Importance

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Abstract

An acoustic ablation catheter driven by a rotating shaft (18) includes a rotary-to-axial-motion converter (210), which includes a rotary driver (220, 420) in the form of a shell (222, 422) defining an inner surface (228, 428) which features a depressed groove (230, 330, 430). A follower (250, 490, 724) includes protuberance(s) (254, 494) which extend radially outward to engage the groove. This arrangement provides higher frequency response than some prior-art arrangements, and has the advantage of lesser diameter. In a particular embodiment, the shell (422) is made up of a cylinder (422) with a smooth interior, together with two end pieces (470, 480) which have axially-directed bumps or teeth (472, 482) which together define the guide path (330, 430). In a particular embodiment of the invention, the body (12) of the catheter (10) is made from a braided tube impregnated with a cured liquid, such as polymer. The body of the catheter is made by braiding threads to form a tube, expanding the tube to fit over a mandrel having the shape of the body of the catheter, impregnating the braided tube with uncured liquid polymer, vacuum bagging the impregnated tube and the mandrel, and curing the impregnant.

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First Claim