Abstract: The biopsy forceps comprises a handle portion having a distal end, an elongate tubular torqueable and formable body assembly and a forceps assembly. The tubular body assembly includes a coil spring guide wire having a proximal portion and a distal portion extending between the handle portion and the forceps assembly. A first tubing or covering over the proximal portion of the coil spring guide wire extends from the handle portion towards the forceps assembly. The first tubing has a distal end and a proximal end, and has a high resistance to twisting and a high transmission of torque applied thereto. A second tubing or covering of formable material is received over and tightly engages the distal portion of the coil spring guide wire, and imparts a high formability to the distal portion of the coil spring guidewire. The second tubing or covering has a distal end, a proximal end and extends rearwardly from the forceps assembly to a distal end of the high torque transmitting first tubing or covering.

Abstract: The treating device for testing the sealing strength of a seal in a catheter sheath introducer comprises a port for receiving the introducer, a mechanism for supplying pulsating liquid to the inside of the introducer, and controls for controlling the upper and lower pressures of the fluid supplied to the introducer while observing the sealing strength of the seal, with or without an elongate, rod-like member received therein. The method for testing the sealing strength of the fluid seal within a catheter sheath introducer including the steps of providing a port for engaging said introducer; engaging the introducer to the port in a fluid tight manner; supplying a pulsating flow of fluid to the inside of the introducer; controlling the upper and lower pressure parameters for the flowing fluid; and observing the seal for leakage.

Abstract: The mesh balloon catheter device includes a catheter having a distal end and a proximal end, a tube of woven interlaced filaments forming a tubular mesh and having a proximal end connected to the distal end of the catheter and a distal end, a flush tube or fiber optic tube extending through the catheter and the tubular mesh and fixed to the distal end of the tubular mesh, and a mechanism for moving the distal end of the tubular mesh toward the proximal end of the tubular mesh to cause the tubular mesh to balloon laterally outwardly to the shape of a mesh balloon.The moving mechanism can be realized by the flush tube or fiber optic tube connected to the distal end of the tubular mesh or by a control wire connected to the distal end of the tubular mesh and extending through the catheter.

Abstract: The cardiac lead comprises a tubular body having a proximal end and a distal end, a coiled conductor within the tubular body defining a lumen therein and having a distal end and a proximal end, a tip electrode mounted at the distal end of the tubular body, and an elongate stiffener wire comprising an elongate member made of a wire having a preset shape, a distal end and a proximal end positioned within the tubular body. The stiffener wire includes an electrical insulative material covering the elongate member for the length thereof to prevent short circuiting of the coils of the coiled conductor which may come in contact with the elongate member. A sleeve is provided for connecting a portion of the distal end of the coiled conductor to the tip electrode and for fixing the distal end of the elongate member at the distal end of the tubular body.

Abstract: The double mesh balloon catheter device comprises a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, a double tubular mesh assembly having a proximal end and a distal end, being mounted to the distal end of the catheter and having an outer tubular mesh and an inner tubular mesh. An actuating mechanism is coupled to the proximal end of the catheter and extends through the catheter to the double tubular mesh assembly for moving the distal end thereof to effect axial contraction of the double tubular mesh assembly. Another actuating mechanism is coupled to the proximal end of the catheter and extends through the catheter to the double tubular mesh assembly for causing rotation of the inner tubular mesh relative to the outer tubular mesh.

Abstract: The sensor and memory unit (30, 92 or 94) includes a sensor assembly (34) having at least one sensor (48, 50 or 96) therein and a memory (18, 22, 70, 98) associated and fixed therewith. In one embodiment the memory (70, 98) is mounted in a memory module (38 or 90) which is connected by a multiconductor lead (40 or 88) to the sensor or sensors (48, 50 or 96). Also the sensor assembly (34) can be fixed in the distal end (36) of a catheter (32).The sensor and memory unit (94) can be coupled to signal processing and conditioning circuitry (76, 176 or 276) which can include a microprocessor (178) for processing the sensor (96) signals and conditioning/correcting same based upon the information data retrieved from the memory (98).

