Abstract: A catheter for isolating a segment of blood vessel has a guiding catheter (10) with proximal and distal ends. The guiding catheter (10) has major and minor lumens (12, 14). A first balloon (16) is attached to the guiding catheter (10) at the distal end thereof. The first balloon (16) is connected via the minor lumen (14) to a first inflation port (18) such that as fluid is injected into the first inflation port (18) the first balloon (16) expands. A proximal assembly (20) connected to the major lumen (12) at the proximal end of the guiding catheter (10) has an aspiration port (24) for evacuating the major lumen (12). A guidewire (30) extending through the major lumen includes a hollow tube (32) having proximal and distal ends. A wire (34) with a shapeable core is attached to the distal end of the hollow tube (32) forming a seal therewith. A plug (52) is selectively inserted into the proximal end of the hollow tube (32) forming a seal therewith.

Abstract: A surgical irrigation system utilizing a flow sensor device; upon sensing fluid flow, the flow sensor device activates a fluid acceleration or pumping mechanism to pump fluid to a surgical site; the flow sensor device is capable of being conveniently located between an elevated source of fluid and a surgical handpiece; since the flow sensor device activates the pumping mechanism, the surgical handpiece is liberated from use of an electrical-type switch to activate the pumping mechanism, and, instead, is provided with a valve for mechanically starting and stopping fluid flow.

Abstract: A cardioplegia occluder and methods of using the device during cardiac surgery are disclosed. The system typically includes a substantially rigid cannula with an occluder mounted on the distal region of the cannula that expands upon activation to occlude the aorta downstream of an infusion port which delivers cardioplegia solution to arrest the heart. Systems including cutting blades, blade guards, flanges, radiopaque markers and occluder aligners are also disclosed. In use, the distal end of the cannula is inserted through an incision into the aorta, the occluder is expanded and cardioplegia solution is infused upstream of the aorta to arrest the heart. The infusion port can alternately be used to aspirate cardioplegia or embolic debris or other unwanted material from the aorta.

Abstract: A drug-infusing device is implanted into a body cavity such as a bladder. The device is implanted in an uninflated, low profile state. After insertion into the body cavity, the device is filled with a substance, such as a drug, and assumes an increased profile. After the device is filled, it is allowed to float freely within the body cavity. Alternatively, the device can be tethered to a wall of the body cavity. The device delivers the drug at a controlled rate over an extended period of time. In order to deliver the drug at a controlled rate, the device preferably has a pressure-responsive valving member. The flow resistance of the valving member is responsive to the pressure at which the drug is stored within the infusing device. The resistance of the valving member decreases as the pressure within the infusing device decreases, thereby providing a resultant controlled flow rate.

Abstract: Balloons for medical devices, particularly balloon angioplasty catheters, which have hybrid compliance curves are made from particular block copolymer thermoplastic elastomers. Melt blends of an engineering resin having by a flexural modulus of about 240,000 psi or greater and a block copolymer elastomer having a flexural modulus of about 150,000 psi or less, the block copolymer including at least one block which is structurally similar to the engineering resin are also used to produce medical device balloons.

Abstract: A needleless syringe having a membrane (28) which is ruptured by gas pressure to generate a supersonic gas flow in which particles containing a therapeutic agent are injected.

Abstract: A steerable injection catheter comprises a catheter body, a deflection control handle, a needle control handle, a tip section, and a means for deflecting the tip section by manipulation of the deflection control handle. A moveable injection needle extends from the needle control handle and through the catheter body and tip section. The needle may be moved out of the distal tip of the catheter by manipulation of the catheter control handle. The catheter also comprises a tip electrode mounted at the distal end of the tip section. An electrode lead wire is electrically connected to the tip electrode. The lead wire extends through a lumen in the tip section, through a lumen in the catheter body and into the deflection control handle. The injection catheter also includes an electromagnetic mapping sensor which is disposed within the distal tip of the catheter for providing tip location information.

