Cardiogenesis Corporation

Manuel A Javier, Jr

Randy J Kesten

Sam G Payne

Stephen B Pearce

Kevin Gertner

Carl J Simpson

Steve Pearce

An intraluminal catheter with an elongated tubular shaft with proximal, intermediate, and distal shaft sections for positioning a therapeutic or diagnostic device within a patient's body region such as a heart chamber. The intermediate shaft section has greater flexibility than the proximal or distal shaft sections, and is preferably of sufficient flexibility to easily assume the curvature of the patient's aortic arch, and reduce the force of contact between the catheter distal end and tissue defining the patient's body region to thereby reduce restriction on the rotation of the catheter. The flexible intermediate shaft section is preferably of a length to occupy a significant portion of the aortic arch, and the catheter overall length is preferably sufficient to have a catheter proximal extremity extending out of the patient and a distal extremity extending at least into an aortic passageway adjacent the patient's left ventricle.

Catheter with flexible intermediate section

An laser device for forming channels within an outer wall of a patient's heart which has an elongated optical fiber, a lens or probe tip secured to the distal end of the optical fiber and means to limit the penetration of the probe tip or lens. Preferably, an outer support sleeve is secured to the proximal portion of the probe tip and a distal portion of the optical fiber proximal to the probe tip. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, a helical coil is disposed between the distal portion of the optical fiber and the proximal portion of the probe tip to ensure a better bond therebetween, particularly when the optical fiber has a lubricous fluoropolymer coating.

Channel forming device with penetration limiter

An intravascular device for forming a channel within a patient's ventricular wall which engages the tissue of the ventricular wall to prevent undesirable movement of the channel forming device while forming the channel.

Channel forming device with a secured distal extremity

The invention is directed to an introducer which is formed of a relatively rigid tubular member having an inner lumen and an elongated slot in the distal portion of the introducer. The introducer is particularly suitable for introducing an elongated channel forming device having radially extending arms for limiting the depth of penetration into a guiding or delivery catheter. By pulling the channel forming member into the inner lumen of the introducer, the radially extending arms are bent or folded forwardly into the inner lumen and they remain in this position until they extend out the distal end of the guiding or delivery catheter.

Growing community of inventors

Santa Clara, CA, United States of America

Manuel A Javier, Jr