A photoacoustic catheter adapted for placement within a blood vessel having a vessel wall includes an elongate shaft, a balloon and a photoacoustic transducer. The elongate shaft can extend from a proximal region to a distal region. The elongate shaft can include a light guide that is configured to be placed in optical communication with a light source. The balloon is coupled to the elongate shaft, and can be configured to expand from a collapsed configuration suitable for advancing the photoacoustic catheter through a patient's vasculature to a first expanded configuration suitable for anchoring the photoacoustic catheter in position relative to a treatment site. The photoacoustic transducer can be disposed on a surface of the balloon and in optical communication with the light guide. The photoacoustic transducer can include a light-absorbing material and a thermal expansion material.

An apparatus includes a balloon adapted to be placed adjacent a calcified region of a body. The balloon is inflatable with a liquid. The apparatus further includes a shock wave generator within the balloon that produces shock waves that propagate through the liquid for impinging upon the calcified region adjacent the balloon. The shock wave generator includes a plurality of shock wave sources distributed within the balloon.

A system for delivering mechanical waves to treat a lesion present in a vessel of a body, including an external mechanical wave source for generating mechanical waves from outside of the body, and a wave directing device insertable in the vessel, the wave directing device configured to receive the mechanical waves generated by the external mechanical wave source and to redirect the mechanical waves according to a target direction.

Apparatuses and methods for electrohydraulic generation of Shockwaves at a rate of between 10 Hz and 5 MHz, and/or that permit a user to view a region of a patient comprising target cells during application of generated Shockwaves to the region. Methods of applying electro-hydraulically generated Shockwaves to target tissues (e.g., for reducing the appearance of tattoos, treatment or reduction of certain conditions and/or maladies).

The present disclosure relates generally to the use of medical devices for the treatment of vascular conditions. In particular, the present disclosure provides devices and methods for using electrically-induced pressure waves to disrupt vascular blockages. The present disclosure not only provides devices and methods for using electrically-induced pressure waves to disrupt vascular blockages, but the present disclosure also provides devices and method for assisting the guidewire in penetrating an occlusion, devices and method for using a sealable valve in the tip of the balloon catheter to reduce the overall size and diameter of the balloon catheter, thereby allowing the balloon catheter to penetrate smaller size blood vessels and devices. Given the persistence of coronary artery disease (CAD) and peripheral artery disease (PAD), there remains a need for improved therapeutic methods designed not only to reduce vascular blockages in the short term, but also to prevent future complications such as restenosis.

The present disclosure relates generally to the use of medical devices for the treatment of vascular conditions. In particular, the present disclosure provides devices and methods for using laser-induced pressure waves to disrupt vascular occlusions. The present disclosure not only provides devices and methods for using laser-induced pressure waves to disrupt vascular occlusions or portions thereof, but the present disclosure also provides devices and methods for disrupting calcium in the media and/or intima layer of an arterial wall.

Apparatuses and methods for electrohydraulic generation of shockwaves at a rate of between 10 Hz and 5 MHz, and/or that permit a user to view a region of a patient comprising target cells during application of generated shockwaves to the region. Methods of applying electro-hydraulically generated shockwaves to target tissues (e.g., for reducing the appearance of tattoos, treatment or reduction of certain conditions and/or maladies).

An intracorporeal pressure shock wave includes an expandable pressure shock wave reflector at the distal end of an intracorporeal catheter to direct shock waves from a shock wave generator within a human or animal blood vessel or body lumen.

Apparatuses and methods for electrohydraulic generation of shockwaves at a rate of between 10 Hz and 5 MHz, and/or that permit a user to view a region of a patient comprising target cells during application of generated shockwaves to the region. Methods of applying electro-hydraulically generated shockwaves to target tissues (e.g., for reducing the appearance of tattoos, treatment or reduction of certain conditions and/or maladies).

A system, device and method for removing occlusive material from a bodily lumen comprising a catheter with a distally mounted and fluid-fillable litho-cushion in operative connection with at least one forward-focusing reflector. The catheter comprises a lumen with an electrode pair housing disposed in watertight engagement with the lumen at or near the distal end of the lumen, the electrode pair housing comprising at least one electrode pair. The at least one electrode pair is in wired communication with a pulse generator, wherein the electrode pair is configured to generate an electrical arc between the electrodes of the electrode pair with subsequent generation of a shock wave. The shock wave is directed distally out of the catheter lumen and focused forward and distally away from the catheter lumen by the at least one reflector toward the targeted occlusive material.