In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a catheter having a catheter body, a light emitter disposed at a distal end of the catheter body, and a fluid conduit coupleable to a source of fluid. The fluid conduit configured to discharge fluid from the source via the conduit and out a distal end of the catheter body. A spacing member is disposed at the distal end of the catheter body and can be moved between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. In the expanded configuration, the spacing member is disposed about the light emitter. The spacing member is at least partially transmissive and/or transflective of light emitted from the light emitter. The apparatus configured to be inserted at least partially into a body lumen, to discharge fluid into the body lumen, and to emit light from the light emitter to illuminate an interior wall of the body lumen.

Surgical devices and methods of operation thereof are provided herein. The surgical devices include interior walls defining a cavity that extends along a first axis and having an aperture at a first end of the surgical devices. The surgical devices include a backstop spaced apart from the aperture and having a surface opposing the aperture. The surgical devices include an arm that extends from the surgical device. The surgical devices are configured to receive a fiber waveguide into the cavity at a second end. The surgical devices of some embodiments include a surface for reflecting laser light from the fiber waveguide.

A catheter system (100) for treating one or more treatment sites (106) within or adjacent to the heart valve (108) includes an energy source (124), a plurality of energy guides (122A), and a balloon assembly (104). The energy source (124) generates energy. The plurality of energy guides (122A) are configured to receive energy from the energy source (124). The balloon assembly (104) includes a plurality of balloons (104A) that are each positionable substantially adjacent to one or more treatment site(s) (106). Each of the plurality of balloons (104A) has a balloon wall (130) that defines a balloon interior (146). Each of the plurality of balloons (104A) is configured to retain a balloon fluid (132) within the balloon interior (146). A portion of at least one of the plurality of energy guides (122A) that receive the energy from the energy source (124) is positioned within the balloon interior (146) of each of the plurality of balloons (104A) so that plasma is formed in the balloon fluid (132) within the balloon interior (146).

A system and method are disclosed that use a flexible guide (flap) and a scanning method to control the delivery of light dose to a treatment area. This approach overcomes the non-reliable delivery of light dose with a flap that conforms to the target area. Dosimetry control can be improved through the use of a computer controlled motor to move the laser fibers at known speed over the target tissue. In some embodiments, treatment time is reduced and illumination of large surfaces is achieved by using multiple fibers to deliver the light simultaneously.

Described is a method and device for dilating a tubular anatomical structure. The device and method can be useful for extracting a blood clot in an artery of a mammal by concentrically irradiating an inner wall of the occluded artery using an ultraviolet (UV) laser beam delivered by an optical fiber. Dilation results from photophysical production and release of nitric oxide from the cells lining the arterial wall when UV laser light is projected as a ring beam onto the inner arterial wall.

Systems and methods are provided for performing a treatment of a lesion within a subject using an endoscopic device. The endoscopic device comprises an endoscope and a catheter. The endoscope is configured to be inserted into the subject and includes a working channel. The catheter is configured to pass through the working channel of the endoscope. The catheter further comprises a sheath, an expandable device, and a light source. The sheath has a lumen and the expandable device may include an inflatable balloon. The light source is configured to be controllable through the lumen of the sheath. The light source is configured to selectively apply light to the lesion within the subject when the endoscope is inserted into the subject.

Laterally emitting optical waveguides and method introduce micromodifications into an optical waveguide and provide optical waveguides. The waveguides and methods comprise an optical wave-guiding core, a region in the optical waveguide, wherein the micro-modifications are arranged in the region of the optical waveguide, wherein the arrangement of the micro-modifications is ordered.

The device comprises: —an outer tubular structure (21) having a closed terminal end; —an inner tubular structure (23), positioned in the outer tubular structure, and having a side wall with a terminal end and defining an inner volume, configured to receive a light guide (27); in which between the outer tubular structure (21) and the inner tubular structure (23) a first gap (25) for circulation of a coolant is formed; At least a portion of the external tubular structure (21) or the internal tubular structure (23) is diffusing to an electromagnetic radiation propagating in the light guide (27).

A method for treating a treatment site within a body of a patient with a catheter system includes generating energy with an energy source; positioning an inflatable balloon substantially adjacent to the treatment site, the inflatable balloon having a balloon wall that defines a balloon interior that receives a balloon fluid; receiving energy from the energy source with an energy guide; guiding the energy with the energy guide into the balloon interior; sensing acoustic sound waves generated in the balloon fluid with an acoustic sensor that is positioned outside of the body of the patient; generating a sensor signal with the acoustic sensor based at least in part on the sensed acoustic sound waves; electrically coupling a system controller to the acoustic sensor; receiving the sensor signal from the acoustic sensor with the system controller; and controlling operation of the catheter system with the system controller based at least in part on the sensor signal, the system controller being configured to recognize one of: (i) normal operation of the catheter system, and (ii) potential damage to the energy guide.

A catheter system for treating a treatment site within or adjacent to a vessel wall or a heart valve includes an energy source, a balloon, an energy guide, and an electrical analyzer assembly. The energy source generates energy. The balloon is positionable substantially adjacent to the treatment site. The balloon has a balloon wall that defines a balloon interior that receives a balloon fluid. The energy guide is configured to receive energy from the energy source and guide the energy into the balloon interior. The electrical analyzer assembly is configured to monitor a balloon condition during use of the catheter system. The electrical analyzer assembly can include a first electrode, a second electrode, and an impedance detector that is electrically coupled to the first electrode and the second electrode. The impedance detector is configured to detect impedance between the first electrode and the second electrode.