Abstract: A system for controlling a hemostasis valve includes a hemostasis valve having a body portion having a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end. The hemostasis value further includes at least one valve positioned in the proximal end of the body portion and an engagement member operatively coupled to the at least one valve. The system further includes a first drive member coupled to the engagement member and a controller coupled to the first drive member. The controller is configured to control the first drive member to impart movement to the engagement member to open and close the at least one valve.

Abstract: An imaging system for use in a patient is provided. The system includes an imaging probe, a rotation assembly, and a retraction assembly. The imaging probe collects image data from a patient site and includes an elongate shaft with a proximal end and a distal portion, with a lumen extending therebetween. A rotatable optical core is positioned within the elongate shaft lumen and an optical assembly is positioned in the elongate shaft distal portion. The optical assembly directs light to tissue at the patient site and collects reflected light from the tissue. The rotation assembly connects to the imaging probe and rotates the optical assembly. The retraction assembly connects to the imaging probe and retracts the optical assembly and the elongate shaft in unison.

Abstract: A robotic catheter system includes a base and a robotic mechanism having a longitudinal axis and being movable relative to the base along the longitudinal axis. A flexible track is releasably secured to the base and includes an outer surface having a longitudinal opening slit extending therethrough to an inner channel. A rigid guide has a non-linear portion fixed relative to the robotic mechanism. A portion of the flexible track moves along the non-linear portion of the rigid guide away from the longitudinal axis when the robotic mechanism moves along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: In part, the invention relates to a probe suitable for use with image data collection system. The probe, in one embodiment, includes an optical transceiver, such as a beam director, and an acoustic transceiver such as an ultrasound transducer. The optical transceiver is in optical communication with an optical fiber in optical communication with a beam director configured to transmit light and receive scattered light from a sample such as a wall of a blood vessel. The acoustic transceiver includes an ultrasound device or subsystem such as a piezoelectric element configured to generate acoustic waves and receive reflected acoustic waves from the sample.

Abstract: An imaging system for use in a patient is provided. The system includes an imaging probe, a rotation assembly, and a retraction assembly. The imaging probe collects image data from a patient site and includes an elongate shaft with a proximal end and a distal portion, with a lumen extending therebetween. A rotatable optical core is positioned within the elongate shaft lumen and an optical assembly is positioned in the elongate shaft distal portion. The optical assembly directs light to tissue at the patient site and collects reflected light from the tissue. The rotation assembly connects to the imaging probe and rotates the optical assembly. The retraction assembly connects to the imaging probe and retracts the optical assembly and the elongate shaft in unison.

Abstract: In part, the invention relates to a probe suitable for use with image data collection system. The probe, in one embodiment, includes an optical transceiver, such as a beam director, and an acoustic transceiver such as an ultrasound transducer. The optical transceiver is in optical communication with an optical fiber in optical communication with a beam director configured to transmit light and receive scattered light from a sample such as a wall of a blood vessel. The acoustic transceiver includes an ultrasound device or subsystem such as a piezoelectric element configured to generate acoustic waves and receive reflected acoustic waves from the sample.

Abstract: An imaging system for a patient comprises an imaging probe. The imaging probe comprises: an elongate shaft for insertion into the patient and comprising a proximal end, a distal portion, and a lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal portion; a rotatable optical core comprising a proximal end and a distal end, the rotatable optical core configured to optically and mechanically connect with an interface unit; a probe connector positioned on the elongate shaft proximal end and surrounding at least a portion of the rotatable optical core and an optical assembly positioned in the elongate shaft distal portion and proximate the rotatable optical core distal end, the optical assembly configured to direct light to tissue and collect reflected light from the tissue. A shear-thinning fluid can be provided between the elongate shaft and the rotatable optical core, such as to reduce undesired rotational variations of the rotatable optical core.

Abstract: An imaging system for a patient comprises an imaging probe. The imaging probe comprises: an elongate shaft for insertion into the patient and comprising a proximal end, a distal portion, and a lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal portion; a rotatable optical core comprising a proximal end and a distal end, the rotatable optical core configured to optically and mechanically connect with an interface unit; a probe connector positioned on the elongate shaft proximal end and surrounding at least a portion of the rotatable optical core and an optical assembly positioned in the elongate shaft distal portion and proximate the rotatable optical core distal end, the optical assembly configured to direct light to tissue and collect reflected light from the tissue. A shear-thinning fluid can be provided between the elongate shaft and the rotatable optical core, such as to reduce undesired rotational variations of the rotatable optical core.

Abstract: A system for controlling a hemostasis valve includes a hemostasis valve having a body portion having a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end. The hemostasis value further includes at least one valve positioned in the proximal end of the body portion and an engagement member operatively coupled to the at least one valve. The system further includes a first drive member coupled to the engagement member and a controller coupled to the first drive member. The controller is configured to control the first drive member to impart movement to the engagement member to open and close the at least one valve.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates to one or more rotatable elements and one or more stationary element such that the elements are arranged along a common axis of rotation co-linear with or substantially parallel to an optical path. The optical path is a portion of a sample arm of an interferometer. Further, the rotatable and stationary elements are configured to couple electrical signals and optical signals between a data collection probe and an interface unit or other component of an imaging system. In one embodiment, the data collection probe is a combination ultrasound and OCT probe. In one aspect, the invention relates to a rotary joint in which the optical fiber and a fiber optic rotary joint lie in the center of one or more conductive elements of an electrical rotary joint which are annularly disposed around one or both of the optical fiber and optical rotary joint.

