Patent ID: 7335180

Claim:
An ultrasound catheter for disrupting occlusions in blood vessels which can be guided from an access site on a patient's body to a target site adjacent an occlusion, the ultrasound catheter comprising: an elongate flexible catheter body having a proximal portion, a distal portion and at least one lumen, wherein the proximal portion is stiffer than the distal portion, and the distal portion is more flexible near a distal end of the catheter body than near the proximal portion of the catheter body; an ultrasound transmission member extending longitudinally through the lumen of the catheter body and having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the ultrasound transmission member is more flexible near its distal end than near its proximal end; a distal head coupled with the distal end of the ultrasound transmission member and disposed adjacent the distal end of the catheter body; a guidewire tube that contacts the ultrasound member; and at least one coupling member for coupling the ultrasound transmission member with a source of ultrasound energy.