Abstract: Disclosed are methods and devices for removing obstructive matter from anatomical passageways, including the removal of obstructive matter from the cerebral vasculature, prostatic obstructions from the urinary tract and/or obstructive matter from the fallopian tubes.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and devices for removing obstructive matter from anatomical passageways, including the removal of obstructive matter from the cerebral vasculature, prostatic obstructions from the urinary tract and/or obstructive matter from the fallopian tubes.

Abstract: A method for treating obstructions of tubular anatomical passageways of the urinary tract, including the urethra and fallopian tubes, provides inserting an ultrasonic catheter device into an anatomical passageway, passing ultrasound to the distal end of the catheter and infusing liquid infusate to the distal end of the catheter to expel it through lateral fluid outflow apertures at a rate which will cause fluidic dilation of the anatomical passageway.

Abstract: The method, device and system for electrical sealing of a puncture opening in a blood vessel wall. In a first embodiment, a vascular sealing probe has two bipolar electrodes formed thereon, is insertable to a position whereat the bipolar tip is adjacent the blood vessel puncture site to effect electrocauterization or electrocoagulation of the puncture site. In a second embodiment the bipolar vascular sealing probe has a first electrode formed thereon and an electrode-guide wire has the second bipolar electrode formed thereon. The electrode-guide wire is passable through a lumen formed in the probe such that the second electrode on the electrode-guide wire is positioned close enough to the first electrode positioned on the probe to permit electrical current to pass therebetween.

Abstract: This is a guide catheter assembly. The guide catheter assembly is used to cooperate with a micro-catheter in accessing a tissue target within the body, typically a target which is accessible through the vascular system. Central to the invention is the use of a braided metallic reinforcing member, situated within the catheter body in such a way to create a catheter section having an exceptionally thin wall, controlled stiffness, and high resistance to kinking. The catheter has a terminal segment which is not supported by a braid and the polymer making up that terminal segment is either the same hardness as is the polymer making up the outer covering of next more adjacent section or, preferably, the polymer is harder than is the polymer making up the segment located just proximally of that terminal segment. The braid may have a single pitch or may vary in pitch along the axis of the catheter or catheter section. The braided reinforcing member typically is embedded in a flexible outer tubing member.

Abstract: An ultrasonic catheter device for removing obstructive matter from anatomical passageway includes a tubular body with distal head member in which a plurality of fluid passageways are formed about the lateral surface to expel fluid outward generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for driving an ultrasound transducer coupled to an ultrasound transmission disposed within an elongate catheter has a modulated output and utilizes feedback control. A modulating signal varying in amplitude and continuous in duration modulates an ultrasound transducer drive signal. The resulting modulated ultrasound transducer drive signal is likewise continuous in duration such that it lacks the abrupt accelerations which cause stress to be applied to the ultrasound transmission member in prior art devices. The current of the modulated drive signal is monitored and the voltage thereof is varied in response to changes in the current in order to provide feedback control.

Abstract: An ultrasonic guidewire insertable into a mammalian body for purposes of guiding a medical catheter, scope or other medical device into the body and, additionally, connectable to an external ultrasound generating source to transmit ultrasonic energy into the body. The invention includes methods of using the ultrasonic guidewire for purposes of ablating obstructive matter in a blood vessel or other body cavity and/or for delivering ultrasonic energy to treat vasospasm or muscular spasms within the body.

Abstract: A connector for attaching an ultrasound transducer to an ultrasound catheter has a support member formed on the ultrasound transducer for supporting at least a portion of a catheter coupling which is disposed at the proximal end of ultrasound catheter. The support member preferably comprises a collar slideably disposed upon the ultrasound transducer so as to move from a non-supporting position wherein the collar is disposed adjacent the catheter coupling to a supporting position wherein the collar is disposed around and engages the catheter coupling. Supporting at least a portion of the catheter coupling mitigates the occurrence of ultrasound transmission member breakage by reducing mechanical stress applied to the proximal end thereof.

Abstract: A device for measuring ultrasonic activity in an ultrasound delivery system has a sensor for providing an output representative of a sensed ultrasound vibration level, an indicator for receiving the output of the sensor and providing an indication of the vibration level sensed thereby, and a rigid body to which the sensor is attached. The rigid body comprises a sensor attaching portion and a catheter abutting portion configured to abut the distal end of an ultrasound delivery system catheter. Ultrasonic activity of the ultrasound delivery system is measured by abutting the distal end of the catheter to the catheter abutting portion of the rigid body and noting the indication provided by the indicator. Use of a disposable sterile catheter abutting portion removeably attachable to the sensor attaching portion facilitates isolation of the sensor attaching portion within a bag along with an ultrasound transducer.

Abstract: An ultrasound catheter (10) for removing obstructions from tubular anatomic structures such as blood vessels, said catheter comprising an elongate flexible catheter body (20) having an ultrasound transmission member or wire (24) extending longitudinally therethrough. A distal head (26) is formed on the distal end member of the ultrasound transmission member or wire (24) and is affixed to the catheter body (20). The ultrasound transmission member or wire may be formed of any material capable of transmitting ultrasonic energy including various superelastic metal alloys such as nickel titanium metal alloys. The distal portion of the ultrasound transmission member or wire (24) may be of reduced diameter to provide enhanced flexibility and/or amplification of the ultrasonic energy through the distal portion of the ultrasound transmission member or wire. A proximal end member connector (12) may be provided with a sonic connector to effectively couple the catheter (10) to the ultrasound transducer (14).

Abstract: An ultrasound catheter device for transmitting ultrasound into a mammalian body comprising an elongate catheter body having at least one lumen extending longitudinally therethrough. Also extending longitudinally through the lumen are at least two ultrasound transmission members, each of which have a proximal end coupleable to an external ultrasound source and a distal end which terminates near the distal end of the catheter.