Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to systems and methods for intravascular lesion disruption. In an embodiment, a catheter system for imparting pressure to induce fractures upon a vascular lesion within or adjacent a blood vessel wall is included. The system includes a catheter configured to advance to a vascular lesion, the catheter including an elongate shaft that defines at least a first orifice for fluid flow; a balloon, coupled to the elongate shaft, that surrounds the first orifice where the balloon can expand from a collapsed configuration suitable for advancing the catheter through a patient's vasculature to a first expanded configuration suitable for anchoring the catheter in position relative to a treatment site; and a propulsion system configured to propel a fluid from the first orifice toward the balloon wall to create an inertial impulse in a vessel wall to transfer momentum to the vascular lesion. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: A photoacoustic catheter can include an elongate shaft and a first photoacoustic transducer. The elongate shaft can extend from a proximal region to a distal region and can include a first light guide that is in optical communication with a light source. The first photoacoustic transducer can be disposed within the distal region of the elongate shaft and can be in optical communication with the first light guide. The first photoacoustic transducer can impart acoustic pressure waves upon a calcified lesion to induce fractures. The first photoacoustic transducer can include a light-absorbing material and a thermal expansion material that can be in contact with one another.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to systems and methods for intravascular lesion disruption. In an embodiment, a catheter system for imparting pressure to induce fractures upon a vascular lesion within or adjacent a blood vessel wall is included. The system includes a catheter configured to advance to a vascular lesion, the catheter including an elongate shaft that defines at least a first orifice for fluid flow; a balloon, coupled to the elongate shaft, that surrounds the first orifice where the balloon can expand from a collapsed configuration suitable for advancing the catheter through a patient's vasculature to a first expanded configuration suitable for anchoring the catheter in position relative to a treatment site; and a propulsion system configured to propel a fluid from the first orifice toward the balloon wall to create an inertial impulse in a vessel wall to transfer momentum to the vascular lesion. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a magnetic field detection circuit, a cardiac signal sensing circuit, a memory circuit, a control circuit, and an arrhythmia detection circuit. The cardiac signal sensing circuit generates a cardiac signal representative of cardiac activity of a subject when coupled to sensing electrodes. The control circuit is operatively coupled to the magnetic field detection circuit; the cardiac signal sensing circuit, and the memory circuit. The control circuit stores cardiac signal data determined using the sensed cardiac signal, receives an indication of magnetic field detection by the magnetic field detection circuit, stores data obtained using the sensed cardiac signal during the magnetic field detection, and stores an identifier indicating the magnetic field detection in association with the data. The arrhythmia detection circuit processes the cardiac signal data to detect a cardiac arrhythmia event and confirm the cardiac arrhythmia event according to the magnetic field indication.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to systems and methods for intravascular lesion disruption. In an embodiment, a catheter system for imparting pressure to induce fractures upon a vascular lesion within or adjacent a blood vessel wall is included. The system includes a catheter configured to advance to a vascular lesion, the catheter including an elongate shaft that defines at least a first orifice for fluid flow; a balloon, coupled to the elongate shaft, that surrounds the first orifice where the balloon can expand from a collapsed configuration suitable for advancing the catheter through a patient's vasculature to a first expanded configuration suitable for anchoring the catheter in position relative to a treatment site; and a propulsion system configured to propel a fluid from the first orifice toward the balloon wall to create an inertial impulse in a vessel wall to transfer momentum to the vascular lesion. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a magnetic field detection circuit, a cardiac signal sensing circuit, a memory circuit, a control circuit, and an arrhythmia detection circuit. The cardiac signal sensing circuit generates a cardiac signal representative of cardiac activity of a subject when coupled to sensing electrodes. The control circuit is operatively coupled to the magnetic field detection circuit; the cardiac signal sensing circuit, and the memory circuit. The control circuit stores cardiac signal data determined using the sensed cardiac signal, receives an indication of magnetic field detection by the magnetic field detection circuit, stores data obtained using the sensed cardiac signal during the magnetic field detection, and stores an identifier indicating the magnetic field detection in association with the data. The arrhythmia detection circuit processes the cardiac signal data to detect a cardiac arrhythmia event and confirm the cardiac arrhythmia event according to the magnetic field indication.

