Abstract: A monitoring device configured to be attached within a portion of an ear of a subject includes an elastomeric arm having opposite first and second end portions. A sensing element is located at the elastomeric arm second end portion and includes at least one energy emitter configured to direct energy at a target region of the ear and at least one detector configured to detect an energy response signal from the target region or a region adjacent the target region. The monitoring device is configured such that the elastomeric arm first end portion engages the ear at a first location within the ear and such that the elastomeric arm resiliently bends such that a surface of the sensing element is urged into contact with the ear at a second location within the ear.

Abstract: A monitoring device configured to be attached within a portion of an ear of a subject includes an elastomeric arm having opposite first and second end portions. A sensing element is located at the elastomeric arm second end portion and includes at least one energy emitter configured to direct energy at a target region of the ear and at least one detector configured to detect an energy response signal from the target region or a region adjacent the target region. The monitoring device is configured such that the elastomeric arm first end portion engages the ear at a first location within the ear and such that the elastomeric arm resiliently bends such that a surface of the sensing element is urged into contact with the ear at a second location within the ear.

Abstract: A monitoring device includes a sensor band configured to be secured around an appendage of a subject, a sensing element secured to the sensor band, a second band configured to be secured to the appendage of the subject in adjacent, spaced-apart relationship with the sensor band, and at least one member connecting the sensor band and the second band. The sensor band has a first mass and the sensing element has a second mass that is less than the first mass. The sensing element is movably secured to the sensor band via a biasing element, and the biasing element is configured to urge the sensing element into contact with a portion of the appendage. The biasing element decouples motion of the sensor band from the sensing element, and the at least one member decouples motion between the sensor band and the second band.

Abstract: A laser catheter with a pressure sensor is provided according to embodiments of the invention. The pressure sensor may be coupled with the distal end of the laser catheter and may comprise any of various piezoelectric materials, for example Polyvinylidene Difluoride (PVDF). In various embodiments of the invention the pressure sensor is configured to detect pressure longitudinally and coaxially. The pressure sensor may provide an electric potential that is proportional to the vessel pressure and may be used to monitor and/or adjust laser parameters. In other embodiments the results from the pressure sensor may be used to determine the vessel size and/or the type of material being ablated.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a laser catheter that includes a catheter body, a light guide, and a distal tip that extends beyond the exit aperture of the light guide. In some embodiments, an imaging device is disposed on the distal tip such that the imaging device is distal relative to the exit aperture of the light guide. In some embodiments, the imaging device can be gated to record images during and or slightly beyond periods when the laser catheter is not activated.

Abstract: A monitoring device includes a biasing element having opposite first and second end portions, an earbud attached to the biasing element first end portion, and a sensing element attached to the biasing element second end portion. The earbud has a first mass, and the sensing element has a second mass that is less than the first mass. The biasing element is configured to urge the sensing element into contact with a portion of the ear when the earbud is inserted into the ear. The biasing element decouples motion of the earbud from the sensing element. The sensing element includes at least one energy emitter configured to direct energy at a target region of the ear and at least one detector configured to detect an energy response signal from the target region or a region adjacent the target region.

Abstract: A monitoring device configured to be attached within a portion of an ear of a subject includes an elastomeric arm having opposite first and second end portions. A sensing element is located at the elastomeric arm second end portion and includes at least one energy emitter configured to direct energy at a target region of the ear and at least one detector configured to detect an energy response signal from the target region or a region adjacent the target region. The monitoring device is configured such that the elastomeric arm first end portion engages the ear at a first location within the ear and such that the elastomeric arm resiliently bends such that a surface of the sensing element is urged into contact with the ear at a second location within the ear.

Abstract: A light-diverting catheter tip is provided according to embodiments disclosed herein. The light-diverting catheter tip may be coupled with the distal tip of a laser catheter and divert at least a portion of the light exiting the distal tip of the laser catheter such that the spot size of the laser beam on an object after exiting the catheter tip is larger than the spot size of the light entering the catheter without the catheter tip. The catheter tip may be removably coupled with the catheter or constructed as part of the catheter. In other embodiment, the catheter tip may conduct fluid and/or divert fluid at the tip of the laser catheter.

Abstract: A method of delivering light energy to target matter in a mammalian body is described. The method may include inserting at least a portion of a catheter into a patient's vasculature, wherein the catheter comprises an open distal tip, a lumen extending proximally from the open distal tip, and at least one optical fiber within the lumen, wherein the at least one optical fiber has a distal end. The method may include flowing a liquid light guide medium through the open-ended catheter tip, wherein the liquid light guide medium flows beyond the distal end of the at least one optical fiber, wherein the liquid light guide medium comprises a magnesium chloride solution having an ion concentration that is isotonic with blood and tissue. The method may include forming a fluid optical channel with the liquid light guide medium between the catheter and the target matter. Other methods are described.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a laser catheter that includes a catheter body, a light guide, and a distal tip that extends beyond the exit aperture of the light guide. In some embodiments, an imaging device is disposed on the distal tip such that the imaging device is distal relative to the exit aperture of the light guide. In some embodiments, the imaging device can be gated to record images during and or slightly beyond periods when the laser catheter is not activated.

