Abstract: Methods of providing image-guided transendocardial injection of a therapeutic agent into a left ventricular wall of a heart. Some methods enable injections into heart tissue under visualization. The methods may include providing an endoventricular injection catheter having integrated echocardiographic capability. The endoventricular injection catheter may have an imaging core and an injection system carried on the elongated body with the imaging core. The method may include positioning the endoventricular injection catheter into the left ventricle of the heart, which inserts the imaging core into the heart. The method may also include transmitting ultrasonic energy via the imaging core, receiving reflected ultrasonic energy at the distal end, visualizing the left ventricular wall of the heart using the imaging core, identifying infarct regions of the left ventricle, and injecting a therapeutic agent into the visualized infarcted regions of the left ventricle using the injection system.

Abstract: A catheter-based imaging system comprises a catheter having a telescoping proximal end, a distal end having a distal sheath. and a distal lumen, a working lumen, and an ultrasonic imaging core. The ultrasonic imaging core is arranged for rotation and linear translation. The system further includes a patient interface module including a catheter interface, a rotational motion control system that imparts controlled rotation to the ultrasonic imaging core, a linear translation control system that imparts controlled linear translation to the ultrasonic imaging core, and an ultrasonic energy generator and receiver coupled to the ultrasonic imaging core. The system further comprises an image generator coupled to the ultrasonic energy receiver that generates an image.

Abstract: An imaging window of an imaging catheter includes a first imaging window section and a second imaging window section. The first imaging window section has a finite length and is formed from a first material having a flexural modulus. The second imaging window section has a finite length and is formed from a second material having a flexural modulus. The flexural modulus of the first material is different than the flexural modulus of the second material.

Abstract: A catheter-based imaging system includes a catheter having a telescoping proximal end, a distal end having a distal sheath and a distal lumen, a working lumen, and an ultrasonic imaging core. The ultrasonic imaging core is arranged for rotation and linear translation. The system further includes a patient interface module including a catheter interface, a rotational motion control system that imparts controlled rotation to the ultrasonic imaging core, a linear translation control system that imparts controlled linear translation to the ultrasonic imaging core, and an ultrasonic energy generator and receiver coupled to the ultrasonic imaging core. The system further includes an image generator coupled to the ultrasonic energy receiver that generates an image.

Abstract: A stenotic lesion can be characterized by measuring both pressure drop across the stenotic lesion and the size of the vessel lumen adjacent the stenotic lesion, both with sensors delivered intravascularly to the stenotic lesion site. The size (e.g., inner diameter, cross-sectional profile) of the vessel lumen adjacent the stenotic lesion can be measured via one or more intravascular ultrasound transducers. Such one or more intravascular ultrasound transducer(s) can be delivered to the site of the stenotic lesion with the same delivery device that carries a pressure transducer.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer includes a backing element, an active element overlying the backing layer, and a matching element overlying the active element, the matching element having an inner surface that contacts the active element and an outer surface with a non-homogeneous texture and/or material composition. The matching element may be formed by subtractive or deposition techniques.

Abstract: An imaging window of an imaging catheter includes a first imaging window section and a second imaging window section. The first imaging window section has a finite length and is formed from a first material having a flexural modulus. The second imaging window section has a finite length and is formed from a second material having a flexural modulus. The flexural modulus of the first material is different than the flexural modulus of the second material.

Abstract: An imaging probe for use in a catheter for ultrasonic imaging is provided. The catheter may be of the type including a sheath having an opening at a distal end for conducting a fluid there through. The imaging probe includes a distal housing coupled to a drive shaft for rotation, a transducer within the distal housing for generating and sensing ultrasonic waves, and a fluid flow promoter that promotes flow of the fluid within the sheath across the transducer.

Abstract: An imaging probe for use in a catheter for ultrasonic imaging is provided. The catheter may be of the type including a sheath having an opening at a distal end for conducting a fluid there through. The imaging probe includes a distal housing coupled to a drive shaft for rotation, a transducer within the distal housing for generating and sensing ultrasonic waves, and a fluid flow promoter that promotes flow of the fluid within the sheath across the transducer.

Abstract: An imaging system comprises a catheter having a lumen, a rotatable imaging probe within the catheter lumen including a distal transducer and first and second conductors coupled to the transducer, and a coupler that couples the rotatable first and second conductors to non-rotatable third and fourth conductors, respectively. The coupler includes a rotary capacitive coupler.

Abstract: A catheter is disclosed comprising a sheath surrounding an inner lumen. The inner lumen is configured to receive a fluid. The sheath includes a sheath portion that comprises a hydrophilic material, wherein the hydrophilic material is in direct contact with the fluid. The hydrophilic material helps resist formation of air bubbles along the inner lumen.