Abstract: An ultrasound catheter may be adapted for placement within a blood vessel having a vessel wall for treating a vascular lesion within or adjacent the vessel wall. The ultrasound catheter includes an elongate shaft extending from a distal region to a proximal region and an ultrasound transducer that is disposed relative to the distal region of the elongate shaft and is adapted to impart near-field acoustic pressure waves upon the vascular lesion in order to mechanically modify the vascular lesion. An inflatable balloon is disposed about the ultrasound transducer and is coupled to the elongate shaft, the inflatable balloon having a collapsed configuration suitable for advancing the ultrasound catheter through a patient's vasculature and an expanded configuration suitable for anchoring the ultrasound catheter in position relative to a treatment site.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to systems and methods for intravascular lesion disruption. In an embodiment, a catheter system for imparting pressure to induce fractures upon a vascular lesion within or adjacent a blood vessel wall is included. The system includes a catheter configured to advance to a vascular lesion, the catheter including an elongate shaft that defines at least a first orifice for fluid flow; a balloon, coupled to the elongate shaft, that surrounds the first orifice where the balloon can expand from a collapsed configuration suitable for advancing the catheter through a patient's vasculature to a first expanded configuration suitable for anchoring the catheter in position relative to a treatment site; and a propulsion system configured to propel a fluid from the first orifice toward the balloon wall to create an inertial impulse in a vessel wall to transfer momentum to the vascular lesion. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: A photoacoustic catheter can include an elongate shaft and a first photoacoustic transducer. The elongate shaft can extend from a proximal region to a distal region and can include a first light guide that is in optical communication with a light source. The first photoacoustic transducer can be disposed within the distal region of the elongate shaft and can be in optical communication with the first light guide. The first photoacoustic transducer can impart acoustic pressure waves upon a calcified lesion to induce fractures. The first photoacoustic transducer can include a light-absorbing material and a thermal expansion material that can be in contact with one another. The thermal expansion material can include polydimethylsiloxane, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyimide, polyisobutylene, polyisobutylene polyurethane, polyurethanes, styrene isoprene butadiene, ethylene propylene polyacrylic, ethylene acrylic, fluorosilicone, polybutadiene, polyisoprene, and/or thermoplastic elastomers.

Abstract: Systems for nerve and tissue modulation are disclosed. An example system may include an intravascular nerve modulation system including an elongated shaft having a proximal end region and a distal end region. The system may further include a bar element extending distally from the distal end region of the elongated shaft and one or more ablation transducers affixed to the bar element.

Abstract: An ultrasound catheter is adapted for placement within a blood vessel having a vessel wall and is adapted for treating a vascular lesion within or adjacent the vessel wall. The ultrasound catheter includes an elongate shaft extending from a distal region to a proximal region and an ultrasound transducer that is disposed within the distal region of the elongate shaft, the ultrasound transducer adapted to impart near-field, acoustic pressure waves upon the vascular lesion in order to mechanically modify the vascular lesion.

