USRE49433E1 - Catheter for denervation - Google Patents

Abstract

A catheter for denervation includes a catheter body extending in one direction to have a proximal end and a distal end and having an inner space formed along the longitudinal direction thereof, a movable member provided at the distal end of the catheter body to be movable along the longitudinal direction of the catheter body, an operating member having a distal end connected to the movable member to move the movable member, a plurality of support members having one end connected to a terminal of the catheter body and the other end connected to the movable member, wherein when the movable member moves to decrease a distance between the terminal of the catheter body and the movable member, at least a partial portion of the plurality of support members is bent so that the bending portion moves away from the catheter body, a plurality of electrodes respectively provided at the bending portion of the plurality of support members to generate heat, and a lead wire respectively electrically connected to the plurality of electrodes to give a power supply path for the plurality of electrodes.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Korean Patent Application Nos. 10-2013-0013100, 10-2013-0013101 and 10-2013-0013102 filed on Feb. 5, 2013, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2013-0018085 filed on Feb. 20, 2013 in the Republic of Korea, and under 35 U.S.C. § 365 to PCT/KR2014/000997 filed on Feb. 5, 2014, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a catheter, and more particularly, to a catheter for denervation, which ablates a part of nerves to inactivate nerve conduction, and a denervation apparatus having the catheter.

BACKGROUND ART

Denervation is a surgical procedure for blocking a part of nerve paths for various nerves such as sensory nerves and automatic nerves so that stimulation or information is not delivered. The denervation is being used more and more for treatment of several diseases such as arrhythmia, pain relief, plastic surgery or the like.

In particular, as it has been recently reported that the denervation is available for treatment of hypertension, many endeavors are being made to apply the denervation for effective treatment of hypertension.

In case of hypertension, since blood pressure can be mostly controlled with drugs, most hypertensive patients are depending on drugs until now. However, if blood pressure is lowered with drugs, a hypertensive patient should take the drugs continually, which causes inconvenience and increases costs. In addition, if drugs are taken for a long time, various problems such as damage to internal organs or other side effects. Moreover, some hypertensive patients suffer from intractable hypertension which does not allow easy control of blood pressure with drugs. Since the intractable hypertension is not treated with drugs, the possibility of accidents such as a stroke, an irregular heartbeat, a kidney disease or the like increases. Therefore, the treatment of intractable hypertension is a very serious and urgent issue.

In this circumstance, the denervation attracts attention as an innovative scheme to treat hypertension. In particular, the denervation for treating hypertension may be performed by ablating sympathetic nerves around renal nerves, namely the renal artery, to inactivate nerve conduction so that the renal nerves are blocked. If the renal nerve is activated, the production of renin hormone increases by the kidney, which may cause the increase of blood pressure. Therefore, if the renal nerve is blocked, nerve conduction is not performed, and thus the hypertension may be treated, as proven by various recent experiments.

As described above, a representative renal denervation for treating hypertension is using a catheter. In the denervation using a catheter, a catheter is inserted into a part of a human body, for example the thigh, and a distal end of the catheter is located at the renal artery. In this state, heat is generated at the distal end of the catheter by means of radio frequency (RF) energy or the like to block sympathetic nerves around the renal artery.

If the denervation using a catheter is performed, a very small region is cut in a human body in comparison to the denervation using an abdominal operation. Therefore, latent complications or side effects may greatly decrease, and the time taken for treatment or recovery is very short due to local anesthesia. Therefore, the denervation using a catheter is spotlighted as a next-generation hypertension treatment method due to the above advantages.

However, the denervation using a catheter, particularly the denervation for treating hypertension, is not yet sufficiently developed and thus there is much room for improvement.

In particular, some of catheters which have been proposed for treating denervation include only one electrode to emit energy such as high frequency, and the electrode is located in a blood vessel, for example in the renal artery to block nerves around the blood vessel. However, in this configuration, the electrode may not be positioned at a proper location of the renal nerve, and thus the renal nerve may not be properly blocked. Therefore, in case of such a catheter, the electrode should be located at various locations of the renal artery in order to properly block the renal nerve, which may increase the time for operation and also result in complicated operating procedures.

To solve this problem, it has been recently proposed to dispose a plurality of electrodes at a distal end of a catheter. However, if a plurality of electrodes is disposed in this way, the distal end of the catheter where the electrodes are disposed, namely a catheter tip, has a complicated structure and a great size. If the distal end of the catheter increases as mentioned above, the catheter may not easily move along a blood vessel with a small diameter, like the renal artery, and may also damage the inner wall of the blood vessel. Further, at the present, when a catheter is used, in order to protect organs such as blood vessels and allow easy movement of the catheter to a destination, a tube, called a sheath, is located in an organ such as a blood vessel, and then the catheter is moved through the sheath near to a destination. In this case, if the catheter has a great distal end, the catheter may not be easily moved into the sheath, which may make it difficult to insert into the sheath during an operation.

In addition, some of catheters proposed in the past may cause stenosis since a blood vessel may be narrowed at an ablated region, and some of catheters proposed in the past may also be not easily manipulated.

Moreover, some of catheters proposed in the past may not ensure a proper contact between an electrode and a blood vessel. In this case, thermal energy by the electrode reaching the nerve may not be in a sufficient level, which may not properly block the nerve.

DISCLOSURETechnical Problem

The present disclosure is designed to solve the problems of the related art, and therefore the present disclosure is directed to providing a catheter for denervation, which may effectively block nerves around a blood vessel by including a plurality of electrodes and also improve a tip structure not to increase a size.

Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be understood from the following descriptions and become apparent by the embodiments of the present disclosure. In addition, it is understood that the objects and advantages of the present disclosure may be implemented by components defined in the appended claims or their combinations.

Technical Solution

In a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a catheter for denervation, which includes a catheter body extending in one direction to have a proximal end and a distal end and having an inner space formed along the longitudinal direction thereof; a movable member configured to be movable in the inner space of the catheter body along the longitudinal direction of the catheter body; an operating member having a distal end connected to the movable member to move the movable member; a plurality of support members having one end connected to the movable member and configured so that the other end thereof moves close to or farther from catheter body according to the movement of the movable member; a plurality of electrodes respectively provided at the other end of the plurality of support members to generate heat; and a lead wire respectively electrically connected to the plurality of electrodes to give a power supply path for the plurality of electrodes, the lead wire having a variable region whose length is changeable so that a proximal end of the variable region is fixed to one side of the catheter body and a distal end of the variable region is fixed to the movable member.

Preferably, the catheter body has a plurality of side holes formed in a side surface of the distal end thereof, and the plurality of support members moves through the side holes into or out of the catheter body.

More preferably, the plurality of side holes is located close to the distal end of the catheter body in comparison to the movable member, the movable member is connected to a proximal end of the plurality of support members and the electrode is provided at a distal end of the plurality of support members, respectively, and when the movable member moves in a direction from the proximal end of the catheter body toward the distal end of the catheter body, the electrode moves farther from the catheter body.

Also preferably, the plurality of side holes is located close to the proximal end of the catheter body in comparison to the movable member, the movable member is connected to a distal end of the plurality of support members and the electrode is provided at a proximal end of the plurality of support members, respectively, and when the movable member moves in a direction from the distal end of the catheter body toward the proximal end of the catheter body, the electrode moves farther from the catheter body.

Also preferably, the catheter body has a side insert groove formed in a region where the side hole is formed, the side insert groove being concave toward the inside of the catheter body so that the electrode is inserted therein.

Also preferably, the catheter body has a plurality of front holes formed in a front surface of the distal end thereof, and the plurality of support members moves through the front holes into or out of the catheter body.

Also preferably, the catheter body has an opening formed in a front surface of the distal end thereof, and the plurality of support members and the plurality of electrodes move through the opening to be received in the inner space of the catheter body or to be drawn out of the catheter body.

Also preferably, in a state in which the other end of the support member moves away from the catheter body, the plurality of electrodes is spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in the longitudinal direction of the catheter body.

Also preferably, in a state in which the other end of the support member moves away from the catheter body, the plurality of electrodes is spaced apart from each other by 0.3 cm to 0.8 cm in the longitudinal direction of the catheter body.

Also preferably, the plurality of electrodes generates heat by means of radio frequency.

Also preferably, the support member is pre-shaped so that the other end thereof moves away from the catheter body according to the movement of the movable member.

Also preferably, the catheter body includes at least one stopper provided in the inner space to limit a moving distance of the movable member.

Also preferably, the catheter body has a guide hole formed in the distal end so that a guide wire moves therethrough.

Also preferably, the catheter for denervation may further include an elastic member connected between the catheter body and the movable member.

In another aspect, there is also provided a denervation apparatus which includes the catheter for denervation according to the first aspect of the present disclosure.

In a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a catheter for denervation, which includes a catheter body extending in one direction to have a proximal end and a distal end and having an inner space formed along the longitudinal direction thereof; a movable member provided at the distal end of the catheter body to be movable along the longitudinal direction of the catheter body; an operating member having a distal end connected to the movable member to move the movable member; a plurality of support members having one end connected to a terminal of the catheter body and the other end connected to the movable member, wherein when the movable member moves to decrease a distance between the terminal of the catheter body and the movable member, at least a partial portion of the plurality of support members is bent so that the bending portion moves away from the catheter body; a plurality of electrodes respectively provided at the bending portion of the plurality of support members to generate heat; and a lead wire respectively electrically connected to the plurality of electrodes to give a power supply path for the plurality of electrodes.

Preferably, the movable member is provided out of the catheter body.

More preferably, the catheter according to the second aspect of the present disclosure may further include a reinforcing member extending in the longitudinal direction of the catheter body and provided between the catheter body and the movable member, wherein a distal end of the reinforcing member is fixed to the movable member and a proximal end of the reinforcing member is inserted into a through hole of the catheter body, so that the proximal end of the reinforcing member moves through the through hole of the catheter body according to the movement of the movable member.

Also preferably, the movable member is provided in the inner space of the catheter body, and the catheter body has an opening through which the bending portion of the support member is drawn out of the catheter body when the support member is bent.

Also preferably, in a state in which the bending portion of the support member moves away from the catheter body, the plurality of electrodes is spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in the longitudinal direction of the catheter body.

Also preferably, in a state in which the bending portion of the support member moves away from the catheter body, the plurality of electrodes is spaced apart from each other by 0.3 cm to 0.8 cm in the longitudinal direction of the catheter body.

Also preferably, the surfaces of the catheter body and the movable member connected to the support member are perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the catheter body.

Also preferably, the plurality of electrodes generates heat by means of radio frequency.

Also preferably, the catheter body has a guide hole formed in the distal end so that a guide wire moves therethrough.

Also preferably, the catheter according to the present disclosure may further include at least one stopper for limiting a moving distance of the movable member.

Also preferably, the catheter according to the present disclosure may further include an elastic member connected to the movable member to give a restoring force with respect to the movement of the movable member.

In another aspect, there is also provided a denervation apparatus which includes the catheter for denervation according to the second aspect of the present disclosure.

In a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a catheter for denervation, which includes a catheter body extending in one direction to have a proximal end and a distal end and having an inner space formed along the longitudinal direction thereof; a movable member provided at the distal end of the catheter body to be movable along the longitudinal direction of the catheter body; an operating member having a distal end connected to the movable member to move the movable member; a plurality of support members having one end connected to a terminal of the catheter body and the other end connected to the movable member, wherein when the movable member moves to decrease a distance between the terminal of the catheter body and the movable member, at least a partial portion of the plurality of support members is bent so that the bending portion moves away from the catheter body; a plurality of electrodes respectively provided at the bending portion of the plurality of support members to generate heat; and a lead wire respectively electrically connected to the plurality of electrodes to give a power supply path for the plurality of electrodes, wherein at least one of the catheter body and the movable member is connected to at least two support members at points which are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in the longitudinal direction of the catheter body.

Preferably, at least one of the catheter body and the movable member has a step formed at a surface thereof which is connected to the support member.

Also preferably, at least one of the catheter body and the movable member is inclined at a surface thereof which is connected to the support member.

Also preferably, the movable member is provided out of the catheter body.

More preferably, the catheter for denervation according to the third aspect of the present disclosure may further include a reinforcing member extending in the longitudinal direction of the catheter body and provided between the catheter body and the movable member, wherein a distal end of the reinforcing member is fixed to the movable member and a proximal end of the reinforcing member is inserted into a through hole of the catheter body, so that the proximal end of the reinforcing member moves through the through hole of the catheter body according to the movement of the movable member.

Also preferably, the movable member is provided in the inner space of the catheter body, and the catheter body has an opening through which the bending portion of the support member is drawn out of the catheter body when the support member is bent.

Also preferably, the surface of the catheter body and the surface of the movable member, which are connected to the support member, are matched with each other.

Also preferably, in a state in which the bending portion of the support member moves away from the catheter body, the plurality of electrodes is spaced apart from each other by 0.3 cm to 0.8 cm in the longitudinal direction of the catheter body.

Also preferably, a section of the support member in the width direction has an outer surface length longer than an inner surface length thereof.

Also preferably, the support member has a curved portion formed so that the bending portion has a bending direction to move away from the catheter body.

Also preferably, the support member is pre-shaped so that the bending portion has a bending direction to move away from the catheter body.

Also preferably, in a state in which the bending portion of the support member moves away from the catheter body, the plurality of electrodes is spaced apart from each other by a predetermined angle based on a central axis of the catheter body in the longitudinal direction.

Also preferably, the plurality of electrodes generates heat by means of radio frequency.

Also preferably, the catheter body has a guide hole formed in the distal end so that a guide wire moves therethrough.

Also preferably, the catheter for denervation according to the present disclosure may further include at least one stopper for limiting a moving distance of the movable member.

Also preferably, the catheter for denervation according to the present disclosure may further include an elastic member connected to the movable member to give a restoring force with respect to the movement of the movable member.

In another aspect, there is also provided a denervation apparatus which includes the catheter for denervation according to the third aspect of the present disclosure.

In a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a catheter for denervation, which includes a catheter body extending in one direction to have a proximal end and a distal end and having an inner space formed along the longitudinal direction thereof; a movable member provided at the distal end of the catheter body to be movable along the longitudinal direction of the catheter body; an operating member having a distal end connected to the movable member to move the movable member; an intermediate member provided between a terminal of the catheter body and the movable member to be movable along the longitudinal direction of the catheter body; a first stopper for allowing the intermediate member to move by the operating member when a distance between the movable member and the intermediate member decreases to a predetermined level; a first support member having one end connected to the intermediate member and the other end connected to the movable member, wherein when the movable member moves to decrease the distance between the intermediate member and the movable member, at least a partial portion of the first support member is bent so that the bending portion moves away from the catheter body; a second support member having one end connected to the terminal of the catheter body and the other end connected to the intermediate member, wherein when the intermediate member moves to decrease the distance between the intermediate member and the terminal of the catheter body, at least a partial portion of the second support member is bent so that the bending portion moves away from the catheter body; a plurality of electrodes respectively provided at the bending portions of the first support member and the second support member to generate heat; and a lead wire respectively electrically connected to the plurality of electrodes to give a power supply path for the plurality of electrodes.

Preferably, the movable member and the intermediate member are provided out of the catheter body, and the intermediate member has an insert hole through which the operating member is inserted.

Also preferably, the movable member and the intermediate member are provided in the catheter body, and the catheter body has an opening through which the bending portions of the first support member and the second support member are drawn out of the catheter body when the first support member and the second support member are bent.

Also preferably, in a state in which the bending portions of the first support member and the second support member move away from the catheter body, the electrodes provided at the first support member and the second support member are spaced apart from each other by 0.3 cm to 0.8 cm in the longitudinal direction of the catheter body.

Also preferably, sections of the first support member and the second support member in the width direction have an outer surface length longer than an inner surface length thereof.

Also preferably, the first support member and the second support member have a curved portion formed so that the bending portion has a bending direction to move away from the catheter body.

Also preferably, the first support member and the second support member are pre-shaped so that the bending portion has a bending direction to move away from the catheter body.

Also preferably, in a state in which the bending portions of the first support member and the second support member moves away from the catheter body, the plurality of electrodes is spaced apart from each other by a predetermined angle based on a central axis of the catheter body in the longitudinal direction.

Also preferably, the first support member and the second support member respectively include a plurality of unit support members.

Also preferably, the intermediate member includes a plurality of unit intermediate members, the catheter further comprises a third support member having both ends connected to the plurality of unit intermediate members, wherein when a distance between the plurality of unit intermediate members decreases, at least a partial portion of the third support member is bent so that the bending portion moves away from the catheter body, wherein an electrode is provided at the bending portion.

Also preferably, the plurality of electrodes generates heat by means of radio frequency.

Also preferably, the catheter body has a guide hole formed in the distal end so that a guide wire moves therethrough.

Also preferably, the first stopper is provided at the operating member between the movable member and the intermediate member to be hooked by an insert hole of the intermediate member through which the operating member is inserted.

Also preferably, the catheter according to the present disclosure may further include a second stopper provide at the operating member between the intermediate member and the terminal of the catheter body to be hooked by an operation hole of the catheter body through which the operating member is inserted.

Also preferably, the catheter according to the present disclosure may further include an elastic member connected to the intermediate member to give a restoring force with respect to the movement of the intermediate member.

In another aspect, there is also provided a denervation apparatus which includes the catheter for denervation according to the fourth aspect of the present disclosure.

Advantageous Effects

According to the present disclosure, since a plurality of electrodes is provided at a distal end of a catheter body, it is possible to effectively block nerves around a blood vessel.

In particular, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of electrodes is inclined with a predetermined angle based on a central axis of the catheter body to be disposed widely in 360° directions along the inner circumference of the blood vessel, which makes it possible to ablate nerves around the blood vessel to the maximum.

In addition, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of electrodes are not located on a single section of the blood vessel but spaced from each other in the longitudinal direction of the blood vessel, which may prevent stenosis from being generated due to ablation.

Moreover, according to the present disclosure, a distal end of the catheter body, namely a catheter tip, may not have a complicated structure and a large size. Therefore, the catheter tip may easily move through a blood vessel with a small diameter, and it is also possible to prevent a wall of the blood vessel from being damaged by a moving catheter. Moreover, the present disclosure may be very easily applied to an operation in which a separate component such as a sheath is inserted into the blood vessel and then the catheter is inserted into the sheath, without directly inserting the catheter into a blood vessel, it is possible insert.

In addition, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a lead wire connected to the electrodes to supply electric energy to the electrodes is partially formed with a coil shape near the distal end. Therefore, the length of the lead wire may be easily adjusted due to the portion with such a coil shape, and it is not needed to move the entire lead wire through the catheter body.

Moreover, according to the present disclosure, since the electrodes are inserted into the catheter body, it is possible to prevent or minimize protrusion of the electrodes out of the outer surface of the catheter body. Therefore, when the distal end of the catheter moves through the blood vessel, it is possible to prevent the inner wall of the blood vessel from being damaged by the electrodes.

Meanwhile, the present disclosure may be widely used for treating various diseases or relieving pain by using a catheter, and particularly, the present invention may be more effectively applied to medical operations for treating hypertension by blocking sympathetic nerves around a renal artery.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate preferred embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the foregoing disclosure, serve to provide further understanding of the technical spirit of the present disclosure. However, the present disclosure is not to be construed as being limited to the drawings. In the drawings:

FIG.1 is a perspective view schematically showing a distal end of a catheter according to a first aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG.2 is a cross-sectional view, taken along the line A1-A1′ ofFIG.1;

FIG.3 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing that a support member whose one end is connected to a movable member has the other end moving away from a catheter body by the movement of the movable member, in the configuration ofFIG.2;

FIG.4 is a perspective view ofFIG.3;

FIG.5 is a front view ofFIG.3;

FIG.6 is a cross-sectional view showing a distal end of a catheter for denervation according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG.7 is a schematic diagram showing that an electrode moves away from the catheter body by the movement of the movable member, in the configuration ofFIG.6;

FIG.8 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a distal end of a catheter for denervation according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG.9 is a schematic diagram showing that an electrode moves away from the catheter body by the movement of the movable member, in the configuration ofFIG.8;

FIG.10 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a distal end of a catheter for denervation according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG.11 is a schematic diagram showing that an electrode moves away from the catheter body by the movement of the movable member, in the configuration ofFIG.10;

FIG.12 is a perspective view schematically showing a distal end of a catheter for denervation according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG.13 is a perspective view schematically showing a distal end of a catheter according to a second aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG.14 is a cross-sectional view, taken along the line A2-A2′ ofFIG.13;

FIG.15 a cross-sectional view schematically showing that an electrode moves away from the catheter body by the movement of the movable member, in the configuration ofFIG.14;

FIG.16 is a perspective view ofFIG.15;

FIG.17 is a front view ofFIG.16;

FIG.18 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a distal end of a catheter for denervation according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG.19 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing that an electrode moves away from the catheter body by the movement of the movable member, in the configuration ofFIG.18;

FIG.20 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a distal end of a catheter for denervation according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG.21 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing that an electrode moves away from the catheter body by the movement of the movable member, in the configuration ofFIG.20;

FIG.22 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a distal end of a catheter for denervation according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG.23 is a cross-sectional view showing the catheter ofFIG.22 along the longitudinal direction;

FIG.24 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing that an electrode moves away from the catheter body by the movement of the movable member, in the configuration ofFIG.23;

FIG.25 is a perspective view ofFIG.24;

FIG.26 is a perspective view schematically showing a distal end of a catheter for denervation according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG.27 is a perspective view schematically showing a distal end of a catheter according to a third aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG.28 is a cross-sectional view, taken along the line A31-A31′ ofFIG.27;

FIG.29 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing that a bending portion of a support member moves away from the catheter body by the movement of the movable member, in the configuration ofFIG.28;

FIG.30 is a perspective view ofFIG.29;

FIG.31 is a front view ofFIG.30;

FIG.32 is a cross-sectional view, taken along the line A32-A32′ ofFIG.27;

FIG.33 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a distal end of a catheter for denervation according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG.34 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a distal end of a catheter for denervation according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG.35 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing that an electrode moves away from the catheter body by the movement of the movable member, in the configuration ofFIG.34;

FIG.36 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a distal end of a catheter for denervation according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG.37 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing that an electrode moves away from the catheter body by the movement of the movable member, in the configuration ofFIG.36;

FIG.38 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a distal end of a catheter for denervation according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG.39 is a cross-sectional view showing the catheter ofFIG.38 along the longitudinal direction;

FIG.40 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing that an electrode moves away from the catheter body by the movement of the movable member, in the configuration ofFIG.39;

FIG.41 is a perspective view ofFIG.40;

FIG.42 is a perspective view schematically showing a distal end of a catheter for denervation according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG.43 is a perspective view schematically showing a distal end of a catheter according to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG.44 is a cross-sectional view, taken along the line A4-A4′ ofFIG.43;

FIG.45 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing that a bending portion of a first support member moves away from the catheter body by the movement of the movable member, in the configuration ofFIG.44;

FIG.46 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing that a bending portion of a second support member moves away from the catheter body by the movement of an intermediate member, in the configuration ofFIG.45;

FIG.47 is a perspective view ofFIG.46;

FIG.48 is a front view ofFIG.47;

FIG.49 is a schematic diagram showing arrangements and sections in the width direction of the first support member and the second support member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG.50 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a distal end of a catheter for denervation according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG.51 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing that an electrode moves away from the catheter body by the movement of the movable member and the intermediate member, in the configuration ofFIG.50;

FIG.52 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a distal end of a catheter for denervation according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG.53 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing that an electrode moves away from the catheter body by the movement of the movable member and the intermediate member, in the configuration ofFIG.52;

FIG.54 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a distal end of a catheter for denervation according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG.55 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a distal end of a catheter for denervation according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG.56 is a cross-sectional view showing the catheter ofFIG.55 along the longitudinal direction;

FIG.57 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing that the movable member moves in the right direction, in the configuration ofFIG.56;

FIG.58 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing that the intermediate member moves in the right direction, in the configuration ofFIG.57;

FIG.59 is a perspective view ofFIG.58; and

FIG.60 is a perspective view schematically showing a distal end of a catheter for denervation according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

BEST MODE

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Prior to the description, it should be understood that the terms used in the specification and the appended claims should not be construed as limited to general and dictionary meanings, but interpreted based on the meanings and concepts corresponding to technical aspects of the present disclosure on the basis of the principle that the inventor is allowed to define terms appropriately for the best explanation.

Therefore, the description proposed herein is just a preferable example for the purpose of illustrations only, not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, so it should be understood that other equivalents and modifications could be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

First, a catheter for denervation according to a first aspect of the present disclosure will be described with reference toFIGS.1 to12.

