Abstract: A steerable injection catheter comprises a catheter body, a deflection control handle, a needle control handle, a tip section, and a means for deflecting the tip section by manipulation of the deflection control handle. A moveable injection needle extends from the needle control handle and through the catheter body and tip section. The needle may be moved out of the distal tip of the catheter by manipulation of the catheter control handle. The catheter also comprises a tip electrode mounted at the distal end of the tip section. An electrode lead wire is electrically connected to the tip electrode. The lead wire extends through a lumen in the tip section, through a lumen in the catheter body and into the deflection control handle. The injection catheter also includes an electromagnetic mapping sensor which is disposed within the distal tip of the catheter for providing tip location information.

Abstract: A flow directed catheter for use in medical diagnostic or therapeutic procedures having a strain relief segment between the relatively stiff proximal section of the catheter and the floppy distal tip portion in which the strain relief segment is formed of a polymeric material containing a radiopaque agent.

Abstract: A medical device for placing an embolic coil at a preselected location within a vessel comprising a positioning catheter having a distal tip for retaining the embolic coil which when pressurized with a fluid expands outwardly to release the coil at the preselected position. The positioning catheter includes a coaxial stiffening tube and helically wound coil transition zone to provide improved positioning of the embolic coil.

Abstract: A medical device for placing an embolic coil at a preselected location within a vessel comprising a positioning catheter having a distal tip for retaining the embolic coil which when pressurized with a fluid expands outwardly to release the coil at the preselected position and in which a plurality of turns at the proximal portion of the embolic coil are spot welded to adjacent turns to prevent this proximal portion of the coil from elongating or stretching while also providing a coil which is very flexible.

Abstract: A guidewire having an elongated core including a distal section having a relatively supple portion, a bendable portion, and an enlarged terminal portion, a radiopaque helical member disposed about the bendable portion and structurally interconnecting the terminal portion and the supple portion, and a thin walled flexible sheath tightly surrounding at least a portion of the enlarged terminal section and overlying the bendable portion, the sheath comprised of lubricious material that enhances endwise guidewire movement.

Abstract: The neuro-microcatheter is especially adapted for use in the small blood vessels of the brain. The neuro-microcatheter comprises a generally tubular body including a proximal portion, a transition portion and a distal portion and having at least one lumen therein extending from a distal end of the tubular body to a proximal end of the tubular body to which a connecting member can be connected. The tubular body has, in the transition portion, an outer diameter which decreases gradually, over at least part of its length, in the direction from the proximal end of the tubular body toward the distal end of the tubular body. Also, the transition portion increases in flexibility in the direction from the proximal end of the tubular body toward the distal end of the tubular body; and the transition portion has a length of between approximately 0.05 centimeter to approximately 1 meter.

Abstract: A flexible guidewire having a radiopaque marker at its distal end. The marker is defined by a platinum band attached to a reduced diameter portion of a guidewire core wire. A flexible spring overlies the radiopaque marker bank. The spring is constructed of stainless steel. A weld band is formed at the distal end of the core wire and is fused to the distal end of the marker band to thereby cause these elements to be fused into a single unitary structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to an endovascular non-balloon flow-directed catheter comprising a tube-like body with a proximal and a distal end, a connecting member connected to the proximal end, and a tube-like distal section which is very flexible and does not retain its shape when external forces are applied to the distal end. As a result this tube-like distal section is guided and carried along by the surrounding flow, in particular, by the flow of surrounding blood.

Abstract: The device for hemostatic treatment of a puncture opening following catheterization comprises an elongate tubular penetration member having a longitudinal axis, an internal end, an external end and a passageway therein including at least one longitudinal channel which extends at least a major portion of the distance between the internal and external ends. A pressure gauge is connected by connecting structure to the external end of the penetration member and to the longitudinal channel. A reservoir for hemostatic pharmacon is provided and is connected to the external end of the penetration member. The penetration member is provided with an opening, close to the internal end of the penetration member, for communicating the pressure gauge to the puncture opening.

Abstract: The balloon catheter comprises a basic tubular body having a distal end and a proximal end. A balloon member is arranged on the distal end and, close to the balloon member, is arranged an elongate, elastic balloon protection sheath. A pull thread is connected to an end of the sheath facing toward the balloon member and extends to the proximal end of the basic tubular body. The sheath can be pulled over the balloon member by pulling the pull thread.

