Abstract: A hollow medical device includes a coil member having a distal end, a proximal end, a plurality of turns extending therebetween, and a lumen extending through the turns. The coil member further includes at least one weld extending from one turn to an adjacent turn.

Abstract: Expandable laser catheters for utilizing laser energy to remove obstructions from body passages are described. In one embodiment, the laser catheter includes a shaftway having a distal end including a flexible portion configured in a series of radial folds. Multiple optical fibers, configured to transmit laser energy, extend along the shaftway and are attached to the flexible portion. An inflatable, ring-shaped balloon is attached to the catheter within the flexible portion. In use, the catheter is inserted into a body passage such as an artery, and advanced until the distal end is adjacent to an obstruction. The balloon is inflated to expand the flexible portion and to bring the optical fibers nearer the inner wall of the body passage. Laser energy is directed by the optical fibers toward targeted regions of the obstruction. As the catheter is advanced and the process repeated, a core is formed from the obstruction and contained within the flexible portion.

Abstract: Guidance systems for guiding a catheter through tissue within a body are described. In one form, the system is implemented in connection with a catheter which includes a catheter body having a optic fibers extending between a first end and a second end thereof. The guidance system is coupled to the catheter body and includes a first optic fiber, a second optic fiber, and a detecting element. The first optic fiber includes a first end and a second end, and is coupled to the catheter body so that the first optic fiber second end is adjacent the catheter second end. The second optic fiber also includes a first end and a second end, and a reference mirror is positioned adjacent the second optic fiber second end. The first optic fiber first end is communicatively coupled to the detecting element and the second optic fiber first end is communicatively coupled to the detecting element.

Abstract: A hollow medical device includes a coil member having a distal end, a proximal end, a plurality of turns extending therebetween, and a lumen extending through the turns. The coil member further includes at least one weld extending from one turn to an adjacent turn.

Abstract: A catheter includes a distal end, a proximal end, an outer tube extending from the distal end to the proximal end, and an inner tube extending through the outer tube. The distal end including a corrugated section attached to an end of the inner tube and an asymmetric balloon attached to the outer tube and configured to deflect the distal end of the catheter.

Abstract: A guide wire assembly includes a guide wire, an optical fiber, and an insulating coating. The guide wire has a distal end, a proximal end, and a bore extending through the wire between the distal and proximal ends. The an optical fiber also includes a distal end and a proximal end and is located within the bore of the guide wire. The optical fiber extends at least between the distal and proximal ends of the guide wire. The insulating coating is around an outside diameter of the guide wire, and is applied such that the distal ends of the guide wire and optical fiber are exposed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for guiding a guide wire through a blood vessel are described. An exemplary embodiment includes a guide wire coupled to an interferometric guidance system. The interferometric guidance system is configured to provide imaging information of the vessel. The guidance system further includes a flow detection circuit for performing Doppler shift analysis to determine the presence of neovascular channels through an obstruction in the vessel. The neovascular fow information is used by the guide wire operator to guide the guide wire through the obstruction.

Abstract: A catheter handle for controlling the advancement of a guide wire through a catheter is described. The catheter handle has a distal end to which is coupled a luer lock element, and a proximal end to which a control knob is coupled. The luer lock element is adaptable to allow coupling of the catheter handle to any commonly available commercial catheter. The control knob is coupled to a guide wire advancement mechanism. Movement of the control knob is translated by the advancement mechanism to advancement or braking of the guide wire.

Abstract: A catheter includes a distal end, a proximal end, an outer tube extending from the distal end to the proximal end, and an inner tube extending through the outer tube. The distal end including a corrugated section attached to an end of the inner tube and an asymmetric balloon attached to the outer tube and configured to deflect the distal end of the catheter.

Abstract: Catheters for photoablating plaque build-up in blood vessels are described. In one form, the catheter includes a catheter body having a first group of optic fibers and a second group of optic fibers. The first group of optic fibers is adjacent the second group of optic fibers, and each group of optic fibers includes at least one optic fiber having a first end and a second end. The second ends of the respective optic fibers form a substantially rounded hemispherical catheter head. A control element is coupled to the catheter body and is configured to selectively transmit energy through either the first group of optic fibers, or the second group of optic fibers, or both the first and second groups of optic fibers.

Abstract: Expandable laser catheters for utilizing laser energy to remove obstructions from body passages are described. In one embodiment, the laser catheter includes a shaftway having a distal end including a flexible portion configured in a series of radial folds. Multiple optical fibers, configured to transmit laser energy, extend along the shaftway and are attached to the flexible portion. An inflatable, ring-shaped balloon is attached to the catheter within the flexible portion. In use, the catheter is inserted into a body passage such as an artery, and advanced until the distal end is adjacent to an obstruction. The balloon is inflated to expand the flexible portion and to bring the optical fibers nearer the inner wall of the body passage. Laser energy is directed by the optical fibers toward targeted regions of the obstruction. As the catheter is advanced and the process repeated, a core is formed from the obstruction and contained within the flexible portion.

Abstract: A catheter for controlling the advancement of a guide wire includes a catheter body having a central lumen, a first side lumen and a second side lumen. A pair of opposing control wires extend the length of the catheter body through the side lumens. The catheter body includes a proximal portion coupled to a less rigid distal portion. A control handle coupled to the proximal ends of the control wires produces opposing motion of the control wires along the length of the catheter body, causing the distal portion of the catheter body to deflect relative to the proximal portion of the catheter body, thus directing the guide wire. In one embodiment, the control handle includes a guide wire advancement mechanism for controlling the advancement of the guide wire through the catheter.

