Abstract: The present disclosure relates to ultrasonic catheters including vibration wires that are positionable in a retracted position and an extended position, and their methods of use. In operation, catheters according to the present disclosure are operable in an occlusion crossing mode, in which the catheter emits ultrasonic energy with the vibration wires in the retracted position and in an atherectomy mode, in which the catheter emits ultrasonic energy with the vibration wires in the extended position, causing the vibration wires to oscillate. The vibration wires may directly or indirectly engage plaque within an artery, causing the plaque to break free from the artery wall. The oscillation of the vibration wires may be less abrasive than conventional cutting elements used in atherectomy procedures, such that catheters according to the present disclosure may cause less trauma to artery walls as compared to conventional atherectomy devices.

Abstract: A vascular device insertion system includes a support catheter having a hub, a flexible elongate member that extends distally from the hub, and a catheter lumen that extends through the hub and the flexible elongate member. An insertion module housing is configured to contain a motor having a hollow motor shaft. The hollow motor shaft has a proximal end, a distal end, a distal end portion, and an elongate opening that extends from the proximal end to the distal end. The distal end portion of the hollow motor shaft is configured to couple to the hub of the support catheter. The elongate opening of the hollow motor shaft and the catheter lumen of the support catheter together define a continuous passage. A motor controller is electrically coupled to the motor, and is configured to rotationally oscillate the hollow motor shaft to in turn rotationally oscillate the support catheter.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed relate to a lithotripsy device. A device may include a longitudinal shaft extending between a proximal portion and distal portion. A device may include a basket extending along the distal portion of the longitudinal shaft, the basket configured to catch a target calculus. A device may include a rotational driver operably coupled to the longitudinal shaft and the basket, the rotational driver actuatable for rotating the longitudinal shaft and the basket, wherein at least one of the longitudinal shaft and the basket is configured to vibrate in response to an acoustic energy input.

Abstract: A lithotripsy device for use in a thermal lithotripsy procedure may include an elongate member, having a proximal end and a distal end and a first thermal lithotripsy transducer (e.g., a thermoelectric transducer such as a thermocouple) at the distal end of the elongate member. The first thermal lithotripsy transducer configured to heat and to cool, in response to an applied first electrical input signal, to emit a thermal lithotripsy dose toward a lithotripsy target.

Abstract: An impedance measuring probe for use in a biopsy apparatus includes a metal elongate member having an elongate surface, a proximal end portion, and a distal end portion. The elongate surface has a recessed longitudinal channel having a depth that longitudinally extends from the proximal end portion into the distal end portion. A conductive wire electrode, having a connection end and a sensing end, is located in and extends along the recessed longitudinal channel. The connection end extends from the proximal end portion of the elongate member and the sensing end is located at the distal end portion of the elongate member. An insulation material is disposed in the recessed longitudinal channel of the elongate member and around the conductive wire electrode so as to electrically insulate the conductive wire electrode, and with the sensing end of the conductive wire electrode being exposed.

Abstract: An ultrasonic catheter system includes an ultrasonic transducer configured to deliver ultrasonic vibrational energy when activated. An ultrasonic catheter is coupled to the ultrasonic transducer to receive the ultrasonic vibrational energy. The ultrasonic catheter includes an elongate flexible catheter sheath and a distal end portion having a longitudinal axis. The distal end portion includes a longitudinal pressure sensor and a distal tip element. The longitudinal pressure sensor is configured to generate a catheter longitudinal pressure signal corresponding to a sensed longitudinal pressure encountered by the ultrasonic catheter along the longitudinal axis of the distal end portion.

Abstract: A system and method for operating an ultrasonic treatment device includes generating an ultrasound electrical signal using an ultrasound signal generator; supplying the ultrasound electrical signal to an ultrasonic transducer to generate ultrasonic vibratory motion of an ultrasonic vibration transmission member; monitoring an electrical characteristic associated with the ultrasonic transducer; processing the monitored electrical characteristic to determine at least one of a type of material encountered by a distal end of the ultrasonic vibration transmission member and a type of vascular pathway that the ultrasonic catheter is traversing; and controlling at least one of a modulation frequency and a waveform of the ultrasound electrical signal based on the determined at least one of the type material encountered by the distal end of the ultrasonic vibration transmission member and the type of vascular pathway that the ultrasonic catheter is traversing.

