Abstract: A system acquires images in the presence of a contrast agent of relatively long persistence using a synchronization processor, image acquisition device and imaging controller. The synchronization processor provides an image acquisition trigger signal for acquiring images at a particular point within both a cardiac and a respiratory cycle in response to signals representing cardiac and respiratory cycles. The image acquisition device includes an assembly comprising a radiation emitter and detector rotatable about a patient for acquiring images of a portion of patient anatomy at different angles. The imaging controller initiates acquisition of data representing multiple images in the presence of a contrast agent of relatively long persistence by repetitively, initiating rotation of the assembly to an angle, acquiring an image at the angle in response to the trigger signal and incrementally increasing the angle.

Abstract: A system for controlling multiple computerized medical devices includes a passive sterile mouse and an active mouse-sensing base for sensing a position of the passive sterile mouse and generating a control signal for controlling at least one computerized medical device. A sterile mouse pad is selectively positioned over the active mouse sensing base for sealing the active mouse-sensing base thereunder. A multiplexer is coupled to the active mouse-sensing base for receiving the control signal and providing the control signal to the at least one computerized medical device enabling control of the at least one computerized medical device, within a sterile field during an interventional procedure.

Abstract: A system acquires images in the presence of a contrast agent of relatively long persistence using a synchronization processor, image acquisition device and imaging controller. The synchronization processor provides an image acquisition trigger signal for acquiring images at a particular point within both a cardiac and a respiratory cycle in response to signals representing cardiac and respiratory cycles. The image acquisition device includes an assembly comprising a radiation emitter and detector rotatable about a patient for acquiring images of a portion of patient anatomy at different angles. The imaging controller initiates acquisition of data representing multiple images in the presence of a contrast agent of relatively long persistence by repetitively, initiating rotation of the assembly to an angle, acquiring an image at the angle in response to the trigger signal and incrementally increasing the angle.

Abstract: A system for moving an elongate medical device has at least one drive element for engaging and moving an elongate medical device. Various embodiments provide for moving the separate inner and outer elements of a telescoping medical device. Some systems also provide for the rotation of a rotatable distal element on a rotatable medical device or the rotation of extension element in a telescoping medical device.

Abstract: A method for guiding stent deployment during an endovascular procedure includes providing a virtual stent model of a real stent that specifies a length, diameter, shape, and placement of the real stent. The method further includes projecting the virtual stent model onto a 2-dimensional (2D) DSA image of a target lesion, manipulating a stent deployment mechanism to navigate the stent to the target lesion while simultaneously acquiring real-time 2D fluoroscopic images of the stent navigation, and overlaying each fluoroscopic image on the 2D DSA image having the projected virtual stent model image, where the 2D fluoroscopic images are acquired from a C-arm mounted X-ray apparatus, and updating the projection of the virtual stent model onto the fluoroscopic images whenever a new fluoroscopic image is acquired or whenever the C-arm is moved, where the stent is aligned with the virtual stent model by aligning stent end markers with virtual end markers.

Abstract: A method of assessing rupture risk of an aneurysm from time-resolved images includes injecting a contrast enhancing agent into a patient with an aneurysm, using an electrocardiogram (ECG) signal to trigger an image acquisition run, wherein a sequence of 2D X-ray fluoroscopic images is acquired along with a corresponding ECG signal value, rotating a C-arm attaching the X-ray fluoroscopic imaging apparatus during said image acquisition run, wherein the images in said X-ray fluoroscopic image sequence are acquired from a rotating viewpoint, sorting the images in said X-ray fluoroscopic image sequence into time windows of the cardiac cycle based on the ECG signal, and constructing one or more 3-dimensional (3D) angiography image volumes of said aneurysm from said 2D fluoroscopic image sequence.

Abstract: A magnetically navigable catheter includes a sheath having a proximal end and a distal end, and an extension member having a proximal end and a distal end, slidably mounted in the sheath so that the distal end portion of the extension member telescopes from the distal end of the sheath. The distal end portion of the extension member being relatively more flexible than the distal end of the sheath. There may be one or more electrodes on the distal end of the extension member. There is also at least one magnet on the distal end portion of the extension member to allow the distal end of extension member to be oriented by the application of an externally applied magnetic field.

Abstract: A system for moving an elongate medical device has at least one drive element for engaging and moving an elongate medical device. Various embodiments provide for moving the separate inner and outer elements of a telescoping medical device. Some systems also provide for the rotation of a rotatable distal element on a rotatable medical device or the rotation of extension element in a telescoping medical device.

Abstract: An advancer system is described for moving an elongate medical device within a body. The system includes a drive unit having a motor. The drive unit is configured to translate movement of the motor to the device so as to alternately advance and retract the device relative to the body. The advancer system also includes a user-operable control system configured to control the drive unit. The control system can interface with a magnetic navigation system. The above-described system allows an operating physician to control catheter advancement and retraction while remaining outside an x-ray imaging field. Thus the physician is freed from repeated x-ray exposure.

Abstract: A system for controlling multiple computerized medical devices includes a passive sterile mouse and an active mouse-sensing base for sensing a position of the passive sterile mouse and generating a control signal for controlling at least one computerized medical device. A sterile mouse pad is selectively positioned over the active mouse sensing base for sealing the active mouse-sensing base thereunder. A multiplexer is coupled to the active mouse-sensing base for receiving the control signal and providing the control signal to the at least one computerized medical device enabling control of the at least computerized medical devices, within a sterile field during an interventional procedure.

