Abstract: Guide wire for use in a medical procedure and for use with a power supply comprising a solid core wire having proximal and distal extremities. The proximal extremity has a predetermined diameter. At least a portion of the distal extremity has a reduced size with respect to the predetermined diameter. A flexible coil is secured to the distal extremity of the core wire and extends over the portion of the core wire having a reduced size. An actuator member is disposed proximal of the coil and extends along the core wire. Electrical conductors extend from the proximal extremity of the core wire to the actuator member for supplying heat to the actuator member. The actuator member is formed of a temperature activated metal alloy having a Young's modulus of 4.times.10.sup.6 to 14.times.10.sup.6 psi which increases in stiffness when heat is supplied thereto to increase the stiffness of the guide wire proximally of the coil.

Abstract: A method for performing an angioplasty procedure for treating one or more stenoses in a blood vessel and branches thereof of a patient using a low profile balloon-on-a-wire catheter which has a flexible elongate tubular member with proximal and distal extremities and a removable inflation device removably secured to the proximal extremity of the flexible elongate tubular member. The method comprises the steps of inserting the balloon-on-a-wire catheter into the vessel so that the balloon is disposed in a selected stenosis in the vessel. The removable inflation device is placed on the proximal extremity of the flexible elongate tubular member so that it is in communication with the lumen in the flexible elongate tubular member. The balloon is inflated to create an enlarged flow passage through the selected stenosis. The removable inflation device is removed from the proximal extremity of the flexible elongate tubular member.

Abstract: A low profile, balloon-on-a-wire catheter comprising a flexible elongate tubular member having proximal and distal extremities. A balloon inflation-deflation lumen extends from the proximal extremity to the distal extremity. An inflatable balloon is carried by the distal extremity of the flexible elongate tubular member. The flexible elongate tubular member carries means which establishes communication between the lumen and the interior of the inflatable balloon. A removable inflation device is removably secured to the proximal extremity of the flexible elongate tubular member for supplying an inflation fluid to the lumen for inflating and deflating the balloon. The removable inflation device forms a high pressure seal with the proximal extremity of the flexible elongate tubular member. The removable inflation device is free of obstructions so that another balloon catheter can be advanced over the proximal extremity of the flexible elongate tubular member which serves as a stand-alone guide wire.

Abstract: A method and system for maintaining the position of a guiding member, such as a guidewire, within a patient's vascular system, particularly within a guiding catheter disposed within the patient's vascular system, while an intravascular catheter slidably mounted on the guiding member is withdrawn and a replacement catheter is advanced over the guiding member. One presently preferred embodiment includes a guiding sheath having an inner lumen extending the length thereof with an engaging device slidably disposed with the guiding sheath. The guidewire engaging device is torqued from its proximal end which extends out of the proximal end of the guiding catheter so that the flexible distal end wraps around the guidewire tightly enough to maintain the position of the guidewire while withdrawing or advancing a catheter over the guidewire. The distal portion of the guidewire engaging device is preferably a pseudoelastic NiTi alloy which is in a stable austenite phase at body temperature (37.degree. C.

Abstract: A guide wire having a distal extremity with an adjustable support characteristic comprising a core wire having proximal and distal extremities. The distal extremity has a reduced cross sectional area which is more flexible than the proximal extremity. A tip secured to the distal extremity of the core wire. A sleeve of superelastic material is disposed coaxially on the distal extremity of the core wire. The sleeve is annealed so that it is relatively flexible at a temperature ranging from 20.degree. to 40.degree. C. and becomes progressively stiffer as temperature increases. The core wire conducts electrical energy to the superelastic sleeve to supply heat to the sleeve and extends from the proximal extremity of the core wire to the sleeve to cause the sleeve to become stiffer to thereby increase the stiffness of the distal extremity of the guide wire.

Abstract: A guide wire with extension capability for use in a medical procedure having a guide wire and a guide wire extension. The guide wire comprises a flexible elongate cylindrical member having proximal and distal extremities. A portion of the distal extremity is formed of a material having high torquability and high pushability. The guide wire extension comprises a flexible elongate cylindrical member formed of a shape memory material. A major portion of the flexible elongate cylindrical member of the guide wire extension has a shape memory in the form of a coil so that when it is free it will assume a shape memory coil. A junction is formed between the proximal extremity of the guide wire and the distal extremity of the guide wire extension for connection of the guide wire extension to the guide wire.

Abstract: A method and system for maintaining the position of a guiding member, such as a guidewire, within a patient's vascular system, particularly within a guiding catheter disposed within the patient's vascular system, while an intravascular catheter slidably mounted on the guiding member is withdrawn and a replacement catheter is advanced over the guiding member. One presently preferred embodiment includes a guiding sheath having an inner lumen extending the length thereof with an engaging device slidably disposed with the guiding sheath. The guidewire engaging device is torqued from its proximal end which extends out of the proximal end of the guiding catheter so that the flexible distal end wraps around the guidewire tightly enough to maintain the position of the guidewire while withdrawing or advancing a catheter over the guidewire. The distal portion of the guidewire engaging device is preferably a pseudo elastic NiTi alloy which is in a stable austenite phase at body temperature (37.degree. C.

Abstract: A low profile balloon-on-a-wire catheter having a flexible elongate tubular member with proximal and distal extremities and with a lumen extending from the proximal extremity to the distal extremity. An inflatable balloon is mounted on the distal extremity of the flexible elongate tubular member. Communication is established between the lumen and the interior of the inflatable balloon. An inflation fitting is removably secured to the proximal extremity of the flexible elongate tubular member for supplying an inflation fluid to the lumen for inflating and deflating the balloon. The inflation fitting when removed provides a proximal extremity on the catheter which is free of obstructions so that another balloon catheter can be advanced over the proximal extremity of the flexible elongate tubular member.

Abstract: A guidewire having a core member with proximal, intermediate and distal sections and a flexible coil on the distal section and a catheter assembly or kit with such guidewire. The proximal section of the core may be substantially longer than the combined lengths of both the intermediate and distal sections and has a diameter which is at least 0.001 inch greater than the diameter of the intermediate section. The intermediate section has a diameter which is at least 0.002 inch greater than the diameter of the distal section. Improved pushability and a greater flexibility in the distal and intermediate sections are obtained. A catheter which is used with the guidewire has a proximal section of about 100 cm and a distal section of at least about 15 cm in length and an inner lumen having diameter of at least 0.003 inch less than the inner diameter of the inner lumen in the proximal section.

Abstract: Vehicle fuse block extenders are made up of a strip electrode, connector element and an insulating body. The strip electrode has at least one male and at least two female electrical contacts. The connector element has at least one male contact and also has at least two electrically conductive female contacts, one of the connector element electrically conductive female contacts is insulated from the male contact and the other female contact is attached to the male contact.The male and female contacts of the strip electrode and the connector element are positioned in a compatible, side-by-side parallel relationship by the body which acts as a supporting mechanism for the electrical contacts and as an insulator for the user.