Abstract: Described herein are rotary transformers for coupling signals between components that rotate relative to one another. In an exemplary embodiment, a rotary transformer comprises a rotary shaft, a first magnetic core on the rotary shaft, and a first winding wound around the first magnetic core. The rotary transformer farther comprises a hollow second magnetic core, and a second winding wound along the inner wall of the second magnetic core. During operation, the first winding on the rotary shaft rotates within the second winding with the magnetic cores magnetically coupling signals between the two windings. Also, the first and second windings are closely spaced to provide capacitive coupling between the windings that extends the frequency response of the transformer. In one embodiment, the windings comprises substantially flat conductors wound in the shape of the windings. In another embodiment, each of the windings comprises circular loops connected by jogs.

Abstract: An atherectomy device and method has cannula systems having lumens adapted for insertion of a blood filter and an atherectomy catheter useful for performing atherectomy directly on a patient's cardiovascular tissue. Other embodiments include a lumen for arterial perfusion useful in providing oxygenated blood to the aorta during cardiopulmonary bypass. The distal end of the atherectomy catheter includes an assembly that has a pincer, a loop with or without a mesh, laser, hydraulics, or other suitable mechanism adapted for removing atheroma from a cardiac or vascular tissue. Methods of using the systems for vascular atherectomy are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: An electrical connector is described. In one implementation, the connector includes a female portion including one or more electrical contacts and a male portion including one or more electrical contacts. The female portion and the male portion each have a self-orientating geometry that allows the male portion to be mated with the female portion in any rotational position along 360 degrees of rotation. When mated, the electrical contacts of the female portion mate with corresponding one or more electrical contacts of the male portion to form one or more electrical connections between two electronic components.

Abstract: An atherectomy device has cannula systems having lumens adapted for insertion of a blood filter and an atherectomy catheter useful for performing atherectomy directly on a patient's cardiovascular tissue. Other embodiments include a lumen for arterial perfusion useful in providing oxygenated blood to the aorta during cardiopulmonary bypass. The distal end of the atherectomy catheter includes an assembly that has a pincer, a loop with or without a mesh, laser, hydraulics, or other suitable mechanism adapted for removing atheroma from a cardiac or vascular tissue. Methods of using the systems for vascular atherectomy are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: Described herein are rotary transformers for coupling signals between components that rotate relative to one another. In an exemplary embodiment, a rotary transformer comprises a rotary shaft, a first magnetic core on the rotary shaft, and a first winding wound around the first magnetic core. The rotary transformer further comprises a hollow second magnetic core, and a second winding wound along the inner wall of the second magnetic core. During operation, the first winding on the rotary shaft rotates within the second winding with the magnetic cores magnetically coupling signals between the two windings. Also, the first and second windings are closely spaced to provide capacitive coupling between the windings that extends the frequency response of the transformer. In one embodiment, the windings comprises substantially flat conductors wound in the shape of the windings. In another embodiment, each of the windings comprises circular loops connected by jogs.

Abstract: An electrical connector is described. In one implementation, the connector includes a female portion including one or more electrical contacts and a male portion including one or more electrical contacts. The female portion and the male portion each have a self-orientating geometry that allows the male portion to be mated with the female portion in any rotational position along 360 degrees of rotation. When mated, the electrical contacts of the female portion mate with corresponding one or more electrical contacts of the male portion to form one or more electrical connections between two electronic components.

Abstract: Described herein are imaging catheter system. In an exemplary embodiment, a catheter comprises a handle assembly having distal and proximal ends, a catheter sheath connected to the distal end of the handle assembly, and an elongated flexible tube connected to the proximal end of the handle assembly. The catheter further comprises an imaging core slidably received within the catheter sheath, the handle assembly and the elongated tube. The imaging core also includes a slide member, e.g., knob, extending from the imaging core and passing through an elongated slot in the handle assembly, allowing a physician to manually pullback and advance the imaging core within the catheter by sliding the slide member back and forth. Preferably, the elongated tube is long enough so that the motor drive coupled to the proximal end of the catheter is kept outside the sterile field during the imaging procedure.

Abstract: An atherectomy device comprising cannula systems having lumens adapted for insertion of a blood filter and an atherectomy catheter useful for performing atherectomy directly on a patient's cardiovascular tissue. Other embodiments include alumen for arterial perfusion useful in providing oxygenated blood to the aorta during cardiopulmonary bypass. The distal end of the atherectomy catheter includes an assembly that comprises a pincer, a loop with or without a mesh, laser, hydraulics, or other suitable mechanism adapted for removing atheroma from a cardiac or vascular tissue. Methods of using the systems for vascular atherectomy are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: An electrical connector is described. In one implementation, the connector includes a female portion including one or more electrical contacts and a male portion including one or more electrical contacts. The female portion and the male portion each have a self-orientating geometry that allows the male portion to be mated with the female portion in any rotational position along 360 degrees of rotation. When mated, the electrical contacts of the female portion mate with corresponding one or more electrical contacts of the male portion to form one or more electrical connections between two electronic components.

