Abstract: A biopsy device includes a first cannula and a second cannula disposed co-axially with the first cannula. A first gear is fixedly attached to the first cannula. A second gear is fixedly attached to the second cannula. A torsion spring is interposed between the first gear and the second gear. The torsion spring is connected to each of the first gear and the second gear. A ratchet drive mechanism is configured to wind the torsion spring to store energy during a cocking operation, and is configured to release the energy stored by the torsion spring during a firing operation to drivably rotate the first gear to rotate the first cannula relative to the second cannula.

Abstract: A catheter assembly including, in some embodiments, a sonic connector at a proximal end of a core wire, a damping mechanism around a proximal end portion of the core wire, and a heat sink connected to the damping mechanism. The sonic connector is configured to couple to an ultrasound-producing mechanism and transmit vibrational energy to the proximal end of the core wire, which core wire includes a distal end portion configured to modify intravascular lesions. The damping mechanism includes a gasket system around the proximal end portion of the core wire in a damping-mechanism bore of the catheter assembly. The damping mechanism is configured to damp the vibrational energy. A system including, in some embodiments, the catheter assembly and the ultrasound-producing mechanism is also disclosed.

Abstract: Dual-access site catheter systems with a blade or scoring functionality entering through a first access site and a balloon functionality for manipulating or driving the blade or scoring functionality through a different site. The blade or scoring functionality also sometimes provides needle or fluid delivery functionality to an atherosclerotic lesion.

Abstract: A dual lumen coaxial introducer, for use with an elongate needle, includes a hub, an elongate member, and a pushrod. The elongate member has a first lumen, a second lumen, a proximal end portion, and a distal end. The proximal end portion is fixedly attached to the hub. The first lumen of the elongate member defines a longitudinal axis and is configured to slidably receive the elongate needle. The pushrod is located in the second lumen of the elongate member. The pushrod has a distal end surface. The pushrod is movable in the second lumen between a retracted position and an extended position. In the retracted position, the distal end surface of the pushrod is spaced away from the distal end of the elongate member to define a marker recess in the second lumen elongate member for carrying a tissue marker for delivery to a delivery site in a patient.

Abstract: Dual-access site catheter systems with a blade or scoring functionality entering through a first access site and a balloon functionality for manipulating or driving the blade or scoring functionality through a different site. The blade or scoring functionality also sometimes provides needle or fluid delivery functionality to an atherosclerotic lesion.

Abstract: A biopsy device includes a device housing, a linear motor, and a controller circuit. The controller circuit has a processor circuit, a first feedback circuit, and a second feedback circuit. The first feedback circuit and the second feedback circuit operate simultaneously. The processor circuit executes program instructions to control an axial advancement of the distal end of the linear motor shaft in accordance with a linear motor shaft advancement profile based on first control signals received from at least one drive characteristic sensor of the first feedback circuit, and executes program instructions to keep the distal end of the linear motor shaft at a constant axial position, as offset by the position indicated by the linear motor shaft advancement profile, based on second control signals received from the housing position detector of the second feedback circuit so as to compensate for user movement of the device housing.

Abstract: Provided herein is a system including, in some embodiments, a streamlined port and a port tunneler. The port includes a septum and a stabilizing element. The septum is disposed over a cavity in a body of the port, and the septum is configured to accept a needle therethrough. The stabilizing element is configured to stabilize the port in vivo and maintain needle access to the septum. The port tunneler includes an adapter and a release mechanism. The adapter is in a distal end portion of the port tunneler, and the adapter is configured to securely hold the port while subcutaneously tunneling the port from an incision site to an implantation site for the port. The release mechanism is configured to release the port from the adapter at the implantation site for the port.

Abstract: A biopsy device includes a first cannula driver connected to a first cannula and a second cannula driver connected to a second cannula. The first cannula driver has a first rack member and a flange. The second cannula driver has a second rack member. A drive assembly has a linear motor drive, a transmission assembly, a switching motor drive, and an electrical controller circuit. The electrical controller circuit is configured to execute program instructions to selectively operate the linear motor drive and the switching motor drive. The transmission assembly has a gear assembly drivably coupled to the switching motor drive and configured to releasably engage at least one of the first rack member of the first cannula driver and the second rack member of the second cannula driver. A coupler member is connected to the linear motor drive, and is configured to engage the flange of the first cannula driver.

Abstract: A system including a console and a catheter assembly. The console may include an ultrasound-producing mechanism configured to convert an electric current into a vibrational energy. The console also may include a driving-parameter modifier configured to modify driving parameters to selectively provide one or more output modes for the vibrational energy. The catheter assembly may include a sheath including a sheath lumen and a core wire at least partially disposed within the sheath lumen. The core wire may include a proximal portion and a distal portion of the core wire, wherein the proximal portion of the core wire is coupled to the ultrasound-producing mechanism. A working length of the distal portion of the core wire beyond the sheath may be configured for longitudinal, transverse, or longitudinal and transverse displacement in accordance with the one or more output modes for the vibrational energy to effect different intravascular lesion-modification procedures.

Abstract: A biopsy device includes a hydraulic drive assembly, a drive mechanism, and a biopsy member. The hydraulic drive assembly includes a chamber housing that defines a proximal chamber, a distal chamber, and a transition chamber that collectively form a continuous passage in the chamber housing. The proximal chamber has a first transverse area and the distal chamber has a second transverse area, with the first transverse area being larger than the second transverse area. A drive piston is located in the proximal chamber and a driven piston is located in the distal chamber. A hydraulic fluid fills a cavity between the drive piston and the driven piston to establish a hydraulic connection between the drive piston and the driven piston. The drive mechanism is connected to the drive piston to move the drive piston in the proximal cylinder. The biopsy member is connected to the driven piston.