FIG.1 is a perspective view schematically showing a distal end of a catheter according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, andFIG.2 is a cross-sectional view, taken along the line A1-A1′ ofFIG.1.FIG.2 shows a support member and an electrode employed in the catheter ofFIG.1.

Here, the distal end of the catheter means an end of the catheter which reaches a portion of a human body under a surgical procedure, between both ends of the catheter extending in the longitudinal direction, and it may also be called a catheter tip. In addition, an end of the catheter opposite to the distal end may be called a proximal end. Hereinafter, regarding various components which extend in the longitudinal direction of the catheter and thus have both ends in the longitudinal direction, an end of a component, located at the distal end of the catheter, will be called a distal end of the corresponding component, and a proximal end of a component, located at the proximal end of the catheter, will be called a proximal end of the corresponding component.

Referring toFIGS.1 and2, the catheter according to the present disclosure may include acatheter body1100, amovable member1200, an operatingmember1300, asupport member1400, anelectrode1500 and alead wire1600.

Thecatheter body1100 has a pipe or tube shape extending in one direction and has an inner space therein along the longitudinal direction. Here, thecatheter body1100 has both ends along the longitudinal direction, where an end of thecatheter body1100 firstly inserted into a human body during a surgical procedure using the catheter and reaching a destination, namely a target for the surgical procedure, is called adistal end1101, and an end of thecatheter body1100 located near an operator and manipulated by the operator is called a proximal end (not shown), as described above.

Thecatheter body1100 has a hollow tube shape and has an inner space therein along the longitudinal direction. Therefore, various components for a surgical procedure may be provided in or move through the inner space, and substances such as drugs or washing liquids may be injected through the inner space. For this, the proximal end of thecatheter body1100 may be formed so that the inner space is open to the outside.

Thecatheter body1100 may have various shapes depending on its target or purpose and may also have various inner or outer diameters. In addition, thecatheter body1100 may be made of various materials, for example soft materials such as rubber and plastic or hard material such as metal. The present disclosure is not limited to a specific shape, material or size of thecatheter body1100, and thecatheter body1100 may have various shapes, materials, sizes or the like.

Preferably, thedistal end1101 of the catheter body may be made of soft and flexible material. Thedistal end1101 of the catheter body is located at a front end of the catheter. Therefore, when the catheter moves along a blood vessel or the like, thedistal end1101 of the catheter body is likely to contact an inner wall of the blood vessel or the like. However, if thedistal end1101 of the catheter body is made of such a soft and flexible material, it is possible to minimize or prevent a damage of the blood vessel or the like, caused by thedistal end1101 of the catheter body, and it is also easy to change a moving direction of thedistal end1101 of the catheter body.

In addition, in a similar way, thedistal end1101 of the catheter body may have a rounded edge. For example, thedistal end1101 of the catheter body may have a circularly protruding shape toward the front end of the catheter.

Themovable member1200 is included in the inner space of thecatheter body1100. In addition, themovable member1200 is configured to move along the longitudinal direction of thecatheter body1100 in the inner space of thecatheter body1100. For example, if thecatheter body1100 extends long in the lateral direction as shown inFIG.2, themovable member1200 may be configured to be movable in the lateral direction as indicated by the arrow b11.

The operatingmember1300 may be formed to extend long along the longitudinal direction of thecatheter body1100, and one end of the operatingmember1300, namely a distal end thereof, is connected and fixed to themovable member1200. The operatingmember1300 may be located according to the inner space of thecatheter body1100, and the other end of the operatingmember1300, namely a proximal end thereof, may be exposed out of thecatheter body1100 through the open portion of the proximal end of thecatheter body1100. In this case, an operator may pull or push theoperating member1300 manually or automatically using a separate tool. In this case, the operatingmember1300 may move in the lateral direction as indicated by the arrow b12 ofFIG.2, and by doing so, themovable member1200 connected to one end of the operatingmember1300 may move the lateral direction as indicated by the arrow b11.

Thesupport member1400 may have a rod or plate shape extending in one direction. In addition, thesupport member1400 may be configured so that among both ends thereof in the longitudinal direction, one end is connected and fixed to themovable member1200. In this configuration, if themovable member1200 moves, the other end of thesupport member1400 may move closer to or farther from the central axis of thecatheter body1100. This will be described in more detail with reference toFIGS.3 to5.

FIG.3 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing that the other end of thesupport member1400 whose one end is connected to themovable member1200 moves away from thecatheter body1100 by the movement of themovable member1200, in the configuration ofFIG.2.FIG.4 is a perspective view ofFIG.3, andFIG.5 is a front view ofFIG.3.

Referring toFIGS.3 to5, thecatheter body1100 has a plurality ofside holes1111 formed in a side surface of thedistal end1101. For example, as shown inFIG.3, the side holes1111 may be formed close to the distal end of the catheter body1100 (in the right direction inFIG.3) in comparison to themovable member1200.

Here, the number of the side holes1111 may correspond to the number of thesupport members1400. For example, as shown inFIGS.3 and4, if the catheter has threesupport members1400, threeside holes1111 may also be formed in thecatheter body1100.

In this case, the plurality ofsupport members1400 may move into or out of thecatheter body1100 through the side holes1111 in a one-to-one relationship. For example, as shown inFIG.3, if threeside holes1111 are formed close to thedistal end1101 of thecatheter body1100 in comparison to themovable member1200, proximal ends of three support members1400 (the left ends inFIG.3) may be connected to themovable member1200. In addition, threesupport members1400 may be configured so that their distal ends (the right end inFIG.3) are exposed out of thecatheter body1100 according to the movement of themovable member1200 through threeside holes1111, respectively.

In this case, if themovable member1200 moves in the right direction, namely toward the distal end of thecatheter body1100, as indicated by the arrow c11, threesupport members1400 slide through the side holes1111, respectively, so that their distal ends move away from thecatheter body1100, as indicated by the arrows d11, d12 and d13 inFIGS.3 and4. Here, the movement of the distal end of thesupport member1400 away from thecatheter body1100 means that the distal end of thesupport member1400 gradually moves away from a central axis o1 of thecatheter body1100.

Meanwhile, theelectrode1500 is provided at the other end of the plurality ofsupport members1400. For example, in the embodiment depicted inFIGS.1 to4, theelectrode1500 may be provided at each distal end of the plurality ofsupport members1400.

Theelectrode1500 may be connected to an energy supplying unit (not shown) through thelead wire1600 to generate heat. In addition, the heat generated by theelectrode1500 may ablate surrounding tissues. For example, theelectrode1500 may ablate nerves around a blood vessel by generating heat of about 40° C. or above, preferably 40 to 80° C., and thus the nerves may be blocked. However, the temperature of the heat generated by theelectrode1500 may be set in various ways according to the use or purpose of the catheter.

Theelectrode1500 should apply heat to nerve tissues around a blood vessel in contact with a wall of the blood vessel, and thus theelectrode1500 is preferably closely adhered to the wall of the blood vessel. Therefore, theelectrode1500 may have a curved shape, for example a circular, semicircular or oval shape, to conform to the shape of the inner wall of the blood vessel. In this embodiment, theelectrode1500 may be more clearly adhered to the wall of the blood vessel, and thus the heat generated by theelectrode1500 may be efficiently transferred to nerve tissues around the blood vessel.

Theelectrode1500 may be made of material such as platinum or stainless steel, but the present disclosure is not limited to such specific materials of theelectrode1500. Theelectrode1500 may be made of various materials in consideration of various factors such as a generated energy type and an operation target.

Preferably, theelectrode1500 may generate heat by means of radio frequency (RF). For example, theelectrode1500 may be connected to a high frequency generating unit through thelead wire1600 and emits high frequency energy to ablate nerves.

Meanwhile, theelectrode1500 provided at the catheter may be a negative electrode, and a positive electrode corresponding to the negative electrode may be connected to an energy supplying unit such as a high frequency generating unit, similar to the negative electrode, and attached to a specific portion of a human body in the form or patch or the like.

Since theelectrode1500 is provided at the other end of thesupport member1400, when the other end of thesupport member1400 moves closer to or farther from thecatheter body1100, theelectrode1500 may also move closer to or farther from thecatheter body1100 accordingly.

For example, as shown inFIGS.2 and3, if theside hole1111 is located closer to the distal end of the catheter body1100 (in the right direction ofFIGS.2 and3) in comparison to themovable member1200 and themovable member1200 is connected to the proximal end of thesupport member1400, theelectrode1500 may be provided at the distal end of thesupport member1400. In this embodiment, when themovable member1200 moves in a direction from the proximal end of thecatheter body1100 toward the distal end thereof as indicated by the arrow c11 ofFIG.3, theelectrode1500 provided at the distal end of thesupport member1400 may be configured to move away from thecatheter body1100. On the contrary, if themovable member1200 moves in a direction opposite to the arrow c11 ofFIG.3, theelectrode1500 provided at the distal end of thesupport member1400 may be configured to move toward thecatheter body1100.

In other words, theelectrode1500 may be configured to move toward or away from a line perpendicular to the central axis o1 according to the movement of themovable member1200, based on the central axis o1 of thecatheter body1100 in the longitudinal direction.

For this, thesupport member1400 having theelectrode1500 at the other end thereof to support theelectrode1500 may have suitable material or shape so that theelectrode1500 may move closer to or farther from the central axis o1 of thecatheter body1100 according to the movement of themovable member1200.

For example, thesupport member1400 may be pre-shaped so that when themovable member1200 moves along the arrow c11, the other end may move away from the central axis o1 of thecatheter body1100 as shown inFIGS.3 to5. In particular, thesupport member1400 may also be made of a shape memory alloy such as nitinol. In this embodiment, if thesupport member1400 deviates from thecatheter body1100, the other end moves away from the central axis o1 of thecatheter body1100 according to the pre-shaped form, and thus theelectrode1500 provided at the other end of thesupport member1400 may also move away from the central axis o1 of thecatheter body1100.

However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and various configurations may be used so that the other end of thesupport member1400 having theelectrode1500 moves closer to or farther from thecatheter body1100 according to the movement of themovable member1200. For example, thesupport member1400 may be configured so that the other end of thesupport member1400 moves closer to or farther from thecatheter body1100 by changing angles among theside hole1111, one end of thesupport member1400 and a horizontal line according to the movement of themovable member1200. In other words, in the embodiment ofFIG.3, if themovable member1200 moves in the direction c11, the angles among theside hole1111, one end of thesupport member1400 and the horizontal line gradually increase, the other end of thesupport member1400 having theelectrode1500 may be configured to gradually move away from thecatheter body1100.

As described above, in the catheter for denervation according to the present disclosure, theelectrode1500 is provided at the other end of thesupport member1400 to move closer to or farther from thecatheter body1100. Therefore, if the catheter according to the present disclosure is used to perform denervation, in a state in which the other end of thesupport member1400 having theelectrode1500 is located close to thecatheter body1100, the distal end of the catheter, namely a catheter tip, may be moved to an operation target through a blood vessel. In addition, if the catheter tip reaches the operation target, the other end of thesupport member1400 having theelectrode1500 is moved away from thecatheter body1100, so thatelectrode1500 contacts or approaches to the inner wall of the blood vessel. In addition, in this state, energy for generating heat, for example high frequency energy, is emitted through theelectrode1500, thereby blocking nerves around the blood vessel. After that, if the denervation is completed with the energy emitted through theelectrode1500, the other end of thesupport member1400 having theelectrode1500 moves again close to thecatheter body1100, and then the catheter may be extracted from the blood vessel.

Meanwhile, in a state in which theelectrode1500 moves away from the central axis o1 of the catheter body, the distance between theelectrode1500 and the central axis o1 of the catheter body may be selected in various ways according to a size of an operation target, for example an inner diameter of the blood vessel. For example, in a state in which theelectrode1500 moves farthest away from the central axis o1 of the catheter body, a distance between eachelectrode1500 and the central axis o1 of the catheter body may be 2 mm to 4 mm.

Thelead wire1600 is respectively electrically connected to the plurality ofelectrodes1500 to give a power supply path to the plurality ofelectrodes1500. In other words, thelead wire1600 is connected between theelectrode1500 and the energy supplying unit (not shown) so that the energy supplied from the energy supplying unit is transferred to theelectrode1500. For example, one end of thelead wire1600 is connected to the high frequency generating unit and the other end thereof is connected to theelectrode1500 to transfer the energy generated by the high frequency generating unit to theelectrode1500, thereby allowing theelectrode1500 to generate heat by high frequency.

In particular, thelead wire1600 according to the present disclosure may include avariable region1610 configured to adjust its length, as shown inFIGS.3 and4. Here, the proximal end of thevariable region1610 may be fixed to one side of thecatheter body1100, and the distal end of thevariable region1610 may be fixed to themovable member1200. For this, afixing unit1140 for fixing one end of thevariable region1610 of thelead wire1600 to the inner space may be separately provided at thecatheter body1100, as shown inFIG.3.

In the configuration of the present disclosure, even though theelectrode1500 is configured to move closer to or farther from thecatheter body1100 according to the movement of themovable member1200, thelead wire1600 may keep substantially fixed due to thevariable region1610. In other words, even though themovable member1200 to which the distal end of the variable region1610 (the right end inFIG.3) is fixed moves in the direction c11 as shown inFIG.3, only the length of thevariable region1610 increases, and thus the proximal end of the variable region1610 (the left end inFIG.3) may be fixed. Therefore, even though themovable member1200 moves, only the distal end of thelead wire1600 moves based on thevariable region1610, and most regions of thelead wire1600 inserted into thecatheter body1100 does not need to move. For this reason, due to this configuration of the present disclosure, even though themovable member1200 moves, an operator does not need to insert or extract thelead wire1600, which prevents the surgical procedure of the operator from being complicated. In addition, if the blood vessel has a serious curve, thelead wire1600 may not easily move into thecatheter body1100. At this time, since thelead wire1600 does not need to move in thecatheter body1100 except for the catheter tip portion according to the present disclosure, no problem is caused due to difficult movement of thelead wire1600.

Preferably, thevariable region1610 of the lead wire may have a spiral coil shape like a spring, as shown in the figures. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such a shape of the variable region. For example, thevariable region1610 of the lead wire may be bent or folded in various directions in a zigzag pattern. In other words, in the present disclosure, thevariable region1610 of the lead wire may be configured in various shapes so that a length between both ends of thevariable region1610 may be adjusted by spreading or folding the curved portion of thevariable region1610 according to the movement of themovable member1200.

Meanwhile, even thoughFIGS.3 and4 show that threelead wires1600 are provided at the distal end of thecatheter body1100 and thevariable region1610 is formed at eachlead wire1600, the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. For example, thelead wire1600 may be configured with a single wire till themovable member1200, which diverges into three wires at the right side of themovable member1200. In this case, only onevariable region1610 may be formed at thelead wire1600.

Thelead wire1600 may be attached to an upper or lower portion of thesupport member1400 or provided in thesupport member1400, between themovable member1200 and theelectrode1500. In addition, thelead wire1600 may not be fixed to thesupport member1400 but connected to theelectrode1500 to be separated from thesupport member1400.

Moreover, thelead wire1600 may not be provided separate from thesupport member1400 but implemented to be integrated with thesupport member1400. For example, at least a part of thesupport member1400 may be made of electrically conductive material, so that thesupport member1400 may serve as thelead wire1600 between themovable member1200 and theelectrode1500.

Meanwhile, even though the embodiment ofFIGS.2 and3 has been illustrated so that the plurality ofside holes1111 are located close to the distal end of the catheter body1100 (in the right direction) in comparison tomovable member1200, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

FIG.6 is a cross-sectional view showing a distal end of a catheter for denervation according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. In addition,FIG.7 is a schematic diagram showing that theelectrode1500 moves away from thecatheter body1100 by the movement of themovable member1200, in the configuration ofFIG.6. In this embodiment, components similar to those ofFIGS.1 to5 will not be described in detail and components different therefrom will be described in detail.

First, referring toFIG.6, a plurality ofside holes1111 is formed in a side surface of thecatheter body1100, and different fromFIGS.2 and3, the side holes1111 are located close to the proximal end of the catheter body1100 (in the left direction inFIG.6) in comparison to themovable member1200. In addition, amovable member1200 is connected to each distal end of the plurality ofsupport members1400, and anelectrode1500 is provided at the proximal end of the plurality ofsupport members1400.

At this time, as indicated by the arrow ell inFIG.6, if themovable member1200 moves in a direction from the distal end of thecatheter body1100 to the proximal end thereof, theelectrode1500 provided at the proximal end of thesupport member1400 may deviate and move away from thecatheter body1100 as indicated by the arrows f11, f12 and f13 inFIG.7.

In other words, even though theelectrode1500 moves away from thecatheter body1100 in the embodiment depicted inFIGS.2 and3 if an operator pushes the operatingmember1300 toward the distal end of the catheter, in the embodiment depicted inFIGS.6 and7, when an operator pulls the operatingmember1300 toward the proximal end of the catheter, theelectrode1500 moves away from thecatheter body1100.

Meanwhile, in the embodiment ofFIGS.6 and7, thelead wire1600 may also have avariable region1610, and due to thevariable region1610, the entire portion of thelead wire1600 does not need move even though themovable member1200 moves. In other words, in the embodiment ofFIGS.6 and7, a proximal end of thevariable region1610 of thelead wire1600 is fixed to one side of thecatheter body1100, namely to thefixing unit1140 of thecatheter body1100, and a distal end of thevariable region1610 is fixed to themovable member1200. Therefore, when themovable member1200 moves, only the length of thevariable region1610 changes, theentire lead wire1600 does not need to move in thecatheter body1100 except for thevariable region1610.

Preferably, aside insert groove1121 may be formed in thecatheter body1100. In other words, as shown inFIGS.2 and6, theside insert groove1121 may be formed in a side surface of thecatheter body1100 where theside hole1111 is formed. In addition, theside insert groove1121 may be concave toward the inside of thecatheter body1100 so that theelectrode1500 may be inserted therein.

In this embodiment, while the distal end of thecatheter body1100, namely the catheter tip, is moving through the blood vessel, theelectrode1500 may move in a state of being inserted into theside insert groove1121. Therefore, it is possible to minimize a damage of the blood vessel caused by theelectrode1500 while the catheter tip is moving.

For this, more preferably, when theelectrode1500 is inserted into theside insert groove1121, theelectrode1500 may not protrude toward the outside of the side surface of thecatheter body1100. For example, in the embodiments ofFIGS.2 and6, based on theside insert groove1121 and theelectrode1500 located at the uppermost location, a depth of theside insert groove1121, namely a vertical length, is equal to or greater than the vertical length of theelectrode1500. In this case, theelectrode1500 may be perfectly inserted without protruding toward the outside of thecatheter body1100.

Also preferably, in the embodiment, if theelectrode1500 is inserted into theside insert groove1121, theside hole1111 located at theside insert groove1121 may be closed. In other words, in a state in which theelectrode1500 is inserted into theside insert groove1121, theside hole1111 of the correspondingside insert groove1121 may not allow a fluid to flow in or out. In this embodiment, if the catheter tip moves through the blood vessel in a state in which theelectrode1500 is inserted into theside insert groove1121, it is possible to prevent blood from flowing in through theside hole1111, and it is also possible to prevent operations of each component located in the catheter from being disturbed by coagulated blood. In addition, it is also possible to prevent blood from flowing out to the proximal end of thecatheter body1100 through the inner space of thecatheter body1100.

Meanwhile, even though it has been illustrated in the embodiments ofFIGS.1 and7 that a through hole for allowing thesupport member1400 to pass through is formed at the side surface of thecatheter body1100, the present disclosure is not limited to these embodiments.

FIG.8 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a distal end of a catheter for denervation according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. In addition,FIG.9 is a schematic diagram showing that theelectrode1500 moves away from thecatheter body1100 by the movement of themovable member1200, in the configuration ofFIG.8. Hereinafter, components different from those of the former embodiment will be described in detail.

First, referring toFIG.8, a plurality offront holes1112 may be formed in a front surface of thecatheter body1100, which is located at the furthermost tip of the distal end. In addition, the plurality ofsupport members1400 may respectively move into or out of thecatheter body1100 through thefront hole1112. Here, themovable member1200 may be connected to the proximal end of the plurality ofsupport members1400, and theelectrode1500 may be provided at the distal end thereof.

In this case, as shown inFIG.9, if themovable member1200 moves in a direction from the proximal end of thecatheter body1100 to the distal end thereof, theelectrode1500 may be taken out of thecatheter body1100.

Preferably, if theelectrode1500 is inserted into a portion of thecatheter body1100 where thefront hole1112 is formed, afront insert groove1122 concave toward the inside of thecatheter body1100. In this case, when the catheter tip is moving in the blood vessel, theelectrode1500 may move in a state of being inserted into thefront insert groove1122. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the inside of the blood vessel from being damaged by extrusion of theelectrode1500 while the catheter tip is moving.

At this time, more preferably, if theelectrode1500 is inserted into thefront insert groove1122, thefront hole1112 may be closed. In this embodiment, since the catheter tip may move in a state in which thefront hole1112 is closed by theelectrode1500, it is possible to prevent blood or another fluid from flowing into the catheter through thefront hole1112.

Meanwhile, in this embodiment, a plurality of through holes are formed in the side surface or the front surface of thecatheter body1100, and only thesupport member1400 may be partially received in the inner space of thecatheter body1100. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

FIG.10 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a distal end of a catheter for denervation according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. In addition,FIG.11 is a schematic diagram showing that anelectrode1500 moves away from thecatheter body1100 by the movement of themovable member1200, in the configuration ofFIG.10. In this embodiment, components similar to those of the former embodiments will not be described in detail and components different therefrom will be described in detail.

Referring toFIGS.10 and11, an opening1113 is formed at the front surface of the distal end of thecatheter body1100. In other words, the distal end of thecatheter body1100 may open the inner space of thecatheter body1100 through the opening1113.

In addition, the plurality ofsupport members1400 and the plurality ofelectrodes1500 may be inserted into and received in the inner space of thecatheter body1100 through the opening1113 or be drawn out of thecatheter body1100 through the opening1113.

In more detail, as shown inFIGS.10 and11, the plurality ofsupport members1400 may be respectively configured so that themovable member1200 is connected to the proximal end thereof and theelectrode1500 is provided at the distal end thereof.

In this case, as shown inFIG.11, if themovable member1200 moves in a direction from the proximal end of thecatheter body1100 toward the distal end thereof, theelectrode1500 provided at the distal end of thesupport member1400 may be drawn out of thecatheter body1100 through the opening1113. In addition, the drawnelectrode1500 moves away from the central axis o1 of thecatheter body1100 to contact the inner wall of the blood vessel or approach thereto.

In this embodiment, the plurality ofsupport members1400 and the plurality ofelectrodes1500 may be configured to be accommodated in the inner space of thecatheter body1100 while the catheter tip is moving, as shown inFIG.10. After that, if the catheter tip reaches an operation target, the plurality ofsupport members1400 and the plurality ofelectrodes1500 are drawn out of thecatheter body1100 through the opening1113 as shown inFIG.11, so that theelectrode1500 moves away from thecatheter body1100. After that, if nerves at the corresponding portion are blocked due to heat emission of theelectrode1500, thesupport member1400 and theelectrode1500 are put into and received in thecatheter body1100 through the opening1113 again, and in this state, the catheter tip may be drawn out of the human body along the wall of the blood vessel or moved to another portion of the human body.

Preferably, in several embodiments of the present disclosure, the plurality ofelectrodes1500 may be configured to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in the longitudinal direction of thecatheter body1100 in a state in which the other end of thesupport member1400 is far from thecatheter body1100.

For example, referring to the embodiment ofFIG.3, in a state in which threeelectrodes1500 move away from thecatheter body1100, as indicated by the arrows g11 and g12, the threeelectrodes1500 may be configured to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in the longitudinal direction of thecatheter body1100.

If the plurality ofelectrodes1500 respectively emits heat, heated portions of the blood vessel may swell toward the inside of the blood vessel, which may cause stenosis. However, if threeelectrodes1500 are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in the longitudinal direction of thecatheter body1100 as in this embodiment, the heated portions of the blood vessel are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in the longitudinal direction of the blood vessel, thereby preventing such stenosis from occurring.

In particular, the distance betweenelectrodes1500 in the longitudinal direction of thecatheter body1100 as indicated by the arrows g11 and g12 may be variously set according to a size of the catheter or an operation target. For example, the catheter may be configured so that in a state in which the plurality ofelectrodes1500 is far from thecatheter body1100, the distance betweenelectrodes1500 in the longitudinal direction of thecatheter body1100 is 0.3 to 0.8 cm. In this embodiment, it is possible to prevent stenosis of the blood vessel and prevent nerves around the blood vessel from passing between theelectrodes1500 to the minimum.

