Abstract: According to the invention, a novelly improved ablation device includes releasably joinable drive and catheter assemblies. The drive assembly includes a tachometer assembly and a regulator for monitoring and controlling ablating burr speed. A bifurcated drive shaft includes a coiled distal portion and a tubular proximal portion for facilitating force transfer from the proximal portion to the distal portion. A dilating member is provided in addition to an ablating burr on the catheter assembly. The catheter tube may have multiple independent lumens having axes of elongation offset parallelly in the tube. Additionally, the ablating burr may be operatively connected to the catheter tube by drive gears or releasable threads. A radiopaque member is included on the distal end of the catheter tube, thereby rendering it visible to an observer. Novel, improved methods of ablating intravascular deposits are also provided.

Abstract: A catheter for use in angioplasty includes a shaft formed from an elongated metallic tube and has an inflatable balloon at its distal end. A plastic tube connects a distal end of the metallic tube to a proximal end of the balloon. The metallic and plastic tubes thus define a lumen for providing inflation pressure to the balloon. A metallic core member is attached to the metallic tube and extends distally therefrom through the plastic tube and balloon. The distal end of the balloon is sealably secured to the core member. A tip body is connected to the core member distally of the balloon, with a short guide wire lumen being defined on the tip body. The guide wire lumen is adapted to slidably receive a guide wire which then extends along the catheter exteriorly of the balloon.

Abstract: According to the invention, a novelly improved ablation device includes releasably joinable drive and catheter assemblies. The drive assembly includes a tachometer assembly and a regulator for monitoring and controlling ablating burr speed. A bifurcated drive shaft includes a coiled distal portion and a tubular proximal portion for facilitating force transfer from the proximal portion to the distal portion. A dilating member is provided in addition to an ablating burr con the catheter assembly. The catheter tube may have multiple independent lumens having axes of elongation offset parallelly in the tube. Additionally, the ablating burr may be operatively connected to the catheter tube by drive gears or releasable threads. A radiopaque member is included on the distal end of the catheter tube, thereby rendering it visible to an observer. Novel, improved methods of ablating intravascular deposits are also provided.

Abstract: An improved expandable removal element (16) for an atherectomy device wherein the expandable removal element (16) is movable between an expanded position and a contracted position. In one embodiment of the present invention, a single drive shaft (92) is operatively connected to the distal end of the expandable material removal element (16) for rotating the removal element (16). A catheter (178) may surround a portion of the drive shaft (92). The catheter (178) is shiftable with respect to the drive shaft (92) for moving the material removal element between the expanded position and the contracted position. In another embodiment of the present invention, dual coaxial drive shafts are employed. The inner drive shaft (312) and the outer drive (314) are shiftable with respect to one another for moving the removal element (252) between the expanded position and the contracted position. The present invention also describes several embodiments for an improved removal element (252).

Abstract: An improved expandable removal element (16) for an atherectomy device wherein the expandable removal element (16) is movable between an expanded position and a contracted position. In one embodiment of the present invention, a single drive shaft (92) is operatively connected to the distal end of the expandable material removal element (16) for rotating the removal element (16). A catheter (178) may surround a portion of the drive shaft (92). The catheter (178) is shiftable with respect to the drive shaft (92) for moving the material removal element between the expanded position and the contracted position. In another embodiment of the present invention, dual coaxial drive shafts are employed. The inner drive shaft (312) and the outer drive (314) are shiftable with respect to one another for moving the removal element (252) between the expanded position and the contracted position. The present invention also describes several embodiments for an improved removal element (252).

Abstract: An emboli capturing system captures emboli in blood flowing through vasculature. The emboli capturing system includes a guidewire having a longitudinal axis and defining a lumen. An expandable member is coupled to a distal portion of the guidewire and has an interior which is in fluid communication with the lumen in the guidewire. An emboli capturing device is operably coupled to the expandable member and configured to deploy radially outwardly relative to the guidewire upon expansion of the expandable member.

