Abstract: An intravascular balloon catheter includes a tubular catheter body having a balloon structure removably mounted over the catheter body. The catheter body has a guidewire lumen, and the catheter body may be left in place within a patient's vasculature while the balloon structure is withdrawn and optionally a second balloon structure introduced over the catheter body. The catheter and methods of the present invention are particularly suitable for performing angioplasty and subsequent procedures, such as stent placement, which are best performed using successive interventional balloon structures.

Abstract: An intravascular balloon catheter comprises a tubular catheter body having a balloon structure removably mounted over the catheter body. The catheter body has a guidewire lumen, and the catheter body may be left in place within a patient's vasculature while the balloon structure is withdrawn and optionally a second balloon structure introduced over the catheter body. The catheter and methods of the present invention are particularly suitable for performing angioplasty and subsequent procedures, such as stent placement, which are best performed using successive interventional balloon structures.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to method and apparatus for treating vulnerable tissue sites, such as aneurysms in the abdominal area or in the thoracic cavity, and expanded tissues on various organs and body surfaces such as the heart. The apparatus of the present invention, are containment members for at least partially containing the vulnerable tissue site, thus preventing or minimizing the further vulnerability or growth of the site. Additionally, or alternatively, the containment members can apply resistive force to the vulnerable tissue site. The force can be compressive against the exterior surface of the tissue site. The containment members of the present invention can be used alone or in combination with support members, such as stent/grafts, in treating a tissue site. In this embodiment, the support member is disposed within the inner lumen of the vulnerable tissue site with the containment member disposed on the exterior surface of the lumen.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to method and apparatus for treating vulnerable tissue sites, such as aneurysms in the abdominal area or in the thoracic cavity, and expanded tissues on various organs and body surfaces such as the heart. The apparatus of the present invention, are containment members for at least partially containing the vulnerable tissue site, thus preventing or minimizing the further vulnerability or growth of the site. Additionally, or alternatively, the containment members can apply resistive force to the vulnerable tissue site. The force can be compressive against the exterior surface of the tissue site. The containment members of the present invention can be used alone or in combination with support members, such as stent/grafts, in treating a tissue site. In this embodiment, the support member is disposed within the inner lumen of the vulnerable tissue site with the containment member disposed on the exterior surface of the lumen.

Abstract: An intravascular balloon catheter comprises a tubular catheter body having a balloon structure removably mounted over the catheter body. The catheter body has a guidewire lumen , and the catheter body may be left in place within a patient's vasculature while the balloon structure is withdrawn and optionally a second balloon structure introduced over the catheter body. The catheter and methods of the present invention are particularly suitable for performing angioplasty and subsequent procedures, such as stent placement, which are best performed using successive interventional balloon structures.

Abstract: An intravascular balloon catheter comprising a tubular catheter shaft having an elongate member receiving lumen extending along a substantial length of the catheter shaft and having an access for directing an elongate member to and from the elongate member receiving lumen.

Abstract: An intravascular balloon catheter comprises a tubular catheter body having a balloon structure removably mounted over the catheter body. The catheter body has a guidewire lumen, and the catheter body may be left in place within a patient's vasculature while the balloon structure is withdrawn and optionally a second balloon structure introduced over the catheter body. The catheter and methods of the present invention are particularly suitable for performing angioplasty and subsequent procedures, such as stent placement, which are best performed using successive interventional balloon structures.

Abstract: An intravascular balloon catheter comprises a tubular catheter body having a balloon structure removably mounted over the catheter body. The catheter body has a guidewire lumen, and the catheter body may be left in place within a patient's vasculature while the balloon structure is withdrawn and optionally a second balloon structure introduced over the catheter body. The catheter and methods of the present invention are particularly suitable for performing angioplasty and subsequent procedures, such as stent placement, which are best performed using successive interventional balloon structures.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a tissue ablation device comprising an elongate probe, with a tissue ablation member located at the deflectable distal end of the probe, which is configured to access a patient's heart. The elongate probe is attached at its proximal end to a handpiece which is ergonomically designed to fit within the hand of the operator. The handpiece houses an advancement mechanism which is mechanically coupled to the tissue ablation member and can be used to axially translate the tissue ablation member in relation to the elongate probe. An activation mechanism is housed within the advancement mechanism and is coupled to the advancement mechanism in such a manner that the operator can simultaneously activate and advance the tissue removal member with one finger or thumb. The handpiece also houses a deflection actuator which applies tension to a tensile member which deflects the distal end of the probe.

Abstract: An laser device for forming channels within an outer wall of a patient's heart which has an elongated optical fiber, a lens or probe tip secured to the distal end of the optical fiber and means to limit the penetration of the probe tip or lens. Preferably, an outer support sleeve is secured to the proximal portion of the probe tip and a distal portion of the optical fiber proximal to the probe tip. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, a helical coil is disposed between the distal portion of the optical fiber and the proximal portion of the probe tip to ensure a better bond therebetween, particularly when the optical fiber has a lubricous fluoropolymer coating.

Abstract: An intravascular device for forming a channel within a patient's ventricular wall which engages the tissue of the ventricular wall to prevent undesirable movement of the channel forming device while forming the channel.