Meanwhile, in a state in which the plurality ofelectrodes1500 is far from thecatheter body1100 as in this embodiment, theelectrodes1500 may be configured to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in the longitudinal direction of thecatheter body1100 in various ways.

For example, in order to space theelectrodes1500 from each other, the plurality ofsupport members1400 may be configured so that distances between one end and the other end thereof are different from each other. In other words, the plurality ofsupport members1400 may have a rod shape extending in one direction, and their lengths may be different from each other. For example, in the embodiment ofFIG.2, the threesupport members1400 may be configured to have rod shapes with different lengths. Therefore, when themovable member1200 moves in the right direction, anelectrode1500 provided at asupport member1400 having a longest length may be located at a foremost position in the longitudinal direction of thecatheter body1100, and anelectrode1500 provided at asupport member1400 having a shortest length may be located at a rearmost position in the longitudinal direction of thecatheter body1100. In particular, in a state in which theelectrode1500 is far from thecatheter body1100, in order to space the plurality ofsupport members1400 from each other by 0.3 cm to 0.8 cm, the plurality ofsupport members1400 may be configured to have length differences of 0.3 cm to 0.8 cm from each other.

As another example, in order to space theelectrodes1500 from each other, themovable member1200 may have a step formed at a surface thereof to which the plurality ofsupport members1400 is connected. For example, in the embodiment ofFIG.3, the step may be formed at the right surface of themovable member1200, and the plurality ofmovable members1200 may be connected to different steps. In this embodiment, even though the plurality ofsupport members1400 have the same length, due to the steps formed at themovable member1200, theelectrodes1500 may be spaced apart from each other as much as step lengths.

In addition, various schemes may be used to space theelectrodes1500 from each other, and for example, theelectrodes1500 may be spaced apart from each other by inclining the surface of themovable member1200, to which thesupport member1400 is connected, by a predetermined angle with respect to a direction perpendicular to the central axis o1 of the catheter.

Also preferably, in various embodiments of the present disclosure, in a state in which the other end of thesupport member1400 is far from thecatheter body1100, the plurality ofelectrodes1500 may be configured to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined angle based on the central axis o1 of thecatheter body1100 in the longitudinal direction.

For example, as shown inFIG.5, in a state in which threeelectrodes1500 move away from thecatheter body1100 according to the movement of themovable member1200, assuming that angles among threeelectrodes1500 are h11, h12 and h13 based on the central axis o1 of the catheter, h11, h12 and h13 have predetermined angles, so that the threeelectrodes1500 are spaced apart from each other by the predetermined angles. For example, h11, h12 and h13 may be identically 120°.

In addition, in an embodiment including four ormore support members1400 and four ormore electrodes1500, the plurality ofelectrodes1500 may also be spaced apart from each other by predetermined angles based on the central axis o1 of the catheter.

In the embodiment in which theelectrodes1500 are spaced apart from each other by predetermined angles based on the central axis o1 of thecatheter body1100 as described above, theelectrodes1500 may be configured to spread widely in all directions around thecatheter body1100. Therefore, even though nerves are disposed in a local portion of the blood vessel, theelectrodes1500 may cover the nerves.

Also preferably, as shown in the figures of various embodiments, thecatheter body1100 may include astopper1130 in the inner space. Thestopper1130 limits a moving distance of themovable member1200, and thecatheter body1100 may include at least one stopper.

More preferably, thestopper1130 may include afirst stopper1131 and asecond stopper1132. Here, thefirst stopper1131 may be provided close to the proximal end in comparison to themovable member1200 so that themovable member1200 is limited not to move further toward the proximal end. In addition, thesecond stopper1132 may be provided close to the distal end in comparison to themovable member1200 so that themovable member1200 is limited not to move further toward the distal end.

In the embodiment including thestopper1130 at thecatheter body1100 as described above, it is possible to facilitate an operator's manipulation and also prevent various components included in the catheter from being damaged. For example, in the embodiment ofFIG.2, thefirst stopper1131 may limit themovable member1200 not to move further in the left direction, which may prevent a connection between theelectrode1500 and thesupport member1400 or a connection between theelectrode1500 and thelead wire1600 from being cut. In another example, in the embodiment ofFIG.3, thesecond stopper1132 may limit themovable member1200 no to move further in the right direction, which may prevent thelead wire1600 from being cut or prevent a connection between thelead wire1600 and thefixing unit1140 from being cut.

Also preferably, thecatheter body1100 may have a guide hole formed at the distal end thereof so that a guide wire may pass through. Here, the guide wire is used for guiding the catheter to an operation target and may reach the operation target prior to the catheter. In this embodiment, the guide wire may be inserted into the catheter through the guide hole, and the catheter tip may reach the operation target along the guide wire.

At least one guide hole may be formed in thecatheter body1100. For example, thecatheter body1100 may have a single guide hole at the distal end, so that a guide wire is inserted into the guide hole. In this case, when thecatheter body1100 moves, the guide wire inserted through the guide hole may move along the inner space of thecatheter body1100. In another example, thecatheter body1100 may include two guide holes at the distal end. In this case, the guide wire may be inserted into thecatheter body1100 through one guide hole and be drawn out of thecatheter body1100 through the other guide hole.

As described above, in the embodiment in which a guide hole is formed in thecatheter body1100, since the guide wire inserted into the guide hole guides movement of the catheter tip, the catheter may smoothly reach an operation target, and the catheter may be easily manipulated. Moreover, since the catheter does not need to include a component for adjusting a moving direction of the catheter, the catheter may have a simpler structure, which is advantageous in reducing the size of the catheter.

Also preferably, the catheter for denervation according to the present disclosure may further include an elastic member (not shown).

The elastic member may be connected between thecatheter body1100 and themovable member1200. For example, in the embodiments ofFIGS.2,8 and10, the elastic member may be connected between the fixingunit1140 of thecatheter body1100 and themovable member1200. In addition, in the embodiment ofFIG.6, the elastic member may be connected between themovable member1200 and the terminal (a right tip portion of thecatheter body1100 ofFIG.6) of thecatheter body1100.

As described above, in the embodiment including the elastic member, themovable member1200 may return to its original state more easily due to the restoring force of the elastic member.

For example, as shown inFIG.3, in a state in which themovable member1200 is moved in the right direction, after nerves are blocked by theelectrode1500, themovable member1200 should move in the left direction again. However, if an elastic member is included between the fixingunit1140 and themovable member1200, themovable member1200 may move more easily in the left direction due to the restoring force of the elastic member. Therefore, after nerves are blocked by theelectrode1500, an operator may not give great efforts to insert theelectrode1500 into theside insert groove1121.

In addition, if the elastic member is provided, it is possible to prevent theelectrode1500 from deviating from theside insert groove1121 of thecatheter body1100 while the catheter tip is moving, and thus it is also possible to prevent the blood vessel from being damaged due to deviation or protrusion of theelectrode1500. Moreover, even though thestopper1130 is not provided, the moving distance of themovable member1200 may be limited by the elastic member, which may prevent various components from being damaged due to excessive movement of themovable member1200.

FIG.12 is a perspective view schematically showing a distal end of a catheter for denervation according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG.12, the catheter for denervation according to the present disclosure may further include anend tip1700.

Theend tip1700 is provided at the front surface of the distal end of the catheter body. In other words, theend tip1700 may be regarded as being located farther from the terminal of the catheter body. In this case, theend tip1700 may be a component serving as the terminal of the catheter for denervation according to the present disclosure.

Theend tip1700 may be made of soft and flexible material. In particular, theend tip1700 may be made of a composition containing polyether block amide (PEBA). Here, the composition for theend tip1700 may contain other additives in addition to the polyether block amide. For example, theend tip1700 may be made of a composition containing 70 weight % of polyether block amide and 30 weight % of barium sulfate, based on the entire weight of the composition.

In this configuration of the present disclosure, when thedistal end1101 of the catheter body moves along a blood vessel or the like, theend tip1700 made of soft and flexible material is located at a foremost position, which may reduce damages to the blood vessel and facilitate easier change of a moving direction. Further, theend tip1700 made of the above material may be photographed by X-ray, and thus a location of the distal end of the catheter body may be easily figured out.

Preferably, theend tip1700 may have a hollow tube shape. In addition, the hollow of theend tip1700 may extend in the same direction of the longitudinal direction of the catheter body. If theend tip1700 has a tube shape as described above, a guide wire may pass through the hollow of the end tip. For example, the end tip may have a tube shape with a length of 6 mm and a hollow diameter of 0.7 mm.

The end tip may extend along the longitudinal direction of the catheter body. At this time, the end tip may have different sizes along the length thereof. In particular, if the end tip has a cylindrical shape, a distal end of the end tip may have the smallest diameter in comparison to other regions. For example, the distal end of the end tip may have a smallest diameter of 1.1 mm, when the thickest region of the end tip has a diameter of 1.3 mm.

Theend tip1700 may have a suitable length, which is not too long and not too short. For example, in the configuration ofFIG.12, the length of theend tip1700, indicated by L1, may be 5 mm to 15 mm. In this configuration, when the catheter moves along the inner space of a blood vessel or the inner space of a sheath, it is possible to prevent the movement from being disturbed by theend tip1700. In addition, in this configuration, a shape of the blood vessel or the like at which theend tip1700 is located may be easily figured out from a bending shape or a bending direction of theend tip1700.

Also preferably, the catheter for denervation according to the present disclosure may further include a temperature measuring member (not shown).

In particular, the temperature measuring member may be provided around theelectrode1500 to measure a temperature of theelectrode1500 or around theelectrode1500. In addition, the temperature measured by the temperature measuring member as described above may be used for controlling the temperature of theelectrode1500. Here, the temperature measuring member may be connected to thelead wire1600 through a separate wire, and the separate wire may extend to the proximal end of thecatheter body1100 through the inner space of thecatheter body1100 and be drawn out of thecatheter body1100.

Meanwhile, even though the several embodiments have been illustrated so that threesupport members1400 and threeelectrodes1500 are provided, the number ofsupport members1400 andelectrodes1500 are not limited to the above in the present disclosure, and the number ofsupport members1400 andelectrodes1500 may be variously set.

A denervation apparatus according to the present disclosure includes the catheter for denervation. In addition, the denervation apparatus may further include an energy supplying unit and an opponent electrode in addition to the catheter for denervation. Here, the energy supplying unit may be electrically connected to theelectrode1500 through thelead wire1600. In addition, the opponent electrode may be electrically connected to the energy supplying unit through alead wire1600 which is different from theabove lead wire1600. In this case, the energy supplying unit may supply energy to theelectrode1500 of the catheter in the form of high frequency or the like, and theelectrode1500 of the catheter generates heat to ablate nerves around the blood vessel, thereby block the nerves.

Next, a catheter for denervation according to a second aspect of the present disclosure will be described with reference toFIGS.13 to26.

FIG.13 is a perspective view schematically showing a distal end of a catheter according to the second aspect of the present disclosure, andFIG.14 is a cross-sectional view, taken along the line A2-A2′ ofFIG.13.FIG.14 shows a support member, an electrode and a lead wire included in the catheter ofFIG.13 for convenience.

Here, as described above, the distal end of the catheter means an end of the catheter which reaches a portion of a human body under a surgical procedure, between both ends of the catheter extending in the longitudinal direction, and it may also be called a catheter tip. In addition, an end of the catheter opposite to the distal end may be called a proximal end. Hereinafter, regarding various components which extend in the longitudinal direction of the catheter and thus have both ends in the longitudinal direction, an end of a component, located at the distal end of the catheter, will be called a distal end of the corresponding component, and a proximal end of a component, located at the proximal end of the catheter, will be called a proximal end of the corresponding component.

Referring toFIGS.13 and14, the catheter according to the present disclosure may include acatheter body2100, amovable member2200, an operatingmember2300, asupport member2400,n electrode2500 and alead wire2600.

Thecatheter body2100 has a pipe or tube shape extending in one direction and has an inner space therein along the longitudinal direction. Here, thecatheter body2100 has both ends along the longitudinal direction, where an end of thecatheter body2100 firstly inserted into a human body during a surgical procedure using the catheter and reaching a destination, namely a target for the surgical procedure, is called adistal end2101, and an end of thecatheter body2100 located near an operator and manipulated by the operator is called a proximal end (not shown), as described above.

Thecatheter body2100 has a hollow tube shape and has an inner space therein along the longitudinal direction. Therefore, various components for a surgical procedure may be provided in or move through the inner space, and substances such as drugs or washing liquids may be injected through the inner space. For this, the proximal end of thecatheter body2100 may be formed so that the inner space is open to the outside.

Thecatheter body2100 may have various shapes depending on its target or purpose and may also have various inner or outer diameters. In addition, thecatheter body2100 may be made of various materials, for example soft materials such as rubber and plastic or hard material such as metal. The present disclosure is not limited to a specific shape, material or size of thecatheter body2100, and thecatheter body2100 may have various shapes, materials, sizes or the like.

Themovable member2200 is provided at thedistal end2101 of the catheter body and may be configured to be movable in the longitudinal direction of thecatheter body2100. In addition, by means of the movement of themovable member2200, a distance between the terminal2110 of the catheter body and themovable member2200 may increase or decrease.

In particular, as shown inFIGS.13 and14, themovable member2200 may be provided out of thecatheter body2100. In other words, themovable member2200 may be separated from thecatheter body2100 and located at an outer side in comparison to theterminal2110 of the catheter body (in the right side inFIG.14). In this case, if themovable member2200 moves in the left direction, the distance between themovable member2200 and thecatheter body2100 may decrease, and if themovable member2200 moves in the right direction, the distance between themovable member2200 and thecatheter body2100 may increase.

Preferably, thedistal end2101 of the catheter body and/or themovable member2200 may be made of soft and flexible material. Since thedistal end2101 of the catheter body and themovable member2200 are located at a front end of the catheter, when the catheter moves along a blood vessel or the like, thedistal end2101 of the catheter body and themovable member2200 are likely to contact an inner wall of the blood vessel or the like. However, if thedistal end2101 of the catheter body and themovable member2200 are made of such a soft and flexible material, it is possible to minimize or prevent a damage of the blood vessel or the like, caused by thedistal end2101 of the catheter body and themovable member2200, and it is also easy to change a moving direction of thedistal end2101 of the catheter body and themovable member2200.

In addition, in a similar way, thedistal end2101 of the catheter body and/or themovable member2200 may have a rounded edge. In particular, as shown in the figure, themovable member2200 may have an outer surface (the right surface inFIG.14) which circularly protrudes toward the front end of the catheter. In addition, the inner surface (the left surface inFIG.14) of themovable member2200 may also have a rounded edge.

The operatingmember2300 may be formed to extend long along the longitudinal direction of thecatheter body2100, and may move themovable member2200 in the longitudinal direction. For this, one end of the operatingmember2300, namely a distal end thereof, is connected and fixed to themovable member2200, and the operatingmember2300 may be located according to the inner space of thecatheter body2100. In addition, the other end of the operatingmember2300, namely a proximal end thereof, may be exposed out of thecatheter body2100 through the open portion of the proximal end of thecatheter body2100. In this case, an operator may pull or push theoperating member2300 manually or automatically using a separate tool. In this case, the operatingmember2300 may move in the lateral direction as indicated by the arrow b22 ofFIG.14, and by doing so, themovable member2200 connected to one end of the operatingmember2300 may move the lateral direction as indicated by the arrow b21.

Meanwhile, in the embodiment ofFIG.14, since the operatingmember2300 is connected to themovable member2200 out of thecatheter body2100, anoperation hole2120 may be formed in thecatheter body2100 so that the operatingmember2300 may move through theoperation hole2120.

Thesupport member2400 may have a rod or plate shape extending in one direction and may be connected between thecatheter body2100 and themovable member2200. In other words, one end of thesupport member2400 may be connected to theterminal2110 of the catheter body, namely to a farthest end of thedistal end2101 of the catheter body, and the other end thereof may be connected to themovable member2200. For example, in the configuration ofFIG.14, the proximal end (left end) of thesupport member2400 may be fixed to the outer surface of theterminal2110 of the catheter body, and the distal end (right end) of thesupport member2400 may be fixed to the left surface of themovable member2200.

Here, thecatheter body2100 and themovable member2200 provided at both ends of thesupport member2400 may have flat surfaces when standing in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of thecatheter body2100. In other words, based onFIG.14, the right surface of theterminal2110 of the catheter body to which the proximal end of thesupport member2400 is connected and the left surface of themovable member2200 to which the distal end of thesupport member2400 is connected may be vertically flat with each other and stand perpendicular to the central axis of thecatheter body2100 in the longitudinal direction.

Meanwhile, as described above, themovable member2200 may be configured to move close to or away from theterminal2110 of the catheter body in the longitudinal direction of thecatheter body2100 by means of the operatingmember2300.

In particular, in the present disclosure, if themovable member2200 moves to decrease the distance between the terminal2110 of the catheter body and themovable member2200, thesupport member2400 may be bent at least partially, and this bending portion may be configured to move away from thecatheter body2100. This will be described in more detail with reference toFIGS.15 to17.

FIG.15 a cross-sectional view schematically showing that the bending portion of thesupport member2400 moves away from thecatheter body2100 by the movement of themovable member2200, in the configuration ofFIG.14. In addition,FIG.16 is a perspective view ofFIG.15, andFIG.17 is a front view ofFIG.16.

Referring toFIGS.15 to17, if themovable member2200 moves toward thecatheter body2100 as indicated by the arrow e2, the distance between themovable member2200 and thecatheter body2100 may decrease. If so, distances between both ends of the plurality ofsupport members2400 provided between themovable member2200 and thecatheter body2100 may decrease so that the plurality ofsupport members2400 may be bent at least partially. In addition, if themovable member2200 moves toward thecatheter body2100 further, the bending portion of thesupport member2400 may be gradually away from thecatheter body2100. Here, as indicated by the arrow c22 inFIG.15, the bending portion may be regarded as meaning an apex of the bending portion, namely a point of the bending portion of thesupport member2400 at which the degree of bending is greatest, or a point of the bending portion of thesupport member2400 which is located farthest from the central axis o2 of thecatheter body2100. In addition, here, the bending portion moving away from thecatheter body2100 means that the bending direction of the bending portion is formed toward the outside of the catheter body, so that the bending portion moves away from the central axis o2 of thecatheter body2100. In addition, if the bending portion of thesupport member2400 gradually moves away from thecatheter body2100, the bending portion may have a gradually decreasing bending angle.

Since thesupport member2400 should form a bending portion according to the movement of themovable member2200, thesupport member2400 may be made of material which may be bent when a distance between both ends thereof decreases. For example, thesupport member2400 may be made of metal or polymer. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such specific materials of thesupport member2400, and thesupport member2400 may be made of various materials which may form a partial bending portion.

Meanwhile, theelectrode2500 is provided at the bending portion c22 of the plurality ofsupport members2400. For example, as shown in the embodiment ofFIGS.13 to16, theelectrode2500 may be provided at each bending portion c22 of the plurality ofsupport members2400.

Theelectrode2500 may be connected to an energy supplying unit (not shown) through thelead wire2600 to generate heat. In addition, the heat generated by theelectrode2500 may ablate surrounding tissues. For example, theelectrode2500 may ablate nerves around a blood vessel by generating heat of about 40° C. or above, preferably 40 to 80° C., and thus the nerves may be blocked. However, the temperature of the heat generated by theelectrode2500 may be set in various ways according to the use or purpose of the catheter.

Theelectrode2500 may apply heat to nerve tissues around a blood vessel in contact with a wall of the blood vessel, and thus theelectrode2500 is preferably closely adhered to the wall of the blood vessel. Therefore, theelectrode2500 may have a curved shape, for example a circular, semicircular or oval shape, to conform to the shape of the inner wall of the blood vessel. In this embodiment, theelectrode2500 may be more clearly adhered to the wall of the blood vessel, and thus the heat generated by theelectrode2500 may be efficiently transferred to nerve tissues around the blood vessel.

Meanwhile, theelectrode2500 may be provided at a point of the bending portion of thesupport member2400 which is farthest from the central axis o2 of thecatheter body2100. In other words, if the distance between themovable member2200 and theterminal2110 of the catheter body decreases to form a bending portion in thesupport member2400, theelectrode2500 may be provided at an apex of the bending portion which is located farthest from the central axis o2 of thecatheter body2100. In this embodiment, by protruding theelectrode2500 from thecatheter body2100 to the maximum, a contact force of theelectrode2500 to the wall of the blood vessel may be further improved.

Theelectrode2500 may be made of material such as platinum or stainless steel, but the present disclosure is not limited to such specific materials of theelectrode2500. Theelectrode2500 may be made of various materials in consideration of various factors such as a heat generation method and an operation target.

Preferably, theelectrode2500 may generate heat by means of radio frequency (RF). For example, theelectrode2500 may be connected to a high frequency generating unit through thelead wire2600 and emits high frequency energy to ablate nerves.

Meanwhile, theelectrode2500 provided at the catheter may be a negative electrode, and a positive electrode corresponding to the negative electrode may be connected to an energy supplying unit such as a high frequency generating unit, similar to the negative electrode, and attached to a specific portion of a human body in the form or patch or the like.

Since theelectrode2500 is provided at the bending portion of thesupport member2400, when the distance between thecatheter body2100 and themovable member2200 decreases due to the movement of themovable member2200, theelectrode2500 may move away from the central axis o2 of thecatheter body2100. Meanwhile, if themovable member2200 moves to increase the distance between thecatheter body2100 and themovable member2200, theelectrode2500 provided at the bending portion may move close to the central axis o2 of thecatheter body2100.

For example, as shown inFIG.15, if themovable member2200 moves along the arrow e2, the bending portion gradually moves away from the central axis o2 of thecatheter body2100, and theelectrode2500 provided at the bending portion also moves in a direction away from the central axis o2 of thecatheter body2100, as indicated by the arrows f21, f22 and f23. On the contrary, if themovable member2200 moves in a direction opposite to the arrow e2 ofFIG.15, theelectrode2500 provided at the bending portion of thesupport member2400 may be configured to move close to thecatheter body2100 again.

In other words, according to the movement of themovable member2200, theelectrode2500 may move toward the outside of thecatheter body2100 or into thecatheter body2100, based on the central axis o2 of thecatheter body2100 in the longitudinal direction.

For this, thesupport member2400 having theelectrode2500 at the bending portion thereof to support theelectrode2500 may have suitable material or shape so that theelectrode2500 may move closer to or farther from the central axis o2 of thecatheter body2100 according to the movement of themovable member2200.

For example, as indicated by the arrow c21 inFIG.14, thesupport member2400 may have a curved portion formed at least partially. In other words, even in a state in which the distance between themovable member2200 and thecatheter body2100 is greatest, thesupport member2400 may not be perfectly flat but slightly bent in the curved portion. In this case, if themovable member2200 moves to decrease the distance between both ends of thesupport member2400, the degree of bending of the curved portion c21 increases, which may form a bending portion c22. Therefore, in this embodiment, the bending portion c22 may be formed in a region where the curved portion c21 of thesupport member2400 is formed.

In addition, thesupport member2400 may be pre-shaped so that the bending portion does not move toward the central axis of thecatheter body2100 but moves away from the central axis of thecatheter body2100. For example, thesupport member2400 may be pre-shaped to have the shape as shown inFIGS.15 and16 when the distance between both ends of thesupport member2400 decreases.

In this case, thesupport member2400 may also be made of a shape memory alloy such as nitinol. In this embodiment, thesupport member2400 may be configured so that when the distance between themovable member2200 and thecatheter body2100 decreases, the bending portion moves away from thecatheter body2100 according to the memorized shape.

In addition, the bending portion of thesupport member2400 may be provided by forming a notch at a predetermined portion of thesupport member2400. In this case, if the distance between both ends of thesupport member2400 decreases, a bending portion may be formed at a portion of thesupport member2400 where the notch is formed. In this embodiment, by adjusting a direction of the notch, the bending portion may move away from thecatheter body2100 when the distance between both ends of thesupport member2400 decreases.

As described above, in the catheter for denervation according to the present disclosure, theelectrode2500 is provided at the bending portion of thesupport member2400 to move close to or away from thecatheter body2100. Therefore, if the catheter according to the present disclosure is used to perform denervation, in a state in which the bending portion of thesupport member2400 having theelectrode2500 is close to thecatheter body2100, the distal end of the catheter, namely the catheter tip, may be moved to a target for operation through the blood vessel. In addition, if the catheter tip reaches the operation target, by moving the bending portion of thesupport member2400 having theelectrode2500 away from thecatheter body2100, theelectrode2500 may contact or approach the inner wall of the blood vessel. In addition, in this state, by emitting energy for generating heat, for example high frequency energy, through theelectrode2500, nerves around the blood vessel may be blocked. After that, if the denervation is completed with the energy emitted through theelectrode2500, the bending portion of thesupport member2400 having theelectrode2500 moves again close to thecatheter body2100, and then the catheter may be extracted from the blood vessel or moved to another location.