Abstract: A novel intravascular occlusion material removal device for removing vascular occlusion material in a vascular lumen comprises a prime mover and an expandable material removal element insertable intravascularly into the vascular lumen. A hollow drive shaft operatively connects the prime mover to the expandable material removal element for rotating the expandable material removal element intravascularly. A guidewire is insertable through the distal end of the expandable material removal element and the hollow drive shaft, and is shiftable within the drive shaft and the expandable material removal element. The expandable material removal element is expandable responsive to shifting of the guidewire.

Abstract: A balloon dilatation catheter is disclosed which incorporates a longitudinally collapsible shaft section including a longitudinally collapsible guide wire lumen. The longitudinally collapsible shaft section may also include a longitudinally collapsible inflation lumen. The longitudinally collapsible shaft section may take the form of a polymer encased braid, a polymer bellow, or a helical tube. A longitudinally rigid member may be connected to the distal end of the longitudinally collapsible shaft section in order to facilitate extension and contraction of the collapsible section. Methods of using such a catheter system are also disclosed.

Abstract: An over-the-wire balloon dilatation catheter of the short guide wire lumen type has a stainless steel hypotube catheter shaft section, a distal plastic shaft section attached to the hypotube and a balloon connected to the distal plastic shaft section. A relatively short guide wire lumen extends throughout the length of the balloon. The distal shaft section includes a reinforcing and kink-resistant transition member extending throughout the length of the distal shaft section. The transition member allows the proximal guide wire lumen aperture to be placed distally from the distal end of the hypotube. This configuration permits the length of the guide wire lumen to be minimized.

Abstract: A dilation balloon is provided for an intravascular catheter having an elongated shaft with a proximal portion, a distal portion, and an inflation lumen extending therethrough. In one aspect of the invention, the dilation balloon includes a balloon member having a chamber therein in fluid communication with the inflation lumen. The balloon member defines a portion of a guide wire lumen which coextends with a portion of the balloon member for receiving a guide wire. In another aspect of the invention, a balloon is connected to the distal portion of the catheter shaft and a guide wire lumen is spaced exteriorly from the shaft and coextends with a portion of the balloon. In yet another aspect of the invention, a process for making a dilation balloon includes the step of providing a longitudinal member having a first elongated lumen and a second elongated lumen.

Abstract: A drive assembly for an ablation device. The drive assembly including a housing and a connector for coupling a catheter assembly including a rotatable drive shaft to the housing. The connector including a first coupling rotatably connected to the housing and a second coupling fixably connected to the housing.

Abstract: An over-the-wire balloon dilatation catheter of the short guide wire lumen type has a stainless steel hypotube catheter shaft section, a distal plastic shaft section attached to the hypotube and a balloon connected to the distal plastic shaft section. A relatively short guide wire lumen extends throughout the length of the balloon. The distal shaft section includes a reinforcing and kink-resistant transition member extending throughout the length of the distal shaft section. The transition member allows the proximal guide wire lumen aperture to be placed distally from the distal end of the hypotube. This configuration permits the length of the guide wire lumen to be minimized.

Abstract: A catheter for use in angioplasty includes a shaft formed from an elongated metallic tube and has an inflatable balloon at its distal end. A plastic tube connects a distal end of the metallic tube to a proximal end of the balloon. The metallic and plastic tubes thus define a lumen for providing inflation pressure to the balloon. A metallic core member is attached to the metallic tube and extends distally therefrom through the plastic tube and balloon. The distal end of the balloon is sealably secured to the core member. A tip body is connected to the core member distally of the balloon, with a short guide wire lumen being defined on the tip body. The guide wire lumen is adapted to slidably receive a guide wire which then extends along the catheter exteriorly of the balloon.

