Abstract: A catheter having an elongate hollow shaft with a curved distal section having at least one pre-curved reinforcing strip embedded therein. The pre-curved reinforcing strip comprises a relatively stiff material that is unaffected by the process of thermoforming a final curve in the catheter. Methods of making the catheter are also described.

Abstract: An optical catheter system comprising an intraluminal catheter that provides optical signals to a patient and carries optical signals from the patient, an outer housing, and an inner carriage that moves longitudinally relative to the outer housing and rotates relative to the outer housing during operation when the catheter system is being driven by a pullback and rotation system. The optical catheter system has an interlock system that prevents rotation and longitudinal movement of the inner carriage in the outer housing until attached to the pullback and rotation system. The pullback and rotation system comprises a frame and a catheter system interface, attached to the frame, to which the catheter system is coupled. A carriage drive system is further provided that moves longitudinally and rotates relative to the frame to provide rotation and longitudinal drive to the catheter system.

Abstract: An optical catheter system comprising an intraluminal catheter that provides optical signals to a patient and carries optical signals from the patient, an outer housing, and an inner carriage that moves longitudinally relative to the outer housing and rotates relative to the outer housing during operation when the catheter system is being driven by a pullback and rotation system. The optical catheter system has an interlock system that prevents rotation and longitudinal movement of the inner carriage in the outer housing until attached to the pullback and rotation system. The pullback and rotation system comprises a frame and a catheter system interface, attached to the frame, to which the catheter system is coupled. A carriage drive system is further provided that moves longitudinally and rotates relative to the frame to provide rotation and longitudinal drive to the catheter system.

Abstract: An optical catheter system comprising an intraluminal catheter that provides optical signals to a patient and carries optical signals from the patient, an outer housing, and an inner carriage that moves longitudinally relative to the outer housing and rotates relative to the outer housing during operation when the catheter system is being driven by a pullback and rotation system. The optical catheter system has an interlock system that prevents rotation and longitudinal movement of the inner carriage in the outer housing until attached to the pullback and rotation system. The pullback and rotation system comprises a frame and a catheter system interface, attached to the frame, to which the catheter system is coupled. A carriage drive system is further provided that moves longitudinally and rotates relative to the frame to provide rotation and longitudinal drive to the catheter system.

Abstract: A catheter having an elongate hollow shaft with a curved distal section having at least one pre-curved reinforcing strip embedded therein. The pre-curved reinforcing strip comprises a relatively stiff material that is unaffected by the process of thermoforming a final curve in the catheter. Methods of making the catheter are also described.

Abstract: A guidewire apparatus for use during percutaneous catheter interventions, such as angioplasty or stent deployment. A protection element comprising a filter or an occluder is mounted near the distal end of a steerable guidewire, which guides a therapeutic catheter. The guidewire apparatus comprises a hollow shaft movably disposed about a core wire and, optionally, a slippery liner interfitted there between. The shaft and core wire control relative displacement of the ends of the protection element, causing transformation of the protection element between a deployed configuration and a collapsed configuration.

Abstract: The present invention is a temporary intraluminal filter guidewire for use during interventional procedures, such as angioplasty or stent deployment. A braided filter is mounted near the distal end of a steerable guidewire, which guides a therapeutic catheter. An actuator rod slides over the guidewire and is removably connected to the filter. The rod controls relative displacement of the filter ends, causing transformation of the filter between a deployed configuration and a collapsed configuration. Wire having enhanced radiopacity is included in the filter to provide visualization under fluoroscopy.