Abstract: A catheter with a fluorescent temperature sensor is shown and described. The catheter includes a lumen, a fiber-optic cable that extends through the lumen. A distal end of the fiber-optic cable is coated with a fluorescent material and a proximal end of the fiber-optic cable is connected to a console. The console includes a light source for transmitting light through the fiber-optic cable for exciting the fluorescent material. The console further includes a photo multiplier tube for converting light emitted by the excited fluorescent material to a plurality of analogue voltage signals. The console further includes a digital oscilloscope linked to the photo multiplier tube for converting the plurality of analogue voltage signals to at least one digital signal. The console further includes a processor linked to the digital oscilloscope for converting the at least one digital signal to a temperature value for the distal end of the fiber-optic cable.

Abstract: Methods and devices for retrieving a filter fixed to a guidewire disposed within a blood vessel are disclosed. A catheter for retrieving a filter fixed to a guidewire disposed within a blood vessel in accordance with the present invention includes an elongate shaft and a housing fixed to the elongate shaft proximate a distal end thereof. A tip member is slidingly disposed within a cavity defined by the housing. In a preferred embodiment, the tip member is configured such that the housing is substantially centered about the guidewire. In another preferred embodiment, the tip member is slidingly disposed within the housing, and the tip member may be moved between a first position and a second position.

Abstract: Devices and methods for extracting core material contained in plaque deposits inside a blood vessel are presented. A device in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes a catheter having an elongate shaft, a collection array of a plurality of collection lumens disposed about the distal portion of the elongate shaft, a means for radially extending and/or collapsing the collection array, and a suction means for extracting material from the lumen of the blood vessel. A method in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention includes the steps of inserting the distal portion of the catheter into a lumen of the blood vessel, positioning the distal end of the collection array proximate plaque deposits, extending the collection array to rupture the plaque deposits and urging core material therefrom, and extracting the material using a suction means fluidly coupled to the proximal end of the collection array.

Abstract: The present invention relates to devices and methods for measuring the pH of blood in the vicinity of a vulnerable plaque. A balloon including an opto-electric device may be positioned proximate a vulnerable plaque. The balloon can be inflated to partially occlude blood flow enabling interaction between lipid laden blood and pH-sensitive material either within the balloon or on the wall(s) of the balloon. The selected pH-sensitive material is one whose optical properties change as a function of the pH of blood in the vasculature. An opto-electric device may be used for measuring the optical property and/or the change in the optical characteristics of the pH-sensitive compound.

Abstract: Methods and devices for retrieving a filter fixed to a guidewire disposed within a blood vessel are disclosed. A catheter for retrieving a filter fixed to a guidewire disposed within a blood vessel in accordance with the present invention includes an elongate shaft and a housing fixed to the elongate shaft proximate a distal end thereof. A tip member is slidingly disposed within a cavity defined by the housing. In a preferred embodiment, the tip member is configured such that the housing is substantially centered about the guidewire. In another preferred embodiment, the tip member is slidingly disposed within the housing, and the tip member may be moved between a first position and a second position.

Abstract: A catheter with a fluorescent temperature sensor is shown and described. The catheter includes a lumen, a fiber-optic cable that extends through the lumen. A distal end of the fiber-optic cable is coated with a fluorescent material and a proximal end of the fiber-optic cable is connected to a console. The console includes a light source for transmitting light through the fiber-optic cable for exciting the fluorescent material. The console further includes a photo multiplier tube for converting light emitted by the excited fluorescent material to a plurality of analog voltage signals. The console further includes a digital oscilloscope linked to the photo multiplier tube for converting the plurality of analog voltage signals to at least one digital signal. The console further includes a processor linked to the digital oscilloscope for converting the at least one digital signal to a temperature value for the distal end of the fiber-optic cable.

Abstract: Methods and devices for treating vulnerable plaque deposits within a blood vessel, having an inner surface and one or more plaque deposits containing a core material are disclosed. A device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes an elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, a balloon disposed about the elongate shaft for engaging one or more plaque deposits and extracting the core material therefrom, a first venturi section disposed proximally of the balloon, and a second venturi section disposed distally of the balloon.

Abstract: Devices and methods for detecting vulnerable plaque within a blood vessel are disclosed. A system in accordance with the present invention includes a first wire having a distal end coupled to a voltage source and a proximal end coupled to an instrument capable of measuring voltage. A distal end of a second wire is also coupled to the voltage source and a proximal end of the second wire is coupled to the instrument. The amplitude of the electromotive force produced by the voltage source preferably varies with the temperature of a tissue proximate the voltage source.

Abstract: The present invention relates to devices and methods for measuring the pH of blood in the vicinity of a vulnerable plaque. A balloon including an opto-electric device may be positioned proximate a vulnerable plaque. The balloon can be inflated to partially occlude blood flow enabling interaction between lipid laden blood and pH-sensitive material either within the balloon or on the wall(s) of the balloon. The selected pH-sensitive material is one whose optical properties change as a function of the pH of blood in the vasculature. An opto-electric device may be used for measuring the optical property and/or the change in the optical characteristics of the pH-sensitive compound.

Abstract: Devices and methods for detecting vulnerable plaque within a blood vessel are disclosed. A system in accordance with the present invention includes a first wire having a distal end coupled to a voltage source and a proximal end coupled to an instrument capable of measuring voltage. A distal end of a second wire is also coupled to the voltage source and a proximal end of the second wire is coupled to the instrument. The amplitude of the electromotive force produced by the voltage source preferably varies with the temperature of a tissue proximate the voltage source.

