Delivery of ultrasound to precutaneous and intrabody devices

Abstract

A method and apparatus for reducing morbidity associated with a medical device inserted into the body of a patient. Ultrasonic energy is applied to the device with sufficient intensity to inhibit accretion of biological matter associated with the device while the device is in the body. Typically, the energy is applied to the device in the absence of clinically-observable accretion of biological matter on the device so as to prevent such accretion.

1 . A method for reducing morbidity associated with a medical device inserted into the body of a patient, comprising applying ultrasonic energy to the device with sufficient intensity to inhibit accretion of biological matter associated with the device while the device is in the body.  
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein applying the ultrasonic energy comprises applying energy to the device in the absence of clinically-observable accretion of biological matter on the device so as to prevent such accretion.  
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein applying the ultrasonic energy comprises integrating an ultrasonic transducer in the device and actuating the transducer.  
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein applying the ultrasonic energy comprises coupling a source of ultrasonic energy outside the body to the device in the body.  
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 4 , wherein coupling the source of ultrasonic energy comprises fixing a transducer to a portion of the device that is outside the body.  
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 4 , wherein coupling the source of ultrasonic energy comprises transferring energy to a fluid that passes through the device.  
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 6 , wherein transferring the energy to the fluid comprises immersing at least a portion of the transducer in the fluid.  
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 4 , wherein coupling the source of ultrasonic energy comprises coupling a transducer to the skin of the body adjacent to a location of the device in the body.  
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein applying the ultrasonic energy comprises applying energy to the device so as to inhibit bacterial growth on the device.  
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein applying the ultrasonic energy comprises applying energy to inhibit formation of a clot on the device.  
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 1 , and comprising administering a therapeutic agent in conjunction with applying the ultrasonic energy.  
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein the therapeutic agent comprises an antibacterial agent.  
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein the therapeutic agent comprises an anti-coagulant or fibrinolytic agent.  
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein administering the therapeutic agent comprises coating at least a portion of the device with the therapeutic agent.  
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein administering the therapeutic agent comprises administering the agent systemically.  
     
     
         16 . Apparatus for reducing morbidity associated with a device inserted into the body of a patient, comprising an ultrasonic energy generator, which is coupled to apply ultrasonic energy to the device with sufficient intensity to inhibit accretion of biological matter associated with the device while the device is in the body.  
     
     
         17 . Apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein the generator is coupled to the device in the absence of clinically-observable accretion of biological matter on the device so as to prevent such accretion.  
     
     
         18 . Apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein the ultrasonic energy generator comprises an ultrasonic transducer, which is integrally contained within the device.  
     
     
         19 . Apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein the device comprises a percutaneous device, and wherein the ultrasonic energy generator comprises an ultrasonic transducer that is fixed to a proximal portion of the device that is outside the body.  
     
     
         20 . Apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein the ultrasonic energy generator comprises a transducer, which is coupled to the skin of the body adjacent to a location of the device in the body.  
     
     
         21 . Apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein the ultrasonic energy generator comprises a fluid container that is placed against the skin, and with which the transducer communicates so as to convey the ultrasonic energy thereto.  
     
     
         22 . Apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein the ultrasonic energy inhibits bacterial growth on the device.  
     
     
         23 . Apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein the ultrasonic energy inhibits formation of a clot on the device.  
     
     
         24 . Apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein the ultrasonic energy is applied in conjunction with administration of a therapeutic agent.  
     
     
         25 . Apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein the ultrasonic energy generator comprises an ultrasonic transducer and an integrated circuit module, which drives the transducer so as to control one or more parameters of the energy applied to the device.  
     
     
         26 . Apparatus according to  claim 25 , wherein the integrated circuit module generates an oscillating electrical current to drive the transducer, and wherein the module adjusts a frequency of the oscillating current so as to match a resonant frequency of the transducer.  
     
     
         27 . Apparatus according to  claim 25 , wherein the integrated circuit module is coupled to the transducer by a connector, so that a first portion of the apparatus containing the transducer may be separated after use from a second portion including the integrated circuit module.  
     
     
         28 . Apparatus according to  claim 27 , wherein the first portion of the apparatus is disposed of after use, while the second portion is reused.  
     
     
         29 . An ultrasonic energy generator for use with an invasive medical device, comprising: 
 a generator body, adapted to be mechanically coupled to a proximal portion of the invasive device that is outside the body; and    a transducer, held by the generator body so as to apply ultrasonic energy to the invasive device while a distal portion of the device is in the body.    
     
     
         30 . A generator according to  claim 29 , wherein application of the ultrasonic energy inhibits accretion of biological matter associated with the device.  
     
     
         31 . A generator according to  claim 29 , wherein the generator body comprises a fastener, which is adapted to fix the transducer to the invasive device.  
     
