Abstract: A memory unit capable of storing calibration data attached to a probe portion of a pulse oximeter and a connector portion of an intra-aortic balloon catheter.

Abstract: An apparatus and post-processing method for reversibly converting an existing electrocardiograph (ECG) erase bar waveform display to a scrolling waveform display. This conversion is accomplished by swapping the positions of the portions of the waveform that are displayed to the right and left of the erase bar in an erase bar waveform display each time a new heartbeat data point is displayed. The swapping function is accomplished by delaying the display of the data points to the right of the erase bar by a time period x and by delaying the display of data points to the left of the erase by x plus the amount of time required to scan an entire row. x is the amount of time required to scan all of the data points displayed to the right of the erase bar on the erase bar waveform display.

Abstract: A device is proposed for inserting hemostatic material through a tissue channel and against the outside wall of a blood vessel of a patient, wherein the blood vessel wall has a puncture therein adjacent the tissue channel. The device includes a charge of hemostatic material and a hollow sheath adapted to pass through the tissue channel, the sheath having a cross sectional profile larger than the puncture. The device places the hemostatic material in the hollow sheath and advances the hemostatic material through the sheath to the outside of the vessel wall around the puncture.

Abstract: A stent/graft catheter delivery handle comprising a housing and a trigger pivotally connected to the housing on one end of the trigger. Squeezing the free end of the trigger towards the handle housing shifts a pawl, which is engaged with grooves on the outer surface of a stent/graft delivery catheter, longitudinally along the length of the catheter. Shifting of the pawl has the effect of retracting the sheath of the catheter relative to the plunger (inner lumen assembly) of the catheter and thus deploying a stent/graft stored in a proximal end of the catheter.

Abstract: A closed chest intra-aortic balloon catheter based ventricular assist device comprising an intra-aortic balloon (IAB) catheter and a pumping chamber having a smaller diameter portion and a more proximal larger diameter portion. The IAB catheter balloon membrane is disposed within the larger diameter portion. The entire device is inserted percutaneously into the aorta of a patient such that the tip of the IAB catheter is just distal to the left subclavian artery and the distal end of the smaller diameter portion is in the left ventricle. The smaller diameter portion has an intake valve at its distal end which acts as a one-way valve allowing blood to flow into the lumen of the pumping chamber but not out of it. The pumping chamber has one or more outlet valves. As the balloon membrane deflates, pressure in the pumping chamber drops below that in the left ventricle, and as a result, blood flows into the pumping chamber.

Abstract: Soft tissue implants can be constructed by forming an outer membrane into a closed pouch and filling material in that pouch. A composition for use as a filler material in such a soft tissue implant may include elastin and collagen. The filling material has collagen as a component thereof, and this collagen can be cross-linked or not cross-linked. Methods of making such implants are described.

Abstract: A needle guide ensures that an angiographic needle is inserted into a patient's femoral artery at a prescribed location, angle and direction. The needle guide includes an elongated base having a recess on one end defined by a pair of projecting fingers, and a support member on the upper surface of the base adjacent to the recess. The support member has a support surface which is inclined at a prescribed angle with respect to a locating plane defined by the base. The length of the projecting fingers help position the support surface at a spaced distance from the patient's inguinal crease, while a channel in the support surface cradles and guides the angiographic needle at the prescribed angle as it is inserted into the femoral artery. The needle guide may include a second recess defined by a pair of projecting fingers at the opposite end of the base and another support member adjacent thereto.

Abstract: A Device and method are provided to split a single chambered IAB device into at least two IAB distinct chambers, that work in conjunction with each other, each being smaller than the single chamber, but the combination of the two chambers may be greater than the single chamber.

Abstract: A single-piece bifurcated graft for insertion into the femoral artery and further into the aorta with approximately one half of the graft inverted inside out after positioning within the artery. There is no central section like other bifurcated grafts. Instead, two bifurcated sections are joined at the top. Upon introduction, the graft is attached to the aortic wall in the middle section, the vicinity of the renal arteries, and the inversion process takes place. This process allows deployment of the second half of the graft into its final inverted position. While stents are located only at the openings of the graft, additional stents may be deployed inside the graft if necessary.

Abstract: An active compression/decompression CPR device includes two pressure members mounted on a common beam. When placed on the victim with one member on the chest and the other on the abdomen, pressure on one end of the beam causes compression of the thorax and decompression of the abdomen. Conversely, when pressure is applied to the other end of the beam, the abdomen is compressed and the thorax is decompressed.

