Abstract: A medical device includes a flexible member having a hollow cavity extending between a proximal end and a distal end, an optical fiber extending through the hollow cavity, and a potting material to secure/pot the optical fiber to the distal end to inhibit damage of the distal end. The potting material can be an adhesive, such as a UV curable adhesive or dual-cure adhesive. The medical device can be stripped or a buffered optical fiber, and can include a spacer, wherein the optical fiber can be fused to the spacer, and potted in the distal end. The medical device can have a rebuffer heat shrink tube surrounding the area of the optical fiber on a guidewire, and can have distal optics at the distal end that include at least a spacer, a lens and a reflector. The medical device can be a disposable catheter, and an MMOCT catheter.

Abstract: An imaging guidewire comprises a first hypotube assembly that forms a guidewire body comprised of a first hypotube, a window attached to the first hypotube, and a flexible tip attached to the window. A second hypotube assembly forms an imaging core comprised of a second hypotube, one or more optical fibers arranged along an inner surface of the second hypotube, and a proximal connector attached to a proximal end of the second hypotube. The proximal connector is configured to connect the imaging core to a patient interface unit, wherein the second hypotube is nested inside the first hypotube, such that to acquire an image of a vessel region, the second hypotube is pulled back and pseudo rotated, or only pulled back, with respect to the first hypotube, while the one or more core optical fibers scan the vessel region with light of one or more wavelengths transmitted through the window.

Abstract: A catheter comprises an imaging core, an inner sheath enclosing the imaging core, an outer sheath surrounding the inner sheath, and a flexible membrane arranged on the outer sheath and configured to deflect in response to intravascular pressure. At least part of the inner sheath and part of the outer sheath are nested within each other. A chamber is defined by the membrane, and the parts of the inner and outer sheaths that are nested within each other. The chamber provides a space into which the membrane is deflected when surrounded by fluids. A processor controls the imaging core to acquire pressure data by scanning the membrane with light transmitted through the chamber, and to acquire image data by scanning a vessel wall with light transmitted through the inner sheath. If the membrane breaks, the chamber prevents fluids from entering the imaging core, and the catheter continues acquiring image data.

Abstract: An imaging catheter assembly comprising a catheter comprising: a proximal end; a distal end; a tubular body extending from the proximal end to the distal end; and an imaging element within the tubular body; a sheath comprising: a proximal end; a distal end; and a tubular body extending from the proximal end to the distal end, the tubular body having an inner surface, wherein the inner surface of the tubular body of the sheath at least partially defines a conduit for conveying a fluid to the distal end of the sheath, and wherein the sheath is movable such that the distal end of the sheath is positionable relative to the distal end of the catheter.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an elongate member having proximal and distal portions; a rotatable drive cable disposed within the elongate member, the drive cable being connectable to a mechanism to which torque can be applied; and a control assembly mechanically coupled to the drive cable, and configured to disengage the mechanism from the drive cable when the applied torque exceeds a predetermined level, wherein disengagement of the mechanism from the drive cable causes rotation of the drive cable to stop or withdrawal of the drive cable.

Abstract: A catheter configured for placement within a bodily lumen, comprises: a catheter sheath defining a first lumen for medical tools; and an exchange segment defining a second lumen for a guidewire. A proximal end of the exchange segment is joined with a distal end of the catheter sheath in a lengthwise direction forming an angle therebetween, such that the second lumen is laterally offset by a distance and angled with respect to the first lumen. When the catheter is placed within a patient's anatomy, the catheter sheath and/or the exchange segment straightens out so that the axis of the second lumen and the axis of the first lumen become substantially parallel to each other. The offset distance between the axes of sheath and exchange segment depends mainly on the diameter of the guidewire to be used, on the diameter of the sheath, and the angle of the junction.

Abstract: Exemplary probes including longitudinal marker elements arranged parallel to the probe axis are provided for reducing or eliminating non-uniform rotational distortions (NURD) in imaging systems. Additional ring marker elements may also be provided to reduce or eliminate non-uniform linear distortion (NULD). These probes, as well as systems and methods of use provide for images having better image quality and reduced NURD.

Abstract: Exemplary endoscopes, and endoscope sheaths are provided having an integrally formed imaging window. The sheath may comprise thin coiled wires and may be made using a dip-casting process. Also provided is a method which may comprise the steps of forming polymer coat(s) around a mandrel, forming a fiber assembly, forming polymer coat(s) around the fiber assembly, and forming a window around an end of the mandrel.

Abstract: A catheter, comprising: a drive cable having cylindrical opening extending from a proximal end to a distal end along a longitudinal axis thereof; an imaging probe having an optical fiber arranged inside the drive cable and a distal optics assembly fixedly attached to the drive cable at the distal end thereof; a first radiopaque marker arranged at a distal end of the drive cable at a position distal and parallel to the distal optics assembly; and a second radiopaque marker arranged at a predetermined distance from the distal end of the drive cable at a position proximal to the distal optics assembly. The second radiopaque marker is arranged concentric or coaxially to the longitudinal axis in a space between the longitudinal axis and an outer surface of the drive cable.

Abstract: A medical apparatus such as a catheter or endoscope that has a stretchable sheath is provided. The medical apparatus comprises an elongate core, a sheath substantially surrounding the elongate core, and a window attached to the distal end of the sheath. The sheath comprises an elastomeric section and is concentrically disposed and is configured to allow the length of the sheath to conform to the length of the elongate core and may also comprise a semi-rigid section.

Abstract: An imaging catheter assembly comprising a catheter comprising: a proximal end; a distal end; a tubular body extending from the proximal end to the distal end; and an imaging element within the tubular body; a sheath comprising: a proximal end; a distal end; and a tubular body extending from the proximal end to the distal end, the tubular body having an inner surface, wherein the inner surface of the tubular body of the sheath at least partially defines a conduit for conveying a fluid to the distal end of the sheath, and wherein the sheath is movable such that the distal end of the sheath is positionable relative to the distal end of the catheter.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an elongate member having proximal and distal portions; a rotatable drive cable disposed within the elongate member, the drive cable being connectable to a mechanism to which torque can be applied; and a control assembly mechanically coupled to the drive cable, and configured to disengage the mechanism from the drive cable when the applied torque exceeds a predetermined level, wherein disengagement of the mechanism from the drive cable causes rotation of the drive cable to stop or withdrawal of the drive cable.

Abstract: Exemplary probes including longitudinal marker elements arranged parallel to the probe axis are provided for reducing or eliminating non-uniform rotational distortions (NURD) in imaging systems. Additional ring marker elements may also be provided to reduce or eliminate non-uniform linear distortion (NULD). These probes, as well as systems and methods of use provide for images having better image quality and reduced NURD.

Abstract: Exemplary methods, endoscopes, and endoscope sheaths are provided having an integrally formed imaging window. The sheath may comprise thin coiled wires and may be made using a dip-casting process.