Abstract: A method for using an endoluminal device to modify an intravascular lesion includes providing an ultrasound-producing mechanism that converts an electric current into vibrational energy at an ultrasonic frequency; providing a sheath including a sheath lumen, wherein the sheath is configured to retract from a first, fully extended position of the sheath and extend from a second, fully retracted position of the sheath; providing a core wire disposed within the sheath lumen of the sheath, the core wire being coupled to the ultrasound-producing mechanism via a sonic connector, the core wire being excited by the vibrational energy at the ultrasonic frequency when the ultrasound-producing mechanism is activated; and retracting the sheath relative to the core wire to expose a working length of a distal portion of the core wire for ultrasound-based modification of one or more intravascular lesions.

Abstract: A catheter including a core wire, a sonic connector at a proximal terminus of the core wire, and a tip member at a distal terminus of the core wire. The core wire can be at least partially disposed within a lumen of an elongate body. The sonic connector can be configured to couple to an ultrasound-producing mechanism. The tip member can be welded to the core wire at one or more weld locations between the tip member and the core wire, and the tip member can flare from the core wire at one or more weld-free locations between the tip member and the core wire. The manner in which the tip member can flare from the core wire at the one or more weld-free locations is characteristic of ultrasonic activation of the tip member.

Abstract: A catheter including a core wire, a sonic connector at a proximal terminus of the core wire, and a tip member at a distal terminus of the core wire. The core wire can be at least partially disposed within a lumen of an elongate body. The sonic connector can be configured to couple to an ultrasound-producing mechanism. The tip member can be welded to the core wire at one or more weld locations between the tip member and the core wire, and the tip member can flare from the core wire at one or more weld-free locations between the tip member and the core wire. The manner in which the tip member can flare from the core wire at the one or more weld-free locations is characteristic of ultrasonic activation of the tip member.

Abstract: A catheter including a core wire, a sonic connector at a proximal terminus of the core wire, and a tip member at a distal terminus of the core wire. The core wire can be at least partially disposed within a lumen of an elongate body. The sonic connector can be configured to couple to an ultrasound-producing mechanism. The tip member can be welded to the core wire at one or more weld locations between the tip member and the core wire, and the tip member can flare from the core wire at one or more weld-free locations between the tip member and the core wire. The manner in which the tip member can flare from the core wire at the one or more weld-free locations is characteristic of ultrasonic activation of the tip member.

Abstract: A method for using an endoluminal device to modify an intravascular lesion includes providing an ultrasound-producing mechanism that converts an electric current into vibrational energy at an ultrasonic frequency; providing a sheath including a sheath lumen, wherein the sheath is configured to retract from a first, fully extended position of the sheath and extend from a second, fully retracted position of the sheath; providing a core wire disposed within the sheath lumen of the sheath, the core wire being coupled to the ultrasound-producing mechanism via a sonic connector, the core wire being excited by the vibrational energy at the ultrasonic frequency when the ultrasound-producing mechanism is activated; and retracting the sheath relative to the core wire to expose a working length of a distal portion of the core wire for ultrasound-based modification of one or more intravascular lesions.

Abstract: Provided herein is a catheter assembly including, in some embodiments, a core wire configured for linear actuation and a damping mechanism around the core wire. The core wire includes a proximal end with a sonic connector configured to couple to an ultrasound-producing mechanism. The core wire includes a distal end configured to modify intravascular lesions with vibrational energy from the ultrasound-producing mechanism. The damping mechanism includes a gasket system and a retainer to retain the gasket system in a damping-mechanism bore of the catheter assembly. The damping mechanism is around a proximal-end portion of the core wire, where the damping system can provide a compressive force sufficient to dampen transverse wave-producing vibrational energy in the proximal-end portion of the core wire without restricting the linear actuation of the core wire through the damping mechanism including extension and retraction of the core wire through the damping mechanism.

Abstract: A system including a catheter assembly, which can include a housing, a sheath, and a core wire disposed within a sheath lumen. The housing can include a retraction-extension mechanism configured to retract the sheath from a first, fully extended position of the sheath, in which position a distal portion of the core wire can be wholly disposed within the sheath lumen. The housing can accommodate a proximal length of the sheath, and the retraction-extension mechanism can be configured to retract the proximal length of the sheath into the housing and expose a working length of a distal portion of the core wire. The core wire can include a sonic connector at a proximal end of the core wire configured to connect to an ultrasound-producing mechanism for ultrasound-based modification of one or more intravascular lesions with the working length of the core wire.

Abstract: Vascular dilator systems, kits, and methods allowing for sheathless introduction of a treatment device into a body vessel or body cavity are disclosed. A vascular dilator system can include a dilator assembly, including a tubular shaft and a deformable member, and optionally, the treatment device. The deformable member can include a non-biodegradable material and can have a diameter at a proximal end portion that is greater than a diameter at a distal end portion. The distal end portion of the deformable member can be coupled to an outer surface of the tubular shaft, at or near a shaft distal end portion. The proximal end portion of the deformable member can include a diameter configured to receive or stretch around a distal end portion of the treatment device. In use, the deformable member can provide a tapered bridge between the outer surface of the tubular shaft and an outer surface of the treatment device.

Abstract: Vascular dilator systems, kits, and methods allowing for sheathless introduction of a treatment device into a body vessel or body cavity are disclosed. A vascular dilator system can include a dilator assembly, including a tubular shaft and a deformable member, and optionally, the treatment device. The deformable member can include a non-biodegradable material and can have a diameter at a proximal end portion that is greater than a diameter at a distal end portion. The distal end portion of the deformable member can be coupled to an outer surface of the tubular shaft, at or near a shaft distal end portion. The proximal end portion of the deformable member can include a diameter configured to receive or stretch around a distal end portion of the treatment device. In use, the deformable member can provide a tapered bridge between the outer surface of the tubular shaft and an outer surface of the treatment device.

Abstract: Vascular dilator systems, kits, and methods allowing for sheathless introduction of a treatment device into a body vessel or body cavity are disclosed. A vascular dilator system can include a dilator assembly, including a tubular shaft and a deformable member, and optionally, the treatment device. The deformable member can include a non-biodegradable material and can have a diameter at a proximal end portion that is greater than a diameter at a distal end portion. The distal end portion of the deformable member can be coupled to an outer surface of the tubular shaft, at or near a shaft distal end portion. The proximal end portion of the deformable member can include a diameter configured to receive or stretch around a distal end portion of the treatment device. In use, the deformable member can provide a tapered bridge between the outer surface of the tubular shaft and an outer surface of the treatment device.