Abstract: A catheter system includes a catheter, a recovery sheath, and an outer sheath assembly. The catheter includes an elongate body having an expandable medical device coupled with a distal end thereof. The recovery sheath is disposed around a proximal section of the catheter body, and is sized and shaped to receive the expandable medical device therein. The recovery sheath is axially movable relative to the catheter body. The outer sheath assembly includes an outer sheath disposed over the catheter body. The outer sheath includes an elongate body that extends from a proximal end to a distal end, where the proximal end of the outer sheath body is positioned distally of the recovery sheath. The outer sheath includes a retention section sized and shaped to receive the expandable medical device therein and constrain the expandable medical device in a stored configuration. The outer sheath is removable from the catheter body.

Abstract: A catheter system includes a catheter, an introducer sheath, and a tubular plug. The catheter comprises an elongate body having an expandable medical device coupled with a distal end thereof. The introducer sheath comprises an elongate body defining a lumen therein. The introducer sheath is disposed over the catheter to form a gap therebetween. The tubular plug comprises an elongate body and extends through the lumen of the introducer sheath. The tubular plug is disposed between the catheter and the introducer sheath to occlude the gap. Further, the tubular plug is releasably fixed relative to the introducer sheath such that the tubular plug is removable from the lumen to allow the expandable medical device to pass therethrough.

Abstract: A catheter system includes a catheter, a recovery sheath, and an outer sheath assembly. The catheter includes an elongate body having an expandable medical device coupled with a distal end thereof. The recovery sheath is disposed around a proximal section of the catheter body, and is sized and shaped to receive the expandable medical device therein. The recovery sheath is axially movable relative to the catheter body. The outer sheath assembly includes an outer sheath disposed over the catheter body. The outer sheath includes an elongate body that extends from a proximal end to a distal end, where the proximal end of the outer sheath body is positioned distally of the recovery sheath. The outer sheath includes a retention section sized and shaped to receive the expandable medical device therein and constrain the expandable medical device in a stored configuration. The outer sheath is removable from the catheter body.

Abstract: A catheter system includes a catheter, an introducer sheath, and a tubular plug. The catheter comprises an elongate body having an expandable medical device coupled with a distal end thereof. The introducer sheath comprises an elongate body defining a lumen therein. The introducer sheath is disposed over the catheter to form a gap therebetween. The tubular plug comprises an elongate body and extends through the lumen of the introducer sheath. The tubular plug is disposed between the catheter and the introducer sheath to occlude the gap. Further, the tubular plug is releasably fixed relative to the introducer sheath such that the tubular plug is removable from the lumen to allow the expandable medical device to pass therethrough.

Abstract: A microwave antenna has a radiating portion connected by a feedline to a power generating source, e.g., a generator. Proximal and distal radiating portions of the antenna assembly are separated by a junction member. A reinforcing member is disposed within the junction member to increase structural rigidity.

Abstract: A catheter system includes a catheter including an elongate body having an expandable medical device coupled with a distal end thereof, and an introducer sheath assembly disposed over a proximal section of the catheter. The introducer sheath assembly includes an introducer sheath disposed over the catheter to form a gap therebetween, and a tubular plug. The introducer sheath includes an elongate body extending from a proximal end to a distal end and defining a lumen therein. The tubular plug extends through the lumen and includes an elongate body extending from a proximal end to a distal end that protrudes from the introducer sheath distal end. The plug is disposed between the catheter and the introducer sheath to occlude the gap. The plug is releasably fixed relative to the introducer sheath such that the plug is removable from the lumen to allow the expandable medical device to pass therethrough.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides catheter pump system including a catheter assembly configured to be at least partially inserted into a left ventricle (LV). The catheter assembly has a proximal end and a distal end, and includes an elongate body extending between the proximal end and the distal end. The catheter pump system further includes a pressure sensor disposed at the distal end and configured to measure a pressure within a left ventricle when the catheter assembly is inserted.

Abstract: A catheter system includes a catheter, a recovery sheath, and an outer sheath assembly. The catheter includes an elongate body having an expandable medical device coupled with a distal end thereof. The recovery sheath is disposed around a proximal section of the catheter body, and is sized and shaped to receive the expandable medical device therein. The recovery sheath is axially movable relative to the catheter body. The outer sheath assembly includes an outer sheath disposed over the catheter body. The outer sheath includes an elongate body that extends from a proximal end to a distal end, where the proximal end of the outer sheath body is positioned distally of the recovery sheath. The outer sheath includes a retention section sized and shaped to receive the expandable medical device therein and constrain the expandable medical device in a stored configuration. The outer sheath is removable from the catheter body.

Abstract: A catheter system includes a catheter, a recovery sheath, and an outer sheath assembly. The catheter includes an elongate body having an expandable medical device coupled with a distal end thereof. The recovery sheath is disposed around a proximal section of the catheter body, and is sized and shaped to receive the expandable medical device therein. The recovery sheath is axially movable relative to the catheter body. The outer sheath assembly includes an outer sheath disposed over the catheter body. The outer sheath includes an elongate body that extends from a proximal end to a distal end, where the proximal end of the outer sheath body is positioned distally of the recovery sheath. The outer sheath includes a retention section sized and shaped to receive the expandable medical device therein and constrain the expandable medical device in a stored configuration. The outer sheath is removable from the catheter body.

Abstract: A catheter system includes a catheter, a recovery sheath, and an outer sheath assembly. The catheter includes an elongate body having an expandable medical device coupled with a distal end thereof. The recovery sheath is disposed around a proximal section of the catheter body, and is sized and shaped to receive the expandable medical device therein. The recovery sheath is axially movable relative to the catheter body. The outer sheath assembly includes an outer sheath disposed over the catheter body. The outer sheath includes an elongate body that extends from a proximal end to a distal end, where the proximal end of the outer sheath body is positioned distally of the recovery sheath. The outer sheath includes a retention section sized and shaped to receive the expandable medical device therein and constrain the expandable medical device in a stored configuration. The outer sheath is removable from the catheter body.

