and
a second lumen configured for a passage of a guidewire that is disposed on an outer surface of the support catheter, includes a length of at least 10 cm and includes a distal port disposed proximally of a distal end of the support catheter.
2. The support catheter of claim 1 wherein the low friction material comprises PTFE, a hybrid of PTFE or other low friction polymer suitable for sterilization.
3. The support catheter of claim 1 further comprising at least one radiopaque marker disposed near the distal end to visualize the position of the distal end in a patient's lumen and a position of the support catheter with respect to an ablation catheter disposed within the support catheter.
4. The support catheter of claim 1 wherein a distal section of the support catheter comprises a straight longitudinal section.
5. The support catheter of claim 1 further comprising an angled distal section configured for proper positioning of a distal end of an ablation catheter disposed within the support catheter.
6. The support catheter of claim 1 further comprising an angled distal section configured to nutate a distal end of an ablation catheter disposed within and extending distally from the support catheter upon rotation of the support catheter about a longitudinal axis thereof.
7. The support catheter of claim 6 wherein the angled distal section has a length of 5 mm to 50 mm.
8. The support catheter of claim 6 wherein a discharge axis of the angled distal section forms an angle of 3 degrees to 10 degrees with respect to a longitudinal axis of the support catheter.
9. The support catheter of claim 1 wherein a distal section of the support catheter comprises a tapered distal section configured to align a distal end of an ablation catheter which is disposed within the support catheter away from a lumen wall.
10. The support catheter of claim 1 further comprising an over layer disposed over the thin inner tubular layer with a material of the over layer having a higher durometer than a durometer of the thin inner tubular layer and the braided layer disposed over an outer surface of the over layer.
11. A multi-lumen support catheter, comprising
an inner tubular layer, a braided layer disposed over an outer surface of the inner tubular layer, and an outer layer covering the braided layer; a total wall thickness of less than 0.006 inches
at least two guidewire lumens disposed along an outer surface of the support catheter; and
a working lumen configured for passage of an ablation catheter.
12. The support catheter of claim 11 wherein a distal port of each respective guidewire lumen is disposed proximally from a distal tip of the support catheter.
13. The support catheter of claim 11 wherein one or more of the guidewire lumens include a length of at least 10 cm.