Abstract: A robotic catheter system includes a base and a robotic mechanism having a longitudinal axis and being movable relative to the base along the longitudinal axis. A flexible track is releasably secured to the base and includes an outer surface having a longitudinal opening slit extending therethrough to an inner channel. A rigid guide has a non-linear portion fixed relative to the robotic mechanism. A portion of the flexible track moves along the non-linear portion of the rigid guide away from the longitudinal axis when the robotic mechanism moves along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates to one or more rotatable elements and one or more stationary element such that the elements are arranged along a common axis of rotation co-linear with or substantially parallel to an optical path. The optical path is a portion of a sample arm of an interferometer. Further, the rotatable and stationary elements are configured to couple electrical signals and optical signals between a data collection probe and an interface unit or other component of an imaging system. In one embodiment, the data collection probe is a combination ultrasound and OCT probe. In one aspect, the invention relates to a rotary joint in which the optical fiber and a fiber optic rotary joint lie in the center of one or more conductive elements of an electrical rotary joint which are annularly disposed around one or both of the optical fiber and optical rotary joint.

Abstract: An imaging system for use in a patient is provided. The system includes an imaging probe, a rotation assembly, and a retraction assembly. The imaging probe collects image data from a patient site and includes an elongate shaft with a proximal end and a distal portion, with a lumen extending therebetween. A rotatable optical core is positioned within the elongate shaft lumen and an optical assembly is positioned in the elongate shaft distal portion. The optical assembly directs light to tissue at the patient site and collects reflected light from the tissue. The rotation assembly connects to the imaging probe and rotates the optical assembly. The retraction assembly connects to the imaging probe and retracts the optical assembly and the elongate shaft in unison.

Abstract: A robotic catheter system includes a base and a robotic mechanism having a longitudinal axis and being movable relative to the base along the longitudinal axis. A flexible track is releasably secured to the base and includes an outer surface having a longitudinal opening slit extending therethrough to an inner channel. A rigid guide has a non-linear portion fixed relative to the robotic mechanism. A portion of the flexible track moves along the non-linear portion of the rigid guide away from the longitudinal axis when the robotic mechanism moves along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A system for controlling a hemostasis valve includes a hemostasis valve having a body portion having a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end. The hemostasis value further includes at least one valve positioned in the proximal end of the body portion and an engagement member operatively coupled to the at least one valve. The system further includes a first drive member coupled to the engagement member and a controller coupled to the first drive member. The controller is configured to control the first drive member to impart movement to the engagement member to open and close the at least one valve.

Abstract: An imaging system for a patient comprises an imaging probe. The imaging probe comprises: an elongate shaft for insertion into the patient and comprising a proximal end, a distal portion, and a lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal portion; a rotatable optical core comprising a proximal end and a distal end, the rotatable optical core configured to optically and mechanically connect with an interface unit; a probe connector positioned on the elongate shaft proximal end and surrounding at least a portion of the rotatable optical core and an optical assembly positioned in the elongate shaft distal portion and proximate the rotatable optical core distal end, the optical assembly configured to direct light to tissue and collect reflected light from the tissue. A shear-thinning fluid can be provided between the elongate shaft and the rotatable optical core, such as to reduce undesired rotational variations of the rotatable optical core.

Abstract: A robotic catheter system includes a base and a robotic mechanism having a longitudinal axis and being movable relative to the base along the longitudinal axis. A flexible track is releasably secured to the base and includes an outer surface having a longitudinal opening slit extending therethrough to an inner channel. A rigid guide has a non-linear portion fixed relative to the robotic mechanism. A portion of the flexible track moves along the non-linear portion of the rigid guide away from the longitudinal axis when the robotic mechanism moves along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: In part, the invention relates to a probe suitable for use with image data collection system. The probe, in one embodiment, includes an optical transceiver, such as a beam director, and an acoustic transceiver such as an ultrasound transducer. The optical transceiver is in optical communication with an optical fiber in optical communication with a beam director configured to transmit light and receive scattered light from a sample such as a wall of a blood vessel. The acoustic transceiver includes an ultrasound device or subsystem such as a piezoelectric element configured to generate acoustic waves and receive reflected acoustic waves from the sample.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates to one or more rotatable elements and one or more stationary element such that the elements are arranged along a common axis of rotation co-linear with or substantially parallel to an optical path. The optical path is a portion of a sample arm of an interferometer. Further, the rotatable and stationary elements are configured to couple electrical signals and optical signals between a data collection probe and an interface unit or other component of an imaging system. In one embodiment, the data collection probe is a combination ultrasound and OCT probe. In one aspect, the invention relates to a rotary joint in which the optical fiber and a fiber optic rotary joint lie in the center of one or more conductive elements of an electrical rotary joint which are annularly disposed around one or both of the optical fiber and optical rotary joint.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates to an imaging probe. The imaging probe includes an elongate body having a proximal end and distal end, the elongate body adapted to enclose a portion of a slidable optical fiber, the optical fiber having a longitudinal axis; and a first optical assembly attached to a distal end of the fiber. The first optical assembly includes a beam director adapted to direct light emitted from the fiber to a plane at a predetermined angle to the longitudinal axis, a linear actuator disposed at the proximal portion of the elongated body, the actuator adapted to affect relative linear motion between the elongate body and the optical fiber; and a second optical assembly located at the distal portion of the elongate body and attached thereto, the second optical assembly comprising a reflector in optical communication with the first optical assembly, the reflector adapted to direct the light to a position distal to the elongate body.