Abstract: The present invention is generally directed towards an imaging transducer assembly. Generally, the imaging transducer assembly is combined with a sensor of a medical positioning system. In one aspect, the transducer assembly and the sensor share the same voltage source. In another aspect of the invention, the sensor surrounds a portion of the imaging transducer assembly, forming a housing that reinforces the assembly.

Abstract: The systems and methods described herein provide for a forward looking guidewire having a reduced radial cross-section for increased maneuverability and use of the guidewire within more narrow vasculature. The guidewire can include an elongate tubular member having a distal region, proximal region and inner lumen and a forward looking imaging device coupled with the distal end of the guidewire. The distal region of the guidewire can be relatively more flexible than the proximal region. The guidewire can also include a second, side looking imaging device, which can be coupled around a longitudinal portion of the guidewire in the radial or proximal regions.

Abstract: A variable length endovascular prosthesis to prevent endoleaks includes a substantially tubular first graft member having an interior surface, an exterior surface, and an open end, and a substantially tubular second graft member engaged coaxially within the first graft member, the second graft member having a proximal end. The prosthesis further includes a substantially tubular fluid-tight connecting member attached at one end to the first graft member and attached at another end to the second graft member, where the connecting member is axially compressible and expandable to facilitate engagement of the proximal end of the second graft member within the first graft member while maintaining a seal between the proximal end of the second graft member and the open end of the first graft member.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to medical devices, and more particularly to an improved intravascular intervention device. In one embodiment, an intravascular intervention device includes a microcatheter configured for intravascular delivery, an imaging wire received within the microcatheter, and a treatment device received within the microcatheter, wherein the imaging wire and the treatment device may be simultaneously advanced. The treatment device is configured to perform intravascular intervention. For example, the treatment device may be configured to deliver a stent, an embolic coil and/or a thrombolytic agent. In this embodiment, the intravascular intervention device may image the area of interest while performing the intravascular intervention, thus allowing imaging to take place in real time.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a bifurcated stent for use in juxtaposition with an angiological bifurcation. The disclosure provides a bifurcated stent that includes a proximal portion adapted to be disposed within a blood vessel in juxtaposition with a bifurcation, a first distal stent portion adapted to extend across the bifurcation into one of the branched blood vessels, and a second distal stent portion adapted to allow blood to flow from the proximal portion into the other branch blood vessel. The disclosure also provides a bifurcated prosthesis including such a bifurcated stent and a tubular graft layer formed from a biocompatible fabric in juxtaposition with the stent. The disclosure also provides a stent joining means for joining two stents one to the other to define a continuous lumen through the two stents.

Abstract: An endoluminal stent that can include, in various embodiments, perpendicular hoop members, each hoop member being formed of wire in a sinuous configuration, at least some of juxtaposed apices in neighboring hoops being secured to one another, such stents also being formed with axially aligned segments in straight stents, and segments of bifurcated stents. Certain embodiments of such stents also can include barbs, fabric covering, and radiopaque markers.

Abstract: Various configurations of systems that employ leadless electrodes to provide pacing therapy are provided. In one example, a system that provides multiple sites for pacing of myocardium of a heart includes wireless pacing electrode assemblies that are implantable at sites proximate the myocardium using a percutaneous, transluminal, catheter delivery system. Also disclosed are various configurations of such systems, wireless electrode assemblies, and delivery catheters for delivering and implanting the electrode assemblies.

Abstract: The systems and methods described herein allow for the application of a bias voltage to one or more transducers implemented within a medical ultrasound imaging system. Bias circuitry is placed within an imaging device and used to apply a DC bias to one or more transducers requiring a DC bias to operate. The one or more transducers can be fabricated in a semiconductor manufacturing process and integrated with the bias circuitry on a common semiconductor substrate. Also provided is a method for operating the one or more transducers and bias circuitry using a communication channel having two signal lines.

Abstract: An improved method of tracking a catheter's position within a human body does not rely on x-rays, but instead calculates the position of the catheter's imaging head by analyzing image data. Such an analysis is able to determine the position of the imaging head in 3 dimensional space, relative to an arbitrarily selected reference image. An image is compared with the reference image, correlation data between corresponding points on the two images are gathered, and a correlation loss rate in a particular direction is determined. This correlation loss rate is modeled to an exponential function, which is evaluated to estimate an angle of separation between the image and the reference image. One or more angles of separation are used to determine a position in three dimensional space of the image, relative to the reference image. By repeating this process for a series of images being gathered by a catheter, the position of the catheter can be determined.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to medical devices, and more particularly to an improved medical imaging device. In one embodiment, an imaging device includes a drive shaft having proximal and distal ends received within the lumen; an imaging transducer coupled to the distal end of the drive shaft and positioned at the distal portion of the elongate member; and a flow detector coupled to the imaging transducer. The flow detector may include a forward facing ultrasound transducer configured to emit energy in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the imaging device and detect a Doppler shift in the received echoes. In the case where the imaging device is located in a vessel having blood flow, such information may be used to calculate the velocity of the blood flow. The imaging device may be configured to be located in a catheter or guidewire.

