Abstract: A catheter system (100) for treating a treatment site (106) within or adjacent to a vessel wall (108A) or a heart valve includes a light source (124), a first light guide (122A), a second light guide (122A), and a guide bundle (152). The light source (124) generates light energy. The first light guide (122A) receives the light energy from the light source (124) and has a guide proximal end (122P). The second light guide (122A) receives the light energy from the light source (124) and has a guide proximal end (122P). A guide bundle (152) is in optical communication with the light source (124). The guide bundle (152) bundles the first light guide (122A) and the second light guide (122A). The guide bundle (152) includes a first ferrule (778) that engages the guide proximal end (122P) of the first light guide (122A) and a second ferrule (778) that engages the guide proximal end (122P) of the second light guide (122A).

Abstract: A catheter system for treating a treatment site within or adjacent to a vessel wall includes a light source, a balloon, a light guide, and an optical analyzer assembly. The light source generates light energy. The balloon is positionable substantially adjacent to the vascular lesion. The balloon has a balloon wall that defines a balloon interior that receives a balloon fluid. The light guide receives light energy from the light source at a guide proximal end and guides the light energy toward a guide distal end and into the balloon interior. The optical analyzer assembly is configured to optically analyze light energy emitted from the guide proximal end of the light guide.

Abstract: A catheter system (100) for treating a treatment site (106) includes a first light source (124), a plurality of light guides (122A), a multiplexer (128), a multiplexer alignment system (142), and a first beamsplitter (268). The first light source (124) generates a source beam (124A). The multiplexer (128) receives the source beam (124A), and alternatively directs the source beam (124A) to each of the plurality of light guides (122A). The multiplexer alignment system (142) is operatively coupled to the multiplexer (128). The multiplexer alignment system (142) includes a second light source (270) that generates a probe source beam (270A) that is directed to scan across a guide proximal end (122P) of each of the plurality of light guides (122A) so that a time is determined to generate the source beam (124A) so that the source beam (124A) is optically coupled to the guide proximal end (122P) of each of the plurality of light guides (122A).

Abstract: Example catheter systems and methods for using catheter systems are disclosed. An example catheter system for treating a treatment site within or adjacent to a vessel wall or heart valve includes an energy source, a catheter including an energy guide configured to receive energy from the energy source, a system controller coupled to the energy source and a graphical user interface in communication with the system controller. Further, the graphical user interface is configured to display operational information corresponding to the operation of one or more components of the catheter system. Further, the graphical user interface is configured to communicate with the system controller to control the operation of the one or more components of the catheter system.

Abstract: A catheter system (100) for treating a treatment site (106) within or adjacent to a vessel wall (108) or heart valve includes a balloon (104) having a balloon length (204L). The balloon (104) is configured to be movable between an inflated state (135) and a deflated state. The balloon (104) includes (i) a balloon proximal region (250), (ii) a balloon distal region (254), and (iii) a balloon transition region (252). The balloon proximal region (250) has a balloon proximal end (204P) and a substantially constant balloon proximal region diameter (256) while the balloon (104) is in the inflated state (135). The balloon distal region (254) has a balloon distal end (104D), and a substantially constant balloon distal region diameter (262) while the balloon (104) is in the inflated state (135). The balloon distal region diameter (262) is different than the balloon proximal region diameter (256). The balloon transition region (252) has a balloon transition region diameter (260) that varies.

Abstract: A method for treating a vascular lesion within or adjacent to a vessel wall within a body of a patient by generating a plasma that creates pressure waves adjacent to the vascular lesion, includes the steps of (i) generating light energy in the form of a source beam with a single light source; (ii) positioning a multiplexer in a beam path of the source beam, the multiplexer including an optical element; (iii) receiving the source beam with the optical element of the multiplexer; (iv) splitting the source beam into a first guide beam and a second guide beam with the optical element of the multiplexer; (v) directing the first guide beam to a first light guide with the multiplexer; and (vi) directing the second guide beam to a second light guide with the multiplexer.

Abstract: A catheter system for treating a vascular lesion within or adjacent to a vessel wall within a body of a patient includes a single light source that generates light energy, a first light guide and a second light guide, and a multiplexer. The first light guide and the second light guide are each configured to selectively receive light energy from the light source. The multiplexer receives the light energy from the light source in the form of a source beam and selectively directs the light energy from the light source in the form of individual guide beams to each of the first light guide and the second light guide.