Abstract: A catheter system includes a catheter including an elongate body having an expandable medical device coupled with a distal end thereof, and an introducer sheath assembly disposed over a proximal section of the catheter. The introducer sheath assembly includes an introducer sheath disposed over the catheter to form a gap therebetween, and a tubular plug. The introducer sheath includes an elongate body extending from a proximal end to a distal end and defining a lumen therein. The tubular plug extends through the lumen and includes an elongate body extending from a proximal end to a distal end that protrudes from the introducer sheath distal end. The plug is disposed between the catheter and the introducer sheath to occlude the gap. The plug is releasably fixed relative to the introducer sheath such that the plug is removable from the lumen to allow the expandable medical device to pass therethrough.

Abstract: Systems and methods for delivering microwave energy to skin are provided, such that a focal zone of destructive heat is generated in the upper sub-dermis, mid-dermis, and/or lower dermis. This microwave therapy may be used for hair removal, treatment of acne, skin tightening, treatment of toe nail fungus, or sweat reduction. According to one embodiment, a system can include a microwave applicator having a distal treatment portion that includes at least one microwave antenna, a cooling system, and vacuum features. In some embodiments, the interaction between incident waves transmitted from the microwave applicator and reflected waves may be used to generate a standing wave with a peak energy density in selected regions of the dermis.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices for creating an effect using microwave energy to specified tissue are disclosed herein. A system for the application of microwave energy to a tissue can include, in some embodiments, a signal generator adapted to generate a microwave signal having predetermined characteristics, an applicator connected to the generator and adapted to apply microwave energy to tissue, the applicator comprising one or more microwave antennas and a tissue interface, a vacuum source connected to the tissue interface, a cooling source connected to said tissue interface, and a controller adapted to control the signal generator, the vacuum source, and the coolant source. The tissue may include a first layer and a second layer, the second layer below the first layer, and the controller is configured such that the system delivers energy such that a peak power loss density profile is created in the second layer.

Abstract: A microwave antenna has a radiating portion connected by a feedline to a power generating source, e.g., a generator. Proximal and distal radiating portions of the antenna assembly are separated by a junction member. A reinforcing member is disposed within the junction member to increase structural rigidity.

Abstract: A microwave antenna has a radiating portion connected by a feedline to a power generating source, e.g., a generator. Proximal and distal radiating portions of the antenna assembly are separated by a junction member. A reinforcing member is disposed within the junction member to increase structural rigidity.

Abstract: Various high-strength microwave antenna assemblies are described herein. The microwave antenna has a radiating portion connected by a feedline to a power generating source, e.g., a generator. The antenna is a dipole antenna with the distal end of the radiating portion being tapered and terminating at a tip to allow for direct insertion into tissue. Antenna rigidity comes from placing distal and proximal radiating portions in a pre-stressed state, assembling them via threaded or overlapping joints, or fixedly attaching an inner conductor to the distal portion. The inner conductor is affixed to the distal portion by, e.g., welding, brazing, soldering, or by adhesives. A junction member made from a hard dielectric material, e.g., ceramic, can be placed between the two portions and can have uniform or non-uniform shapes to accommodate varying antenna designs. Electrical chokes may also be used to contain returning currents to the distal end of the antenna.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems, apparatus, methods and procedures for the noninvasive treatment of tissue using microwave energy. In one embodiment of the invention a medical device and associated apparatus and procedures are used to treat dermatological conditions using microwave energy.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices for creating an effect using microwave energy to specified tissue are disclosed herein. A system for the application of microwave energy to a tissue can include, in some embodiments, a signal generator adapted to generate a microwave signal having predetermined characteristics, an applicator connected to the generator and adapted to apply microwave energy to tissue, the applicator comprising one or more microwave antennas and a tissue interface, a vacuum source connected to the tissue interface, a cooling source connected to said tissue interface, and a controller adapted to control the signal generator, the vacuum source, and the coolant source. The tissue may include a first layer and a second layer, the second layer below the first layer, and the controller is configured such that the system delivers energy such that a peak power loss density profile is created in the second layer.

Abstract: Efficient algorithms for estimating LSFCs with no aid of SSFCs by taking advantage of the channel hardening effect and large spatial samples available to a massive MIMO base station (BS) are proposed. The LSFC estimates are of low computational complexity and require relatively small training overhead. In the uplink direction, mobile stations (MSs) transmit orthogonal uplink pilots for the serving BS to estimate LSFCs. In the downlink direction, the BS transmits either pilot signal or data signal intended to the MSs that have already established time and frequency synchronization. The proposed uplink and downlink LSFC estimators are unbiased and asymptotically optimal as the number of BS antennas tends to infinity.

Abstract: Various high-strength microwave antenna assemblies are described herein. The microwave antenna has a radiating portion connected by a feedline to a power generating source, e.g., a generator. The antenna is a dipole antenna with the distal end of the radiating portion being tapered and terminating at a tip to allow for direct insertion into tissue. Antenna rigidity comes from placing distal and proximal radiating portions in a pre-stressed state, assembling them via threaded or overlapping joints, or fixedly attaching an inner conductor to the distal portion. The inner conductor is affixed to the distal portion by, e.g., welding, brazing, soldering, or by adhesives. A junction member made from a hard dielectric material, e.g., ceramic, can be placed between the two portions and can have uniform or non-uniform shapes to accommodate varying antenna designs. Electrical chokes may also be used to contain returning currents to the distal end of the antenna.