IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,364,494
Granted Patent B2
US 12,364,494 · App. 19/046,276 · Granted Jul 22, 2025

Multiple shock waves catheter

Inventors: Iulian Cioanta (Milton, GA); Christopher Cashman (Duluth, GA)
Assignee: SANUWAVE, INC.
A61B17/22012A61B17/22004A61B17/2202A61B17/22022A61B17/22029A61B17/225A61B18/245A61B18/26A61H9/0057A61H23/008G10K11/28A61B2017/00867A61B17/22A61B2017/22014A61B2017/22024A61B2017/22025A61B2017/22039A61B2017/22051A61B2017/22054A61B2017/22067A61B2017/22079A61B2017/22082A61B2017/22084A61B2017/2212A61B2017/2253A61B17/2255A61H2201/14A61H2201/1664A61N2007/0008
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,364,494
App. No.
19/046,276
Filed
Feb 5, 2025
Granted
Jul 22, 2025
Kind
B2
Examiner
WU, TONG E
Art Unit
3796
USPC
601/4
Abstract

An apparatus that includes a catheter and multiple shock wave discharge points positioned within a balloon along the catheter between proximal and distal ends of the catheter, wherein the distal end extends distally beyond the balloon. An electronic controller includes software and is operably coupled to control firing and production of shock waves at each shock wave discharge point of the multiple shock wave discharge points.

Claims (38)

1. An apparatus comprising:

a catheter sized to fit in a blood vessel including a proximal end and distal end;

multiple shock wave discharge points positioned along the catheter within a non-perforated balloon between the proximal end and the distal end of the catheter, wherein the distal end of the catheter extends distally beyond a distal end of the balloon; and

an electronic controller operably coupled to the multiple shock wave discharge points wherein the electronic controller includes software controlling firing and production of shock waves at the multiple shock wave discharge points.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the catheter includes radiopaque material configured to visually identify the location of the balloon positioned along the catheter.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the multiple shock wave discharge points each produces non-focused shock waves.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the multiple shock wave discharge points each produces non-focused and radial shock waves.

5. An apparatus comprising:

a catheter sized to fit in a blood vessel including a proximal end and distal end;

a first shock wave discharge point including a first electrode and a second shock wave discharge point including a second electrode positioned along the catheter within a non-perforated balloon between the proximal end and the distal end of the catheter, wherein the distal end of the catheter extends distally beyond a distal end of the balloon; and

an electronic controller operably coupled to the first electrode and second electrode wherein the electronic controller includes software controlling firing and production of shock waves at the first shock wave discharge point and the second shock wave discharge point.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein each of said first and second shock wave discharge points includes a pair of electrodes.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein each of the first and second shock wave discharge points produces non-focused shock waves.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the catheter includes radiopaque material configured to visually identify the location of the balloon positioned along the catheter.

9. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the catheter includes radiopaque material configured to visually identify the location of the balloon positioned along the catheter.

10. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein each of the first and second shock wave discharge points produces radial shock waves.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the catheter includes radiopaque material configured to visually identify the location of the balloon positioned along the catheter.

12. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein each of the first and second shock wave discharge points produces non-focused shock waves.

13. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the catheter includes radiopaque material configured to visually identify the location of the balloon positioned along the catheter.

14. An apparatus comprising:

a catheter sized to fit in a blood vessel including a proximal end and distal end;

a first pair of electrodes and a second pair of electrodes positioned along the catheter within a non-perforated balloon between the proximal end and the distal end of the catheter, and wherein the distal end of the catheter extends distally beyond a distal end of the balloon, wherein each of the first and second pair of electrodes produces radial shock waves; and

an electronic controller operably coupled to the first pair of electrodes and to the second pair of electrodes, wherein the electronic controller includes software controlling firing and production of shock waves at the first pair of electrodes and the second pair of electrodes.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein each of the first and second pair of electrodes produces non-focused and radial shock waves.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the catheter includes radiopaque material configured to visually identify the location of the balloon positioned along the catheter.

17. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the catheter includes radiopaque material configured to visually identify the location of the balloon positioned along the catheter.

18. An apparatus comprising:

a catheter sized to fit in a blood vessel including a proximal end and distal end;

a first spark gap and a second spark gap positioned along the catheter within a non-perforated balloon between the proximal end and the distal end of the catheter, and wherein the distal end of the catheter extends distally beyond a distal end of the balloon; and

an electronic controller operably coupled to a first electrode at the first spark gap and to a second electrode at the second spark gap, wherein the electronic controller includes software controlling firing and production of shock waves at the first spark gap and the second spark gap.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein each of the first and second spark gaps produces non-focused shock waves.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 , wherein the catheter includes radiopaque material configured to visually identify the location of the balloon positioned along the catheter.

21. The apparatus of claim 20 , wherein each of the first and second spark gaps include a pair of electrodes.

22. The apparatus of claim 19 , wherein each of the first and second spark gaps include a pair of electrodes.

23. The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein each of the first and second spark gaps produces radial shock waves.

24. The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein each of the first and second spark gaps produces non-focused and radial shock waves.

25. The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the catheter includes radiopaque material configured to visually identify the location of the balloon positioned along the catheter.

26. The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein each of the first and second spark gaps include a pair of electrodes.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 26, 2025
From: SANUWAVE, INC.
To: VASCULAR WAVE LLC
Reel/Frame 072125/0296 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 3, 2025
From: CIOANTA, IULIAN; CASHMAN, CHRISTOPHER M.
To: SANUWAVE, INC.
Reel/Frame 070729/0279 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 6, 2025
From: CIOANTA, IULIAN; CASHMAN, CHRISTOPHER M.
To: SANUWAVE, INC.
Reel/Frame 070132/0868 →
Continuity (10)
Continuation 18435508 · Feb 7, 2024
Continuation 18221303 · Jul 12, 2023
Continuation 17188812 · Mar 1, 2021
Division 16860544 · Apr 28, 2020
Division 14874650 · Oct 5, 2015
Continuation 14272155 · May 7, 2014
Division 14036461 · Sep 25, 2013
Division 12832932 · Jul 8, 2010
Provisional Application 61223919 · Jul 8, 2009
Related Publication 20250176985A1 · Jun 5, 2025
References Cited (129)
US 4528853A · Lerch et al. · 1985 [cited by applicant]
US 4608983A · Mueller et al. · 1986 [cited by applicant]
US 4639904A · Riedlinger · 1987 [cited by applicant]
US 4696299A · Shene et al. · 1987 [cited by applicant]
US 4730614A · Lacruche et al. · 1988 [cited by applicant]
US 4836191A · Noske et al. · 1989 [cited by applicant]
US 4866330A · Lacruche et al. · 1989 [cited by applicant]
US 4868791A · Cathignol et al. · 1989 [cited by applicant]
US 4901709A · Rattner · 1990 [cited by applicant]
US 4905672A · Schwarze et al. · 1990 [cited by applicant]
US 4940050A · Forssmann et al. · 1990 [cited by applicant]
US 5152768A · Bhatta · 1992 [cited by applicant]
US 5209221A · Riedlinger · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US 5269291A · Carter · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US 5301659A · Brisson et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5318014A · Carter · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5362309A · Carter · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5408363A · Kano · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5451220A · Ciervo · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5472406A · De La Torre et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5474531A · Carter · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5509896A · Carter · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5524620A · Rosenschein · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5577506A · Dias · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5609606A · O'Boyle · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5665053A · Jacobs · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5681336A · Clement et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5709676A · Alt · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5788496A · Marlinghaus · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 6036661A · Schwarze et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6073051A · Sharkey et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6113570A · Siegel et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6126619A · Peterson et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6186963B1 · Schwarze et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6217531B1 · Reitmajer · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6241692B1 · Tu et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6298264B1 · Zhong et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6361531B1 · Hissong · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6395016B1 · Oron et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6464660B2 · Brisken et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6475210B1 · Phelps et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6478765B2 · Siegel et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6500134B1 · Cassone · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6629534B1 · St. Goar et al. · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 6755821B1 · Fry · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 7128719B2 · Rosenberg · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 7189209B1 · Ogden et al. · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 7311678B2 · Spector · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 7850685B2 · Kunis et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 8040756B2 · Wang et al. · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 9421025B2 · Hawkins et al. · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 20010023326A1 · Spector · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 20020002345A1 · Marlinghaus · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 20020032394A1 · Brisken et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 20020072691A1 · Thompson et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 20020095147A1 · Shadduck · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 20020133099A1 · Ein-Gal · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 20020151825A1 · Rubenchik et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 20020177889A1 · Brisken et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 20020188243A1 · Brisken et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 20030181833A1 · Faragalla et al. · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 20030225346A1 · Ein-Gal · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 20040006288A1 · Spector et al. · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 20040010211A1 · Spector · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 20040049148A1 · Rodriguez · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 20050027198A1 · Couvillon · 2005 [cited by applicant]
US 20050075588A1 · Simnacher et al. · 2005 [cited by applicant]
US 20050228370A1 · Sterzer et al. · 2005 [cited by applicant]
US 20050267488A1 · Hare · 2005 [cited by examiner]
US 20060100550A1 · Schultheiss et al. · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 20060190022A1 · Beyar et al. · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 20060241523A1 · Sinelnikov et al. · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 20060246044A1 · Lutz et al. · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 20060265000A1 · Azizi · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 20060293708A1 · Voss · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 20070016112A1 · Schultheiss et al. · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 20070055154A1 · Torbati · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 20070055156A1 · Desilets et al. · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 20070065420A1 · Johnson · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 20070239083A1 · Voss · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 20080009885A1 · Del Giglio · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20080071198A1 · Ogden et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20080188866A1 · Karpiel et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20080269651A1 · Warlick et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20080275371A1 · Hoffmann · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20080294127A1 · Blott et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20090036803A1 · Warlick et al. · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 20090281464A1 · Cioanta et al. · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 20090312768A1 · Hawkins · 2009 [cited by examiner]
