Abstract: An ultrasonic vascular surgical system for passing by an artery lesion having a restricted passageway. The system includes a generator, a handpiece having a velocity transformer, a coupling unit having an inner transformer portion with a groove formed by opposite groove sidewalls and having an outer cylindrical cap portion for compressing the groove sidewalls and groove and a guide wire with an end disposed in the groove and gripped by the groove sidewalls.

Abstract: An ultrasonic angioplasty apparatus includes an ultrasonic generator which is coupled to a segmented wire that includes a relatively stiff portion, a more flexible portion and an extremely flexible portion. Ultrasonic energy, which is coupled to an end of the relatively stiff portion, reduces friction between the wire and an interior arterial vessel wall and whip-like motion of the extremely flexible portion allows the wire to pass high grade occlusions and plaque build-ups. The ultrasonic generator has a selectable range of operating frequencies which allow whip-like motion of the end of the wire, or alternatively directing ultrasonic cavitational forces into vessel wall to remove plaque build-up.

Abstract: A flexible catheter which has a basket at one end for the capture and removal of a calculus, such as a kidney stone. The catheter includes a plurality of wires with ends forming a basket, an elongate flexible tube through which the wires pass, a handpiece supporting the tube and having a cavity, a shaft disposed in the cavity and fixedly connecting to second ends of the wires, the tube and shaft having aligned central bores, a conductor extending through the bores, and lock means for holding the shaft in a selective position.

Abstract: An ultrasonic device for applying cavitation force to an unwanted material is provided. The device is particularly useful for removing plaque from a human artery wherein a portion of the device can enter an artery and pass through the artery to the vicinity of the plaque. The device includes a solid wire of titanium material, a transducer, a generator for providing vibration energy via the transducer, and a handpiece enclosing the transducer and having a tapered end portion with an exponential surface of slightly concave profile. The tapered end portion is fixedly connected to an inner end of the wire. For human applications, the wire has an overall length in the range of about 5 inches to 40 inches and has a uniform outer diameter in the range of about from 0.015 inches to 0.040 inches. The device includes a catheter assembly having a catheter tube enclosing the wire and includes a container unit mounted on the tapered end portion of the handpiece.