Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device and method for opening obstructed body internal passages and for sensing and characterizing tissues and substances in contact with the device. In general, the device comprises a catheter tube capable of inducing vibrations in a guidewire contained therein, wherein said vibrations of the guidewire are utilized for opening a passage through an occlusion. The in-vivo vibrations may be induced by means of a magnetic field actuating means and a guidewire comprising magnetic coupling means, or by means of transducers, which may be also used for the sensing. The invention also relates to the field of minimal invasive catheterization, particularly an apparatus for opening and/or removing obstructions occluding body internal passages by means of an active guidewire comprising a coil to which an alternating voltage can be applied. In that way the guidewire can vibrate if an external magnetic field is applied.

Abstract: A device for determining a physical parameter of a tissue opening is provided. The device includes an expandable member which is designed for positioning within a tissue opening such as a valve annulus. The expandable member is capable of expanding while applying an inward radial force indicative of a diameter thereof. When the expandable member is positioned within the tissue opening and expanded, an increase in the inward radial force induced by contact between the expandable member and tissue surrounding the opening can be utilized to derive information relating to the physical parameter of the tissue opening.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device and method for opening obstructed body internal passages and for sensing and characterizing tissues and substances in contact with the device. In general, the device comprises a catheter tube capable of inducing vibrations in a guidewire contained therein, wherein said vibrations of the guidewire are utilized for opening a passage through an occlusion. The in-vivo vibrations may be induced by means of a magnetic field actuating means and a guidewire comprising magnetic coupling means, or by means of transducers, which may be also used for the sensing. The invention also relates to the field of minimal invasive catheterization, particularly an apparatus for opening and/or removing obstructions occluding body internal passages by means of an active guidewire comprising a coil to which an alternating voltage can be applied. In that way the guidewire can vibrate if an external magnetic field is applied.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device and method for opening obstructed body internal passages and for sensing and characterizing tissues and substances being in contact with the device of the invention. In general, the device of the present invention comprises a catheter tube capable of inducing vibrations in a guidewire contained therein, wherein said vibrations of the guidewire are utilized for opening a passage through an occlusion. The in-vivo vibrations may be induced by means of a magnetic field actuating means (5) and a guidewire (2) comprising magnetic coupling means (3), or by means of transducers, which may be also used for the sensing.

Abstract: The invention relates to an active oscillating guidewire (26) with varying stiffness to enable a safe crossing through an occluded vessel. The distal working zone (28) is made up of several distal segments (32, 34, 36, 38). A miniature engine is embedded in a segment (34).

Abstract: A device for determining a physical parameter of a tissue opening is provided. The device includes an expandable member which is designed for positioning within a tissue opening such as a valve annulus. The expandable member is capable of expanding while applying an inward radial force indicative of a diameter thereof. When the expandable member is positioned within the tissue opening and expanded, an increase in the inward radial force induced by contact between the expandable member and tissue surrounding the opening can be utilized to derive information relating to the physical parameter of the tissue opening.

Abstract: A medical device includes an outer catheter having a longitudinal axis, a movable device that can pass through the catheter and is movable along the longitudinal axis relative to the catheter, and a magnetic drive engine toward a distal end of the catheter. The magnetic drive engine includes at least two components with respective magnetic field-generating coils and magnets, that move relative to one another. One of the two components is coupled to the movable device for driving vibratory motion in the movable device along the longitudinal axis. An exemplary movable device is a guidewire over which the catheter is fed. The device typically includes a second catheter threaded inside the first catheter. The first or outer catheter shields the magnetic engine and its moving components.

Abstract: The invention relates to an active oscillating guidewire (26) with varying stiffness to enable a safe crossing through an occluded vessel. The distal working zone (28) is made up of several distal segments (32, 34, 36, 38). A miniature engine is embedded in a segment (34).

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of minimal invasive catheterization, in particular to an apparatus for opening and/or removing obstructions occluding body internal passages by means of an active guidewire comprising a coil to which an alternating voltage can be applied. In that way the guidewire can vibrate if an external magnetic field is applied.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device and method for opening obstructed body internal passages and for sensing and characterizing tissues and substances being in contact with the device of the invention. In general, the device of the present invention comprises a catheter tube capable of inducing vibrations in a guidewire contained therein, wherein said vibrations of the guidewire are utilized for opening a passage through an occlusion. The in-vivo vibrations may be induced by means of a magnetic field actuating means (5) and a guidewire (2) comprising magnetic coupling means (3), or by means of transducers, which may be also used for the sensing.

Abstract: A small electrical appliance, such as an electrical wet shaver or electrical toothbrush, is driven by the energy generated by the temperature differential in its environment of use. The heat of the hot water used when wet shaving with an electrical wet shaver, versus the relatively lower temperature of the handle, which is in an environment at room temperature, causes a thermoelectric generator operating as a Peltier cooler using the Seebeck mode, to generate enough electrical power to drive the motor of the appliance and/or to recharge a rechargeable electrical battery, which may also be present.