Abstract: The present invention is an atherectomy catheter with a hollow head. The head has a window with at least one internal bladed edge, a plunger, and an adjustable angle nose. The angle of the nose can be manipulated by the operator to apply pressure to an artery wall, thereby forcing the window and the window cutting edge up against a plaque target on the opposite side of the artery wall. The position of the plunger can be manipulated by the operator to open or close the window, thereby exposing or not exposing the bladed window edge, and optionally also pinching off dangling plaque fragments. Cut plaque enters the hollow catheter head through the open window, and is stored inside the catheter for removal from the body and subsequent analysis. In some embodiments, the catheter head may have optional sensors, or the plunger may also serve as a rotary cutter.

Abstract: A collapsible medical device for use, e.g., as a vascular filter. The device includes a mandrel having a distal end and a stop spaced proximally of the distal end. A proximal length of the mandrel extends proximally of the stop and a distal length of the mandrel extends distally of the stop. A functional element (e.g., a vascular filter) has a radially expandable body and includes a proximal slider and a distal slider. The proximal and distal sliders are slidable along the mandrel independently of one another such that the distance between the proximal slider and distal slider can be varied to effect different configurations of the functional element. In one method of using such a device, the functional element is urged distally to a treatment site by urging the mandrel distally.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in deploying medical devices. The apparatus includes a wire having a diameter such that the wire can appropriately be used with either a corresponding over-the-wire configured catheter or a rapid-exchange configured catheter. The wire has a location at which it can be easily fractured, when desired, in order to convert the length of the wire from a length for use in an over-the-wire configuration to a rapid-exchange configuration.

Abstract: The disclosure herein provides beneficial systems, methods, devices, and apparatuses that enhance and/or analyze images, and that can be configured to provide users an assessment and/or recommendation based on the enhanced and/or analyzed images. In an embodiment related to medicine, the assessment and/or recommendation is based on a patient situation, dimensions of patient organs/lumens, or the like in order to achieve personalized medicine.

Abstract: A balloon catheter may include a multi-lumen tube having an inflation lumen and a guide wire lumen. The multi-lumen tube may include a proximal end and a distal end and may terminate at a distal tip. The catheter may include an extension tube extending distally from the distal tip of the multi-lumen tube and a dilatation balloon disposed about the multi-lumen tube and the extension tube. The distal tip of the multi-lumen tube may be under the balloon.

Abstract: A tissue cutting device includes a sizing element which detects the diameter of the vessel in which the cutting device is positioned. The sizing element is coupled to the cutting element so that the amount of the cutting element that is exposed varies in response to movement of the sizing element.

Abstract: An implant delivery catheter enables permanent modification of the implant length in the vicinity of the treatment site prior to radial expansion thereof. The implant is releasable carried between inner and outer tubular members of the delivery catheter which, upon repositioning relative to one another using an actuator mechanism, impart any of tensile, compressile or torquing forces to the implant causing permanent modification of the implant length. In one embodiment, the circumference of the implant is substantially similar both before and after modification of the implant length. In another embodiment, the implant includes a plurality of strut sections interconnected by bridges which are capable of the deformation along the longitudinal axis of the implant.

Abstract: A method of removing material from a blood flow lumen includes providing a device having a cutting element and an opening, the cutting element being movable relative to the opening. The method then includes advancing the device through a patient's vascular system to the blood flow lumen. Finally, the method involves moving the cutting element and the opening relative to the blood flow lumen so that a continuous piece of material is severed by the cutting element and directed into the opening as the cutting element and opening move through the blood flow lumen, the continuous piece of severed material being directed into the device for removal from the patient. The method may include providing a device having a rotatable cutter that, in some embodiments, is not parallel to the longitudinal axis of the device, is movable, has retracted and deployed positions, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: An atherectomy catheter is provided having a tissue collection chamber capable of being cleaned out in a simple, fast and effective way, and also provides methods of using said catheter to remove material from a blood vessel lumen. In one embodiment the tissue collection chamber has an expandable tip having a first closed position capable of retaining material in the chamber and having a second open position that may allow expulsion of material from the chamber. In a second embodiment the tissue collection chamber has a displaceable tip having a first closed position to retain material in the chamber and having a second open position to allow expulsion of material from the chamber.

Abstract: An atherectomy catheter includes a rotary cutting knife that is driven from the distal (nose) or side (circumference) direction. The catheter collects plaque shavings in a hollow collection chamber mounted in between the rotary cutting knife and the main catheter tubing. In contrast to prior art designs, which utilized nose mounted plaque collection chambers, the present design is able to store a substantially larger volume of removed plaque, thus increasing the length of time and amount of plaque removal that can be accomplished before the catheter must be removed from the body and cleaned. This decreases medical procedure time, allows for more complete and careful plaque removal, and reduces the burden on the patient and physician.

Abstract: A stent defining a longitudinal axis is disclosed. A plurality of circumferential support structures are spaced-apart along the longitudinal axis. At least some of the circumferential support structures are interconnected by connection members that extend generally in a circumferential direction.

Abstract: Lumenectomy material is tested to determine the presence or likelihood of a condition of a patient. The lumenectomy material is in the form of at least one continuous tissue strand collected in vivo from an inner surface of a body lumen of the patient. The presence of at least one marker of a disease is determined. The disease may be hypertension, hyperlipidemia, depression, obesity, metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, kidney damage, or diabetes. The patient is identified as having or as likely to develop the disease if a marker of the disease is identified in the lumenectomy material of the patient.