Abstract: An imaging guidewire having at its distal tip at least a first Imaging sensor of a forward looking imaging system directed towards an area to be treated and configured to provide imaging data to a processing system, an optical imaging system directed towards an area that has already been treated and configured to provide imaging data of a treated area to the image processing system and at least one display device for displaying images processed by the image processing system. Operating the imaging guidewire during a medical procedure includes the steps of: Generating an image of an area to be treated; Upon completion of at least a portion of the medical treatment, generating an image of an area that has been treated; and displaying at least the first and second images; wherein each one of the first and second images can be generated by one or more imaging modalities.

Abstract: Systems and methods of increasing blood flow in a blood vessel with intraluminal plaque. One disclosed method includes inserting an imaging guidewire into the blood vessel to the intraluminal plaque, propelling a catheter with a working head over the guidewire towards the distal end of the guidewire, scanning with the imaging guidewire to generate a cross-section image, radially positioning the catheter using a positioning element, monitoring the image to ascertain that the working head is properly positioned and operating the working head to remove the plaque.

Abstract: A method for expelling blood and preventing blood from entering portions of an atherectomy system that includes the passage of infusion fluid through a passageway configured in the atherectomy system so as to provide a flow of infusion fluid through an operational mechanism of the atherectomy system and exit the atherectomy system at a higher pressure and higher velocity than that of the blood flow within the blood vessel in which the atherectomy system is operating. The method includes lubricating portions of the atherectomy system by bringing infusion fluid into contact with components of the operational mechanism of the atherectomy system, wherein a relative position of the two components one to another varies during operation.

Abstract: Systems and methods of increasing blood flow in a blood vessel with ultraluminal plaque. One disclosed method includes inserting an imaging guidewire into the blood vessel to the intraluminal plaque, propelling a catheter with a working head over the guidewire towards the distal end of the guidewire, scanning with the imaging guidewire to generate a cross-section image, radially positioning the catheter using a positioning element, monitoring the image to ascertain that the working head is properly positioned and operating the working head to remove the plaque. A computerized system designed, constructed and configured to perform the methods is further disclosed.

Abstract: A mechanism transforms a longitudinal reciprocation movement of a piston in a cylinder into a combined unidirectional rotation and reciprocating movement of the piston. In order to achieve this transformation the piston includes a closed wave shaped groove on its circumference. The closed wave shaped groove has recesses at its apexes. The recesses break the symmetry of the groove. Balls that are located in the cylinder protrude into the groove. When the piston is reciprocating, the groove slides on the balls. A flexible heat shrink ring secures the balls in place and assures that the balls are constantly biased toward the face of the groove.