Abstract: A debulking catheter comprising a debulking assembly for debulking a body lumen. The catheters of the present invention can include a flexible proximal portion coupled to a rigid distal portion. A tissue debulking assembly can be disposed within the rigid portion to debulk the body lumen. In exemplary embodiments, the rigid portion is rotatably coupled to the flexible portion such that rotation or deflection of the rigid portion, relative to the flexible portion, can expose the tissue debulking assembly through a window in the catheter to debulk the body lumen.

Abstract: A method of removing material from a blood flow lumen includes providing a device having a cutting element and an opening, the cutting element being movable relative to the opening. The method then includes advancing the device through a patient's vascular system to the blood flow lumen. Finally, the method involves moving the cutting element and the opening relative to the blood flow lumen so that a continuous piece of material is severed by the cutting element and directed into the opening as the cutting element and opening move through the blood flow lumen, the continuous piece of severed material being directed into the device for removal from the patient. The method may include providing a device having a rotatable cutter that, in some embodiments, is not parallel to the longitudinal axis of the device, is movable, has retracted and deployed positions, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: A method of removing material from a blood flow lumen generally includes providing a device having a cutting element and an opening, advancing the device through the blood flow lumen to a site where material is to be removed, forcing the opening toward a wall of the site where material is to be removed, and moving the cutting element and the opening so that material in the blood flow lumen is cut by the cutting element and directed into the opening for removal as the cutting element and opening are moved through the blood flow lumen. In some embodiments, the device may be deflected or bent to force the opening toward a wall to remove material. The cutting element may be rotatable and may have an axis that is movable, that is not parallel to the longitudinal axis of the device, or both. In some embodiments, the cutting element is movable between retracted and deployed positions for advancing the device to a site for treatment and for removing material, respectively.

Abstract: A method of removing material from a blood flow lumen includes providing a device having a cutting element and an opening, the cutting element being movable relative to the opening. The method then includes advancing the device through a patient's vascular system to the blood flow lumen. Finally, the method involves moving the cutting element and the opening relative to the blood flow lumen so that a continuous piece of material is severed by the cutting element and directed into the opening as the cutting element and opening move through the blood flow lumen, the continuous piece of severed material being directed into the device for removal from the patient. The method may include providing a device having a rotatable cutter that, in some embodiments, is not parallel to the longitudinal axis of the device, is movable, has retracted and deployed positions, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: A debulking catheter comprising a tissue debulking assembly for removing a contiguous strand of material from a body lumen. Catheters of the present invention generally include a catheter body having proximal and distal portions and a tissue debulking assembly disposed at least partially within the distal portion. The tissue debulking assembly is radially movable to expose at least a portion of the assembly through a window on the catheter body. The catheter is advanced transluminally through the body lumen to contact material in the body lumen and remove a plane of contiguous material that has a length that is typically longer than a length of the window on the catheter. The contiguous material may be directed into a collection chamber. Thereafter, the material may be removed from the collection chamber and preserved or tested.

Abstract: A method of removing material from a blood flow lumen generally includes providing a device having a cutting element and an opening, advancing the device through the blood flow lumen to a site where material is to be removed, forcing the opening toward a wall of the site where material is to be removed, and moving the cutting element and the opening so that material in the blood flow lumen is cut by the cutting element and directed into the opening for removal as the cutting element and opening are moved through the blood flow lumen. In some embodiments, the device may be deflected or bent to force the opening toward a wall to remove material. The cutting element may be rotatable and may have an axis that is movable, that is not parallel to the longitudinal axis of the device, or both.

Abstract: A rotating cutting head catheter for passage through chronic total occlusions or other refractory atherosclerotic plaque from diseased arteries is disclosed. The catheter's rotating cutting head is designed to reside safely within an outer protective sheath when not in use. The outer protective sheath contains one or more helical groves or slots, and the cutting head contains protruding blades or projections that fit into these helical groves or slots. Application of torque to an inner catheter or wire attached to the cutting head applies spin to the cutting head, and the force of the sheath's helical groves or slots against the cutting head's protruding blades or projections advances the cutting head outward from the protective sheath. Once extended, the cutting head may now rotate freely. The device may use a guidewire to direct the cutting head to the desired position.

