Abstract: A method is disclosed for treating an aneurysm or vascular defect by cooling a target tissue region of the aneurysm or vascular defect to a temperature below body temperature for a preselected time period. The method entails thickening, strengthening, or increasing the density of a blood vessel wall by cooling the blood vessel wall with a cryogenically cooled device. The method also includes irradiating the inner wall of a blood vessel around an aneurysm or vascular defect with various forms of energy to delay or halt aneurysm or vascular defect formation. An energy-emitting element is disposed on the distal end portion of a catheter device to be disposed proximate the aneurysm. Various forms of energy, including visible light energy, laser light energy, ultrasound, microwave and radiofrequency sources may be used to irradiate and treat the aneurysm.

Abstract: A guide wire including a lubricous distal portion and a less lubricous intermediate portion proximal of said distal portion. One guide wire provides a highly lubricous distal portion with a hydrophilic layer and a less lubricous intermediate portion with a hydrophobic layer. Another guide wire provides a lubricous distal portion with a polymer tip that is itself hydrophilic. Yet another guide wire provides a less lubricous intermediate portion using a stainless steel coil helically wound around the tapering intermediate portion. The coil is preferably coated with a hydrophobic coating such as PTFE or silicone. The coil can either abut the distal portion proximal end or extend into the distal portion interior.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for treating an aneurysm or vascular defect by cooling a target tissue region of the aneurysm or vascular defect to a temperature below body temperature for a preselected time period. The method entails thickening, strengthening, or increasing the density of a blood vessel wall by cooling the blood vessel wall with a cryogenically cooled device. The method also includes irradiating the inner wall of a blood vessel around an aneurysm or vascular defect with various forms of energy to delay or halt aneurysm or vascular defect formation. An energy-emitting element is disposed on the distal end portion of a catheter device to be disposed proximate the aneurysm. Various forms of energy, including visible light energy, laser light energy, ultrasound, microwave and radiofrequency sources may be used to irradiate and treat the aneurysm.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting plaque proximate an area of a human body is described, the method comprising the steps of moving one or more electrically sensitive sensors substantially near an area where plaque may be present, obtaining electrical signal readings from the sensors, and determining the presence or absence of plaque. The presence or absence of the plaque corresponds to the electrical signal readings. Another aspect of the invention provides a method for inhibiting plaque formation and passivating plaque formed on a lumenal surface of a body lumen. A cooling device is positioned at the lumenal surface at a point proximate to a plaque formation. The lumenal surface is cooled at the point proximate to the plaque formation to inhibit the progression of plaque formation in which the lumenal surface is cooled to a temperature of less than about zero degrees Celsius. As another aspect, a method is provided for reducing the risk of plaque rupture in a vessel.

Abstract: A guide wire including a lubricous distal portion and a less lubricous intermediate portion proximal of said distal portion. One guide wire provides a highly lubricous distal portion with a hydrophilic layer and a less lubricous intermediate portion with a hydrophobic layer. Another guide wire provides a lubricous distal portion with a polymer tip that is itself hydrophilic. Yet another guide wire provides a less lubricous intermediate portion using a stainless steel coil helically wound around the tapering intermediate portion. The coil is preferably coated with a hydrophobic coating such as PTFE or silicone. The coil can either abut the distal portion proximal end or extend into the distal portion interior.

Abstract: The invention provides a guide wire comprising an elongate, flexible core having a proximal region, a proximal end, a distal region, and a distal end, and the distal region having a tapered portion; a plurality of wire strands wrapped helically parallel to one another and disposed on at least a portion of the tapered distal region of the core; a polymer tie layer disposed on at least a portion of the plurality of wire strands; and a lubricious polymer layer disposed on the polymer tie layer.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for treating an aneurysm by cooling a target tissue region of the aneurysm to a temperature below body temperature for a preselected time period. The method entails thickening, strengthening, or increasing the density of a blood vessel wall by cooling the blood vessel wall with a cryogenically cooled device. The method also includes irradiating the inner wall of a blood vessel around an aneurysm with various forms of energy to delay or halt aneurysm formation. An energy-emitting element is disposed on the distal end portion of a catheter device to be disposed proximate the aneurysm. Various forms of energy, including visible light energy, laser light energy, ultrasound, microwave and radiofrequency sources may be used to irradiate and treat the aneurysm.

Abstract: The present invention provides a medical device for guiding an ablation tool onto the surface of tissue. As described herein, the invention includes a device which can be shaped to reach around an organ, bone or tissue structure, and have an optimal configuration for positioning and or orienting the active or distal region of the device based upon the particular anatomy of a patient and the location of the treatment site.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for treating an aneurysm by cooling a target tissue region of the aneurysm to a temperature below temperature for a preselected time period. The method entails thickening, strengthening, or increasing the density of a blood vessel wall by cooling the blood vessel wall with a cryogenically cooled device. In particular, a device having a heat conductive cooling chamber is disposed proximate to the aneurysm site; and a cryogenic fluid coolant is directed to flow inside the chamber to create endothermic cooling relative to the aneurysm. The method also promotes the growth of collagen and elastin in vascular tissue. Tissue cooling temperatures range from +20 to −20 degrees Celsius. The duration of treatment by application of cooling ranges from 15 seconds to up to 20 minutes or more. The method includes treating the aneurysm both from inside and outside the blood vessel wall forming the aneurysm.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting plaque proximate an area of a human body is described, the method comprising the steps of moving one or more electrically sensitive sensors substantially near an area where plaque may be present, obtaining electrical signal readings from the sensors, and determining the presence or absence of plaque. The presence or absence of the plaque corresponds to the electrical signal readings. Another aspect of the invention provides a method for inhibiting plaque formation and passivating plaque formed on a lumenal surface of a body lumen. A cooling device is positioned at the lumenal surface at a point proximate to a plaque formation. The lumenal surface is cooled at the point proximate to the plaque formation to inhibit the progression of plaque formation in which the lumenal surface is cooled to a temperature of less than about zero degrees Celsius. As another aspect, a method is provided for reducing the risk of plaque rupture in a vessel.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for treating an aneurysm by cooling a target tissue region of the aneurysm to a temperature below temperature for a preselected time period. The method entails thickening, strengthening, or increasing the density of a blood vessel wall by cooling the blood vessel wall with a cryogenically cooled device. In particular, a device having a heat conductive cooling chamber is disposed proximate to the aneurysm site; and a cryogenic fluid coolant is directed to flow inside the chamber to create endothermic cooling relative to the aneurysm. The method also promotes the growth of collagen and elastin in vascular tissue. Tissue cooling temperatures range from +20 to −20 degrees Celsius. The duration of treatment by application of cooling ranges from 15 seconds to up to 20 minutes or more. The method includes treating the aneurysm both from inside and outside the blood vessel wall forming the aneurysm.

Abstract: A scaffold bracket is disclosed comprising a vertical beam of channel cross-section, a horizontal beam pivoted at its proximate end to a point between the ends of the vertical beam and adapted to nest within its channel cross-section, an angle bracket having a first and second end, the first end being connected to the proximate end of the vertical beam and the second end being connected to the middle of the horizontal beam whereby the horizontal beam is rigidly supported in a position substantially at right angles to the vertical beam, the vertical beam further having a hanger secured to its distal end, the hanger being adapted to engage a generally horizontal portion of a wall whereby the horizontal beam may be utilized to help support a scaffold along the wall.