Abstract: A system for moving an elongate medical device has at least one drive element for engaging and moving an elongate medical device. Various embodiments provide for moving the separate inner and outer elements of a telescoping medical device. Some systems also provide for the rotation of a rotatable distal element on a rotatable medical device or the rotation of extension element in a telescoping medical device.

Abstract: A method for guiding stent deployment during an endovascular procedure includes providing a virtual stent model of a real stent that specifies a length, diameter, shape, and placement of the real stent. The method further includes projecting the virtual stent model onto a 2-dimensional (2D) DSA image of a target lesion, manipulating a stent deployment mechanism to navigate the stent to the target lesion while simultaneously acquiring real-time 2D fluoroscopic images of the stent navigation, and overlaying each fluoroscopic image on the 2D DSA image having the projected virtual stent model image, where the 2D fluoroscopic images are acquired from a C-arm mounted X-ray apparatus, and updating the projection of the virtual stent model onto the fluoroscopic images whenever a new fluoroscopic image is acquired or whenever the C-arm is moved, where the stent is aligned with the virtual stent model by aligning stent end markers with virtual end markers.

Abstract: A method of assessing rupture risk of an aneurysm from time-resolved images includes injecting a contrast enhancing agent into a patient with an aneurysm, using an electrocardiogram (ECG) signal to trigger an image acquisition run, wherein a sequence of 2D X-ray fluoroscopic images is acquired along with a corresponding ECG signal value, rotating a C-arm attaching the X-ray fluoroscopic imaging apparatus during said image acquisition run, wherein the images in said X-ray fluoroscopic image sequence are acquired from a rotating viewpoint, sorting the images in said X-ray fluoroscopic image sequence into time windows of the cardiac cycle based on the ECG signal, and constructing one or more 3-dimensional (3D) angiography image volumes of said aneurysm from said 2D fluoroscopic image sequence.

Abstract: An advancer system is described for moving an elongate medical device within a body. The system includes a drive unit having a motor. The drive unit is configured to translate movement of the motor to the device so as to alternately advance and retract the device relative to the body. The advancer system also includes a user-operable control system configured to control the drive unit. The control system can interface with a magnetic navigation system. The above-described system allows an operating physician to control catheter advancement and retraction while remaining outside an x-ray imaging field. Thus the physician is freed from repeated x-ray exposure.

Abstract: A magnetically navigable catheter includes a sheath having a proximal end and a distal end, and an extension member having a proximal end and a distal end, slidably mounted in the sheath so that the distal end portion of the extension member telescopes from the distal end of the sheath. The distal end portion of the extension member being relatively more flexible than the distal end of the sheath. There may be one or more electrodes on the distal end of the extension member. There is also at least one magnet, and preferably more than one magnet, on the distal end portion of the extension member to allow the distal end of extension member to be oriented by the application of an externally applied magnetic field.

Abstract: A linear actuator system including a cylinder, a piston slidably received within the cylinder and defining a piston chamber and a rod chamber in the cylinder, wherein the piston includes a plurality of orifices therethrough that place the piston chamber and the rod chamber in fluid communication, and a sealing member movable between a closed position, wherein the sealing member restricts fluid flow through at least one of the plurality of orifices, and an open position, wherein the sealing member is less restrictive of fluid flow through the orifices. The plurality of orifices may include an always-open orifice that is not blocked by the sealing member when the sealing member is in the closed position.

Abstract: A method of localizing a medical device inside a patient's body, the method comprising: transmitting ac magnetic signals between a plurality of points of known location outside of the patient's body and a plurality of points on the medical device inside the patient's body, the signals transmitted between at least some of the points comprising at least two different frequencies; and receiving the transmitted ac magnetic signals and processing the received signals to determine the position of the points on the medical device, and thus the location of the medical device, this processing including correcting for the affects of metal in the vicinity by using the transmitted and received signals at different frequencies. In an alternate embodiment, a reference device is provided inside the patients' body, and the medical device is localized relative to the reference catheter.

Abstract: A method for forming an ablation pattern to electrically isolate a vessel having an ostium from a chamber formed within a patient for treatment of cardiac arrhythmia. The distal portion of a catheter is navigated to a chamber. An anchor member is deployed from the distal end of the catheter into the chamber, and the distal end is navigated into the ostium of the vessel, and temporarily secured in the vessel. An ablation member is deployed from the distal end of the catheter into the chamber and successively navigated into contact with tissue adjacent the ostium and ablating the tissue in contact with the ablation member to form a line of ablation. At least one of the navigating the distal portion of the catheter, navigating the anchor member and navigating the ablation member is performed by applying an external magnetic field to orient the device being navigated.

Abstract: Atherectomy devices are guided by and manipulated by externally applied magnetic fields to treat total or partial occlusions of a patient's vasculature.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved boot guide for a caliper brake system. The improved boot guide includes a guide portion integrally formed with a boot portion, wherein the guide portion guides a brake piston and the boot portion seals the brake piston. The piston may be electrically driven. Alternatively, the piston may be hydraulically driven. The guide portion of the single piece boot guide may further include a radial support member that provides a radial retaining force. The radial support member may be manufactured utilizing material selected from a group consisting of mild steel and spring steel. The single piece boot guide may be manufactured from an elastomer. The elastomer may be selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl chloride, ethylene propylene terpolymer rubber, and nitrile rubber. The boot portion may form convolutions within a boot guide cavity. The guide portion may include an environmental seal portion.