Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.

The Spectranetics Corporation

The Uab Research Foundation

Heart Rhythm Technologies, Inc.

Specrtranetics LLC

Wade A Bowe

John Arthur Simpson

Kevin D Taylor

George Woodrow Burton

Robert C Hayzelden

Jeffrey A Hall

Ryan Michael Sotak

Paul Joseph Dalby

Chris Hebert

Eric Thomas Johnson

Jesse Flores

Thomas M Castellano

Andrea M Moore

Dave Atwell

Bruce H KenKnight

Marshall L Sherman

Jeffery B Alvarez

Gregory P Walcott

Robert Splinter

David S Wood

David S Nevrla

Timothy J Wood

G Neal Kay

Jacob Keeler

James Nye

Matthew Myles Magee

Christine Godleski

Scott Tedder

Rob Carver

Paola A Dwelle

Jeff Lindstrom

Shahriar Matin

Matthew Allan James

Ken Harlan

Randy W Westlund

Bruce Alan Tockman

Weimin Sun

Kenneth P Grace

Veerichetty A Kadhiresan

Eugene J Jung

Mohan Krishnan

Kenneth D Harlan

Neil M Becker

Brian E Kagarise

Blaine Andrew Schneider

Michael Sean Coe

Thomas E Plasket

Kathryn E Lockwood

Christopher Reiser

David Atwell

Pete Burton

Chris Fellows

Jeffrey A Calhoun

Russ E Anderson

Scott J Rusk

Eric Johnson

Patrick Hunkins

Methods and systems for separating an object, such as a lead, from formed tissue are provided. Specifically, a tissue slitting device is configured to engage patient formed tissue at a slitting engagement point. While the object is subjected to a first traction force, the tissue slitting device is caused to move further into the engaged tissue and slit the tissue past the point of engagement. The slitting device causes the tissue to separate along an axial direction of the length of the formed tissue and releases at least some of the force containing the object. The methods and systems are well suited for use in cardiac pacing or defibrillator lead explant procedures.

Tissue slitting methods and systems

Embodiments of the present invention include a laser catheter that includes a catheter body, a light guide, and a distal tip that extends beyond the exit aperture of the light guide. In some embodiments, an imaging device is disposed on the distal tip such that the imaging device is distal relative to the exit aperture of the light guide. In some embodiments, the imaging device can be gated to record images during and or slightly beyond periods when the laser catheter is not activated.

Cardiovascular imaging system

Embodiments of the invention are directed towards a rapid exchange catheter configured for insertion into a subintimal space and crossing an occlusion in a subintimal space. The catheter includes a proximal end, a distal end, a first lumen configured to receive a first wire, the first lumen extending longitudinally through a least a lateral port of the catheter, and a second lumen having at least a portion distal of the lateral port and extending through at least the distal end of the catheter. The catheter also includes an exchange port, arranged on an exterior portion of the catheter configured to receive a second wire and second rapid exchange port in communication with the second lumen. Moreover, other embodiments of the invention are directed towards methods for using the rapid exchange catheter to cross an obstruction in a vessel, e.g., a total or partial occlusion, in a subintimal space.

Reentry catheter and method thereof

Snaring systems and methods involve engaging objects such as pacemaker pacing leads within a patient. Physicians can use snaring systems having loops, tags, and roller mechanisms to remove a pacing leads from a patient. For example, snaring systems can be inserted through a jugular access site, engaged with a pacemaker pacing lead, and withdrawn through the jugular access site so as to remove a portion of the pacing lead. Lead extraction techniques can be employed to further dislodge the pacing lead from the patient.

Snaring systems and methods

A system for ablation and removal of occlusions from blood vessels is provided. Laser cutting systems and mechanical cutting systems are provided in catheter devices, the cutting systems operable to ablate, cut, dislodge, and otherwise remove occlusions within a blood vessel that may limit or prevent proper circulation. Aspiration systems are further provided, the aspiration systems operable to remove ablated, cut, or dislodged material through a primary orifice at the distal end of the catheter and/or through an auxiliary orifice, which may be on the side of the catheter.

System and method of ablative cutting and vacuum aspiration through primary orifice and auxiliary side port

Embodiments of a balloon biasing laser catheter are provided. In some embodiments, the laser catheter may include a distal tip that extends from the distal end of the catheter from a point near the light guide aperture. The distal tip may be disposed at the periphery of the catheter. In some embodiments, a balloon may be disposed between the light guide aperture and the distal tip, such that the a light guide extending from the aperture may be disposed proximate with the distal tip having the balloon in between. A retaining wire may be coupled with the distal tip and slidably coupled with the light guide. The retaining wire may keep the light guide biased relatively parallel with the distal tip and/or the catheter body when the balloon is inflated. The light guide may include a guidewire lumen the extends to the distal end of the distal tip.

Rapid exchange bias laser catheter design

Embodiments of the invention are directed towards a rapid exchange catheter configured for insertion into a subintimal space and crossing an occlusion in a subintimal space. The catheter includes a proximal end, a distal end, a first lumen configured to receive a first wire, the first lumen extending longitudinally through a least a lateral port of the catheter, and a second lumen having at least a portion distal of the lateral port and extending through at least the distal end of the catheter. The catheter also includes an exchange port arranged on a exterior portion of the catheter configured to the receive a second wire and second rapid exchange port in communication with the second lumen. Moreover, other embodiments of the invention are directed towards methods for using the rapid exchange catheter to cross an obstruction in a vessel, e.g., a total or partial occlusion, in a subintimal space.

Growing community of inventors

Temecula, CA, United States of America

Wade A Bowe