Medical devices for modulating nerves
Medical devices and methods for making and using medical devices are disclosed. An example medical device may include a medical device for modulating nerves. The medical device may include an elongate shaft having a distal region. A balloon may be coupled to the distal region. An electrode may be disposed within the balloon. A virtual electrode may be defined on the balloon. The virtual electrode may include a region having a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer.
1. A medical device for modulating nerves, the medical device comprising:
an elongate shaft having a distal region;
a balloon coupled to the distal region, the balloon having an inner conductive layer, an outer conductive layer, and an intermediate non-conductive layer disposed between the inner layer and the outer layer;
an electrode disposed within the balloon; and
a virtual electrode defined on the balloon, the virtual electrode including a conductive region defined along a first portion of the balloon that comprises the inner conductive layer and the outer conductive layer and is free of the intermediate non-conductive layer.
2. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the outer conductive layer covers the entire balloon.
3. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the outer conductive layer covers only a portion of the balloon.
4. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the intermediate non-conductive layer has a substantially constant thickness.
5. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the electrode includes a coil electrode helically disposed about the shaft.
6. The medical device of claim 1 , further comprising one or more additional virtual electrodes.
7. The medical device of claim 1 , further comprising a conductive fluid disposed within the balloon.
8. A medical device for modulating nerves, the medical device comprising:
an elongate shaft having a distal region and a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet proximate the distal region;
a balloon coupled to the distal region, the balloon having an inner conductive layer, an outer conductive layer, and an intermediate non-conductive layer disposed between the inner layer and the outer layer;
a helically wound electrode disposed along the elongate shaft and within the balloon; and
a virtual electrode defined on the balloon, the virtual electrode including a conductive region defined along a first portion of the balloon that comprises the inner conductive layer and the outer conductive layer and is free of the intermediate non-conductive layer.
9. The medical device of claim 8 , wherein the outer conductive layer covers the entire balloon.
10. The medical device of claim 8 , wherein the outer conductive layer covers a portion of the balloon.
11. The medical device of claim 8 , wherein the intermediate non-conductive layer has a substantially constant thickness.
12. The medical device of claim 8 , further comprising one or more additional virtual electrodes.
13. The medical device of claim 8 , further comprising a conductive fluid disposed within the balloon.
14. The medical device of claim 8 , wherein the inner the outer layers comprise a hydrophilic polymer.
15. The medical device of claim 14 , wherein the hydrophilic polymer exhibits between 20% and 120% water uptake.
16. The medical device of claim 14 , wherein the inner and outer layers comprise a hydrophilic polymer selected from a hydrophilic polyurethane, a hydrophilic polyether block amide, a hydrophilic nylon and a hydrophilic polyester.