Abstract: Methods of providing image-guided transendocardial injection of a therapeutic agent into a left ventricular wall of a heart. Some methods enable injections into heart tissue under visualization. The methods may include providing an endoventricular injection catheter having integrated echocardiographic capability. The endoventricular injection catheter may have an imaging core and an injection system carried on the elongated body with the imaging core. The method may include positioning the endoventricular injection catheter into the left ventricle of the heart, which inserts the imaging core into the heart. The method may also include transmitting ultrasonic energy via the imaging core, receiving reflected ultrasonic energy at the distal end, visualizing the left ventricular wall of the heart using the imaging core, identifying infarct regions of the left ventricle, and injecting a therapeutic agent into the visualized infarcted regions of the left ventricle using the injection system.

Abstract: An endoventricular injection catheter with integrated echocardiographic capability enables injections into heart tissue under visualization. The catheter includes an elongated body having a distal end and an imaging core arranged to be inserted into a heart. The imaging core is arranged to transmit ultrasonic energy and to receive reflected ultrasonic energy at the distal end to provide electrical signals representing echocardiographic images to enable cardiac visualization. The catheter further includes an injector carried on the elongated body with the imaging core. The injector is arranged to inject a therapeutic agent into tissue of the heart visualized by the imaging core.

Abstract: The present invention provides low profile intravascular ultrasound catheters adapted to access sites within the patient's body through narrow blood vessels, e.g., the radial artery. In an embodiment, a low profile catheter comprises an catheter sheath, a short guidewire receiver attached to the distal end of the catheter sheath, and a telescope assembly at the proximal end. The catheter sheath comprises a main portion and a tapered portion for increased flexibility toward the distal end of the catheter. In one embodiment, a rotatable and translatable imaging core is received within the catheter sheath for ultrasound imaging. A short guidewire receiver is used to allow the imaging core to be advanced farther distally with respect to the distal end of the catheter. In an embodiment, the catheter sheath extends through a portion of the telescope assembly to provide enhanced support of the imaging core within the telescope assembly.

Abstract: An imaging system comprises a catheter having a lumen, a rotatable imaging probe within the catheter lumen including a distal transducer and first and second conductors coupled to the transducer, and a coupler that couples the rotatable first and second conductors to non-rotatable third and fourth conductors, respectively. The coupler includes a rotary capacitive coupler.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention allow more full characterization of a stenotic lesion by measuring both pressure drop across the stenotic lesion and the size of the vessel lumen adjacent the stenotic lesion, both with sensors delivered intravascularly to the stenotic lesion site. In preferred embodiments, the size (e.g., inner diameter, cross-sectional profile) of the vessel lumen adjacent the stenotic lesion can be measured via one or more intravascular ultrasound transducers. In preferred embodiments, the intravascular ultrasound transducer(s) can be delivered to the site of the stenotic lesion with the same delivery device that carries the pressure transducer(s).

Abstract: A catheter a first sheath having a proximal end and a distal end, and a length extending between the proximal end and the distal end. The first sheath being devoid of any bonds between the proximal end and the distal end, and a flexural modulus of the first sheath varying along the length. A method of making a catheter having more than one flexural modulus.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to medical devices, and more particularly to an improved intravascular intervention device. In one embodiment, an intravascular intervention device includes a microcatheter configured for intravascular delivery, an imaging wire received within the microcatheter, and a treatment device received within the microcatheter, wherein the imaging wire and the treatment device may be simultaneously advanced. The treatment device is configured to perform intravascular intervention. For example, the treatment device may be configured to deliver a stent, an embolic coil and/or a thrombolytic agent. In this embodiment, the intravascular intervention device may image the area of interest while performing the intravascular intervention, thus allowing imaging to take place in real time.

Abstract: The present invention provides low profile intravascular ultrasound catheters adapted to access sites within the patient's body through narrow blood vessels, e.g., the radial artery. In an embodiment, a low profile catheter comprises an catheter sheath, a short guidewire receiver attached to the distal end of the catheter sheath, and a telescope assembly at the proximal end. The catheter sheath comprises a main portion and a tapered portion for increased flexibility toward the distal end of the catheter. In one embodiment, a rotatable and translatable imaging core is received within the catheter sheath for ultrasound imaging. A short guidewire receiver is used to allow the imaging core to be advanced farther distally with respect to the distal end of the catheter. In an embodiment, the catheter sheath extends through a portion of the telescope assembly to provide enhanced support of the imaging core within the telescope assembly.

Abstract: An imaging window of an imaging catheter includes a first imaging window section and a second imaging window section. The first imaging window section has a finite length and is formed from a first material having a flexural modulus. The second imaging window section has a finite length and is formed from a second material having a flexural modulus. The flexural modulus of the first material is different than the flexural modulus of the second material.