Abstract: A cutter for the in-situ cutting of valves within a vein. The cutter comprises a catheter having cutter fingers extending from its open distal end in an annular pattern. A sheath is selectively extensible over the fingers to shield them from inadvertent contact with the vein being treated. A fiberoptic viewer extends through the catheter to view through its open distal end.

Abstract: A shear force gauge for applying tension to an elongate wire or a catheter element and continuously sensing the amount of such tension. The gauge comprises a clamp adapted to frictionally engage the elongate element and a spring gauge secured to the clamp to apply tension thereto. In the preferred embodiment, the clamp is adjustable to permit the elongate element to slip relative thereto upon reaching a predetermined tension limit.

Abstract: A heatable dilation catheter includes an elongated flexible catheter which has an inflatable balloon attached to its distal end. The balloon has a heating element attached to it. A lumen provides a passageway which allows fluid to be introduced to inflate the balloon so that the heating element is in close proximity to tissue to be treated. The heating element is activated for an appropriate period of time to heat the tissue.

Abstract: A catheter assembly for measuring hemodynamic pressure and method. The assembly includes an outer catheter and an inner catheter slidably mounted within the outer catheter lumen. The inner catheter is provided with an inflatable balloon which is used to guide the distal section of the assembly through the heart and to occlude a pulmonary artery or capillary. The inner catheter is provided with a lumen for inflating the baloon and a separate lumen for measuring pressure. The catheter assembly is inserted in the heart of the patient in the conventional manner. The inner catheter is advanced through the outer catheter until the inflated balloon occludes an artery or capillary. Once a pressure measurement is made through the separate inner catheter lumen, the inner catheter is retracted through the outer catheter and the balloon deflated. Subsequent pressure measurements may be made by simply reinflating the balloon and advancing the inner catheter through the fixed outer catheter.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for hemostatically clipping an incision edge with normally biased spring clips. A magazine containing a plurality of said clips and means for conveying said clips through the magazine. A method for gathering the incision edge within a bridge, over and past which, the clip is forced thereby engaging the flesh member between the jaws of said clip.

Abstract: A calibrator oval for the internal gauging of the lumen of a stenotic segment of artery is provided with an elongated carrier having a controllable variable flexibility.

Abstract: A dilatation catheter is provided at its distal end with an invertable-evertable balloon which expands longitudinally and then radially and is provided at the proximal side of that balloon with a sleeve balloon which expands radially.

Abstract: A vessel occluding instrument for facilitating the surgical treatment of an anatomical vessel. The instrument comprises an elongated body member having top and bottom surfaces, opposed sides, and first and second opposed ends; a length of resilient tape extending from adjacent the first opposed end of the body member; a securing device positioned adjacent the second opposed end for releasably holding the resilient tape; and a resilient pad secured to the bottom surface of the body member, the resilient pad comprising a cohesive-adhesive covering sheet for releasing securing the pad to the vessel, whereby the sheet and the vessel collectively produce an adherence relationship therebetween.

Abstract: A balloon catheter of the linear eversion type is provided with a sealed through lumen which will pass guide wires and other objects without disturbing the sealed nature of the balloon system.

Abstract: A cutting annulus which is radially expansible is employed to achieve complete removal of arteriosclerotic material from occluded arteries.

Abstract: A dilatation catheter comprising an elongate elastomeric tube having a telescopic sheath received therearound to selectively expose varying lengths of tube or inflation. A wire extending through the tube provides for longitudinal stretching of the tube to reduce it diametrical cross-section. In one embodiment, port means within the tube may be exposed by contracting of the sheath to provide means whereby injections may be made through the tube.

Abstract: A center-pull cutting annulus which is radially expansible is employed to achieve complete removal of arteriosclerotic material from occluded arteries.

Abstract: A dilatation catheter is provided with an elongated balloon element having a distal evertable dilating portion and a proximal connector portion. The proximal connector portion extends through and past a large chamber where part of it may be layed-up in a loop or loops, and said connector portion also extends through O-ring braking and sealing structure.

Abstract: A catheter of the evagination type is provided with an inverted-evertable non-elastic tube having a diameter throughout equal to or greater than the catheter body, an axially aligned end opening at the distal end, and a multifold configuration of the distal end to maintain end-sealing during inversion and eversion.

Abstract: A dilatation catheter of the type having a balloon element adapted to be retracted by axial twisting following deflation is provided with a pair of concentrically related balloon twisting elements, one of which is adapted to be removed following full wind up of the balloon element so that the relative stiffness of the twisted balloon section of the catheter will be approximately the same as that of the balance of the catheter.

Abstract: A dilatation catheter is provided with an elongated balloon element having a distal evertable dilating portion and a connector portion having a radially pleated proximal end. An always-open lumen of the catheter is defined in part by the balloon.

Abstract: In a combined large and small bore syringe, the small bore syringe is used as the plunger for the large bore syringe. Movement of the small bore syringe plunger produces a high pressure, low volume flow while subsequent movement of the entirety of the small bore syringe as the plunger of the large bore syringe produces a low pressure, high volume liquid flow.

Abstract: An endarterectomy roller adapted to strip cores of atheromatous plaque from arteries is provided with disposable roller elements and with novel quick connect and disconnect elements for the roller elements.

Abstract: A dilatation catheter is provided with a balloon element which is invertable, evertable, and inflatable in its everted condition. The catheter is provided with relatively movable members akin to cylinder and piston elements including a port which may be selectively closed off to prevent contrast injection material from being introduced into the blood vessel being treated and opened up for the introduction of contrast injection material into the blood vessel.

Abstract: A cutting annulus which is radially expansible is employed to achieve complete removal of arteriosclerotic material from occluded arteries.