Sheath for use with an ultrasound element

Abstract

An apparatus for delivering ultrasound energy and a drug solution to a treatment site in a vessel is disclosed. The apparatus includes an elongate, hollow sheath having a distal opening and an energy delivery section at least partially constructed from a material that transmits ultrasound energy. The apparatus also includes a drug delivery lumen positioned along at least a portion of the sheath, the drug delivery lumen having at least one drug delivery port within the energy delivery section. The apparatus further includes an elongate body having an ultrasound element, the elongate body configured to be movably positioned within the sheath, such that ultrasonic energy can be transmitted from the ultrasound element through the energy delivery section.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for delivering ultrasound energy and a drug solution to a treatment site within a patient's vasculature, the apparatus comprising:
 an elongate, hollow sheath having a distal opening and an energy delivery section at least partially constructed from a material that transmits ultrasound energy;   a drug delivery lumen positioned along at least a portion of the sheath, the drug delivery lumen having at least one drug delivery port within the energy delivery section, the drug delivery port configured to deliver drug solution to the treatment site; and   an elongate body having an ultrasound element, the elongate body configured to be movably positioned within the sheath, such that ultrasonic energy can be transmitted from the ultrasound element through the energy delivery section of the sheath.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the drug delivery lumen forms a portion of the sheath. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the energy delivery section comprises a material having low ultrasound absorbance. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sheath has an outer surface with a substantially cylindrical cross-sectional profile, and wherein the drug delivery lumen is positioned within the outer surface of the sheath. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the elongate body includes a plurality of ultrasound elements. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a cooling fluid lumen defined by a region of the sheath not occupied by the elongate body. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein positioning the elongate body within the sheath forms a cooling fluid lumen between the elongate body and the sheath. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein positioning the elongate body within the sheath forms a cooling fluid lumen adjacent to the drug delivery lumen and the elongate body. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a first portion of the drug delivery lumen, located outside the energy delivery section, is not perforated, and wherein a second portion of the drug delivery lumen, located within the energy delivery section, is perforated. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of drug delivery lumens are positioned along at least a portion of the sheath. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus comprising:
 an elongate, hollow utility lumen having a proximal region and distal region opposite the proximal region, wherein the utility lumen includes a drug delivery lumen that extends from the proximal region to the distal region, and that includes a plurality of drug delivery ports; and   an elongate body having an ultrasound element, the elongate body configured to be inserted into, and moved within, the utility lumen, such that the ultrasound element is positionable within the distal region of the utility lumen.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein at least a portion of the utility lumen distal region comprises a material having low ultrasound absorbance. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the utility lumen distal region has an outer surface with a substantially cylindrical cross-sectional profile, and wherein the drug delivery lumen is positioned within the outer surface of the utility lumen. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the elongate body includes a plurality of ultrasound elements. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising a cooling fluid lumen defined by a region of the utility lumen not occupied by the elongate body. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein insertion of the elongate body into the utility lumen forms a cooling fluid lumen between the elongate body and the utility lumen. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein insertion of the elongate body into the utility lumen forms a cooling fluid lumen adjacent to the drug delivery lumen and the elongate body. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein a first portion of the drug delivery lumen, located in the proximal region of the utility lumen, is not perforated, and wherein a second portion of the drug delivery lumen, located in the distal region of the utility lumen, is perforated. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the utility lumen includes a plurality of perforated drug delivery lumens. 
     
     
         20 . A system for delivering ultrasound energy and a drug solution to a treatment site within a patient's vasculature, the system comprising:
 an elongate sheath configured to be inserted into the patient's vasculature, the elongate sheath forming a utility lumen having an energy delivery section;   a drug delivery lumen positioned along the elongate sheath, the drug delivery lumen having a plurality of perforations along the energy delivery section, such that a drug solution can be delivered into the patient's vasculature in a treatment site adjacent the energy delivery section; and   an elongate body having an ultrasound element, the elongate body configured to be inserted into, and moved within, the utility lumen, such that the ultrasound element is positionable within the energy delivery section to deliver ultrasound energy to the treatment site.   
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the drug delivery lumen forms a portion of the sheath. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the energy delivery section comprises a material having low ultrasound absorbance. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the drug delivery lumen is positioned within the utility lumen. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the elongate body includes a plurality of ultrasound elements. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 20 , further comprising a cooling fluid lumen defined by a region of the utility lumen not occupied by the elongate body. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein insertion of the elongate body into the utility lumen forms a cooling fluid lumen between the elongate body and the utility lumen. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein insertion of the elongate body into the utility lumen forms a cooling fluid lumen adjacent to the drug delivery lumen and the elongate body. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein a first portion of the drug delivery lumen, located outside the energy delivery section, is not perforated, and wherein a second portion of the drug delivery lumen, located within the energy delivery section, is perforated. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein a plurality of drug delivery lumens are positioned along the elongate sheath.