Abstract: An elongated flexible housing for an atherectomy or other intracorporeal catheter which is formed of a shape memory alloy such as an alloy formed predominantly of NiTi intermetallic compound. The housing preferably has an inner chamber with a tissue cutter or other diagnostic or therapeutic system provided within the chamber to sever stenotic material which is urged into the chamber through a opening or window in the housing. In one embodiment the housing has at least one section which is relatively flexible with adjacent sections which are relatively stiff to provide an increase in the overall flexibility of the housing.

Abstract: A stabilized bio-inert sensor for the determination of an analyte, especially pO.sub.2, pCO.sub.2 and pH, in a medium which comprises a chemical indicator sensitive to the analyte in association with a stabilizing substrate formed from a polymer which is inert to the medium and analyte and does not affect the sensitivity of the indicator, which polymer is a cross-linked, solid silicone rubber formed from a silicone carbinol having a molecular structure compatible with said indicator.

Abstract: Devices are provided having a polymer coating incorporating compounds inhibiting inflammation and infection, along with subsequent tissue growth onto and around the device. Preferred embodiments include catheters, tubes, and implants that abut tissue following implantation into the body, especially for use in the naso-oto-pharyngeal areas of the body, where localized chronic infection/inflammation of the tissues surrounding the implant may be decreased by sustained release of antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals, anti-inflammatories, and other compounds, such as anticoagulants and anesthetics. Preferred polymeric coatings are thin, well adhered to the underlying device, and formed of a biocompatible, non-bioerodible polymer such as polyurethane or ethylene vinyl acetate. The drug is incorporated either by solvent casting or by absorption into the solidified polymer. The drug incorporated polymer can also be used to form devices, or portions of devices, for implantation.

Abstract: A wound dressing for promoting moist wound healing comprising a backing sheet coated with a pressure-sensitive adhesive, an absorbent pad adhered to the adhesive, and a net extending across the pad and adhered to the adhesive. The perimeter of the pad is completely surrounded by a portion of the adhesive. The backing sheet comprises a strip of stretchable, liquid-permeable, non-woven fabric and a semi-occlusive film. The fabric strip is preferably disposed on an interior side of the film and carries the adhesive. The film defines an external face of the dressing and covers the entire surface area of the fabric strip.

Abstract: A system for controlling drainage of the female bladder comprising a valved catheter, a stylet for placing the catheter in the female urethra, and a spike for opening the valve in the catheter to allow voiding of the contents of the bladder. The system also includes a sizing device for determining the length of the urethra so that the proper fitting catheter is used. The catheter comprises a hollow shaft with a extendable holding portion on one end for placement through the urethra and a crown on the other end for placement external of the body. The valve nay integral with the shaft or insertable after the catheter is placed in the urethra.

Abstract: A dispenser for use in a fluid environment which is capable of delivery of plurality of drugs in any desired delivery pattern or profile.

Abstract: Methods and articles of manufacture are provided for treating disorders of smooth muscle function in organ systems. A treatment element comprises a biocompatible polymer matrix loaded with a neuroactive substance. The device is placed in contact with the targeted organ system in a manner effecting a therapeutic effect on the smooth muscle function of the organ system.

Abstract: Thermal drug treatment of tumor tissue is obtained by attaching a thermally active drug to carrier molecules which have an affinity to tumor tissue. Localized heating is performed on the tumor tissue, thereby activating the drug in the tumor tissue. The end result may be concentrated delivery of a drug to a chosen tissue, or, in the case where the drug creates a toxin when heated, selective tissue destruction of a selected locations heated. The localized heat may be applied by focused ultrasound heating.

Abstract: The invention is a microcannula which comprises a hollow tube having a small cross sectional size and a side beveled tip wherein the angle of the bevel is about 25 degrees. A segment of the hollow tube distal to the beveled tip has an expanded outside diameter which may be provided by a tightly fitting ring member which may be moved to a desired position on the outside of the hollow tube. The tight fit of the ring is preferably obtained through an interference fit between the ring and the out side surface of the hollow tube. A conically tiped trochar is fitted tightly but removably in the lumen of the hollow tube. The trochar may be provided with a flattened or swedged segment.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for measuring myocardial function in a mammal in need of such measurement by:a) administering 0.01-15 .mu.g/kg/min of a compound of the formula: ##STR1## where R.sub.1 is hydrogen or the group ##STR2## where R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are the same or different and are hydrogen, C.sub.1 to C.sub.12 linear or branched alkyl, C.sub.3 to C.sub.7 cycloalkyl, C.sub.6 to C.sub.10 aryl unsubstituted or substituted with C.sub.1 to C.sub.6 linear or branched alkyl, C.sub.1 to C.sub.6 linear or branched alkoxy, nitro, amino, amino substituted with at least one C.sub.1 to C.sub.6 linear or branched alkyl or phenyl, C.sub.2 to C.sub.10 aralkyl, C.sub.4 to C.sub.8 heteroaryl wherein said heteroatom is nitrogen, phosphorous, sulfur or oxygen, and R.sub.2 is hydrogen, or taken together with R.sub.

Abstract: A system for controlling drainage of the female bladder comprising a valved catheter, a stylet for placing the catheter in the female urethra, and a spike for opening the valve in the catheter to allow voiding of the contents of the bladder which also includes sensing and transmission means incorporated therein. The valve which may be integral with the shaft or located in a cap on the shaft may be manually operated or opened electronically by a signal transmitted from an external source.

