Catheter assemblies for neuromodulation proximate a bifurcation of a renal artery and associated systems and methods

1. A neuromodulation catheter assembly, comprising:

a shaft having a proximal portion and a bifurcated distal portion, wherein the shaft is configured to deliver the distal portion proximate a branch point in a renal blood vessel;

a first therapeutic arm joined to and extending from the distal portion of the shaft and configured to be delivered into a first branch vessel extending distally from the branch point, the first therapeutic arm having a first energy delivery element;

a second therapeutic arm joined to and extending from the distal portion of the shaft and configured to be delivered into a second branch vessel extending distally from the branch point, the second therapeutic arm having a second energy delivery element; and

means for drawing the first and second energy delivery elements towards each other,

wherein an angle formed between the first and second therapeutic arms at the bifurcated distal portion is less than a takeoff angle of the branch point.

2. The neuromodulation catheter assembly of claim 1 wherein:

the first energy delivery element is configured to be delivered to a first position in the first branch vessel; and

the second energy delivery element is configured to be delivered to a second position in the second branch vessel, the second position being offset from the first position with respect to a longitudinal axis of the renal blood vessel.

3. The neuromodulation catheter assembly of claim 1 wherein:

a first magnetic structure is attached to the first therapeutic arm; and

a second magnetic structure is attached to the second therapeutic arm, such that the first and second magnetic structures define the means for drawing the first and second energy delivery elements towards each other.

4. The neuromodulation catheter assembly of claim 1 wherein:

the first therapeutic arm includes a first coil structure;

the second therapeutic arm includes at least one of a second coil structure or a magnetic structure; and

the first coil structure is configured to generate an electromagnetic field complimentary to the magnetic structure or an electromagnetic field of the second coil structure to thereby define the means for drawing the first and second energy delivery elements towards each other.

5. The neuromodulation catheter assembly of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first and second therapeutic arms has a pre-shaped bias that defines the means for drawing the first and second energy delivery elements towards each other.

6. The neuromodulation apparatus catheter assembly of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first and second therapeutic arms is configured to receive a pre-shaped stylet that defines the means for drawing the first and second energy delivery elements towards each other.

7. The neuromodulation apparatus catheter assembly of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first and second therapeutic arms is configured to receive a magnetic distal core that defines the means for drawing the first and second energy delivery elements towards each other.

8. A method of treating a human patient, the method comprising:

delivering a first energy delivery element on a first therapeutic arm of a catheter assembly to a first treatment site within a first branch vessel extending distally from a branch point of a renal blood vessel;

delivering a second energy delivery element on a second therapeutic arm of the catheter assembly to a second treatment site within a second branch of the renal blood vessel extending distally from the branch point, wherein an angle formed between the first and second therapeutic arms of the catheter assembly is less than a takeoff angle of the branch point;

permitting the first and second therapeutic arms to be drawn toward one another such that the first energy delivery element contacts a vessel wall at the first treatment site and the second energy delivery element contacts a vessel wall at the second treatment site; and

applying therapeutically-effective energy to target tissue via the first and second energy delivery elements.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the first and second sites are substantially aligned with one another along a longitudinal axis of the renal blood vessel.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein the first and second sites are offset from one another along a longitudinal axis of the renal blood vessel.

11. The method of claim 8 wherein:

delivering a first energy delivery element on the first therapeutic arm of the catheter assembly into the first branch comprises delivering a distal portion of a first catheter into the first branch; and

delivering a second energy delivery element on the second therapeutic arm of the catheter assembly into the second branch comprises delivering a distal portion of a second catheter to the second branch.

12. The method of claim 8 wherein delivering the first and second energy delivery elements on respective first and second therapeutic arms of the catheter assembly into the respective first and second branches comprises delivering a distal portion of a bifurcated shaft proximate the branch point of the renal blood vessel.

13. The method of claim 8 wherein:

a first magnetic structure is attached to the first therapeutic arm; and

a second magnetic structure is attached to the second therapeutic arm, such that the first and second magnetic structures draw the first and second energy delivery elements towards each other.

14. The method of claim 8 wherein at least one of the first and second therapeutic arms has a pre-shaped bias that draws the first and second energy delivery elements towards each other.

15. The method of claim 8 wherein at least one of the first and second therapeutic arms is configured to receive a pre-shaped stylet that draws the first and second energy delivery elements towards each other.

16. The method of claim 8 wherein at least one of the first and second therapeutic arms is configured to receive a magnetic distal core that draws the first and second energy delivery elements towards each other.