Abstract: Methods and systems for separating an object, such as a lead, from formed tissue are provided. Specifically, a tissue slitting apparatus is configured to engage formed tissue at a slitting engagement point. While the object is subjected to a first traction force, the tissue slitting apparatus is caused to move further into the engaged tissue and slit the tissue past the point of engagement. The slitting apparatus causes the tissue to separate along an axial direction of the length of the formed tissue and releases at least some of the force containing the object. The slitting apparatus is supported by a distal end support device configured to lock onto the lead. While supported, a slitting element of the apparatus places fibers of the formed tissue under tension and performs a lifting cut operation. The methods and systems are well suited for use in cardiac pacing or defibrillator lead explant procedures.

Abstract: Methods and devices for separating an implanted object, such as a pacemaker lead, from tissue surrounding such object in a patient's vasculature system. Specifically, the tissue separating device includes a handle, an elongate sheath and a circular cutting blade that may extend from the distal end of the sheath upon actuating the handle. The elongate sheath, particularly its distal end, includes a non-uniform wall thickness having one or more thicker portions in the outer sheath, particularly the outer cam member, and/or one or more thicker portions in an inner member disposed radially inward of the blade.

Abstract: A device for extending a lead according to some embodiments includes a body, a tubular member coupled to the body, the tubular member comprising an outer surface, wherein the outer surface is sized to insert into an inner lumen of a lead, the tubular member is movable between a first configuration in which the tubular member slides into the lead, and a second configuration in which at least a portion of the tubular member expands to engage an inner surface of the lead; and, an actuation mechanism operatively coupled to the tubular member, the actuation mechanism configured to move the tubular member between the first configuration and second configuration.

Abstract: Devices for removing implanted objects from body vessels are provided. A device includes a sheath assembly having a cutting tip. The cutting tip includes a cutting surface that is adapted to cut tissue coupled to an implanted object as the cutting tip rotates. The sheath assembly further includes an outer shield carried outside of the cutting tip. The outer shield includes a distal opening, and the outer shield is translatable relative to the cutting tip from a first position to a second position and vice versa. In the first position the cutting surface of the cutting tip is disposed within the outer shield, and in the second position the cutting tip extends through the distal opening and the cutting surface is at least partially disposed outside of the outer shield.

Abstract: Devices for removing implanted objects from body vessels are provided. A device includes a sheath assembly having a cutting tip. The cutting tip includes a cutting surface that is adapted to cut tissue coupled to an implanted object as the cutting tip rotates. The sheath assembly further includes an outer shield carried outside of the cutting tip. The outer shield includes a distal opening, and the outer shield is translatable relative to the cutting tip from a first position to a second position and vice versa. In the first position the cutting surface of the cutting tip is disposed within the outer shield, and in the second position the cutting tip extends through the distal opening and the cutting surface is at least partially disposed outside of the outer shield.

Abstract: A system includes a laser catheter and a rotating optical member to receive a laser beam along an optical path and rotate to a selected position to redirect the laser beam from the optical path onto one or more selected optical fibers of a laser catheter, wherein a distal end of the laser catheter irradiates an endovascular structure.

Abstract: A device for extending a lead according to some embodiments includes a body, a tubular member coupled to the body, the tubular member comprising an outer surface, wherein the outer surface is sized to insert into an inner lumen of a lead, the tubular member is movable between a first configuration in which the tubular member slides into the lead, and a second configuration in which at least a portion of the tubular member expands to engage an inner surface of the lead; and, an actuation mechanism operatively coupled to the tubular member, the actuation mechanism configured to move the tubular member between the first configuration and second configuration.

Abstract: A device for extending a lead according to some embodiments includes a body, a tubular member coupled to the body, the tubular member comprising an outer surface, wherein the outer surface is sized to insert into an inner lumen of a lead, the tubular member is movable between a first configuration in which the tubular member slides into the lead, and a second configuration in which at least a portion of the tubular member expands to engage an inner surface of the lead; and, an actuation mechanism operatively coupled to the tubular member, the actuation mechanism configured to move the tubular member between the first configuration and second configuration.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to the use of medical devices for the treatment of vascular conditions. In particular, the present disclosure provides devices and methods for using laser-induced pressure waves created within a sheath to disrupt intimal and medial calcium within the vasculature.

Abstract: Methods and devices for separating an implanted object, such as a pacemaker lead, from tissue surrounding such object in a patient's vasculature system. Specifically, the surgical device includes a handle, an elongate inner sheath and a circular cutting blade that extends from the distal end of the sheath upon actuating the handle. The circular cutting blade is configured to engage the tissue surrounding an implanted lead and cut such tissue in a coring fashion as the surgical device translates along the length of the lead, thereby allowing the lead, as well as any tissue remaining attached to the lead, to enter the device's elongate shaft. The surgical device has a barrel cam cylinder in the handle assembly that imparts rotation of the blade and a separate cam mechanism in the tip of outer sheath assembly that imparts and controls the extension and retraction of the blade.

Abstract: A device for extending a lead according to some embodiments includes a body, a coil element coupled to the body, the body configured to cover the coil element during use, the coil element comprising an inner lumen sized to receive an outer surface of a lead, the coil element is movable between a first configuration in which the coil element slides over the lead, and a second configuration in which at least some coils grip the outer surface of the lead; and an actuation mechanism operatively coupled to the coil element, the actuation mechanism configured to move the coil element between the first and second configurations.

