Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and a method for an ultrasonic medical device operating in a torsional mode and a transverse mode. An ultrasonic probe of the ultrasonic medical device is placed in communication with a biological material. An ultrasonic energy source is activated to produce an electrical signal that drives a transducer to produce a torsional vibration of the ultrasonic probe. The torsional vibration produces a component of force in a transverse direction relative to a longitudinal axis of the ultrasonic probe, thereby exciting a transverse vibration along the longitudinal axis causing the ultrasonic probe to undergo both a torsional vibration and a transverse vibration. The torsional vibration and the transverse vibration cause cavitation in a medium surrounding the ultrasonic probe to ablate the biological material.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and a method for an ultrasonic medical device operating in a torsional mode and a transverse mode. An ultrasonic probe of the ultrasonic medical device is placed in communication with a biological material. An ultrasonic energy source is activated to produce an electrical signal that drives a transducer to produce a torsional vibration of the ultrasonic probe. The torsional vibration produces a component of force in a transverse direction relative to a longitudinal axis of the ultrasonic probe, thereby exciting a transverse vibration along the longitudinal axis causing the ultrasonic probe to undergo both a torsional vibration and a transverse vibration. The torsional vibration and the transverse vibration cause cavitation in a medium surrounding the ultrasonic probe to ablate the biological material.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and a method of using an ultrasonic probe with a pharmacological agent to enhance an occlusion treating effect of the ultrasonic probe to effectively remove an occlusion. The pharmacological agent is released through a catheter to treat the occlusion and enhance an effect of a transverse ultrasonic vibration of the ultrasonic probe to effectively remove the occlusion. The pharmacological agent continues to travel downstream of the site of the occlusion and work in conjunction with the ultrasonic probe to reduce the occlusion to a size that can easily be removed from the body naturally in order to prevent reformation of the occlusion and other health risks.

Abstract: An ultrasonic tissue ablation device comprising a transversely vibrating elongated probe, and a coupling assembly for probe attachment and detachment that enables the probe assembly and separation from the device body that includes the ultrasound energy source and a sound conductor, and a method of use for removal of vascular occlusions in blood vessels. The coupling assembly enables incorporation of elongated probes with small cross sectional lumens such as a catheter guidewires. The probe detachability allows insertion manipulation and withdrawal independently of the device body. The probe can be used with acoustic and/or aspirations sheaths to enhance destruction and removal of an occlusion. The horn assembly of the device that contains a sound conducting horn functions as an energy regulator and reservoir for the probe, and precludes loss of probe cavitation energy by its bending or damping within the blood vessel.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and a method of using an ultrasonic probe with a pharmacological agent to enhance an occlusion treating effect of the ultrasonic probe to effectively remove an occlusion. The pharmacological agent is released through a catheter to treat the occlusion and enhance an effect of a transverse ultrasonic vibration of the ultrasonic probe to effectively remove the occlusion. The pharmacological agent continues to travel downstream of the site of the occlusion and work in conjunction with the ultrasonic probe to reduce the occlusion to a size that can easily be removed from the body naturally in order to prevent reformation of the occlusion and other health risks.