Abstract: The endocardial lead comprises an elongate electrical conductor extending substantially the length of the lead, an insulating sheath surrounding the conductor for substantially the entire length of the conductor, and an electrode assembly at the distal end of the lead. The electrode assembly comprises a tip electrode having a distal tip and a proximal end and a sleeve of insulating material extending between and surrounding the proximal end of the tip electrode and the distal end of both the insulating sheath and the elongate conductor with the distal end of the elongate conductor being electrically connected to the proximal end of the tip electrode within the sleeve. The sleeve has at least two circumferentially spaced projections, each projection extending radially and axially away from the outer surface of the sleeve rearwardly away from the distal tip.

Abstract: The quick connect/disconnect tubing adapter is used for capturing a tubing within the adapter in a generally sterile manner. The adapter comprises two mating body portions which have passageways for receiving a tubing end portion. A tubing is received in and fixed in the passageways and is adapted to contract around the tubing end portion when the body portions are pulled away from each other. Additionally, a locking mechanism is provided for releasably locking the body portions together in a pulled apart position with the tubing end portion captured in the tubing.

Abstract: The apparatus for pacing a heart in accordance with the heart rate needed to produce a required cardiac output while the person is exercising, comprises a pacer adapted to be implanted in a human body and having a pulse generator and control circuitry (e.g. a microprocessor) therein, a pacing lead adapted to be implanted in a heart and having a distal electrode adapted to engage and supply pacing pulses to a right ventricle of a heart, and a pO.sub.2 sensor for sensing pO.sub.2 of the blood in the heart. An algorithm or routine utilizing same are stored in the control circuitry (microprocessor) and are adapted to relate pO.sub.2 and/or .DELTA.pO.sub.2 with the required heart rate or change in heart rate, .DELTA.R, needed to supply a desired cardiac output and to cause the pacer to pace the heart at the required heart rate when the heart is not naturally paced.

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: A biopsy forceps device comprises a handle portion an elongate flexible hollow body portion having a proximal end coupled to the handle portion and a distal end. A forceps assembly is coupled to the distal end and includes a pair of forceps. A stylet control wire in the body portion is coupled to the pair of forceps at the distal end of the body portion. A locking hub assembly is coupled between the handle portion and the proximal end of the body around the stylet/control wire and includes a locking hub and locking means for locking the stylet/control wire in an axial position thereof to the locking hub assembly relative to the body portion upon rotation of the locking hub.

Abstract: The reinforced tubular graft structure is particularly adapted for cardiovascular use and is made of collagenous tissue with a reinforcing fibrous structure surrounding the lumen. The fibrous structure comprises a coiled monofilament which can have a textured surface defined by randomly disposed strands of polymer on the outer surface of the monofilament. The coil can be embedded within the collagen or positioned about the collagen to form the graft structure.

Abstract: The pacing lead stylet includes a proximal end, a stylet wire, a decreasing taper, a flat, an increasing taper and a tip. The decreasing taper is connected to the stylet wire and extends in a distal direction away from the wire distal end for a decreasing taper distance. The decreasing taper has a decreasing cross section which is reduced from the stylet cross sectional area to a decreased cross sectional area at a decreasing taper distal end of the decreasing taper. The flat is connected to the decreasing taper and extends in a distal direction away from the decreasing taper distal end for a flat distance to a flat distal end. The increasing taper is connected to the flat and extends in a distal direction away from the flat distal end for an increasing taper distal. The increasing taper has an increasing cross section from the minimum extension to the stylet cross section area.

Abstract: The cardiac mapping lead comprises a main body portion and a tip portion having a tip. The main body portion is relatively flexible longitudinally and relatively stiff in a rotational sense so as to be torque transmitting when rotated. The tip portion includes a relatively flexible body having a preformed "pigtail" shape and one or more sleeve electrodes thereon. The torque transmitting main body portion can be rotated a predetermined amount at the proximal end thereof to effect like rotation of the tip portion in the heart chamber for placing the one or more pairs of sleeve electrodes against different, rotationally selected, inner wall surfaces of the heart chamber.

