Abstract: Catheters for ablation and removal of occlusions from blood vessels are provided. Laser cutting systems and mechanical cutting systems are provided in catheter devices, the cutting systems operable to ablate, cut, dislodge, and otherwise remove occlusions within a blood vessel that may limit or prevent proper circulation. Catheters include expandable distal ends to facilitate, in some cases, relatively high bodily material removal rates compared to other devices.

Abstract: A system includes a laser catheter and a rotating optical member to receive a laser beam along an optical path and rotate to a selected position to redirect the laser beam from the optical path onto one or more selected optical fibers of a laser catheter, wherein a distal end of the laser catheter irradiates an endovascular structure.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention comprise a fiber optic guidewire having a hypotube with a plurality of openings that provide variable stiffness and tracking characteristics between at least one proximal segment and one distal segment of the guidewire. In some embodiments, the guidewire further comprises a mandrel disposed within the hypotube, the mandrel cooperating with the optical fibers to permit the distal end of the hypotube to be shaped as desired by a user. Methods of manufacturing and using the guidewire are also disclosed.

Abstract: A laser ablation catheter includes a distal tip, and the distal tip includes a body that defines a longitudinal axis. A first orientation indicator is formed on the body, and a second orientation indicator is formed on the body. The second orientation indicator is disposed relative to the first orientation indicator such that when the distal tip is viewed in a first side view, the second orientation indicator and the first orientation indicator overlap and visually contrast with the body. A third orientation indicator is formed on the body, and the third orientation indicator disposed relative to the second orientation indicator such that when the distal tip is viewed in a second side view, the third orientation indicator and the second orientation indicator overlap and visually contrast with the body. The second side view and the first side view are substantially 90 degrees apart about the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to the use of medical devices for the treatment of vascular conditions. In particular, the present disclosure provides devices and methods for using laser-induced pressure waves created within a sheath to disrupt intimal and medial calcium within the vasculature.

Abstract: A laser catheter with a pressure sensor is provided according to embodiments of the invention. The pressure sensor may be coupled with the distal end of the laser catheter and may comprise any of various piezoelectric materials, for example Polyvinylidene Difluoride (PVDF). In various embodiments of the invention the pressure sensor is configured to detect pressure longitudinally and coaxially. The pressure sensor may provide an electric potential that is proportional to the vessel pressure and may be used to monitor and/or adjust laser parameters. In other embodiments the results from the pressure sensor may be used to determine the vessel size and/or the type of material being ablated.

Abstract: A laser system for use in an environment is disclosed. The laser system may include a base unit including a laser, a controller operatively coupled to the laser, and a first antenna operatively coupled to the controller. The laser system may further include a laser energy delivery system having a first end which receives laser energy from the laser and a second end which delivers the laser energy to the environment. The laser system may further include a switch unit located remote from the base unit and including a switch controller, a second antenna operatively coupled to the switch controller, and a user operable switch. The switch unit may be connected to the base unit through a tether. The controller may determine when the laser energy is provided to the laser energy delivery system based on a signal from the switch unit, the signal being sent wirelessly to the controller from the second antenna of the switch unit to the first antenna of the base unit.

Abstract: Hypo-tube based support catheter (1) for treating blood vessels, such as below the knee (BTK) blood vessels and other blood vessels (e.g., coronary, pediatric), which are partially or totally occluded. The tip of the support catheter (1) of the invention is shapeable to any desired shape before the insertion of the device into the blood vessel. The disclosed device enables improved angioplasty treatment of blood vessels, especially with a retrograde approach.

Abstract: A laser ablation catheter includes a distal tip, and the distal tip includes a body that defines a longitudinal axis. A first orientation indicator is formed on the body, and the first orientation indicator has an alphanumeric shape. A second orientation indicator is formed on the body. The second orientation indicator is disposed relative to the first orientation indicator such that when the distal tip is viewed in a first side view, the second orientation indicator and the first orientation indicator overlap, appear as the alphanumeric shape, and visually contrast with the body. The second orientation indicator is configured such that when the distal tip is viewed in a second side view, the second orientation indicator appears as the alphanumeric shape and visually contrasts with the body, the second side view and the first side view being substantially 90 degrees apart about the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to the use of medical devices for the treatment of vascular conditions. In particular, the present disclosure provides devices and methods for using laser-induced pressure waves created within a sheath to disrupt intimal and medial calcium within the vasculature.