Abstract: An ultrasound catheter may be adapted for placement within a blood vessel having a vessel wall for treating a vascular lesion within or adjacent the vessel wall. The ultrasound catheter includes an elongate shaft extending from a distal region to a proximal region and an ultrasound transducer that is disposed relative to the distal region of the elongate shaft and is adapted to impart near-field acoustic pressure waves upon the vascular lesion in order to mechanically modify the vascular lesion. An inflatable balloon is disposed about the ultrasound transducer and is coupled to the elongate shaft, the inflatable balloon having a collapsed configuration suitable for advancing the ultrasound catheter through a patient's vasculature and an expanded configuration suitable for anchoring the ultrasound catheter in position relative to a treatment site.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a magnetic field detection circuit, a cardiac signal sensing circuit, a memory circuit, a control circuit, and an arrhythmia detection circuit. The cardiac signal sensing circuit generates a cardiac signal representative of cardiac activity of a subject when coupled to sensing electrodes. The control circuit is operatively coupled to the magnetic field detection circuit; the cardiac signal sensing circuit, and the memory circuit. The control circuit stores cardiac signal data determined using the sensed cardiac signal, receives an indication of magnetic field detection by the magnetic field detection circuit, stores data obtained using the sensed cardiac signal during the magnetic field detection, and stores an identifier indicating the magnetic field detection in association with the data. The arrhythmia detection circuit processes the cardiac signal data to detect a cardiac arrhythmia event and confirm the cardiac arrhythmia event according to the magnetic field indication.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatus related to ablation catheter systems with wireless temperature sensing. The present subject matter provides an ablation catheter system including an ablation catheter configured to ablate a target zone of tissue and at least one temperature sensitive resonator coupled to the ablation catheter. The resonator is configured to wirelessly emit a signal indicative of a sensed temperature in response to an interrogation signal. The ablation catheter system also includes an external device configured to provide the interrogation signal and to receive and decode the emitted signal from the resonator. The temperature sensitive resonator is configured to be placed proximate to and in thermal conduction with the target zone of tissue and to resonate at a frequency dependent upon a temperature of the resonator when excited by the interrogation signal, in various embodiments.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatus related to ablation catheters with wireless temperature sensing. The present subject matter provides an ablation catheter system including an ablation transducer and a wireless temperature sensor. The wireless temperature sensor includes at least one temperature sensing element configured to sense a temperature-dependent parameter, circuitry configured to measure the sensed parameter and compute a temperature, a transmitter configured to wirelessly transmit a signal including at least one of the sensed parameter and the computed temperature, and a power supply. A controller is provided to coordinate timing of ablation therapy and sensing of the wireless temperature sensor, in various embodiments.

Abstract: An acoustic energy delivery system for delivering acoustic energy to an implantable medical device (“IMD”). The system includes an IMD having a power source and an energy delivery device. The energy delivery device includes a controller and an array of ultrasonic elements electrically coupled to the controller and configured to deliver acoustic energy to the IMD. Methods of delivering acoustic energy to an IMD are also disclosed.

Abstract: Various embodiments concern shielding an implantable lead from RF energy associated with MRI scans. The lead can include a distal region, a proximal region, an intermediate region between the distal region and the proximal region, at least one electrode disposed on the distal region, and at least one conductor extending from the proximal region to the at least one electrode. Implanting of the lead can include coiling a portion of the intermediate region to define one or more loops and selectively shielding the one or more loops of the lead with a RF shield. The RF shield can comprise metallic material and can be configured to reduce RF signal coupling to the at least one conductor along the one or more loops.

Abstract: Various embodiments concern shielding an implantable lead from RF energy associated with MRI scans. The lead can include a distal region, a proximal region, an intermediate region between the distal region and the proximal region, at least one electrode disposed on the distal region, and at least one conductor extending from the proximal region to the at least one electrode. Implanting of the lead can include coiling a portion of the intermediate region to define one or more loops and selectively shielding the one or more loops of the lead with a RF shield. The RF shield can comprise metallic material and can be configured to reduce RF signal coupling to the at least one conductor along the one or more loops.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for recharging medical devices implanted within the body are disclosed. An illustrative rechargeable system includes a charging device that includes an elongate shaft having a proximal section and a distal section. The distal section is configured to be delivered to a location within the body adjacent to the implanted medical device. The charging device includes a charging element configured to transmit charging energy to a receiver of the implanted medical device.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for delivering and positioning an implantable medical device and for evaluating an acoustic communication link are disclosed. An illustrative system includes a catheter adapted to contain an implantable device with a biosensor and an acoustic transducer configured to transmit an acoustic signal, and an implant assist device in acoustic communication with the implantable device via an acoustic communication link. The implant assist device includes an acoustic transducer adapted to receive the acoustic signal transmitted by the implantable medical device, and control/processing circuitry configured to evaluate a performance of the acoustic link.