Catheter with Multiple Shock Wave Points of Origin
A catheter includes multiple shock wave points of origin for intracorporeal treatment of blood vessels.
1 . An apparatus including a catheter sized for insertion in a blood vessel and including a plurality of shock wave points of origin coupled to an electrical wire and configured to produce shock waves outward from the catheter toward the blood vessel.
2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a balloon coupled to the catheter.
3 . The apparatus of claim 2 , further comprising a liquid solution in the balloon.
4 . The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the liquid solution is a saline solution.
5 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of shock wave points of origin include shock wave reflectors.
6 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the plurality of shock wave points of origin include shock wave reflectors.
7 . The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the plurality of shock wave points of origin include shock wave reflectors.
8 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of shock wave points of origin are multiple discharge points in one reflector.
9 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of shock wave points of origin are configured to be fired simultaneously.
10 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of shock wave points of origin are configured to be fired sequentially.
11 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the plurality of shock wave points of origin are configured to be fired simultaneously.
12 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the plurality of shock wave points of origin are configured to be fired sequentially.
13 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of shock wave points of origin are separated by an angle around the circumference of the catheter selected from group consisting of a 90 degree angle, 120 degree angle and 180 degree angle.
14 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the plurality of shock wave points of origin are separated by an angle around the circumference of the catheter selected from group consisting of a 90 degree angle, 120 degree angle and 180 degree angle.
15 . A method of treating the blood vessel comprising producing shock waves with the apparatus of claim 1 within the blood vessel.
16 . The method of claim 15 comprising creating a plurality of focal volumes from the plurality of shock wave points of origin and intersecting each focal volume with a treatment area of the blood vessel.
17 . The method of claim 16 comprising at least one of rotating the catheter and moving the catheter axially to treat the blood vessel.
18 . The method of claim 15 comprising at least one of rotating the catheter and moving the catheter axially to treat the blood vessel.
19 . A method of treating the blood vessel comprising contacting the balloon with a wall of the blood vessel being treated and producing shock waves with the apparatus of claim 3 within the blood vessel.
20 . A method of treating the blood vessel comprising avoiding contact between the balloon and a wall of the blood vessel being treated and producing shock waves with the apparatus of claim 2 within the blood vessel.