Abstract: Devices for removing implanted objects from body vessels are provided. A device includes a sheath assembly having a cutting tip. The cutting tip includes a cutting surface that is adapted to cut tissue coupled to an implanted object as the cutting tip rotates. The sheath assembly further includes an outer shield carried outside of the cutting tip. The outer shield includes a distal opening, and the outer shield is translatable relative to the cutting tip from a first position to a second position and vice versa. In the first position the cutting surface of the cutting tip is disposed within the outer shield, and in the second position the cutting tip extends through the distal opening and the cutting surface is at least partially disposed outside of the outer shield.

Abstract: Devices for removing implanted objects from body vessels are provided. A device includes a sheath assembly having a cutting tip. The cutting tip includes a cutting surface that is adapted to cut tissue coupled to an implanted object as the cutting tip rotates. The sheath assembly further includes an outer shield carried outside of the cutting tip. The outer shield includes a distal opening, and the outer shield is translatable relative to the cutting tip from a first position to a second position and vice versa. In the first position the cutting surface of the cutting tip is disposed within the outer shield, and in the second position the cutting tip extends through the distal opening and the cutting surface is at least partially disposed outside of the outer shield.

Abstract: Devices for removing implanted objects from body vessels are provided. A device includes a sheath assembly having a cutting tip. The cutting tip includes a cutting surface that is adapted to cut tissue coupled to an implanted object as the cutting tip rotates. The sheath assembly further includes an outer shield carried outside of the cutting tip. The outer shield includes a distal opening, and the outer shield is translatable relative to the cutting tip from a first position to a second position and vice versa. In the first position the cutting surface of the cutting tip is disposed within the outer shield, and in the second position the cutting tip extends through the distal opening and the cutting surface is at least partially disposed outside of the outer shield.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to the use of medical devices for the treatment of vascular conditions. In particular, the present disclosure provides devices and methods for using laser-induced pressure waves created within a sheath to disrupt intimal and medial calcium within the vasculature.

Abstract: Methods and devices for separating an implanted object, such as a pacemaker lead, from tissue surrounding such object in a patient's vasculature system. Specifically, the tissue separating device includes a handle, an elongate sheath and a circular cutting blade that may extend from the distal end of the sheath upon actuating the handle. The elongate sheath, particularly its distal end, includes a non-uniform wall thickness having one or more thicker portions in the outer sheath, particularly the outer cam member, and/or one or more thicker portions in an inner member disposed radially inward of the blade.

Abstract: Devices for removing implanted objects from body vessels are provided. A device includes a sheath assembly having a cutting tip. The cutting tip includes a cutting surface that is adapted to cut tissue coupled to an implanted object as the cutting tip rotates. The sheath assembly further includes an outer shield carried outside of the cutting tip. The outer shield includes a distal opening, and the outer shield is translatable relative to the cutting tip from a first position to a second position and vice versa. In the first position the cutting surface of the cutting tip is disposed within the outer shield, and in the second position the cutting tip extends through the distal opening and the cutting surface is at least partially disposed outside of the outer shield.

Abstract: Methods and devices for an optical assembly for a laser generator comprise: a laser source producing a first beam of light and an optical assembly. The optical assembly comprises a prism. The prism has a bottom surface configured to receive a first beam at an incoming angle of incidence relative to a first surface normal, and a hypotenuse surface configured to transmit, at an exit angle relative to a second surface normal, a second beam having a second aspect ratio. The optical assembly further comprises a plano-convex lens configured to transmit the second beam to a coupler. The coupler comprises a first coupling plane at a first distance from the plano-convex lens and a second coupling plane at a second distance from the plano-convex lens. The combination of the prism and the plano-convex lens is configured to change the beam divergence, so that the first coupling plane has a third aspect ratio and the second coupling plane has a fourth aspect ratio.

Abstract: Methods and systems for separating an object, such as a lead, from formed tissue are provided. Specifically, a tissue slitting apparatus is configured to engage formed tissue at a slitting engagement point. While the object is subjected to a first traction force, the tissue slitting apparatus is caused to move further into the engaged tissue and slit the tissue past the point of engagement. The slitting apparatus causes the tissue to separate along an axial direction of the length of the formed tissue and releases at least some of the force containing the object. The slitting apparatus is supported by a distal end support device configured to lock onto the lead. While supported, a slitting element of the apparatus places fibers of the formed tissue under tension and performs a lifting cut operation. The methods and systems are well suited for use in cardiac pacing or defibrillator lead explant procedures.

Abstract: Methods and devices for separating an implanted object, such as a pacemaker lead, from tissue surrounding such object in a patient's vasculature system. A surgical device includes a handle, an elongate inner sheath and a circular cutting blade that extends from the distal end of the sheath upon actuating the handle. The circular cutting blade is configured to engage the tissue surrounding an implanted lead and cut such tissue in a coring fashion as the surgical device translates along the length of the lead, thereby allowing the lead to enter the device's elongate shaft. The surgical device has a barrel cam cylinder in the handle assembly that imparts rotation of the blade. The inner sheath and outer sheath are constructed of laser-cut hypotubes, thereby allowing the surgical device, particularly the sheath assembly, to have a smaller profile for navigating smaller sized vasculature.