Abstract: A protective sleeve (229) for protecting a balloon (204) of an intravascular lithotripsy catheter system (200) only prior to the balloon (204) being positioned within a body (107) of a patient (109), includes a sleeve body (229B) that is configured to be removably positioned about the balloon (204). The sleeve body (229B) includes a sleeve proximal end (229P) and a sleeve distal end (229D). The sleeve body (229B) includes a tapered region (264C) having a tapered diameter (262V) that decreases in a direction from the sleeve proximal end (229P) toward the sleeve distal end (229D).

Abstract: A catheter system (100) for treating a treatment site (106) within or adjacent to a vessel wall (108) or heart valve includes a balloon (104) having a balloon length (204L). The balloon (104) is configured to be movable between an inflated state (135) and a deflated state. The balloon (104) includes (i) a balloon proximal region (250), (ii) a balloon distal region (254), and (iii) a balloon transition region (252). The balloon proximal region (250) has a balloon proximal end (204P) and a substantially constant balloon proximal region diameter (256) while the balloon (104) is in the inflated state (135). The balloon distal region (254) has a balloon distal end (104D), and a substantially constant balloon distal region diameter (262) while the balloon (104) is in the inflated state (135). The balloon distal region diameter (262) is different than the balloon proximal region diameter (256). The balloon transition region (252) has a balloon transition region diameter (260) that varies.

Abstract: A catheter system (100) for treating a treatment site (106) includes an energy source (124), a catheter fluid (132), and an emitter assembly (129). The emitter assembly (129) includes (i) at least a portion of an energy guide (122A) having a guide distal end (122D) that is positioned near the treatment site (106), (ii) a plasma generator (133), and (iii) an emitter housing (260) that is secured to the energy guide (122A) and the plasma generator (133). The emitter housing (260) includes (a) a first housing section (262) that is secured to the energy guide (122A) at or near the guide distal end (122D), (b) a second housing section (264) that is one of secured to and integrally formed with the plasma generator (133), and (c) a connector section (266) that is coupled to and extends between the first housing section (262) and the second housing section (264).

Abstract: A catheter system (100) for treating a treatment site (106) within or adjacent to a vessel wall (108A) of a blood vessel (108) within a body (107) of a patient (109) includes an energy source (124), a catheter fluid (132), and an emitter assembly (129). The energy source (124) generates energy. The emitter assembly (129) includes (i) at least a portion of an energy guide (122A) having a guide distal end (122D) that is selectively positioned near the treatment site (106), (ii) a plasma generator (133), and (iii) an emitter housing (260) that is secured to each of the energy guide (122A) and the plasma generator (133) to maintain a relative position between the guide distal end (122D) of the energy guide (122A) and the plasma generator (133). The energy guide (122A) is configured to receive energy from the energy source (124) and direct the energy toward the plasma generator (133) to generate a plasma bubble (134) in the catheter fluid (132).

Abstract: A catheter system (100) for treating a treatment site (106) within or adjacent to a vessel wall (108A) of a blood vessel (108) within a body (107) of a patient (109) includes an energy source (124), a catheter fluid (132), and an emitter assembly (129). The energy source (124) generates energy. The emitter assembly (129) includes (i) at least a portion of an energy guide (122A) having a guide distal end (122D) that is selectively positioned near the treatment site (106), (ii) a plasma generator (133), and (iii) an emitter housing (260) that is secured to each of the energy guide (122A) and the plasma generator (133) to maintain a relative position between the guide distal end (122D) of the energy guide (122A) and the plasma generator (133). The energy guide (122A) is configured to receive energy from the energy source (124) and direct the energy toward the plasma generator (133) to generate a plasma bubble (134) in the catheter fluid (132).

Abstract: A catheter system (100) for treating a treatment site (106) within or adjacent to a vessel wall (108A) of a blood vessel (108) within a body (107) of a patient (109) includes an energy source (124), a catheter fluid (132), and an emitter assembly (129). The energy source (124) generates energy. The emitter assembly (129) includes (i) at least a portion of an energy guide (122A) having a guide distal end (122D) that is selectively positioned near the treatment site (106), (ii) a plasma generator (133), and (iii) an emitter housing (260) that is secured to each of the energy guide (122A) and the plasma generator (133) to maintain a relative position between the guide distal end (122D) of the energy guide (122A) and the plasma generator (133). The energy guide (122A) is configured to receive energy from the energy source (124) and direct the energy toward the plasma generator (133) to generate a plasma bubble (134) in the catheter fluid (132).

Abstract: A catheter system (100) for treating a treatment site (106) within or adjacent to a vessel wall (108) or heart valve includes a balloon (104) having a balloon length (204L). The balloon (104) is configured to be movable between an inflated state (135) and a deflated state. The balloon (104) includes (i) a balloon proximal region (250), (ii) a balloon distal region (254), and (iii) a balloon transition region (252). The balloon proximal region (250) has a balloon proximal end (204P) and a substantially constant balloon proximal region diameter (256) while the balloon (104) is in the inflated state (135). The balloon distal region (254) has a balloon distal end (104D), and a substantially constant balloon distal region diameter (262) while the balloon (104) is in the inflated state (135). The balloon distal region diameter (262) is different than the balloon proximal region diameter (256). The balloon transition region (252) has a balloon transition region diameter (260) that varies.