ShockWave Medical, Inc.
LESION CROSSING SHOCK WAVE CATHETER

Abstract:

The present invention provides a catheter for treating occlusions in blood vessels. The catheter includes at least one electrode pair positioned inside of a flexible angioplasty balloon at the distal end of the catheter. In some designs, the electrode pairs are arranged in a low-profile or coplanar configuration, reducing the diameter of the distal end of the device and permitting treatment of tight and hard-to-cross occlusions. The flexible angioplasty balloon has an extremely low profile and does need to be folded before insertion of the catheter into the cardiovascular system. During treatment, the balloon can be expanded a relatively small amount sufficient to immerse the electrode pairs in a conductive fluid before generating shock waves across the electrodes to treat the occlusion. The balloon can be made of material having elastomeric properties such that it returns to its original low profile configuration when it is deflated following treatment.