Meanwhile, in a state in which theelectrode2500 moves away from the central axis of thecatheter body2100, the distance between theelectrode2500 and the central axis of thecatheter body2100 may be selected in various ways according to a size of an operation target, for example an inner diameter of the blood vessel. For example, in a state in which theelectrode2500 moves farthest away from the central axis of thecatheter body2100, a distance between eachelectrode2500 and the central axis of thecatheter body2100 may be 2 mm to 4 mm.

Thelead wire2600 is respectively electrically connected to the plurality ofelectrodes2500 to give a power supply path to the plurality ofelectrodes2500. In other words, thelead wire2600 is connected between theelectrode2500 and the energy supplying unit so that the energy supplied from the energy supplying unit is transferred to theelectrode2500. For example, one end of thelead wire2600 is connected to the high frequency generating unit and the other end thereof is connected to theelectrode2500 so that the energy generated by the high frequency generating unit is transferred to theelectrode2500, thereby allowing theelectrode2500 to generate heat by high frequency.

Thelead wire2600 may be attached to an upper or lower portion of thesupport member2400 or provided in thesupport member2400, between the terminal2110 of the catheter body and theelectrode2500. In addition, thelead wire2600 may not be fixed to thesupport member2400 but connected to theelectrode2500 to be separated from thesupport member2400.

Moreover, thelead wire2600 may not be provided separate from thesupport member2400 but implemented to be integrated with thesupport member2400. For example, at least a part of thesupport member2400 may be made of electrically conductive material, so that thesupport member2400 may serve as thelead wire2600 in a region between the terminal2110 of the catheter body and theelectrode2500.

Preferably, in the present disclosure, the plurality ofelectrodes2500 may be configured so that the plurality ofelectrodes2500 are spaced from each other in the longitudinal direction of thecatheter body2100 in a state in which the bending portion of thesupport member2400 is away from thecatheter body2100.

For example, referring to the embodiment ofFIG.15, in a state in which threeelectrodes2500 move away from thecatheter body2100, as indicated by the arrows d21 and d22, the threeelectrodes2500 may be configured to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in the longitudinal direction of thecatheter body2100.

If the plurality ofelectrodes2500 respectively emits heat, heated portions of the blood vessel may swell toward the inside of the blood vessel, which may cause stenosis. However, if threeelectrodes2500 are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in the longitudinal direction of thecatheter body2100 as in this embodiment, the heated portions of the blood vessel are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in the longitudinal direction of the blood vessel, thereby preventing such stenosis from occurring.

In particular, the distance betweenelectrodes2500 in the longitudinal direction of thecatheter body2100 as indicated by the arrows d21 and d22 may be variously set according to a size of the catheter or an operation target. For example, the catheter may be configured so that in a state in which the plurality ofelectrodes2500 is far from thecatheter body2100, the distance betweenelectrodes2500 in the longitudinal direction of thecatheter body2100 is 0.3 to 0.8 cm. In this embodiment, it is possible to prevent stenosis of the blood vessel and minimize the problem that nerves around the blood vessel pass between theelectrodes2500 and are not ablated by theelectrodes2500.

Meanwhile, in a state in which the plurality ofelectrodes2500 is far from thecatheter body2100 as in this embodiment, theelectrodes2500 may be configured to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in the longitudinal direction of thecatheter body2100 in various ways.

For example, as described above, a curved portion may be formed at the plurality ofsupport members2400 so that a bending portion is formed in the curved portion. In this embodiment, the curved portions of the plurality ofsupport members2400 may be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in the longitudinal direction of thecatheter body2100.

In addition, in an embodiment in which thesupport member2400 is made of a shape memory alloy, the bending portions of the plurality ofsupport members2400 may be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in the longitudinal direction of thecatheter body2100 by using the plurality of shape-memorizedsupport members2400.

Also preferably, in the present disclosure, in a state in which the bending portion of thesupport member2400 is far from thecatheter body2100, the plurality ofelectrodes2500 may be configured to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined angle based on the central axis of thecatheter body2100 in the longitudinal direction.

For example, as shown inFIG.17, in a state in which threeelectrodes2500 move away from thecatheter body2100 according to the movement of themovable member2200, assuming that angles among threeelectrodes2500 are g21, g22 and g23 based on the central axis o2 of the catheter, g21, g22 and g23 have predetermined angles, so that the threeelectrodes2500 are spaced apart from each other by the predetermined angles. For example, g21, g22 and g23 may be identically 120°.

In addition, in an embodiment including four ormore support members2400 and four ormore electrodes2500, the plurality ofelectrodes2500 may also be spaced apart from each other by predetermined angles based on the central axis o2 of the catheter.

In the embodiment in which theelectrodes2500 are spaced apart from each other by predetermined angles based on the central axis of thecatheter body2100 as described above, theelectrodes2500 may be configured to spread widely in all directions around thecatheter body2100. Therefore, even though nerves are disposed in a local portion of the blood vessel, theelectrodes2500 may cover the nerves.

FIG.18 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a distal end of a catheter for denervation according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, andFIG.19 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing that anelectrode2500 moves away from thecatheter body2100 by the movement of themovable member2200, in the configuration ofFIG.18.

Referring toFIGS.18 and19, the catheter for denervation according to the present disclosure may include a reinforcingmember2700.

The reinforcingmember2700 may have a rod or plate shape extending in the longitudinal direction of thecatheter body2100 and be provided between thecatheter body2100 and themovable member2200. In addition, a distal end of the reinforcingmember2700 may be connected and fixed to themovable member2200 to be movable according to the movement of themovable member2200.

At this time, a throughhole2130 may be formed in thecatheter body2100, and a proximal end of themovable member2200 may be inserted into the throughhole2130.

In this embodiment, as shown inFIG.19, if themovable member2200 moves in the left direction, namely toward thecatheter body2100, the reinforcingmember2700 may also move in the left direction. At this time, the proximal end of the reinforcingmember2700 is inserted into the throughhole2130 of thecatheter body2100, so that the reinforcingmember2700 may slide through the throughhole2130 according to the movement of themovable member2200.

In this embodiment, the connection between thecatheter body2100 and themovable member2200 may be supported by the reinforcingmember2700 more strongly. In other words, if themovable member2200 is separated from thecatheter body2100, in case of connecting thecatheter body2100 and themovable member2200 by using asingle operating member2300, the connection state and supporting force between thecatheter body2100 and themovable member2200 may be weak. However, if the reinforcingmember2700 is provided separately from the operatingmember2300 as in this embodiment, the supporting force to themovable member2200 separated from thecatheter body2100 is more reinforced, and the connection state between thecatheter body2100 and themovable member2200 may be firmly maintained. In addition, since the reinforcingmember2700 may guide movement of themovable member2200, the moving direction of themovable member2200 may be kept without deviating from the central axis of thecatheter body2100.

Meanwhile, even though the embodiments ofFIGS.18 and19 illustrate that only one reinforcingmember2700 is provided, two or more reinforcingmembers2700 may also be provided.

In addition, even though it is depicted in several drawings that only oneoperating member2300 is provided, two ormore operating members2300 may also be provided.

Also preferably, the catheter for denervation according to the present disclosure may include astopper2800. Thestopper2800 limits a moving distance of themovable member2200, and the catheter body may include at least one stopper.

More preferably, thestopper2800 may be fixed to the operatingmember2300, as shown inFIGS.18 and19. At this time, thestopper2800 may include afirst stopper2810 fixed to a portion of the operatingmember2300 located in thecatheter body2100 and asecond stopper2820 fixed to a portion of the operatingmember2300 located out of thecatheter body2100. Here, thefirst stopper2810 may limit the movement of themovable member2200 so that themovable member2200 does not move further in a direction away from thecatheter body2100. In addition, thesecond stopper2820 may limit the movement of themovable member2200 so that themovable member2200 does not move further in a direction closer to thecatheter body2100.

In the embodiment including thestopper2800 as described above, it is possible to facilitate an operator's manipulation and also prevent various components included in the catheter from being damaged. For example, in the embodiment ofFIG.18, thefirst stopper2810 limits themovable member2200 not to move further in the right direction, thereby preventing themovable member2200 from moving excessively away from thecatheter body2100 and thus cutting the connection between thesupport member2400 and thecatheter body2100 or the connection between thesupport member2400 and themovable member2200. In another example, thesecond stopper2820 may limit themovable member2200 not to move further in the left direction, thereby preventing themovable member2200 from moving excessively close to thecatheter body2100 and thus damaging thesupport member2400 or cutting the connection between thesupport member2400 and thecatheter body2100 or the connection between thesupport member2400 and themovable member2200. Moreover, an operator may not pay attention to an operating distance of the operatingmember2300 since the operating distance is limited by thestopper2800 while the operatingmember2300 is pushed or pulled.

FIG.20 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a distal end of a catheter for denervation according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, andFIG.21 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing that anelectrode2500 moves away from thecatheter body2100 by the movement of themovable member2200, in the configuration ofFIG.20.

Referring toFIGS.20 and21, thecatheter body2100 may have aguide hole2140 formed in the distal end thereof so that a guide wire w2 may pass through. Here, the guide wire w2 is to guide the catheter to an operation target and may reach the operation target prior to the catheter. In this embodiment, the guide wire w2 may be inserted into the catheter through theguide hole2140, and the catheter tip may reach the operation target along the guide wire w2.

Thecatheter body2100 may have one ormore guide hole2140. For example, as shown inFIGS.20 and21, thecatheter body2100 has afirst guide hole2141 formed at the terminal thereof and asecond guide hole2142 formed at a position spaced apart from theterminal2110 of the catheter body by a predetermined distance. In this case, the guide wire may be inserted into the inner space of thecatheter body2100 through thefirst guide hole2141 and then drawn out of thecatheter body2100 through thesecond guide hole2142. However, thesecond guide hole2142 may not be provided, and in this case, the guide wire inserted into the inner space of thecatheter body2100 through thefirst guide hole2141 may extend long along the inner space of thecatheter body2100 and then be drawn out of thecatheter body2100 at the proximal end of thecatheter body2100.

If thesecond guide hole2142 is provided, the second guide hole may be located at various positions depending on various situations. In particular, thesecond guide hole2142 may be formed at a point spaced apart by 10 cm to 15 cm from theterminal2110 of the catheter body in the longitudinal direction of the catheter body. Even thoughFIG.20 shows that thesecond guide hole2142 is located close to theterminal2110 of the catheter body, it is just for illustration, and the distance from the terminal of the catheter body to the second guide hole, indicated by L21, may be 10 cm to 15 cm. In this embodiment, while the catheter body is moving, it is possible to prevent the problem that the guide wire drawn from the catheter body through the second guide hole is entangled with the catheter body, thereby facilitating smooth movement of the catheter body. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such a location of the second guide hole.

Meanwhile, in this embodiment, aguide hole2210 may also be formed in themovable member2200 so that a guide wire may pass through.

In an embodiment in which theguide hole2140 is formed in thecatheter body2100 as described above, since the guide wire inserted into the guide hole guides movement of the catheter tip, the catheter may smoothly reach an operation target, and the catheter may be easily manipulated. Moreover, since the catheter does not need to include a component for adjusting a moving direction of the catheter, the catheter may have a simpler structure, which is advantageous in reducing the size of the catheter.

Also preferably, the catheter for denervation according to the present disclosure may further include anelastic member2900.

One end of theelastic member2900 may be connected to themovable member2200 to give a restoring force when themovable member2200 is moving. For example, as shown inFIG.20, theelastic member2900 may be connected between the terminal2110 of the catheter body and themovable member2200. In this case, as shown inFIG.21, if themovable member2200 moves in the left direction so that theelectrode2500 moves away from thecatheter body2100, the restoring force, namely the elastic restoring force, of theelastic member2900 is applied in the right direction. Therefore, after nerves are completely blocked by theelectrode2500, themovable member2200 should move again in the right direction and return to its original state as shown inFIG.20. Here, the movement of themovable member2200 in the right direction may be more easily performed by means of the restoring force of theelastic member2900. Therefore, after nerves are blocked by theelectrode2500, an operator may not give great efforts to move theelectrode2500 close to the central axis of thecatheter body2100.

In addition, in an embodiment in which theelastic member2900 is provided as described above, it is possible to prevent theelectrode2500 from deviating from the central axis of thecatheter body2100 while the catheter tip is moving, and thus it is also possible to prevent the blood vessel from being damaged due to protrusion of theelectrode2500 and facilitate easy movement of the catheter tip. Moreover, even though thestopper2800 is not provided, the moving distance of themovable member2200 may be limited by theelastic member2900, which may prevent various components from being damaged due to excessive movement of themovable member2200.

Also preferably, the catheter for denervation according to the present disclosure may further include a temperature measuring member (not shown).

In particular, the temperature measuring member may be provided around theelectrode2500 to measure a temperature of theelectrode2500 or around theelectrode2500. In addition, the temperature measured by the temperature measuring member as described above may be used for controlling the temperature of theelectrode2500. Here, the temperature measuring member may be connected to thelead wire2600 through a separate wire, and the separate wire may extend to the proximal end of thecatheter body2100 through the inner space of thecatheter body2100 and be drawn out of thecatheter body2100.

Meanwhile, even though various embodiments illustrate that themovable member2200 is provided out of thecatheter body2100, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

FIG.22 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a distal end of a catheter for denervation according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, andFIG.23 is a cross-sectional view showing the catheter ofFIG.22 along the longitudinal direction. However, features to which the description in relation to the embodiment ofFIGS.13 to21 can be applied will not be described in detail, but different features will be described in detail.

Referring toFIGS.22 and23, themovable member2200 may be provided in the inner space of thecatheter body2100. In addition, themovable member2200 may move in the lateral direction in the inner space of thecatheter body2100. Here, different from the embodiments ofFIGS.13 to21, the proximal end of thesupport member2400 may be connected and fixed to themovable member2200, and the distal end thereof may be fixed to theterminal2110 of the catheter body.

Since themovable member2200 is located closer to the proximal end of the catheter in comparison to thecatheter body2100, if an operator pushes the operatingmember2300, themovable member2200 moves in the right direction ofFIG.23, so that a distance between themovable member2200 and theterminal2110 of the catheter body decreases. Meanwhile, if an operator pulls the operatingmember2300, themovable member2200 moves in the left direction ofFIG.23, so that the distance between themovable member2200 and theterminal2110 of the catheter body increases.

Even in this embodiment, if the distance between themovable member2200 and theterminal2110 of the catheter body decreases, theelectrode2500 provided at the bending portion of thesupport member2400 may move away from thecatheter body2100, which will be described in more detail with reference toFIGS.24 and25.

FIG.24 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing that theelectrode2500 moves away from thecatheter body2100 by the movement of themovable member2200, in the configuration ofFIG.23, andFIG.25 is a perspective view ofFIG.24.

Referring toFIGS.24 and25, if themovable member2200 moves toward theterminal2110 of the catheter body (in the right direction ofFIG.24) so that the distance between themovable member2200 and theterminal2110 of the catheter body decreases, a distance between both ends of thesupport member2400 may decrease. Therefore, the bending portion of thesupport member2400 may move away from thecatheter body2100, and theelectrode2500 provided at the bending portion move away from thecatheter body2100.

As described above, in the embodiment ofFIGS.22 to25, thesupport member2400 and theelectrode2500 located in the inner space of thecatheter body2100 may protrude toward the outside of thecatheter body2100 according to the movement of themovable member2200. For this, thecatheter body2100 may have anopening2150 through which thesupport member2400 and theelectrode2500 may protrude outwards. In other words, if themovable member2200 moves so that the distance between themovable member2200 and theterminal2110 of the catheter body decreases, the bending portion of thesupport member2400 and theelectrode2500 may be drawn out of thecatheter body2100 through theopening2150 of thecatheter body2100. Meanwhile, if themovable member2200 moves so that the distance between themovable member2200 and theterminal2110 of the catheter body increases, the bending portion of thesupport member2400 and theelectrode2500 may be inserted into the inner space of thecatheter body2100 through theopening2150 of thecatheter body2100.

Meanwhile, the features of the embodiment ofFIGS.13 to21 may also be applied to the catheter according to the embodiment ofFIGS.22 to25. For example, in the embodiment ofFIGS.22 to25, the plurality ofelectrodes2500 may be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined length in the longitudinal direction of thecatheter body2100 in a state in which the bending portion of thesupport member2400 is far from thecatheter body2100. In addition, the plurality ofelectrodes2500 may also be configured to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined angle based on the central axis of thecatheter body2100 in the longitudinal direction, in a state in which the bending portion of thesupport member2400 is far from thecatheter body2100.

In addition, in the embodiment ofFIGS.22 to25, a guide hole may also be formed in thecatheter body2100, and the catheter may also further include a stopper or an elastic member.

In particular, if the catheter includes a stopper, one or more stopper may be fixed to thecatheter body2100. In other words, since themovable member2200 may move right or left in the inner space of thecatheter body2100 along the longitudinal direction, the stopper is provided in a left space and/or a right space of the inner space of thecatheter body2100 based on themovable member2200 to limit the movement of themovable member2200 in the lateral direction.

In addition, if the catheter includes an elastic member, the elastic member may be provided between themovable member2200 and theterminal2110 of the catheter body. In other words, the proximal end of the elastic member may be connected and fixed to themovable member2200, and the distal end of the elastic member may be fixed to theterminal2110 of the catheter body, so that the elastic member may give a restoring force in the left direction when themovable member2200 moves in the right direction.

FIG.26 is a perspective view schematically showing a distal end of a catheter for denervation according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG.26, the catheter for denervation according to the present disclosure may further include anend tip2950.

Theend tip2950 is provided at the front surfaces of the distal ends of thecatheter body2100 and themovable member2200. For example, if the movable member is located closer to the distal end in comparison to the catheter body as in the embodiment ofFIG.26, theend tip2950 may be provided at the front surface of the distal end of the movable member. However, if the terminal of the catheter body is located closer to the distal end in comparison to the movable member as in the embodiment ofFIG.22, theend tip2950 may be provided at the front surface of the distal end of the catheter body. In other words, theend tip2950 may be regarded as being located farther from the terminal of the catheter body and the movable member. In this case, theend tip2950 may be a component serving as the terminal of the catheter for denervation according to the present disclosure.

Meanwhile, theend tip2950 may be configured to be separated from the movable member or the catheter body. For example, in the configuration ofFIG.26, theend tip2950 may be separated from the movable member. In this case, if the operating member operates to move the movable member, theend tip2950 does not move, and the distance between the movable member and theend tip2950 may change. However, theend tip2950 may also be fixed to the movable member or the catheter body.

Theend tip2950 may be made of soft and flexible material. In particular, theend tip2950 may be made of a composition containing polyether block amide (PEBA). Here, the composition for theend tip2950 may contain other additives in addition to the polyether block amide. For example, theend tip2950 may be made of a composition containing 70 weight % of polyether block amide and 30 weight % of barium sulfate, based on the entire weight of the composition.

In this configuration of the present disclosure, when thedistal end2101 of the catheter body moves along a blood vessel or the like, theend tip2950 made of soft and flexible material is located at a foremost position, which may reduce damages to the blood vessel and facilitate easier change of a moving direction. Further, theend tip2950 made of the above material may be photographed by X-ray, and thus a location of the distal end of the catheter body may be easily figured out.

Preferably, theend tip2950 may have a hollow tube shape. In addition, the hollow of theend tip2950 may extend in the same direction of the longitudinal direction of the catheter body. If theend tip2950 has a tube shape as described above, a guide wire may pass through the hollow of theend tip2950. For example, the end tip may have a tube shape with a length of 6 mm and a hollow diameter of 0.7 mm.

The end tip may extend along the longitudinal direction of the catheter body. At this time, the end tip may have different sizes along the length thereof. In particular, if the end tip has a cylindrical shape, a distal end of the end tip may have the smallest diameter in comparison to other regions. For example, the distal end of the end tip may have a smallest diameter of 1.1 mm, when the thickest region of the end tip has a diameter of 1.3 mm.

Theend tip2950 may have a suitable length, which is not too long and not too short. For example, in the configuration ofFIG.26, the length of theend tip2950, indicated by L22, may be 5 mm to 15 mm. In this configuration, when the catheter moves along the inner space of a blood vessel or the inner space of a sheath, it is possible to prevent the movement from being disturbed by theend tip2950. In addition, in this configuration, a shape of the blood vessel or the like at which theend tip2950 is located may be easily figured out from a bending shape or a bending direction of theend tip2950.

In addition, the catheter for denervation according to the present disclosure may further include a passing tube (not shown). The passing tube may have a hollow tube shape, which is included in the inner space of the catheter body, and the operating member may be located in the hollow of the passing tube. In other words, the operating member may move in a state of being inserted into the inner space of the passing tube. In this case, the passing tube may be exposed not only to the inner space of the catheter body but also to the outside. For example, in the configuration ofFIG.26, the passing tube may be provided in a space between the catheter body and the movable member. In addition, the movable member may have a ring shape which is movable while surrounding the outer circumference of the passing tube. In this configuration, a moving path of the movable member may be fixed, and a coupling force between the catheter body and the movable member may be further reinforced.

Meanwhile, even though the several embodiments have been illustrated so that threesupport members2400 and threeelectrodes2500 are provided, the number ofsupport members2400 andelectrodes2500 are not limited to the above in the present disclosure, and the number ofsupport members2400 andelectrodes2500 may be variously set.

In addition, even though the several embodiments have been illustrated so that a single bending portion is formed in asingle support member2400, two or more bending portions may be formed in asingle support member2400, and accordingly two ormore electrodes2500 may be provided at asingle support member2400.

A denervation apparatus according to the present disclosure includes the catheter for denervation. In addition, the denervation apparatus may further include an energy supplying unit and an opponent electrode in addition to the catheter for denervation. Here, the energy supplying unit may be electrically connected to theelectrode2500 through thelead wire2600. In addition, the opponent electrode may be electrically connected to the energy supplying unit through alead wire2600 which is different from theabove lead wire2600. In this case, the energy supplying unit may supply energy to theelectrode2500 of the catheter in the form of high frequency or the like, and theelectrode2500 of the catheter generates heat to ablate nerves around the blood vessel, thereby block the nerves.

Next, a catheter for denervation according to a third aspect of the present disclosure will be described with reference toFIGS.27 to42.

FIG.27 is a perspective view schematically showing a distal end of a catheter according to the third aspect of the present disclosure, andFIG.28 is a cross-sectional view, taken along the line A31-A31′ ofFIG.27.FIG.28 shows asupport member3400, anelectrode3500 and alead wire3600 included in the catheter ofFIG.27 for convenience.

Here, as described above, the distal end of the catheter means an end of the catheter which reaches a portion of a human body under a surgical procedure, between both ends of the catheter extending in the longitudinal direction, and it may also be called a catheter tip. In addition, an end of the catheter opposite to the distal end may be called a proximal end. Hereinafter, regarding various components which extend in the longitudinal direction of the catheter and thus have both ends in the longitudinal direction, an end of a component, located at the distal end of the catheter, will be called a distal end of the corresponding component, and a proximal end of a component, located at the proximal end of the catheter, will be called a proximal end of the corresponding component.

Referring toFIGS.27 and28, the catheter according to the present disclosure may include acatheter body3100, amovable member3200, an operatingmember3300, asupport member3400,n electrode3500 and alead wire3600.

Thecatheter body3100 has a pipe or tube shape extending in one direction and has an inner space therein along the longitudinal direction. Here, thecatheter body3100 has both ends along the longitudinal direction, where an end of thecatheter body3100 firstly inserted into a human body during a surgical procedure using the catheter and reaching a destination, namely a target for the surgical procedure, is called a distal end, and an end of thecatheter body3100 located near an operator and manipulated by the operator is called a proximal end (not shown), as described above.

Thecatheter body3100 has a hollow tube shape and has an inner space therein along the longitudinal direction. Therefore, various components for a surgical procedure may be provided in or move through the inner space, and substances such as drugs or washing liquids may be injected through the inner space. For this, the proximal end of thecatheter body3100 may be formed so that the inner space is open to the outside.

Thecatheter body3100 may have various shapes depending on its target or purpose and may also have various inner or outer diameters. In addition, thecatheter body3100 may be made of various materials, for example soft materials such as rubber and plastic or hard material such as metal. The present disclosure is not limited to a specific shape, material or size of thecatheter body3100, and thecatheter body3100 may have various shapes, materials, sizes or the like.

Themovable member3200 is provided at thedistal end3101 of the catheter body and may be configured to be movable in the longitudinal direction of thecatheter body3100. In addition, by means of the movement of themovable member3200, a distance between the terminal3110 of the catheter body and themovable member3200 may increase or decrease.

