Abstract: Embodiments described relate to a medical device including an invasive probe such as a guidewire that, when inserted into a duct (e.g. vasculature) of an animal (e.g., a human or non-human animal, including a human or non-human mammal), may be used to aid in diagnosing and/or treating a lesion of the duct (e.g. a growth or deposit within vasculature that fully or partially blocks the vasculature). The invasive probe may have one or more impedance sensors to sense characteristics of the lesion, including by detecting one or more characteristics of tissues and/or biological materials of the lesion. There is further described a method of assembling such a medical device.

Abstract: Embodiments described relate to a medical device including an invasive probe such as a guidewire that, when inserted into a duct (e.g. vasculature) of an animal (e.g., a human or non-human animal, including a human or non-human mammal), may be used to aid in diagnosing and/or treating a lesion of the duct (e.g. a growth or deposit within vasculature that fully or partially blocks the vasculature). The invasive probe may have one or more impedance sensors to sense characteristics of the lesion, including by detecting one or more characteristics of tissues and/or biological materials of the lesion. There is further described a method of assembling such a medical device.

Abstract: An interventional catheter assembly comprising a catheter for insertion and guidance to a target site in a body lumen or a cavity and an operating head mounted in proximity to a distal end of the catheter and comprising a system for removing obstructive material from the target site is provided. In certain embodiments, the catheter assembly includes at least one aspiration port located proximal to the operating head that communicates with a first sealed lumen for withdrawing fluids and obstructive material from the target site. The catheter assembly may also include at least one liquid infusion port that communicates with a second sealed lumen for supplying fluid to a location in proximity to the target site. Kits including the interventional catheter assembly with an aspiration and/or infusion conduit are also provided.

Abstract: A rotatable operating head for removal of obstructive material from a target site in a body lumen or cavity is operably connected to a rotatable, translatable drive shaft that is driven by a drive motor and received through an elongated catheter. The operating head includes a plurality of differential cutting blades, with at least one of the cutting blades being a stepped blade, the stepped blade comprising a raised cutting surface positioned adjacent, or in proximity to, a shoulder region.

Abstract: Embodiments described relate to a medical device including an invasive probe such as a guidewire that, when inserted into a duct (e.g. vasculature) of an animal (e.g., a human or non-human animal, including a human or non-human mammal), may be used to aid in diagnosing and/or treating a lesion of the duct (e.g. a growth or deposit within vasculature that fully or partially blocks the vasculature). The invasive probe may have one or more impedance sensors to sense characteristics of the lesion, including by detecting one or more characteristics of tissues and/or biological materials of the lesion. There is further described a method of assembling such a medical device.

Abstract: An interventional catheter assembly has an operating head and catheter system that are inserted and navigated within a patient's body while an operator controls the system externally of the operating head. An operating head is positioned at or near a distal end of the catheter system and coupled to a drive shaft and drive system for rotation. A guidewire brake control system interrupt prevents the drive system from being actuated when the guidewire brake is in a released position, and a selectable guidewire brake interrupt override control permits an operator to translate and/or rotate the drive shaft and operating head while the guidewire is simultaneously moved. This allows withdrawal of the guide wire and the operating head from the target site while rotating the operating head.

Abstract: A tubular structure comprising multiple overlapping layers surrounding a lumen has flexibility and structural integrity by allowing portions of the layers to slip relative to each other. One embodiment includes a support layer having a wired coil, braid or weave support element underlies at least one overlying layer. The support layer is fixed to the overlying layer at a bonding point and the remaining portion of the support layer is not fixed to the overlying layer, i.e. “free portion”. The support layer is permitted to slip at the free portion of the support layer, relative to the overlying layer. Further flexibility may be provided by a coil element of the support layer having substantial gaps between the loops of the coil to impart high flexibility of the tubular structure.

Abstract: An interventional catheter assembly comprising a catheter for insertion and guidance to a target site in a body lumen or a cavity and an operating head mounted in proximity to a distal end of the catheter and comprising a system for removing obstructive material from the target site is provided. In certain embodiments, the catheter assembly includes at least one aspiration port located proximal to the operating head that communicates with a first sealed lumen for withdrawing fluids and obstructive material from the target site. The catheter assembly may also include at least one liquid infusion port that communicates with a second sealed lumen for supplying fluid to a location in proximity to the target site. Kits including the interventional catheter assembly with an aspiration and/or infusion conduit are also provided.

Abstract: A convertible catheter for use as a nephrouretheral stent, biliary stent, or other structure for maintaining patency of a bodily lumen is disclosed. After initial implantation, the proximal portion of the convertible catheter extending out from the body may simply be removed. A simple action at the catheter hub allows this proximal portion to be removed, leaving behind the implanted stent within the patient.

Abstract: An interventional catheter assembly comprising a catheter for insertion and guidance to a target site in a body lumen or a cavity and an operating head mounted in proximity to a distal end of the catheter and comprising a system for removing obstructive material from the target site is provided. In certain embodiments, the catheter assembly includes at least one aspiration port located proximal to the operating head that communicates with a first sealed lumen for withdrawing fluids and obstructive material from the target site. The catheter assembly may also include at least one liquid infusion port that communicates with a second sealed lumen for supplying fluid to a location in proximity to the target site. Kits including the interventional catheter assembly with an aspiration and/or infusion conduit are also provided.

