Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.

Scimed Life Systems, Inc.

Other

Ep Technologies, Inc.

Bruce H Wand

David K Swanson

Gene L Samson

Robert R Burnside

Robert D Ainsworth

Michael Aita

Robert F Kotmel

David T Jacobson

Sidney D Fleischman

Russell B Thompson

Lawrence D Wasicek

Richard J Saunders

Rodney S Badger

Jacob Shani

Gurpal Paintal

A medical system for limiting the re-use of a medical probe, such as, e.g., a catheter or a surgical probe, is provided. The medical system includes a medical probe that includes an electronic storage component for storing a probe identification code. The medical probe further includes a disabling circuit, the activation of which disables the electronic storage component. The medical system further includes a control unit, such as, e.g., an RF generator, for connection to the medical probe. The control unit includes control circuit that is configured for automatically reading the probe identification code from the electronic storage component and preventing the medical probe from being operated if the probe identification code is not approved. If the medical probe has been previously used, the control circuit prevents operation of the medical probe and activates the disabling circuitry to disable the electronic storage component in the medical probe.

Systems and methods for preventing automatic identification of re-used single use devices

A medical system for limiting the re-use of a medical probe, such as, e.g., a catheter or a surgical probe, is provided. The medical system includes a medical probe that includes an electronic storage component for storing a probe identification code. The medical probe further includes a disabling circuit, the activation of which disables the electronic storage component. The medical system further includes a control unit, such as, e.g., an RF generator, for connection to the medical probe. The control unit includes control circuit that is configured for automatically reading the probe identification code from the electronic storage component and preventing the medical probe from being operated if the probe identification code is not approved. The control circuit is also configured for determining if the medical probe has been previously used. If the medical probe has been previously used, the control circuit prevents operation of the medical probe and activates the disabling circuitry to disable the electronic storage component in the medical probe. Thus, when the medical probe is reconnected to the control unit, the control circuitry will attempt to read the probe identification code from the disable electronic storage component. Alternatively, the disabling circuitry internally determines whether the medical probe has been previously used and disables the electronic storage component.

A catheter including fluoroscopic marker components disposed in the catheter distal end portion to provide enhanced fluoroscopic visibility of the catheter end portion. Various embodiments of the marker include a cylindrical plug disposed within the catheter tip, a half section catheter tip, a longitudinal stripe along a sidewall of the catheter end portion, and multiple combinations of marker plugs and marker stripes to provide enhanced in vivo fluoroscopically visible catheter disposition information to the physician. An enhanced embodiment of the present invention includes an orientation marker that is disposed on the steering handle, particularly on the control knob, to provide visual and tactile information to the catheter user regarding the direction to manipulate the control knob in order to maneuver the catheter distal end portion.

Catheter tip steering plane marker

A method and apparatus are described for percutaneous myocardial revascularization of a human heart. A deflectable elongated flexible lasing apparatus is used which includes a source of laser radiation, an elongated flexible radiation conveying member for conducting the laser radiation to a lens on the distal end of the radiation conveying member for focusing the laser radiation, and control lines for deflecting the distal end of the radiation conveying member. The control lines are secured to the distal end of the radiation conveying member for changing the angle of deflection of the distal end of the radiation conveying member. The lasing apparatus is guided to an area within the patient's heart, and the distal end of the lasing apparatus is directed to an area of interest where the inner wall of the heart is irradiated with laser energy to form a channel through the myocardium for a desired distance. In a preferred embodiment, channels are formed without perforating the epicardium of the heart.

System and method for percutaneous myocardial revascularization

A balloon for a dilatation catheter having a cylindrically shaped working section and tapered end sections which have essentially the same wall thicknesses. Upon deflation, the balloon collapses to a much smaller profile than conventional dilatation catheters. The balloon is preferably formed from a tubular parison which has a central thick walled portion. The balloon may be employed in dilatation catheters for angioplasty, prostatic urethra dilatations and other intraluminal dilatations.

Dilatation balloon with constant wall thickness

A composite tubular element for intravascular catheters, such as fixed-wire dilatation catheters and guiding and angiographic catheters, which is formed by braiding strands formed from an intimate mixture of polymeric matrix materials, such as fibers and powders, having a relatively low melting point and high strength reinforcing fibers having a relatively high melting point into a tubular element, heating the braided tubular element to melt the low melting point matrix materials and flow around the reinforcing fibers to form a matrix. A thermoplastic jacket or coating may then be extruded or otherwise applied to the exterior of the braided tubular element.

Intraluminal catheter with a composite shaft

A method and apparatus are described for percutaneous myocardial revascularization of a human heart. A deflectable elongated flexible lasing apparatus is used which includes a source of laser radiation, an elongated flexible radiation conveying means for conducting the laser radiation to a lens on the distal end of the radiation conveying means for focusing the laser radiation, and control lines for deflecting the distal end of the radiation conveying means. The control lines are secured to the distal end of the radiation conveying means for changing the angle of deflection of the distal end of the radiation conveying means. The lasing apparatus is guided to an area within the patient's heart, and the distal end of the lasing apparatus is directed to an area of interest where the inner wall of the heart is irradiated with laser energy to form a channel through the myocardium for a desired distance. In a preferred embodiment, channels are formed without perforating the epicardium of the heart.

A guiding catheter for disposition within a patient's right coronary artery having a main tubular section which is relatively straight, a second curved tubular section immediately distal to the main tubular section and much shorter than the main tubular section which curves away from the longitudinal axis of the main tubular section, a third tubular section which is relatively straight and distally adjacent to the second tubular section and a fourth tubular section on the distal end of the catheter which curves toward the longitudinal axis of the main tubular section. The radius of curvature of the second tubular section is much greater than the radius of curvature of the fourth tubular section. A line tangent to the second curved section intersects an extension of the longitudinal axis of the main tubular section at a minimum obtuse angle greater than 100.degree.. The catheter can be advanced through a patient's aorta and easily seated into the right coronary ostium thereof. The distal tip of the catheter is preferentially oriented toward the outer curvature of the aorta, so it needs little or no torquing to be guided into the right coronary ostium. Moreover, with the main catheter body wedged up against the upper inner surface of the aortic arch there is little tendency for the distal end of the catheter to back out of the ostium during an angioplasty procedure. A balloon dilatation catheter is advanced through the inner lumen of the guiding catheter.

Guiding catheter for the right coronary artery

Guiding catheter and method of using the same in a cardiovascular procedure such as coronary angioplasty. The catheter has an elongated shaft with a deflectable distal portion. One lumen extends through the elongated shaft to form a passageway through which a dilatation catheter can be introduced. A second smaller lumen extends through the shaft to form a passageway for a control line which passes therethrough and which is connected to the distal tip. Proximal movement of the control line decreases the included angle between the distal portion and the main portion of the shaft. Pull on the control line also exerts a force on the distal portion of the guiding catheter which transmits a resultant axial force to push the catheter disposed within the first lumen. Pull on the control line also allows for catheter tip configuration adjustment thereby enabling the catheter to engage a difficult coronary ostium. In the disclosed embodiments, the distal portion is formed in two sections. Pulling the control line decreases the included angles between the distal sections and the main sections while the distal portion is positioned within a patient. The axial force is particularly advantageous with dilatation catheters to aid in directing the distal end thereof across a lesion.

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San Jose, CA, United States of America

Bruce H Wand