Abstract: An medical device with hook like bristles suitable for capturing occlusive material. The device is inserted to a patient's vasculature and moved through an area of occlusion in such a way as to dislodge and capture the material causing the occlusion.

Abstract: A balloon catheter is disclosed which includes a fluid displacement rod at least partially and slidably disposed in an elongate tubular member with a balloon connected to the distal end of the tubular member. A seal connected to the proximal end of the tubular member creates a liquid tight seal between the inside of the tubular member and the displacement rod. Accordingly, longitudinal actuation of the displacement rod causes the balloon to expand and/or contract. The balloon catheter may be a fixed wire, an over-the-wire or a single-operator exchange type balloon catheter. In addition, a pressure gauge may be connected to the proximal end of the tubular member. A one-way valve is also disclosed which allows the balloon catheter to be prepped via the guide wire lumen. Accordingly, the present invention negates the need for both an inflation device and an inflation lumen which results in a significant improvement in catheter performance and cost savings.

Abstract: A method of detecting a metallic stent inside a living body wherein the method includes the steps of: (1) providing a stent locator device, (2) providing a metallic stent, (3) inserting the metallic stent into the living body, (4) inserting the stent locator into the living body and (5) locating the stent with the stent locator by detecting an electrical parameter affected by the position of the stent relative to the position of the locating device. The electrical parameter may be detected with a pair of electrodes or a coil mounted to the distal end of the stent locator. The stent locator may include one or more radiopaque markers mounted on the distal end such that the position of the stent may be radiographically correlated to the position of the stent locator device. Alternatively, the stent locator may include one or more visual markers mounted on the proximal end such that the position of the stent may be visually correlated to the position of the stent locator device.

Abstract: Guide catheter incorporating a braided or braidless construction having increased performance characteristics for catheterization procedures. The guide catheter may include a shaft to provide support to the guide catheter for positioning the guide catheter within the patient's vascular system, and for providing a stimulus to the guide catheter for shaping the guide catheter. The guide catheter may be formed of memory retention material responsive to the stimulus for selectively shaping the guide catheter during a catheter procedure.

Abstract: A balloon catheter which has an elongate shaft with an inflatable balloon connected to its distal end and a manifold connected to its proximal end. The manifold may be fixedly or removably attached to the shaft and includes a barrel with a plunger movably disposed inside it. The manifold may be held with one hand and the plunger may be actuated with one finger or thumb on the same hand. The barrel may have an internal volume of less than 5 cc and an internal diameter of less than 0.25 inches. The catheter also has a prep port which may be connected at or near the proximal end of the catheter. The prep port facilitates prepping of the catheter system. A seal (e.g. a releasable cap or a valve) may be connected to the prep port for sealing off the prep port during use. A pressure transducer may be mounted to the catheter (e.g. on the shaft, the manifold, the prep port, or the seal) to permit measurement of the pressure within the inflation lumen and the balloon.

Abstract: An in vivo source of mechanical energy is provided in close proximity to its load. In the disclosed embodiments, the mechanical energy source is a miniaturized motor ("micromotor") and the load is a miniaturized perfusion pump located at the distal end of a transluminal catheter. The motor is powerful enough to provide the electrical energy needed by the perfusion pump to fluid, and yet small enough to fit inside a body vessel. A position sensor may be provided for automatically controlling the motor's driving current so that it is corresponds to the applied load. An embodiment of the perfusion pump is also provided in which an external energy source is used. Another embodiment is provided wherein a balloon/pump/miniaturized-motor configuration is provided on a distal end of a catheter.

Abstract: An electrophysiology energy treatment device for treating tissues within a patient's body with electrical energy comprises an elongate catheter tube having a distal end insertable into the patient's body. An electrode is within the catheter tube adjacent the distal end and locatable within the patient's body, and an electrolyte fluid flows within the catheter tube for electrically connecting the electrode to the tissues to be treated within the patient's body. A method of treating tissues within a patient's body with electrical energy is also provided.

Abstract: A drug delivery catheter which may be inserted into a vessel, such as a blood vessel is disclosed. The drug delivery catheter comprises any elongated tubular member which has a proximal end and a distal end. A drug lumen which provides a communication path for fluid is provided in the elongated tubular member for delivering a fluid, such as the drug to be administered. An inflatable balloon assembly is provided at the distal end of the elongated tubular member. The balloon assembly includes apertures which communicate with the drug lumen. The balloon assembly comprises a tubular balloon which is helically wound through the elongated tubular member and a sheath.

Abstract: A balloon catheter having a long shaft with an inflatable balloon connected to its distal end with a pressure source connected to the shaft at an invivo point which operates to inflate and deflate the balloon. The balloon catheter may be a fixed-wire type, an over-the-wire type, or an single-operator-exchange type catheter. The pressure source may include a piston and a chamber with an actuation member attached to the piston. The actuation member may be a solid rod or a hollow tube. In the case where the actuation member is a hollow tube, the tube may be used to introduce inflation fluid into the pressure source and the inflation lumen. A receptacle such as a reel or tubular hoop may be used to contain the actuation member when pulled proximally. A pressure sensor/gauge and a balloon sizing scale may be incorporated into the catheter assembly to assist the treating physician in monitoring the procedure.

Abstract: A percutaneous transluminal device for sensing the mechanical vibrations imparted to it inside a patient's vascular system. The preferred embodiments include a transducer attached to the distal end of a flexible guide wire. The transducer senses mechanical vibrations imparted to the guide wire in vivo and generates a corresponding electronic signal. Devices are provided for generating an audio or visual representation of the electronic signal.

Abstract: A double acting piston blood pump having distal and proximal manifolds that are connected by a cylinder having a piston reciprocating therein and dividing the cylinder into a proximal and distal chambers. The manifolds have chambers that are in fluid communication with the distal and proximal chambers of the cylinder and one way valves for controlling fluid flow from and to the cylinder chambers.