Abstract: A rotatable operating head for removal of obstructive material from a target site in a body lumen or cavity is operably connected to a rotatable, translatable drive shaft that is driven by a drive motor and received through an elongated catheter. The operating head includes a plurality of differential cutting blades, with at least one of the cutting blades being a stepped blade, the stepped blade comprising a raised cutting surface positioned adjacent, or in proximity to, a shoulder region.

Abstract: A rotatable operating head for removal of obstructive material from a target site in a body lumen or cavity is operably connected to a rotatable, translatable drive shaft that is driven by a drive motor and received through an elongated catheter. The operating head includes a plurality of differential cutting blades, with at least one of the cutting blades being a stepped blade, the stepped blade comprising a raised cutting surface positioned adjacent, or in proximity to, a shoulder region.

Abstract: An interventional catheter assembly comprising a catheter for insertion and guidance to a target site in a body lumen or a cavity and an operating head mounted in proximity to a distal end of the catheter and comprising a system for removing obstructive material from the target site is provided. In certain embodiments, the catheter assembly includes at least one aspiration port located proximal to the operating head that communicates with a first sealed lumen for withdrawing fluids and obstructive material from the target site. The catheter assembly may also include at least one liquid infusion port that communicates with a second sealed lumen for supplying fluid to a location in proximity to the target site. Kits including the interventional catheter assembly with an aspiration and/or infusion conduit are also provided.

Abstract: An interventional catheter assembly comprising a catheter for insertion and guidance to a target site in a body lumen or a cavity and an operating head mounted in proximity to a distal end of the catheter and comprising a system for removing obstructive material from the target site is provided. In certain embodiments, the catheter assembly includes at least one aspiration port located proximal to the operating head that communicates with a first sealed lumen for withdrawing fluids and obstructive material from the target site. The catheter assembly may also include at least one liquid infusion port that communicates with a second sealed lumen for supplying fluid to a location in proximity to the target site. Kits including the interventional catheter assembly with an aspiration and/or infusion conduit are also provided.

Abstract: An interventional catheter assembly has an operating head and catheter system that are inserted and navigated within a patient's body while an operator controls the system externally of the operating head. An operating head is positioned at or near a distal end of the catheter system and coupled to a drive shaft and drive system for rotation. A guidewire brake control system interrupt prevents the drive system from being actuated when the guidewire brake is in a released position, and a selectable guidewire brake interrupt override control permits an operator to translate and/or rotate the drive shaft and operating head while the guidewire is simultaneously moved. This allows withdrawal of the guide wire and the operating head from the target site while rotating the operating head.

Abstract: An interventional catheter assembly has an operating head and catheter system that are inserted and navigated within a patient's body while an operator controls the system externally of the operating head. An operating head is positioned at or near a distal end of the catheter system and coupled to a drive shaft and drive system for rotation. A guidewire brake control system interrupt prevents the drive system from being actuated when the guidewire brake is in a released position, and a selectable guidewire brake interrupt override control permits an operator to translate and/or rotate the drive shaft and operating head while the guidewire is simultaneously moved. This allows withdrawal of the guide wire and the operating head from the target site while rotating the operating head.

Abstract: A rotatable operating head for removal of obstructive material from a target site in a body lumen or cavity is operably connected to a rotatable, translatable drive shaft, that is driven by a drive motor and received through an elongated catheter. The operating head includes a plurality of differential cutting blades, with at least one of the cutting blades being a stepped blade, the stepped blade comprising a raised cutting surface positioned adjacent, or in proximity to, a shoulder region.

Abstract: A rotatable operating head for removal of obstructive material from a target site in a body lumen or cavity is operably connected to a rotatable, translatable drive shaft, that is driven by a drive motor and received through an elongated catheter. The operating head includes a plurality of differential cutting blades, with at least one of the cutting blades being a stepped blade, the stepped blade comprising a raised cutting surface positioned adjacent, or in proximity to, a shoulder region.

Abstract: Filtration devices for collection and filtration of biological samples are disclosed. Devices having a filtration element oriented in a generally vertical orientation are provided, as well as filtration devices that incorporate a cooling mechanism to reduce the temperature of collected solids. Tissue collection devices, such as aspiration assemblies, tissue sampling devices, and the like incorporating filtration devices are disclosed. Methods of collecting biological samples and separating biological solids from a liquid/solids mixture are also disclosed, together with analytical techniques and protocols for analyzing biological samples.

Abstract: An interventional catheter assembly comprising a catheter for insertion and guidance to a target site in a body lumen or a cavity and an operating head mounted in proximity to a distal end of the catheter and comprising a system for removing obstructive material from the target site is provided. In certain embodiments, the catheter assembly includes at least one aspiration port located proximal to the operating head that communicates with a first sealed lumen for withdrawing fluids and obstructive material from the target site. The catheter assembly may also include at least one liquid infusion port that communicates with a second sealed lumen for supplying fluid to a location in proximity to the target site. Kits including the interventional catheter assembly with an aspiration and/or infusion conduit are also provided.