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: 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: 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 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: 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: This invention relates to a drug delivery device having a hollow tube which is configured to serve as a guide wire for intraluminal procedures. The distal portion of the tube has at least one opening which has a diameter suitable for the infusion of a drug formulation therethrough. The tube is preferably formed from a superelastic material such as nickel-titanium alloy. This invention also relates to various methods of using this drug delivery device in thrombolytic and other intraluminal procedures.

Abstract: An intravascular catheter having an elongated tubular body with a proximal portion, a distal portion and a lumen extending therebetween. The tubular body is formed with: (a) an inner layer of a blend of (i) about 10-25 weight percent of a polyester-polyurethane having a durometer of from about 45D-55D, and (ii) about 38-53 weight percent of a polyester polyurethane having a durometer of from about 65D-75D; (b) a reinforcing means at least partially surrounding the inner layer; and (c) an outer layer comprising a blend of (i) about 10-25 weight percent of a polyester-polyurethane having a durometer of from about 45D-55D and (ii) about 38-53 weight percent of a polyester-polyurethane having a durometer of from about 659D-75D.

Abstract: The coated stent comprises a cylindrical wall formed by meshed wires and a covering layer of elastic material extending on a portion of its length, with an outer surface, and totally embracing the wire mesh.Method of coating the stent using a lifting medium and then an elastomeric composition dissolved in solvent are disclosed.

Abstract: A guidewire for placement within a blood vessel for penetrating an occlusion therein. The guidewire comprises a length of flexible wire having a lumen extending therethrough. The distal end of the guidewire is generally arcuate and has a diameter greater than that of the wire immediately proximal thereto. A flexible stylet substantially the same length as the flexible wire may be disposed within the lumen of the wire. In operation, the arcuate distal end of the guidewire is positioned in the blood vessel against an occlusion, and a dottering action is thereafter provided whereby the arcuate distal end of the guidewire repeatedly impinges on the occlusion until penetration of the occlusion occurs.

Abstract: Catheters for drug delivery or for both dilatation and drug delivery are provided with a guide wire lumen terminating within the catheter shaft and having an opening through the catheter shaft to enable a guide wire to exit the catheter shaft substantially distal to the proximal end of the catheter. In one embodiment, drug delivery ports are provided between occlusion balloons. In another embodiment, a dilatation balloon is also provided between the occlusion balloons. In another embodiment, a double layered balloon is provided to simultaneously dilatate the stenosis and deliver medication to the site. Alternatively, a balloon can be provided which only delivers medication.

Abstract: This invention relates to an angioplasty device that is formed from a hollow metallic tube, a balloon affixed adjacent the distal end of the tube and being in fluid communication with the lumen of the tube, a flexible distal segment connected to the distal end of the tube and a removable hub connected adjacent to the proximal end of the tube. The tube is preferably formed from a superelastic material such as nickel-titanium alloy. This invention also relates to various methods of using this angioplasty device.

Abstract: A device for implanting endoprostheses has a tubular outer body and an elongated core element placed inside of the outer body. To operate the device, both the core element and the tubular body are provided with handles at their proximal ends. In order to produce a form-locking connection between the endoprosthesis and the core element, the core element exhibits a region in which is impressed a stamping corresponding to the inner form of the endoprosthesis. As a result, there are a great number of form-locking meshing sites between the enclosed, folded endoprosthesis and the core element. A device with this type of design permits a partially released endoprostheses to be folded back up in a radially contracted state again by pushing the tubular body forward so that the endoprosthesis may be repositioned. In addition, sure and reliable operation is achieved by this type of stamping of the core element.

Abstract: The packaging for a catheter comprises a flat air tight support member and a cover member formed of an air tight and flexible sheet adhered by its periphery on the support member. A vacuum is exerted between the support member and the cover member by connection of a duct to a vacuum pump, and the duct is then sealed. The cover member thus takes the relief of the shapes of the catheter whatever they are.

Abstract: A packaging comprises a sealed peel-apart flexible pouch in which the preshaped stem of a medical appliance is maintained by elastic pressure of the walls of a sheath open at its ends formed by a wall having two parallel lateral edges forming slides in which are engaged the lateral edges of two spaced apart portions of a second wall. The two walls are flat and deformable by their own elasticity. A retaining window is provided in one of the walls for a handling and connecting hub connected to the stem of the medical appliance to extend therethrough.

Abstract: The guide wire of this invention is especially suited for the percutaneous introduction of a balloon dilatation catheter into a blood vessel. It contains a flexible shaft with a proximal portion and a distal portion. A flexible helical coil assembly surrounds the distal portion of the shaft. The helical coil assembly has a radiographically visible distal helical coil and a proximal radiographically invisible helical coil. The proximal helical coil and the distal helical coil are attached to each other by a connecting helical coil that on one end is screwed into the proximal helical coil and on the other end is screwed into the distal helical coil.

Abstract: The invention provides a dispenser for disposable cups, comprising a mounting plate provided with means for attachment of the dispenser to a vertical surface; and a cup-retaining and dispensing body extending therefrom, the body being provided with an annular opening having a lower edge, and with wedge-like protrusions extending from the inner walls thereof into the opening, the base of the wedge facing the lower edge, and at least a major part of the protrusions being positioned within the same imaginary semi-annular, co-planar segment of the opening; whereby the protrusions, in conjunction with a segment of the inner walls, retain the rim of a downwardly-extending cup to be dispensed, until the removal thereof from the dispenser.

Abstract: A process for the production of a pollutant-free particulate carbon (i.e., a substantially ash-, sulfur- and nitrogen-free carbon) from carbonaceous feedstocks. The basic process involves de-oxygenating one of the gas streams formed in a cyclic hydropyrolysis-methane pyrolysis process in order to improve conversion of the initial carbonaceous feedstock. De-oxygenation is effected by catalytically converting carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen contained in one of the pyrolysis gas streams, preferably the latter, to a methanol co-product. There are thus produced two products whose use is known per se, viz., a substantially pollutant-free particulate carbon black and methanol. These products may be admixed in the form of a liquid slurry of carbon black in methanol.

Abstract: A balloon dilatation catheter is disclosed having a multisectioned inner tube having a soft bumper tip, a multisectioned outer tube and a balloon with its distal neck connected to the bumper tip and its proximal neck connected to the outer tube. The various sections of the inner tube and outer tube may be formed from different materials or different grades of the same material. In addition, each section may have different outer diameters. The outer tube is bonded directly to the inner tube at the distal end of the outer tube. Preferably this bond is accomplished by thermal bonding.

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: 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.