Abstract: An apparatus for treating varicose veins includes a catheter (20) where the distal end is placed within a varicose vein and the proximal portion remains outside the body of the subject. A heating element (22) heats the vein. A cooling element (62) can be applied to an external surface of the skin above the vicinity of the heating element. A control unit (26) can drive the heating element to apply heat to the vein simultaneously. Alternatively, the control unit can apply a current to the heating element to resistively heat a resistive element. A method for treating a varicose vein includes inserting the elongated heating element into the vein, and driving the heating element to apply heat to the segment of vein simultaneously from the entire active heating portion.

Abstract: A balloon catheter system for the intraluminal advancement of conventional guidewires beyond partially or fully occluded or stenosed lesions in body passages, such as CTOs in the vasculature, is provided. Balloons are provided. In certain embodiments of the invention, a balloon having relatively thickened proximal tapers is provided. In certain embodiments of the invention, balloons having a tapered midsection are provided. The balloons are preferably useful with crossing balloon catheter systems. In certain embodiments of the invention, the balloons preferably reduce or minimize trauma to the vascular wall or wall of other body passage in which it is used.

Abstract: The present invention provides a balloon catheter comprising: a hollow inner shaft disposed within a hollow outer shaft; a balloon attached at its proximal end to said outer shaft and at its distal end to said inner shaft; wherein the inner shaft is constructed such that following radial expansion of the balloon to a first expanded state, said inner shaft is capable of responding to further longitudinal expansion of the balloon to a second expanded state by increasing its length from a resting value, and of responding to subsequent partial deflation back to said first expanded state by reducing its length back to said resting value.

Abstract: The present invention provides a balloon catheter comprising: a hollow inner shaft disposed within a hollow outer shaft; a balloon attached at its proximal end to said outer shaft and at its distal end to said inner shaft; wherein the inner shaft is constructed such that following radial expansion of the balloon to a first expanded state, said inner shaft is capable of responding to further longitudinal expansion of the balloon to a second expanded state by increasing its length from a resting value, and of responding to subsequent partial deflation back to said first expanded state by reducing its length back to said resting value.

Abstract: A balloon catheter system for the intraluminal advancement of conventional guidewires beyond partially or fully occluded or stenosed lesions in body passages, such as CTOs in the vasculature, is provided. Balloons are provided. In certain embodiments of the invention, a balloon having relatively thickened proximal tapers is provided. In certain embodiments of the invention, balloons having a tapered midsection are provided. The balloons are preferably useful with crossing balloon catheter systems. In certain embodiments of the invention, the balloons preferably reduce or minimize trauma to the vascular wall or wall of other body passage in which it is used.

Abstract: A balloon catheter system for the intraluminal advancement of conventional guidewires beyond partially or fully occluded or stenosed lesions in body passages, such as CTOs in the vasculature, is provided. Balloons are provided. In certain embodiments of the invention, a balloon having relatively thickened proximal tapers is provided. In certain embodiments of the invention, balloons having a tapered midsection are provided. The balloons are preferably useful with crossing balloon catheter systems. In certain embodiments of the invention, the balloons preferably reduce or minimize trauma to the vascular wall or wall of other body passage in which it is used.

Abstract: A hemostasis device including a shaft having a forward end, at least one anchor balloon mounted on the shaft at the forward end and at least one electrical resistance heating element, mounted on the main shaft forward of the at least one anchor element and being operable to enhance hemostasis.

Abstract: The present invention provides a balloon catheter comprising: a hollow inner shaft disposed within a hollow outer shaft; a balloon attached at its proximal end to said outer shaft and at its distal end to said inner shaft; wherein the inner shaft is constructed such that following radial expansion of the balloon to a first expanded state, said inner shaft is capable of responding to further longitudinal expansion of the balloon to a second expanded state by increasing its length from a resting value, and of responding to subsequent partial deflation back to said first expanded state by reducing its length back to said resting value.

Abstract: A balloon catheter system for the intraluminal advancement of conventional guidewires beyond partially or fully occluded or stenosed lesions in body passages, such as CTOs in the vasculature, is provided. Balloons are provided. In certain embodiments of the invention, a balloon having relatively thickened proximal tapers is provided. In certain embodiments of the invention, balloons having a tapered midsection are provided. The balloons are preferably useful with crossing balloon catheter systems. In certain embodiments of the invention, the balloons preferably reduce or minimize trauma to the vascular wall or wall of other body passage in which it is used.

Abstract: The present invention provides a balloon catheter comprising: a hollow inner shaft disposed within a hollow outer shaft; a balloon attached at its proximal end to said outer shaft and at its distal end to said inner shaft; wherein the inner shaft is constructed such that following radial expansion of the balloon to a first expanded state, said inner shaft is capable of responding to further longitudinal expansion of the balloon to a second expanded state by increasing its length from a resting value, and of responding to subsequent partial deflation back to said first expanded state by reducing its length back to said resting value.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating varicose veins includes a catheter (20) where the distal end is placed within a varicose vein and the proximal portion remains outside the body of the subject. A heating element (22) heats the vein. A cooling element (62) can be applied to an external surface of the skin above the vicinity of the heating element. A control unit (26) can drive the heating element to apply heat to the vein simultaneously. Alternatively, the control unit can apply a current to the heating element to resistively heat a resistive element. A method for treating a varicose vein includes inserting the elongated heating element into the vein, and driving the heating element to apply heat to the segment of vein simultaneously from the entire active heating portion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a balloon catheter comprising: a hollow inner shaft disposed within a hollow outer shaft; a balloon attached at its proximal end to said outer shaft and at its distal end to said inner shaft; wherein the inner shaft is constructed such that following radial expansion of the balloon to a first expanded state, said inner shaft is capable of responding to further longitudinal expansion of the balloon to a second expanded state by increasing its length from a resting value, and of responding to subsequent partial deflation back to said first expanded state by reducing its length back to said resting value.