Patent ID: 11672585

Abstract:
A catheter system (100) used for treating a treatment site (106) within or adjacent to the heart valve (108) includes an energy source (124), an energy guide (122A), and a balloon assembly (104). The energy source (124) generates energy. The energy guide (122A) is configured to receive energy from the energy source (124). The balloon assembly (104) is positionable substantially adjacent to the treatment site (106). The balloon assembly (104) includes an outer balloon (104B) and an inner balloon (104A) that is positioned substantially within the outer balloon (104B). Each of the balloons (104A, 104B) has a balloon wall (130) that defines a balloon interior (146). Each of the balloons (104A, 104B) is configured to retain a balloon fluid (132) within the balloon interior (146). The balloon wall (130) of the inner balloon (104A) is positioned spaced apart from the balloon wall (130) of the outer balloon (104B) to define an interstitial space (146A) therebetween. A portion of the energy guide (122A) that receives the energy from the energy source (124) is positioned within the interstitial space (146A) between the balloons (104A, 104B) so that a plasma-induced bubble (134) is formed in the balloon fluid (132) within the interstitial space (146A).