Abstract: A transseptal puncture system that includes a needle member that includes a distal end, a proximal end and defines a first lumen therethrough, a dilator that includes a distal end, a proximal end and defines a second lumen therethrough, a sheath that includes a distal end, a proximal end and defines a third lumen therethrough, a needle control device that is configured to move the needle member a predetermined distance from a stowed position to a deployed position and a guidewire that includes a distal end and a proximal end and is movable within the first lumen. The needle member is movable within the second lumen and the distal end of the needle member is configured to puncture the septum. The dilator is movable within the third lumen.

Abstract: A transseptal puncture system that includes a needle member that includes a distal end, a proximal end and defines a first lumen therethrough, a dilator that includes a distal end, a proximal end and defines a second lumen therethrough, a sheath that includes a distal end, a proximal end and defines a third lumen therethrough, a needle control device that is configured to move the needle member a predetermined distance from a stowed position to a deployed position and a guidewire that includes a distal end and a proximal end and is movable within the first lumen. The needle member is movable within the second lumen and the distal end of the needle member is configured to puncture the septum. The dilator is movable within the third lumen.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of delivering drugs having e.g., anti-proliferative activity in the vascular, preferably, the cardiovascular, system locally or systematically using an at least partially drug-coated guidewire. The drug-coated guidewire, particularly an expansion member or portion thereof, is brought into contact with the target tissue or in circulation and the drugs are quickly released into the area surrounding the device in a short time after the contact step. Once the therapeutic drugs are released, they are quickly and effectively absorbed by the surrounding cells or circulation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of delivering drugs having e.g., anti-proliferative activity in the vascular, preferably, the cardiovascular, system locally or systematically using an at least partially drug-coated guidewire. The drug-coated guidewire, particularly an expansion member or portion thereof, is brought into contact with the target tissue or in circulation and the drugs are quickly released into the area surrounding the device in a short time after the contact step. Once the therapeutic drugs are released, they are quickly and effectively absorbed by the surrounding cells or circulation.

Abstract: Catheter ultrasound systems including a sheath, a handle, a sheath lumen, and an ultrasound catheter disposed within the lumen of the sheath with ultrasound elements capable of visualizing anatomical regions. The handle allowing the ultrasound catheter to rotate with respect to the sheath using a rotation adjustment knob within the handle or alternatively an separate manipulation handle attached to the proximal end of the ultrasound catheter. The sheath, ultrasound catheter, or both may also include one or more electrodes or other location sensor for both orienting the ultrasound element as well as for diagnostic purposes.

Abstract: The core element for a guidewire comprises a proximal stainless steel portion and a distal nitinol portion. The distal nitinol portion comprises a proximal segment of an at least partially linear elastic nitinol and a distal segment of a super elastic nitinol. The proximal end of a first spring coil contacts the super elastic nitinol with the first spring coil distal end being proximal the distal end of the distal segment of the super elastic nitinol. A second spring coil has a proximal portion that contacts the first spring coil distal end at a spring coil connection. Further, the second spring coil extends distally to an atraumatic tip. Extending radially from a longitudinal axis of the core wire, the first and second spring coils are spaced from and circumferentially unsupported by the distal nitinol core portion at the spring coil connection.

Abstract: This invention includes a highly torqueable, pushable guidewire with a relatively stiff proximal (preferably in one embodiment), stainless steel (SS) section and kink resistant nitinol medial to distal section attached to a shapeable SS, in one embodiment, (such as a SS ribbon) distal tip. The very distal SS tip will have the ability to be shaped by the end user in order to facilitate entry into the chosen vessels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of delivering drugs having e.g., anti-proliferative activity in the vascular, preferably, the cardiovascular, system locally or systematically using an at least partially drug-coated guidewire. The drug-coated guidewire, particularly an expansion member or portion thereof, is brought into contact with the target tissue or in circulation and the drugs are quickly released into the area surrounding the device in a short time after the contact step. Once the therapeutic drugs are released, they are quickly and effectively absorbed by the surrounding cells or circulation.