Abstract: A catheter system for treating a treatment site includes an energy source, a balloon, an energy guide, and a pressure sensor. The balloon is positionable substantially adjacent to the treatment site. The balloon has a balloon wall that defines a balloon interior that receives a balloon fluid. The energy source generates energy that is received by the energy guide so that the energy guide can guide the light energy into the balloon interior. The pressure sensor senses a balloon pressure of the balloon fluid.

Abstract: A catheter system (100) usable for treating a treatment site (106) within or adjacent to a vessel wall (108A) of a blood vessel (108) or a heart valve within a body (107) of a patient (109), the catheter system (100) can include an energy source (124) that generates energy, a catheter (102) that includes an energy guide (122A) that receives the energy from the energy source (124), and a system controller (126) that is coupled to the energy source (124), the system controller (126) being configured to: (i) monitor real-time operating parameters of the catheter system (100), including at least energy delivery characteristics and treatment site conditions, (ii) detect and identify operating parameters that require adjustment, (iii) automatically adjust operating parameters, and (iv) dynamically provide a summary of system status, treatment progress, and actionable alerts.

Abstract: A catheter system (100) for treating a treatment site (106) within or adjacent to a blood vessel (108) includes a power source (124), a light guide (122) and a plasma target (242). In various embodiments, the light guide (122) receives power from the power source (124). The light guide (122) has a distal tip (244), and the light guide (122) emits light energy (243) in a direction away from the distal tip (244). The plasma target (242) is spaced apart from the distal tip (244) of the light guide (122) by a target gap distance (245). The plasma target (242) is configured to receive light energy (243) from the light guide (122) so that a plasma bubble (234) is generated at the plasma target (242). The power source (124) can be a laser and the light guide (122) can be an optical fiber. The catheter system (100) can also an inflatable balloon (104) that encircles the distal tip (244) of the light guide (122). The plasma target (242) can be positioned within the inflatable balloon (104).

Abstract: A catheter system (100) for treating a treatment site (106) within or adjacent to a blood vessel (108) includes a power source (124), a light guide (122) and a plasma target (242). In various embodiments, the light guide (122) receives power from the power source (124). The light guide (122) has a distal tip (244), and the light guide (122) emits light energy (243) in a direction away from the distal tip (244). The plasma target (242) is spaced apart from the distal tip (244) of the light guide (122) by a target gap distance (245). The plasma target (242) is configured to receive light energy (243) from the light guide (122) so that a plasma bubble (234) is generated at the plasma target (242). The power source (124) can be a laser and the light guide (122) can be an optical fiber. The catheter system (100) can also an inflatable balloon (104) that encircles the distal tip (244) of the light guide (122). The plasma target (242) can be positioned within the inflatable balloon (104).

Abstract: A catheter system for treating a vascular lesion within or adjacent to a vessel wall within a body of a patient includes a single light source that generates light energy, a first light guide and a second light guide, and a multiplexer. The first light guide and the second light guide are each configured to selectively receive light energy from the light source. The multiplexer receives the light energy from the light source in the form of a source beam and selectively directs the light energy from the light source in the form of individual guide beams to each of the first light guide and the second light guide.

Abstract: A catheter system (100) for placement within a treatment site (106) at a vessel wall (208A) or a heart valve includes an energy source (124), a balloon (104), an energy guide (122A), and a tissue identification system (142). The energy source (124) generates energy. The balloon (104) is positionable substantially adjacent to the treatment site (106). The balloon (104) has a balloon wall (130) that defines a balloon interior (146). The balloon (104) is configured to retain a balloon fluid (132) within the balloon interior (146). The energy guide (122A) is configured to receive energy from the energy source (124) and guide the energy into the balloon interior (146) so that plasma is formed in the balloon fluid (132) within the balloon interior (146). The tissue identification system (142) is configured to spectroscopically analyze tissue within the treatment site (106).

Abstract: A catheter system (100) for treating a treatment site (106) includes an energy source (124), a balloon (104), an energy guide (122A), an inflation conduit (140) and a pressure sensor assembly (142). The balloon (104) is positionable substantially adjacent to the treatment site (106). The balloon (104) has a balloon wall (130) that defines a balloon interior (146) that receives a balloon fluid (132). The energy source (124) generates energy that is received by the energy guide (122A) so that the energy guide (122A) can guide the light energy into the balloon interior (146). The inflation conduit (140) is in fluid communication with the balloon interior (146). The inflation conduit (140) is configured to convey the balloon fluid (132) into the balloon interior (146). The pressure sensor assembly (142) is configured to sense a balloon pressure of the balloon fluid (132) within the balloon interior (146).