Abstract: A method of removing material from a blood flow lumen generally includes providing a device having a cutting element and an opening, advancing the device through the blood flow lumen to a site where material is to be removed, forcing the opening toward a wall of the site where material is to be removed, and moving the cutting element and the opening so that material in the blood flow lumen is cut by the cutting element and directed into the opening for removal as the cutting element and opening are moved through the blood flow lumen. In some embodiments, the device may be deflected or bent to force the opening toward a wall to remove material. The cutting element may be rotatable and may have an axis that is movable, that is not parallel to the longitudinal axis of the device, or both. In some embodiments, the cutting element is movable between retracted and deployed positions for advancing the device to a site for treatment and for removing material, respectively.

Abstract: A device for reentering a true lumen from a subintimal location includes a rotating cutting element and energy emitting element. Energy is emitted to determine the location of the true lumen and the cutting element is exposed to cut an access path to the true lumen. The cutting element may be gradually exposed and the distal portion may be bent or articulated to move the cutting element toward the material to be cut.

Abstract: A debulking catheter comprising a tissue debulking assembly for removing material from a body lumen. Catheters of the present invention generally include a catheter body having proximal and distal portions and a tissue debulking assembly disposed at least partially within the distal portion. The tissue debulking assembly is radially movable to expose at least a portion of the assembly through a window on the catheter body to contact material in the body lumen. The catheter may then be moved to allow the tissue debulking assembly to remove all or a portion of the material. In exemplary embodiments, the distal portion of the catheter body is rotatably coupled to the proximal portion such that rotation or deflection of the distal portion, relative to the proximal portion, urges the window against material in the body lumen, exposes the tissue debulking assembly through the window, or both.

Abstract: A method of removing material from a blood flow lumen generally includes providing a device having a cutting element and an opening, advancing the device through the blood flow lumen to a site where material is to be removed, forcing the opening toward a wall of the site where material is to be removed, and moving the cutting element and the opening so that material in the blood flow lumen is cut by the cutting element and directed into the opening for removal as the cutting element and opening are moved through the blood flow lumen. In some embodiments, the device may be deflected or bent to force the opening toward a wall to remove material. The cutting element may be rotatable and may have an axis that is movable, that is not parallel to the longitudinal axis of the device, or both. In some embodiments, the cutting element is movable between retracted and deployed positions for advancing the device to a site for treatment and for removing material, respectively.

Abstract: A method of removing material from a blood flow lumen includes providing a device having a cutting element and an opening, the cutting element being movable relative to the opening. The method then includes advancing the device through a patient's vascular system to the blood flow lumen. Finally, the method involves moving the cutting element and the opening relative to the blood flow lumen so that a continuous piece of material is severed by the cutting element and directed into the opening as the cutting element and opening move through the blood flow lumen, the continuous piece of severed material being directed into the device for removal from the patient. The method may include providing a device having a rotatable cutter that, in some embodiments, is not parallel to the longitudinal axis of the device, is movable, has retracted and deployed positions, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: A debulking catheter comprising a debulking assembly for debulking a body lumen. The catheters of the present invention can include a flexible proximal portion coupled to a rigid distal portion. A tissue debulking assembly can be disposed within the rigid portion to debulk the body lumen. In exemplary embodiments, the rigid portion is rotatably coupled to the flexible portion such that rotation or deflection of the rigid portion, relative to the flexible portion, can expose the tissue debulking assembly through a window in the catheter to debulk the body lumen.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a catheter device for treatment of disease in biological conduits. The device has inner and outer coaxial catheter members, each having an inflatable balloon attached near its distal end. When the balloons are inflated, a sealed treatment chamber is created between the balloons. The length of the treatment chamber is adjustable by sliding the coaxial catheter members with respect to each other to obtain a desired separation between the attached balloons before inflation. Biological debris is trapped within the chamber and removed by infusion and aspiration of a flushing fluid, reducing the risk of myocardial infarction. Adjunctive treatment devices can be inserted into the sealed treatment chamber through a lumen of the outer coaxial member.

