Abstract: A torque transmitting system supports rotational and lateral movement of a drive shaft. The system includes translating inner and outer tubes which have aligned canals for placement of a ball bearing and a pinion shaft to couple the tubes to a drive system. Rotational torque is transferred from the pinion shaft, to the outer tube and, through the ball positioned in the aligned canals, to the inner tube and then to the drive shaft. Furthermore, the ball engaged in the canals defines a range of motion in which the inner tube is slidable with respect to the outer tube, along the tubes' longitudinal axis, to permit advancement of an attached drive shaft.

Abstract: A slip seal adapter is for insertion within a connector of movable catheter components. The adapter includes a rigid tube and a thermally shrinkable wrap extending from the tube. A lumen runs through the adapter to permit the catheter to pass through the connector and through the adapter lumen, whereby the shrinkable wrap sealably surrounds a portion of the catheter. The shrinkable wrap comprises a lubricious material that permits the enclosed catheter to move in a lateral and/or rotational direction and yet maintains the close contact with the catheter.

Abstract: A sealing assembly hinders or prevents air or other fluid from seeping between various components of a medical device by use of a liquid seal. An infusion port is for introducing a sealing liquid to immerse a flood space between a liner that surrounds a torque tube and/or within the torque tube, thereby creating a liquid seal around the torque tube and lubricating the torque tube. The length of the liner and the cross sectional space of the flood space are adjusted to control flow rate. An aspiration port may force suction pressure into a lumen extending along the length of the medical device in a distal direction. The liquid seal also prevents diluting of the suction pressure by stopping ingress of air.

Abstract: A tubular structure comprising multiple overlapping layers surrounding a lumen has flexibility and structural integrity by allowing portions of the layers to slip relative to each other. One embodiment includes a support layer having a wired coil, braid or weave support element underlies at least one overlying layer. The support layer is fixed to the overlying layer at a bonding point and the remaining portion of the support layer is not fixed to the overlying layer, i.e. “free portion”. The support layer is permitted to slip at the free portion of the support layer, relative to the overlying layer. Further flexibility may be provided by a coil element of the support layer having substantial gaps between the loops of the coil to impart high flexibility of the tubular structure.

Abstract: The intralumenal material removal system includes a cutter assembly positionable in the lumen of a mammalian subject and operably connected to system controls. The cutter assembly is axially advanceable by translating the drive shaft and rotatable by rotating the drive shaft. One cutter assembly comprises an adjustable cutter that is adjustable between a smaller diameter condition and a larger diameter condition by rotation of the drive shaft in opposite directions. The cutter may thus be introduced to and withdrawn from the material removal site in a retracted, smaller diameter condition that facilitates translation and navigation of the device through various lumens. The adjustable cutting assembly may be selectively expanded at the material removal site to facilitate cutting, removal and aspiration of the occlusive material. One composite cutter assembly comprises both a distal, fixed diameter cutter and a proximal adjustable diameter cutter.

Abstract: An interventional catheter assembly has an operating head [400] and catheter system [300] that are inserted and navigated within a patient's body while an operator controls the system externally of the operating head. Fluidic communication is provided between the operating head and the external system controls, and rotation is provided to the operating head by means of an external drive system. Numerous system controls are provided, along with various operating systems, sealing assemblies, actuators, torque transfer systems, and the like are provided. Some systems and controls are provided in a control pod [200] and some controls, as well as displays, are provided in a console unit [100].

Abstract: A bearing system useful in an intracorporeal device connects an operating head, a rotatable drive shaft and a catheter. The bearing system includes a static member in fixed communication with the distal end of the catheter, an interior shaft that is in rotatable communication with the drive shaft and the operating head, and at least one connecting structure. The static member has at least one opening through which the connecting structure moveably rests against a seat of the interior shaft. The position of the connecting structure within the seat enables the bearing to accept a rotational load of the rotating drive shaft and/or thrust load in the direction of the longitudinal length of the catheter. The connecting structure further retains the internal shaft and static member of the bearing system.

Abstract: Intralumenal material removal systems are provided using an advanceable and rotatable cutter assembly designed for differential cutting. The intralumenal material removal system includes a cutter assembly positionable in the body cavity of a mammalian subject. One embodiment of the cutter assembly comprises a cutter with blades that are designed and arranged to form an acute blade angle of attack with the matter-to-be-removed. The cutter assembly is axially advanceable by translating the drive shaft and rotatable by rotating the drive shaft. The occlusive material is scraped by the cutter assembly and may be aspirated to remove the material from the body cavity. The cutter assembly may provide aspiration ports positioned between facing surfaces of the blades.

Abstract: Intralumenal material removal systems are provided using an advanceable, rotatable and expandable cutter assembly. The intralumenal material removal system includes a cutter assembly positionable in the lumen of a mammalian subject and operably connected to system controls. The cutter assembly comprises a distal cutting head and an adjustable cutting assembly that is axially advanceable by translating the drive shaft and rotatable by rotating the drive shaft. The adjustable cutting assembly is adjustable between a smaller diameter condition and a larger diameter condition. The cutter may thus be introduced to and withdrawn from the material removal site in a retracted, smaller diameter condition that facilitates translation and navigation of the device through various lumens. The adjustable cutting assembly may be selectively expanded at the material removal site to facilitate cutting, removal and aspiration of the occlusive material.