Abstract: A dilation balloon is provided for an intravascular catheter having an elongated shaft with a proximal portion, a distal portion, and an inflation lumen extending therethrough. In one aspect of the invention, the dilation balloon includes a balloon member having a chamber therein in fluid communication with the inflation lumen. The balloon member defines a portion of a guide wire lumen which coextends with a portion of the balloon member for receiving a guide wire. In another aspect of the invention, a balloon is connected to the distal portion of the catheter shaft and a guide wire lumen is spaced exteriorly from the shaft and coextends with a portion of the balloon. In yet another aspect of the invention, a process for making a dilation balloon includes the step of providing a longitudinal member having a first elongated lumen and a second elongated lumen.

Abstract: An improved expandable removal element for an atherectomy device wherein the expandable removal element is movable between an expanded position and a contracted position. In one embodiment of the present invention, a single drive shaft is operatively connected to the distal end of the expandable material removal element for rotating the removal element. A catheter surrounds a portion of the drive shaft. The catheter is shiftable with respect to the drive shaft for moving the material removal element between the expanded position and the contracted position. In another embodiment of the present invention, dual coaxial drive shafts are employed. The inner drive shaft and the outer drive are shiftable with respect to one another for moving the removal element between the expanded position and the contracted position. The present invention also describes several embodiments for an improved removal element.

Abstract: An improved expandable removal element for an atherectomy device wherein the expandable removal element is movable between an expanded position and a contracted position. In one embodiment of the present invention, a drive shaft is operatively connected to the distal end of the expandable removal element for rotating the removal element. A catheter surrounds a portion of the drive shaft. The catheter is shiftable with respect to the drive shaft for moving the material removal element between the expanded position and the contracted position. In another embodiment of the present invention, dual coaxial drive shafts are employed. The inner drive shaft and the outer drive are shiftable with respect to one another for moving the removal element between the expanded position and the contracted position. The present invention also describes several embodiments of a removal element for increasing the durability and effectiveness of the removal element.

Abstract: An intravascular occlusion material removal device for removing vascular occlusion material in a vascular lumen comprises an expandable material removal element movable between an expanded position and a contracted position. The material removal element has a distal end and a proximal end. A drive shaft is operatively connected to the distal end of the expandable material removal element for rotating the removal element. A catheter surrounds a portion of the drive shaft. The catheter has a distal end for operatively variably contacting the proximal end of the material removal element such that the removal element is rotatable with respect to the catheter. The catheter is shiftable with respect to the drive shaft for moving the material removal element between the expanded position and the contracted position. A number of novel methods for removing vascular occlusion material are also provided.

Abstract: A balloon dilatation catheter is disclosed which incorporates a longitudinally collapsible shaft section including a longitudinally collapsible guide wire lumen. The longitudinally collapsible shaft section may also include a longitudinally collapsible inflation lumen. The longitudinally collapsible shaft section may take the form of a polymer-encased braid, a polymer bellow, or a helical tube. A longitudinally rigid member may be connected to the distal end of the longitudinally collapsible shaft section in order to facilitate extension and contraction of the collapsible section. Methods of using such a catheter system are also disclosed.

Abstract: An over-the-wire balloon dilatation catheter of the short guide wire lumen type has a stainless steel hypotube catheter shaft section, a distal plastic shaft section attached to the hypotube and a balloon connected to the distal plastic shaft section. A relatively short guide wire lumen extends throughout the length of the balloon. The distal shaft section includes a reinforcing and kink-resistant transition member extending throughout the length of the distal shaft section. The transition member allows the proximal guide wire lumen aperture to be placed distally from the distal end of the hypotube. This configuration permits the length of the guide wire lumen to be minimized.

Abstract: A catheter for use in angioplasty includes a shaft formed from an elongated metallic tube and has an inflatable balloon at its distal end. A plastic tube connects a distal end of the metallic tube to a proximal end of the balloon. The metallic and plastic tubes thus define a lumen for providing inflation pressure to the balloon. A metallic core member is attached to the metallic tube and extends distally therefrom through the plastic tube and balloon. The distal end of the balloon is sealably secured to the core member. A tip body is connected to the core member distally of the balloon, with a short guide wire lumen being defined on the tip body. The guide wire lumen is adapted to slidably receive a guide wire which then extends along the catheter exteriorly of the balloon.