Abstract: A control system and method for controlling tissue ablation uses optical time domain reflectometry data to differentiate abnormal tissue from normal tissue, and to control ablation of abnormal tissue by controlling a tissue ablative apparatus. Using data provided by an interferometric apparatus, the control system provides control signals to the tissue ablative apparatus, controlling activation of the tissue ablation apparatus so that normal tissue is left untreated while abnormal tissue is ablated.

Abstract: Systems and methods for guiding the advancement of a guide wire through body tissue are described. In one embodiment, the guide wire has a first end, a second end, or guide wire head, a bore extending between the first and second ends, and includes an interferometric guidance system. The interferometric guidance system includes a low coherent illumination source, an optical beam splitter, a first optic fiber, a second optic fiber, and a photodetector. Each optic fiber includes a first end and a second end, and is wrapped around a piezo electric transducer (PZT). The second optic fiber has a fixed reflector on the second end. The photodetector is configured to determine interference between a first reflected light beam propagating through the first optic fiber and a second reflected light beam propagating through the second optic fiber. In one embodiment, the guide wire second end is inserted into a blood vessel so that the first optic fiber second end is inserted in the vessel.

Abstract: Expandable laser catheters for utilizing laser energy to remove obstructions from body passages are described. In one embodiment, the laser catheter includes a shaftway having a distal end including a flexible portion configured in a series of radial folds. Multiple optical fibers, configured to transmit laser energy, extend along the shaftway and are attached to the flexible portion. An inflatable, ring-shaped balloon is attached to the catheter within the flexible portion. In use, the catheter is inserted into a body passage such as an artery, and advanced until the distal end is adjacent to an obstruction. The balloon is inflated to expand the flexible portion and to bring the optical fibers nearer the inner wall of the body passage. Laser energy is directed by the optical fibers toward targeted regions of the obstruction. As the catheter is advanced and the process repeated, a core is formed from the obstruction and contained within the flexible portion.

Abstract: Guidance systems for guiding a catheter through tissue within a body are described. In one form, the system is implemented in connection with a catheter which includes a catheter body having a optic fibers extending between a first end and a second end thereof. The guidance system is coupled to the catheter body and includes a first optic fiber, a second optic fiber, and a detecting element. The first optic fiber includes a first end and a second end, and is coupled to the catheter body so that the first optic fiber second end is adjacent the catheter second end. The second optic fiber also includes a first end and a second end, and a reference mirror is positioned adjacent the second optic fiber second end. The first optic fiber first end is communicatively coupled to the detecting element and the second optic fiber first end is communicatively coupled to the detecting element.

Abstract: Guidance systems for guiding a catheter through tissue within a body are described. In one form, the system is implemented in connection with a catheter which includes a catheter body having optic fibers extending between a first end and a second end thereof. The guidance system is coupled to the catheter body and includes a first optic fiber, a second optic fiber, and a detecting element. The first optic fiber includes a first end and a second end, and is coupled to the catheter body so that the first optic fiber second end is adjacent the catheter second end. The second optic fiber also includes a first end and a second end, and a reference mirror is positioned adjacent the second optic fiber second end. The first optic fiber first end is communicatively coupled to the detecting element and the second optic fiber first end is communicatively coupled to the detecting element.

Abstract: Catheters for photoablating plaque build-up in blood vessels are described. In one form, the catheter includes a catheter body having a first group of optic fibers and a second group of optic fibers. The first group of optic fibers is adjacent the second group of optic fibers, and each group of optic fibers includes at least one optic fiber having a first end and a second end. The second ends of the respective optic fibers form a substantially rounded hemispherical catheter head. A control element is coupled to the catheter body and is configured to selectively transmit energy through either the first group of optic fibers, or the second group of optic fibers, or both the first and second groups of optic fibers.

Abstract: Systems and methods for advancing a guide wire through body tissue are described. In one form, the guide wire includes an interferometric guidance system and a tissue removal member. The interferometric guidance system is coupled to the guide wire and includes a first optic fiber, a second optic fiber, and a detecting element. The first optic fiber includes a first end and a second end, and extends through a guide wire bore so that the second end is adjacent the guide wire second end. The second optic fiber of the guidance system similarly includes a first end and a second end, and a reference mirror is positioned adjacent the second optic fiber second end. The detecting element is configured to determine interference between a light beam propagating through the first optic fiber and a light beam propagating through the second optic fiber. The tissue removal member also is coupled to the guide wire and is configured to create a path through body tissue so that the guide wire may be advanced therethrough.

Abstract: A medical catheter for treating atherosclerotic plaque and other abnormalities includes optical fibers for applying laser energy to the plaque and an ultrasonic transducer system for sensing the location and configuration of the plaque. The optical fibers and electrical wiring for the transducers extend through a probe which is rotatable inside of the catheter tube to provide universal directional control of the fibers and transducers. A reflective system includes a curved reflector in the probe which can be axially adjusted to vary the directions of the ultrasonic signals. Alternative forms of the invention include different reflector schemes, an angled ultrasonic transducer having a conical signal output that varies with frequency, and various different systems for rotating the transducers and fibers.