Abstract: A method for removing an object from a body lumen includes dispensing fluid into the body lumen, and causing the dispensed fluid to propel the object along the body lumen. A device for removing an object from a body lumen includes a fluid dispenser for dispensing fluid into the body lumen, and a pump in fluid communication with the dispenser.

Abstract: A stent is provided comprising a plurality of hoops aligned along a common axis, wherein each of the hoops is oriented in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the stent. Each of the hoops includes a plurality of elongate elements joined to one another and forming apices that point in a direction along the axis of the stent. The stent also comprises means for securing an apex of one hoop to a juxtaposed apex of a neighboring hoop.

Abstract: The systems and methods described herein provide for fast and accurate image segmentation through the application of a multi-stage classifier to an image data set. An image processing system is provided having a processor configured to apply a multi-stage classifier to the image data set to identify a distinctive region. The multi-stage classifier can include two or more component classifiers. The first component classifier can have a sensitivity level configured to identify one or more target regions in the image data set and the second component classifier can have a specificity level configured to confirm the presence of the distinctive region in any identified target regions. Also provided is a classification array having multiple multi-stage classifiers for identification and confirmation of more than one distinctive region or for the application of different classification configurations to the image data set to identify a specific distinctive region.

Abstract: A device and related methods of use are provided for the capture and removal of various unwanted objects present within the body's anatomical lumens. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the device includes a sheath, an elongate member, and a retrieval assembly connected to the elongate member and retractable within and extendable from a lumen of the sheath. The device includes one or more legs releasably connected to a portion of the retrieval assembly in response to movement of the elongate member relative to the sheath.

Abstract: The field of the invention relates to medical imaging systems, and more particularly to systems and methods for estimating the size and position of a stent or other medical device within a patient. In one embodiment, a medical imaging system includes an elongated tubular member having distal and proximal ends, configured to be inserted into a vessel of a patient, an imaging device coupled to the distal end of the elongated tubular member, and a console electrically coupled to the imaging device, wherein the console includes a computer-usable medium, electrically coupled to the imaging device, having a sequence of instructions which, when executed by a processor, causes said processor to execute a process including generating an image of the vessel, and overlay one or more shapes onto the image age to provide a visual approximation of the size and position of a medical device to be applied within the patient.

Abstract: A prosthesis anchor is adapted to convert a previously untreatable anatomy into a more typical and treatable condition. Preferably, the anchor is adapted to be transported endoluminally to a deployment site in a body lumen. The anchor includes a landing section for securing the anchor at a relatively fixed position in the lumen, and a docking section adapted to receive a mating prosthesis the landing section of the anchor may be permanently affixed to the lumen by a variety of mechanical and/or adhesive fixation means.

Abstract: A single transducer element that is capable of oscillation at a plurality of natural resonant frequencies may be used in an ultrasonic imaging catheter assembly including a catheter body configured to be inserted and guided through the vascular system of a living being, a lumen and a rotatable imaging core adapted to pass through the lumen, the imaging core including a flexible drive-shaft. Because the transducer element is capable of oscillation at a plurality of natural resonant frequencies, a user can switch from one frequency to another in order to improve the depth of field or resolution without having to switch out the catheter or imaging core.

Abstract: The systems and methods described herein allow for the application of a bias voltage to one or more transducers implemented within a medical ultrasound imaging system. Bias circuitry is placed within an imaging device and used to apply a DC bias to one or more transducers requiring a DC bias to operate. The one or more transducers can be fabricated in a semiconductor manufacturing process and integrated with the bias circuitry on a common semiconductor substrate. Also provided is a method for operating the one or more transducers and bias circuitry using a communication channel having two signal lines.

Abstract: The systems and methods described herein provide for fast and accurate image segmentation through the application of a multi-stage classifier to an image data set. An image processing system is provided having a processor configured to apply a multi-stage classifier to the image data set to identify a distinctive region. The multi-stage classifier can include two or more component classifiers. The first component classifier can have a sensitivity level configured to identify one or more target regions in the image data set and the second component classifier can have a specificity level configured to confirm the presence of the distinctive region in any identified target regions. Also provided is a classification array having multiple multi-stage classifiers for identification and confirmation of more than one distinctive region or for the application of different classification configurations to the image data set to identify a specific distinctive region.

Abstract: A medical device used for retrieving material from within a body includes an engaging assembly in which at least a portion of the engaging assembly is resistant to laser energy-induced damage.