Abstract: An embolism filter adapted to selectively stop an embolism filter along a length of guidewire, including a filter adapted to encircle a guidewire and at least one self-deploying stop attached to the filter and which selectively stops movement of said filter.

Abstract: A user-actuatable guidewire stop is disclosed which can be used to stop and/or lock a medical device on a guidewire advanced through a body lumen. The guidewire stop is configured as a coil spring having an inner lumen configured to slideably and rotationally receive the guidewire in an unlocked configuration, and to frictionally engage the guidewire in a locked configuration. The coil spring is composed of turns having at least one protrusion disposed on a turn of the coil spring and adapted for engagement with a corresponding recess disposed on an adjacent turn of the coil spring, wherein the at least one protrusion interlocks with the corresponding recess to maintain the coil spring in the unlocked configuration. The coil spring transitions into the unlocked configuration by disengaging the at least one protrusion from the corresponding recess.

Abstract: An embolism filter adapted to selectively stop an embolism filter along a length of guidewire, including a filter adapted to encircle a guidewire and at least one self-deploying stop attached to the filter and which selectively stops movement of said filter.

Abstract: A user-actuatable guidewire stop is disclosed which can be used to stop and/or lock a medical device on a guidewire advanced through a body lumen. The guidewire stop is configured as a coil spring having an inner lumen configured to slideably and rotationally receive the guidewire in an unlocked configuration, and to frictionally engage the guidewire in a locked configuration. The coil spring is composed of turns having at least one protrusion disposed on a turn of the coil spring and adapted for engagement with a corresponding recess disposed on an adjacent turn of the coil spring, wherein the at least one protrusion interlocks with the corresponding recess to maintain the coil spring in the unlocked configuration. The coil spring transitions into the unlocked configuration by disengaging the at least one protrusion from the corresponding recess.

Abstract: A retrieval catheter for retrieving deployed medical devices includes a first guidewire lumen and a second guidewire lumen spaced radially from the first guidewire lumen. The first guidewire lumen has a distal end portion configured to recapture a medical device, such as a collapsed embolic protection device, deployed in a body lumen and secured to a guidewire extending through the first guidewire lumen. The second guidewire lumen receives a second guidewire which may be advanced past a first interventional site to perform a second procedure. The retrieval catheter may be provided with a soft tip to reduce trauma to the body tissue.

Abstract: A user-actuatable guidewire stop is disclosed which can be used to stop and/or lock a medical device on a guidewire advanced through a body lumen. The guidewire stop is configured as a coil spring having an inner lumen configured to slideably and rotationally receive the guidewire in an unlocked configuration, and to frictionally engage the guidewire in a locked configuration. The coil spring is composed of turns having at least one protrusion disposed on a turn of the coil spring and adapted for engagement with a corresponding recess disposed on an adjacent turn of the coil spring, wherein the at least one protrusion interlocks with the corresponding recess to maintain the coil spring in the unlocked configuration. The coil spring transitions into the unlocked configuration by disengaging the at least one protrusion from the corresponding recess.

Abstract: A retrieval catheter for retrieving deployed medical devices includes a first guidewire lumen and a second guidewire lumen spaced radially from the first guidewire lumen. The first guidewire lumen has a distal end portion configured to recapture a medical device, such as a collapsed embolic protection device, deployed in a body lumen and secured to a guidewire extending through the first guidewire lumen. The second guidewire lumen receives a second guidewire which may be advanced past a first interventional site to perform a second procedure. The retrieval catheter may be provided with a soft tip to reduce trauma to the body tissue.

Abstract: An embolism filter adapted to selectively stop an embolism filter along a length of guidewire, including a filter adapted to encircle a guidewire and at least one self-deploying stop attached to the filter and which selectively stops movement of said filter.

Abstract: A user-actuatable guidewire stop is disclosed which can be used to stop and/or lock a medical device on a guidewire advanced through a body lumen. In one embodiment, the guidewire stop is configured as a coil spring having an inner lumen configured to slideably and rotationally receive the guidewire in an unlocked configuration, and to frictionally engage the guidewire in a locked configuration, wherein in the inside diameter of the coil spring in the locked configuration is smaller than the diameter in the unlocked configuration. A restraining member maintains the coil spring in the unlocked configuration during deployment and is removed at the interventional site causing the coil spring to collapse onto the guidewire. The guidewire stop can be employed with an embolic filter or another intravascular device.

Abstract: An embolism filter adapted to selectively stop an embolism filter along a length of guidewire, including a filter adapted to encircle a guidewire and at least one self-deploying stop attached to the filter and which selectively stops movement of said filter.