Abstract: Disclosed is a multifunctional medical device, apparatus or system that is capable of performing a surgical procedure or operation and also capable of removing or reducing smoke particles generated by the surgical procedure or operation on a subject, the apparatus comprising a plurality of electrodes, two of which are configured to be in electrical communication with or being electrically connectable to opposite poles of a source of high voltage dc electricity to ionize, and remove or reduce smoke particles, and at least one of which is also configured to be part of a RF circuit to perform a surgical procedure or operation such as tissue cutting, cauterization, tissue sealing or coagulating at a surgical site on the subject. Also disclosed is a method of employing the above disclosed device, apparatus or system or variations thereof to perform a surgical procedure or operation at a surgical site and to remove or reduce smoke particles generated during the surgical procedure or operation.

Abstract: A catheter system (100) for treating a treatment site (106) within or adjacent to a vessel wall (108A) of a blood vessel (108) includes a balloon (104), a first assembly illumination source (366) and a contact detector assembly (142). The balloon (104) is positionable substantially adjacent to the vessel wall (108A) at the treatment site (106). The balloon (104) has a balloon wall (130) that defines a balloon interior (146). The first assembly illumination source (366) generates a first assembly illumination beam (366B) that moves in a first direction (121F) into the balloon interior (146). The contact detector assembly (142) is configured to optically analyze a first returning energy beam (366R) from the balloon interior (146) that moves in a second direction (121S) that is opposite the first direction (121F), the contact detector assembly (142) being configured to analyze the first returning energy beam (366R) to determine a contact condition between the balloon wall (130) and the vessel wall (108A).

Abstract: A multifunctional medical device, apparatus or system that is capable of perforating a surgical procedure or operation and also capable of attracting, collecting, removing or reducing debris generated by the surgical procedure or operation, on a subject. The apparatus comprising a plurality of electrodes, two of which are configured to be in electrical communication with or being electrically connectable to opposite poles of a source of high voltage dc electricity to ionize, attract, collect, and remove or reduce debris. At least one of the electrodes is also configured to be part of a RF circuit to perform a surgical procedure or operation such as tissue cutting, cauterization tissue sealing or coagulating at a surgical site on the subject.

Abstract: A catheter system for treating a vascular lesion within or adjacent to a vessel wall within a body of a patient includes a single light source that generates light energy, a first light guide and a second light guide, and a multiplexer. The first light guide and the second light guide are each configured to selectively receive light energy from the light source. The multiplexer receives the light energy from the light source in the form of a source beam and selectively directs the light energy from the light source in the form of individual guide beams to each of the first light guide and the second light guide.

Abstract: A catheter system for treating a treatment site within or adjacent to a blood vessel within a body of a patient, the treatment site having a proximal region and a distal region, includes an energy source, a guide shaft, and an energy guide. The energy source generates energy. The guide shaft is positionable adjacent to the treatment site. The energy guide receives energy from the energy source. The energy guide is movably coupled to the guide shaft. The energy guide includes a guide distal end that is configured to be positioned adjacent to the treatment site. The guide distal end of the energy guide is selectively movable relative to the guide shaft and adjacent to and between the proximal region and the distal region of the treatment site while the energy guide receives energy from the energy source.

Abstract: A catheter system (100) for treating a treatment site (106) includes a catheter shaft (110), a balloon (104), an energy source (124), a plurality of energy guides (122A), and a system controller (126). The energy source (124) generates pulses of energy. The energy guides (122A) are each configured to selectively receive at least one of the pulses of energy. Each of the energy guides (122A) includes a guide distal end (122D) that is positioned within a balloon interior (146) at a different longitudinal position from one another along a length (142) of the balloon (104). The system controller (126) (i) controls at least one of a pulse frequency, a pulse energy level and a pulse width of each of the pulses of energy, and (ii) controls a firing sequence of the pulses of energy such that the pulses of energy are sequentially directed to each of the energy guides (122A), so that an advancing wavefront (835) is generated within the balloon interior (146) that moves toward the treatment site (106).