A dynamic balloon angioplasty system for applying a dynamic pressure to fracture hardened materials embedded within an elastic conduit. The system having a pressure source system outputting at least a first predetermined pressure from a pressure source outlet, and an angioplasty unit fluidly coupled to the pressure source outlet receiving at least the first predetermined pressure. The angioplasty unit having an angioplasty inflation device, an angioplasty balloon connector, and an oscillating mechanism selectively actuated to output a plurality of pressure pulses to the angioplasty balloon via a fluid communication path. A control system is configured to determine an optimal hydraulic pressure oscillation frequency and amplitude for a given procedure and output a control signal to the oscillating mechanism, and monitor a pressure signal to detect fracture of the hardened material within the elastic conduit or system failure or leakage.

The invention provides a device for generating shock waves. The device may comprise an elongated tube and a conductive sheath circumferentially mounted around the elongated tube. The device may further comprise first and second insulated wires extending along the outer surface of the elongated tube. A portion of the first insulated wire is removed to form a first inner electrode, which is adjacent to a first side edge of the conductive sheath. A portion of the second insulated wire is removed to form a second inner electrode, which is adjacent to a second side edge of the conductive sheath. Responsive to a high voltage being applied across the first inner electrode and the second inner electrode, a first shock wave is created across the first side edge and the first inner electrode, and a second shock wave is created across the second side edge and the second inner electrode.

A photoacoustic catheter can include an elongate shaft and a first photoacoustic transducer. The elongate shaft can extend from a proximal region to a distal region and can include a first light guide that is in optical communication with a light source. The first photoacoustic transducer can be disposed within the distal region of the elongate shaft and can be in optical communication with the first light guide. The first photoacoustic transducer can impart acoustic pressure waves upon a calcified lesion to induce fractures. The first photoacoustic transducer can include a light-absorbing material and a thermal expansion material that can be in contact with one another.

Systems and methods for localized drug delivery via undulating drug coated balloons (DCB), in particular using functionalized nanoparticles as a drug delivery medium in combination with an undulating balloon, are disclosed. In various disclosed embodiments, a nanoparticle matrix is adhered to in an external substrate-surface, such as the balloon surface, and is activated for release once at the treatment site. Activation for release may be enhanced through the use of an undulating balloon system including methodologies for precise control of timing, waveform and extent of undulations.

The invention provides a filter assembly including a string or wire such that a lasso type cincture is effected, said filter being openable and closeable while in deployed within a bodily vessel. A string lengthen or shorting adjustment mechanism, such as a ratchet or reel allows more length of string into the device or alternatively to shorten the length of available string in the system. The described invention, when used to ameliorate venous clots and most arterio-venous dialysis grafts, a filter-tipped aspirator is used downstream from the clot to capture and remove dislocated emboli. A method of using same is disclosed.

A catheter for intraluminal lithotripsy including an outer wall, at least one balloon extending from the outer wall, the balloon having a first portion, a second portion proximal of the first portion and an intermediate portion between the first and second portions such that a transverse dimension of the intermediate portion is less than a transverse dimension of the first and second portions. The catheter includes a first lumen, at least one energy emitter mounted on the balloon for emitting energy to break down or soften calcium and a connector connecting the at least one energy emitter to an external energy source, the connector extending through the catheter.

A system for assisting in the retrieval of a clot from a vessel. The system can include an outer catheter and an inner catheter disposed in a lumen of the outer catheter. The inner catheter can include a distal end, a proximal end, a distal segment, a proximal segment, and a lumen extending proximal of the distal end and terminating at a transfer port at the proximal end of the distal segment. A seal is located on the outer surface of the inner catheter distal of the transfer port, the seal capable of sealing against the lumen of the outer catheter so that aspiration applied through the outer catheter is configured to be transferred to the inner catheter.

An apparatus for performing a balloon dilation procedure at the site of a stenosis or for deploying a stent in a patient, the apparatus including a single lumen catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, and a high pressure balloon attached to the distal end of the catheter. The high pressure balloon is fabricated from a semi-compliant material that has an average rated burst pressure of between about 15 and about 27 atmospheres of pressure and exhibits a dumbbell-shaped outer periphery when inflated to a first atmospheric pressure and a substantially linear outer periphery when inflated to a second atmospheric pressure.

A surgical apparatus for treating a vessel blockage in a vessel of a patient having an elongated member having an outer wall, a first hole at a distal portion and a second hole spaced proximally from the first hole positioned in a side wall. A first lumen is provided within the elongated member for blood flow through the second hole, through the lumen and exiting the first hole to maintain blood flow during treatment of the vessel blockage. A motor driven impeller is rotatable during blood flow through the first lumen to enhance blood flow as blood flows into the second hole positioned proximal of the vessel blockage and exits the first hole distal of the vessel blockage during injection of fluid through one or more openings to treat the vessel blockage.

Described herein is a shock wave device for the treatment of vascular occlusions. The shock wave device includes an outer covering and an inner member inner connected at a distal end of the device. First and second conductive wires extend along the length of the device within the volume between the outer covering and the inner member. A conductive emitter band circumscribes the ends of the first and second wires to form a first spark gap between the end of the first wire and the emitter band and a second spark gap between the end of the second wire and the emitter band. When the volume is filled with conductive fluid and a high voltage pulse is applied across the first and second wires, first and second shock waves can be initiated from the first and second spark gaps.