Lithotripsy angioplasty devices and methods
An example method for treating a blood vessel may include disposing a medical device within the blood vessel at a position adjacent to a lesion. The medical device may include an elongate shaft having a distal end region, a balloon coupled to the distal end region, and an iron-containing fluid disposed within the balloon. The method may also include inflating the balloon to a first pressure, delivering a plurality of electromagnetic pulses to the iron-containing fluid, and inflating the balloon to a second pressure greater than the first pressure.
1. A method for treating a blood vessel, the method comprising:
disposing a medical device within the blood vessel at a position adjacent to a lesion, the medical device comprising:
an elongate shaft having a distal end region, an electrode coupled to the shaft and positioned within the balloon,
a balloon coupled to the distal end region, and
an iron-containing fluid disposed within the balloon;
inflating the balloon to a first pressure;
delivering a plurality of electromagnetic pulses from the electrode to the iron-containing fluid; and
inflating the balloon to a second pressure greater than the first pressure.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the iron-containing fluid includes iron nanoparticles.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein at least some of the iron nanoparticles have a conical shape.
4. The method of claim 2 , wherein delivering a plurality of electromagnetic pulses to the balloon moves at least some of the iron nanoparticles toward a surface of the balloon.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein an electrode is coupled to the shaft and positioned within the balloon, and wherein delivering a plurality of electromagnetic pulses to the iron-containing fluid includes activating the electrode.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the balloon further comprises a reinforcing member.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein inflating the balloon to a first pressure includes inflating the balloon to a pressure of 3-5 atmospheres.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein inflating the balloon to a second pressure greater than the first pressure includes inflating the balloon to a pressure of 5-9 atmospheres.
9. A method for treating a blood vessel, the method comprising:
disposing a lithotripsy angioplasty medical device within the blood vessel at a position adjacent to a calcified lesion, the lithotripsy angioplasty medical device comprising:
an elongate shaft having a distal end region,
a balloon coupled to the distal end region,
an iron-containing fluid disposed within the balloon, and
an electrode coupled to the shaft;
inflating the balloon to a first pressure;
transferring force from the balloon to the calcified lesion by delivering electromagnetic pulses with the electrode to activate the iron-containing fluid; and
inflating the balloon to a second pressure greater than the first pressure.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the iron-containing fluid includes iron nanoparticles.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein at least some of the iron nanoparticles have a conical shape.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein transferring force from the balloon to the calcified lesion by delivering electromagnetic pulses with the electrode to activate the iron-containing fluid moves at least some of the iron nanoparticles toward a surface of the balloon.
13. The method of claim 9 , wherein the electrode is positioned within the balloon.
14. The method of claim 9 , wherein the balloon further comprises a reinforcing member.
15. The method of claim 9 , wherein inflating the balloon to a first pressure includes inflating the balloon to a pressure of 3-5 atmospheres.
16. The method of claim 9 , wherein inflating the balloon to a second pressure greater than the first pressure includes inflating the balloon to a pressure of 5-9 atmospheres.
17. A lithotripsy angioplasty medical device, comprising:
an elongate shaft having a distal end region;
a balloon coupled to the distal end region;
an iron-containing fluid disposed within the balloon;
an electrode coupled to the shaft and positioned within the balloon, the electrode being configured to deliver electromagnetic pulses to the fluid;
wherein the balloon is configured to shift between a first unexpanded configuration, a second configuration when the balloon is partially expanded into contact with a target region, and an expanded configuration.
18. The lithotripsy angioplasty medical device of claim 17 , wherein the iron-containing fluid includes iron nanoparticles.
19. The lithotripsy angioplasty medical device of claim 18 , wherein at least some of the iron nanoparticles have a conical shape.
20. The lithotripsy angioplasty medical device of claim 17 , wherein the balloon further comprises a reinforcing member.