Abstract: An ultrasonic tissue ablation device comprising a transversely vibrating elongated probe, and a coupling assembly for probe attachment detachment that enables the probe assembly and separation from the device body that includes the ultrasound energy source and a sound conductor, and a method of use for removal of vascular occlusions in blood vessels. The coupling assembly enables incorporation of elongated probes with small cross sectional lumens such as a catheter guidewires. The probe detachability allows insertion manipulation and withdrawal independently of the device body. The probe can be used with acoustic and/or aspirations sheaths to enhance destruction and removal of an occlusion. The horn assembly of the device that contains a sound conducting horn functions as an energy regulator and reservoir for the probe, and precludes loss of probe cavitation energy by its bending or damping within the blood vessel.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and a method for using an elongated ultrasonic probe in conjunction with a radiopaque coating in order to improve the visibility of the ultrasonic probe during a procedure such as fluoroscopy. The radiopaque coating may be an ink comprising an adhesive material. The adhesive material comprises a substance which allows for a significant amount of x-ray absorption. The present invention provides an ultrasonic device comprising an elongated probe having a small-diameter wherein the elongated probe is coated in a radiopaque coating. The present invention provides a method of improving the visibility of an ultrasonic device during a fluoroscopic procedure comprising applying a radiopaque coating to an elongated probe having a small diameter. The radiopaque coating of the present invention is capable of withstanding vibrations of the elongated probe and increases the visibility of the elongated probe in a fluoroscopic procedure.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and a method for using an ultrasonic probe to remove an occlusion in vascular access devices including fistulas, grafts, catheters and subcutaneous access devices. The ultrasonic probe is inserted into the vascular access device and a section of a longitudinal axis of the ultrasonic probe engages the occlusion. A transducer transmits an ultrasonic energy from an ultrasonic energy source that produces a transverse ultrasonic vibration along the longitudinal axis of the ultrasonic probe. The transverse ultrasonic vibration of the ultrasonic probe provides a plurality of transverse anti-nodes along a portion of the longitudinal axis of the ultrasonic probe that cause a cavitation in a medium in communication with the ultrasonic probe to ablate the occlusion.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and a method of using an ultrasonic probe with a pharmacological agent to enhance an occlusion treating effect of the ultrasonic probe to effectively remove an occlusion. The pharmacological agent is released through a catheter to treat the occlusion and enhance an effect of a transverse ultrasonic vibration of the ultrasonic probe to effectively remove the occlusion. The pharmacological agent continues to travel downstream of the site of the occlusion and work in conjunction with the ultrasonic probe to reduce the occlusion to a size that can easily be removed from the body naturally in order to prevent reformation of the occlusion and other health risks.

Abstract: An ultrasonic medical device comprising an ultrasonic probe and a collet assembly for probe attachment and detachment, and a method of removing occlusions in blood vessels using the ultrasonic medical device. The probe detachability allows insertion, manipulation and withdrawal independently of a device body. The collet assembly comprises a compression clamp capable of releasably receiving the probe, and a compression housing that initiates a minimal area “line-contact” between the collet assembly segments upon engagement. A line-contact lip ensures consistent and repeatable contact between the compression clamp and the compression housing at a predetermined location to provide a consistent closing force on the probe for any selected tightening torque. The line-contact between the collet assembly segments provides efficient ultrasonic energy transfer from an ultrasonic energy source to the probe thereby increasing the probe efficiency during tissue ablation.

Abstract: An ultrasonic tissue ablation device comprising a transversely vibrating small-diameter probe and a coupling assembly for probe attachment and detachment that that enables the probe to disengage from the device body. The probe detachability allows for insertion, manipulation, and withdrawal independently of the device body. The probe can be used with acoustic and/or aspirations sheaths to enhance tissue ablation. The device body includes an ultrasonic energy source and a horn assembly. The probe of the present invention is engaged to the device body in a manner which creates an impedance mismatch between the probe and the device body which allows the probe and the device body to operate as separate acoustic systems. The present invention also comprises a method for the removal of vascular occlusions in a blood vessels.

Abstract: An ultrasonic tissue ablation device comprising a transversely vibrating elongated probe, and a coupling assembly for probe attachment detachment that enables the probe assembly and separation from the device body that includes the ultrasound energy source and a sound conductor, and a method of use for removal of vascular occlusions in blood vessels. The coupling assembly enables incorporation of elongated probes with small cross sectional lumens such as a catheter guidewires. The probe detachability allows insertion manipulation and withdrawal independently of the device body. The probe can be used with acoustic and/or aspirations sheaths to enhance destruction and removal of an occlusion. The horn assembly of the device that contains a sound conducting horn functions as an energy regulator and reservoir for the probe, and precludes loss of probe cavitation energy by its bending or damping within the blood vessel.