A method and device handle having a slide assembly are disclosed for controlling rotational speed of a catheter assembly under various rotational loads. The method includes: driving a catheter assembly at a target rotational speed in a first direction; detecting an actual rotational speed of the catheter assembly in the first direction; comparing the target rotational speed and the actual rotational speed of the catheter assembly in the first direction; and stopping the driving of the catheter assembly in the first direction before a completion of predetermined number of rotations in the first direction when the actual rotational speed decreases a predetermined value over a predetermined time frame.

A thrombectomy device for removing thrombus from a body lumen comprises an elongated catheter member (2) having a distal part and a proximal part, a thrombus blocking body (5) disposed on the distal part of the catheter member and radially expansible between a contracted orientation and an expanded, thrombus-blocking, orientation, a thrombus capture body (3) disposed on the distal part of the catheter member in an axially spaced-apart relationship to the thrombus blocking body, and radially expansible between a contracted orientation and an expanded, thrombus-capture, orientation, deployment means actuable to deploy and retract the thrombus capture body and thrombus blocking body; and an elongated control arm operably connected to the thrombus capture body. The thrombus capture body is a cage having an inwardly tapering leading end, the elongated control arm is operably connected to the leading end of the cage, and a thrombus extractor or macerator mechanism is disposed within the cage.

A method and apparatus for treating a clot in the blood vessel of a patient, and particularly the treatment of a pulmonary embolism is disclosed. The treatment includes restoring flow through the clot followed by clot removal, either partially or substantially completely. The clot treatment device is expandable into the blood vessel and may contain radial extensions that assist in restoring flow as well as in removing clot material.

An intravascular catheter device includes an expandable portion with a plurality of struts operable between a closed position where the expandable portion has a first diameter, and an opened position where the expandable portion has a second diameter that is larger than the first diameter. An incising element is provided on and extends from the outward facing surface of a particular one of the struts. A medication delivery tube is associated with the particular one of the struts and the incising element.

Medical devices and methods for using medical devices are disclosed. An example hand-held shaft puller for engaging a medical device shaft includes a handle having a distal end region, a proximal end region and a longitudinal axis. Further, the distal end region includes a first channel extending along the longitudinal axis, and wherein the first channel includes an engagement surface configured to engage an engagement member disposed on a shaft extending through the first channel.

The present technology is directed generally to devices, systems, and methods for capturing and cutting fibrous and trabeculated structures (such as synechiae) in vessel lumens. In one embodiment, the present technology includes an intraluminal tissue modifying system configured to capture the fibrous structures, put the fibrous structures in tension, and controllably cut through the fibrous structures without applying appreciable additional force to the vessel wall. The system may include an expandable capture device and a cutting device.

Methods and systems for separating an object, such as a lead, from formed tissue are provided. Specifically, a tissue slitting device is configured to engage patient formed tissue at a slitting engagement point. While the object is subjected to a first traction force, the tissue slitting device is caused to move further into the engaged tissue and slit the tissue past the point of engagement. The slitting device causes the tissue to separate along an axial direction of the length of the formed tissue and releases at least some of the force containing the object. The methods and systems are well suited for use in cardiac pacing or defibrillator lead explant procedures.

An intravascular device is provided having a catheter tube and an expandable portion including a plurality of struts capable of being moved between an open and a closed position. An incising element is provided on at least one of the struts and has a sharpened edge for creating an incision in atherosclerotic material located within a blood vessel when the expandable portion is in the opened position. A medication delivery device may be located on one or more of the struts and may be configured to deliver a substance to an area of interest.

An intravascular catheter device includes an expandable portion which has a plurality of struts and is secured to a flexible catheter tube. A tip member is attached to a distal portion of a sleeve and a distal portion of the struts. Axial retraction of the tip member moves the expandable portion from a closed position where the struts extend parallel with a centerline of the expandable portion to an opened position where the struts bow outwardly. An incising element is associated with at least one of the struts. The incising element extends parallel with the centerline when the expandable portion is in the closed position.

An intravascular catheter device for treating atherosclerotic material located within a blood vessel includes an expandable portion is secured to a catheter tube having a centerline. The expandable portion includes a plurality of struts pivotably attached to the expandable portion for movement between a closed position where the struts extend parallel to the centerline and an opened position where the struts splay outwardly at an angle from the centerline. A sharpened edge associated with at least one of struts creates an incision in the atherosclerotic material when the expandable portion is placed in the opened position and retracted axially through the blood vessel.