Abstract: This invention describes an energy delivery apparatus for delivering electrical energy at a target location, said energy delivery apparatus being usable in combination with a magnetic field and comprising an electrical conductor having a substantially elongated configuration; an electrode for delivering electrical energy at the target location, with the electrode being electrically coupled to the electrical conductor and having an exposed surface with at least a portion of the exposed surface having one of its principal radii of curvature smaller than 0.35 mm; an insulating dielectric coating along a substantial portion of the length of the electrical conductor, with the dielectric coating having a dielectric constant smaller than about 3; at least one guiding element mounted to the electrical conductor, with at least one of the guiding elements including a magnetically responsive material.

Abstract: A system for radio frequency (RF) wire guidance during RF occlusion canalization including a RF wire configured to travel through a blood vessel, an impedance measure unit configured to measure an electrical impedance between the RF wire and a reference electrode, a RF power source, an activation controller configured to connect the RF power source to the RF wire when the impedance measure unit indicates that the RF wire is contacting an occlusion material, a RF wire steering system; and a controller configured to activate the steering system to maintain the RF wire within the occlusion material based on impedance measured by the impedance measure unit.

Abstract: A method of treating an occluded blood vessel includes sensing the impedance at a plurality of locations around the circumference of the blood vessel at least two different frequencies to identify vascular occlusive material, and distinguish vascular occlusive material from the vessel wall.

Abstract: This invention describes an energy delivery apparatus for delivering electrical energy at a target location, said energy delivery apparatus being usable in combination with a magnetic field and comprising an electrical conductor having a substantially elongated configuration; an electrode for delivering electrical energy at the target location, with the electrode being electrically coupled to the electrical conductor and having an exposed surface with at least a portion of the exposed surface having one of its principal radii of curvature smaller than 0.35 mm; an insulating dielectric coating along a substantial portion of the length of the electrical conductor, with the dielectric coating having a dielectric constant smaller than about 3; at least one guiding element mounted to the electrical conductor, with at least one of the guiding elements including a magnetically responsive material.

Abstract: Devices for the generation and detection of an ablative plasma discharge in a subject are presented. Methods of use, including navigation and operation of the devices to facilitate minimally invasive therapeutic procedures are disclosed.

Abstract: This invention describes an occlusion crossing apparatus for creating an opening in occluded tissue at a target location in interventional and surgical applications with simultaneous or nearly simultaneous intravascular imaging.

Abstract: Various systems for advancing medical devices within a subject's body are provided that configured to engage the outer surface of the medical device at a number of points about the circumference of the medical device, to thereby grip the medical device for enabling advancement of the device. The advancing systems include engaging portions configured to engage the outer surface of a medical device at a number of points about the circumference of the medical device. The engaging portions preferably engage opposing sides of the medical device's outer surface over a predetermined longitudinal length, to clamp against a longitudinal portion of the medical device that provides improved surface contact with the medical device over conventional roller guides. Various methods for performing medical procedures utilizing various medical devices and advancer systems are also provided.

Abstract: A method of treating vessel occlusions including chronic total occlusions (CTO) of the coronary arteries is presented that relies on remote navigation of a remotely steered medical device to the occlusion and controlled application of ablative energy or mechanical push together with real-time local imaging of the vasculature or real-time vessel wall sensing. The combinative use of remote navigation methods and real-time imaging or real-time sensing enables crossing of elongated lesions and CTOs, calcified lesions and CTOs and lesions and CTOs located at vessel branches.