In particular, as shown inFIGS.27 and28, themovable member3200 may be provided out of thecatheter body3100. In other words, themovable member3200 may be separated from thecatheter body3100 and located at an outer side in comparison to theterminal3110 of the catheter body (in the right side inFIG.28). In this case, if themovable member3200 moves in the left direction, the distance between themovable member3200 and thecatheter body3100 may decrease, and if themovable member3200 moves in the right direction, the distance between themovable member3200 and thecatheter body3100 may increase.

Preferably, thedistal end3101 of the catheter body and/or themovable member3200 may be made of soft and flexible material. Since thedistal end3101 of the catheter body and themovable member3200 are located at a front end of the catheter, when the catheter moves along a blood vessel or the like, thedistal end3101 of the catheter body and themovable member3200 are likely to contact an inner wall of the blood vessel or the like. However, if thedistal end3101 of the catheter body and themovable member3200 are made of such a soft and flexible material, it is possible to minimize or prevent a damage of the blood vessel or the like, caused by thedistal end3101 of the catheter body and themovable member3200, and it is also easy to change a moving direction of thedistal end3101 of the catheter body and themovable member3200.

In addition, in a similar way, thedistal end3101 of the catheter body and/or themovable member3200 may have a rounded edge. In particular, as shown in the figure, themovable member3200 may have an outer surface (the right surface inFIG.28) which circularly protrudes toward the front end of the catheter. In addition, the inner surface (the left surface inFIG.28) of themovable member3200 may also have a rounded edge.

The operatingmember3300 may be formed to extend long along the longitudinal direction of thecatheter body3100, and may move themovable member3200 in the longitudinal direction. For this, one end of the operatingmember3300, namely a distal end thereof, is connected and fixed to themovable member3200, and the operatingmember3300 may be located according to the inner space of thecatheter body3100. In addition, the other end of the operatingmember3300, namely a proximal end thereof, may be exposed out of thecatheter body3100 through the open portion of the proximal end of thecatheter body3100. In this case, an operator may pull or push theoperating member3300 manually or automatically using a separate tool. In this case, the operatingmember3300 may move in the lateral direction as indicated by the arrow b32 ofFIG.28, and by doing so, themovable member3200 connected to one end of the operatingmember3300 may move the lateral direction as indicated by the arrow b31.

Meanwhile, in the embodiment ofFIG.28, since the operatingmember3300 is connected to themovable member3200 out of thecatheter body3100, anoperation hole3120 may be formed in thecatheter body3100 so that the operatingmember3300 may move through theoperation hole3120.

Thesupport member3400 may have a rod or plate shape extending in one direction and may be connected between thecatheter body3100 and themovable member3200. In other words, one end of thesupport member3400 may be connected to theterminal3110 of the catheter body, namely to a farthest end of thedistal end3101 of the catheter body, and the other end thereof may be connected to themovable member3200. For example, in the configuration ofFIG.28, the proximal end (left end) of thesupport member3400 may be fixed to the outer surface of theterminal3110 of the catheter body, and the distal end (right end) of thesupport member3400 may be fixed to the left surface of themovable member3200.

Meanwhile, as described above, themovable member3200 may be configured to move close to or away from theterminal3110 of the catheter body in the longitudinal direction of thecatheter body3100 by means of the operatingmember3300.

In particular, in the present disclosure, if themovable member3200 moves to decrease the distance between the terminal3110 of the catheter body and themovable member3200, thesupport member3400 may be bent at least partially, and this bending portion may be configured to move away from thecatheter body3100. This will be described in more detail with reference toFIGS.29 to31.

FIG.29 a cross-sectional view schematically showing that the bending portion of thesupport member3400 moves away from thecatheter body3100 by the movement of themovable member3200, in the configuration ofFIG.28. In addition,FIG.30 is a perspective view ofFIG.29, andFIG.31 is a front view ofFIG.30.

Referring toFIGS.29 to31, if themovable member3200 moves toward thecatheter body3100 as indicated by the arrow g3, the distance between themovable member3200 and thecatheter body3100 may decrease. If so, distances between both ends of the plurality ofsupport members3400 provided between themovable member3200 and thecatheter body3100 may decrease so that the plurality ofsupport members3400 may be bent at least partially. In addition, if themovable member3200 moves toward thecatheter body3100 further, the bending portion of thesupport member3400 may be gradually away from thecatheter body3100. Here, as indicated by the arrow p3 inFIG.29, the bending portion may be regarded as meaning an apex of the bending portion, namely a point of the bending portion of thesupport member3400 at which the degree of bending is greatest, or a point of the bending portion of thesupport member3400 which is located farthest from the central axis of thecatheter body3100. In addition, here, the bending portion moving away from thecatheter body3100 means that the bending direction of the bending portion p3 is formed toward the outside of the catheter body, so that the bending portion p3 moves away from the central axis of thecatheter body3100.

Since thesupport member3400 should form a bending portion according to the movement of themovable member3200, thesupport member3400 may be made of material which may be bent when a distance between both ends thereof decreases. For example, thesupport member3400 may be made of metal or polymer. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such specific materials of thesupport member3400, and thesupport member3400 may be made of various materials which may form a partial bending portion.

Meanwhile, theelectrode3500 is provided at the bending portion p3 of the plurality ofsupport members3400. For example, as shown in the embodiment ofFIGS.27 to30, theelectrode3500 may be provided at each bending portion p3 of the plurality ofsupport members3400.

Theelectrode3500 may be connected to an energy supplying unit (not shown) through thelead wire3600 to generate heat. In addition, the heat generated by theelectrode3500 may ablate surrounding tissues. For example, theelectrode3500 may ablate nerves around a blood vessel by generating heat of about 40° C. or above, preferably 40 to 80° C., and thus the nerves may be blocked. However, the temperature of the heat generated by theelectrode3500 may be set in various ways according to the use or purpose of the catheter.

Theelectrode3500 may apply heat to nerve tissues around a blood vessel in contact with a wall of the blood vessel, and thus theelectrode3500 is preferably closely adhered to the wall of the blood vessel. Therefore, theelectrode3500 may have a curved shape, for example a circular, semicircular or oval shape, to conform to the shape of the inner wall of the blood vessel. In this embodiment, theelectrode3500 may be more clearly adhered to the wall of the blood vessel, and thus the heat generated by theelectrode3500 may be efficiently transferred to nerve tissues around the blood vessel.

Meanwhile, theelectrode3500 may be provided at a point of the bending portion of thesupport member3400 which is farthest from the central axis of thecatheter body3100. In other words, if the distance between themovable member3200 and theterminal3110 of the catheter body decreases to form a bending portion in thesupport member3400, theelectrode3500 may be provided at an apex of the bending portion which is located farthest from the central axis of thecatheter body3100. In this embodiment, by protruding theelectrode3500 from thecatheter body3100 to the maximum, a contact force of theelectrode3500 to the wall of the blood vessel may be further improved.

Theelectrode3500 may be made of material such as platinum or stainless steel, but the present disclosure is not limited to such specific materials of theelectrode3500. Theelectrode3500 may be made of various materials in consideration of various factors such as a heat generation method and an operation target.

Preferably, theelectrode3500 may generate heat by means of radio frequency (RF). For example, theelectrode3500 may be connected to a high frequency generating unit through thelead wire3600 and emits high frequency energy to ablate nerves.

Meanwhile, theelectrode3500 provided at the catheter may be a negative electrode, and a positive electrode corresponding to the negative electrode may be connected to an energy supplying unit such as a high frequency generating unit, similar to the negative electrode, and attached to a specific portion of a human body in the form or patch or the like.

Since theelectrode3500 is provided at the bending portion of thesupport member3400, when the distance between thecatheter body3100 and themovable member3200 decreases due to the movement of themovable member3200, theelectrode3500 may move away from the central axis of thecatheter body3100. Meanwhile, if themovable member3200 moves to increase the distance between thecatheter body3100 and themovable member3200, theelectrode3500 provided at the bending portion may move close to the central axis of thecatheter body3100.

For example, as shown inFIG.29, if themovable member3200 moves along the arrow g3, the bending portion p3 gradually moves away from the central axis of thecatheter body3100, and theelectrode3500 provided at the bending portion also moves in a direction away from the central axis of thecatheter body3100, as indicated by the arrows h31, h32 and h33. On the contrary, if themovable member3200 moves in a direction opposite to the arrow g3 ofFIG.29, theelectrode3500 provided at the bending portion of thesupport member3400 may be configured to move close to thecatheter body3100 again.

In other words, according to the movement of themovable member3200, theelectrode3500 may move toward the outside of thecatheter body3100 or into thecatheter body3100, based on the central axis of thecatheter body3100 in the longitudinal direction.

For this, thesupport member3400 having theelectrode3500 at the bending portion thereof to support theelectrode3500 may have suitable material or shape so that the bending direction of the bending portion may move farther from the central axis of thecatheter body3100 when the distance between themovable member3200 and thecatheter body3100 decreases, namely the distance between both ends thereof decreases.

For example, thesupport member3400 may be configured so that an outer surface length of a section in the width direction is longer than an inner surface length thereof. This configuration will be described in more detail with reference toFIG.32.

FIG.32 is a cross-sectional view, taken along the line A32-A32′ ofFIG.27. However,FIG.32 does not depict the operatingmember3300, theelectrode3500 and thelead wire3600 but shows asingle support member3400 as an enlarged view for convenience.

Referring toFIG.32, in view of the section cut in the width direction, thesupport member3400 may be configured so that an outer surface has a greater length than an inner surface. Here, the length of the outer surface means a length of a surface located farther from the central axis of thecatheter body3100 as indicated by L31 inFIG.32, and the length of the inner surface means a length of a surface located closer to the central axis of thecatheter body3100 as indicated by L32 inFIG.32.

If the outer surface length L31 of thesupport member3400 is longer than the inner surface length L32 as described above, when a force in the longitudinal direction is applied to thesupport member3400, thesupport member3400 may be bent from the inner surface toward the outer surface. In other words, in this embodiment, when themovable member3200 moves so that the distance between both ends of thesupport member3400 decreases, eachsupport member3400 may have a bending direction moving away from the central axis of thecatheter body3100, as indicated by thearrows131,132 and133 inFIG.32. Therefore, if the distance between thecatheter body3100 and themovable member3200 decreases, theelectrode3500 provided at the bending portion of thesupport member3400 may move away from thecatheter body3100, as shown inFIGS.29 and30.

As another example, thesupport member3400 may have a curved portion formed at least partially in a direction away from the central axis of thecatheter body3100. In other words, even in a state in which the distance between themovable member3200 and thecatheter body3100 is greatest, thesupport member3400 may not be perfectly flat but have a portion bent outwards. In this case, if themovable member3200 moves to decrease the distance between both ends of thesupport member3400, the degree of bending of the curved portion increases, which may form a bending portion, and the bending portion may have a bending direction toward the outside of thecatheter body3100. In addition, if themovable member3200 moves further, the bending portion may gradually move away from thecatheter body3100.

In addition, thesupport member3400 may be pre-shaped so that the bending portion does not move toward the central axis of thecatheter body3100 but moves away from the central axis of thecatheter body3100, when the distance between themovable member3200 and thecatheter body3100 decreases. For example, thesupport member3400 may be pre-shaped to have the shape as shown inFIGS.29 and30 when the distance between both ends of thesupport member3400 decreases.

In this case, thesupport member3400 may also be made of a shape memory alloy such as nitinol. In this embodiment, thesupport member3400 may be configured so that when the distance between themovable member3200 and thecatheter body3100 decreases, the bending portion moves away from thecatheter body3100 according to the memorized shape.

In addition, the bending portion of thesupport member3400 may be provided by forming a notch at a predetermined portion of thesupport member3400. In this case, if the distance between both ends of thesupport member3400 decreases, a bending portion may be formed at a portion of thesupport member3400 where the notch is formed. In this embodiment, by adjusting a direction of the notch, the bending portion may move away from thecatheter body3100 when the distance between both ends of thesupport member3400 decreases.

As described above, in the catheter for denervation according to the present disclosure, theelectrode3500 is provided at the bending portion of thesupport member3400 to move close to or away from thecatheter body3100. Therefore, if the catheter according to the present disclosure is used to perform denervation, in a state in which the bending portion of thesupport member3400 having theelectrode3500 is close to thecatheter body3100, the distal end of the catheter, namely the catheter tip, may be moved to a target for operation through the blood vessel. In addition, if the catheter tip reaches the operation target, by moving the bending portion of thesupport member3400 having theelectrode3500 away from thecatheter body3100, theelectrode3500 may contact or approach the inner wall of the blood vessel. In addition, in this state, by emitting energy for generating heat, for example high frequency energy, through theelectrode3500, nerves around the blood vessel may be blocked. After that, if the denervation is completed with the energy emitted through theelectrode3500, the bending portion of thesupport member3400 having theelectrode3500 moves again close to thecatheter body3100, and then the catheter may be extracted from the blood vessel or moved to another location.

Meanwhile, in a state in which theelectrode3500 moves away from the central axis of thecatheter body3100, the distance between theelectrode3500 and the central axis of thecatheter body3100 may be selected in various ways according to a size of an operation target, for example an inner diameter of the blood vessel. For example, in a state in which theelectrode3500 moves farthest away from the central axis of thecatheter body3100, a distance between eachelectrode3500 and the central axis of thecatheter body3100 may be 2 mm to 4 mm.

Thelead wire3600 is respectively electrically connected to the plurality ofelectrodes3500 to give a power supply path to the plurality ofelectrodes3500. In other words, thelead wire3600 is connected between theelectrode3500 and the energy supplying unit so that the energy supplied from the energy supplying unit is transferred to theelectrode3500. For example, one end of thelead wire3600 is connected to the high frequency generating unit and the other end thereof is connected to theelectrode3500 so that the energy generated by the high frequency generating unit is transferred to theelectrode3500, thereby allowing theelectrode3500 to generate heat by high frequency.

Thelead wire3600 may be attached to an upper or lower portion of thesupport member3400 or provided in thesupport member3400, between the terminal3110 of the catheter body and theelectrode3500. In addition, thelead wire3600 may not be fixed to thesupport member3400 but connected to theelectrode3500 to be separated from thesupport member3400.

Moreover, thelead wire3600 may not be provided separate from thesupport member3400 but implemented to be integrated with thesupport member3400. For example, at least a part of thesupport member3400 may be made of electrically conductive material, so that thesupport member3400 may serve as thelead wire3600 in a region between the terminal3110 of the catheter body and theelectrode3500.

In particular, in the catheter according to the present disclosure, at least one of thecatheter body3100 and themovable member3200 connected to both ends of thesupport member3400 may be configured so that connection points connected to thesupport member3400 are spaced apart by a predetermined distance in the longitudinal direction of thecatheter body3100.

In more detail, referring toFIG.28, proximal ends (left ends) of the plurality ofsupport members3400 are connected and fixed to an outer surface (right surface) of theterminal3110 of the catheter body, and the connection points are respectively designated by c31, c32 and c33. At this time, the connection points c31, c32 and c33 of thesupport members3400 with respect to thecatheter body3100 may be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance, as indicated by f31 and f32. In other words, thecatheter body3100 may be configured so that connection points of proximal ends of at least twosupport members3400 are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in the longitudinal direction of the catheter body3100 (in the lateral direction ofFIG.28).

In addition, referring toFIG.28, distal ends (right ends) of the plurality ofsupport members3400 are connected and fixed to an inner surface (left surface) of themovable member3200, and the connection points are respectively designated by e31, e32 and e33. At this time, the connection points e31, e32 and e33 of thesupport members3400 with respect to themovable member3200 may be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance, as indicated by f33 and f34. In other words, themovable member3200 may be configured so that connection points of distal ends of at least twosupport members3400 are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in the longitudinal direction of thecatheter body3100.

In order to space the connection points of thesupport members3400 from each other, as shown inFIG.28, at least one of thecatheter body3100 and themovable member3200 may have a step formed at a surface thereof to which thesupport members3400 are connected. For example, if threesupport members3400 are connected to the outer surface of theterminal3110 of the catheter body, the outer surface of theterminal3110 of the catheter body may have three stages formed by steps.

As described above, in the catheter of the present disclosure, since the connection points of thesupport members3400 are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in the longitudinal direction of thecatheter body3100, if the distance between themovable member3200 and thecatheter body3100 decreases so that theelectrodes3500 move away from thecatheter body3100, theelectrodes3500 may be spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of thecatheter body3100.

In other words, if the distance between thecatheter body3100 and themovable member3200 decreases so that the distance between both ends of thesupport member3400 decreases, thesupport member3400 may be bent. At this time, as shown inFIG.29, the bending portion is likely to be formed at a central portion of thesupport member3400 in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, if a step is formed with respect to themovable member3200 and thecatheter body3100 as in this embodiment, the central portions of thesupport members3400 may be spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of thecatheter body3100. In addition, if theelectrodes3500 are provided at the center portions of thesupport members3400, theelectrodes3500 may be spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of thecatheter body3100. In particular, if the distance between thecatheter body3100 and themovable member3200 decreases so that theelectrode3500 moves away from thecatheter body3100, the plurality ofelectrodes3500 may be spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of thecatheter body3100, as indicated by d31 and d32 inFIG.29.

As described above, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the distance between thecatheter body3100 and themovable member3200 decreases so that theelectrode3500 moves away from thecatheter body3100, theelectrodes3500 may be spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of thecatheter body3100, thereby preventing stenosis. In other words, if the plurality ofelectrodes3500 respectively emits heat, heated portions of the blood vessel may swell toward the inside of the blood vessel. At this time, if the distance between theelectrodes3500 is short in the longitudinal direction of the blood vessel, stenosis may occur. However, in the present disclosure, since the plurality ofelectrodes3500 are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in the longitudinal direction of thecatheter body3100, the heated portions of the blood vessel are spaced apart by a predetermined distance in the longitudinal direction of the blood vessel. Therefore, even though heat is applied to ablate nerves around a blood vessel by using the catheter of the present disclosure, it is possible to prevent stenosis from occurring at the corresponding portion.

Preferably, in an embodiment in which connection points of thecatheter body3100 and themovable member3200 with respect to thesupport members3400 are spaced apart from each other, surfaces of thecatheter body3100 and themovable member3200 which face each other may be matched with each other. Here, matching the facing surfaces of thecatheter body3100 and themovable member3200 means that when thecatheter body3100 and themovable member3200 are moved to approach each other, their surfaces facing each other are substantially in agreement.

For example, as shown inFIG.28, if steps are formed at the outer surface of thecatheter body3100 and the inner surface of themovable member3200, the step formed at thecatheter body3100 may be matched with the step formed at themovable member3200. In this case, differences in distances f31 and f32 between the connection points of thecatheter body3100 may be substantially identical to differences in distances f33 and f34 between the connection points of themovable member3200.

In this embodiment, the plurality ofsupport members3400 may be configured to have the same length, and theelectrode3500 may be provided at a center portion of eachsupport member3400 in the longitudinal direction. In this case, as shown inFIG.29, if the distance between thecatheter body3100 and themovable member3200 decreases so that theelectrode3500 moves away from thecatheter body3100, the distance d31 between theelectrodes3500 may be substantially identical to f31 (=f33), and the d32 distance between theelectrodes3500 may be substantially identical to f32 (=f34).

Therefore, if the facing surfaces of thecatheter body3100 and themovable member3200 are configured to be matched with each other, the distance between them may be controlled by adjusting a difference in distances between the connection points when theelectrodes3500 are far from thecatheter body3100. Therefore, in this configuration, the distance between theelectrodes3500 may be easily adjusted.

Here, when the distance between themovable member3200 and thecatheter body3100 decreases, namely when theelectrode3500 moves away from thecatheter body3100, the distance d31 and d32 between theelectrodes3500 may be variously selected depending on a size of the catheter or an operation target. For example, the catheter may be configured so that in a state in which the plurality ofelectrodes3500 is far from thecatheter body3100, the distance between theelectrodes3500 in the longitudinal direction of thecatheter body3100 is 0.3 to 0.8 cm. In this embodiment, it is possible to prevent stenosis of the blood vessel and minimize the problem that nerves around the blood vessel pass between theelectrodes3500 and are not ablated by theelectrodes3500.

Thesupport member3400 may have a predetermined curved portion or notch formed at a location where a bending portion is to be formed, for facilitating easier formation of the bending portion. For example, thesupport member3400 may include theelectrode3500 at the center portion in the longitudinal direction, and a predetermined curved portion may be formed at the center portion so that the bending portion is to be formed at the center portion.

Meanwhile, in the embodiment ofFIGS.27 to30, steps are formed at the surfaces of thecatheter body3100 and themovable member3200, so that the connection points with respect to the plurality ofsupport members3400 are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in the longitudinal direction of thecatheter body3100. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and in order to space the connection points with respect to the plurality ofsupport members3400 apart from each other, thecatheter body3100 and themovable member3200 may be configured in various shapes.

FIG.33 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a distal end of a catheter for denervation according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG.33, thecatheter body3100 and themovable member3200 may have an inclination at their surfaces connected to thesupport member3400. In other words, the outer surface of theterminal3110 of the catheter body connected to the proximal end of thesupport member3400 and the inner surface of themovable member3200 connected to the distal end of thesupport member3400 may be formed to be inclined downwards.

In particular, as shown in the figures, the surface of thecatheter body3100 having an inclination and the surface of themovable member3200 having an inclination may have the same inclination pattern so that they may be matched with each other. In this case, the plurality ofsupport members3400 may have the same length, and theelectrodes3500 may be respectively located at the center portion of thesupport members3400.

In this embodiment, if the distance between thecatheter body3100 and themovable member3200 decreases, a bending portion may be formed at the center portion of thesupport member3400. At this time, since ends of thesupport members3400 are spaced apart from each other, the bending portions of thesupport members3400 may also be spaced apart from each other. Therefore, if the distance between thecatheter body3100 and themovable member3200 decreases so that thesupport member3400 is bent, the plurality ofelectrodes3500 may move away from thecatheter body3100 in a state of being spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in the longitudinal direction of thecatheter body3100.

Meanwhile, in the embodiment ofFIGS.28 and33, it has been illustrated that connection points of both thecatheter body3100 and themovable member3200 with respect to at least twosupport members3400 are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in the longitudinal direction of thecatheter body3100, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, it is also possible that a surface of either thecatheter body3100 or themovable member3200, which is connected to thesupport member3400, may have a step or an inclination.

Preferably, in the present disclosure, the plurality ofelectrodes3500 may be configured to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined angle based on the central axis of thecatheter body3100 in the longitudinal direction, in a state in which the bending portion of thesupport member3400 is far from thecatheter body3100.

For example, as shown inFIG.31, in a state in which threeelectrodes3500 move away from thecatheter body3100 by the movement of themovable members3200, assuming that angles among threeelectrodes3500 are J31, J32 and J33 based on the central axis o3 of the catheter, J31, J32 and J33 have predetermined angles, so that the threeelectrodes3500 are spaced apart from each other by the predetermined angles. For example, J31, J32 and J33 may be identically 120°

In addition, in an embodiment including four ormore support members3400 and four ormore electrodes3500, the plurality ofelectrodes3500 may also be spaced apart from each other by predetermined angles based on the central axis o3 of the catheter.

In the embodiment in which theelectrodes3500 are spaced apart from each other by predetermined angles based on the central axis o3 of thecatheter body3100 as described above, theelectrodes3500 may be configured to spread widely in all directions around thecatheter body3100. Therefore, even though nerves are disposed in a local portion of the blood vessel, theelectrodes3500 may cover the nerves.

FIG.34 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a distal end of a catheter for denervation according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, andFIG.35 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing that anelectrode3500 moves away from thecatheter body3100 by the movement of themovable member3200, in the configuration ofFIG.34.

Referring toFIGS.34 and35, the catheter for denervation according to the present disclosure may include a reinforcingmember3700.

The reinforcingmember3700 may have a rod or plate shape extending in the longitudinal direction of thecatheter body3100 and be provided between thecatheter body3100 and themovable member3200. In addition, a distal end of the reinforcingmember3700 may be connected and fixed to themovable member3200 to be movable according to the movement of themovable member3200.

At this time, a throughhole3130 may be formed in thecatheter body3100, and a proximal end of themovable member3200 may be inserted into the throughhole3130.

In this embodiment, as shown inFIG.35, if themovable member3200 moves in the left direction, namely toward thecatheter body3100, the reinforcingmember3700 may also move in the left direction. At this time, the proximal end of the reinforcingmember3700 is inserted into the throughhole3130 of thecatheter body3100, so that the reinforcingmember3700 may slide through the throughhole3130 according to the movement of themovable member3200.

