Abstract: A method may include intravenously directing first bubbles into a patient's venous circulatory system and to a right side of the patient's heart. The first bubbles may have sizes that fall within a first range. The method may further include monitoring the patient's heart, with ultrasound imaging, to detect presence of the first bubbles on a left side of the patient's heart. Upon detecting the first bubbles on the left side of the patient's heart, the method may further include intravenously directing second bubbles into the patient's venous circulatory system and to the right side of the patient's heart. The second bubbles may have sizes that fall within a second range that is different than the first range. Upon detecting the second bubbles on the left side of the patient's heart, the method may further include initiating treatment to minimize risk of stroke in the patient.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a hemodialysis catheter that can monitor intravascular pressure using a MEMS sensor. The hemodialysis catheter comprises a venous lumen, an atrial lumen, and at least one MEMS system sensor. The hemodialysis catheter also comprises a data acquisition and processing system. The hemodialysis catheter can communicate with a monitor system to display pressure data.

Abstract: Methods of manufacturing transducers with triangular cross-sectional shaped pillars are disclosed herein. According to one aspect of the present application, a plurality of first, second and third troughs are formed in a transducer substrate in first, second and third directions, respectively, to form an array of pillars. In one embodiment, the first direction is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the substrate, the second direction is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the substrate, and the third direction is oblique to the longitudinal axis of the substrate. The resulting array of pillars can be configured to suppress lateral modes of a high frequency ultrasound transducer.

Abstract: The systems and methods described herein provide for a forward looking guidewire having a reduced radial cross-section for increased maneuverability and use of the guidewire within more narrow vasculature. The guidewire can include an elongate tubular member having a distal region, proximal region and inner lumen and a forward looking imaging device coupled with the distal end of the guidewire. The distal region of the guidewire can be relatively more flexible than the proximal region. The guidewire can also include a second, side looking imaging device, which can be coupled around a longitudinal portion of the guidewire in the radial or proximal regions.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring a physiological parameter includes a garment that includes a fabric that exhibits both a light transmission property and a light reflection property. The amount of light transmitted through the fabric relative to the amount of light reflected by the fabric changes when the fabric stretches in response to motion, such as the motion induced by physiological activity (e.g., heart rate). The system includes at least one source of radiation having wavelength(s) in the range of 400 to 2200 nanometers and at least one detector responsive to such incident radiation. The source and detector are associated with the fabric such that the reception of incident radiation by the detector is directly affected by a change in the amount of light transmitted through the fabric relative to the amount of light reflected by the fabric when the fabric stretches.

Abstract: A patient's physiological parameters, ascertained using intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) in combination with virtual histology (VH), are evaluated to predict whether the patient's physiology has an increased risk of producing a Clinical Event or a Silent Clinical Event. In one embodiment, one or more physiological parameters, such as Plaque Burden, Minimum Lumen Area, and whether or multiple VH-TCFAs are present, are compared to target values and/or ranges. A concurrence of the values for the physiological parameters to the target ranges indicates that a patient's physiology has an increased risk of producing a Clinical Event or a Silent Clinical Event.

Abstract: A medical device removal system includes a vessel filter repositioning or removal device to remove and/or reposition a medical device, such as a vessel filter. The system includes a gripper to grip a medical device that is located within a body vessel, and a detector, linked to the gripper, to detect the proximity of the medical device to the gripper. The system may also include an output to indicate a signal from the detector.

Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed that, in various embodiments and permutations and combinations of inventions, diagnose and treat Pulmonary Embolism or associated symptoms. In one series of embodiments, the invention consists of methods and devices for identifying patients whose Pulmonary Embolism or associated symptoms are caused or exacerbated, at least in part, by blockages of one or more of the patient's internal pulmonary veins. In some instances, stenoses or other flow limiting structures or lesions in the patient's affected veins are identified. Further, in some instances the nature of such lesions and whether there is a significant disruption of blood pressure, or both, is ascertained. In some embodiments, methods and devices for applying one or more therapies to the blockages in the patient's pulmonary veins are provided.

Abstract: A medical device removal system includes a vessel filter repositioning or removal device to remove and/or reposition a medical device, such as a vessel filter. The system includes a gripper to grip a medical device that is located within a body vessel, and a detector, linked to the gripper, to detect the proximity of the medical device to the gripper. The system may also include an output to indicate a signal from the detector.

Abstract: A catheter system is disclosed. The catheter system includes a catheter body having an external surface and an ultrasound transducer having a side between a first end and a second end. A first medium is positioned adjacent to the first end of the ultrasound transducer and a second medium is positioned adjacent to the external side of the ultrasound transducer. The second medium is harder than the first medium to encourage flexibility of the catheter body adjacent to the first end of the ultrasound transducer and efficient transmission of ultrasound energy from the external side of the ultrasound transducer.

Abstract: The present invention provides devices and methods for decalcifying an aortic valve. The methods and devices of the present invention break up or obliterate calcific deposits in and around the aortic valve through application or removal of heat energy from the calcific deposits.

Abstract: The invention relates to a catheter device, with a position sensor system, for treatment of a partial or complete vessel blockage under image monitoring, with the catheter device featuring a treatment catheter of a vessel blockage, especially by removal or destruction of plaque and/or expansion of the vessel, which is embodied as an integrated unit, especially as a combination catheter, with an OCT catheter and an IVUS catheter for image monitoring and with the position sensor system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for grading signals from microemboli in blood flow monitored using a Doppler ultrasound system. Signals from microemboli in blood flow are graded by calculating a value related to a power for the signals from microemboli in blood flow and categorizing the signals into one of at least two grades based on the calculated value. Alternatively, signals can be categorized by assessing a power value for the microemboli in blood flow during a period of monitoring. In response to the power value being greater than or equal to a threshold value, the microemboli in blood flow are categorized based on the power value, and in response to the power value being less than the threshold value, a number of microemboli are counted during at least a portion of the period of monitoring and the microemboli are categorized based on the number.

Abstract: An intravascular ultrasonic imaging catheter is provided with a flexible circuit electrically coupled to a transducer array mounted on the distal end of the catheter, a portion of the flexible circuit being helically wound about the catheter in order to enhance the flexibility of the circuit. The catheter may be a balloon catheter which is also provided with a stent mounted on the balloon, the stent carrying one or more drugs designed to be eluted or washed into a patient's blood stream after the stent has been delivered, by a the balloon catheter, into a target area within the patient's vascular system.

Abstract: Methods of advancing a laser catheter across an occlusion are described. They may include the steps of advancing a guidewire through a first proximal lumen and a distal lumen of the catheter into a first region of the occlusion, retracting the guidewire from the distal lumen, and advancing a diagnostic device from a second proximal lumen of the catheter to examine the occlusion. The methods may also include retracting the diagnostic device from the distal lumen and advancing the guidewire through the distal lumen. The laser catheter may be activated to create a lumen through the occlusion.

Abstract: A tracking system for stone treatment by extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy includes a data processing unit, a motion controller, a servo-moving platform, a stone image-processing module, a stone localization module, and a moving-mechanism control module. With the use of the stone-tracking system, the performance of an extracorporeal shock wave lithotriptor can be greatly improved, resulting in less side effect such as tissue damage.

Abstract: A catheter which can be introduced into a blood vessel as an infusion or aspirating channel opening into the blood vessel through orifices in the catheter and at least one other channel closed at the catheter end and in which an ultrasound probe is removably received. This second channel allows the probe to be withdrawn and inserted into another catheter without the necessity of sterilization.