Abstract: An atherectomy catheter includes a catheter body having a blade assembly at its distal end. The blade assembly includes first blade and a second blade, where each blade has an opposed cutting edge. At least one of the cutting edges will have a penetrating point formed thereon. Preferably, both edges will have at least one aligned cutting point, more preferably at least two or more aligned cutting points. When the blades are actuated to shear tissue therebetween, the cutting points act to penetrate and capture the material to be sheared.

Abstract: A basketball passing machine (18) includes a basketball supply (20) which provides basketballs (48) for a basketball ejector assembly (26) which passes basketballs one-at-a-time in a controlled manner along a trajectory (70) towards a waiting player. The machine can be used with a collection net assembly (16) adjacent a backboard (6) so that basketballs from both made and missed shots are collected and directed into the basketball supply. The supply of basketballs allows the passing machine to pass basketballs to the player as fast as desired, such as every three to four seconds. Balls can be passed from the machine on demand; the pass rate, the azimuth of the trajectory, the speed of the ball and the number of balls placed in play at each position can be preprogrammed. Sensors (74, 104) are used to generate signals whenever a ball is placed in play and when a shot is made. Shooting accuracy and associated information can be displayed for a player as well as recorded for future reference.

Abstract: An improved system for removing atheromas in a blood vessel or ablating tissue of a gland that includes a catheter with a housing containing a cutout or window at its distal end, and an excising or ablating element disposed therein. The excising or ablating element is characterized by at least one cutting blade with a relatively straight cutting edge, that has a length approximately the same as the length of the cutout when measured along a longitudinal axis of the system. In operation, the cutout is positioned at the site at which treatment is to be rendered using a guiding element. Each cutting blade then is caused to reciprocate by a driving element and to move back and forth by an actuating element to alternately cover and uncover the cutout. In the process of reciprocating and traversing the cutout the cutting blade or cutting blades remove the target atheroma or tissue.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a catheter device for treatment of disease in biological conduits. The device has inner and outer coaxial catheter members, each having an inflatable balloon attached near its distal end. When the balloons are inflated, a sealed treatment chamber is created between the balloons. The length of the treatment chamber is adjustable by sliding the coaxial catheter members with respect to each other to obtain a desired separation between the attached balloons before inflation. Biological debris is trapped within the chamber and removed by infusion and aspiration of a flushing fluid, reducing the risk of myocardial infarction. Adjunctive treatment devices can be inserted into the sealed treatment chamber through a lumen of the outer coaxial member.

Abstract: An cutter apparatus for removing obstructive tissue has a distal housing having a window for invaginating tissue. An axially reciprocating and rotating cutting blade makes successive longitudinal cuts while slowly rotating across the open window. An axial guide assembly holds the cutting edge of the blade in a cutting path immediately adjacent to the inner surface of the housing. The shape and motion of the cutting blade pares off a generally uniformly thick slice of tissue from the stenosis and directs it toward the interior of the housing. A spiral parting edge opposed to the rotating cutting edge provides clean separation of the tissue slice from the stenosis. The tissue slice is received in a chamber internal to the housing and is retained by the blade and guide assembly for later removal from the patient.

Abstract: A vascular catheter includes a catheter body, an inflatable balloon disposed at the distal end of the catheter body, and an inflation conduit extending from the proximal end of the catheter body to the inflatable balloon. The inflation conduit is disposed on the exterior of the catheter body, minimizing the total cross-sectional area but imparting a non-circular periphery. Catheter whip resulting from the non-circular periphery is reduced by arranging the inflation conduit in a helical pattern over at least a distal portion of the catheter body.