In this embodiment, the connection between thecatheter body3100 and themovable member3200 may be supported by the reinforcingmember3700 more strongly. In other words, if themovable member3200 is separated from thecatheter body3100, in case of connecting thecatheter body3100 and themovable member3200 by using asingle operating member3300, the connection state and supporting force between thecatheter body3100 and themovable member3200 may be weak. However, if the reinforcingmember3700 is provided separately from the operatingmember3300 as in this embodiment, the supporting force to themovable member3200 separated from thecatheter body3100 is more reinforced, and the connection state between thecatheter body3100 and themovable member3200 may be firmly maintained. In addition, since the reinforcingmember3700 may guide movement of themovable member3200, the moving direction of themovable member3200 may be kept without deviating from the central axis of thecatheter body3100.

Meanwhile, even though the embodiments ofFIGS.34 and35 illustrate that only one reinforcingmember3700 is provided, two or more reinforcingmembers3700 may also be provided.

In addition, even though it is depicted in several drawings that only oneoperating member3300 is provided, two ormore operating members3300 may also be provided.

Also preferably, the catheter for denervation according to the present disclosure may include astopper3800. Thestopper3800 limits a moving distance of themovable member3200, and the catheter body may include at least one stopper.

More preferably, thestopper3800 may be fixed to the operatingmember3300, as shown inFIGS.34 and35. At this time, thestopper3800 may include afirst stopper3810 fixed to a portion of the operatingmember3300 located in thecatheter body3100 and asecond stopper3820 fixed to a portion of the operatingmember3300 located out of thecatheter body3100. Here, thefirst stopper3810 may limit the movement of themovable member3200 so that themovable member3200 does not move further in a direction away from thecatheter body3100. In addition, thesecond stopper3820 may limit the movement of themovable member3200 so that themovable member3200 does not move further in a direction closer to thecatheter body3100.

In the embodiment including thestopper3800 as described above, it is possible to facilitate an operator's manipulation and also prevent various components included in the catheter from being damaged. For example, in the embodiment ofFIG.34, thefirst stopper3810 limits themovable member3200 not to move further in the right direction, thereby preventing themovable member3200 from moving excessively away from thecatheter body3100 and thus cutting the connection between thesupport member3400 and thecatheter body3100 or the connection between thesupport member3400 and themovable member3200. In another example, thesecond stopper3820 may limit themovable member3200 not to move further in the left direction, thereby preventing themovable member3200 from moving excessively close to thecatheter body3100 and thus damaging thesupport member3400 or cutting the connection between thesupport member3400 and thecatheter body3100 or the connection between thesupport member3400 and themovable member3200. Moreover, an operator may not pay attention to an operating distance of the operatingmember3300 since the operating distance is limited by thestopper3800 while the operatingmember3300 is pushed or pulled.

FIG.36 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a distal end of a catheter for denervation according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, andFIG.37 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing that anelectrode3500 moves away from thecatheter body3100 by the movement of themovable member3200, in the configuration ofFIG.36.

Referring toFIGS.36 and37, thecatheter body3100 may have aguide hole3140 formed in the distal end thereof so that a guide wire W3 may pass through. Here, the guide wire W3 is to guide the catheter to an operation target and may reach the operation target prior to the catheter. In this embodiment, the guide wire W3 may be inserted into the catheter through theguide hole3140, and the catheter tip may reach the operation target along the guide wire W3.

Thecatheter body3100 may have one ormore guide hole3140. For example, as shown inFIGS.36 and37, thecatheter body3100 has afirst guide hole3141 formed at the terminal thereof and asecond guide hole3142 formed at a position spaced apart from theterminal3110 of the catheter body by a predetermined distance. In this case, the guide wire may be inserted into the inner space of thecatheter body3100 through thefirst guide hole3141 and then drawn out of thecatheter body3100 through thesecond guide hole3142. However, thesecond guide hole3142 may not be provided, and in this case, the guide wire inserted into the inner space of thecatheter body3100 through thefirst guide hole3141 may extend long along the inner space of thecatheter body3100 and then be drawn out of thecatheter body3100 at the proximal end of thecatheter body3100.

If thesecond guide hole3142 is provided, the second guide hole may be located at various positions depending on various situations. In particular, thesecond guide hole3142 may be formed at a point spaced apart by 10 cm to 15 cm from theterminal3110 of the catheter body in the longitudinal direction of the catheter body. Even thoughFIG.36 shows that thesecond guide hole3142 is located close to theterminal3110 of the catheter body, it is just for illustration, and the distance from the terminal of the catheter body to the second guide hole, indicated by L33, may be 10 cm to 15 cm. In this embodiment, while the catheter body is moving, it is possible to prevent the problem that the guide wire drawn from the catheter body through the second guide hole is entangled with the catheter body, thereby facilitating smooth movement of the catheter body. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such a location of the second guide hole.

Meanwhile, in this embodiment, aguide hole3210 may also be formed in themovable member3200 so that a guide wire may pass through.

In an embodiment in which theguide hole3140 is formed in thecatheter body3100 as described above, since the guide wire inserted into the guide hole guides movement of the catheter tip, the catheter may smoothly reach an operation target, and the catheter may be easily manipulated. Moreover, since the catheter does not need to include a component for adjusting a moving direction of the catheter, the catheter may have a simpler structure, which is advantageous in reducing the size of the catheter.

Also preferably, the catheter for denervation according to the present disclosure may further include anelastic member3900.

One end of theelastic member3900 may be connected to themovable member3200 to give a restoring force when themovable member3200 is moving. For example, as shown inFIG.36, theelastic member3900 may be connected between the terminal3110 of the catheter body and themovable member3200. In this case, as shown inFIG.37, if themovable member3200 moves in the left direction so that theelectrode3500 moves away from thecatheter body3100, the restoring force, namely the elastic restoring force, of theelastic member3900 is applied in the right direction. Therefore, after nerves are completely blocked by theelectrode3500, themovable member3200 should move again in the right direction and return to its original state as shown inFIG.36. Here, the movement of themovable member3200 in the right direction may be more easily performed by means of the restoring force of theelastic member3900. Therefore, after nerves are blocked by theelectrode3500, an operator may not give great efforts to move theelectrode3500 close to the central axis of thecatheter body3100.

In addition, in an embodiment in which theelastic member3900 is provided as described above, it is possible to prevent theelectrode3500 from deviating from the central axis of thecatheter body3100 while the catheter tip is moving, and thus it is also possible to prevent the blood vessel from being damaged due to protrusion of theelectrode3500 and facilitate easy movement of the catheter tip. Moreover, even though thestopper3800 is not provided, the moving distance of themovable member3200 may be limited by theelastic member3900, which may prevent various components from being damaged due to excessive movement of themovable member3200.

Also preferably, the catheter for denervation according to the present disclosure may further include a temperature measuring member (not shown).

In particular, the temperature measuring member may be provided around theelectrode3500 to measure a temperature of theelectrode3500 or around theelectrode3500. In addition, the temperature measured by the temperature measuring member as described above may be used for controlling the temperature of theelectrode3500. Here, the temperature measuring member may be connected to thelead wire3600 through a separate wire, and the separate wire may extend to the proximal end of thecatheter body3100 through the inner space of thecatheter body3100 and be drawn out of thecatheter body3100.

Meanwhile, even though various embodiments illustrate that themovable member3200 is provided out of thecatheter body3100, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

FIG.38 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a distal end of a catheter for denervation according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, andFIG.39 is a cross-sectional view showing the catheter ofFIG.38 along the longitudinal direction. However, features to which the description in relation to the embodiment ofFIGS.27 to37 can be applied will not be described in detail, but different features will be described in detail.

Referring toFIGS.38 and39, themovable member3200 may be provided in the inner space of thecatheter body3100. In addition, themovable member3200 may move in the lateral direction in the inner space of thecatheter body3100. Here, different from the embodiments ofFIGS.27 to37, the proximal end of thesupport member3400 may be connected and fixed to themovable member3200, and the distal end thereof may be fixed to theterminal3110 of the catheter body.

In addition, in this embodiment, a configuration for making a difference in distances between the connection points of thesupport members3400, for example a step or an inclination, may be formed at the outer surface (the right surface inFIG.39) of themovable member3200 and/or the inner surface (the left surface inFIG.39) of theterminal3110 of the catheter body.

Since themovable member3200 is located closer to the proximal end of the catheter in comparison to thecatheter body3100, if an operator pushes the operatingmember3300, themovable member3200 moves in the right direction ofFIG.39, so that a distance between themovable member3200 and theterminal3110 of the catheter body decreases. Meanwhile, if an operator pulls the operatingmember3300, themovable member3200 moves in the left direction ofFIG.39, so that the distance between themovable member3200 and theterminal3110 of the catheter body increases.

Even in this embodiment, if the distance between themovable member3200 and theterminal3110 of the catheter body decreases, theelectrode3500 provided at the bending portion of thesupport member3400 may move away from thecatheter body3100, which will be described in more detail with reference toFIGS.40 and41.

FIG.40 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing that theelectrode3500 moves away from thecatheter body3100 by the movement of themovable member3200, in the configuration ofFIG.39, andFIG.41 is a perspective view ofFIG.40.

Referring toFIGS.40 and41, if themovable member3200 moves toward theterminal3110 of the catheter body (in the right direction ofFIG.40) so that the distance between themovable member3200 and theterminal3110 of the catheter body decreases, a distance between both ends of thesupport member3400 may decrease. Therefore, the bending portion of thesupport member3400 may move away from thecatheter body3100, and theelectrode3500 provided at the bending portion move away from thecatheter body3100.

As described above, in the embodiment ofFIGS.38 to41, thesupport member3400 and theelectrode3500 located in the inner space of thecatheter body3100 may protrude toward the outside of thecatheter body3100 according to the movement of themovable member3200. For this, thecatheter body3100 may have anopening3150 through which thesupport member3400 and theelectrode3500 may protrude outwards. In other words, if themovable member3200 moves so that the distance between themovable member3200 and theterminal3110 of the catheter body decreases, the bending portion of thesupport member3400 and theelectrode3500 may be drawn out of thecatheter body3100 through theopening3150 of thecatheter body3100. Meanwhile, if themovable member3200 moves so that the distance between themovable member3200 and theterminal3110 of the catheter body increases, the bending portion of thesupport member3400 and theelectrode3500 may be inserted into the inner space of thecatheter body3100 through theopening3150 of thecatheter body3100.

Meanwhile, the features of the embodiment ofFIGS.27 to37 may also be applied to the catheter according to the embodiment ofFIGS.38 to41. For example, in the embodiment ofFIGS.38 to41, the plurality ofelectrodes3500 may be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined angle based on the central axis of thecatheter body3100 in the longitudinal direction, in a state in which the bending portion of thesupport member3400 is far from thecatheter body3100.

In addition, in the embodiment ofFIGS.38 to41, a guide hole may also be formed in thecatheter body3100, and the catheter may also further include a stopper or an elastic member.

In particular, if the catheter includes a stopper, one or more stopper may be fixed to thecatheter body3100. In other words, since themovable member3200 may move right or left in the inner space of thecatheter body3100 along the longitudinal direction, the stopper is provided in a left space and/or a right space of the inner space of thecatheter body3100 based on themovable member3200 to limit the movement of themovable member3200 in the lateral direction.

In addition, if the catheter includes an elastic member, the elastic member may be provided between themovable member3200 and theterminal3110 of the catheter body. In other words, the proximal end of the elastic member may be connected and fixed to themovable member3200, and the distal end of the elastic member may be fixed to theterminal3110 of the catheter body, so that the elastic member may give a restoring force in the left direction when themovable member3200 moves in the right direction.

FIG.42 is a perspective view schematically showing a distal end of a catheter for denervation according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG.42, the catheter for denervation according to the present disclosure may further include anend tip3950.

Theend tip3950 is provided at the front surfaces of the distal ends of thecatheter body3100 and themovable member3200. For example, if the movable member is located closer to the distal end in comparison to the catheter body as in the embodiment ofFIG.42, theend tip3950 may be provided at the front surface of the distal end of the movable member. However, if the terminal of the catheter body is located closer to the distal end in comparison to the movable member as in the embodiment ofFIG.38, theend tip3950 may be provided at the front surface of the distal end of the catheter body. In other words, theend tip3950 may be regarded as being located farther from the terminal of the catheter body and the movable member. In this case, theend tip3950 may be a component serving as the terminal of the catheter for denervation according to the present disclosure.

Meanwhile, theend tip3950 may be configured to be separated from the movable member or the catheter body. For example, in the configuration ofFIG.42, theend tip3950 may be separated from the movable member. In this case, if the operating member operates to move the movable member, theend tip3950 does not move, and the distance between the movable member and theend tip3950 may change. However, theend tip3950 may also be fixed to the movable member or the catheter body.

Theend tip3950 may be made of soft and flexible material. In particular, theend tip3950 may be made of a composition containing polyether block amide (PEBA). Here, the composition for theend tip3950 may contain other additives in addition to the polyether block amide. For example, theend tip3950 may be made of a composition containing 70 weight % of polyether block amide and 30 weight % of barium sulfate, based on the entire weight of the composition.

In this configuration of the present disclosure, when thedistal end3101 of the catheter body moves along a blood vessel or the like, theend tip3950 made of soft and flexible material is located at a foremost position, which may reduce damages to the blood vessel and facilitate easier change of a moving direction. Further, theend tip3950 made of the above material may be photographed by X-ray, and thus a location of the distal end of the catheter body may be easily figured out.

Preferably, theend tip3950 may have a hollow tube shape. In addition, the hollow of theend tip3950 may extend in the same direction of the longitudinal direction of the catheter body. If theend tip3950 has a tube shape as described above, a guide wire may pass through the hollow of theend tip3950. For example, the end tip may have a tube shape with a length of 6 mm and a hollow diameter of 0.7 mm.

The end tip may extend along the longitudinal direction of the catheter body. At this time, the end tip may have different sizes along the length thereof. In particular, if the end tip has a cylindrical shape, a distal end of the end tip may have the smallest diameter in comparison to other regions. For example, the distal end of the end tip may have a smallest diameter of 1.1 mm, when the thickest region of the end tip has a diameter of 1.3 mm.

Theend tip3950 may have a suitable length, which is not too long and not too short. For example, in the configuration ofFIG.42, the length of theend tip3950, indicated by L34, may be 5 mm to 15 mm. In this configuration, when the catheter moves along the inner space of a blood vessel or the inner space of a sheath, it is possible to prevent the movement from being disturbed by theend tip3950. In addition, in this configuration, a shape of the blood vessel or the like at which theend tip3950 is located may be easily figured out from a bending shape or a bending direction of theend tip3950.

In addition, the catheter for denervation according to the present disclosure may further include a passing tube (not shown). The passing tube may have a hollow tube shape, which is included in the inner space of the catheter body, and the operating member may be located in the hollow of the passing tube. In other words, the operating member may move in a state of being inserted into the inner space of the passing tube. In this case, the passing tube may be exposed not only to the inner space of the catheter body but also to the outside. For example, in the configuration ofFIG.42, the passing tube may be provided in a space between the catheter body and the movable member. In addition, the movable member may have a ring shape which is movable while surrounding the outer circumference of the passing tube. In this configuration, a moving path of the movable member may be fixed, and a coupling force between the catheter body and the movable member may be further reinforced.

Meanwhile, even though the several embodiments have been illustrated so that threesupport members3400 and threeelectrodes3500 are provided, the number ofsupport members3400 andelectrodes3500 are not limited to the above in the present disclosure, and the number ofsupport members3400 andelectrodes3500 may be variously set.

In addition, even though the several embodiments have been illustrated so that a single bending portion is formed in asingle support member3400, two or more bending portions may be formed in asingle support member3400, and accordingly two ormore electrodes3500 may be provided at asingle support member3400.

A denervation apparatus according to the present disclosure includes the catheter for denervation. In addition, the denervation apparatus may further include an energy supplying unit and an opponent electrode in addition to the catheter for denervation. Here, the energy supplying unit may be electrically connected to theelectrode3500 through thelead wire3600. In addition, the opponent electrode may be electrically connected to the energy supplying unit through alead wire3600 which is different from theabove lead wire3600. In this case, the energy supplying unit may supply energy to theelectrode3500 of the catheter in the form of high frequency or the like, and theelectrode3500 of the catheter generates heat to ablate nerves around the blood vessel, thereby block the nerves.

Next, a catheter for denervation according to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure will be described with reference toFIGS.43 to60.

FIG.43 is a perspective view schematically showing a distal end of a catheter according to the fourth aspect of the present disclosure, andFIG.44 is a cross-sectional view, taken along the line A4-A4′ ofFIG.43.FIG.44 shows a first support member, a second support member and an electrode and lead wire included in the catheter ofFIG.43 for convenience.

Here, as described above, the distal end of the catheter means an end of the catheter which reaches a portion of a human body under a surgical procedure, between both ends of the catheter extending in the longitudinal direction, and it may also be called a catheter tip. In addition, an end of the catheter opposite to the distal end may be called a proximal end. Hereinafter, regarding various components which extend in the longitudinal direction of the catheter and thus have both ends in the longitudinal direction, an end of a component, located at the distal end of the catheter, will be called a distal end of the corresponding component, and a proximal end of a component, located at the proximal end of the catheter, will be called a proximal end of the corresponding component.

Referring toFIGS.43 and44, the catheter according to the present disclosure may includes acatheter body4100, amovable member4200, an operatingmember4300, anintermediate member4400, afirst stopper4310, afirst support member4510, asecond support member4520, anelectrode4600 and alead wire4700.

Thecatheter body4100 has a pipe or tube shape extending in one direction and has an inner space therein along the longitudinal direction. Here, thecatheter body4100 has both ends along the longitudinal direction, where an end of thecatheter body4100 firstly inserted into a human body during a surgical procedure using the catheter and reaching a destination, namely a target for the surgical procedure, is called a distal end, and an end of thecatheter body4100 located near an operator and manipulated by the operator is called a proximal end (not shown), as described above.

Thecatheter body4100 has a hollow tube shape and has an inner space therein along the longitudinal direction. Therefore, various components for a surgical procedure may be provided in or move through the inner space, and substances such as drugs or washing liquids may be injected through the inner space. For this, the proximal end of thecatheter body4100 may be formed so that the inner space is open to the outside.

Thecatheter body4100 may have various shapes depending on its target or purpose and may also have various inner or outer diameters. In addition, thecatheter body4100 may be made of various materials, for example soft materials such as rubber and plastic or hard material such as metal. The present disclosure is not limited to a specific shape, material or size of thecatheter body4100, and thecatheter body4100 may have various shapes, materials, sizes or the like.

Themovable member4200 is provided at thedistal end4101 of the catheter body and may be configured to be movable in the longitudinal direction of thecatheter body4100. In addition, by means of the movement of themovable member4200, a distance between theintermediate member4400 and themovable member4200 may increase or decrease.

In particular, as shown inFIGS.43 and44, themovable member4200 may be provided out of thecatheter body4100 together with theintermediate member4400. In other words, themovable member4200 and theintermediate member4400 may be separated from thecatheter body4100 and located at an outer side in comparison to theterminal4110 of the catheter body (in the right side inFIG.44). In this case, if themovable member4200 moves in the left direction, the distance between themovable member4200 and theintermediate member4400 may decrease, and if themovable member4200 moves in the right direction, the distance between themovable member4200 and theintermediate member4400 may increase.

The operatingmember4300 may be formed to extend long along the longitudinal direction of thecatheter body4100, and may move themovable member4200 in the longitudinal direction. For this, one end of the operatingmember4300, namely a distal end thereof, is connected and fixed to themovable member4200, and the operatingmember4300 may be located according to the inner space of thecatheter body4100. In addition, the other end of the operatingmember4300, namely a proximal end thereof, may be exposed out of thecatheter body4100 through the open portion of the proximal end of thecatheter body4100. In this case, an operator may pull or push theoperating member4300 manually or automatically using a separate tool. In this case, the operatingmember4300 may move in the lateral direction as indicated by the arrow b42 ofFIG.44, and by doing so, themovable member4200 connected to one end of the operatingmember4300 may move the lateral direction as indicated by the arrow b41.

Meanwhile, in the embodiment ofFIG.44, since the operatingmember4300 is connected to themovable member4200 out of thecatheter body4100, anoperation hole4120 may be formed in thecatheter body4100 so that the operatingmember4300 may move through theoperation hole4120.

Theintermediate member4400 is provided between the terminal4110 of the catheter body and themovable member4200. For example, as shown in the embodiment ofFIG.44, if theintermediate member4400 and themovable member4200 are provided out of thecatheter body4100, theintermediate member4400 may be located at the right of theterminal4110 of the catheter body and at the left of themovable member4200.

Theintermediate member4400 may be configured to be movable along the longitudinal direction of thecatheter body4100, similar to themovable member4200. In addition, by the movement of theintermediate member4400, the distance between the terminal4110 of the catheter body and theintermediate member4400 may increase or decrease.

Since theintermediate member4400 is located between thecatheter body4100 and themovable member4200, in an embodiment in which theintermediate member4400 is provided out of thecatheter body4100 together with themovable member4200, aninsert hole4401 may be formed therein through which theoperating member4300 may be inserted. In addition, the operatingmember4300 may move in the lateral direction while sliding through theinsert hole4401 of theintermediate member4400.

Since the operatingmember4300 moves through theinsert hole4401 of theintermediate member4400 as described above, theintermediate member4400 may not move only by the movement of the operatingmember4300. Therefore, in order to move theintermediate member4400 by the movement of the operatingmember4300, the catheter according to the present disclosure includes afirst stopper4310.

Regarding thefirst stopper4310, if the distance between themovable member4200 and theintermediate member4400 decreases to a predetermined level, the operatingmember4300 operates to move theintermediate member4400.

Preferably, thefirst stopper4310 may be provided at a portion of the operatingmember4300 located between themovable member4200 and theintermediate member4400. For example, as shown inFIG.44, thefirst stopper4310 may be fixed to the operatingmember4300 at a location spaced apart by a predetermined distance in the outer direction from theintermediate member4400.

Thefirst stopper4310 may be configured to be hooked by theinsert hole4401 of theintermediate member4400. For example, thefirst stopper4310 may be configured so that at least its partial portion has a size greater than the diameter of theinsert hole4401 formed in theintermediate member4400. In this case, the operatingmember4300 moves to escape from the insert hole of theintermediate member4400 to a predetermined distance, and then if a portion to which thefirst stopper4310 is fixed reaches theinsert hole4401, thefirst stopper4310 is hooked by theinsert hole4401. Therefore, the operatingmember4300 cannot move further from theinsert hole4401 of theintermediate member4400, and theintermediate member4400 may move together when the operatingmember4300 moves.

Like this, thefirst stopper4310 limits so that the distance between themovable member4200 and theintermediate member4400 decreases only to a predetermined level, and after distance between themovable member4200 and theintermediate member4400 decreases to the predetermined level, themovable member4200 and theintermediate member4400 may move together while maintaining the predetermined distance.

Meanwhile, thedistal end4101 of the catheter body, themovable member4200 and/or theintermediate member4400 may be made of soft and flexible material. Since thedistal end4101 of the catheter body, themovable member4200 and theintermediate member4400 are located at a front end of the catheter, when the catheter moves along a blood vessel or the like, they are likely to contact an inner wall of the blood vessel or the like. However, if they are made of such a soft and flexible material, it is possible to minimize or prevent a damage of the blood vessel or the like, and it is also easy to change a moving direction.

In addition, in a similar way, thedistal end4101 of the catheter body, themovable member4200 and/or theintermediate member4400 may have a rounded edge. In particular, as shown inFIG.43, if themovable member4200 is located at a foremost position, themovable member4200 may have an outer surface (the right surface inFIG.44) which circularly protrudes toward the front end of the catheter. In addition, themovable member4200 may also60 have an inner surface (the left surface inFIG.44) which has a rounded edge. In addition, an edge of an inner or outer surface of theintermediate member4400 and an edge of theterminal4110 of the catheter body may also have a rounded shape.

Thefirst support member4510 may have a rod or plate shape extending in one direction and may be connected between theintermediate member4400 and themovable member4200. In other words, one end of thefirst support member4510 may be connected to theintermediate member4400, the other end thereof may be connected to themovable member4200. For example, in the configuration ofFIG.44, the proximal end (left end) of thefirst support member4510 may be fixed to the outer surface of theintermediate member4400, and the distal end (right end) of thefirst support member4510 may be fixed to the inner surface of themovable member4200.

Meanwhile, as described above, themovable member4200 may be configured to move close to or away from theintermediate member4400 in the longitudinal direction of thecatheter body4100 by means of the operatingmember4300.