Abstract: A laser catheter assembly is provided that includes a plurality of laser active fibers, each fiber having a substantially non-circular fiber cross-section.

Abstract: A method and device for local delivery of water-soluble or water-insoluble therapeutic agents to the surface of a normal or diseased body lumen is disclosed. An expandable structure of a medical disposable device, such as a balloon of a balloon catheter, is coated with an amphiphilic polymer coating comprising a therapeutic agent and an amphiphilic polymer or co-polymer. The medical disposable device is inserted into a body lumen, and expanded to contact the amphiphilic polymer coating against the body lumen. The total solubility of the polymer or co-polymer in vivo prevents any embolic hazard associated with the amphiphilic polymer coating.

Abstract: In some embodiments, without limitation, the invention comprises a catheter having an elongated housing with a channel disposed therein. A laser delivery member is movable and at least partially disposed within the channel. A ramp is disposed within the housing at an angle to its central axis and proximate to its distal end. The ramp is adapted to move the distal end of the laser delivery member outwardly from the central axis of the housing. A guidewire biases the distal end of the laser delivery member generally inwardly toward the central axis of the housing. In some embodiments, without limitation, the offset of the central axis of the tip of the laser delivery member from the central axis of the housing is determined by adjusting the extent to which the laser delivery member travels on the ramp, and disposition of the laser delivery member on the guidewire maintains the offset tip substantially parallel to the central axis of the housing.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to coating medical devices. In particular, the present disclosure provides materials and methods for coating a portion of a balloon catheter with a pharmaceutical agent using electrodeposition techniques. Although angioplasty and stenting can be effective methods for treating vascular occlusions, restenosis remains a pervasiveness problem. Therefore, coating portions of a balloon catheter with a pharmaceutical agent that inhibits restenosis can reduce the likelihood of restenosis.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a laser catheter that includes a catheter body, a light guide, and a distal tip that extends beyond the exit aperture of the light guide. In some embodiments, an imaging device is disposed on the distal tip such that the imaging device is distal relative to the exit aperture of the light guide. In some embodiments, the imaging device can be gated to record images during and or slightly beyond periods when the laser catheter is not activated.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to the use of medical devices for the treatment of vascular conditions. In particular, the present disclosure provides devices and methods for using electrically-induced pressure waves created within a sheath to disrupt vascular blockages via the sheath and/or a tip at the end of the sheath.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to the use of medical devices for the treatment of vascular conditions. In particular, the present disclosure provides devices and methods for using electrically-induced pressure waves to disrupt vascular blockages. The present disclosure not only provides devices and methods for using electrically-induced pressure waves to disrupt vascular blockages, but the present disclosure also provides devices and method for assisting the guidewire in penetrating an occlusion, devices and method for using a sealable valve in the tip of the balloon catheter to reduce the overall size and diameter of the balloon catheter, thereby allowing the balloon catheter to penetrate smaller size blood vessels and devices. Given the persistence of coronary artery disease (CAD) and peripheral artery disease (PAD), there remains a need for improved therapeutic methods designed not only to reduce vascular blockages in the short term, but also to prevent future complications such as restenosis.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to the use of medical devices for the treatment of vascular conditions. In particular, the present disclosure provides devices and methods for using laser-induced pressure waves to disrupt vascular occlusions. The present disclosure not only provides devices and methods for using laser-induced pressure waves to disrupt vascular occlusions or portions thereof, but the present disclosure also provides devices and methods for disrupting calcium in the media and/or intima layer of an arterial wall.

Abstract: Embodiments include a catheter system comprising an elongated housing having a housing channel disposed between a first proximal end and a first distal end. The first distal end includes a ramp, having an inclining proximal section and an apex section, and a nose section. The catheter system further includes a rail wire channel in communication with the ramp but not the nose section and a laser delivery member being at least partially disposed within the housing channel and movable therein. In some embodiments, the catheter system includes a rail wire fixedly attached to and terminating at the first distal end of the elongated housing, wherein the rail wire extends through the rail wire channel, and wherein the laser delivery member is slidably coupled to the rail wire.

Abstract: A system and devices for ablation and removal of occlusions from blood vessels is provided. Laser cutting systems and mechanical cutting systems are provided in catheter devices, the cutting systems operable to ablate, cut, dislodge, and otherwise remove occlusions within a blood vessel that may limit or prevent proper circulation. Catheter systems comprise distal end features adapted to cut and remove at least portions of an occlusion that generally correspond to dimensions of an inner lumen of a catheter.