Abstract: A catheter for uses in an angioplasty system comprising a tubular body with a proximal end, a distal end and a distal end portion and having a plurality of holes in and along opposite sides of the distal end portion. Each hole has an elongate shape and a center and the centers of the holes are located on an imaginary line parallel to the longitudinal axis of the catheter. Each elongate hole is inclined not less than 30 degrees and not more than 60 degrees to the imaginary line and each elongate hole on one side of the catheter is inclined upwardly or downwardly of the imaginary line and each opposite side hole on the other side of the catheter is inclined upwardly or downwardly relative to the imaginary line so that opposed holes form an X.

Abstract: The alignment tool is used to align the proximal end of a medical catheter wire with connecting means at the distal end of an extension wire. The alignment tool comprises a body having passage means therethrough including first and second inlet means for receiving and guiding into each end, respectively, of said passageway the proximal end of the medical catheter wire and the connecting means at the distal end of the extension wire. The alignment tool is preferably mounted in an extension wire dispensing assembly including means for receiving and holding a length of extension wire and a holder mounted to the dispensing means and having means for receiving and holding the alignment tool. The dispensing means include a coiled tube.

Abstract: The extension wire for a fixed balloon on a guidewire comprises a length of extension wire and a connector assembly mounted on the distal end of the length of extension wire. The connector assembly includes a tube which is received on and fixed to a distal end of the length of extension wire and which has means within the tube for grippingly engaging an outer covering sheath of a cut proximal end of the sheath and core wire of a fixed balloon on a guidewire.The fixed balloon on a guidewire extension wire assembly kit includes the extension wire and connector assembly at the distal end of the extension wire, and an alignment tool having a body and a throughbore adapted to receive the tube of the connector assembly at the distal end of the extension wire in one end thereof and the cut proximal end of a fixed balloon on a guidewire in the other end for guiding the cut end into the tube of the connector assembly.

Abstract: The guidewire extension system includes an extension guidewire adapted to be releasably but firmly connected to the proximal end of an initial guidewire. The extension guidewire has a distal end and a proximal end, and the system further comprises a connecting assembly which is mounted at the distal end of the extension guidewire, which includes a coiled spring constructed and arranged to receive and grippingly engage and lock against a distal end of the initial guidewire, and which includes a swivel joint for minimizing, if not eliminating, twisting of the extension guidewire when disconnecting the extension guidewire from the initial guidewire.

Abstract: The stent placement dilation balloon assembly comprises a catheter having a distal end, a distal end portion, and a proximal end, a balloon mounted to, about, and around the distal end portion of the catheter which has at least one opening therein communicating with the interior of the balloon, and, an elastic sleeve positioned about and around the balloon. The sleeve has an at rest diameter which is less than the width of the collapsed balloon if the collapsed balloon was allowed, when deflated, to assume a flat shape. A stent is mounted on the sleeve for placement in a vessel in a human body.

Abstract: The guidewire extension system includes an extension guidewire adapted to be releasably but firmly connected to proximal end of an initial guidewire. The extension guidewire has a distal end and a proximal end, and the system further comprises a connecting assembly mounted at the distal end of extension guidewire and including a coiled spring constructed and arranged to receive and grippingly engage and lock against a distal end of the initial guidewire.

Abstract: The sterile sleeve/connector assembly includes a joint formed between a sterile sleeve and a connector. The sleeve is made of a tube of thin flexible material, the connector includes a hub having an annular groove therein, and the joint includes an O-ring which is positioned within a bight of an inwardly inverted end portion of the sleeve and within the groove of the connector hub. The apparatus used in forming the assembly comprises a barrel member having a lumen, a distal end and a proximal end. The barrel member has a diameter approximately equal to a diameter of the hub the connector and less than the diameter of the sleeve.

Abstract: The dilatation balloon assmebly comprises a catheter having a proximal end, a distal end and a distal end portion, the distal end portion having openings in the side wall thereof, and a dilatation balloon connected to and extending from the distal end of the catheter around and about the distal end portion of the catheter to a proximal end of the balloon which is also connected to the catheter. The balloon has at least three axially extending longitudinal creases therein whereby, when the balloon is in a deflated state, the maximum lateral extent in cross-section of the balloon is less than the diameter or lateral extent of a fully inflated balloon or a partially inflated balloon.

Abstract: The method for resolving atherosclerotic plaque buildup and/or eroding unwanted tissue in a blood vessel includes the steps of: inserting an electrode in and along the lumen of a blood vessel; manually manipulating said electrode through the blood vessel; positioning said electrode proximate to atherosclerotic plaque buildup site or unwanted tissue site in the blood vessel; supplying a predetermined high-frequency, high-voltage electrical current to said electrode; maintaining said predetermined current for a predetermined time period; and sensing from time to time, the amount of plaque or unwanted tissue at the site.