In particular, in the present disclosure, if themovable member4200 moves to decrease the distance between theintermediate member4400 and themovable member4200, thefirst support member4510 may be bent at least partially, and this bending portion may be configured to move away from thecatheter body4100. This will be described in more detail with reference toFIG.45.

FIG.45 a cross-sectional view schematically showing that the bending portion of thefirst support member4510 moves away from thecatheter body4100 by the movement of themovable member4200, in the configuration ofFIG.44.

Referring toFIG.45, when the operatingmember4300 is pulled in the left direction, themovable member4200 moves in the left direction, as indicated by the arrow c41. At this time, since the operatingmember4300 moves through the insert hole of theintermediate member4400, theintermediate member4400 does not move for a while in spite of the movement of the operatingmember4300. Therefore, since theintermediate member4400 is fixed and only themovable member4200 moves toward theintermediate member4400, the distance between theintermediate member4400 and themovable member4200 may decrease.

If so, distances between both ends of thefirst support member4510 provided between themovable member4200 and theintermediate member4400 may decrease so that thefirst support member4510 may be bent at least partially. In addition, if themovable member4200 moves toward theintermediate member4400 further, the bending portion of thefirst support member4510 may be gradually away from thecatheter body4100. Here, as indicated by the arrow e4 inFIG.45, the bending portion may be regarded as meaning an apex of the bending portion, namely a point of the bending portion of thefirst support member4510 at which the degree of bending is greatest, or a point of the bending portion of thefirst support member4510 which is located farthest from the central axis of thecatheter body4100. In addition, here, the bending portion moving away from thecatheter body4100 means that the bending direction of the bending portion is formed toward the outside of thecatheter body4100, so that the bending portion moves away from the central axis of thecatheter body4100.

Thesecond support member4520 may have a rod or plate shape extending in one direction, similar to thefirst support member4510. However, thesecond support member4520 may be connected between thecatheter body4100 and theintermediate member4400. In other words, one end of thesecond support member4520 is connected to theterminal4110 of the catheter body, namely a farthest end of thedistal end4101 of the catheter body, and the other end thereof may be connected to theintermediate member4400. For example, in the configuration ofFIG.44, the proximal end of thesecond support member4520 may be fixed to theterminal4110 of the catheter body outer surface, and the distal end of thesecond support member4520 may be fixed to the inner surface of theintermediate member4400.

Meanwhile, if the operatingmember4300 keeps moving into the catheter body4100 (in the left direction inFIG.44) in a state in which thefirst stopper4310 is hooked by theinsert hole4401 of theintermediate member4400 as described above, theintermediate member4400 may move into thecatheter body4100.

In particular, in the present disclosure, if theintermediate member4400 moves to decrease the distance between the terminal4110 of the catheter body and theintermediate member4400, thesecond support member4520 may be bent at least partially, and the bending portion may be configured to move away from thecatheter body4100. This will be described in more detail with reference toFIGS.46 to48.

FIG.46 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing that the bending portion of thesecond support member4520 moves away from thecatheter body4100 by the movement of anintermediate member4400, in the configuration ofFIG.45. In addition,FIG.47 is a perspective view ofFIG.46, andFIG.48 is a front view ofFIG.47.

First, as shown inFIG.45, if thefirst stopper4310 is hooked by theintermediate member4400 while themovable member4200 is primarily moving in the left direction due to the movement of the operatingmember4300 in the left direction, theintermediate member4400 may secondarily move due to the movement of the operatingmember4300. In other words, after the stopper is hooked by theintermediate member4400, if the operatingmember4300 keeps pulled to move in the left direction, themovable member4200 moves in the left direction, and theintermediate member4400 may also move in the left direction.

If theintermediate member4400 moves toward thecatheter body4100 as indicated by the arrow c42 inFIG.46, the distance between theintermediate member4400 and thecatheter body4100 may decrease. If so, the distance between both ends of thesecond support member4520 provided between theintermediate member4400 and thecatheter body4100 decreases, and thus at least a partial portion of thesecond support member4520 may be bent toward the outside of thecatheter body4100. In addition, if theintermediate member4400 moves further toward thecatheter body4100, the bending portion of thesecond support member4520 may gradually move away from the central axis of thecatheter body4100.

In the catheter of the present disclosure, since thefirst support member4510 and thesecond support member4520 should form bending portions according to the movement of themovable member4200 and theintermediate member4400, thefirst support member4510 and thesecond support member4520 may be made of material which may be bent when a distance between both ends thereof decreases. For example, thefirst support member4510 and thesecond support member4520 may be made of metal or polymer. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such specific materials of the support member.

Meanwhile, theelectrodes4600 may be provided at the bending portions e4 of thefirst support member4510 and thesecond support member4520. In particular, since the catheter according to the present disclosure includes theelectrodes4600 at thefirst support member4510 and thesecond support member4520, it is possible to provide a plurality ofelectrodes4600.

Theelectrode4600 may be connected to an energy supplying unit (not shown) through thelead wire4700 to generate heat. In addition, the heat generated by theelectrode4600 may ablate surrounding tissues. For example, theelectrode4600 may ablate nerves around a blood vessel by generating heat of about 40° C. or above, preferably 40 to 80° C., and thus the nerves may be blocked. However, the temperature of the heat generated by theelectrode4600 may be set in various ways according to the use or purpose of the catheter.

Theelectrode4600 may apply heat to nerve tissues around a blood vessel in contact with a wall of the blood vessel, and thus theelectrode4600 is preferably closely adhered to the wall of the blood vessel. Therefore, theelectrode4600 may have a curved shape, for example a circular, semicircular or oval shape, to conform to the shape of the inner wall of the blood vessel. In this embodiment, theelectrode4600 may be more clearly adhered to the wall of the blood vessel, and thus the heat generated by theelectrode4600 may be efficiently transferred to nerve tissues around the blood vessel.

Meanwhile, theelectrode4600 may be provided at a point of the bending portions of thefirst support member4510 and thesecond support member4520 which is farthest from the central axis of thecatheter body4100. In other words, if the distance between both ends decreases to form bending portions in thefirst support member4510 and thesecond support member4520, theelectrode4600 may be provided at an apex of the bending portion which is located farthest from the central axis of thecatheter body4100. In this embodiment, by protruding theelectrode4600 from thecatheter body4100 to the maximum, a contact force of theelectrode4600 to the wall of the blood vessel may be further improved.

Theelectrode4600 may be made of material such as platinum or stainless steel, but the present disclosure is not limited to such specific materials of theelectrode4600. Theelectrode4600 may be made of various materials in consideration of various factors such as a heat generation method and an operation target.

Preferably, theelectrode4600 may generate heat by means of radio frequency (RF). For example, theelectrode4600 may be connected to a high frequency generating unit through thelead wire4700 and emits high frequency energy to ablate nerves.

Meanwhile, theelectrode4600 provided at the catheter may be a negative electrode, and a positive electrode corresponding to the negative electrode may be connected to an energy supplying unit such as a high frequency generating unit, similar to the negative electrode, and attached to a specific portion of a human body in the form or patch or the like.

Since theelectrode4600 is provided at the bending portions of thefirst support member4510 and thesecond support member4520, when the distance between both ends decreases, theelectrode4600 may move away from the central axis of thecatheter body4100.

For example, in the configuration depicted inFIG.45, if themovable member4200 moves along the arrow c41, the bending portion of thefirst support member4510 gradually moves away from the central axis of thecatheter body4100, and theelectrode4600 provided at the bending portion of thefirst support member4510 also moves in a direction away from the central axis of thecatheter body4100, as indicated by the arrows f41 and f42. On the contrary, if themovable member4200 moves in a direction opposite to the arrow c41 ofFIG.45, theelectrode4600 provided at the bending portion of thefirst support member4510 may be configured to move close to the central axis of thecatheter body4100 again.

In addition, in the configuration depicted inFIG.46, if theintermediate member4400 moves in the direction of c42, the bending portion of thesecond support member4520 gradually moves away from the central axis of thecatheter body4100, and theelectrode4600 provided at the bending portion of thesecond support member4520 also moves away from the central axis of thecatheter body4100, as indicated by the arrows f43 and f44. On the contrary, if themovable member4200 moves in a direction opposite to the direction c42 ofFIG.46, theelectrode4600 provided at the bending portion of thesecond support member4520 may be configured to move close to the central axis of thecatheter body4100 again.

Like this, according to the movement of themovable member4200 or theintermediate member4400, theelectrode4600 may move toward the outside of thecatheter body4100 or into thecatheter body4100, based on the central axis of thecatheter body4100 in the longitudinal direction.

For this, thefirst support member4510 and/or thesecond support member4520 having theelectrode4600 at the bending portion thereof to support theelectrode4600 may have suitable material or shape so that the bending direction of the bending portion may move farther from the central axis of thecatheter body4100 when the distance between both ends decreases.

For example, at least one of thefirst support member4510 and thesecond support member4520 may be configured so that an outer surface length of a section in the width direction is longer than an inner surface length thereof. This configuration will be described in more detail with reference toFIG.49.

FIG.49 is a schematic diagram showing arrangements and sections in the width direction of thefirst support member4510 and thesecond support member4520 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. InFIG.49, for convenience, thefirst support member4510 and thesecond support member4520 are shown on one plane, and other components than thecatheter body4100, thefirst support member4510 and thesecond support member4520 are not shown. In addition, a single support member is enlarged.

Referring toFIG.49, in view of the section cut in the width direction, thefirst support member4510 and thesecond support member4520 may be configured so that an outer surface has a greater length than an inner surface. Here, the width direction means a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the catheter.

For illustration, an enlarged view showing the section of thesecond support member4520 in the width direction is shown in a right portion ofFIG.49. Referring to the enlarged view, the length of the outer surface of thesecond support member4520 means a length of a surface located far from the central axis of thecatheter body4100 as indicated by L41, and the length of the inner surface of thesecond support member4520 means a length of a surface located close to the central axis of thecatheter body4100 as indicated by L42.

As seen fromFIG.49, thesecond support member4520 is configured so that the length L41 of the outer surface is longer than the length L42 of the inner surface, and thefirst support member4510 is also configured so that the length of the outer surface is longer than the length of the inner surface.

If the outer surface length of thefirst support member4510 and thesecond support member4520 is longer than the inner surface length as described above, when a force is applied to each support member in the longitudinal direction, each support member may be bent in a direction from the inner surface toward the outer surface. In other words, in this embodiment, when themovable member4200 moves so that the distance between both ends of thefirst support member4510 decreases and theintermediate member4400 moves to decrease the distance between both ends of thesecond support member4520, thefirst support member4510 and thesecond support member4520 may respectively have a bending direction moving away from the central axis of thecatheter body4100, as indicated by thearrows141,142,143 and144 inFIG.49. Therefore, if the distance between themovable member4200 and theintermediate member4400 decreases and the distance between theintermediate member4400 and thecatheter body4100 decreases, theelectrode4600 provided at the bending portions of thefirst support member4510 and thesecond support member4520 may move away from thecatheter body4100, as shown inFIGS.46 and47.

As another example, at least one of thefirst support member4510 and thesecond support member4520 may have a curved portion formed at least partially in a direction away from the central axis of thecatheter body4100. In other words, even in a state in which the distance between themovable member4200 and theintermediate member4400 is greatest, thefirst support member4510 may not be perfectly flat but have a portion bent toward the outside of the central axis of thecatheter body4100. In addition, in a state in which the distance between theintermediate member4400 and theterminal4110 of the catheter body is greatest, thesecond support member4520 may not be perfectly flat but have a portion bent toward the outside of the central axis of thecatheter body4100. In this case, if themovable member4200 and theintermediate member4400 move to decrease the distance between both ends of thefirst support member4510 and thesecond support member4520, the degree of bending of the curved portions increases, which may form a bending portion, and the bending portion may have a bending direction toward the outside of thecatheter body4100. In addition, if themovable member4200 and theintermediate member4400 move further, the bending portion may gradually move away from thecatheter body4100.

As another example, at least one of thefirst support member4510 and thesecond support member4520 may be pre-shaped so that the bending portion does not move toward the central axis of thecatheter body4100 but moves away from the central axis of thecatheter body4100, when the distance between both ends decreases. For example, thefirst support member4510 and thesecond support member4520 may be pre-shaped to have the shape as shown inFIGS.46 and47 when the distance between both ends thereof decreases.

In this case, thefirst support member4510 and thesecond support member4520 may also be made of a shape memory alloy such as nitinol. In this embodiment, thefirst support member4510 may be configured so that when the distance between themovable member4200 and theintermediate member4400 decreases, the bending portion moves away from thecatheter body4100 according to the memorized shape. In addition, thesecond support member4520 may be configured so that when the distance between theintermediate member4400 and thecatheter body4100 decreases, the bending portion moves away from thecatheter body4100 according to the memorized shape.

In addition, the bending portions of thefirst support member4510 and thesecond support member4520 may be provided by forming a notch at a predetermined portion thereof. In this case, if the distance between both ends of each support member decreases, a bending portion may be formed at a portion of the support member where the notch is formed. In this embodiment, by adjusting a direction of the notch, the bending portion may move away from thecatheter body4100 when the distance between both ends of the support member decreases.

As described above, in the catheter for denervation according to the present disclosure, theelectrode4600 is provided at the bending portions of thefirst support member4510 and thesecond support member4520 to move close to or away from the central axis of thecatheter body4100. Therefore, if the catheter according to the present disclosure is used to perform denervation, in a state in which the bending portions of thefirst support member4510 and thesecond support member4520 having theelectrodes4600 are close to thecatheter body4100, the distal end of the catheter, namely the catheter tip, may be moved to a target for operation through the blood vessel. In addition, if the catheter tip reaches the operation target, the bending portion of thefirst support member4510 is primarily moved away from thecatheter body4100, and then the bending portion of thesecond support member4520 is secondarily moved away from thecatheter body4100. By doing so, the plurality ofelectrodes4600 provided at the bending portions of thefirst support member4510 and thesecond support member4520 may contact or approach the inner wall of the blood vessel. In addition, in this state, by emitting energy for generating heat, for example high frequency energy, through theelectrode4600, nerves around the blood vessel may be blocked. After that, if the denervation is completed with the energy emitted through theelectrode4600, the bending portions of thefirst support member4510 and thesecond support member4520 having theelectrodes4600 move again close to thecatheter body4100, and then the catheter may be extracted from the blood vessel or moved to another location.

Here, in a state in which theelectrode4600 moves away from the central axis of thecatheter body4100, the distance between theelectrode4600 and the central axis of thecatheter body4100 may be selected in various ways according to a size of an operation target, for example an inner diameter of the blood vessel. For example, in a state in which theelectrode4600 moves farthest away from the central axis of thecatheter body4100, a distance between eachelectrode4600 and the central axis of thecatheter body4100 may be 2 mm to 4 mm.

Preferably, thefirst support member4510 and/or thesecond support member4520 may include a plurality of unit support members.

For example, as shown in the embodiment ofFIG.43, thefirst support member4510 and thesecond support member4520 may respectively include two unit support members. In addition, thefirst support member4510 and thesecond support member4520 may also include three or more unit support members, respectively.

If thefirst support member4510 and thesecond support member4520 include at least two unit support members as described above, theelectrode4600 may be provided at each unit support member. Therefore,more electrodes4600 may be provided at thefirst support member4510 and thesecond support member4520, and theelectrodes4600 may be located at various positions. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is possible to prevent nerves from passing between theelectrodes4600, thereby improving the nerve blocking effect.

Thelead wire4700 is respectively electrically connected to the plurality ofelectrodes4600 to give a power supply path to the plurality ofelectrodes4600. In other words, thelead wire4700 is connected between theelectrode4600 and the energy supplying unit so that the energy supplied from the energy supplying unit is transferred to theelectrode4600. For example, one end of thelead wire4700 is connected to the high frequency generating unit and the other end thereof is connected to theelectrode4600 so that the energy generated by the high frequency generating unit is transferred to theelectrode4600, thereby allowing theelectrode4600 to generate heat by high frequency.

Thelead wire4700 may be attached to an upper or lower portion of thefirst support member4510 or thesecond support member4520 or provided in thefirst support member4510 or thesecond support member4520, between the terminal4110 of the catheter body and theelectrode4600. In addition, thelead wire4700 may not be fixed to thefirst support member4510 or thesecond support member4520 but connected to theelectrode4600 to be separated from thefirst support member4510 or thesecond support member4520.

Moreover, thelead wire4700 may not be provided separate from thefirst support member4510 or thesecond support member4520 but implemented to be integrated with the support member. For example, at least a part of thefirst support member4510 may be made of electrically conductive material, so that thefirst support member4510 may serve as thelead wire4700 in a region betweenintermediate member4400 and theelectrode4600.

In the catheter of the present disclosure, thefirst support member4510 and thesecond support member4520 are arranged in order along the longitudinal direction of thecatheter body4100. For example, in the catheter according to the embodiment ofFIG.43, thecatheter body4100, thesecond support member4520 and thefirst support member4510 are arranged in order in a direction from the proximal end toward the distal end.

Since thefirst support member4510 and thesecond support member4520 are arranged in order along the longitudinal direction of thecatheter body4100 as described above, theelectrode4600 provided at thefirst support member4510 and theelectrode4600 provided at thesecond support member4520 may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal direction of thecatheter body4100.

In particular, in a state in which the bending portions of thefirst support member4510 and thesecond support member4520 are located away from thecatheter body4100, theelectrode4600 provided at thefirst support member4510 and theelectrode4600 provided at thesecond support member4520 may be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance.

In more detail, in the embodiment ofFIG.46, in a state in which thefirst support member4510 and thesecond support member4520 are respectively bent toward the outside of thecatheter body4100, theelectrode4600 provided at the bending portion of thefirst support member4510 and theelectrode4600 provided at the bending portion of thesecond support member4520 may be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in the longitudinal direction of thecatheter body4100, as indicated by d41.

In the present disclosure, since theelectrode4600 provided at thefirst support member4510 and theelectrode4600 provided at thesecond support member4520 are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance as described above, it is possible to prevent stenosis from occurring. If the plurality ofelectrodes4600 respectively emits heat, heated portions of the blood vessel may swell toward the inside of the blood vessel. At this time, in the catheter of the present disclosure, since at least twoelectrodes4600 are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in the longitudinal direction of thecatheter body4100, the heated portions of the blood vessel are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in the longitudinal direction of the blood vessel. Therefore, in the present disclosure, it is possible to prevent stenosis from occurring.

Here, the distance between theelectrode4600 provided at thefirst support member4510 and theelectrode4600 provided at thesecond support member4520 in the longitudinal direction of thecatheter body4100 as indicated by d41 may be variously selected depending on a size of the catheter or an operation target. For example, the catheter may be configured so that in a state in which theelectrode4600 provided at thefirst support member4510 and theelectrode4600 provided at thesecond support member4520 are far from thecatheter body4100, the distance between theelectrodes4600 in the longitudinal direction of thecatheter body4100 is 0.3 to 0.8 cm. In this embodiment, it is possible to prevent stenosis of the blood vessel and minimize the problem that nerves around the blood vessel pass between theelectrodes4600 and are not ablated by theelectrodes4600.

Meanwhile, if a plurality ofelectrodes4600 is provided at thefirst support member4510 or thesecond support member4520, the plurality ofelectrodes4600 provided at thefirst support member4510 or the plurality ofelectrodes4600 provided at thesecond support member4520 may also be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance. For example, even though twoelectrodes4600 provided at thefirst support member4510 have no difference in distance along the longitudinal direction of thecatheter body4100 in the configuration depicted inFIG.46, the twoelectrodes4600 may also be configured to have different distances.

Preferably, in the present disclosure, the plurality ofelectrodes4600 may be configured to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined angle based on the central axis of thecatheter body4100 in the longitudinal direction, in a state in which the bending portions of thefirst support member4510 and thesecond support member4520 are far from the central axis of thecatheter body4100 in the longitudinal direction.

For example, as shown inFIG.48, in a state in which theelectrodes4600 provided at thefirst support member4510 and thesecond support member4520 move away from thecatheter body4100, assuming that angles among fourelectrodes4600 are g41, g42, g43 and g44 based on the central axis o4 of the catheter, g41, g42, g43 and g44 have predetermined angles, so that the fourelectrodes4600 are spaced apart from each other by the predetermined angles. For example, g41, g42, g43 and g44 may be identically 90°

In the embodiment in which theelectrodes4600 are spaced apart from each other by predetermined angles based on the central axis o4 of thecatheter body4100 as described above, theelectrodes4600 may be configured to spread widely in all directions around thecatheter body4100. Therefore, even though nerves are disposed in a local portion of the blood vessel, theelectrodes4600 may cover the nerves to the maximum.

FIG.50 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a distal end of a catheter for denervation according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, andFIG.51 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing that anelectrode4600 moves away from thecatheter body4100 by the movement of themovable member4200 and theintermediate member4400, in the configuration ofFIG.50.

Referring toFIGS.50 and51, the catheter for denervation according to the present disclosure may include asecond stopper4320.

Thesecond stopper4320 may prevent the distance between theintermediate member4400 and thecatheter body4100 from decreasing below a predetermined level. For this, thesecond stopper4320 may be provided at a portion of the operatingmember4300 located between theintermediate member4400 and theterminal4110 of the catheter body. In this case, thesecond stopper4320 may be hooked by theoperation hole4120 of thecatheter body4100 through which theoperating member4300 is inserted.

In more detail, in the catheter according to the embodiment ofFIG.50, if an operator pulls the operatingmember4300 to the left, at first, theintermediate member4400 is fixed, and themovable member4200 moves in the left direction, by which thefirst support member4510 may bend since the distance between both ends thereof decreases. And then, if thefirst stopper4310 is hooked by theinsert hole4401 of theintermediate member4400, theintermediate member4400 starts moving in the left direction. If so, the distance between theintermediate member4400 and theterminal4110 of the catheter body decreases, by which thesecond support member4520 may bent since the distance between both ends thereof decreases. After that, if thesecond stopper4320 is hooked by theoperation hole4120 of thecatheter body4100 as shown inFIG.51, theintermediate member4400 does not move in the left direction any more, and thus the operator cannot pull the operatingmember4300 in the left direction any more.

In the embodiment including thesecond stopper4320 as described above, it is possible to facilitate an operator's manipulation and also prevent various components included in the catheter from being damaged. For example, in the embodiment ofFIG.51, thesecond stopper4320 may limit theintermediate member4400 not to move further in the left direction, thereby preventing theintermediate member4400 from moving excessively close to thecatheter body4100 and thus damaging thesecond support member4520 or cutting the connection between thesecond support member4520 and thecatheter body4100 or the connection between thesecond support member4520 and theintermediate member4400. Moreover, an operator may not pay attention to an operating distance of the operatingmember4300 since the operating distance is limited by thefirst stopper4310 and thesecond stopper4320 while the operatingmember4300 is pushed or pulled.

In addition, the catheter for denervation according to the present disclosure may include a reinforcingmember4800, as shown inFIG.50.

The reinforcingmember4800 may have a rod or plate shape extending in the longitudinal direction of thecatheter body4100 and be provided between thecatheter body4100 and themovable member4200. In addition, a distal end of the reinforcingmember4800 may be connected and fixed to themovable member4200 to be movable according to the movement of themovable member4200.

At this time, a first throughhole4130 and a second throughhole4402 may be respectively formed in thecatheter body4100 and theintermediate member4400, and the reinforcingmember4800 may be inserted through the throughholes4130,4402.

In this embodiment, as shown inFIG.51, if themovable member4200 moves in the left direction, the reinforcingmember4800 may also move in the left direction. At this time, the reinforcingmember4800 is inserted into the first throughhole4130 of thecatheter body4100 and the second throughhole4402 of theintermediate member4400, so that the reinforcingmember4800 may slide through the throughholes4130,4402 according to the movement of themovable member4200.

In this embodiment, the connections among thecatheter body4100, theintermediate member4400 and themovable member4200 may be supported more strongly by the reinforcingmember4800. In other words, if themovable member4200 and theintermediate member4400 are separated from thecatheter body4100 as in this embodiment, in case of connecting thecatheter body4100, theintermediate member4400 and themovable member4200 by using asingle operating member4300, the connection state and supporting force among thecatheter body4100, theintermediate member4400 and themovable member4200 may be weak. However, if the reinforcingmember4800 is provided separately from the operatingmember4300 as in this embodiment, the supporting force to themovable member4200 and theintermediate member4400 separated from thecatheter body4100 is more reinforced, and the connection state among thecatheter body4100, theintermediate member4400 and themovable member4200 may be more firmly maintained. In addition, since the reinforcingmember4800 may guide movement of themovable member4200 and theintermediate member4400, the moving direction of themovable member4200 and theintermediate member4400 may be appropriately kept without deviating from the central axis of thecatheter body4100.