Abstract: A method of forming a catheter shaft having a flexible section by selective removal of catheter shaft material using laser radiation, and a catheter produced therefrom. The laser radiation is of an ultraviolet wavelength. The catheter shaft is made more flexible without a disadvantageous decrease in column strength by operating the laser in the UV, which allows for machining recess patterns with smooth and repeatable recess surfaces while producing little or no thermal or mechanical effects on the remaining adjacent polymeric material.

Abstract: This invention includes protective devices for protecting against needle-stick injury by a medical catheter or needle. More particularly, the invention is concerned with guards for use with wingless needle assemblies of the type used by blood banks. However, it is also applicable to winged needle assemblies used for other medical purposes, such as the intravenous (IV) infusion of fluids. The needle or catheter assemblies of the type concerned here, comprise a needle, a needle mount or block, and a flexible tube, which are connected at one end to the needle via the needle mount and at the other end to a blood collection bag or to an IV fluid source. A winged catheter or needle assembly is one having a pair of flexible wing-like protrusions extending laterally from its mount, the wings being taped to the user's skin to keep the needle in place over the long periods of time often needed for IV infusions.

Abstract: A closed system adapter for catheters is disclosed. The adapter comprises a rigid outer housing having an inlet end with an internal cavity, and outlet end with a central passageway, the outlet end having a series of incrementally larger diameter steps permitting connection to various sized catheters.Positioned within the inlet end internal cavity is a resilient valve member normally biased to a sealed closed position. The valve member includes a generally cylindrical wall with a diaphragm with a pre-slit partitioned across the wall. The cylindrical wall dimensioned to be slightly larger in diameter than the inlet end cavity of the housing except for a recessed area where the diaphragm is positioned. The cylindrical wall providing inward compressive force except in the recess area permitting the diaphragm to remain in a steady state normally closed position without excessive inwardly compressive force.

Abstract: An ultrasonic instrument has a generator of ultrasonic energy and an elongated tip whose proximal end receives the ultrasonic energy from the generator which is conveyed to the tip distal end having a distal end section with an outer surface that is non-circular with a part, such as the corner junction between two walls of a polygon, having a shape to concentrate the ultrasonic energy at the tip distal end for radiation outwardly from the tip. One form of tip distal end section has a diamond shaped cross-section that can be either transverse or at an angle to the tip longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A retractable syringe needle, including a needle assembly featuring a needle-holding mechanism containing a hub and a means for securing a syringe barrel to the hub, a hypodermic needle extending through the hub; and a pin connected with said hub. The needle assembly is positioned inside a tubular container which has a tubular wall with a first longitudinal slot therein. The container has a first end adapted to receive a syringe barrel, and a second open end adapted to receive a syringe needle. The needle assembly is slidably mounted in the container so that the first longitudinal slot slidably engages the pin. The needle assembly may be moved from a first position where the needle is within the container to a second position where the needle is exposed by sliding the pin toward the second open end of the container and causing the needle to pass through the second open end.

Abstract: A pericardiocentesis apparatus and method for accessing the pericardial space. The invention consists of inserting a percutaneous tube whose tip has a hole which is positioned over and contacts the anterior pericardium. Introducing a vacuum within said tube forms a pericardial bleb within that hole. A guided needle within the tube is advanced to puncture the pericardial bleb while avoiding contact with the epicardium. A hollow filament or electrocardial lead or flexible guide wire within said needle can then be advanced into said pericardial cavity. The guide wire may be used to guide a intrapericardial catheter into the pericardial space for injection or infusion of selected therapeutic agents into the pericardial space to treat various heart and blood vessel diseases. Controlled drug release material(s) can be injected through said needle for the slow and/or sustained delivery of said therapeutic agents into said pericardial cavity.

Abstract: A urinary catheter includes a cannula having a urine passage, a urine inlet and a urine outlet; and a valve positioned in said urine passage between said inlet and said outlet and having a valve passage having at least a portion which is moveably positioned between a substantially blocked positioned and a flow position, and structure for moving said portion, said structure for moving being biased toward a blocking position wherein said portion is in said substantially blocked position and flow through said valve means is substantially blocked, and said structure for moving being moveable to a position at least partially moving said portion toward said flow position wherein flow through said valve means is allowed.

