Abstract: The present disclosure provides to identify regions of a cardiac cycle based on pressure measured intravenously during a procedure and to derive a fractional flow reserve from the measured pressure during the identified regions. Further the disclosure provides to derive a trend line of the derived fractional flow reserve while the patient in undergoing a procedure, such as a pre-percutaneous coronary intervention.

Abstract: A catheter assembly for an intravascular ultrasound system includes a catheter and an imaging core. The catheter includes a lumen extending along the longitudinal length of the catheter from the proximal end to the distal end and the imaging core is configured and arranged for inserting into the lumen. The imaging core includes a rotatable driveshaft, at least one transducer mounted to the distal end of the rotatable driveshaft, and a twisted wire cable coupled to the at least one transducer. In addition, a number of different transducer arrangements and methods of making transducers are presented.

Abstract: A catheter assembly for an intravascular ultrasound system includes a catheter and an imaging core. The catheter includes a lumen extending along the longitudinal length of the catheter from the proximal end to the distal end and the imaging core is configured and arranged for inserting into the lumen. The imaging core includes a rotatable driveshaft, at least one transducer mounted to the distal end of the rotatable driveshaft, and a twisted wire cable coupled to the at least one transducer.

Abstract: The invention is directed toward a magnetic shield included in a compass-based indicator tool. The indicator tool utilizes a compass to indicate a device setting of an implantable medical device. The implantable medical device may include a target that creates an internal magnetic field for the compass to interact with. External magnetic fields, specifically earth's magnetic field, may interfere with the compass and create an incorrect device setting indication. The magnetic shield blocks the external magnetic fields from influencing the accuracy of the device setting measurement.

Abstract: The invention is directed toward a magnetic shield included in a compass-based indicator tool. The indicator tool utilizes a compass to indicate a device setting of an implantable medical device. The implantable medical device may include a target that creates an internal magnetic field for the compass to interact with. External magnetic fields, specifically earth's magnetic field, may interfere with the compass and create an incorrect device setting indication. The magnetic shield blocks the external magnetic fields from influencing the accuracy of the device setting measurement.

Abstract: A stylet, apparatus and method for inserting a catheter into the dura of a patient. A hole having a predetermined diameter is made in the dura of the patient. An extensible catheter having a predetermined diameter in a relaxed state is stretched. The predetermined diameter in the relaxed state being greater than or equal to the predetermined diameter of the hole. The catheter is stretched a predetermined distance to a stretched state such that the catheter has a diameter in the stretched state that is smaller than the predetermined diameter of the hole. The stretched catheter is secured in the stretched state. The stretched catheter is inserted through the hole into the dura of the patient. The catheter is returned to its relaxed state allowing the catheter to fill the hole.

Abstract: The invention is directed toward a magnetic shield included in a compass-based indicator tool. The indicator tool utilizes a compass to indicate a device setting of an implantable medical device. The implantable medical device may include a target that creates an internal magnetic field for the compass to interact with. External magnetic fields, specifically earth's magnetic field, may interfere with the compass and create an incorrect device setting indication. The magnetic shield blocks the external magnetic fields from influencing the accuracy of the device setting measurement.

Abstract: The invention is directed toward a magnetic shield included in a compass-based indicator tool. The indicator tool utilizes a compass to indicate a device setting of an implantable medical device. The implantable medical device may include a target that creates an internal magnetic field for the compass to interact with. External magnetic fields, specifically earth's magnetic field, may interfere with the compass and create an incorrect device setting indication. The magnetic shield blocks the external magnetic fields from influencing the accuracy of the device setting measurement.