Abstract: A guide extension catheter comprising a proximal reinforcing section that is completely surrounded by, or encased within, a polymer covering or coating the proximal reinforcing section, and further comprising an exemplary semi-circular flared section disposed proximal to the proximal reinforcing section, wherein the flare is interrupted by a flattened bottom. The proximal reinforcing section is configured to interconnect with a flat ribbon which is connected with or defines a proximally extending push rod.

Abstract: A tissue-removing catheter includes an elongate catheter body. The catheter body has a jogged portion that applies an urge force against a body lumen wall and urges a portion of the catheter body toward a portion of the body lumen wall. A tissue-removing element removes tissue from the body lumen during the cutting operation. The tissue-removing element is located generally adjacent the portion of the catheter body that is urged toward the body lumen wall by the logged portion. An urging mechanism selectively applies a compressive load to the catheter body to adjust the bending stiffness of the jogged portion and the urge force applied by the jogged portion.

Abstract: A tissue-removing catheter includes a cutter having an axial cavity and an opening extending from the axial cavity through the cutter to allow tissue removed from the body lumen by the annular cutting edge to pass proximally through the opening toward a tissue-transport passage of a catheter body. A screw blade extends longitudinally within the interior passage of the catheter body includes an external helical thread for transporting removed tissue proximally within the tissue-transport passage as the screw blade rotates about its axis. A cutter driveshaft extends longitudinally within a driveshaft passage of the screw blade and is rotatable about its axis relative to the screw blade. The cutter driveshaft having a distal end portion operatively coupled to the cutter for driving rotation of the cutter.

Abstract: A tissue-removing catheter includes an elongate catheter body. The catheter body has a jogged portion that applies an urge force against a body lumen wall and urges a portion of the catheter body toward a portion of the body lumen wall. A tissue -removing element removes tissue from the body lumen during the cutting operation. The tissue-removing element is located generally adjacent the portion of the catheter body that is urged toward the body lumen wall by the logged portion. An urging mechanism selectively applies a compressive load to the catheter body to adjust the bending stiffness of the jogged portion and the urge force applied by the jogged portion.

Abstract: A tissue-removing catheter includes a cutter having an axial cavity and an opening extending from the axial cavity through the cutter to allow tissue removed from the body lumen by the annular cutting edge to pass proximally through the opening. A cutter driveshaft defines a tissue-transport passage extending longitudinally therein and in communication with the axial cavity of the cutter. A screw blade extends longitudinally within the tissue-transport passage and includes an external helical thread for transporting removed tissue proximally within the tissue-transport passage as the screw blade rotates about its axis. The cutter driveshaft having a distal end portion operatively coupled to the cutter for driving rotation of the cutter.

Abstract: A tissue-removing catheter includes an elongate catheter body. The catheter body has a jogged portion that applies an urge force against a body lumen wall and urges a portion of the catheter body toward a portion of the body lumen wall. A tissue-removing element removes tissue from the body lumen during the cutting operation. The tissue-removing element is located generally adjacent the portion of the catheter body that is urged toward the body lumen wall by the jogged portion. An urging mechanism selectively applies a compressive load to the catheter body to adjust the bending stiffness of the jogged portion and the urge force applied by the jogged portion.

Abstract: A tissue-removing catheter includes a cutter having an axial cavity and an opening extending from the axial cavity through the cutter to allow tissue removed from the body lumen by the annular cutting edge to pass proximally through the opening toward a tissue-transport passage of a catheter body. A screw blade extends longitudinally within the interior passage of the catheter body includes an external helical thread for transporting removed tissue proximally within the tissue-transport passage as the screw blade rotates about its axis. A cutter driveshaft extends longitudinally within a driveshaft passage of the screw blade and is rotatable about its axis relative to the screw blade. The cutter driveshaft having a distal end portion operatively coupled to the cutter for driving rotation of the cutter.

Abstract: A tissue-removing catheter includes a cutter having an axial cavity and an opening extending from the axial cavity through the cutter to allow tissue removed from the body lumen by the annular cutting edge to pass proximally through the opening. A cutter driveshaft defines a tissue-transport passage extending longitudinally therein and in communication with the axial cavity of the cutter. A screw blade extends longitudinally within the tissue-transport passage and includes an external helical thread for transporting removed tissue proximally within the tissue-transport passage as the screw blade rotates about its axis. The cutter driveshaft having a distal end portion operatively coupled to the cutter for driving rotation of the cutter.

Abstract: A tissue-removing catheter includes an elongate catheter body. The catheter body has a jogged portion that applies an urge force against a body lumen wall and urges a portion of the catheter body toward a portion of the body lumen wall. A tissue-removing element removes tissue from the body lumen during the cutting operation. The tissue-removing element is located generally adjacent the portion of the catheter body that is urged toward the body lumen wall by the jogged portion. An urging mechanism selectively applies a compressive load to the catheter body to adjust the bending stiffness of the jogged portion and the urge force applied by the jogged portion.

