Abstract: A guide wire having pressure sensing capabilities for measuring the pressure of liquid in a vessel comprising a flexible elongate member and having proximal and distal extremities and having an outside diameter of 0.018" or less. The distal extremity of said flexible elongate member is adapted to be disposed in the liquid in said vessel. A housing is carried by the flexible elongate member and has a diameter substantially the same as the diameter of the flexible elongate member. The housing has a space therein with a pressure sensor mounted in the space in the housing. The pressure sensor has a diaphragm that is sensitive to changes of pressure in the liquid in the vessel. The diaphragm is rectangular in shape and is bordered by a rim surrounding the well. A backing plate is formed of an insulating material bonded to the crystal and serves to reinforce the rim of the crystal of semiconductor material.

Abstract: A combination of a carton and a plurality of containers. The carton comprises first and second parallel spaced-apart side walls. First and second parallel spaced-apart end wells adjoin the first and second side walls to form a four sided enclosure having a bottom side and top side. The first and second side walls and the first and second end walls form a bottom wall closure extending over the bottom side. The first and second side walls and the first and second end walls extend over the top side forming a top closure to provide a six-sided enclosed space. A first insert is disposed in the enclosed space and extends over the bottom closure and is supported by the bottom closure. A plurality of containers is disposed within enclosed space and engages the first insert. A second insert overlies and engages the containers.

Abstract: An expandable stent for deployment into a vessel having a lumen therein comprising a cylindrical member having a length and having proximal and distal extremities and being formed of a metal having a wall defining a central bore having a longitudinal axis extending from the proximal extremity to the distal extremity. The cylindrical member has an inside diameter and an outside diameter. The cylindrical member is formed of at least one cylindrical segment. The at least one cylindrical segment has a pattern formed therein which when the stent is expanded is capable of forming a truss formed of serially connected three-sided triangularly-shaped truss members. The pattern includes a first sinusoid extending circumferentially through 360.degree. about the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A combination of a customized bottle and a closure. The bottle has a neck with an interior circumferential surface defining a throat with a longitudinal axis and having an end face, at least a portion of which is inclined with respect to an imaginary plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The closure has a head and a cylindrical shank extending from the head and has a cross-sectional area less than that of the head and having a longitudinal axis extending through the shank and having a cross-sectional area which is less than that of the cross-sectional area of the throat in the neck of the bottle. The head has a surface facing toward the shank and has a portion thereof which is inclined with respect to an imaginary plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shank and which is complementary to the inclined surface on the face of the neck.

Abstract: Recanalization apparatus for use in crossing a stenosis forming a total occlusion in a vessel formed by a vessel wall, the stenosis having a distal end cap which is convex facing in a proximal direction. The apparatus is comprised of an outer sheath formed of an elongate flexible tubular member having proximal and distal extremities and having a lumen extending from the proximal extremity to the distal extremity. An inner sheath is slidably mounted in the lumen of the outer sheath and is formed of a flexible elongate tubular member having proximal and distal extremities. The distal extremity has a sharpened tip. The inner sheath has a length so that when the sharpened tip is disposed distally of the distal extremity of the outer sheath, the proximal extremity extends proximally of the proximal extremity of the outer sheath. An imaging guide wire is slidably mounted in the lumen of the inner sheath and has proximal and distal extremities.

Abstract: A method for performing an angioplasty procedure for treating one or more stenoses in a blood vessel and branches thereof of a patient using a low profile balloon-on-a-wire catheter which has a flexible elongate tubular member with proximal and distal extremities and a removable inflation device removably secured to the proximal extremity of the flexible elongate tubular member. The method comprises the steps of inserting the balloon-on-a-wire catheter into the vessel so that the balloon is disposed in a selected stenosis in the vessel. The removable inflation device is placed on the proximal extremity of the flexible elongate tubular member so that it is in communication with the lumen in the flexible elongate tubular member. The balloon is inflated to create an enlarged flow passage through the selected stenosis. The removable inflation device is removed from the proximal extremity of the flexible elongate tubular member.

Abstract: An aspiration needle for use in collecting larger cell samples with a source of vacuum for fine needle aspiration cytology without increasing the size of the needle having a rigid elongate tubular member having distal and proximal extremities. The tubular member has a bore extending therethrough from the distal extremity to the proximal extremity and has an opening at the distal extremity in communication with the bore. A body is secured to the proximal extremity of the tubular member and forms a chamber therein in communication with and in close proximity to the opening into the bore of the tubular member. The chamber is formed by a sloping uninterrupted wall leading distally to the opening to the bore of the tubular member. The body includes a hub proximal of the chamber for receiving the source of vacuum and for establishing communication between the source of vacuum and the chamber.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus is disclosed for delivering controlled heat to perform ablation to treat the benign prosthetic hypertrophy or hyperplasia (BPH). According to the method and the apparatus, the energy is transferred directly into the tissue mass which is to be treated in such a manner as to provide tissue ablation without damage to surrounding tissues. Automatic shut-off occurs when any one of a number of surrounding areas to include the urethra or surrounding mass or the adjacent organs exceed predetermined safe temperature limits. The constant application of the radio frequency energy over a maintained determined time provides a safe procedure which avoids electrosurgical and other invasive operations while providing fast relief to BPH with a short recovery time. The procedure may be accomplished in a doctor's office without the need for hospitalization or surgery.

Abstract: Ventilator for use with a source of gas under pressure for supplying such gas to the airway of a patient having an inlet adapted to be connected to the source of gas, and an outlet adapted to be connected to the airway of the patient. A pneumatic oscillator is connected to the inlet for supplying pulsatile gas in the form of successive small volumes of gas to the airway of the patient during a breath of the patient to cause diffusive ventilation of the airway to the patient. An exhalation valve assembly is connected to the patient airway for permitting the patient to exhale gases introduced into the patient airway.