Abstract: An electrosurgical device and methods are disclosed for creating a channel through a region of tissue. The device comprises an elongate member for receiving the energy from an electrical energy source. An electrical insulation layer surrounds the elongate member along the device proximal region. An electrode tip is coupled to the distal end of the elongate member for delivering the energy, the electrode tip being configured and sized for delivering the energy in a manner such that electrical arcing is generated in the region of tissue in order to create a channel through at least a portion of the region of tissue. An electrically insulative thermal shield is disposed between the electrode tip and the device proximal region for preventing arcing therebetween during the delivery of the energy and for thermally protecting the device proximal region from heat produced by the delivery of the energy through the electrode tip.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for creating a channel through an occlusion located in a vein that drains the central nervous system of a patient. The method utilizes a channel creating apparatus, including an energy delivery component operatively coupled to a distal end portion of the channel creating apparatus, to create a channel through the occlusion by delivering energy using the energy delivery component, in order to substantially increase blood flow through said vein to treat chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI).

Abstract: A method for advancing a medical instrument along a desired trajectory or path in one dimension while remaining within a particular area defined in an orthogonal dimension. For example, a method of traversing an occlusion within a body vessel using a medical instrument, the method comprising steps of positioning a target object at a first side of the occlusion, imaging the target object along an imaging plane substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the occlusion and advancing the medical instrument within the body vessel through an opposite side of the occlusion, thereby traversing the occlusion.

Abstract: An electrosurgical device and methods are disclosed for creating a channel through a region of tissue. The device comprises an elongate member for receiving the energy from an electrical energy source. An electrical insulation layer surrounds the elongate member along the device proximal region. An electrode tip is coupled to the distal end of the elongate member for delivering the energy, the electrode tip being configured and sized for delivering the energy in a manner such that electrical arcing is generated in the region of tissue in order to create a channel through at least a portion of the region of tissue. An electrically insulative thermal shield is disposed between the electrode tip and the device proximal region for preventing arcing therebetween during the delivery of the energy and for thermally protecting the device proximal region from heat produced by the delivery of the energy through the electrode tip.

Abstract: A method for creating a channel through an occlusion located in a substantially elongated body vessel of a patient, The method uses a channel creating apparatus defining an apparatus distal end portion insertable into the body vessel, the channel creating apparatus including an energy delivery component operatively coupled to the apparatus distal end portion for delivering energy substantially adjacent the apparatus distal end portion. The method includes: inserting the apparatus distal end portion into the body vessel; creating a channel first portion through the occlusion harder section using, at least in part, a delivery of energy into the occlusion harder portion; and creating a channel second portion through the occlusion softer portion by pushing the apparatus distal end portion through at least a portion of the occlusion softer portion substantially without delivering energy into the occlusion softer portion.

Abstract: A method for creating a channel through an occlusion located in a substantially elongated body vessel of a patient, The method uses a channel creating apparatus defining an apparatus distal end portion insertable into the body vessel, the channel creating apparatus including an energy delivery component operatively coupled to the apparatus distal end portion for delivering energy substantially adjacent the apparatus distal end portion. The method includes: inserting the apparatus distal end portion into the body vessel; creating a channel first portion through the occlusion harder section using, at least in part, a delivery of energy into the occlusion harder portion; and creating a channel second portion through the occlusion softer portion by pushing the apparatus distal end portion through at least a portion of the occlusion softer portion substantially without delivering energy into the occlusion softer portion.