A laser atherectomy device includes a light delivery catheter equipped with sensors for monitoring physical characteristics at a laser application site. An integrated control unit utilizing data from said sensors is provided to optimally adjust laser energy parameters and to provide for safe and efficacious ablation of the blood vessel occlusion.

A catheter system (100) for treating a treatment site (106) within or adjacent to a vessel wall (108) or a heart valve includes an inflatable balloon (104), an optical fiber (122), and an energy source (124). The optical fiber (122) has a fiber proximal end (122P), and a fiber distal end (122D) positioned within the inflatable balloon (104). The optical fiber (122) is configured to receive an energy pulse so that the optical fiber (122) emits light energy in a direction away from the optical fiber (122) to generate a plasma pulse within the inflatable balloon (104). The optical fiber (122) can be tapered from the fiber proximal end (122P) toward the fiber distal end (122D). The energy source (124) in optical communication with the fiber proximal end (122P) of the optical fiber (122), and can include a laser. The optical fiber (122) includes a first fiber member (250) and a second fiber member (258) that is coupled to the first fiber member (250). The first fiber member (250) can be fused to the second fiber member (258) in a fused region (256). The first fiber member (250) and the second fiber member (258) can be formed as a unitary structure. The catheter system (100) can also include a ferrule (248) that encircles the fused region (256).

A method for treating a treatment site (106) within or adjacent to a vessel wall (108) or heart valve includes tapering an optical fiber (122) from a fiber proximal end (122P) to a fiber distal end (122D); positioning the optical fiber (122) such that the fiber distal end (122D) is positioned within an inflatable balloon (104); coupling an energy source (124) in optical communication with the fiber proximal end (122P); and receiving an energy pulse from the energy source (124) into the fiber proximal end (122P) so that the optical fiber (122) emits light energy in a direction away from the optical fiber (122) to generate a plasma pulse within the inflatable balloon (104). The method can further include coupling a first fiber member (250) to a second fiber member (258), which can include fusing the first fiber member (250) to the second fiber member (258) at a fused region (256); and encircling the fused region (256) with a ferrule (248).

A medical device may include an elongated body, a balloon positioned at a distal portion of the elongated body, and one or more pressure-wave emitters positioned along a central longitudinal axis of the elongated body within the balloon. The one or more pressure-wave emitters may be configured to propagate pressure waves radially outward through the fluid to fragment a calcified lesion at the target treatment site. The at least one of the one or more pressure-wave emitters may include an electronic emitter comprising a first electrode and a second electrode. The first electrode and the second electrode may be arranged to define a spark gap between the first electrode and the second electrode, and the second electrode may comprise a portion of a hypotube.

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 having an external or inverted conical tip. 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. This “minimal contact persistent dilation system” prepares the artery for safer mechanical extraction by thrombectomy, owing to decrease in friction and dissolution of chemical bonding.

The present technology relates to ureteroscopy, laser ablation of ureteral and renal stone, capture and removal of stone fragments. In one embodiment, the device includes an optical instrument operably connected to a large vacuum channel that is about 1.5 mm to about 8.0 mm in width. In another embodiment, the device includes two single-time use disposable or potentially reusable units, such as a large vacuum endoscope removal tip and a wireless and modular battery-powered handpiece.

The endovenous treatment device has a delivery system (1; 2) for delivering of at least one treatment dose, which delivery system (1; 2) includes a wire element (1) for delivery of a treatment dose, which has a distal end part (10) able to be inserted, over at least part of its length, longitudinally into a vein, and which allows at least one treatment dose to be delivered into a vein in the region of the end of said distal end part (10). It additionally includes a drive system (4) by which the wire element (1) for dose delivery can be driven in at least a first given drive direction (R), and a guide (3) which is flexible along all or part of its length. The device includes a holding system (5) by which the distal end part (30) of the guide (3) can be temporarily held with respect to the body of a patient, near the insertion zone (7) of the wire element (1).

Laser ablation catheters and methods of using same for efficient tissue ablation are disclosed. In some cases, laser ablation catheter embodiments may include expanded distal tips that allow for beam energy expansion and reduce dead space at the distal cutting surface of the laser ablation catheter.

A system for thrombolysis includes an optical energy source, an ultrasound transducer, and an optical conduit for insertion into a vessel. The optical conduit directs optical energy from the optical energy source to a target location at a terminal end of the optical conduit.

A catheter system for treating a vascular lesion within or adjacent to a vessel wall within a body of a patient includes a single light source that generates light energy, a first light guide and a second light guide, and a multiplexer. The first light guide and the second light guide are each configured to selectively receive light energy from the light source. The multiplexer receives the light energy from the light source in the form of a source beam and selectively directs the light energy from the light source in the form of individual guide beams to each of the first light guide and the second light guide.