Patent ID: 7842006

Claim:
An apparatus for removing an obstruction from a physiological vessel in a subject, said apparatus comprising: a) a catheter comprising: i) a proximal end configured to connect to an electrical power supply, ii) a distal end connected to a proximal end of an open, tubular catheter head having a proximal end and a distal end and configured to be placed within the lumen of a physiological vessel, iii) a first lumen having a proximal opening configured to remain outside of the subject and a distal opening in the distal end of the catheter and facing the proximal end of the open tubular catheter head, iv) a gap separating the distal end of the catheter and the proximal end of the catheter head, said gap being configured to allow fluid in the physiological vessel to enter the proximal end of the open tubular catheter head and the distal opening of the first lumen, v) at least one structural member connecting the distal end of the catheter to the proximal end of the open tubular catheter head, and vi) at least one electrically insulated, elongated piezoelectric transducer that spans the gap between the distal end of the catheter and the proximal end of the open tubular catheter head such that a proximal end of the transducer is located inside the distal end of the catheter and a distal end of the transducer is located outside the catheter and either in the said gap or in the catheter head.