Abstract: This is a section of a catheter which self-forms a selected shape upon application of a modest amount of heat and retains that shape upon cooling and, indeed, upon any reheating. The catheter section includes in its wall a forming member which typically comprises a super-elastic alloy oven braid or at least one coil. The forming member may include other materials and components in addition to the super-elastic element of the forming member. The forming member is typically covered by at least an outer polymeric covering which holds the forming member in a first shape prior to the heating step. Upon softening of the outer layer during that heating step, the forming member self-forms into the desired second shape. The catheter section may be used either in its first shape or its second shape or in any transitional shape between the two. Often the inner lumen of the forming member may contain a second polymeric tubing member. The inner polymeric tubing member is often lubricious.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for effecting controlled injury to a selected body region to induce muscular revascularization and to provide delivery of drugs and therapeutic agents. A transvascular or muscular revascularization device is provided comprising a stimulator with extended penetrating members and a depth regulator for controlling the extent of penetration through tissue membrane, an outer sheath for retention of the stimulator and selective deployment of the penetrating members of the stimulator, and energy transfer means in communication with the stimulator for effecting a controlled injury to a selected region with directed energy through the penetrating members of the stimulator.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for performing electrosurgical interventions, such as selectively contracting soft collagen tissue and other body structures, while limiting thermal damage or molecular dissociation of such tissue and limiting the thermal damage to tissue adjacent to and underlying the treatment site. The systems and methods of the present invention are particularly useful for surgical procedures in electrically conducting environments, such as arthroscopic procedures in the joints, e.g., shoulder, knee, hip, hand, foot, elbow or the like. The present invention is also useful in relatively dry environments, such as treating and shaping the cornea, and dermatological procedures involving surface tissue contraction of tissue underlying the surface of the skin for tissue rejuvenation, wrinkle removal and the like.

Abstract: A surgical visualization and moisturizing device providing improved visualization and moisturizing of a surgical site such as an anastomosis. The device of the present invention is provided with a plurality of small flexible lumens extending through and terminating distal of a gas flow port to thoroughly mix and moisture the gas flow with a saline solution. Each of the plurality of flexible lumens, preferably forming a ribbon, are separated from one another slightly at the distal tip to permit vibration due to the gas flow exiting about and past each of the saline lumens. This spacing further facilitates uniform moisturizing of the gas flow. The distal ends of the saline lumens extend beyond the tip of the device such that the pressure of the gas flow approaches atmospheric pressure, whereby gas flow will not go against the head pressure of the saline bag. This eliminates the need for a pressure cuff on the saline bag.

Abstract: An apparatus for irrigating a local irrigation site includes a suction/irrigation tip that is removably connected to a suction/irrigation handpiece. The tip has an irrigation tube for directing irrigation liquid to the irrigation site, and a suction tube coaxially aligned within the irrigation tube. The handpiece pumps irrigation liquid from an external reservoir, through the annular space between the irrigation tubes and the suction tube to the irrigation site. Suction is applied to the site through the central suction lumen which has a large unobstructed opening to reduce clogging. A flexible splash shield, slidably mounted to the tip, is conically shaped and extends distally from a collar to a rim. The rim is sized to fit around and about the local site.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a device for delivering a pharmaceutically active compound or cosmetic substance to a subject comprises a flexible substrate sheet attached to an electronic controller. The controller is provided with a pair of electrical contacts on the underside thereof and is adhered to the sheet by means of a pair of strips of electrically conductive adhesive. The underside of the sheet is printed in two halves with electrically conductive ink to provide a pair of electrodes separated by an insulating barrier. A protuberance extends from each electrode and is folded onto the top of the sheet such that the contacts of the controller are adhered in electrical connection with the protuberances and thus also with the electrodes. The use of an adhesive to connect a controller in electrical communication with the electrodes enables an extremely simple construction of delivery device to be achieved.