Abstract: An intracorporeal catheter, such as a guiding catheter, employed for intraluminal procedures is disclosed. The catheter generally has an elongated catheter shaft including a polymeric inner layer and a non-radiopaque outer polymeric layer, along with a radiopaque reinforcing structure disposed between the inner and outer layers. In one embodiment, the reinforcing layer consists of multiple drawn filled tubes braided or wound together. The drawn filled tubes may have a stainless steel outer jacket clad over a radiopaque inner core, or the drawn filled tubes may have a radiopaque outer jacket clad over a stainless steel core. In another embodiment, the reinforcing layer may consist of multiple wires containing radiopaque alloys braided or wound together, wherein at least two of the wires consist of different radiopaque alloys. The strands of the reinforcing structure may have a circular or a rectangular transverse cross-sectional shape.

Abstract: An intracorporeal catheter, such as a guiding catheter, employed for intraluminal procedures is disclosed. The catheter generally has an elongated catheter shaft including a polymeric inner layer and a non-radiopaque outer polymeric layer, along with a radiopaque reinforcing structure disposed between the inner and outer layers. In one embodiment, the reinforcing layer consists of multiple drawn filled tubes braided or wound together. The drawn filled tubes may have a stainless steel outer jacket clad over a radiopaque inner core, or the drawn filled tubes may have a radiopaque outer jacket clad over a stainless steel core. In another embodiment, the reinforcing layer may consist of multiple wires containing radiopaque alloys braided or wound together, wherein at least two of the wires consist of different radiopaque alloys. The strands of the reinforcing structure may have a circular or a rectangular transverse cross-sectional shape.

Abstract: An intracorporeal catheter, such as a guiding catheter, employed for intraluminal procedures is disclosed. The catheter generally has an elongated catheter shaft including a polymeric inner layer and a non-radiopaque outer polymeric layer, along with a radiopaque reinforcing structure disposed between the inner and outer layers. In one embodiment, the reinforcing layer consists of multiple drawn filled tubes braided or wound together. The drawn filled tubes may have a stainless steel outer jacket clad over a radiopaque inner core, or the drawn filled tubes may have a radiopaque outer jacket clad over a stainless steel core. In another embodiment, the reinforcing layer may consist of multiple wires containing radiopaque alloys braided or wound together, wherein at least two of the wires consist of different radiopaque alloys. The strands of the reinforcing structure may have a circular or a rectangular transverse cross-sectional shape.

Abstract: A medical Assembly is used to delivery a therapeutic substance to a treatment area. The medical assembly comprises a catheter having a distal end and a proximal end, a transducer supported by at least a portion of the distal end of the catheter assembly, and a delivery lumen mounted on the catheter for delivery of a therapeutic substance. Support for the transducer is provided at a preselected number of anchoring points, wherein an inner surface of the transducer is positioned at a preselected distance from an outer surface of the catheter. The preselected distance defines a gap that is occupied by a low density material such as a gas which reflects acoustic pressure waves directed toward the gap by a transducer when a voltage is applied to the transducer. The reflected pressure wave increases the energy in the system, enhancing transport of therapeutic substances from the delivery lumen to the surrounding tissues and/or cells to be treated.

Abstract: A medical Assembly is used to delivery a therapeutic substance to a treatment area. The medical assembly comprises a catheter having a distal end and a proximal end, a transducer supported by at least a portion of the distal end of the catheter assembly, and a delivery lumen mounted on the catheter for delivery of a therapeutic substance. Support for the transducer is provided at a preselected number of anchoring points, wherein an inner surface of the transducer is positioned at a preselected distance from an outer surface of the catheter. The preselected distance defines a gap that is occupied by a low density material such as a gas which reflects acoustic pressure waves directed toward the gap by a transducer when a voltage is applied to the transducer. The reflected pressure wave increases the energy in the system, enhancing transport of therapeutic substances from the delivery lumen to the surrounding tissues and/or cells to be treated.

Abstract: A medical Assembly is used to delivery a therapeutic substance to a treatment area. The medical assembly comprises a catheter having a distal end and a proximal end, a transducer supported by at least a portion of the distal end of the catheter assembly, and a delivery lumen mounted on the catheter for delivery of a therapeutic substance. Support for the transducer is provided at a preselected number of anchoring points, wherein an inner surface of the transducer is positioned at a preselected distance from an outer surface of the catheter. The preselected distance defines a gap that is occupied by a low density material such as a gas which reflects acoustic pressure waves directed toward the gap by a transducer when a voltage is applied to the transducer. The reflected pressure wave increases the energy in the system, enhancing transport of therapeutic substances from the delivery lumen to the surrounding tissues and/or cells to be treated.

Abstract: A medical assembly is used to deliver a therapeutic substance to a treatment area. The medical assembly comprises a catheter having a distal end and a proximal end, a transducer supported by at least a portion of the distal end of the catheter assembly, and a delivery lumen mounted on the catheter for delivery of a therapeutic substance. Support for the transducer is provided at a preselected number of anchoring points, wherein an inner surface of the transducer is positioned at a preselected distance from an outer surface of the catheter. The preselected distance defines a gap that is occupied by a low density material such as a gas which reflects acoustic pressure waves directed toward the gap by a transducer when a voltage is applied to the transducer. The reflected pressure wave increases the energy in the system, enhancing transport of therapeutic substances from the delivery lumen to the surrounding tissues and/or cells to be treated.

Abstract: A guidewire having a proximal hypotube portion with an insert to increase pushability and torqueability. The insert may comprise metals such as stainless steel, shape memory/super elastic materials such as nickel titanium alloys, composite materials or polymeric materials. The proximal end of the insert may be configured to dock with an extension guidewire. Preferably, the proximal end of the solid core distal portion of the guidewire is configured to fit within the hypotube and the two are secured by adhesive, solder or the like.

Abstract: An intracorporeal device such as a guide wire with an elongated core having a radiopaque and optionally MRI-compatible markers embedded in a polymer sleeve disposed on a distal section of the elongated core is disclosed. The marker sleeve may be secured to a tapered portion of the distal core section or a constant diameter portion of the distal core section. Individual markers may be formed by radiopaque ribbons, bands, or strips, or may be in the form of a helical coil.

Abstract: An intracorporeal device such as a guide wire with an elongated core having a radiopaque and optionally MRI-compatible markers embedded in a polymer sleeve disposed on a distal section of the elongated core is disclosed. The marker sleeve may be secured to a tapered portion of the distal core section or a constant diameter portion of the distal core section. Individual markers may be formed by radiopaque ribbons, bands, or strips, or may be in the form of a helical coil.

Abstract: An elongate intracorporeal guiding device for providing access to desired sites within a patients body. The device, which may be configured as a guidewire, is constructed so as to be compatible with sensitive imaging methods such as MRI and the like and not create imaging artifacts or interference with such imaging methods. The guiding device may be constructed so as to have a distal working section that has minimal metallic content or minimal content of materials that can cause imaging artifacts or interference with MRI imaging, other sensitive imaging methods or the like. The device may also have a dock exchange system to allow attachment and detachment of an extension guidewire.

Abstract: An elongate intracorporeal guiding device for providing access to desired sites within a patients body. The device, which may be configured as a guidewire, is constructed so as to be compatible with sensitive imaging methods such as MRI and the like and not create imaging artifacts or interference with such imaging methods. The guiding device may be constructed so as to have a distal working section that has minimal metallic content or minimal content of materials that can cause imaging artifacts or interference with MRI imaging, other sensitive imaging methods or the like. The device may also have a dock exchange system to allow attachment and detachment of an extension guidewire.