     
         32 . A generator according to  claim 29 , wherein the generator body is shaped so as to be insertable into a lumen of the invasive device.  
     
     
         33 . Apparatus according to  claim 29 , wherein the generator body comprises a fluid container, containing a fluid that passes through the invasive device, and wherein the transducer is coupled to transfer ultrasonic energy to the device through the fluid.  
     
     
         34 . Apparatus according to  claim 33 , wherein at least a portion of the transducer is immersed in the fluid.  
     
     
         35 . Apparatus according to  claim 33 , wherein the container is shaped so as to concentrate the ultrasonic energy from the transducer into the device.  
     
     
         36 . A medical device, comprising: 
 an intrabody member, for insertion into the body of a patient; and    an ultrasonic energy generator, which is coupled to apply ultrasonic energy to the intrabody member with sufficient intensity to inhibit accretion of biological matter associated with the device while the device is in the body.    
     
     
         37 . A device according to  claim 36 , wherein the generator is coupled to the device in the absence of clinically-observable accretion of biological matter on the device so as to prevent such accretion.  
     
     
         38 . A device according to  claim 36 , wherein the ultrasonic energy generator comprises an ultrasonic transducer, which is integrally contained within the intrabody member.  
     
     
         39 . A device according to  claim 38 , wherein the intrabody member is generally tubular, comprising a wall that defines a lumen, and wherein the transducer is contained within the wall.  
     
     
         40 . A device according to  claim 36 , wherein the intrabody member is inserted into the body percutaneously, and wherein the ultrasonic energy generator comprises an ultrasonic transducer that is fixed to a proximal portion of the member that is outside the body.  
     
     
         41 . A device according to  claim 40 , wherein the ultrasonic energy generator comprises a fluid container, containing a fluid that passes through the intrabody member, and wherein the transducer is coupled to transfer ultrasonic energy to the member through the fluid.  
     
     
         42 . A device according to  claim 36 , wherein the ultrasonic energy further prevents formation of a thrombosis or clot on or in a vicinity of the intrabody member.  
     
     
         43 . A device according to  claim 36 , wherein the ultrasonic energy is applied in conjunction with administration of a therapeutic agent.  
     
     
         44 . A device according to  claim 43 , wherein the therapeutic agent is adherent to a surface of the intrabody member.  
     
     
         45 . A device according to  claim 43 , wherein the therapeutic agent is injected into the body through the intrabody member.  
     
     
         46 . A device according to  claim 36 , wherein the intrabody member comprises a catheter.  
     
     
         47 . A device according to  claim 36 , wherein the intrabody member comprises an implanted element.  
     
     
         48 . A device according to  claim 47 , wherein the implanted element comprises a vascular implant.  
     
     
         49 . A device according to  claim 36 , wherein the intrabody member comprises a short-term transcutaneous insert.  
     
     
         50 . A device according to  claim 49 , and comprising a pump, which is coupled to inject a fluid into the body through the insert, and an energy source for driving the ultrasonic generator, which is integrated with the pump.  
     
     
         51 . A device according to  claim 36 , wherein the ultrasonic energy inhibits bacterial growth on the intrabody member.  
     
     
         52 . A device according to  claim 36 , wherein the ultrasonic energy inhibits formation of a clot on the intrabody member.  
     
     
         53 . Apparatus for reducing morbidity associated with a device inserted into the body of a patient, comprising an ultrasonic transducer, which is coupled to the skin of the body adjacent to a location of the device in the body and is adapted to apply ultrasonic energy through the skin to the device with sufficient intensity to inhibit accretion of biological matter associated with the device while the device is in the body.  
     
     
         54 . Apparatus according to  claim 53 , and comprising a fluid container that is placed against the skin, and with which the transducer communicates so as to convey the ultrasonic energy thereto.  
     
     
         55 . A method for reducing morbidity associated with a medical device inserted into the body of a patient, comprising: 
 coupling a transducer to an outer surface of the body adjacent to a location of the device in the body; and    applying ultrasonic energy to the device through the outer surface of the body with sufficient intensity to inhibit accretion of biological matter associated with the device while the device is in the body.    
     
     
         56 . A medical device, comprising: 
 a tubular member for insertion into the body of a patient, the member comprising a wall that defines a lumen therethrough; and    an ultrasonic energy generator, which is coupled to apply ultrasonic energy to the wall of the tubular member with sufficient intensity to inhibit accretion of biological matter associated with the device while the device is in the body.    
     
     
         57 . A device according to  claim 56 , wherein the ultrasonic energy generator comprises an ultrasonic transducer, which is integrally contained within the wall of the tubular member.  
     
     
         58 . A device according to  claim 56 , wherein the ultrasonic energy generator is generally tubular, and has a diameter similar to a diameter of the tubular member.