Abstract: A thrombectomy catheter system is disclosed which includes a catheter having an exhaust lumen, an infusion lumen and a high pressure tube. The high pressure tube includes a nozzle orifice for forming a high pressure jet of fluid for cutting occlusive material from within a body lumen. The nozzle orifice is positioned to direct the high pressure jet of fluid into the distal end of the exhaust lumen which creates a suctioning effect. The infusion lumen replaces fluid that is removed from the body lumen through the exhaust lumen by a suctioning effect created by the fluid jet.

Abstract: An indeflator for inflating a therapeutic balloon. A barrel has an interior chamber that receives fluid and an outlet in fluid communication with the interior chamber. A plunger sealingly engages the interior of the barrel. The plunger is selectively movable to dispense fluid through the outlet of the barrel. A coarse inflation control assembly includes a coarse inflation actuator that rotates about a coarse rotational axis to dispense fluid through the barrel at an inverse coarse inflation rate. A fine inflation control assembly includes a fine inflation actuator selectively rotatable about a fine rotational axis to dispense fluid through the outlet at an inverse fine inflation rate. The inverse fine inflation rate is greater than the inverse coarse inflation rate.

Abstract: A compression device controller controls operation of a compression device to inflate at least one inflatable bladder to control forces applied to an arteriovenous fistula of a subject for maturing the arteriovenous fistula.

Abstract: A compression garment includes a plurality of inflatable bladders, a valve body, an inlet, an exhaust, and a rotary valve. The plurality of inflatable bladders is positionable around a limb of a wearer. The manifold defines a plurality of bladder ports, each bladder port in fluid communication with a respective inflatable bladder. The inlet defines an inlet port, and the exhaust defines an exhaust port. The rotary valve is in fluid communication with the inlet port, the exhaust port, and the plurality of bladder ports. Rotation of the valve in a first direction controls fluid communication between the inlet port and the plurality of bladder ports, and rotation of the valve in a second direction, opposite the first direction, controls fluid communication between the exhaust port and the plurality of bladder ports.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus includes an elongate outer sheath dimensioned for positioning within a body lumen of a patient, a reference member and a removal device. The reference member is adapted for longitudinal movement relative to the elongate outer sheath between a first position at least partially disposed within a longitudinal lumen of the outer sheath and a second position at least partially exposed from the longitudinal lumen. The reference member is adapted to expand when in the second position to generally conform to an internal dimension of the body lumen. The reference member includes a radiopaque material for visualizing the reference member to assist in determining physical characteristics of the body lumen when in the second position. The removal device is adapted for longitudinal movement relative to the reference member, and is configured for disrupting at least a portion of the occlusion within the body lumen.

Abstract: A catheter system includes an elongate catheter having a lumen extending at least partially therethrough, and a leading catheter end segment, a guidewire positionable within the lumen of the catheter, and fastening structure supported adjacent the leading catheter end segment. The guidewire and the catheter are adapted for relative movement. The fastening structure is dimensioned to selectively engage the guidewire to secure the guidewire with respect to the leading catheter end segment such that movement of the guidewire causes deflection of the leading end segment with respect to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for performing a circulatory measurement on an extremity, such as a hand, of a subject. The circulatory measurement results in the derivation of an output circulatory metric that may encompass blood pressure or various other circulatory metrics. An indicator of an input circulatory metric at a locus on the extremity is measured, such as a pulse transit time, and calibrated to account for the hydrostatic component of blood pressure arising due to vertical displacement of the extremity with respect to the heart.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for measuring arterial blood pressure at an extremity of a subject. Arterial blood pressure is derived from a circulatory measurement performed on an extremity of a subject and the circulatory measurement is normalized to account for the instantaneous vertical displacement of the extremity. The vertical displacement of the extremity relative to the heart of the subject is obtained using the angular orientation of the subject's extremity. An improved photoplethysmograph can discriminate light traversing the extremity from ambient light on the basis of differential response. The apparatus may have a conducting polymer actuator for applying pressure to the extremity of the subject. A pulsatile waveform from the photoplethysmographic signal may be obtained at a plurality of externally applied pressures to calibrate the photoplethysmograph.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for performing a circulatory measurement on an extremity, such as a hand, of a subject. The circulatory measurement results in the derivation of an output circulatory metric that may encompass blood pressure or various other circulatory metrics. An indicator of an input circulatory metric at a locus on the extremity is measured, such as a pulse transit time. To determine the pulse transit time, a first plethysmographic signal may be obtained at a first position on the extremity, while a second plethysmographic signal may be obtained at a second position on the extremity of the subject. A transit time characterizing a circulatory pressure wave is calculated based on the first and second plethysmographic signals, leading to derivation of a wave speed. A calibration is then applied to provide the circulatory measurement based at least on the derived wave speed and a measured indicator of a hydrostatic component of blood pressure.

Abstract: An arterial blood pressure apparatus and methods for using the apparatus are disclosed. The apparatus has a force transfer element for applying unidirectional force to a body part of the subject and a pressure sensor for generating a signal based on the unidirectional force. Multiple degrees of force may be applied simultaneously or serially. The apparatus also has a second sensor for generating a signal associated with blood volume within a blood vessel of the body part and a processor for inferring arterial blood pressure from the force sensor signal and the second sensor. The apparatus may take the form of a glove or a wand.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for measuring arterial blood pressure at an extremity of a subject. Arterial blood pressure is derived from a circulatory measurement performed on an extremity of a subject and the circulatory measurement is normalized to account for the instantaneous vertical displacement of the extremity. The vertical displacement of the extremity relative to the heart of the subject is obtained using the angular orientation of the subject's extremity. An improved photoplethysmograph can discriminate light traversing the extremity from ambient light on the basis of differential response. The apparatus may have a conducting polymer actuator for applying pressure to the extremity of the subject. A pulsatile waveform from the photoplethysmographic signal may be obtained at a plurality of externally applied pressures to calibrate the photoplethysmograph.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for distinguishing concentrations of blood constituents among distinct vascular components in situ. The method has steps of inducing periodic vibration, characterized by a frequency, in a limb of a person in such as manner as to selectively excite a resonant response in a specified blood vessel of the person, an artery or a vein, illuminating the limb of the person with a light source, and synchronously detecting a plethysmographic signal for discriminating response attributable to the specified blood vessel.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for distinguishing concentrations of blood constituents among distinct vascular components in situ. The method has steps of inducing periodic vibration, characterized by a frequency, in a limb of a person in such as manner as to selectively excite a resonant response in a specified blood vessel of the person, an artery or a vein, illuminating the limb of the person with a light source, and synchronously detecting a plethysmographic signal for discriminating response attributable to the specified blood vessel.

Abstract: A ring plethysmograph having a pressure adjustment for locally pressurizing one side of a finger thereby biasing the pressure on an artery wall so that the plethysmograph is optimally sensitive without interfering with blood flow. An auxiliary photodetector, possibly with a second light source, is disposed on the low-pressure side of the finger for two purposes: providing a noise reference for canceling noise on the plethysmograph signal, and also for providing a separate motion signal for monitoring the activity level of a patient.

Abstract: A ring plethysmograph having a pressure adjustment for locally pressurizing one side of a finger thereby biasing the pressure on an artery wall so that the plethysmograph is optimally sensitive without interfering with blood flow. An auxiliary photodetector, possibly with a second light source, is disposed on the low-pressure side of the finger for two purposes: providing a noise reference for canceling noise on the plethysmograph signal, and also for providing a separate motion signal for monitoring the activity level of a patient.