Abstract: A catheter guide wire comprises a main section having a circular cross-section and a distal end section surrounded by a spiral. The distal end section has a portion adjoining the guide wire tip, in the shape of a wedge, the height of which diminishes towards the guide wire tip and the width of which increases towards the guide wire tip.

Abstract: The expandable stent-graft generally defines a cylindrical lumen made from a stent having a discontinuous wall that is at least substantially covered with an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene material. The expanded polytetrafluoroethylene covering may be a biaxially oriented, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene material having nodules and longitudinal and circumferential fibrils or a uniaxially oriented, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene material. The expandable stent-graft expands and compresses in association with the stent structure as it is contracted and expanded.

Abstract: The guidewire attachment assembly comprises a tubing affixed to the proximal end of a guidewire. Inside the tubing is a shoulder and a ramp for directing and positioning a bolt arranged at the end of a resilient shaft affixed to the distal end of the extension wire. The assembly provides a positive locking action for the guidewire and extension wire and direct unlocking thereof.

Abstract: The balloon dilatation catheter has a first lumen extending along the entire length of a shaft, which lumen is connected to a pump and, at the distal end of the catheter, to the inside of the balloon. Through this lumen there also passes a support wire connected firmly to the catheter. The shaft has an additional lumen which opens outwards via an opening behind the proximal end of the balloon. A controllable guide wire can be introduced into this lumen via an attachment piece. Similarly, a measuring apparatus or an apparatus for introducing a contrast medium or drug can be connected to this additional lumen. The catheter is particularly suitable for treating strictures in an arterial ramification.

Abstract: A dilation-drug delivery catheter comprises a dilation portion for dilating a stenosis and a drug delivery portion for delivering antithrombolytic, antiproliferative, or any other type of medication, to the dilation site. The drug delivery portion of the catheter is located within the dilation portion, which can be retracted to reveal the drug delivery portion, after dilation. Occlusion balloons are preferably provided on the drug delivery portion to isolate the dilation site during drug delivery.

Abstract: An aspiration catheter arrangement for aspiration of thrombi and emboli from blood vessels has a central catheter (2) and an outside catheter (1) surrounding it coaxially. A guide wire (4) and a dilator (3) are provided for inserting the catheter arrangement into a vessel and for dilating same. A blood clot is removed by means of a vacuum applied to the central catheter (2). If the central catheter (2) becomes clogged by the blood clot during the aspiration procedure, the central catheter (2) can be extracted out of the outside catheter (1) and replaced by a new central catheter (2). This new central catheter (2) can be connected to the aspiration device and the process is then continued. Instead of inserting a new central catheter (2), the aspiration process can also be continued through the outside catheter (1) by connecting the latter to the aspiration device after removing the central catheter (2).

Abstract: A medical device such as a catheter is described having a stiff, preferably metallic, proximal tube. The distal portion of the proximal tube may have a plurality of perforations or slots formed therein to increase its flexibility. This provides a smooth transition between the relatively stiff proximal tube and a more flexible distal polymeric tube.

Abstract: A stent delivery system for a balloon expandable stent includes a balloon catheter with a tubular shaft and an elongated dilatation balloon. The tubular shaft has a guidewire lumen with an entry for the guidewire distal of the balloon and an exit for the guidewire proximal of the balloon. A sleeve for preventing expansion of balloon segments is mounted on the tubular shaft with a distal end surrounding a portion of the proximal end of the balloon and a proximal end removably attached to a portion of the tubular shaft.

Abstract: The appliance comprises a core wire on which is mounted a coil of radioactive material. A first proximal radiopaque coil configuration and a second distal radiopaque coil configuration maintain and locate the radioactive radiation coil on the core wire thereby assuring positioning thereof on the core wire and accurate visualization via X-ray fluoroscopy.

Abstract: A diagnostic catheter comprises an inner layer of substantially unmodified polyamide over which is a reinforcing means and an outer layer of polymer having a hardness of 50 Shore D to 70 Shore D, along with a suitable radiopaque filler. Affixed either directly to the end of the above tubular body or to a stem member secured to that tubular body is a soft-tip formed from a blend of PEBA whose hardness is such that the catheter can be considered as having an atraumatic tip. The resulting catheter exhibits excellent torque and column strength characteristics while providing a relatively large diameter lumen for a given outside diameter.