US 20100036294A1 · Mantell et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 20100114020A1 · Hawkins et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 20110028868A1 · Spector · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 20130030447A1 · Adams · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20130345600A1 · Katragadda · 2013 [cited by applicant]
DE 3038445C2 · 1990 [cited by applicant]
EP 0238772 · 1987 [cited by applicant]
FR 2673542 · 1992 [cited by applicant]
JP 2004215862 · 2004 [cited by applicant]
WO 9210140 · 1992 [cited by applicant]
WO 9406355 · 1994 [cited by applicant]
WO 9913943 · 1999 [cited by applicant]
WO 9933391 · 1999 [cited by applicant]
WO 0207582 · 2002 [cited by applicant]
WO 2006114783 · 2006 [cited by applicant]
WO 2009152352A2 · 2009 [cited by applicant]
Notice of Allowance issued Feb. 24, 2025 in corresponding U.S. Appl. No. 18/798,522. [cited by applicant]
Christ, C., et al., “Boosting skin elasticity and revitalising the dermis in cellulite and connective tissue weakness by means of extracorporeal Acoustic Wave Therapy (AWT),” http://www.cellulite-therapy.com, Jan. 2008,… [cited by applicant]
Kuhn, et al.; “Impact of extracorporeal shock waves on the human skin with cellulite: A case study of an unique instance”; Clinical Interventions in Aging, 2008, pp. 201-210, vol. 3, Issue 1, Dove Medical Press Ltd., Un… [cited by applicant]
Angehrn, et al.; “Can cellulite be treated with low-energy extracorporeal shock wave therapy?”; Clinical Interventions in Aging, 2007, pp. 623-630, vol. 2, Issue 4, Dove Medical Press Ltd., United Kingdom. [cited by applicant]
“Laser Atherectomy in Peripheral Arterial Disease: Cath Lab Digest talks with Rajesh M. Dave, MD, FACC, FSCAI, Chairman, Endovascular Medicine, Pinnacle Health Heart and Vascular Institute Harrisburg Hospital, Harrisbur… [cited by applicant]
Hoye, et al., “Successful Use of a New Guidewire with Radiofrequency Ablation Capability for the Treatment of Chronic Total Occlusion at the Ostium of the Left Anterior Descending Artery,” Cath Lab Digest, Jun. 2005, pp… [cited by applicant]
Vorwerk, et al., “Chronic venous occlusions in haemodialysis shunts: efficacy of percutaneous treatment,” Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation, 1995, pp. 1869-1873, vol. 10, No. 10, European Renal Association—European Di… [cited by applicant]
ESWT (Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy) in comparison to UDWT (Unfocused Pressure Wave Therapy), http://www.wolfendoskopi.com. [cited by applicant]
Lau, M.D., et al., “Vulnerable Plaques: A Brief Review of the Concept and Proposed Approaches to Diagnosis and Treatment,” Technology Assessment Prepared for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality of the U.S. De… [cited by applicant]
Hongbao, et al., “Laser Stabilization of the Vulnerable Plaque to Prevent Heart Attacks,” The Journal of American Science, Mar. 2007, pp. 18-27, vol. 3, No. 1, Marsland Press, Lansing, MI. [cited by applicant]
Ong Lim, M.D., et al., “Vulnerable Plaque,” SIS Almanac Online (http://www.sis.org/almanac/vul_plaq.pdf), 2002, Science Innovation Synergy, Seattle, WA. [cited by applicant]
Cassak, “Vulnerable Plaque Heats up,” In Vivo: The Business & Medicine Report, Oct. 2002, p. 23, Windhover Information, Inc. Norwalk, CT. [cited by applicant]
“Vulnerable Plaque,” http://texasheart.org/HIC/Topics/Cond/vulplaq.cfm#, Texas Heart Institute, Houston, TX. [cited by applicant]
European Patent Office Communication from EP 10 797 881.9-1659; Jan. 20, 2015. [cited by applicant]
Extended European Search Report from EP 16186021.8-1659; Nov. 21, 2016. [cited by applicant]
Judgement; Final Written Decision issued on Jul. 20, 2020 in IPR2019-00408, 62 pages. [cited by applicant]
Watson, J. et al. (1999) Physiological Effects of Endermologie®: A Preliminary Report,. Aesthetic Surgery Journal. 19(1): 27-33. [cited by applicant]
Goldenstedt, C. et al. (2008) Delivery by shock waves of active principle embedded in gelatin-based capsules. Ultrasonics Sonochemistry. 15(5): 808-814. [cited by applicant]
U.S. Appl. No. 18/918,037, Office Action dated Dec. 5, 2024. [cited by applicant]
U.S. Appl. No. 18/918,030, Office Action dated Dec. 13, 2024. [cited by applicant]
U.S. Appl. No. 16/565,316, Office Action dated Dec. 19, 2024. [cited by applicant]
U.S. Appl. No. 18/918,026, Office Action dated Dec. 19, 2024. [cited by applicant]
U.S. Appl. No. 17/937,446, Office Action dated Feb. 29, 2024. [cited by applicant]
U.S. Appl. No. 17/937,446, Notice of Allowance dated Apr. 3, 2024. [cited by applicant]
Cited By (10)
US 1,141,121 US 12,594,406 US 12,622,716 US 12,642,946 US 12,661,136 US 12,702,433 US 12,708,385 US 12,714,449 US 12,714,450 US 12,714,836