Abstract: A dilation balloon is wrapped in one or more patterns with a wire or braided material having diamond abrasive or other abrasive material bonded thereto. The wire or braided material is vibrated in one or more ways to enhance the cutting action of the wire abrasive. The wire abrasive may be vibrated using high, low, or even ultrasonic waves transmitted to the wire abrasive via local or remote methods. Alternatively, the dilation balloon may be dilated with a contrast media that exhibits a high absorption to laser light. The contrast material is lased with a laser fiber or fibers inserted into the balloon interior, creating a substantial shockwave that vibrates the balloon and assists in the cracking or abrading of the surrounding plaque in contact with the dilation balloon. The cutting balloon may employ the abrasive coated wires described above or cutting blades.

Abstract: Embodiments of a balloon biasing laser catheter are provided. In some embodiments, the laser catheter may include a distal tip that extends from the distal end of the catheter from a point near the light guide aperture. The distal tip may be disposed at the periphery of the catheter. In some embodiments, a balloon may be disposed between the light guide aperture and the distal tip, such that the a light guide extending from the aperture may be disposed proximate with the distal tip having the balloon in between. A retaining wire may be coupled with the distal tip and slidably coupled with the light guide. The retaining wire may keep the light guide biased relatively parallel with the distal tip and/or the catheter body when the balloon is inflated. The light guide may include a guidewire lumen the extends to the distal end of the distal tip.

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 system is provided to determine whether an insulating layer of an implanted lead is damaged.

Abstract: A method for detaching an object from a patient includes providing a tool having a sheath, and a separating assembly operably coupled to a distal end of the sheath. The separating assembly includes a separator moveably coupled to a tip via a threadable connection. The separating assembly is placed near patient tissue that is attached to the object, the sheath is rotated to move the separator distal to the tip, and the separator is applied to the patient tissue that is attached to the object, so as to separate the tissue. A separating system includes a sheath, and a separator threadably coupled with a distal end of the sheath. The separator is adapted to switch between a first configuration where a separating mechanism is deployed, and a second configuration where the separating mechanism is undeployed.

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: Catheter devices for ablation and removal of occlusions from blood vessels and methods of using the same are provided. Catheter devices are useful to ablate, cut, dislodge, and otherwise remove occlusions within a blood vessel that may limit or prevent proper circulation. Distal features of the catheter devices comprise arrangements of laser ablative or mechanical cutting features that generally provide enhanced surface areas and cutting functions. Spiral or helical arrangements are provided to aid in cutting operations.

Abstract: Expandable laser catheters for utilizing laser energy to remove obstructions from body passages are described. In one embodiment, the laser catheter includes a shaftway having a distal end including a flexible portion configured in a series of radial folds. Multiple optical fibers, configured to transmit laser energy, extend along the shaftway and are attached to the flexible portion. An inflatable, ring-shaped balloon is attached to the catheter within the flexible portion. In use, the catheter is inserted into a body passage such as an artery, and advanced until the distal end is adjacent to an obstruction. The balloon is inflated to expand the flexible portion and to bring the optical fibers nearer the inner wall of the body passage. Laser energy is directed by the optical fibers toward targeted regions of the obstruction. As the catheter is advanced and the process repeated, a core is formed from the obstruction and contained within the flexible portion.

Abstract: Snaring systems and methods involve engaging objects such as pacemaker pacing leads within a patient. Physicians can use snaring systems having loops, tags, and roller mechanisms to remove a pacing leads from a patient. For example, snaring systems can be inserted through a jugular access site, engaged with a pacemaker pacing lead, and withdrawn through the jugular access site so as to remove a portion of the pacing lead. Lead extraction techniques can be employed to further dislodge the pacing lead from the patient.

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: Device and method for puncturing blood vessels while using fluoroscopy. The disclosed device enables improved needle orientation control and avoids direct exposure of the clinician's hand to X-ray during the puncturing procedure.

Abstract: A method and device for local delivery of a water-insoluble therapeutic agent to the tissue 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 a non-durable coating which comprises poly(HEMA) complexed with iodine and has a substantially water-insoluble therapeutic agent dispersed therein. The medical disposable device is inserted into a body lumen, and expanded to contact the non-durable coating against the body lumen and deliver the substantially water-insoluble therapeutic agent to the body lumen tissue.

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.