Abstract: An embolism filter adapted to selective stop an embolism filter along a length of guidewire, including a filter adapted to encircle a guidewire and at least one self-deploying stop attached to the filter and which selectively stops movement of said filter.

Abstract: A control system for a probe, including a transmission member, comprises a power source for supplying a constant power to a transmission member and a transducer for coupling the constant power to the transmission member and for providing a mechanical output to the transmission member at a frequency. A frequency measuring device is also provided for constantly measuring the frequency of the mechanical output of the transducer. A current monitoring device for measuring current forwarded to the transducer which monitors the current while the frequency of said mechanical output is varied until it is determined at what frequency the current is at a maximum is also provided. A method for implementing this apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: A control system for a probe, including a transmission member, comprises a power source for supplying a constant power to a transmission member and a transducer for coupling the constant power to the transmission member and for providing a mechanical output to the transmission member at a frequency. A frequency measuring device is also provided for constantly measuring the frequency of the mechanical output of the transducer. A current monitoring device for measuring current forwarded to the transducer which monitors the current while the frequency of said mechanical output is varied until it is determined at what frequency the current is at a maximum is also provided. A method for implementing this apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus a method for the application of ultrasound to a location within the body is provided. The apparatus can advantageously operate at a pulse duration below about 100 milliseconds and in the range 0.1 milliseconds to 100 milliseconds and a pulse repetition period below about 1 second and in the range of 1 millisecond to 1 second. Duty ratios over 5 and preferably over 8 are also advantageous. Therapeutic applications of ultrasound such as for assisting in the treatment of medical conditions such as cancer and/or other ailments are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the application of ultrasound to a location within the body is provided. The apparatus can advantageously operate at a pulse duration below about 100 milliseconds and in the range 0.1 milliseconds to 100 milliseconds and a pulse repetition period below about 1 second and in the range of 1 millisecond to 1 second. Duty ratios over 5 and preferably over 8 are also advantageous. Therapeutic applications of ultrasound such as for assisting in the treatment of medical conditions such as cancer and/or other ailments are also provided.

Abstract: A device and methods for inducing apoptosis in precancerous, cancerous and hyperproliferating cells by applying ultrasonic energy. The methods can include use of ultrasonic energy in combination with antioxidants and/or conventional therapies such as hormonal therapy, radiation therapy or chemotherapy. The device for the ultrasonic energy source can include a transmitter and a control unit.

Abstract: An ultrasonic treatment system and method for utilizing ultrasound to treat intravascular conditions, such as stenotic and occluded regions of blood vessels, are provided. The ultrasonic treatment system includes an ultrasonic probe, having a proximal and distal end. A guide catheter and guidewire may also be provided and the probe can be slidably disposed within the guide catheter's inner lumen. The probe can include a horn at the proximal end, a transmission member with a proximal and a distal end connected to the horn at the transmission member proximal end, and a distal tip connected at the transmission member's distal end. The transmission member may include one or more transmission wires, having proximal and distal ends, connected serially or in parallel.

Abstract: A method and system for inhibiting restenosis by compromising the migration, viability and adhesion of mammalian smooth muscle cells (SMC) is disclosed. The method comprises irradiating the SMC with ultrasonic energy, in an amount which has been found to be effective in inhibiting the migration and adherence of SMC. This method is especially useful in the prevention of restenosis in a blood vessel of a mammal associated with the migration of SMC in the blood vessel following vascular intervention, such as angioplasty. The system disclosed for the prevention of restenosis in a blood vessel of a mammal associated with the migration of SMC in the blood vessel following vascular intervention includes an ultrasonic energy source; a transmitter for transmitting the ultrasonic energy to the blood vessel; and a control unit.

Abstract: A method and device for selective in vivo ablation of fresh blood thrombi by means of non-invasive focused high power acoustic energy. The method comprises applying a plurality of pulses of high energy acoustic waves or a continuous acoustic wave, focused at the location of a thrombus in a blood vessel, resulting in the ablation of the thrombus, and restoration of blood flow. There is also provided a device for the controlled generation and application of focused pulsed, or continuous, acoustic energy waves of predetermined energy and frequency.

Abstract: An instrument and method for removing an obstruction from a human body lumen, such as an artery, is provided wherein the distal end of an ultrasonic transmission member is inserted within the artery and is connected at its proximal end to an ultrasonic power generator including a horn. A high efficiency ultrasonic transmission wire is connected to the horn which is formed from a material having a mechanical Q greater than about 50,000.