Scimed Life Systems, Inc.

Volcano Corporation

Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.

Boston Scientific Corporation

Donald S Mamayek

Anthony J Pantages

Stephen Charles Davies

Norman Hugh Hossack

David Allan White

Veijo T Suorsa

Blair D Walker

Peter H Smith

Thomas C Moore

Eric Williams

Donald Masters

Jon D Klingensmith

Gerald Lea Litzza

John F Sheridan

Stephen M Fry

Masood Ahmed

Richard Scott Huennekens

Eric Vaughn Mott

Martin Belef

Scott Tennant Brownlie

Steven Nelson Roe

W Martin Belef

William Martin Belef

Lawrence D Wasicek

Niyazi Beyhan

James D Koger

Edward Anthony Oliver

Richard A Bautista

Veijo Soursa

Richard Chester Klosinski, Jr

Ed Oliver

Richard Klosinski

Peter Smith

Jon David Klingensmith

A method and system is provided for using backscattered data and known parameters to characterize vascular tissue. Specifically, methods and devices for identifying information about the imaging element used to gather the backscattered data are provided in order to permit an operation console having a plurality of Virtual Histology classification trees to select the appropriate VH classification tree for analyzing data gathered using that imaging element. In order to select the appropriate VH database for analyzing data from a specific imaging catheter, it is advantageous to know information regarding the function and performance of the catheter, such as the operating frequency of the catheter and whether it is a rotational or phased-array catheter. The present invention provides a device and method for storing this information on the imaging catheter and communicating the information to the operation console. In addition, information related to additional functions of the catheter may also be stored on the catheter and used to further optimize catheter performance and/or select the appropriate Virtual Histology classification tree for analyzing data from the catheter imaging element.

Apparatus and method for use of RFID catheter intelligence

An ultrasound catheter is described herein for insertion into a cavity such as a blood vessel to facilitate imaging within a vasculature. The catheter comprises an elongate flexible shaft, a capacitive microfabricated ultrasonic transducer, and a sonic reflector. The elongate flexible shaft has a proximate end and a distal end. A capacitive microfabricated ultrasonic transducer (cMUT) is mounted to the shaft near the distal end. The reflector is positioned such that a reflective surface redirects ultrasonic waves to and from the transducer. In other embodiments, the catheter comprises a plurality of cMUT elements and operates without the use of reflectors. In further embodiments, integrated circuitry is incorporated into the design.

Intravascular ultrasound probes with wave-emitting device and reflector

Capacitative microfabricated ultrasound transducer-based intravascular ultrasound probes

Capacitive microfabricated ultrasound transducer-based intravascular ultrasound probes

A dynamically configurable ultrasound transducer element and related circuits and methods. The transducer may comprise an array of capacitive transducer elements, a row decoder coupled to said array of capacitive transducer elements, a column decoder coupled to said array of capacitive transducer elements, a bias voltage source coupled to said row decoder, and a driving signal source coupled to said column decoder. Preferably, a master clock also is provided to allow for a synchronization of signals between the row decoder and column decoder.

Dynamically configurable ultrasound transducer with integral bias regulation and command and control circuitry

The present invention provides ultrasound imaging catheters, systems and methods for their use which will be particularly useful to monitor the positioning of ablation catheters. In one embodiment, an imaging catheter () includes a catheter body () having a distal end (), a proximal end () and a longitudinal axis (). A transducer () is rotatably coupled to the distal end. The transducer has an axis of rotation () that is at a non-zero angle relative to the catheter body longitudinal axis. Such a configuration provides an exemplary side-looking imaging catheter.

Imaging catheter and methods of use for ultrasound-guided ablation

A catheter assembly includes an elongate catheter body having a proximal end and a distal end with a drive cable disposed therein, the drive cable having a proximal end and a distal end, and rotatable relative to the catheter body. A first electro-magnetic element is disposed proximate the distal end of the catheter, and a second electro-magnetic element disposed proximate the distal end of the drive cable and in electrical communication with an operative element mounted at the end of the drive cable, the first and second electro-magnetic elements forming an inductive coupler. The catheter assembly can include various other distal operative elements, which are in communication with corresponding proximal operative elements via transmission lines embedded within the wall of the catheter body.

