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 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 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.