Abstract: A catheter with a self-expanding stent of a permeable mesh of stiff intersecting fibers is provided. A tubular outer catheter shaft holds the stent under tension at its distal end and from which the stent can be released for placement. A displaceable inner catheter inside the tubular outer catheter shaft supports the stent axially at its proximal end. In order to release the stent, the outer catheter shaft is retracted with respect to the inner catheter. A process for producing this catheter is also described. The stent is secured by gripping it at its proximal end in such a way that it forms a permeable mesh cone that expands automatically together with the stent and has a radius that increases gradually to the radius of the relaxed stent. The stent is securely anchored on the inner catheter with the help of the mesh cone.

Abstract: An ultrasonic balloon catheter and stent assembly including ultrasonic acoustical oscillating energy for low pressure balloon inflation and expansion of implantable devices including stents. The ultrasonic balloon catheter may also be used in low pressure angioplasty procedures.

Abstract: The stent delivery device has an elongated sheath with a self-expandable stent placed in contracted condition within the distal area of the sheath. An elongated core is arranged in the sheath for relative longitudinal motion between core and sheath, and drive means are arranged between the core and the stent. Scratch protection tubular means comprise a reinforcement ring secured in the sheath and surrounding the distal end portion of the stent when the stent is in contracted condition in the sheath and a tube of thermoformable material heat shrunk over the proximal end portion of the stent and over the core.

Abstract: The guide wire comprises an elongated flexible shaft which is tubular. A helical coil assembly of radiopaque material comprises a first coil having a proximal portion threadedly force fitted into the tubular portion of shaft. A second coil has a proximal portion surrounding and threadingly engaging the distal portion of the first coil, and a distal portion terminating into a tip.

Abstract: A stent delivery device is disclosed that includes an inner tube having a distal portion which carries the stent on the delivery device. At least part of the inner tube is formed from a spirally wound wire. A movable outer tube is used to constrain the stent in a radially contracted state on the distal portion of the inner tube. A substantially straight elongate wire is configured inside the spirally wound wire and bonded at the distal and proximal portions of the wound wire. The outer tube may have at least one side port adjacent to the distal portion in communication with the annular space between the outer tube and the inner tube allowing radiopaque fluid to be injected through the annular space and out the side port in the vicinity of the stent.

Abstract: A medical device is disclosed for the treatment of a body lumen by radiation. The device includes a catheter for insertion into a body lumen, a radiation source, and a wire for advancing and removing the radiation source into and from the catheter.

Abstract: A radially self-expanding stent having multiple layers includes a medial region and proximal and distal cuffs having diameters greater than the medial region diameter when the stent is in the relaxed state. A silicone coating circumscribes at least the medial region of the stent. A deployment device for the stent includes an inner tube surrounded by the stent along with an outer tube that radially compresses the stent. A low durometer sleeve, fixed to the inner tube and in surface engagement with the compressed stent, tends to fix the axial position of the stent relative to the inner tube whenever the outer tube is moved axially relative to the inner tube. Consequently, precision in stent placement and the ability to recapture a partially deployed stent are enhanced.

Abstract: The balloon catheter comprises a shaft with an elongated dilatation balloon mounted in the vicinity of the distal end thereof. Armature for preventing expansion of balloon segments are mounted on shaft proximally of the balloon and include an armature enclosed in a sleeve moveable over a proximal portion of the balloon.

Abstract: A catheter with a radially self-expanding cylindrical vascular support made of a permeable mesh of crossed stiff fibers is disclosed. The catheter has a tubular outer catheter shaft and an inner catheter to which the vascular support is fixed. The tubular outer catheter shaft is axially movable with respect to the inner catheter.

Abstract: A docking assembly for the extension of a guidewire. The docking assembly comprises a plug formed at the proximal end of the guidewire, and a socket formed of a tubing permanently bent so as to have a V shaped portion comprised between two straight portions. The end of straight portion is affixed to the distal end of extension wire. A sleeve is slidably engaged over the tubing to substantially straighten it and facilitate insertion of plug into the tubing. Removal of sleeve allows the tubing to recover its preshaped deformation, thereby assuring locking of plug in tubing. To release the assembly it suffices to pull the guidewire and extension wire oppositely to slip the plug out from the tubing.