Abstract: An imaging catheter assembly comprising a catheter comprising: a proximal end; a distal end; a tubular body extending from the proximal end to the distal end; and an imaging element within the tubular body; a sheath comprising: a proximal end; a distal end; and a tubular body extending from the proximal end to the distal end, the tubular body having an inner surface, wherein the inner surface of the tubular body of the sheath at least partially defines a conduit for conveying a fluid to the distal end of the sheath, and wherein the sheath is movable such that the distal end of the sheath is positionable relative to the distal end of the catheter.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an elongate member having proximal and distal portions; a rotatable drive cable disposed within the elongate member, the drive cable being connectable to a mechanism to which torque can be applied; and a control assembly mechanically coupled to the drive cable, and configured to disengage the mechanism from the drive cable when the applied torque exceeds a predetermined level, wherein disengagement of the mechanism from the drive cable causes rotation of the drive cable to stop or withdrawal of the drive cable.

Abstract: A catheter configured for placement within a bodily lumen, comprises: a catheter sheath defining a first lumen for medical tools; and an exchange segment defining a second lumen for a guidewire. A proximal end of the exchange segment is joined with a distal end of the catheter sheath in a lengthwise direction forming an angle therebetween, such that the second lumen is laterally offset by a distance and angled with respect to the first lumen. When the catheter is placed within a patient's anatomy, the catheter sheath and/or the exchange segment straightens out so that the axis of the second lumen and the axis of the first lumen become substantially parallel to each other. The offset distance between the axes of sheath and exchange segment depends mainly on the diameter of the guidewire to be used, on the diameter of the sheath, and the angle of the junction.

Abstract: A catheter, comprising: a drive cable having cylindrical opening extending from a proximal end to a distal end along a longitudinal axis thereof; an imaging probe having an optical fiber arranged inside the drive cable and a distal optics assembly fixedly attached to the drive cable at the distal end thereof; a first radiopaque marker arranged at a distal end of the drive cable at a position distal and parallel to the distal optics assembly; and a second radiopaque marker arranged at a predetermined distance from the distal end of the drive cable at a position proximal to the distal optics assembly. The second radiopaque marker is arranged concentric or coaxially to the longitudinal axis in a space between the longitudinal axis and an outer surface of the drive cable.

Abstract: An imaging catheter assembly comprising a catheter comprising: a proximal end; a distal end; a tubular body extending from the proximal end to the distal end; and an imaging element within the tubular body; a sheath comprising: a proximal end; a distal end; and a tubular body extending from the proximal end to the distal end, the tubular body having an inner surface, wherein the inner surface of the tubular body of the sheath at least partially defines a conduit for conveying a fluid to the distal end of the sheath, and wherein the sheath is movable such that the distal end of the sheath is positionable relative to the distal end of the catheter.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an elongate member having proximal and distal portions; a rotatable drive cable disposed within the elongate member, the drive cable being connectable to a mechanism to which torque can be applied; and a control assembly mechanically coupled to the drive cable, and configured to disengage the mechanism from the drive cable when the applied torque exceeds a predetermined level, wherein disengagement of the mechanism from the drive cable causes rotation of the drive cable to stop or withdrawal of the drive cable.