Abstract: Methods and sensor delivery devices for monitoring a fluid pressure within a vascular structure, the devices including an elongated sheath sized for sliding along a guidewire, a sensor assembly including a fiber optic sensor, a housing surrounding the sensor, a first cavity between the distal end of the sensor and a distal aperture of the housing, a filler extending from at least the distal end of the housing distally and tapering inward toward the outer surface of the sheath, a second cavity in the filler with an opening at the outer surface of the filler and adjoining the distal aperture of the housing, and an optical fiber. The sensor delivery device may also include an outer layer that partially covers the second cavity with an aperture over the opening of the second cavity.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems and methods for intravascular imaging. Some systems may be configured to generate a screening image of a section of a patient's vessel, identify one or more sub-sections of the screening image that each include a diagnostically significant characteristic of the vessel, and imaging the one or more sub-sections. Some systems may be configured to automatically identify the one or more sub-sections and/or to allow a user to manually identify the one or more sub-sections. Some systems may be configured to automatically image the one or more sub-sections after the one or more sub-sections are identified. In some examples, the system may be configured to displace blood during imaging of the sub-sections to enhance image quality. The system may be configured to minimize the period of time blood is displaced by synchronizing imaging and blood displacement.

Abstract: Methods and systems for acquiring a plurality of data vectors at a first frequency and a plurality of data vectors at a second frequency, where the first frequency is greater than the second frequency. The plurality of first frequency data vectors can be formed into a first set of data vectors and the plurality of second frequency data vectors can be formed into a second set of data vectors. A first filter can be applied to the first set of data vectors to form a first modified data set and a second filter can be applied to the second set of data vectors to form a second modified data set. Based on the first and second modified data sets, a frequency response of an item in the imaging view can be determined. Using the determined frequency response of the item, an image is created on a display.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for administering one or more medications useful for facilitating diagnostic and/or surgical procedures within a patient. A guidewire is positioned intravascularly in a patient at a location of interest, the guidewire being free of any coating that includes adenosine. An intravascular component having a surface with a coating that includes a vasodilation agent is deployed over the guidewire. The vasodilation agent is released from the surface of the intravascular component, such as by eluting the vasodilation agent from the coating of the surface while the intravascular component is within the anatomical structure of the patient. The intravascular component is removed over the guidewire, and the guidewire is left at the location of interest after the intravascular component is removed, which can facilitate subsequent deployment of a different intravascular component over the guidewire.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer includes a backing element, an active element overlying the backing layer, and a matching element overlying the active element, the matching element having an inner surface that contacts the active element and an outer surface with a non-homogeneous texture and/or material composition. The matching element may be formed by subtractive or deposition techniques.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for segmenting an image. First and second frames of image data are generated at different times. A first portion of the first frame is compared to image data of the second frame, and a second portion of the second frame is selected based on the comparison. A displacement vector between the first portion and the second portion is calculated, where the displacement vector represents relative movement over time between the image data represented by the first portion and the image data represented by the second portion. An image is output with an indicator, and the location of the indicator on the image is determined by using the calculated displacement vector. The indicator can serve to distinguish between items in an imaging view.

Abstract: An intravenous ultrasound (IVUS) system can include a catheter and a translation mechanism for translating the catheter. Engagement between the catheter and the translation mechanism may be detected, and the translation mechanism can be placed in a connected or disconnected mode, accordingly. When in connected mode, certain IVUS operations may be enabled when compared to disconnected mode, wherein such operations may be disabled. Thus, some embodiments may ensure proper engagement between the catheter and the translation mechanism prior to allowing certain IVUS operations to be carried out.

Abstract: An imaging probe for use in a catheter for ultrasonic imaging is provided. The catheter may be of the type including a sheath having an opening at a distal end for conducting a fluid there through. The imaging probe includes a distal housing coupled to a drive shaft for rotation, a transducer within the distal housing for generating and sensing ultrasonic waves, and a fluid flow promoter that promotes flow of the fluid within the sheath across the transducer.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for performing a zoom operation based on a single motion input. A user interface can be adapted to display an image, detect a single motion input and contemporaneously control a zoom operation on the image. Zoom operations can include a zoom magnitude, direction, and distance. Single motion inputs can include, for example, a swipe of a finger on a touchscreen or a click and drag operation performed on a mouse.

Abstract: A valve apparatus for a medical injection system includes a pinching member and at least one spring-loaded anvil. A tubing line of the injection system may be positioned between the pinching member and the anvil, such that when the pinching member is moved into a pinching position adjacent to the anvil, for example, by rotation of a shaft to which the member is coupled, the pinching member compresses the tubing line against the spring-loaded anvil. The pinching member is preferably rotatable about an auxiliary axis, which is eccentric, or offset from a central axis of the shaft. A spring member of the spring-loaded anvil is preferably pre-loaded. In certain applications, the pinching member, when moved into the pinching position, applies a pinching force of greater than approximately 45 pounds, for example, to prevent flow through the tubing line at an injection pressure of up to approximately 1200 psi.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for segmenting an image. First and second frames of image data are generated at different times. A first portion of the first frame is compared to image data of the second frame, and a second portion of the second frame is selected based on the comparison. A displacement vector between the first portion and the second portion is calculated, where the displacement vector represents relative movement over time between the image data represented by the first portion and the image data represented by the second portion. An image is output with an indicator, and the location of the indicator on the image is determined by using the calculated displacement vector. The indicator can serve to distinguish between items in an imaging view.