Abstract: This invention includes a highly torqueable, pushable guidewire with a relatively stiff proximal (preferably in one embodiment), stainless steel (SS) section and kink resistant nitinol medial to distal section attached to a shapeable SS, in one embodiment, (such as a SS ribbon) distal tip. The very distal SS tip will have the ability to be shaped by the end user in order to facilitate entry into the chosen vessels.

Abstract: Catheter ultrasound systems including a sheath, a handle, a sheath lumen, and an ultrasound catheter disposed within the lumen of the sheath with ultrasound elements capable of visualizing anatomical regions. The handle allowing the ultrasound catheter to rotate with respect to the sheath using a rotation adjustment knob within the handle or alternatively an separate manipulation handle attached to the proximal end of the ultrasound catheter. The sheath, ultrasound catheter, or both may also include one or more electrodes or other location sensor for both orienting the ultrasound element as well as for diagnostic purposes.

Abstract: Catheter ultrasound systems including a sheath, a handle, a sheath lumen, and an ultrasound catheter disposed within the lumen of the sheath with ultrasound elements capable of visualizing anatomical regions. The handle allowing the ultrasound catheter to rotate with respect to the sheath using a rotation adjustment knob within the handle or alternatively an separate manipulation handle attached to the proximal end of the ultrasound catheter. The sheath, ultrasound catheter, or both may also include one or more electrodes or other location sensor for both orienting the ultrasound element as well as for diagnostic purposes.

Abstract: Catheter ultrasound systems including a sheath, a handle, a sheath lumen, and an ultrasound catheter disposed within the lumen of the sheath with ultrasound elements capable of visualizing anatomical regions. The handle allowing the ultrasound catheter to rotate with respect to the sheath using a rotation adjustment knob within the handle or alternatively an separate manipulation handle attached to the proximal end of the ultrasound catheter. The sheath, ultrasound catheter, or both may also include one or more electrodes or other location sensor for both orienting the ultrasound element as well as for diagnostic purposes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of delivering drugs having e.g., anti-proliferative activity in the vascular, preferably, the cardiovascular, system locally or systematically using an at least partially drug-coated guidewire. The drug-coated guidewire, particularly an expansion member or portion thereof, is brought into contact with the target tissue or in circulation and the drugs are quickly released into the area surrounding the device in a short time after the contact step. Once the therapeutic drugs are released, they are quickly and effectively absorbed by the surrounding cells or circulation.

Abstract: Medical devices that include on at least some portion thereof an aromatic polyimide of the structure: wherein R is a tetravalent aromatic radical, preferably containing at least one ring of six carbon atoms, said ring characterized by benzenoid unsaturation, the four carbonyl groups being attached directly to separate carbon atoms in a ring and each pair of carbonyl groups being attached to adjacent carbon atoms in a ring of the R radical; and wherein R? is a divalent benzenoid radical selected from the group consisting of wherein R? is selected from the group consisting of an alkylene chain having 1-3 carbon atoms, R?? and R?? are selected from the group consisting of alkyl and aryl. In one embodiment the medical device is a coated lead body. Coated guide wires are a further embodiment. Methods of application are a further embodiment.

Abstract: Medical devices that include on at least some portion thereof an aromatic polyimide of the structure: wherein R is a tetravalent aromatic radical, preferably containing at least one ring of six carbon atoms, said ring characterized by benzenoid unsaturation, the four carbonyl groups being attached directly to separate carbon atoms in a ring and each pair of carbonyl groups being attached to adjacent carbon atoms in a ring of the R radical; and wherein R? is a divalent benzenoid radical selected from the group consisting of wherein R? is selected from the group consisting of an alkylene chain having 1-3 carbon atoms, wherein R?? and R?? are selected from the group consisting of alkyl and aryl. In one embodiment the medical device is a coated lead body. Coated guide wires are a further embodiment. Methods of application are a further embodiment.