Abstract: A catheter having improved ability to cross body passage obstructions and that more easily allows backloading of a guidewire into the lumen of the catheter is comprised of a tip, a shaft, and a lumen. The distal end of the catheter tip is oriented at an angle other than 90° to the lengthwise axis of the catheter lip. A guidewire may be easily backloaded into the elongated catheter lumen at the location of the angled catheter tip.

Abstract: A tissue-removing catheter includes an elongate catheter body. The catheter body has a jogged portion that applies an urge force against a body lumen wall and urges a portion of the catheter body toward a portion of the body lumen wall. A tissue-removing element removes tissue from the body lumen during the cutting operation. The tissue-removing element is located generally adjacent the portion of the catheter body that is urged toward the body lumen wall by the jogged portion. An urging mechanism selectively applies a compressive load to the catheter body to adjust the bending stiffness of the jogged portion and the urge force applied by the jogged portion.

Abstract: A catheter having improved ability to cross body passage obstructions and that more easily allows backloading of a guidewire into the lumen of the catheter is comprised of a tip, a shaft, and a lumen. The distal end of the catheter tip is oriented at an angle other than 90° to the lengthwise axis of the catheter tip. A guidewire may be easily backloaded into the elongated catheter lumen at the location of the angled catheter tip.

Abstract: A tissue-removing catheter includes a cutter having an axial cavity and an opening extending from the axial cavity through the cutter to allow tissue removed from the body lumen by the annular cutting edge to pass proximally through the opening toward a tissue-transport passage of a catheter body. A screw blade extends longitudinally within the interior passage of the catheter body includes an external helical thread for transporting removed tissue proximally within the tissue-transport passage as the screw blade rotates about its axis. A cutter driveshaft extends longitudinally within a driveshaft passage of the screw blade and is rotatable about its axis relative to the screw blade. The cutter driveshaft having a distal end portion operatively coupled to the cutter for driving rotation of the cutter.

Abstract: A tissue-removing catheter includes a cutter having an axial cavity and an opening extending from the axial cavity through the cutter to allow tissue removed from the body lumen by the annular cutting edge to pass proximally through the opening toward a tissue-transport passage of a catheter body. A screw blade extends longitudinally within the interior passage of the catheter body includes an external helical thread for transporting removed tissue proximally within the tissue-transport passage as the screw blade rotates about its axis. A cutter driveshaft extends longitudinally within a driveshaft passage of the screw blade and is rotatable about its axis relative to the screw blade. The cutter driveshaft having a distal end portion operatively coupled to the cutter for driving rotation of the cutter.

Abstract: A tissue-removing catheter includes a cutter having an axial cavity and an opening extending from the axial cavity through the cutter to allow tissue removed from the body lumen by the annular cutting edge to pass proximally through the opening toward a tissue-transport passage of a catheter body. A screw blade extends longitudinally within the interior passage of the catheter body includes an external helical thread for transporting removed tissue proximally within the tissue-transport passage as the screw blade rotates about its axis. A cutter driveshaft extends longitudinally within a driveshaft passage of the screw blade and is rotatable about its axis relative to the screw blade. The cutter driveshaft having a distal end portion operatively coupled to the cutter for driving rotation of the cutter.

Abstract: A tissue-removing catheter includes an elongate catheter body. The catheter body has a jogged portion that applies an urge force against a body lumen wall and urges a portion of the catheter body toward a portion of the body lumen wall. A tissue-removing element removes tissue from the body lumen during the cutting operation. The tissue-removing element is located generally adjacent the portion of the catheter body that is urged toward the body lumen wall by the jogged portion. An urging mechanism selectively applies a compressive load to the catheter body to adjust the bending stiffness of the jogged portion and the urge force applied by the jogged portion.

Abstract: A catheter having improved ability to cross body passage obstructions and that more easily allows backloading of a guidewire into the lumen of the catheter is comprised of a tip, a shaft, and a lumen. The distal end of the catheter tip is oriented at an angle other than 90° to the lengthwise axis of the catheter tip. A guidewire may be easily backloaded into the elongated catheter lumen at the location of the angled catheter tip.

Abstract: A catheter having improved ability to cross body passage obstructions and that more easily allows backloading of a guidewire into the lumen of the catheter is comprised of a tip, a shaft, and a lumen. The distal end of the catheter tip is oriented at an angle other than 90° to the lengthwise axis of the catheter tip. A guidewire may be easily backloaded into the elongated catheter lumen at the location of the angled catheter tip.

Abstract: A balloon catheter may include a multi-lumen tube having an inflation lumen and a guide wire lumen. The multi-lumen tube may include a proximal end and a distal end and may terminate at a distal tip. The catheter may include an extension tube extending distally from the distal tip of the multi-lumen tube and a dilatation balloon disposed about the multi-lumen tube and the extension tube. The distal tip of the multi-lumen tube may be under the balloon.

Abstract: A catheter having improved ability to cross body passage obstructions and that more easily allows backloading of a guidewire into the lumen of the catheter is comprised of a tip, a shaft, and a lumen. The distal end of the catheter tip is oriented at an angle other than 90° to the lengthwise axis of the catheter tip. A guidewire may be easily backloaded into the elongated catheter lumen at the location of the angled catheter tip.