Abstract: Apparatus and method are described for introducing an imaging catheter to the coronary vasculature. A guiding catheter is introduced so that the distal end of the guiding catheter engages a coronary os. The distal end of the guiding catheter is shaped so that a mark on the distal end is oriented in a predetermined orientation relative to the coronary vasculature. An imaging catheter is then introduced through the guiding catheter and an image of the mark is produced with the imaging catheter while in the guiding catheter. In this manner, the relative orientation of the produced image and the coronary vasculature is known.

Abstract: A catheter for ultrasonic imaging has a transducer fixed to a cutter. The transducer is moved longitudinally within an artery while in a fixed radial position. Ultrasonic reflections are received and processed to display a planer or rectangular field of view image area of the artery. Other axial planes of the artery can be imaged by radially turning the transducer to a different angular orientation within the artery and then longitudinally moving the transducer to obtain an image of another planer field of view.

Abstract: Front-end and side-on intravascular catheters are described that comprise an abrasive head contained substantially within a housing. Aspiration means and flushing means are connected to the region of grinding to remove dislodged debris. A preferred embodiment has the abrasive surface of a rotatable head comprised of diamond powder. Another preferred embodiment has an ultrasonic transducer affixed to the head to permit transluminal imaging of the site of occlusion.

Abstract: A catheter is provided having a catheter body with a proximal end and a distal end. The catheter body has a proximal region having a first diameter and a distal region having a single lumen and a second diameter which is less than a first diameter. A distal guide wire exit port is disposed in the distal region of the catheter body within about 5 cm of the distal end. This allows the catheter to be used as a short lumen rapid exchange catheter. The catheter can also be provided with a proximal guide wire exit port in the proximal region so that the catheter can also be used as a long lumen rapid exchange catheter.

Abstract: Front-end and side-on intravascular catheters are described that comprise an abrasive head contained substantially within a housing. Aspiration means and flushing means are connected to the region of grinding to remove dislodged debris. A preferred embodiment has the abrasive surface of a rotatable head comprised of diamond powder. Another preferred embodiment has an ultrasonic transducer affixed to the head to permit transluminal imaging of the site of occlusion.

Abstract: The present invention provides improvement usable with an intravascular catheter having a single common distal lumen with a reduced profile connected to two or more proximal lumens. The catheter will be loadable over a guidewire into a region of interest within a patient's vascular system. According to one aspect of the present invention, means are provided to ensure that the guidewire enters into a desired one of the proximal lumens. In a preferred embodiment, a special tool is provided to achieve this. According to a second aspect of the present invention, the catheter is provided with a proximal housing and an axially expandable member to shield the rotating parts at the proximal end of the catheter and to allow for convenient movement of a work element within the catheter body.

Abstract: Front-end and side-on intravascular catheters are described that comprise an abrasive head contained substantially within a housing. Aspiration means and flushing means are connected to the region of grinding to remove dislodged debris. A preferred embodiment has the abrasive surface of a rotatable head comprised of diamond powder. Another preferred embodiment has an ultrasonic transducer affixed to the head to permit transluminal imaging of the site of occlusion.

Abstract: A catheter for ultrasonic imaging has a transducer fixed to a cutter. The transducer is moved longitudinally within an artery while in a fixed radial position. Ultrasonic reflections are received and processed to display a planer or rectangular field of view image area of the artery. Other axial planes of the artery can be imaged by radially turning the transducer to a different angular orientation within the artery and then longitudinally moving the transducer to obtain an image of another planer field of view.

Abstract: An intravascular catheter system has a balloon angioplasty device disposed about a common lumen near its distal end. The common lumen is in communication with multiple lumens within a proximal region of the catheter body to allow for positioning of the catheter over a movable guide wire and convenient delivery of imaging or interventional devices to a desired region of the blood vessel being treated.

Abstract: A catheter introducer has a tubular sheath with a relatively rigid tubular body and a soft flexible tubular tip for reducing sheath buckling tendencies.

Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging catheter comprises a catheter body having a distal region and proximal region. The distal region has a reduced cross-sectional area compared to that of the proximal region, and the proximal region includes at least two lumens therethrough for accommodating a movable guidewire and a rotatable working element, respectively. The catheter body may be inserted over the moveable guidewire, with the guidewire passing through a lumen in the distal region and the guidewire lumen in the proximal region. After positioning the catheter body, the guidewire can be retracted from the distal region and into the proximal region, leaving the lumen in the distal region available for the rotatable working element. Such a construction allows over-the-wire imaging of the catheter while minimizing the width of the catheter in the distal region which remains available for placement of the working element.

Abstract: A combined ultrasonic imaging and dilatation catheter includes an inflatable dilatation balloon located at the distal end of a flexible catheter body. An ultrasonic imaging system including a fixed ultrasonic transducer and a rotatable reflective surface capable of deflecting an ultrasonic signal from the transducer is located adjacent to, but axially spaced-apart from the dilatation balloon. The dilatation balloon in the interior of the imaging housing are isolated, and separate lumens are provided for inflating the balloon and flushing the imaging housing. In this way, the balloon may be inflated with a contrast medium suitable for fluoroscopic imaging, while the imaging housing may be filled with a different medium suitable for ultrasonic imaging.

Abstract: Front-end and side-on intravascular catheters are described that comprise an abrasive head contained substantially within a housing. Aspiration means and flushing means are connected to the region of grinding to remove dislodged debris. A preferred embodiment has the abrasive surface of a rotatable head comprised of diamond powder, fused silica, tungsten carbide, aluminum oxide, or boron nitride. Another preferred embodiment has an ultrasonic transducer affixed to the head to permit transluminal imaging of the site of occlusion.

Abstract: A catheter assembly comprises a stylus including a first generally conically shaped end tapering to a point at a predetermined angle and a second end. A cannula includes a first lumen for slidably receiving the stylus. The cannula includes a first end having an end wall and a second end. A catheter includes a second lumen for slidably receiving the cannula, a first end and a second end. The first end of the catheter includes an end wall having an outer surface tapered at the predetermined angle and an inner surface. The stylus, cannula, and catheter are configured so that the stylus, cannula, and catheter are aligned when the stylus, cannula and catheter are assembled for insertion into a patient's body.

Abstract: A catheter introducer has a tubular sheath with a relatively rigid tubular body and a soft flexible tubular tip for reducing sheath buckling tendencies.

Abstract: Inner and outer layers of a braided body portion of an intravascular catheter as well as a soft tip portion are formed from different proportioned blends of nylon and copolymer of ester linked polyethylene and polyamide to produce optimum mechanical properties in the catheter. One or more surfaces of the catheter are coated with a hydrogel containing a copolymer of polyurethane and polyvinylpyrrolidone to provide improved lubricity and antithrombogenicity.

Abstract: A catheter packaging system includes a catheter tray having a main tray body with a hub-retaining portion and an interchangeable catheter tip-retaining insert. The insert is selectively receivable within a corresponding recess in the main tray body. The main tray body and the interchangeable insert each include a plurality of catheter tracks for holding different catheters with at least one catheter tip track of the interchangeable insert being in line with a main body track for holding a catheter therein. Each main body track is provided with a hub-retaining slot for engaging and holding a catheter hub.