Abstract: Provided herein is a catheter assembly including, in some embodiments, a core wire configured for linear actuation and a damping mechanism around the core wire. The core wire includes a proximal end with a sonic connector configured to couple to an ultrasound-producing mechanism. The core wire includes a distal end configured to modify intravascular lesions with vibrational energy from the ultrasound-producing mechanism. The damping mechanism includes a gasket system and a retainer to retain the gasket system in a damping-mechanism bore of the catheter assembly. The damping mechanism is around a proximal-end portion of the core wire, where the damping system can provide a compressive force sufficient to dampen transverse wave-producing vibrational energy in the proximal-end portion of the core wire without restricting the linear actuation of the core wire through the damping mechanism including extension and retraction of the core wire through the damping mechanism.

Abstract: Provided herein is a catheter assembly including, in some embodiments, a core wire configured for linear actuation and a damping mechanism around the core wire. The core wire includes a proximal end with a sonic connector configured to couple to an ultrasound-producing mechanism. The core wire includes a distal end configured to modify intravascular lesions with vibrational energy from the ultrasound-producing mechanism. The damping mechanism includes a gasket system and a retainer to retain the gasket system in a damping-mechanism bore of the catheter assembly. The damping mechanism is around a proximal-end portion of the core wire, where the damping system can provide a compressive force sufficient to dampen transverse wave-producing vibrational energy in the proximal-end portion of the core wire without restricting the linear actuation of the core wire through the damping mechanism including extension and retraction of the core wire through the damping mechanism.

Abstract: Systems and methods for tumor ablation with controlled precision of a temperature profile utilizing a tumor ablation probe device may include disposing a distal end of the tumor ablation probe device in a tissue, the distal end including a plurality of electrothermal modules (ETMs) on probe arm(s), each ETM including a first surface component electrically connected to a second surface component; supplying a first voltage of a first polarity or a second voltage of a second polarity to at least one ETM, and repeatedly alternating between the first polarity and the second polarity based on a time sequence cycle. When the first polarity is supplied, the ETM heats the first surface component and cools the second surface component, and when the second polarity is supplied, the ETM cools the first surface component and heats the second surface component. Each ETM and/or probe arm is configured for independent control.

Abstract: An ultrasonic catheter includes a catheter sheath, an ultrasonic transmission member, and a catheter body. The ultrasonic transmission member extends within a lumen of the catheter sheath. The catheter body is coupled to the catheter sheath. The catheter body has a fluid inlet port and an inner cavity in fluid communication therewith. A plurality of O-ring members is disposed around and contacts a proximal portion of the ultrasonic transmission member. An O-ring housing is located in the inner cavity of the catheter body, which is configured to contain the plurality of O-ring members. A perimetrical fluid channel is defined between an outer surface of the O-ring housing and the catheter body. The O-ring housing is configured such that a heat dissipating fluid flows into the perimetrical fluid channel and across the outer surface of the O-ring housing to dissipate heat from the plurality of O-ring members.

Abstract: Systems for forming a fistula between two blood vessels are provided. In embodiments, the system may include a catheter having a housing and a treatment portion coupled to the housing. The treatment portion may include a thermoelectric generator comprising an exposed surface exposed outside of the housing and a concealed surface opposite and electrically connected to the exposed surface. The thermoelectric generator may be configured to produce a temperature differential between the exposed surface and the concealed surface when an electric current is applied to one of the exposed surface and the concealed surface thereby producing the temperature differential between the exposed surface and the concealed surface such that the exposed surface is heated to a temperature greater than the concealed surface to weld the two blood vessels together.

Abstract: A vascular device insertion system includes a support catheter having a hub, a flexible elongate member that extends distally from the hub, and a catheter lumen that extends through the hub and the flexible elongate member. An insertion module housing is configured to contain a motor having a hollow motor shaft. The hollow motor shaft has a proximal end, a distal end, a distal end portion, and an elongate opening that extends from the proximal end to the distal end. The distal end portion of the hollow motor shaft is configured to couple to the hub of the support catheter. The elongate opening of the hollow motor shaft and the catheter lumen of the support catheter together define a continuous passage. A motor controller is electrically coupled to the motor, and is configured to rotationally oscillate the hollow motor shaft to in turn rotationally oscillate the support catheter.