Abstract: A system including a console and a catheter assembly. The console may include an ultrasound-producing mechanism configured to convert an electric current into a vibrational energy. The console also may include a driving-parameter modifier configured to modify driving parameters to selectively provide one or more output modes for the vibrational energy. The catheter assembly may include a sheath including a sheath lumen and a core wire at least partially disposed within the sheath lumen. The core wire may include a proximal portion and a distal portion of the core wire, wherein the proximal portion of the core wire is coupled to the ultrasound-producing mechanism. A working length of the distal portion of the core wire beyond the sheath may be configured for longitudinal, transverse, or longitudinal and transverse displacement in accordance with the one or more output modes for the vibrational energy to effect different intravascular lesion-modification procedures.

Abstract: Dual-access site catheter systems with a blade or scoring functionality entering through a first access site and a balloon functionality for manipulating or driving the blade or scoring functionality through a different site. The blade or scoring functionality also sometimes provides needle or fluid delivery functionality to an atherosclerotic lesion.

Abstract: A biopsy device includes a first cannula having a first aperture, a second cannula having a second aperture, and a driver unit. The second cannula is disposed co-axially with the first cannula. At least one of the first aperture and the second aperture has a cutting edge. The driver unit has a ratchet drive mechanism operatively coupled to the first cannula and the second cannula. The ratchet drive mechanism includes a first gear fixedly attached to the first cannula. A second gear is fixedly attached to the second cannula. A torsion spring has a first end portion connected to the first gear and a second end portion connected to the second gear. The torsion spring stores energy which when released drivably rotates one of the first gear and the second gear relative to the other of the first gear and the second gear.

Abstract: A biopsy device includes a first cannula disposed co-axially with a second cannula. A ratchet drive mechanism is operatively coupled to the first cannula and the second cannula. The ratchet drive mechanism includes a first gear, a second gear and a torsion spring. The first gear is fixedly attached to the first cannula. The second gear is fixedly attached to the second cannula. A second side surface of the second gear is oriented to face a first side surface of the first gear. The torsion spring is interposed between the first gear and the second gear. The torsion spring has a first end portion inserted into a hole of the first gear and has a second end portion inserted into a hole of the second gear. The torsion spring stores energy which when released drivably rotates one of the first gear and the second gear relative to the other.

Abstract: A system including a console and a catheter assembly. The console may include an ultrasound-producing mechanism configured to convert an electric current into a vibrational energy. The console also may include a driving-parameter modifier configured to modify driving parameters to selectively provide one or more output modes for the vibrational energy. The catheter assembly may include a sheath including a sheath lumen and a core wire at least partially disposed within the sheath lumen. The core wire may include a proximal portion and a distal portion of the core wire, wherein the proximal portion of the core wire is coupled to the ultrasound-producing mechanism. A working length of the distal portion of the core wire beyond the sheath may be configured for longitudinal, transverse, or longitudinal and transverse displacement in accordance with the one or more output modes for the vibrational energy to effect different intravascular lesion-modification procedures.

Abstract: A catheter comprising a base material, an optional body material, and a braid structure having crescent-shaped ribbons braided into the structure. Various biocompatible polymers can function as base or body materials. When a ribbon is metallic, various biocompatible materials can function in the ribbon. The crescent of a crescent ribbon can face luminally or abluminally.

Abstract: A biopsy device includes a first cannula disposed co-axially with a second cannula. A ratchet drive mechanism is operatively coupled to the first cannula and the second cannula. The ratchet drive mechanism includes a first gear, a second gear and a torsion spring. The first gear is fixedly attached to the first cannula. The second gear is fixedly attached to the second cannula. A second side surface of the second gear is oriented to face a first side surface of the first gear. The torsion spring is interposed between the first gear and the second gear. The torsion spring has a first end portion inserted into a hole of the first gear and has a second end portion inserted into a hole of the second gear. The torsion spring stores energy which when released drivably rotates one of the first gear and the second gear relative to the other.

Abstract: A biopsy device includes a first cannula having a first aperture, a second cannula having a second aperture, and a driver unit. The second cannula is disposed co-axially with the first cannula. At least one of the first aperture and the second aperture has a cutting edge. The driver unit has a ratchet drive mechanism operatively coupled to the first cannula and the second cannula. The ratchet drive mechanism includes a first gear fixedly attached to the first cannula. A second gear is fixedly attached to the second cannula. A torsion spring has a first end portion connected to the first gear and a second end portion connected to the second gear. The torsion spring stores energy which when released drivably rotates one of the first gear and the second gear relative to the other of the first gear and the second gear.

Abstract: A biopsy device includes a first cannula having a first aperture, a second cannula having a second aperture, and a driver unit. The second cannula is disposed co-axially with the first cannula. At least one of the first aperture and the second aperture has a cutting edge. The driver unit has a ratchet drive mechanism operatively coupled to the first cannula and the second cannula. The ratchet drive mechanism includes a first gear fixedly attached to the first cannula. A second gear is fixedly attached to the second cannula. A torsion spring has a first end portion connected to the first gear and a second end portion connected to the second gear. The torsion spring stores energy which when released drivably rotates one of the first gear and the second gear relative to the other of the first gear and the second gear.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to an anti-rotation device for mating connectors, and methods of using same. In one illustrative embodiment, the method comprises coupling a first connector to a second connector, removing at least a portion of the second connector after the first and second connectors are coupled together to thereby define a recess in the second connector, and coupling an anti-rotation member to at least one of the first and second connectors, wherein the anti-rotation member engages at least a portion of the first connector and is adapted to engage at least a portion of the recess in the second connector.