Imaging catheter assembly with distal end inductive coupler and embedded transmission line

Rotating element catheters employ clutch assemblies for preventing rotational energy from being transmitted from a motor drive unit to the catheter element under defined circumstances. The catheter assembly includes an elongate member in which there is disposed a rotatable catheter drive cable. To control the rotation of the catheter drive shaft, the clutch assembly is configured to allow the catheter drive shaft to rotate and to stop rotating. The clutch assembly includes a driven member and a driver member, which cooperate with each other, such that the driven and driver members are rotatably engaged with each other before an applied torque exceeds the critical magnitude, rotatably unengaged with each other after the applied torque exceeds the critical magnitude, and rotatably re-engaged when the applied torque falls substantially below the critical magnitude. This clutching function can be actuated by any of a variety of physical forces, e.g., frictionally or magnetically.

Catheter drive shaft clutch

An intravascular imaging guidewire which can accomplish longitudinal translation of an imaging plane allowing imaging, by acoustic other high quality imaging energy, of an axial length of a region of interest without moving the guidewire. The imaging guidewire comprises a body in the form of a flexible elongate tubular member. An elongate flexible imaging core is slidably received within the body. The imaging core includes a shaft having an imaging device mounted on its distal end. The body and the imaging core are cooperatively constructed to enable axial translation of the imaging core and imaging device relative to the body. The body has a transparent distal portion extending an axial length over which axially translatable imaging may be performed. The imaging guidewire has a maximum diameter over its entire length sized to be received within a guidewire lumen of an intravascular catheter.

Intravascular imaging guidewire

Rotating element catheters and catheter assemblies employ clutch assemblies for preventing rotational energy from being transmitted from a motor drive unit to the catheter element under defined circumstances. The catheter assembly includes an elongate member in which there is disposed a rotatable catheter drive cable. The catheter drive cable may have an operative element, e.g., an ultrasonic transducer or an artherctomy blade, distally mounted thereon for providing diagnostic or therapeutic functions to the physician. To control the rotation of the catheter drive shaft, the clutch assembly is configured such that the catheter drive shaft is operated in a drive mode (i.e., it is allowed to rotate) and in a release mode (i.e., it is prevented from rotating). The clutch assembly includes a driver member and a driven member, one of which is magnetic and the other of which is ferrous. The magnetic and ferrous members are arranged in relation to each other, e.g., concentrically, such that a magnetic relationship is created therebetween, which is not overcome when an applied torque does not exceed a critical magnitude, but is overcome when the applied torque exceeds the critical magnitude.

Magnetic catheter drive shaft clutch

Rotating element catheters and catheter assemblies employ clutch assemblies for preventing rotational energy from being transmitted from a motor drive unit to the catheter element under defined circumstances. The catheter assembly includes an elongate member in which there is disposed a rotatable catheter drive cable. The catheter drive cable may have an operative element, e.g., an ultrasonic transducer or an artherectomy blade, distally mounted thereon for providing diagnostic or therapeutic functions to the physician. To control the rotation of the catheter drive shaft, the clutch assembly is configured such that the catheter drive shaft is operated in a drive mode (i.e., it is allowed to rotate) and in a release mode (i.e., it is prevented from rotating). The clutch assembly includes a spring, one end of which is affixed to one of a driver member and a driven member, and the body of which is interference fitted with the other of the driver member and driven member to create a frictional relationship therebetween, which is not overcome when an applied torque does not exceed a critical magnitude, but is overcome when the applied torque exceeds the critical magnitude.

Catheter drive shaft spring clutch

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Mountain View, CA, United States of America

Donald S Mamayek