Catheter devices for ablation and removal of occlusions from blood vessels and methods of using the same are provided. Catheter devices are useful to ablate, cut, dislodge, and otherwise remove occlusions within a blood vessel that may limit or prevent proper circulation. Distal features of the catheter devices comprise arrangements of laser ablative or mechanical cutting features that generally provide enhanced surface areas and cutting functions. Spiral or helical arrangements are provided to aid in cutting operations.

A suction system of an endoscope includes a branch conduit including a suction pipe sleeve branching from a main conduit; a suction path provided in the suction pipe sleeve and including a first opening communicating with the main conduit; a working channel including an insertion path communicating with the main conduit; and a liquid feed tube inserted through the main conduit and the working channel. A first minimum length A, a maximum length B, and a second minimum length C have a dimensional relation of C?B<(A?B)/2, the first minimum length A passing through a first center on a plane of the first opening, the maximum length B passing through a second center on a cross section orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of the liquid feed tube, the second minimum length C passing through a third center on a cross section orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of the insertion path.

A device (10) for light based skin treatment is provided. The device (10) comprises a light source (18) for providing an incident light beam (21) for treating a skin (30), optical elements for focusing the incident light beam (21) in a focal point (22) inside the skin (30), and a skin interface element (11) for, during use of the device (10), providing optical coupling of the incident light beam (21) from the device (10) into the skin (30). The skin interface element (11) comprises a transparent exit window (12) for allowing the incident light beam (21) to leave the device (10), on top of the exit window (12), a transparent mixture (13) of a polar substance and an apolar substance, and on top of the transparent mixture (13), a transparent foil (14), the transparent foil (14) being more hydrophobic than the exit window (12).

A surgical method and tool for establishing a steam bubble between a fiber tip and a surgical target. The device and process capable of maintaining the steam bubble by providing a low-power, continuous-wave laser emission. Furthermore, the method and tool capable of delivering to the surgical target through the steam bubble a therapeutic laser emission providing ablation of the surgical target.

Devices and methods are discussed directed to the use of a low profile laser ablation catheter for use in laser ablation removal of arterial plaque blockages to restore blood flow in the treatment of arteriovenous fistulas. Also discussed are devices and methods directed to packaging, long term storage and sterilization of liquid core ablation catheters.

Embodiments of a medical device and related methods of use are provided for extracting tissue. The device may include an elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end. Two or more channels may extend through the elongate member from the proximal end to the distal end, and a morcellating device may be included in one of the channels. In addition, one of the channels may be configured as a return channel for extracting the morcellated tissue.

A device (10) for light based skin treatment is provided. The device (10) comprises a light source (18) for providing an incident light beam (21) for treating a skin (30), optical elements for focusing the incident light beam (21) in a focal point (22) inside the skin (30), and a skin interface element (11) for, during use of the device (10), providing optical coupling of the incident light beam (21) from the device (10) into the skin (30). The skin interface element (11) comprises a transparent exit window (12) for allowing the incident light beam (21) to leave the device (10), on top of the exit window (12), a transparent mixture (13) of a polar substance and an apolar substance, and on top of the transparent mixture (13), a transparent foil (14), the transparent foil (14) being more hydrophobic than the exit window (12).

Outer jacket embodiments for reinforcing liquid core laser ablation catheter embodiments discussed herein may be used to improve the robustness of the laser ablation catheter embodiments. Method embodiments for making reinforced laser ablation catheters having outer jackets are also discussed.

Methods and systems for the controlled generation of bubbles in a medium having a liquid phase are generally provided. Laser pulses having a time-dependent pulse parameter controllable over their duration are generated. The medium is irradiated with the laser pulses with a radiant exposure sufficient to initiate microcavitation within the medium during each laser pulse. The time-dependent pulse parameter of each laser pulse is controlled according to a generally positive variation over the pulse duration such that the medium absorbs a greater quantity of energy from the laser pulse at an end of the pulse duration than at a beginning thereof. Such methods and systems may be used for various applications such as biology, medicine or material processing.

Devices and methods are discussed directed to the use of a low profile laser ablation catheter for use in laser ablation removal of arterial plaque blockages to restore blood flow in the treatment of arteriovenous fistulas. Also discussed are devices and methods directed to packaging, long term storage and sterilization of liquid core ablation catheters.