Forward-Directed Shock Wave Device for Vascular Occlusion Treatment

The patent combines a guide wire with a shock wave generator to create an integrated device. The shock wave generator is positioned at the distal end of the guide wire, allowing the soft guide wire to navigate through occlusions while the shock wave component provides the force needed to penetrate tight and solid chronic occlusions without penetrating the artery wall.

The shock wave acts as an intermediary mechanism between the guide wire and the occlusion. Instead of relying solely on the mechanical force of the guide wire (which is too soft to penetrate chronic occlusions) or the potentially harmful force of a stiff guide wire (which can penetrate the artery wall), the shock wave provides a controlled, high-energy impact that breaks up the occlusion without direct mechanical contact that could damage the vessel wall.

The patent merges the functions of a stiff guide wire (for penetrating occlusions) with the safety features of a soft guide wire (for protecting the artery wall). The shock wave generator provides the penetrating power of a stiff wire while the soft flexible tip and controlled shock delivery maintain the safety of a soft wire approach.

The patent replaces the purely mechanical force transmission of a stiff guide wire with a shock wave-based mechanical system. Instead of transmitting mechanical force through a stiff wire that could damage the vessel wall, the system uses shock waves generated at the distal end to deliver the necessary force to break up the occlusion without the intermediate mechanical transmission that could cause harm.

The patent replaces the thermal and plasma-based mechanism of radio frequency energy with a mechanical shock wave-based system. Instead of using intense heat and plasma that can damage the artery wall, the system uses mechanically generated shock waves to break up the occlusion through controlled mechanical stress, avoiding thermal damage entirely.

The patent changes the physical parameter used to open occlusions from thermal energy (radio frequency) to mechanical energy (shock waves). This parameter change allows for effective occlusion penetration while avoiding the harmful thermal effects that can damage the artery wall and surrounding tissues.

The patent merges the shock wave generation capability with guide wire navigation by positioning the shock wave generator at the distal end of the guide wire. This integration allows the device to navigate through the vasculature using the guide wire while simultaneously generating shock waves in the forward direction to treat occlusions and calcium deposits at the target site.

Instead of generating shock waves radially outward from electrodes within a balloon (as in conventional approaches), the patent inverts the approach by generating shock waves forward-directed from the distal tip of the guide wire. This inversion allows for better integration with guide wire navigation and enables treatment of forward-directed occlusions without requiring balloon inflation.