Abstract: Systems for enabling delivery of very high peak power laser pulses through optical fibers for use in ablation procedures preferably in contact mode. Such lasers advantageously emit at 355 nm wavelength. Other systems enable selective removal of undesired tissue within a blood vessel, while minimizing the risk of damaging the blood vessel itself, based on the use of the ablative properties of short laser pulses of 320 to 400 nm laser wavelength, with selected parameters of the mechanical walls of the tubes constituting the catheter, of the laser fluence and of the force that is applied by the catheter on the tissues. Additionally, a novel method of calibrating such catheters is disclosed, which also enables real time monitoring of the ablation process. Additionally, novel methods of protecting the fibers exit facets are disclosed.

Abstract: A system for testing an ablation system comprising an optical box and a catheter connector is disclosed. The system comprises a qualitative beam assessment device, a quantitative beam assessment device, and a processor. The qualitative beam assessment device has a camera configured to record signals related to a beam profile of a beam emitted by the optical box. The quantitative beam assessment device has an energy sensor configured to measure a beam energy of the beam. The processor is configured to receive the signals from the beam assessment devices, determine a qualitative condition of the beam based on the beam profile signals, and determine a quantitative condition of the beam based on the beam energy signals.

Abstract: There is provided herein a catheter for resecting an undesired tissue from a body of a subject, the catheter comprising a tip section in a shape of a cylinder or a cylinder's sector having a central longitudinal axis, the tip section comprising: a central longitudinal lumen; a first set of optical fibers configured to transmit laser radiation outside a distal extremity of the tip section, in a direction parallel to the central longitudinal axis; a second set of optical fibers configured to transmit laser radiation, transversely to the central longitudinal axis; wherein the first set of optical fibers and the second set of optical fibers are selectively operable to resect and/or ablate the undesired tissue.

Abstract: There is provided herein a catheter for resecting an undesired tissue from a body of a subject, the catheter comprising a tip section in a shape of a cylinder or a cylinder's sector having a central longitudinal axis, the tip section comprising: a central longitudinal lumen; a first set of optical fibers configured to transmit laser radiation outside a distal extremity of the tip section, in a direction parallel to the central longitudinal axis; a second set of optical fibers configured to transmit laser radiation, transversely to the central longitudinal axis; wherein the first set of optical fibers and the second set of optical fibers are selectively operable to resect and/or ablate the undesired tissue.

Abstract: Systems and methods for dynamically modulating aspiration in response to sensed conditions. An aspiration system can include a catheter configured to be inserted within a vasculature of the subject, a canister coupled to the catheter, a pressure source that generates a vacuum pressure through the catheter for aspirating the fluid, a sensor configured to sense a parameter associated with at least one of the catheter, the canister, or the pressure source, and a computer system coupled to the sensor. The computer can cause the pressure source to initiate the vacuum pressure throughout the catheter, receive a measurement of the parameter from the sensor, determine whether the measurement violates a threshold associated with the parameter, and modulate the vacuum pressure at the catheter tip in response to a determination that the measurement violates the threshold.

Abstract: A catheter for debulking of an undesired deposit from an inner surface of at least one of a blood vessel wall and a stent located in a blood vessel, the catheter having a tip section comprising: circumferentially-directed laser optics; and a circular-action cutter, wherein said circumferentially-directed laser optics is configured to transmit laser radiation for modifying an area of the undesired deposit thereby preparing said area for penetration of said cutter, wherein said cutter is configured to cut through said modified area and thereby debulk at least a part of the undesired deposit. In addition, a catheter for pacemaker and ICD (Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator) lead extraction is disclosed.

Abstract: A catheter for debulking of an undesired deposit from an inner surface of at least one of a blood vessel wall and a stent located in a blood vessel, the catheter having a tip section comprising: circumferentially-directed laser optics; and a circular-action cutter, wherein said circumferentially-directed laser optics is configured to transmit laser radiation for modifying an area of the undesired deposit thereby preparing said area for penetration of said cutter, wherein said cutter is configured to cut through said modified area and thereby debulk at least a part of the undesired deposit. In addition, a catheter for pacemaker and ICD (Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator) lead extraction is disclosed.

Abstract: The invention comprises a system and method for identification and/or characterization of lesions and/or the various type of tissues inside blood vessels, including utilizing a laser system configured to transmit laser radiation towards and/or onto a lesion within a blood vessel, monitoring ablation of the lesion utilizing at least one acoustic sensor; and, using a processor, comparing the signals obtained from the acoustic signal to previously obtained acoustic signals associated with specific lesion types and determine a type of the lesion and/or an efficiency of the ablation process based on the comparison.

