Abstract: A method of and apparatus for removing a thrombus deposit from the cardiovascular system of a patient without the need to surgically access the location of the thrombus deposit via a cut-down or other surgical procedure. A catheter is inserted percutaneously into the patient at a convenient location either directly or over a previously positioned guide wire. The distal end of the catheter is advanced under fluoroscopy to the site of the thrombus deposit. A balloon is inflated to stabilize the position of the distal end of the catheter within the center of the vessel lumen. A flexible metal tube conveys an extremely high pressure stream of sterile saline solution to at least one jet at the distal end of the catheter. At least one jet positions the thrombus deposit for emulsification by at least one other jet. By directing the jets toward the orifice of the large evacuation lumen of the catheter, a stagnation pressure is induced which propels the emulsion proximally for disposal.

Abstract: A cardiac lead for transmitting electric current to the heart and/or sensing and monitoring electrical activity of the heart has an elongated electrical conductor connected to a head. An electrode mounted on the head comprises a helical wire adapted to be turned into heart tissue. The helical wire is coated with platinum black particles which decrease electrical losses at the electrode-tissue interface. A plug impregnated with a drug located within the head is in contact with the helical wire and platinum black particles thereon. The drug migrates from the plug to the active outer end section of the electrode.

Abstract: A bi-polar cardiac lead for transmitting electric current to the heart and/or sensing and monitoring electrical activity of the heart has elongated electrical conductors connected to a head. The lead has a first electrode mounted on the head having a helical wire connected to one conductor adapted to be turned into heart tissue. The helical wire is coated with platinum black particles which decrease electrical losses at the electrode-tissue interface. A second annular electrode having an irregular outer surface configuration is mounted on the head around the first electrode. A plug impregnated with a drug is located within a recess in the head adjacent the electrodes. The drug migrates from the plug to the stimulation site.

Abstract: A cardiac lead has an electrode and fixation assembly including a plurality of fixation members movable to extended positions into heart tissue to retain the electrode in intimate engagement with heart tissue. An elongated stylet is used to move the fixation members to their extended positions into the heart tissue and retract the fixation members into the fixation assembly to allow the lead to be removed from the heart and body of a person.

Abstract: A cardiac lead for transmitting electric current to the heart and/or sensing and monitoring electrical activity of the heart has an elongated electrical conductor connected to a head. An electrode mounted on the head comprises a helical wire adapted to be turned into heart tissue. A second electrode having an irregular or non-flat surface surrounds the helical wire. The non-flat surface may be a wire mesh, a segmented plate and an annular plate supporting one or more coiled wires.

Abstract: A tool for implanting a pacing lead into heart tissue has a pair of side-by-side beams pivoted together at the opposite ends thereof. The beams have jaws that grip a lead head supporting a helical electrode and a groove for accommodating a section of the lead extended from the head. A releasable lock interposed between the beams operates to hold the beams in jaw closed position to grip the head of the electrode. the lock has flexible fingers and a movable sleeve that allows one hand operation to selectively lock and release of the jaws. The helical electrode has an external layer of platinum black particles resulting in decreased electrical losses at the electrode-tissue interface, increased current density, lower stimulation thresholds, and increased amplitude of sensed electrical signals from the heart tissue.

Abstract: A mandrel assembly supports an umbilical cord during the shaping and curing of the cord for use as a vascular graft. The mandrel assembly has a pair of mandrel members adapted to be releasably connected in end-to-end relation. Adjacent end sections of the mandrel members have reduced cross sectional shapes to provide the graft with a throat to restrict the flow of blood through the vascular graft. Each mandrel member has a low friction outer surface to facilitate the insertion and withdrawal of the mandrel member from the lumen of the umbilical cord. In one embodiment, the adjacent ends and neck portions of the mandrel members have small holes. A vacuum pump draws air from within the mandrel members to withdraw moisture from the tissue of the umbilical cord and hold the umbilical cord in conforming relationship with the joined mandrel members during the forming and curing of the umbilical cord.

Abstract: A graft is used to supply blood to one or more coronary artery branches. The graft is also usable as a peripheral revascularization and inter position prosthesis to supply blood to desired blood vessels. The graft has an elongated U-shaped tubular body providing a continuous passage for carrying blood from a high pressure blood supply to a blood receiver. One or more openings in the body allow blood to flow into the coronary artery branches. The flow and pressure of the blood in the passage is controlled by a restriction providing a restricted passage located remote from the inlet end of the tubular body. In one embodiment, the restriction is reinforced with a sleeve to maintain a desired cross sectional area and length of the restricted passage. The pressure differential between the blood supply and blood receiver maintains continuous and adequate blood flow at a desired pressure in the continuous passage and provides a continual supply of blood for the coronary artery branches.

Abstract: A vascular graft is used to supply blood to one or more coronary artery branches. The vascular graft has an elongated U-shaped tubular body providing a continuous passage for carrying blood from a high pressure blood supply to a blood receiver. One or more openings in the body allow blood to flow into the coronary artery branches. The flow and pressure of the blood in the passage is controlled by a restriction providing a Venturi passage located remote from the inlet end of the tubular body. The restriction is reinforced with an annular sleeve to maintain a desired cross sectional area and length of the Venturi passage. The pressure differential between the blood supply and blood receiver maintains continuous and adequate blood flow at a desired pressure in the body passage and provides a continual supply of blood for the coronary artery branches.

Abstract: A graft is used to supply blood to one or more coronary artery branches. The graft has an elongated U-shaped tubular body providing a continuous passage for carrying blood from a high pressure blood supply to a blood receiver. One or more openings in the body allow blood to flow into the coronary artery branches. The flow and pressure of the blood in the passage is controlled by a restriction located remote from the inlet end of the tubular body. The pressure differential between the blood supply and blood receiver maintains continuous and adequate blood flow at a desired pressure in the body passage and provides a continual supply of blood for the coronary artery branches.

Abstract: A mandrel assembly supports an umbilical cord during the shaping and curing of the cord for use as a vascular graft. The mandrel assembly has a pair of mandrel members adapted to be releasably connected in end-to-end relation. Adjacent end sections of the mandrel members have reduced cross sectional shapes to provide the graft with a Venturi throat. Each mandrel member has a low friction outer surface to facilitate the insertion and withdrawal of the mandrel member from the lumen of the umbilical cord.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring and digitally displaying primate heart rate and systolic blood pressure product information. The apparatus has a microprocessor programmed to respond to signals relating to heart rate and systolic blood pressure and provide a digital output of the current product information and a two minute average of the product information. Separate LED displays are used to present the current and two minute average product information. An audible alarm operates to alert the personnel caring for the patient in the event that the pulse rate and blood pressure product exceeds a selected level. Operator controls are operable to read the input values, silence the alarm, read the external preset trip point, read the internal power supply and reference voltages, and verify the operations of all segments of all digits.