Abstract: The apparatus paces a heart in accordance with the heart/pacer rate needed to produce a required cardiac output while a person is exercising or undergoes emotional stress in response to changes in venous blood vessel diameter. The apparatus includes a pacer adapted to be implanted in a human body and having a pulse generator and control circuitry, which may be realized by a microprocessor, therein; a pacing lead adapted to be implanted in a heart having a tip electrode adapted to engage and supply pacing pulses to a right ventricle of a heart; a piezoelectric sensor for determining changes in diameter of a vein in the human body; and computing circuitry including the control circuitry, for relating the changes in venous blood vessel diameter with the required pacing rate needed to supply a desired cardiac output and for causing the pacer to pace the heart at the required rate when the heart is not naturally paced.

Abstract: The method for forming a biocompatible polymer graft particularly adapted for cardiovascular use comprises the steps of: choosing a suitable, non-solvent, two component, hydrophobic biocompatible polymer system from which the graft may be formed; choosing a suitable water soluble inorganic salt to be compounded with the biocompatible polymer system; grinding the salt crystals and passing same through a sieve having a predetermined mesh size; drying the salt crystals; compounding the salt crystals with the biocompatible polymer system; forming a tube from said compounded salt and polymer system by reaction injection or cast molding; and leaching the salt crystals from the formed tube with water, said leaching of said salt crystals providing a tube with a network of interconnecting cells formed in the area from which the salt crystals have been leached.

Abstract: The plaque resolving device is adapted to be inserted into and through the lumen of a blood vessel and manipulatable therethrough to a desired position where the device can be operated to soften atherosclerotic plaque buildup in, and to re-establish desired blood flow through, the blood vessel. The device includes an elongate tubular body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a tip member mounted to the distal end of the tubular body. An electrical heating element is mounted in the tip member for heating the tip member to a desired predetermined temperature. A temperature sensor is also mounted within the tip member. Energy supply and control circuitry is mounted at the proximal end of the tubular body and coupled to the electrical heating element and temperature sensor so that the heating element is maintained at a temperature within a predetermined temperature range relative the ambient temperature of the blood and plaque.

Abstract: The infusion pump delivers liquid to a body at an adjustably controlled rate of delivery. The pump comprises a syringe section including a syringe barrel having a nozzle at one end. A syringe piston has an inner end situated in the syringe barrel and an outer end extending out of the other end of the syringe barrel. A drive mechanism comprising a generally cylindrical housing has one end mounted to the other end of the syringe barrel. The outer end of the piston extends into the one end of the housing. A gas spring is situated at the other end of the housing and a dampening/timing mechanism is positioned between the gas spring and the outer end of the syringe piston. The dampening/timing mechanism includes a viscous fluid which is movable through a passageway in the housing from a space adjacent the gas spring to a space above the piston. A control mechanism is provided for altering the flow rate of the viscous fluid through the passageway and between the spaces.

Abstract: The multi-conductor lead assembly comprises a first lead, a second lead and a connector assembly for connecting the leads together. The first lead includes a lead body having a distal end portion with a plurality of electrodes thereon, a proximal end portion with a plurality of sleeve electrodes thereon and a plurality of insulated wire conductors within the lead body and electrically connecting the electrodes on the distal end portion with the sleeve electrodes on the proximal end portion. The second lead includes a lead body with a proximal end, a proximal end portion, a distal end and a distal end portion, and a plurality of insulated wire conductors therein. Each of the one wire conductors has a proximal end and a proximal end portion extending out of the proximal end of the lead body. A sleeve connector is mounted on each wire conductor proximal end portion, and a needle is connected to the proximal ends of the wire conductors.

Abstract: An improved control system for a neural stimulator allowing either the patient or physician to effect the level of output by application of an external magnet. Such application of a magnet for a predetermined period of time initiates an incrementally increasing output, under control of an implanted microprocessor, allowing human feedback from the patient to determine the effective level of output current to fix the output at the selected effective level.