Patent ID: 6638222
Filing Date: 2003-10-28
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
A system for treating occluded vessels, comprising:a non-conductive sheath catheter; an ultrasound catheter that is routed within the non-conductive sheath catheter, including: at least one ultrasound transducer that directs ultrasonic energy into and receives corresponding echo signals from a vessel wall; a conductive driveshaft that rotates the at least one ultrasound transducer to obtain a 360Â° image of the vessel wall; an electrode coupled to the distal end of the conductive driveshaft; means for rotating the conductive driveshaft of the ultrasound catheter; and an RF energy source that selectively applies RF ablation energy to a slip ring that contacts the conductive driveshaft to deliver the RF ablation energy to the electrode as the ultrasound transducer is rotated.