Abstract: A monitoring device includes a sensor band configured to be secured around an appendage of a subject, a sensing element secured to the sensor band, a second band configured to be secured to the appendage of the subject in adjacent, spaced-apart relationship with the sensor band, and at least one member connecting the sensor band and the second band. The sensor band has a first mass and the sensing element has a second mass that is less than the first mass. The sensing element is movably secured to the sensor band via a biasing element, and the biasing element is configured to urge the sensing element into contact with a portion of the appendage. The biasing element o decouples motion of the sensor band from the sensing element, and the at least one member decouples motion between the sensor band and the second band.

Abstract: A monitoring device includes a sensor band configured to be secured around an appendage of a subject, and a sensing element movably secured to the sensor band via a biasing element. The sensor band has a first mass, and the sensing element has a second mass that is less than the first mass. The biasing element is configured to urge the sensing element into contact with a portion of the appendage, and the biasing element decouples motion of the band from the sensing element. A monitoring device includes a band that is configured to be secured around an appendage of a subject. One or more biasing elements extend outwardly from the band inner surface and are configured to contact the appendage. A sensing element is secured to the band inner surface. The one or more biasing elements decouples motion of the band from the sensing element.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a laser catheter that includes a catheter body, a light guide, and a distal tip that extends beyond the exit aperture of the light guide. In some embodiments, an imaging device is disposed on the distal tip such that the imaging device is distal relative to the exit aperture of the light guide. In some embodiments, the imaging device can be gated to record images during and or slightly beyond periods when the laser catheter is not activated.

Abstract: A light-diverting catheter tip is provided according to embodiments disclosed herein. The light-diverting catheter tip may be coupled with the distal tip of a laser catheter and divert at least a portion of the light exiting the distal tip of the laser catheter such that the spot size of the laser beam on an object after exiting the catheter tip is larger than the spot size of the light entering the catheter without the catheter tip. The catheter tip may be removably coupled with the catheter or constructed as part of the catheter. In other embodiment, the catheter tip may conduct fluid and/or divert fluid at the tip of the laser catheter.

Abstract: A method of locating and ablating a target tissue is described. The method includes providing a catheter that has at least one light guide, where the light guide is adaptable to receive light from a light source. A distal portion of the catheter is advanced through vasculature of a patient towards the target tissue. A nanoparticle dye is introduced into the patient, where the nanoparticles selectively bind to the target tissue. The target tissue is mapped by detecting fluorescence light emitted from the nanoparticle dye bound to the tissue. The distal tip of the catheter is positioned adjacent to the mapped target tissue, and a light pulse is transmitted through the light guide to ablate at least a portion of the target tissue.

Abstract: A light-diverting catheter tip is provided according to embodiments disclosed herein. The light-diverting catheter tip may be coupled with the distal tip of a laser catheter and divert at least a portion of the light exiting the distal tip of the laser catheter such that the spot size of the laser beam on an object after exiting the catheter tip is larger than the spot size of the light entering the catheter without the catheter tip. The catheter tip may be removably coupled with the catheter or constructed as part of the catheter. In other embodiments, the catheter tip may conduct fluid and/or divert fluid at the tip of the laser catheter.

Abstract: A catheter system to ablate target matter within a mammalian body using light energy is described. The system may include an open-ended catheter tip through which a liquid light guide medium flows to the target matter, where at least a portion of the liquid light guide medium exiting the catheter tip creates a fluid optical channel to transmit the light energy from the catheter tip to the target matter. The system may also include a catheter lumen whose distal end includes the open-ended catheter tip, a light source to generate the light energy, and a liquid light guide medium source fluidly coupled to the catheter lumen. The liquid light guide medium source may include a reservoir of the liquid light guide medium that includes a magnesium chloride solution or a lactated Ringer's solution.

Abstract: A method of delivering light energy to target matter in a mammalian body is described. The method may include inserting at least a portion of a catheter into a patient's vasculature, wherein the catheter comprises an open distal tip, a lumen extending proximally from the open distal tip, and at least one optical fiber within the lumen, wherein the at least one optical fiber has a distal end. The method may include flowing a liquid light guide medium through the open-ended catheter tip, wherein the liquid light guide medium flows beyond the distal end of the at least one optical fiber, wherein the liquid light guide medium comprises a magnesium chloride solution having an ion concentration that is isotonic with blood and tissue. The method may include forming a fluid optical channel with the liquid light guide medium between the catheter and the target matter. Other methods are described.

Abstract: A light-diverting catheter tip is provided according to embodiments disclosed herein. The light-diverting catheter tip may be coupled with the distal tip of a laser catheter and divert at least a portion of the light exiting the distal tip of the laser catheter such that the spot size of the laser beam on an object after exiting the catheter tip is larger than the spot size of the light entering the catheter without the catheter tip. The catheter tip may be removably coupled with the catheter or constructed as part of the catheter. In other embodiments, the catheter tip may conduct fluid and/or divert fluid at the tip of the laser catheter.

Abstract: A light-diverting catheter tip is provided according to embodiments disclosed herein. The light-diverting catheter tip may be coupled with the distal tip of a laser catheter and divert at least a portion of the light exiting the distal tip of the laser catheter such that the spot size of the laser beam on an object after exiting the catheter tip is larger than the spot size of the light entering the catheter without the catheter tip. The catheter tip may be removably coupled with the catheter or constructed as part of the catheter. In other embodiments, the catheter tip may conduct fluid and/or divert fluid at the tip of the laser catheter.