Abstract: A syringe system for delivering fluid with a volume displacement assembly intensifier for expelling a predetermined volume of fluid from the syringe while activated. A syringe having a barrel and a syringe plunger is selectively operable to deliver fluid from the syringe barrel, and the volume displacement assembly is mounted in fluid communication with the barrel of the syringe. When the volume displacement assembly is activated, a predetermined amount of volume is displaced from the syringe into the balloon of a balloon catheter. Deactivation results in balloon deflation. A predetermined degree of inflation may be reproducibly obtained without the exercise of deliberate care as required with conventional syringes lacking a volume displacement assembly.

Abstract: The invention provides a dual lumen vascular access catheter having a compact connection structure free of flexible tubing and including valves providing a visual indication of the status of the valves and hence of the catheter. The catheter includes a flexible main body defining first and second lumens and extending longitudinally between proximal and distal ends, and a relatively rigid compact connection structure is coupled directly to the main body at the proximal end of the main body. The connection structure includes a housing defining the first and second channels which extend from the first and second lumens in communication with these lumens for providing flow between the lumens and external equipment. First and second valves in the housing are positioned in the respective first and second channels in fixed relationship one with the other.

Abstract: A transdermal drug delivery device (20) is provided having both an active drug reservoir (24) and a passive drug reservoir (26). Drug is actively delivered by iontophoresis from the active drug reservoir (24) by an electric field generated by a power source (21). Simultaneously, drug is delivered from passive reservoir (26) by passive (i.e., non-electrically assisted) diffusion. In one embodiment, the passive drug reservoir (26) is electrically insulated from the active drug reservoir (24). In a second embodiment, both the active and the passive drug are contained in the same reservoir (34). In the second embodiment, the active drug is ionizable while the passive drug is non-ionizable. Most preferably, the active drug is an ionizable form (i.e., a salt form) of the passive drug.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and cardioplegic solutions for improving cardiac function and recovery of a mammal after surgical procedures which arrest the heart. In particular the present invention provides methods of improving recovery of a mammal after surgery involving cardiopulmonary bypass when the heart of the mammal is subjected to cardioplegia which include infusing the mammal's heart for a sufficient time at the onset of cardioplegia with a cardioplegic solution which contains an sufficient amount of a zinc-ligand conjugate.

Abstract: A contrast agent adapted for magnetic resonance imaging of a sample, the contrast agent comprising a suspension in a medium acceptable for magnetic resonance imaging of (a) coated particles of a contrast agent possessing paramagnetic characteristics and (b) coated particles of a contrast agent possessing diamagnetic characteristics, each of the coatings being selected from a group of materials which [I] renders the coated particles (a) and (b) substantially comparable with and substantially biologically and substantially chemically inert to each other and the environments to which the contrast agent is exposed during magnetic resonance imaging and [II] which substantially stabilizes the suspension; the nature of each of the coatings and the relative amounts of (a) and (b) in the suspension being such that the positive magnetic susceptibility of (a) substantially offsets the negative magnetic susceptibility of (b) and the resulting suspension has substantially zero magnetic susceptibility and, when employed in

Abstract: A stomach tube having an inflatable balloon for closing the stomach opening and an indicator for indicating the balloon pressure at first and second predetermined pressure levels. After the stomach tube is inserted, the stomach balloon is inflated without the stomach tube under tension until the lower pressure level is indicated. The stomach tube is then tensioned until the higher pressure level is indicated. A nose stop is used to maintain the stomach tube tension.

Abstract: A device for treating conditions causing obstructions in a body passage, composed of a catheter dimensioned to be insertable into the body passage and having a lateral wall and a distal end via which the catheter can be inserted into the body passage, the catheter being provided internally with fluid conducting passages and a fluid outlet passage which extends through the lateral wall and communicates with one of the fluid conducting passage; and first and second balloons carried by the catheter and extending outwardly from the lateral wall, the balloons communicating with respective fluid conducting passages and being disposed so that the first balloon is located between the fluid outlet passage and the distal end of the catheter, wherein one of the balloons is a high compliance volume balloon and the other of the balloons is a low compliance pressure balloon dimensioned to radially dilate the body when expanded by a fluid under pressure.

Abstract: A wearable iontophoresis system includes a control housing having a connector and an iontophoretic drug delivery patch for placement against the skin of a patient. The patch has a device for retaining the control housing connector which permits the connector to be removably attached to the patch. The control housing also has at least a power supply device and a current delivery device. The control housing has top and bottom surfaces wherein the top surface has raised, recessed and sloping regions. The thickness of the connector is tapered from a second end to a first end. Furthermore, the second end of the connector is attached to the control housing and oriented so that the first end is unattached to the control housing and proximate to the control housing bottom surface. The iontophoretic drug delivery patch includes top and bottom surfaces wherein mounted to the top surface is the device for retaining the control housing connector.

Abstract: An intravascular catheter with an expandable region formed of a tubular material that continues the distal end of the catheter body in a one-piece configuration and is radially expanded and contracted by means of a control wire. The interior of the expandable region is in fluid communication with a lumen in the catheter body to allow the delivery of a fluid to the artery via openings in the surface of the expandable region. The catheter is particularly adapted to hold open an artery after a vascular procedure therein such as a balloon or other type of angioplasty, and if desired to introduce a therapeutic drug or other fluid to the site of the vascular procedure.