Abstract: A syringe for injecting contrast injection media into a patient. An inlet valve system associated with the syringe, the inlet valve system operable with a contrast injection media having any viscosity within the range of about 1 cP to about 30 cP. An inlet valve system associated with the syringe, the inlet valve system including a valve member having a density of less than or equal to 1 gram per cubic centimeter. A contrast injector system with such a syringe.

Abstract: Image segmentation can include a pre-initialization image analysis of image data using an image analysis algorithm to generate a modified image, and the modified image can be presented on a display. An initialization can be performed on the modified image that includes user input on the modified image. The modified image can be segmented using a segmentation algorithm that evaluates the user input. Upon evaluating the user input, the segmentation algorithm can cause a segmented image to be produced which can be presented on the display.

Abstract: Methods of measuring Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR) including advancing a sensor delivery device within a guiding catheter to a location of interest, the sensor delivery device comprising a distal sleeve including a distal sensor and a proximal sensor, advancing only a distal portion of the distal sleeve outside of the guiding catheter such that the distal sensor is outside of the guiding catheter and downstream of the location of interest and the proximal sensor is inside of the guiding catheter, measuring a distal fluid pressure with the distal sensor distal to the location of interest, measuring a reference fluid pressure with the proximal sensor inside of the guiding catheter, and calculating FFR. One or both of the proximal and distal sensor may be comprised of a material having a low thermal coefficient.

Abstract: An example method includes receiving, within a graphical user interface (GUI) of a medical fluid injection system, a selection of a particular user, providing, within the GUI, a display of a plurality of selectable options, each option including at least a respective graphical symbol, wherein each respective graphical symbol comprises a respective non-textual icon that is a graphical representation of a respective anatomical location associated with the medical procedure, each respective anatomical location comprising one of a left coronary artery, a right coronary artery, or a left ventricle and aorta, retrieving one or more customized injection parameters that have respective values customized for the particular user based on one or more preferences of the particular user, and displaying, within the GUI, the one or more customized injection parameters.

Abstract: An intravascular imaging system includes a transducer capable of generating raw data representative of the structure of a patient's vasculature. The system includes an imaging engine for receiving the raw data and generating enhanced data for presentation to a user. The imaging engine includes a coherence filter, an envelope detection module having one or more envelope detectors, and a spatial filter for processing data in various stages. Such stages of processing in the imaging engine act to reduce high frequency noise, generate low frequency data, reduce low frequency noise, and display low frequency data with an improved signal-to-noise ratio. The system can include an image generator for generating an image based on enhanced data and a display for displaying the generated image.

Abstract: An intravascular sensor delivery device for measuring a physiological parameter of a patient, such as blood pressure, within a vascular structure or passage. In some embodiments, the device can be used to measure the pressure gradient across a stenotic lesion or heart valve. For example, such a device may be used to measure fractional flow reserve (FFR) across a stenotic lesion in order to assess the severity of the lesion. The sensor delivery device has a distal sleeve configured to pass or slide over a standard medical guidewire. Some distance back from the sensor and distal sleeve, the device separates from the guidewire to permit independent control of the sensor delivery device and the guidewire. The sensor delivery device can be sized to pass over different sizes of guidewires to enable usage in coronary and peripheral arteries, for example.

Abstract: A pressure transducer mounting device may include a support member and a pressure transducer holder. In use, the support member may attach to a support surface, such as a housing of a power injection device, while the pressure transducer holder is moveably connected to the support member. The pressure transducer holder may expand open to receive one of a plurality of different sized pressure transducers and bias closed to hold a received one of the plurality of different sized pressure transducers. In addition, the pressure transducer holder may move relative to the support member to one of a plurality of different vertically elevated positions. The pressure transducer mounting device may accommodate different pressure transducers, providing a universal mounting device that can adapt to different medical provider preferences and different pressure transducer sourcing options.

Abstract: An intravascular sensor delivery device for measuring a physiological parameter of a patient, such as blood pressure, within a vascular structure or passage. In some embodiments, the device can be used to measure the pressure gradient across a stenotic lesion or heart valve. For example, such a device may be used to measure fractional flow reserve (FFR) across a stenotic lesion in order to assess the severity of the lesion. The sensor delivery device has a distal sleeve configured to pass or slide over a standard medical guidewire. Some distance back from the sensor and distal sleeve, the device separates from the guidewire to permit independent control of the sensor delivery device and the guidewire. The sensor delivery device can be sized to pass over different sizes of guidewires to enable usage in coronary and peripheral arteries, for example.

Abstract: An injection system includes a syringe, which preferably includes larger and smaller inner diameters, and a plunger. A wiper sidewall of the plunger defines a cavity, into which a plunger shaft of the system is inserted, for moving the plunger, within the syringe, for fluid injection. The plunger includes a feature for engaging the shaft, and the sidewall preferably includes an expandable-contractible portion, in which the feature is formed. When the plunger is initially mounted within the larger inner diameter of the syringe, the portion of the sidewall is expanded and the feature of the plunger does not operably engage the inserted shaft. When the shaft moves the plunger into the smaller inner diameter of the syringe, the portion of the sidewall contracts and the feature operably engages the shaft. A deformable end wall of the plunger may be spaced apart from a distal terminal end of the inserted shaft.