Abstract: Systems for enabling delivery of very high peak power laser pulses through optical fibers for use in ablation procedures preferably in contact mode. Such lasers advantageously emit at 355 nm wavelength. Other systems enable selective removal of undesired tissue within a blood vessel, while minimizing the risk of damaging the blood vessel itself, based on the use of the ablative properties of short laser pulses of 320 to 400 nm laser wavelength, with selected parameters of the mechanical walls of the tubes constituting the catheter, of the laser fluence and of the force that is applied by the catheter on the tissues. Additionally, a novel method of calibrating such catheters is disclosed, which also enables real time monitoring of the ablation process. Additionally, novel methods of protecting the fibers exit facets are disclosed.

Abstract: Systems for enabling delivery of very high peak power laser pulses through optical fibers for use in ablation procedures preferably in contact mode. Such lasers advantageously emit at 355 nm wavelength. Other systems enable selective removal of undesired tissue within a blood vessel, while minimizing the risk of damaging the blood vessel itself, based on the use of the ablative properties of short laser pulses of 320 to 400 nm laser wavelength, with selected parameters of the mechanical walls of the tubes constituting the catheter, of the laser fluence and of the force that is applied by the catheter on the tissues. Additionally, a novel method of calibrating such catheters is disclosed, which also enables real time monitoring of the ablation process. Additionally, novel methods of protecting the fibers exit facets are disclosed.

Abstract: New devices and methods for deflecting a catheter progressing within a lumen, into a preferred direction, typically in order to accomplish ablative removal of obstructive material within that lumen without the danger of uncontrolled catheter deflection risking perforation of the lumen. The catheter may ride on a guide wire, or it may be free riding down the lumen, limited by the passages available in the obstructive material, and generating its own passage by debulking the material within the lumen. The types of deflection required may be radial or lateral. A number of novel configurations are described, including improvements to the slotted wall catheter, by selection of the shape, spacing and location of the slots. Other implementations include a catheter with a novel spring configuration, which can release itself from a situation in which the catheter becomes stuck when widening an initial narrow bore in an obstructed vessel.

Abstract: A catheter for debulking an undesired deposit from an inner surface of at least one of a blood vessel wall and a stent located in a blood vessel, the catheter having a tip section comprising: circumferentially-directed laser optics; and a circular-action cutter, wherein the circumferentially-directed laser optics is configured to transmit laser radiation for modifying an area of the undesired deposit thereby preparing the area for penetration of the cutter, wherein the cutter is configured to cut through the modified area and thereby debulk at least a part of the undesired deposit. In addition, a catheter for pacemaker and ICD (Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator) lead extraction is disclosed.

Abstract: A device for resecting undesired tissue from an inner wall of a body cavity, the device having a tip section in a shape of a cylinder's sector, the tip section comprising: a plurality of optical fibers located along an inner surface of the tip section and configured to transmit laser radiation to the undesired tissue; and a cutter having a shape of a cylinder's sector located inwardly or outwardly to the plurality of optical fibers, wherein said cutter is configured to cut through the undesired tissue and thereby detach at least a part of the undesired tissue from the inner wall of the body cavity.

Abstract: A device for resecting undesired tissue from an inner wall of a body cavity, the device having a tip section in a shape of a cylinder's sector, the tip section comprising: a plurality of optical fibers located along an inner surface of the tip section and configured to transmit laser radiation to the undesired tissue; and a cutter having a shape of a cylinder's sector located inwardly or outwardly to the plurality of optical fibers, wherein said cutter is configured to cut through the undesired tissue and thereby detach at least a part of the undesired tissue from the inner wall of the body cavity.

Abstract: A catheter for debulking of an undesired deposit from an inner surface of at least one of a blood vessel wall and a stent located in a blood vessel, the catheter having a tip section comprising: circumferentially-directed laser optics; and a circular-action cutter, wherein said circumferentially-directed laser optics is configured to transmit laser radiation for modifying an area of the undesired deposit thereby preparing said area for penetration of said cutter, wherein said cutter is configured to cut through said modified area and thereby debulk at least a part of the undesired deposit. In addition, a catheter for pacemaker and ICD (Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator) lead extraction is disclosed.

Abstract: A device for resecting undesired tissue from an inner wall of a body cavity, the device having a tip section in a shape of a cylinder's sector, the tip section comprising: a plurality of optical fibers located along an inner surface of the tip section and configured to transmit laser radiation to the undesired tissue; and a cutter having a shape of a cylinder's sector located inwardly or outwardly to the plurality of optical fibers, wherein said cutter is configured to cut through the undesired tissue and thereby detach at least a part of the undesired tissue from the inner wall of the body cavity.

Abstract: A catheter for debulking of an undesired deposit from an inner surface of at least one of a blood vessel wall and a stent located in a blood vessel, the catheter having a tip section comprising: circumferentially-directed laser optics; and a circular-action cutter, wherein said circumferentially-directed laser optics is configured to transmit laser radiation for modifying an area of the undesired deposit thereby preparing said area for penetration of said cutter, wherein said cutter is configured to cut through said modified area and thereby debulk at least a part of the undesired deposit. In addition, a catheter for pacemaker and ICD (Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator) lead extraction is disclosed.