Abstract: Embodiments relate to the design and use of a low profile ablation catheter with a liquid core for use in laser ablation removal of arterial plaque blockages to restore blood flow.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to the design and use of a low profile ablation catheter with a liquid core for use in laser ablation removal of arterial plaque blockages to restore blood flow.

Abstract: The present invention is a system for guiding catheters into chamber or conduits of the body without the use of X-ray based imaging systems. The system disclosed is used for guidance of catheters in the heart chamber and heart protruding structures and conduits by using external ultrasound and device based physiological sensory inputs to create a quasi-visual-sensory-algorithm that is used to provide clinical sensory and handling input so that device placement is facilitated. The method and preferred devices are designed to deliver high energy defibrillation shocks to the myocardium and also provide a stable substrate for pressure lumens and or sensors used to provide “distal specific” physiological sensory inputs.

Abstract: The present invention is a cardiac-assist device and technique used to maintain a patient's cardiac output when normal cardiac output is insufficient. Blood is removed from a selected ventricle using an arterial or venous side approach. The use of a right side approach reduces the amount of work required and reduces the number of foreign objects present within the left side of the heart and associated blood transferring conduits. The device of the invention includes a flexible catheter positionable within the patient's body. An external assist mechanism connected to one end of the flexible catheter receives blood from the arterial circulation and includes a pumping membrane. A flexible cannula is connected for reinfusing blood. A control console is provided for alternately supplying vacuum and pressure to the pumping membrane. A synchronizing means varies inflation and deflation in synchrony with the cardiac cycle of a patient.

Abstract: The present invention is a cardiac-assist device and technique used to assist in maintaining a patient's cardiac output when normal cardiac output is insufficient. The techniques of the invention allow the removal of blood directly or indirectly from a selected ventricle using an arterial or venous side approach. The use of a right side approach reduces the amount of work required and reduces the number of foreign objects present within the left side of heart as well as within the associated blood transferring conduits. The device of the invention includes a flexible catheter having a length, an open interior, an exposed proximate end and a distal end positionable within the patient's body. An external, supplemental assist mechanism is connected to one end of the flexible catheter. This mechanism receives blood from the arterial circulation and includes an internal pumping membrane.

Abstract: A catheter for delivering electrical energy to a selectable region of a patient's body has at least one layer of fibers with at least one electrically conductive fiber stranded over a flexible core. Each layer of fibers is stranded over the flexible core and underlying layers opposite in direction from that of the immediately preceding layer so as to provide a catheter with good torque transfer properties in addition to its electrical energy transfer properties. The outermost layer of stranded fibers is electrically conductive and is covered by an electrically insulative outer layer which is mechanically strippable to expose selectable regions of the underlying layer of stranded fibers. Electrical energy is transmitted along the outermost layer of stranded fibers to tissue which is in contact with the exposed contact region of the outermost layer of stranded fibers. The catheter can also deliver electrical energy through a cutting tip for multipolar electro-cautery.

Abstract: A catheter for delivering electrical energy to a selectable region of a patient's body has at least one layer of fibers with at least one electrically conductive fiber stranded over a flexible core. Each layer of fibers is stranded over the flexible core and underlying layers opposite in direction from that of the immediately preceding layer so as to provide a catheter with good torque transfer properties in addition to its electrical energy transfer properties. The outermost layer of stranded fibers is electrically conductive and is covered by an electrically insulative outer layer which is mechanically strippable to expose selectable regions of the underlying layer of stranded fibers. Electrical energy is transmitted along the outermost layer of stranded fibers to tissue which is in contact with the exposed contact region of the outermost layer of stranded fibers.