Abstract: The present invention relates to: (1) guidewire support/placement catheters; (2) support/placement catheters with imaging; (3) atherectomy catheters, (4) atherectomy catheters with imaging, (5) occlusion crossing catheters, and (6) occlusion crossing catheters with imaging as well as methods for using them to treat disorders (and particularly peripheral artery disease) and systems including them.

Abstract: A guiding catheter system for delivering an elongated therapeutic or diagnostic device into a patient's left ventricle which includes a first guiding catheter with a shaped distal extremity configured to be aligned with or parallel to a longitudinal axis or long dimension of the patient's left ventricle and a second guiding catheter slidably and rotatably disposed within an inner lumen of the first guiding catheter which has a shaped distal shaft section and an inner lumen configured to slidably receive an elongated therapeutic or diagnostic device such as a tissue ablation device, e.g. an optical fiber connected to a laser source, an ultrasonic energy emitting device or a radio frequency energy emitting device. The shaped distal section of the first guiding catheter is shaped or is shapable within the patient's heart chamber.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for delivering an angiogenic agent to a site within the heart. Either using a percutaneous, intraoperative or minimally invasive approach, an elongated member containing an angiogenic agent is guided to a heart wall and the agent is dispensed into heart tissue. Additional fluids or substances can be dispensed in combination with the angiogenic agent to provide visualization and site mapping. In certain embodiments, the angiogenic agent is delivered adjunctively with the administration of energy, such as laser energy or RF energy which disturbs the heart tissue sufficiently to enhance the effects of the angiogenic agent.

Abstract: A guiding catheter system for delivering an elongated therapeutic or diagnostic device into a patient's left ventricle which includes a first guiding catheter with a shaped distal extremity configured to be aligned with or parallel to a longitudinal axis or long dimension of the patient's left ventricle and a second guiding catheter slidably and rotatably disposed within an inner lumen of the first guiding catheter which has a shaped distal shaft section and an inner lumen configured to slidably receive an elongated therapeutic or diagnostic device such as a tissue ablation device, e.g. an optical fiber connected to a laser source, an ultrasonic energy emitting device or a radio frequency energy emitting device. The shaped distal section of the first guiding catheter is shaped or is shapable within the patient's heart chamber.

Abstract: A delivery catheter system for delivering a substance delivery member into a patient's left ventricle which includes a first delivery catheter with a shaped distal extremity configured to be aligned with or parallel to a longitudinal axis or long dimension of the patient's left ventricle and a second delivery catheter slidably and rotatably disposed within an inner lumen of the first delivery catheter which has a shaped distal shaft section and an inner lumen configured to slidably receive a substance delivery member such as an elongated cannula slidably disposed within a polymer sheath. The shaped distal section of the first delivery catheter is shaped or is shapeable within the patient's heart chamber.

Abstract: An intracorporeal device generally having an elongate shaft with an asymmetric radiopaque marker disposed upon or within the distal end thereof. The radiopaque marker member enables the user to determine the orientation of the distal end of the device under fluoroscopic and similar imaging techniques. In certain embodiments the device is configured as a delivery catheter system having multiple delivery catheters, some or all of which may have radiopaque marker members disposed upon or within their distal ends. The delivery catheter system is configured in some embodiments to deliver an elongated diagnostic or therapeutic device to a desired location within a patient's heart.

Abstract: A guiding catheter system for delivering an elongated therapeutic or diagnostic device into a patient's left ventricle which includes a first guiding catheter with a shaped distal extremity configured to be aligned with or parallel to a longitudinal axis or long dimension of the patient's left ventricle and a second guiding catheter slidably and rotatably disposed within an inner lumen of the first guiding catheter which has a shaped distal shaft section and an inner lumen configured to slidably receive an elongated therapeutic or diagnostic device such as a tissue ablation device, e.g. an optical fiber connected to a laser source, an ultrasonic energy emitting device or a radio frequency energy emitting device. The shaped distal section of the first guiding catheter is shaped or is shapable within the patient's heart chamber.

Abstract: An intraluminal catheter with an elongated tubular shaft with proximal, intermediate, and distal shaft sections for positioning a therapeutic or diagnostic device within a patient's body region such as a heart chamber. The intermediate shaft section has greater flexibility than the proximal or distal shaft sections, and is preferably of sufficient flexibility to easily assume the curvature of the patient's aortic arch, and reduce the force of contact between the catheter distal end and tissue defining the patient's body region to thereby reduce restriction on the rotation of the catheter. The flexible intermediate shaft section is preferably of a length to occupy a significant portion of the aortic arch, and the catheter overall length is preferably sufficient to have a catheter proximal extremity extending out of the patient and a distal extremity extending at least into an aortic passageway adjacent the patient's left ventricle.

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 intraluminal catheter with an elongated tubular shaft with proximal, intermediate, and distal shaft sections for positioning a therapeutic or diagnostic device within a patient's body region such as a heart chamber. The intermediate shaft section has greater flexibility than the proximal or distal shaft sections, and is preferably of sufficient flexibility to easily assume the curvature of the patient's aortic arch, and reduce the force of contact between the catheter distal end and tissue defining the patient's body region to thereby reduce restriction on the rotation of the catheter. The flexible intermediate shaft section is preferably of a length to occupy a significant portion of the aortic arch, and the catheter overall length is preferably sufficient to have a catheter proximal extremity extending out of the patient and a distal extremity extending at least into an aortic passageway adjacent the patient's left ventricle.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an introducer which is formed of a relatively rigid tubular member having an inner lumen and an elongated slot in the distal portion of the introducer. The introducer is particularly suitable for introducing an elongated channel forming device having radially extending arms for limiting the depth of penetration into a guiding or delivery catheter. By pulling the channel forming member into the inner lumen of the introducer, the radially extending arms are bent or folded forwardly into the inner lumen and they remain in this position until they extend out the distal end of the guiding or delivery catheter.