Abstract: A microcavitation system, device, and ultrasonic probe assembly for generating directional microcavitation includes a cannula and an ultrasonic transmission member. The ultrasonic transmission member has a first end portion and a second end spaced apart from the first end portion. The cannula has a tubular side wall, a cannula lumen, a fluid input port, a proximal end, a distal end, and a distal end portion. The ultrasonic transmission member is located in the cannula lumen. The fluid input port of the cannula is connected in fluid communication with the cannula lumen. The distal end portion of the cannula is configured to define a cavitation generation chamber. The cavitation generation chamber has a distal end wall at the distal end of the cannula that is configured as a sieve to define a plurality of apertures.

Abstract: An ultrasonic catheter assembly includes a sheath having a sheath lumen. A core wire is at least partially disposed within the sheath lumen. The core wire has a proximal portion and a distal portion. The proximal portion of the core wire is configured to be coupled to an ultrasound-producing mechanism. A working length of the distal portion of the core wire extends distally from the sheath. The working length is configured for longitudinal displacement, transverse displacement, or a combination of longitudinal and transverse displacement, in accordance with a plurality of output modes for vibrational energy supplied to the core wire proximal portion by the ultrasound-producing mechanism.

Abstract: An ultrasonic system includes an ultrasonic device having an ultrasonic transducer, and a core wire having a proximal end coupled to the ultrasonic transducer and a distal end portion that terminates at a distal tip. An ultrasonic energy source is electrically connected to the ultrasonic transducer. The ultrasonic energy source includes an ultrasonic signal generator circuit, a modulator circuit, and a controller. The ultrasonic signal generator circuit generates an ultrasonic electrical signal. The modulator circuit amplitude modulates the ultrasonic electrical signal with a macro-motion electrical signal to generate a modulated ultrasonic electrical signal.

Abstract: A biopsy device includes a device housing, a linear motor, and a controller circuit. The controller circuit has a processor circuit, a first feedback circuit, and a second feedback circuit. The first feedback circuit and the second feedback circuit operate simultaneously. The processor circuit executes program instructions to control an axial advancement of the distal end of the linear motor shaft in accordance with a linear motor shaft advancement profile based on first control signals received from at least one drive characteristic sensor of the first feedback circuit, and executes program instructions to keep the distal end of the linear motor shaft at a constant axial position, as offset by the position indicated by the linear motor shaft advancement profile, based on second control signals received from the housing position detector of the second feedback circuit so as to compensate for user movement of the device housing.

Abstract: A biopsy device includes a device housing, a linear motor, and a controller circuit. The controller circuit has a processor circuit, a first feedback circuit, and a second feedback circuit. The first feedback circuit and the second feedback circuit operate simultaneously. The processor circuit executes program instructions to control an axial advancement of the distal end of the linear motor shaft in accordance with a linear motor shaft advancement profile based on first control signals received from at least one drive characteristic sensor of the first feedback circuit, and executes program instructions to keep the distal end of the linear motor shaft at a constant axial position, as offset by the position indicated by the linear motor shaft advancement profile, based on second control signals received from the housing position detector of the second feedback circuit so as to compensate for user movement of the device housing.

Abstract: Provided herein is a system including, in some embodiments, a stent and a catheter. The stent includes a number of filaments arranged to form a tubular body of the stent, a number of microcells forming each filament of the number of filaments, and a port in an end portion of the stent. Each microcell includes a moveable microsurface. The port of the stent may be configured to accept power and control signals for moving the microsurfaces. The catheter may include a cable configured to connect with the port of the stent and provide the power and the control signals for moving the microsurfaces. Moving the microsurfaces may include matching a shape of an anatomical vessel to maintain patency thereof while mitigating stress on the anatomical vessel.

Abstract: A system and method for operating an ultrasonic treatment device includes generating an ultrasound electrical signal using an ultrasound signal generator; supplying the ultrasound electrical signal to an ultrasonic transducer to generate ultrasonic vibratory motion of an ultrasonic vibration transmission member; monitoring an electrical characteristic associated with the ultrasonic transducer; processing the monitored electrical characteristic to determine at least one of a type of material encountered by a distal end of the ultrasonic vibration transmission member and a type of vascular pathway that the ultrasonic catheter is traversing; and controlling at least one of a modulation frequency and a waveform of the ultrasound electrical signal based on the determined at least one of the type material encountered by the distal end of the ultrasonic vibration transmission member and the type of vascular pathway that the ultrasonic catheter is traversing.