Abstract: The invention provides various fiber optic probe assemblies for the delivery and collection of light in small spaces. The provided probe assemblies are small, flexible and well suited to performing minimally invasive spectroscopic examinations of biological tissues in-vivo. The invention also provides intravascular catheters that include the fiber optic probe assemblies.

Abstract: Spectroscopic systems and methods are disclosed for determining levels of at least one analyte in blood undergoing hemodialysis. In one aspect, the invention employs Raman spectroscopy to monitor and/or control hemodialysis. In one embodiment, the system uses a laser light directed to circulating blood from a patient undergoing dialysis to make Raman spectral measurements. For example, the laser light can be directed into a segment of the dialysis tubing. The system can utilize unique Raman spectroscopic signature of one or more analytes, e.g., urea, to identify and quantify such analytes against a whole blood background. Based on the spectral response, the concentration of the analytes can be monitored and/or used to control hemodialysis.

Abstract: The invention provides expandable tubular endoluminal prostheses for the treatment of atherosclerotic lesions of blood vessels, including vulnerable plaque lesions, and methods of treatment using the prostheses. Various prostheses of the invention are characterized by hoop strength suitable for treating vulnerable plaque lesions, good conformability and good apposition to vessel walls, as well as minimal coverage areas in order to minimize the inflammatory response to the implanted prostheses.

Abstract: The invention provides basket-style catheter probes that are configured to automatically radially expand or contract in response to widening or narrowing of a lumen so that contact with the lumen wall is maintained during probing. Related diagnostic systems and methods are also provided.

Abstract: Spectroscopic systems and methods are disclosed for determining levels of at least one analyte in blood undergoing hemodialysis. In one aspect, the invention employs Raman spectroscopy to monitor and/or control hemodialysis. In one embodiment, the system uses a laser light directed to circulating blood from a patient undergoing dialysis to make Raman spectral measurements. For example, the laser light can be directed into a segment of the dialysis tubing. The system can utilize unique Raman spectroscopic signature of one or more analytes, e.g., urea, to identify and quantify such analytes against a whole blood background. Based on the spectral response, the concentration of the analytes can be monitored and/or used to control hemodialysis.

Abstract: The invention provides various fiber optic probe assemblies for the delivery and collection of light in small spaces. The provided probe assemblies are small, flexible and well suited to performing minimally invasive spectroscopic examinations of biological tissues in-vivo. The invention also provides intravascular catheters that include the fiber optic probe assemblies.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides side-sensing optical fiber-based optical acoustic sensors that are well suited to catheter-based intravascular diagnostic applications. Another aspect of the invention provides intravascular probes, such as catheters, that include a side-sensing optical acoustic sensor according to the invention and means for photoacoustically generating an acoustic signal, such as ultrasound, from a target tissue. Still another aspect of the invention provides a method for evaluating at least a section of a blood vessel, such as an artery, and in particular identifying, locating and/or characterizing atherosclerotic lesions within the blood vessel. A related embodiment provides a method for identifying, locating and/or characterizing lipid-rich atherosclerotic lesions such as vulnerable plaques.

Abstract: The invention provides expandable tubular endoluminal prostheses for the treatment of vulnerable plaque lesions and methods for treating vulnerable plaques using the prostheses. The endoprostheses may include at least two opposing ring-like end sections and a central section including a number of struts having parallel longitudinal axes connecting the ends sections. In use, the device is expanded in a blood vessel so that the central section at least partially contacts a vulnerable plaque lesion and/or the blood vessel wall in close proximity to the vulnerable plaque lesion.

Abstract: The invention provides diagnostic apparatuses that are advantageously adapted for the Raman spectroscopic analysis of fluid samples, such as biological fluid samples, deposited on test strip substrates. The tests strips may be include a surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) surface for deposition and analysis of a sample and/or may be lateral flow binding assay type test strips.

Abstract: A treatment for vulnerable plaque may include a device having a polymeric coating that contains a statin and/or one or more other drugs, where the statin and/or one or more other drugs may be locally released in a sustained fashion at the point of insertion of the device. The coating may coat a self-expanding or balloon expanding structure, such as a fibrous or thin-film structure, intended to reduce the occurrence or severity of restenosis. The coating may be applied to a gently expanding device that reduces vessel trauma by virtue of exerting a low force of expansion against the vessel wall. The coating may be an absorbable polymer on an implantable device such that the absorbable polymer coating degrades at a specified rate to reduce the risk of “late” thrombosis. An anti-thrombogenic agent may also be disposed on or in the absorbable polymer coating to eliminate residual polymer on the surface after the coating is absorbed.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and catheter-based delivery systems for treating vulnerable plaque atherosclerotic conditions using lightweight vulnerable plaque shields. Combination catheters are provided that include a selectively deployable occlusion balloon to occlude blood flow and a mechanism for selectively deploying a lightweight vulnerable plaque shield, which is either self-expanding or balloon-deployable, within a blood vessel.

Abstract: A medical interventional optical monitoring system for determining the geometry and composition of a lumen is provided. An absorption spectrum is obtained through the use of molecular filters and a switching assembly. In particular, an absorption spectrum can be obtained by reflecting a light beam from a catheter against a lumen wall or material, and the resulting spectrum is passed through one or more filters having a specified absorption spectrum defined by a single atom or compound. If the reflected sample spectrum contains the wavelengths of the absorption spectrum of the filter, the sample did not absorb the wavelengths and does not contain the substance. Alternatively, the light can be filtered prior to entry of the light into the catheter. The apparatus includes a switching assembly that sequentially places one or more filters into the light path to determine if the subject atom or compound is contained in the lumen.