Abstract: A catheter and a console for a catheter. In one embodiment, the catheter includes: (1) a wall having a substantially annular cross-section and surrounding a bore, (2) a plurality of optical fibers associated with the wall and terminating at a distal end of the wall in end faces of differing, non-perpendicular orientation with respect to longitudinal axes of the plurality of optical fibers and (3) photoacoustic layers coupled to at least some of the end faces and configured to generate an ultrasonic signal in response to laser light transmitted along the plurality of optical fibers.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for noise reduction in ultrasound detection with the steps of: an optical interferometer having a reference arm and a signal arm that includes a polarization-maintaining probing fiber having a reflective coating at a distal end, a way to couple the probing fiber to ultrasound, a way to generate two output beams from the interferometer, a device to modulate the polarization state of the light in the probing fiber, and a detection mechanism responsive to the ultrasonic signals at the distal tip of the probing fiber.

Abstract: An imaging guidewire that, in one embodiment, includes: (1) a hypotube forming an elongated main body having a distal end, (2) at least one multimode optical fiber integral with the hypotube and configured to carry laser light for ultrasonic excitation, (3) a single-mode optical fiber integral with the hypotube, having a reflective coating located on a distal end thereof and at the distal end of the elongated main body and configured to carry laser light for ultrasonic detection and (4) an imaging cap coupled to the elongated main body at the distal end and including a photoacoustic layer configured to receive the laser light from the at least one multimode optical fiber.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for noise reduction in ultrasound detection with the steps of: an optical interferometer having a reference arm and a signal arm that includes a polarization-maintaining probing fiber having a reflective coating at a distal end, a way to couple the probing fiber to ultrasound, a way to generate two output beams from the interferometer, a device to modulate the polarization state of the light in the probing fiber, and a detection mechanism responsive to the ultrasonic signals at the distal tip of the probing fiber.

Abstract: Various devices for ablating tissue in a lateral direction and methods of operation thereof. One embodiment of such a device includes: (1) an elongated body configured to carry ablative energy from an ablative energy source associated with a proximal end to a distal end and (2) a distal tip located at the distal end, the distal tip configured to deliver the ablative energy in a direction substantially lateral to a longitudinal axis of the elongated body.