Abstract: Methods and devices for detecting vulnerable plaque within a blood vessel are disclosed. An elongate medical device in accordance with the present invention includes an elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end. A substrate is fixed to the elongate shaft proximate the distal end thereof, and a plurality of sensors are disposed on the substrate. Each sensor is preferably coupled to a switching device. The switching devices are preferably disposed on the substrate.

Abstract: Devices and methods for removing core material contained in plaque deposits inside a blood vessel are disclosed. A device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention includes a catheter consisting of an elongate shaft, a balloon disposed about a portion of the elongate shaft for urging the core material from the plaque deposits, and a plurality of collection lumens with distal ends disposed proximally and/or distally of the balloon for extracting the urged core material. A method in accordance with one embodiment includes the steps of inserting a distal portion of the catheter into a lumen of the blood vessel, positioning the balloon proximate a plaque deposit, inflating the balloon to rupture the plaque and urge the core material therefrom, and extracting the urged core material by suction means at the proximal ends of the collection lumens.

Abstract: Devices and methods for extracting core material contained in plaque deposits inside a blood vessel are presented. A device in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes a catheter having an elongate shaft, a collection array of a plurality of collection lumens disposed about the distal portion of the elongate shaft, a means for radially extending and/or collapsing the collection array, and a suction means for extracting material from the lumen of the blood vessel. A method in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention includes the steps of inserting the distal portion of the catheter into a lumen of the blood vessel, positioning the distal end of the collection array proximate plaque deposits, extending the collection array to rupture the plaque deposits and urging core material therefrom, and extracting the material using a suction means fluidly coupled to the proximal end of the collection array.

Abstract: Devices and methods for detecting vulnerable plaque within a blood vessel are disclosed. A catheter in accordance with the present invention includes an elongate shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and an outer surface. At least one temperature sensor is disposed proximate to the distal end of the elongate shaft. In one preferred embodiment, the at least one temperature sensor is adapted to contact inner surface of the blood vessel. In another preferred embodiment, at least one temperature sensor is disposed within a channel defined by a body member that is disposed about the elongate shaft.

Abstract: Methods and devices for treating vulnerable plaque deposits within a blood vessel, having an inner surface and one or more plaque deposits containing a core material are disclosed. A device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes an elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, a balloon disposed about the elongate shaft for engaging one or more plaque deposits and extracting the core material therefrom, a first venturi section disposed proximally of the balloon, and a second venturi section disposed distally of the balloon.

Abstract: Methods and devices for detecting vulnerable plaque within a blood vessel are disclosed. An elongate medical device in accordance with the present invention includes an elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end. A substrate is fixed to the elongate shaft proximate the distal end thereof, and a plurality of sensors are disposed on the substrate. Each sensor is preferably coupled to a switching device. The switching devices are preferably disposed on the substrate.

Abstract: Devices and methods for detecting vulnerable plaque within a blood vessel are disclosed. A catheter in accordance with the present invention includes an elongate shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and an outer surface. At least one temperature sensor is disposed proximate to the distal end of the elongate shaft. In one preferred embodiment, the at least one temperature sensor is adapted to contact an inner surface of the blood vessel. In another preferred embodiment, at least one temperature sensor is disposed within a channel defined by a body member that is disposed about the elongate shaft.

Abstract: Devices and methods for percutaneous translumenal minimally invasive coronary surgery, particularly bypass surgery involving the following basic steps: determining a proper location for treatment, navigating a suitable device to the treatment site, creating an extravascular opening and pathway, guiding and/or monitoring the progress of creating the opening and pathway, and maintaining the extravascular opening and pathway. One or more extravascular openings and/or pathways may be created to define a fluid path or bypass around the vascular restriction. For example, an intravascular catheter for creating an extravascular opening in a vessel wall includes an elongate shaft adapted for intravascular navigation, an anchoring mechanism disposed on the distal end of the shaft, and a tissue penetrating member having a proximal end slidably disposed in the shaft and a distal end including a tissue penetrating mechanism.

Abstract: A catheter with a fluorescent temperature sensor is shown and described. The catheter includes a lumen, a fiber-optic cable that extends through the lumen. A distal end of the fiber-optic cable is coated with a fluorescent material and a proximal end of the fiber-optic cable is connected to a console. The console includes a light source for transmitting light through the fiber-optic cable for exciting the fluorescent material. The console further includes a photo multiplier tube for converting light emitted by the excited fluorescent material to a plurality of analog voltage signals. The console further includes a digital oscilloscope linked to the photo multiplier tube for converting the plurality of analog voltage signals to at least one digital signal. The console further includes a processor linked to the digital oscilloscope for converting the at least one digital signal to a temperature value for the distal end of the fiber-optic cable.

Abstract: Methods and devices for retrieving a filter fixed to a guidewire disposed within a blood vessel are disclosed. A catheter for retrieving a filter fixed to a guidewire disposed within a blood vessel in accordance with the present invention includes an elongate shaft and a housing fixed to the elongate shaft proximate a distal end thereof. A tip member is slidingly disposed within a cavity defined by the housing. In a preferred embodiment, the tip member is configured such that the housing is substantially centered about the guidewire. In another preferred embodiment, the tip member is slidingly disposed within the housing, and the tip member may be moved between a first position and a second position.