Abstract: The present invention provides self-aligning rotational connectors. In an non-limiting embodiment, a catheter system comprises a catheter connectable to a drive unit. The catheter includes a rotator, and at least one orientating feature extending proximally from the rotator, and configured to be inserted into an orienting slot of a shaft connector of the drive unit. When the orienting feature is inserted into the slot of the shaft connector, the slot transmits torque from the shaft connector to the orientating feature, and therefore the rotator of the catheter. Electrical contacts are provided on the rotator and the shaft connector, wherein the contacts of the rotator are properly aligned with and engage the contacts of the shaft connector. Further, the shaft connector has a slopping surface that slops downward into the slot for automatically aligning the rotator rotationally with the shaft connector during insertion of the catheter into the drive unit.

Abstract: An atherectomy device containing cannula systems having lumens adapted for insertion of a blood filter and an atherectomy catheter useful for performing atherectomy directly on a patient's cardiovascular tissue. Other embodiments include a lumen for arterial perfusion useful in providing oxygenated blood to the aorta during cardiopulmonary bypass. The distal end of the atherectomy catheter includes an assembly with a pincer, a loop with or without a mesh, laser, hydraulics, or other suitable mechanism adapted for removing atheroma from a cardiac or vascular tissue. Methods of using the systems for vascular atherectomy are also disclosed herein.

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: Systems and methods for treating internal tissue defects, such as septal defects, with clip-based devices are provided. An exemplary clip-based device includes a tubular body having at least a first and a second deflectable member coupled thereto. The first and second members are coupled on opposite ends of the tubular body and configured to deflect between an undeployed configuration and a deployed configuration. In the deployed configuration, each member extends outwardly away from the tubular body in a position configured to abut a tissue surface. The first and second members are preferably configured to maintain a tissue wall therebetween and at least partially close any opening in the tissue wall.

Abstract: A catheter assembly for an intravascular ultrasound system includes an ultrasound transducer disposed in an image device housing within a lumen of a catheter. The ultrasound transducer transforms applied electrical signals to acoustic signals within a frequency bandwidth centered at an operational frequency and having variable electrical impedances over one or more frequencies within the bandwidth. A distal drive cable is coupled to the imaging device housing. A connector housing couples the distal drive cable to a proximal drive cable. A transducer conductor electrically couples the transducer to a proximal end of the catheter. At least one tuning element is electrically coupled to the transducer conductor. The at least one tuning element matches electrical impedances of the transducer conductor to the ultrasound transducer over at least a subset of frequencies within the frequency bandwidth of the ultrasound transducer.

Abstract: A catheter assembly for an intravascular ultrasound system includes a catheter with a lumen and an imaging core insertable into the lumen. The imaging core includes a rotatable driveshaft, at least one transducer, and at least one optical transport medium. The at least one transducer is mounted to the rotatable driveshaft and transforms applied electrical signals to acoustic signals and also transforms received acoustic signals to electrical signals. The at least one optical transport medium emits light and rotates with the driveshaft. The at least one transducer also receives acoustic signals generated by an object in response to illumination of the object by the light emitted from the distal end of the optical transport medium.

Abstract: A catheter assembly for an intravascular ultrasound system includes a catheter and an imaging core disposed in the catheter. The imaging core includes a rotatable driveshaft, at least one light source, and at least one transducer. The at least one light source is disposed at a distal end of the rotatable driveshaft. The at least one light source is configured and arranged for rotating with the driveshaft and also for transforming applied electrical signals to light for illuminating an object in proximity to the catheter. The at least one transducer is also disposed at the distal end of the rotatable driveshaft. The at least one transducer is configured and arranged for rotating with the driveshaft. The at least one transducer is configured and arranged for receiving acoustic signals generated by the object in response to illumination of the object by the light emitted from the at least one light source.

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: Described herein are imaging catheter system. In an exemplary embodiment, a catheter comprises a handle assembly having distal and proximal ends, a catheter sheath connected to the distal end of the handle assembly, and an elongated flexible tube connected to the proximal end of the handle assembly. The catheter further comprises an imaging core slidably received within the catheter sheath, the handle assembly and the elongated tube. The imaging core also includes a slide member, e.g., knob, extending from the imaging core and passing through an elongated slot in the handle assembly, allowing a physician to manually pullback and advance the imaging core within the catheter by sliding the slide member back and forth. Preferably, the elongated tube is long enough so that the motor drive coupled to the proximal end of the catheter is kept outside the sterile field during the imaging procedure.

Abstract: An electrical connector is described. In one implementation, the connector includes a female portion including one or more electrical contacts and a male portion including one or more electrical contacts. The female portion and the male portion each have a self-orientating geometry that allows the male portion to be mated with the female portion in any rotational position along 360 degrees of rotation. When mated, the electrical contacts of the female portion mate with corresponding one or more electrical contacts of the male portion to form one or more electrical connections between two electronic components.

Abstract: Described herein are rotary transformers for coupling signals between components that rotate relative to one another. In an exemplary embodiment, a rotary transformer comprises a rotary shaft, a first magnetic core on the rotary shaft, and a first winding wound around the first magnetic core. The rotary transformer further comprises a hollow second magnetic core, and a second winding wound along the inner wall of the second magnetic core. During operation, the first winding on the rotary shaft rotates within the second winding with the magnetic cores magnetically coupling signals between the two windings. Also, the first and second windings are closely spaced to provide capacitive coupling between the windings that extends the frequency response of the transformer. In one embodiment, the windings comprises substantially flat conductors wound in the shape of the windings. In another embodiment, each of the windings comprises circular loops connected by jogs.