Abstract: An infusion guidewires assemblies and methods are provided that can be used for infusion of fluid at desired location within body lumen of a patient and to facilitate placement of catheters and other devices into a body lumen of a patient. The infusion guidewire assembly includes a guidewire shaft having a distal end, a proximal end and a fluid delivery lumen therethrough. The guidewire assembly further includes an infusion hub adapted to be removably mounted on the proximal end of the guidewire shaft, wherein the hub provides fluid connection to the fluid delivery lumen; and a guidewire coil attached to the distal end of the guidewire shaft. The guidewire shaft of the assembly includes a plurality of infusion ports formed over a distal region proximal to the guidewire coil.

Abstract: An aspiration catheter comprises a catheter body having an aspiration lumen therethrough. The distal opening of the aspiration lumen can be modified in various ways or can have the addition of structure in order to disrupt sealing between the port and material being aspirated. Examples of modifications include slots, castellations, zig-zag features, and other geometries which resist sealing of aspirated material. Blades, rollers, vibrating elements, and other structures may be provided within or around the distal end of the aspiration lumen in order to dislodge and disrupt aspirated material which can seal against the opening.

Abstract: The control of fluid introduction into and out of body conduits such as vessels, is of great concern in medicine. As the development of more particular treatments to vessels and organs continues it is apparent that controlled introduction and removal of fluids is necessary. Fluid delivery and removal from such sites, usually referred to as irrigation and aspiration, using fluid exchange devices that control also need to be considerate of potential volume and/or pressure in the vessel or organ are described together with catheter and lumen configurations to achieve the fluid exchange. The devices include several electrically or mechanically controlled embodiments and produce both controlled and localized flow with defined volume exchange ratios for fluid management. The applications in medicine include diagnostic, therapeutic, imaging, and uses for the introduction or removal of concentrations of emboli within body cavities.

Abstract: Solid materials are separated from hollow body structure aspirates using a filter assembly disposed between an aspiration catheter and an aspirate receptacle. Filter elements having different pore or mesh sizes may be used to size classify the separated solid materials. Multiple filter assemblies may be disposed in parallel or series between the aspiration catheter and aspirate receptacle to provide for different levels of size classification.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for effective removal of emboli or harmful fluids during vascular procedures, such as angiography, balloon angioplasty, stent deployment, laser angioplasty, atherectomy, intravascular ultrasonography and other therapeutic and diagnostic procedures. A catheter with an occluder mounted at its distal end creates an occlusion proximal to the lesion. The catheter provides a pathway for introducing a treatment catheter. Prior to, during or subsequent to the procedure, suction is activated to establish retrograde flow to remove emboli from the site. Additionally, a thin catheter with a distal fluid ejection nozzle maybe introduced distal to the treatment site to rinse emboli from the treatment site. The suction flow and/or ejected fluid flow may be varied in a pulsatile manner to simulate regular blood flow and/or perturb settled emboli into being captured that may otherwise not be collected.