Meanwhile, in the embodiment including the reinforcingmember4800, thefirst stopper4310 and/or thesecond stopper4320 may be provided at the reinforcingmember4800. In other words, thefirst stopper4310 and/or thesecond stopper4320 may not be provided at the operatingmember4300 but provided at the reinforcingmember4800, or thefirst stopper4310 and/or thesecond stopper4320 may be provided at both the operatingmember4300 and the reinforcingmember4800.

In addition, even though the embodiment ofFIGS.50 and51 illustrates that a single reinforcingmember4800 is provided, two or more reinforcingmembers4800 may also be provided.

Moreover, even though it is depicted in several drawings that only oneoperating member4300 is provided, two ormore operating members4300 may also be provided.

FIG.52 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a distal end of a catheter for denervation according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, andFIG.53 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing that anelectrode4600 moves away from thecatheter body4100 by the movement of themovable member4200 and theintermediate member4400, in the configuration ofFIG.52.

Referring toFIGS.52 and53, thecatheter body4100 may have aguide hole4140 formed in the distal end thereof so that a guide wire W4 may pass through. Here, the guide wire W4 is to guide the catheter to an operation target and may reach the operation target prior to the catheter. In this embodiment, the guide wire W4 may be inserted into the catheter through theguide hole4140, and the catheter tip may reach the operation target along the guide wire W4.

Thecatheter body4100 may have one ormore guide hole4140. For example, as shown inFIGS.52 and53, thecatheter body4100 has afirst guide hole4141 formed at the terminal thereof and asecond guide hole4142 formed at a position spaced apart from theterminal4110 of the catheter body by a predetermined distance. In this case, the guide wire W4 may be inserted into the inner space of thecatheter body4100 through thefirst guide hole4141 and then drawn out of thecatheter body4100 through thesecond guide hole4142. However, thesecond guide hole4142 may not be provided, and in this case, the guide wire W4 inserted into the inner space of thecatheter body4100 through thefirst guide hole4141 may extend long along the inner space of thecatheter body4100 and then be drawn out of thecatheter body4100 at the proximal end of thecatheter body4100.

If thesecond guide hole4142 is provided, the second guide hole may be located at various positions depending on various situations. In particular, thesecond guide hole4142 may be formed at a point spaced apart by 10 cm to 15 cm from theterminal4110 of the catheter body in the longitudinal direction of the catheter body. Even thoughFIG.52 shows that thesecond guide hole4142 is located close to theterminal4110 of the catheter body, it is just for illustration, and the distance from the terminal of the catheter body to the second guide hole, indicated by L43, may be 10 cm to 15 cm. In this embodiment, while the catheter body is moving, it is possible to prevent the problem that the guide wire drawn from the catheter body through the second guide hole is entangled with the catheter body, thereby facilitating smooth movement of the catheter body. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such a location of the second guide hole.

Meanwhile, in this embodiment, aguide hole4210 may be formed in themovable member4200 so that a guide wire W4 may pass through, and aguide hole4403 may also be formed in theintermediate member4400 so that a guide wire W4 may pass through

In an embodiment in which theguide hole4140 is formed in thecatheter body4100 as described above, since the guide wire W4 inserted into theguide hole4140 guides movement of the catheter tip, the catheter may smoothly reach an operation target, and the catheter may be easily manipulated. Moreover, since the catheter does not need to include a component for adjusting a moving direction of the catheter, the catheter may have a simpler structure, which is advantageous in reducing the size of the catheter.

Also preferably, the catheter for denervation according to the present disclosure may further include anelastic member4900.

One end of theelastic member4900 may be connected to theintermediate member4400 to give a restoring force when theintermediate member4400 is moving. For example, as shown inFIG.52, theelastic member4900 may be connected between the terminal4110 of the catheter body and theintermediate member4400. In this case, as shown inFIG.53, if the operatingmember4300 is continuously pulled in the left direction after thefirst stopper4310 is hooked by the insert hole of theintermediate member4400, theintermediate member4400 moves in the left direction. In this case, the restoring force, namely the elastic restoring force, of theelastic member4900 is applied in the right direction. Therefore, after nerves are completely blocked by theelectrode4600, theintermediate member4400 should move again in the right direction and return to its original state as shown inFIG.52. Here, the movement of theintermediate member4400 in the right direction may be more easily performed by means of the restoring force of theelastic member4900. Therefore, after nerves are blocked by theelectrode4600, an operator may not give great efforts to move theelectrode4600 close to the central axis of thecatheter body4100.

In addition, in an embodiment in which theelastic member4900 is provided as described above, it is possible to prevent theelectrode4600 from deviating from the central axis of thecatheter body4100 while the catheter tip is moving, and thus it is also possible to prevent the blood vessel from being damaged due to protrusion of theelectrode4600 and facilitate easy movement of the catheter tip. Moreover, even though thesecond stopper4320 is not provided, the moving distance of theintermediate member4400 may be limited by theelastic member4900, which may prevent various components from being damaged due to excessive movement of theintermediate member4400.

Further, if theelastic member4900 is provided between the terminal4110 of the catheter body and theintermediate member4400 as in this embodiment, while themovable member4200 is moving to bend thefirst support member4510, it is possible to prevent theintermediate member4400 from being pushed toward theterminal4110 of the catheter body. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the problem that thefirst support member4510 is incompletely bent since theintermediate member4400 moves before thefirst support member4510 is completely bent.

In addition, even through theelastic member4900 is provided between theintermediate member4400 and thecatheter body4100 in the configuration depicted inFIGS.52 and53, theelastic member4900 may also be provided between theintermediate member4400 and themovable member4200. Moreover, at least twoelastic members4900 may also be provided at different locations of the catheter.

Meanwhile, even though various embodiments illustrate that only a singleintermediate member4400 is provided between themovable member4200 and theterminal4110 of the catheter body, two or moreintermediate members4400 may also be provided between them.

FIG.54 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a distal end of a catheter for denervation according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG.54, theintermediate member4400 may include a plurality of unit intermediate members. Here, the unit intermediate member represents an individual unit intermediate member in case a plurality ofintermediate members4400 is provided.FIG.54 shows that theintermediate member4400 is composed of two unit intermediate members. Here, the unit intermediate member at the right portion ofFIG.54 is called a first unitintermediate member4410, and the unit intermediate member at the left portion is called a second unitintermediate member4420.

In this configuration, the first unitintermediate member4410 may be connected to the proximal end of thefirst support member4510, and the second unitintermediate member4420 may be connected to the distal end of thesecond support member4520.

In the embodiment in which theintermediate member4400 includes a plurality of unit intermediate members as described above, the catheter may include a separate support member in addition to thefirst support member4510 and thesecond support member4520.

For example, the catheter may include athird support member4530 between the first unitintermediate member4410 and the second unitintermediate member4420. The distal end of thethird support member4530 may be connected and fixed to the first unitintermediate member4410, and the proximal end thereof may be connected and fixed to the second unitintermediate member4420.

Thethird support member4530 may be configured to have a shape similar to thefirst support member4510 and thesecond support member4520, even though its location is different from them. For example, thethird support member4530 may be configured so that at least a partial portion thereof is bent when the distance of both ends thereof decreases. At this time, the bending direction may be formed toward the outside of thecatheter body4100, so that the bending portion gradually moves away from the central axis of thecatheter body4100 when the distance of both ends thereof decreases. In addition, thethird support member4530 may have anelectrode4600 at the bending portion.

Moreover, in an embodiment including a plurality of unit intermediate members at theintermediate member4400, a stopper may be further included in addition to thefirst stopper4310.

For example, as shown inFIG.54, the catheter may further include athird stopper4330 in order to move the second unitintermediate member4420. Here, thethird stopper4330 may be provided at a predetermined location of the operatingmember4300 between the first unitintermediate member4410 and the second unitintermediate member4420.

In this embodiment, if an operator pulls the operatingmember4300, first, themovable member4200 moves so that the distance between the first unitintermediate member4410 and themovable member4200 decreases, thereby bending thefirst support member4510. After that, if thefirst stopper4310 is hooked by theinsert hole4401 of the first unitintermediate member4410, the first unitintermediate member4410 starts moving so that the distance between the first unitintermediate member4410 and the second unitintermediate member4420 decreases, thereby bending thethird support member4530. After that, if thethird stopper4330 is hooked by theinsert hole4401 of the second unitintermediate member4420, the second unitintermediate member4420 starts moving so that the distance between the second unitintermediate member4420 and thecatheter body4100 decreases, thereby bending thesecond support member4520.

In other words, in this embodiment, if an operator pulls the operatingmember4300, thefirst support member4510 may be primarily bent, thethird support member4530 may be secondarily bent, and the second support member may be thirdly bent.

In the embodiment in which a plurality ofintermediate members4400 is included between themovable member4200 and theterminal4110 of the catheter body as described above, the plurality ofelectrodes4600 may be arranged in several stages to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in the longitudinal direction of thecatheter body4100. In addition, theelectrodes4600 may be arranged at more angles based on the central axis of thecatheter body4100. For example, in the embodiment ofFIG.54, based on the central axis o4 of the catheter body, sixelectrodes4600 provided at thefirst support member4510, thesecond support member4520 and thethird support member4530 may be arranged to widely spread with an angle of 60° to adjacent electrodes. In this embodiment, it is possible to further improve the nerve blocking effect by theelectrodes4600.

Also preferably, the catheter for denervation according to the present disclosure may further include a temperature measuring member (not shown).

In particular, the temperature measuring member may be provided around theelectrode4600 to measure a temperature of theelectrode4600 or around theelectrode4600. In addition, the temperature measured by the temperature measuring member as described above may be used for controlling the temperature of theelectrode4600. Here, the temperature measuring member may be connected to thelead wire4700 through a separate wire, and the separate wire may extend to the proximal end of thecatheter body4100 through the inner space of thecatheter body4100 and be drawn out of thecatheter body4100.

Meanwhile, even though various embodiments illustrate that themovable member4200 is provided out of thecatheter body4100, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

FIG.55 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a distal end of a catheter for denervation according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, andFIG.56 is a cross-sectional view showing the catheter ofFIG.55 along the longitudinal direction. However, features to which the description in relation to the embodiment ofFIGS.43 to54 can be applied will not be described in detail, but different features will be described in detail.

Referring toFIGS.55 and56, themovable member4200 and theintermediate member4400 may be provided in the inner space of thecatheter body4100. In addition, themovable member4200 andintermediate member4400 may move in the lateral direction in the inner space of thecatheter body4100.

In addition, themovable member4200 may be located close to the proximal end of the catheter (in the left direction inFIG.56) in comparison to theintermediate member4400, and the operatingmember4300 may be connected and fixed to themovable member4200.

Here, the proximal end of thefirst support member4510 may be connected and fixed to themovable member4200, and the distal end thereof may be connected and fixed to theintermediate member4400. In addition, the proximal end of thesecond support member4520 may be connected and fixed to theintermediate member4400, and the distal end thereof may be connected and fixed to theterminal4110 of the catheter body.

Moreover, thefirst support member4510 and thesecond support member4520 may be bent toward the outside of thecatheter body4100 when the distance between both ends thereof decreases, similar to the former embodiments, so that theelectrodes4600 provided at the bending portions move away from thecatheter body4100.

Meanwhile, thefirst stopper4310 may be provided to protrude toward themovable member4200 on at least a partial portion of theintermediate member4400 as shown inFIGS.55 and56 in order to limit the distance between themovable member4200 and theintermediate member4400 and also allow theintermediate member4400 to move according to the operation of the operatingmember4300. In another case, thefirst stopper4310 may also be provided to protrude toward theintermediate member4400 on at least a partial portion of themovable member4200.

In this embodiment, since themovable member4200 is located closer to the proximal end of the catheter in comparison to theintermediate member4400, if an operator pushes the operatingmember4300, themovable member4200 may move in the right direction ofFIG.56.

FIG.57 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing that themovable member4200 moves in the right direction, in the configuration ofFIG.56.

Referring toFIG.57, if themovable member4200 moves in the right direction, since theintermediate member4400 does not move at an initial stage, the distance between themovable member4200 and theintermediate member4400 decreases. Therefore, thefirst support member4510 may be bent toward the outside of thecatheter body4100, and thus theelectrode4600 provided at the bending portion of thefirst support member4510 may move away from the central axis of thecatheter body4100.

After that, if themovable member4200 reaches thefirst stopper4310, the distance between themovable member4200 and theintermediate member4400 does not decrease any more due to thefirst stopper4310. In addition, if the operator keeps pushing the operatingmember4300, theintermediate member4400 may move in the right direction ofFIG.57.

FIG.58 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing that theintermediate member4400 moves in the right direction, in the configuration ofFIG.57, andFIG.59 is a perspective view ofFIG.58.

Referring toFIGS.58 and59, if theintermediate member4400 moves in the right direction, the distance between the terminal4110 of the catheter body and theintermediate member4400 decreases. Therefore, thesecond support member4520 may be bent toward the outside of thecatheter body4100, and thus theelectrode4600 provided at the bending portion of thesecond support member4520 may move away from the central axis of thecatheter body4100.

In addition, in the embodiment ofFIGS.55 to59, thefirst support member4510 and thesecond support member4520, including the plurality ofelectrodes4600 provided at these support member, located in the inner space of thecatheter body4100 may protrude toward the outside of thecatheter body4100 according to the movement of themovable member4200 and theintermediate member4400. For this, thecatheter body4100 may have anopening4150 through which thefirst support member4510 and thesecond support member4520 as well as theelectrodes4600 protrude to the outside. In other words, if themovable member4200 and theintermediate member4400 move so that the distance between both ends of thefirst support member4510 or thesecond support member4520 decreases, the bending portion of thefirst support member4510 or thesecond support member4520 as well as theelectrode4600 may be drawn out of thecatheter body4100 through theopening4150 of thecatheter body4100. Meanwhile, if themovable member4200 and theintermediate member4400 move so that the distance between both ends of thefirst support member4510 or thesecond support member4520 increases, the bending portion of thefirst support member4510 or thesecond support member4520 as well as theelectrode4600 may be inserted into the inner space of thecatheter body4100 through theopening4150 of thecatheter body4100.

Meanwhile, the features of the embodiment ofFIGS.43 to54 may also be applied to the catheter according to the embodiment ofFIGS.55 to59.

For example, in the embodiment ofFIGS.55 to59, the plurality ofelectrodes4600 may be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined angle based on the central axis of thecatheter body4100 in the longitudinal direction, in a state in which the bending portions of thefirst support member4510 and thesecond support member4520 are far from thecatheter body4100.

In addition, in the embodiment ofFIGS.55 to59, a plurality ofintermediate members4400 may be provided, and asecond stopper4320 or anelastic member4900 may be further included. In particularly, thesecond stopper4320 may be provided between theintermediate member4400 and theterminal4110 of the catheter body to limit the distance between theintermediate member4400 and theterminal4110 of the catheter body.

FIG.60 is a perspective view schematically showing a distal end of a catheter for denervation according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG.60, the catheter for denervation according to the present disclosure may further include anend tip4950.

Theend tip4950 is provided at the front surfaces of the distal ends of thecatheter body4100 and themovable member4200. For example, if the movable member is located closer to the distal end in comparison to the catheter body as in the embodiment ofFIG.60, theend tip4950 may be provided at the front surface of the distal end of the movable member. However, if the terminal of the catheter body is located closer to the distal end in comparison to the movable member as in the embodiment ofFIG.55, theend tip4950 may be provided at the front surface of the distal end of the catheter body. In other words, theend tip4950 may be regarded as being located farther from the terminal of the catheter body and the movable member. In this case, theend tip4950 may be a component serving as the terminal of the catheter for denervation according to the present disclosure.

Meanwhile, theend tip4950 may be configured to be separated from the movable member or the catheter body. For example, in the configuration ofFIG.60, theend tip4950 may be separated from the movable member. In this case, if the operating member operates to move the movable member, theend tip4950 does not move, and the distance between the movable member and theend tip4950 may change. However, theend tip4950 may also be fixed to the movable member or the catheter body.

Theend tip4950 may be made of soft and flexible material. In particular, theend tip4950 may be made of a composition containing polyether block amide (PEBA). Here, the composition for theend tip4950 may contain other additives in addition to the polyether block amide. For example, theend tip4950 may be made of a composition containing 70 weight % of polyether block amide and 30 weight % of barium sulfate, based on the entire weight of the composition.

In this configuration of the present disclosure, when thedistal end4101 of the catheter body moves along a blood vessel or the like, theend tip4950 made of soft and flexible material is located at a foremost position, which may reduce damages to the blood vessel and facilitate easier change of a moving direction. Further, theend tip4950 made of the above material may be photographed by X-ray, and thus a location of the distal end of the catheter body may be easily figured out.

Preferably, theend tip4950 may have a hollow tube shape. In addition, the hollow of theend tip4950 may extend in the same direction of the longitudinal direction of the catheter body. If theend tip4950 has a tube shape as described above, a guide wire may pass through the hollow of theend tip4950. For example, the end tip may have a tube shape with a length of 6 mm and a hollow diameter of 0.7 mm.

The end tip may extend along the longitudinal direction of the catheter body. At this time, the end tip may have different sizes along the length thereof. In particular, if the end tip has a cylindrical shape, a distal end of the end tip may have the smallest diameter in comparison to other regions. For example, the distal end of the end tip may have a smallest diameter of 1.1 mm, when the thickest region of the end tip has a diameter of 1.3 mm.

Theend tip4950 may have a suitable length, which is not too long and not too short. For example, in the configuration ofFIG.60, the length of theend tip4950, indicated by L44, may be 5 mm to 15 mm. In this configuration, when the catheter moves along the inner space of a blood vessel or the inner space of a sheath, it is possible to prevent the movement from being disturbed by theend tip4950. In addition, in this configuration, a shape of the blood vessel or the like at which theend tip4950 is located may be easily figured out from a bending shape or a bending direction of theend tip4950.

In addition, the catheter for denervation according to the present disclosure may further include a passing tube (not shown). The passing tube may have a hollow tube shape, which is included in the inner space of the catheter body, and the operating member may be located in the hollow of the passing tube. In other words, the operating member may move in a state of being inserted into the inner space of the passing tube. In this case, the passing tube may be exposed not only to the inner space of the catheter body but also to the outside. For example, in the configuration ofFIG.60, the passing tube may be provided in a space between the catheter body and the movable member. In addition, the movable member may have a ring shape which is movable while surrounding the outer circumference of the passing tube. In this configuration, a moving path of the movable member may be fixed, and a coupling force between the catheter body and the movable member may be further reinforced.

Meanwhile, even though the drawings for illustrating the above embodiments depict that twofirst support members4510 and twosecond support members4520 are used, the present disclosure is not limited to such a specific number of support members. In other words, the number offirst support members4510 andsecond support members4520 may be three or more and may also be different from each other.

For example, twofirst support members4510 and foursecond support members4520 may be provided. In particular, in the configuration depicted inFIG.43, if the number ofsecond support members4520 is greater than the number offirst support members4510, when an operator pulls the operatingmember4300, it is possible to prevent the phenomenon that theintermediate member4400 moves to bend thesecond support member4520 before thefirst support member4510 is completely bent.

In addition, event though the various embodiments illustrate that oneelectrode4600 is provided at each unit support member included in thefirst support member4510 and thesecond support member4520, it is possible that two ormore electrodes4600 are provided at each unit support member, and it is also possible that no electrode is provided at some unit support members.

A denervation apparatus according to the present disclosure includes the catheter for denervation. In addition, the denervation apparatus may further include an energy supplying unit and an opponent electrode in addition to the catheter for denervation. Here, the energy supplying unit may be electrically connected to theelectrode4600 through thelead wire4700. In addition, the opponent electrode may be electrically connected to the energy supplying unit through alead wire4700 which is different from theabove lead wire4700. In this case, the energy supplying unit may supply energy to theelectrode4600 of the catheter in the form of high frequency or the like, and theelectrode4600 of the catheter generates heat to ablate nerves around the blood vessel, thereby block the nerves.

The present disclosure has been described in detail. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the disclosure, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

In addition, even though terms representing directions such as proximal, distal, upper, lower, right, left or the like have been used in the specification, the terms are just used to indicate relative locations for convenience and can be replaced with other words according to an observation point of an observer or an arrangement of a component, as obvious to those having ordinary skill in the art.

Claims (21)

What is claimed is:

1. A catheter for denervation, comprising:

a catheter body extending in one direction to have a proximal end and a distal end and having an inner space formed along a longitudinal direction thereof;

a movable member provided at the distal end of the catheter body to be movable along the longitudinal direction of the catheter body;

an operating member having a distal end connected to the movable member to move the movable member;

a plurality of support members having one end connected and fixed to a terminal of the catheter body and another end connected and fixed to the movable member, wherein when the movable member moves to decrease a distance between the terminal of the catheter body and the movable member, at least a partial portion of the plurality of support members is bent so that the bending portion moves away from the catheter body; and

a plurality of electrodes respectively provided at the bending a bendable portion of the plurality of support members to generate heat; and

a lead wire respectively electrically connected to the plurality of electrodes to give a power supply path for the plurality of electrodes,

wherein at least one of the catheter body and the movable member is connected and fixed to at least two of the plurality of support members at points which are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in the longitudinal direction of the catheter body,

wherein at least one of the catheter body and the movable member has stepped surfaces to which the plurality of support members are connected and fixed,

wherein at least two of the plurality of support members are connected and fixed to different stepped surfaces of the at least one of the catheter body and the movable member such

that connection points of the at least two of the plurality of support members with respect to the catheter body are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in the longitudinal direction of the catheter body, and/or

that connection points of the at least two of the plurality of support members with respect to the movable member are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in the longitudinal direction of the catheter body.

2. The catheter for denervation according toclaim 1, wherein the movable member is located outside the catheter body.

3. The catheter for denervation according toclaim 2, further comprising a reinforcing member extending in the longitudinal direction of the catheter body and provided between the catheter body and the movable member,

wherein a distal end of the reinforcing member is fixed to the movable member and a proximal end of the reinforcing member is inserted into a through hole of the catheter body, so that the proximal end of the reinforcing member moves through the through hole of the catheter body according to movement of the movable member.

4. The catheter for denervation according toclaim 1, wherein the movable member is located within the catheter body, and wherein the catheter body has an opening through which the bending portion of the support member is drawn out of the catheter body when the support member is bent.

5. The catheter for denervation according toclaim 1, wherein in a state in which the bending portion of the support member moves away from the catheter body, the plurality of electrodes is spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in the longitudinal direction of the catheter body.

6. The catheter for denervation according toclaim 5, wherein the predetermined distance is 0.3 cm to 0.8 cm in the longitudinal direction of the catheter body.

7. The catheter for denervation according toclaim 5, wherein at least one of the plurality of support members has a curved portion to define the bending portion according to movement of the movable member.

8. The catheter for denervation according toclaim 5, wherein at least one of the plurality of support members is pre-shaped to define the bending portion according to movement of the movable member.

9. The catheter for denervation according toclaim 1, wherein in a state in which the bending portion of the support member moves away from the catheter body, the plurality of electrodes is spaced apart from each other by a predetermined angle based on a central axis of the catheter body in the longitudinal direction.

10. The catheter for denervation according toclaim 1, wherein surfaces of the catheter body and the movable member connected to the plurality of support members are perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the catheter body.

11. The catheter for denervation according toclaim 1, wherein the plurality of electrodes is configured to generate heat by means of radio frequency.

12. The catheter for denervation according toclaim 1, wherein the catheter body has a guide hole formed in the distal end thereof so that a guide wire moves therethrough.

13. The catheter for denervation according toclaim 1, further comprising at least one stopper for limiting a moving distance of the movable member.

14. The catheter for denervation according toclaim 13, wherein the at least one stopper is fixed to the operating member.

15. The catheter for denervation according toclaim 13, wherein the at least one stopper is fixed to the catheter body.

16. The catheter for denervation according toclaim 1, further comprising an elastic member connected to the movable member to give a restoring force with respect to movement of the movable member.

17. The catheter for denervation according toclaim 1, further comprising an end tip made of a composition containing polyether block amide and located at a front surface of the distal end of the catheter body and the movable member.

18. The catheter for denervation according toclaim 1 wherein a surface of the catheter body and a surface of the movable member, which are connected to the support member, are matched with each other.

19. The catheter for denervation according toclaim 1, wherein a section of the plurality of support members in a width direction has an outer surface length longer than an inner surface length thereof.

20. A denervation apparatus, comprising:

the catheter defined inclaims 1; and

a power supply connected to the catheter.

21. The catheter for denervation according to claim 1, further comprising a lead wire respectively electrically connected to the plurality of electrodes to give a power supply path for the plurality of electrodes.

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