Method and apparatus for treatment of hypertension through percutaneous ultrasound renal denervation
Inventors
Assignees
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-9943666-B2
Publication Date
2018-04-17
Expiration Date
Abstract
Apparatus and methods for deactivating renal nerves extending along a renal artery of a mammalian subject to treat hypertension and related conditions. An ultrasonic transducer (30) is inserted into the renal artery (10) as, for example, by advancing the distal end of a catheter (18) bearing the transducer into the renal artery. The ultrasonic transducer emits unfocused ultrasound so as to heat tissues throughout a relatively large impact volume (11) as, for example, at least about 0.5 cm3 encompassing the renal artery to a temperature sufficient to inactivate nerve conduction but insufficient to cause rapid ablation or necrosis of the tissues. The treatment can be performed without locating or focusing on individual renal nerves.
Core Innovation
The invention is a catheter-based apparatus for inactivating renal nerve conduction in a mammalian subject. A distal ultrasound transducer emits unfocused ultrasound energy into an impact volume encompassing the renal artery. A balloon engages the artery wall, with cooling liquid delivered to protect the intima, while a machine-readable element on the catheter provides information associated with an optimum actuation frequency.
The apparatus enables renal denervation while avoiding damage to the renal artery intima through directed energy emission and targeted cooling. Balloon structures provide stable engagement with the vessel wall, either centering the transducer or preserving blood flow through the vessel during actuation.
Claims Coverage
The claims identify two independent claims, claims 1 and 11, which encompass six inventive features concerning ultrasound delivery, nerve inactivation, balloon engagement, cooling, and actuation frequency data.
Catheter-mounted ultrasound transducer
Claims 1 and 11 describe a catheter configured for insertion into a renal artery, with an ultrasound transducer positioned at its distal end and configured to emit unfocused ultrasound energy.
Unfocused ultrasound for inactivating renal nerve conduction
Claims 1 and 11 describe an actuator that causes the transducer to emit a therapeutic dose of unfocused ultrasound energy into an impact volume encompassing the renal artery, to inactivate renal nerve conduction throughout that volume without damaging the renal artery intima.
Flow-preserving balloon
Claim 1 describes a non-circular balloon that engages the renal artery wall without substantially blocking blood flow through the artery.
Balloon for centering the transducer
Claim 11 describes an inflated balloon that engages the renal artery wall and centers the ultrasound transducer within the artery.
Liquid cooling of the renal artery intima
Claims 1 and 11 describe liquid delivered to the balloon to cool the renal artery intima.
Machine-readable actuation-frequency information
Claim 1 describes a machine-readable element affixed to the catheter that encodes an optimum actuation frequency, and claim 11 describes the element as including information associated with an optimum actuation frequency.
Together, the two independent claims cover catheter-based delivery of unfocused ultrasound to inactivate renal nerve conduction without damaging the intima, incorporating balloon features for centering or blood-flow preservation, cooling, and machine-readable frequency information.
Stated Advantages
The apparatus is configured to inactivate renal nerve conduction throughout the impact volume without causing damage to the renal artery intima.
The balloon engages the renal artery wall without substantially blocking blood flow through the artery.
Liquid delivered to the balloon cools the renal artery intima.
Ultrasound emission is provided at a level insufficient to cause tissue necrosis.
Documented Applications
The apparatus is for inactivating renal nerve conduction in a mammalian subject, with the catheter and ultrasound transducer positioned in a renal artery.
Interested in licensing this patent?