Abstract: A catheter for actively scoring or slicing a lesion. A catheter body includes first and second lateral openings. A selectively deployable cutter is connected to the catheter body. The cutter has a retracted configuration in which it does not perform a slicing or scoring function, such as while tracking through the vasculature, and a deployed configuration for slicing or scoring an obstruction. The cutter may include a plurality of retractable blades, such that when deployed, each blade projects in a different direction, such as from one of the lateral openings. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: An imaging system includes an ultrasound probe, and an interventional medical device having a tracking device. The ultrasound probe includes an ultrasound transducer to generate an ultrasound field-of-view, a tracking field generator to generate an electromagnetic locator field, and a wireless receiver. The interventional medical device has a distal end portion to which the tracking device is mechanically coupled. The tracking device includes a plurality of tracking coils, a wireless transmitter, and a power supply circuit. The plurality of tracking coils interact with the electromagnetic locator field to determine a location within the electromagnetic locator field and to generate tracking data. The wireless transmitter is configured to transmit the tracking data from the tracking device of the interventional medical device to the wireless receiver of the ultrasound probe. The power supply circuit is configured to supply electrical power to the wireless transmitter of the tracking device.

Abstract: An electromagnetic tracking sensor for use in a medical device includes a flexible hollow cylinder core having an interior surface and an exterior surface. The flexible hollow cylinder core has a magnetic material layer attached to the interior surface of the flexible hollow cylinder core. A wire coil is adjacent to, and circumferentially surrounds, the exterior surface of the flexible hollow cylinder core.

Abstract: A medical device for treating coronary artery disease, peripheral arterial disease or varicose veins includes an elongated support and a heat expandable element of muscle polymer carried on that elongated support. The medical device may also include a heating element. When activated, the heating element produces heat that causes the muscle polymer to expand into a position in closer proximity to the tissue to be treated.

Abstract: A device for introduction into a body vessel includes a shaft (105), a balloon (115) positioned at the distal end of the shaft (105), and at least one longitudinal scoring wire (135) to score a vascular lesion attached to the distal end of the shaft (105), disposed over the balloon (115). The shaft (105) includes a support (119), such as a wire or tube having one or more spirally cut portions (119A, 119B), which improves pushability and trackability, thereby allowing for use with an external guidewire in a “short rapid exchange” (SRX) format. The balloon (115) expands when fluid is delivered to the balloon (115) through the inflation lumen. This expansion pushes the scoring wire and guidewire against the vascular lesion.

Abstract: A catheter for actively scoring or slicing a lesion. A catheter body includes first and second lateral openings. A selectively deployable cutter is connected to the catheter body. The cutter has a retracted configuration in which it does not perform a slicing or scoring function, such as while tracking through the vasculature, and a deployed configuration for slicing or scoring an obstruction. The cutter may include a plurality of retractable blades, such that when deployed, each blade projects in a different direction, such as from one of the lateral openings. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: An ultrasound probe (14) for use in an ultrasound imaging system (10) is configured to generate both an ultrasound field-of-view volume (26) and an electromagnetic (EM) locator field volume (24). The ultrasound imaging system includes an ultrasound console (12), the ultrasound probe, and an interventional medical device (16). The ultrasound probe includes a probe housing, an ultrasound transducer array mounted to the probe housing and configured to generate the ultrasound field-of-view volume, and an EM locator field generator also mounted to the probe housing and configured to generate the EM locator field volume. The EM locator field volume thus advantageously moves in unison with the ultrasound field-of volume. An external EM locator field generator is not required. A tracking element (22) of the interventional medical device is configured to generate tip location data based on the EM locator field volume. The EM locator field generator may include a plurality of electromagnetic coils.

Abstract: An imaging system includes an ultrasound probe, and an interventional medical device having a tracking device. The ultrasound probe includes an ultrasound transducer to generate an ultrasound field-of-view, a tracking field generator to generate an electromagnetic locator field, and a wireless receiver. The interventional medical device has a distal end portion to which the tracking device is mechanically coupled. The tracking device includes a plurality of tracking coils, a wireless transmitter, and a power supply circuit. The plurality of tracking coils interact with the electromagnetic locator field to determine a location within the electromagnetic locator field and to generate tracking data. The wireless transmitter is configured to transmit the tracking data from the tracking device of the interventional medical device to the wireless receiver of the ultrasound probe. The power supply circuit is configured to supply electrical power to the wireless transmitter of the tracking device.