Abstract: A device for facilitating the insertion of balloon catheters and other devices into blood vessels, for example, the femoral artery, while presenting the minimal amount of obstruction to the flow of fluid through the vessel. The device is comprised of an introducer sheath having a hub and a short elongated section wherein when the hub abuts the patient's skin and the short elongated section is not long enough to reach the vessel. Also disclosed is a method for inserting a balloon catheter using the short introducer sheath.

Abstract: An insertion guide wire with an anchor formed in the distal end for precisely locating a subcutaneous arterial wound and guiding a plug of hemostatic material thereto. When the hemostatic material is properly placed, the anchor can be released and the guide wire removed, leaving no foreign object in the lumen of the artery.

Abstract: An insertion guide wire with an anchor formed in the distal end for precisely locating a subcutaneous arterial wound and inserting a guide sheath adjacent to said arterial wound. The hemostatic material can then be placed outside the wound. When the guide sheath is properly placed, the anchor can be released and the guide wire removed. The hemostatic material can then be placed outside the wound, leaving no foreign object in the lumen of the artery.

Abstract: A device is proposed for inserting hemostatic material through a tissue channel and against the outside wall of a blood vessel of a patient, wherein the blood vessel wall has a puncture therein adjacent the tissue channel. The device includes a charge of hemostatic material and a hollow sheath adapted to pass through the tissue channel, the sheath having a cross sectional profile larger than the puncture. The device places the hemostatic material in the hollow sheath and advances the hemostatic material through the sheath to the outside of the vessel wall around the puncture.

Abstract: An intra-aortic balloon pump includes an overdrive system for inflating the intra-aortic balloon with a working gas and deflating the balloon more rapidly. A substantially constant inflation pressure is applied to the working gas for a predetermined time to substantially fully inflate the balloon to a working pressure. The inflation pressure is then reduced to a pressure which is substantially equal to the working pressure so as to maintain the balloon in the inflated condition and prevent its overinflation. Subsequently, a substantially constant deflation pressure is applied to the working gas and is held for a predetermined time to substantially fully deflate the balloon to a desired end deflation pressure. The deflation pressure is then increased to a pressure which is substantially equal to the end deflation pressure so as to maintain the balloon in the deflated condition and ready the system for the next inflation cycle.

Abstract: A device is proposed for inserting hemostatic material through a tissue channel and against the outside wall of a blood vessel of a patient, wherein the blood vessel wall has a puncture therein adjacent the tissue channel. The device includes a charge of hemostatic material and a hollow sheath adapted to pass through the tissue channel, the sheath having a cross sectional profile larger than the puncture. The device places the hemostatic material in the hollow sheath and advances the hemostatic material through the sheath to the outside of the vessel wall around the puncture.

Abstract: An insertion guide wire with an anchor formed in the distal end for precisely locating a subcutaneous arterial wound and guiding a plug of hemostatic material thereto. When the hemostatic material is properly placed, the anchor can be released and the guide wire removed, leaving no foreign object in the lumen of the artery.

Abstract: A device is proposed for inserting hemostatic material through a tissue channel and against the outside wall of a blood vessel of a patient, wherein the blood vessel wall has a puncture therein adjacent the tissue channel. The device includes a charge of hemostatic material and a hollow sheath adapted to pass through the tissue channel, the sheath having a cross sectional profile larger than the puncture. The device places the hemostatic material in the hollow sheath and advances the hemostatic material through the sheath to the outside of the vessel wall around the puncture.

Abstract: A balloon catheter assembly in which the catheter tube terminates at the entrance to the balloon chamber and in which a thin support member connects the distal end of the catheter tube to the tip at the distal end of the balloon chamber. A connecting anchor is provided at the distal end of the catheter tube. The connecting anchor has a skirt portion that is connected to the catheter tube. The support member is attached to the skirt portion.

Abstract: Injectable implant compositions for soft tissue augmentation comprise elastin and collagen and a biocompatible carrier. An injectable implant composition for soft tissue augmentation is derived from the ligamentum nuchae which has been treated to remove non-collagenous and non-elastinous proteins. Methods of making an injectable implant composition for soft tissue augmentation from the ligamentum nuchae are described.