Abstract: Methods and devices for capturing debris within a blood vessel are disclosed. A filter assembly in accordance with the present invention comprises an elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, and a filter fixed to the elongate shaft proximate the distal end thereof. A filter assembly in accordance with the present invention may further include a means for reducing the volume of the debris that is disposed within the filter.

Abstract: Distal protection filter frame and method for using and manufacturing the same. A distal protection filter frame may include one or more struts, a mouth, and a filter coupled to the mouth.

Abstract: A rotational ablation atherectomy device including a flexible drive shaft and a compressible burr that may be inserted and extracted from a patient using a catheter having a diameter that is smaller than the operational diameter of the burr. In one embodiment, the burr includes a nose portion coupled to the drive shaft and one or more flexible abrasive disks disposed rearwardly from the nose portion. The flexible disks are foldable to be slidably received within a catheter. In another embodiment, the burr includes a support member coupled to the drive shaft, the support member having a resilient panel that spirals outwardly, forming a generally cylindrical ablation surface. The flexible panel can be elastically urged toward the support member and slidably inserted into the catheter. In a third embodiment, the burr includes a plurality of struts that are coupled to the drive shaft. An elastically compressible body disposed between the struts permits the struts to flex inwardly to reduce the burr diameter.

Abstract: Distal protection filter frame and method for using and manufacturing the same. A distal protection filter frame may include one or more struts, a mouth, and a filter coupled to the mouth.

Abstract: Methods and devices for capturing debris within a blood vessel are disclosed. A filter assembly in accordance with the present invention comprises an elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, and a filter fixed to the elongate shaft proximate the distal end thereof. A filter assembly in accordance with the present invention may further include a means for reducing the volume of the debris that is disposed within the filter.

Abstract: A method for treating loosely formed, friable or fragile lesions in a patient's blood vessel. A catheter having a pair of sealing mechanisms is advanced such that the sealing mechanisms are positioned distal to and proximal to the lesion. The sealing mechanisms are activated to seal the vessel on either side of the lesion. A medication is then delivered through the catheter to the sealed area of the vessel. The medication interacts with the lesion in order to partially or completely solidify it. Once the lesion is solidified, the catheter is removed and the lesion can be treated with a conventional intravascular device.

Abstract: An RF ablation system includes a catheter and an RF electrode that delivers RF electrical energy to the site of an occlusion. The system includes a mechanism for minimizing the likelihood that RF electrical energy will be applied directly to the vessel wall. In one embodiment of the invention, the catheter includes a number of tissue expanding jaws to engage a vessel wall and push the vessel wall away from the electrode to shield vessel walls from the electrode. In yet another embodiment of the invention, the electrode has a spiraled distal end with a radius that is larger than the radius of the catheter, such that the electrode engages the vessel wall and pushes the wall away from a conducting portion of the electrode. The portion of the electrode that engages the vessel wall is preferably coated with an insulating material to prevent delivery of RF electrical energy directly to the vessel wall.

Abstract: Infusion liquid is expelled distally of an ablation burr for washing a blood vessel lesion being treated by the burr. The infusion liquid can be aspirated in a proximate direction to carry the infusion liquid and loose ablated particles of the lesion away from the treatment area. The infusion liquid can be supplied through one or more passages in the burr, In addition to distally extending passages, the burr can include transverse passages extending at least partly in a proximate direction, with the distally extending and proximately extending passages sized so that only a minor portion of the infusion liquid is expelled distally.

Abstract: A rotational ablation atherectomy device including a flexible drive shaft and a compressible burr that may be inserted and extracted from a patient using a catheter having a diameter that is smaller than the operational diameter of the burr. In one embodiment, the burr includes a nose portion coupled to the drive shaft and one or more flexible abrasive disks disposed rearwardly from the nose portion. The flexible disks are foldable to be slidably received within a catheter. In another embodiment, the burr includes a support member coupled to the drive shaft, the support member having a resilient panel that spirals outwardly, forming a generally cylindrical ablation surface. The flexible panel can be elastically urged toward the support member and slidably inserted into the catheter. In a third embodiment, the burr includes a plurality of struts that are coupled to the drive shaft. An elastically compressible body disposed between the struts permits the struts to flex inwardly to reduce the burr diameter.

Abstract: Infusion liquid is expelled distally of an ablation burr for washing a blood vessel lesion being treated by the burr. The infusion liquid can be aspirated in a proximate direction to carry the infusion liquid and loose ablated particles of the lesion away from the treatment area. The infusion liquid can be supplied through one or more passages in the burr. In addition to distally extending passages, the burr can include transverse passages extending at least partly in a proximate direction, with the distally extending and proximately extending passages sized so that only a minor portion of the infusion liquid is expelled distally.

Abstract: An RF ablation system includes a catheter and an RF electrode that delivers RF electrical energy to the site of an occlusion. The system includes a mechanism for minimizing the likelihood that RF electrical energy will be applied directly to the vessel wall. In one embodiment of the invention, the catheter includes a number of tissue expanding jaws to engage a vessel wall and push the vessel wall away from the electrode to shield vessel walls from the electrode. In yet another embodiment of the invention, the electrode has a spiraled distal end with a radius that is larger than the radius of the catheter, such that the electrode engages the vessel wall and pushes the wall away from a conducting portion of the electrode. The portion of the electrode that engages the vessel wall is preferably coated with an insulating material to prevent delivery of RF electrical energy directly to the vessel wall.