Abstract: A catheter system and a method for performing body obstruction destruction are disclosed. The catheter comprises a catheter shaft comprising a proximal end and a distal end, including an outer tubular member and at least one inner tubular member disposed within the outer tubular member; a first fluid lumen defined between the inner tubular member and the outer tubular member and at least one second lumen defined by the inner tubular member; one or more fluid exit openings located at a distal end region of the catheter configured to permit fluid to exit the catheter from the first fluid lumen; fluid pressure means located external of the catheter ahead from the proximal end for delivering said fluid in the first fluid lumen at a pressure range predetermined to cause destruction of said obstruction.

Abstract: A catheter system and a method for performing body obstruction destruction are disclosed. The catheter comprises a catheter shaft comprising a proximal end and a distal end, including an outer tubular member and at least one inner tubular member disposed within the outer tubular member; a first fluid lumen defined between the inner tubular member and the outer tubular member and at least one second lumen defined by the inner tubular member; one or more fluid exit openings located at a distal end region of the catheter configured to permit fluid to exit the catheter from the first fluid lumen; fluid pressure means located external of the catheter ahead from the proximal end for delivering said fluid in the first fluid lumen at a pressure range predetermined to cause destruction of said obstruction.

Abstract: The invention relates to an implantable medical device. This implantable medical device (10) to be implanted at an implantation site comprises a proximal end (P), a central portion (C) and a distal end (D), characterized in that it comprises, at its proximal end (P), at least one means (20) for positioning the implantable device (10) at a precise point of a branching (E) of a blood vessel (V), such as a coronary artery. The invention provides precise, exact and almost perfect positioning of the implantable medical device 10 such as a stent 11 at the branching E of the blood vessel V to be treated, in order to treat the ostial lesions or stenoses that have been very difficult to treat until now.

Abstract: An implantable medical device (10) comprises reservoirs (30) for receiving a water-soluble active agent or medicament (36) in the form of a solid deposit; and at least one biocompatible and biodegradable protecting/retaining layer (38) for protecting the active agent or medicament (36) until it reaches its site of implantation, said biocompatible and biodegradable protecting layer (38) comprising at least one biocompatible and biodegradable film-forming agent, and at least one hydrophobic, biocompatible, agent for controlling the disintegration rate of the protecting/retaining layer. The invention provides better protection of the active agent or medicament and better control of the disintegration rate of the protecting/retaining layer.

Abstract: An implantable medical device (10) comprises reservoirs (30) for receiving a water-soluble active agent or medicament (36) in the form of a solid deposit; and at least one biocompatible and biodegradable protecting/retaining layer (38) for protecting the active agent or medicament (36) until it reaches its site of implantation, said biocompatible and biodegradable protecting layer (38) comprising at least one biocompatible and biodegradable film-forming agent, and at least one hydrophobic, biocompatible, agent for controlling the disintegration rate of the protecting/retaining layer. The invention provides better protection of the active agent or medicament and better control of the disintegration rate of the protecting/retaining layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mechanical piece having a structure comprising a substrate (1) and at least one surface coating layer (3) of nanometric thickness, for improving mechanical resistance, characterized in that it comprises between the substrate and the surface coating layer an essentially non ceramic, non porous adhesion layer of nanometric size; and said surface coating layer is an essentially non porous barrier layer (2) consisting essentially of an essentially stoechiometric titanium nitride layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to an implantable medical device. This implantable medical device (10) to be implanted at an implantation site comprises a proximal end (P), a central portion (C) and a distal end (D), characterized in that it comprises, at its proximal end (P), at least one means (20) for positioning the implantable device (10) at a precise point of a branching (E) of a blood vessel (V), such as a coronary artery. The invention provides precise, exact and almost perfect positioning of the implantable medical device 10 such as a stent 11 at the branching E of the blood vessel V to be treated, in order to treat the ostial lesions or stenoses that have been very difficult to treat until now.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mechanical piece having a structure comprising a substrate (1) and at least one surface coating layer (3) of nanometric thickness, for improving mechanical resistance, characterized in that it comprises between the substrate and the surface coating layer an essentially non ceramic, non porous adhesion layer of nanometric size; and said surface coating layer is an essentially non porous barrier layer (2) consisting essentially of an essentially stoechiometric titanium nitride layer.

Abstract: A stent having a first filamentary element (20) with a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, and being spirally coiled in at least its central portion, and a second filamentary element (30) spirally coiled along its central portion and overlapping the first filamentary element to form a double helix is disclosed along with a method for forming such a stent. At least one end portion of the first filamentary element is ring-shaped to provide increased radial support at that end of the stent.

Abstract: An electrode connector, for example a connector for electrocardiogram electrodes, has a connection head made from a material that is a good conductor of electricity, a contact member made from a material that is a good conductor of electricity and that is adapted to contact the connection head, a member for snap-fastening the connector to the connection head, an electrically insulative material protective cap at least partially enclosing the contact member and an electric cable comprising at least one electric conductor connected to the contact member. The electrode connector further comprises a device for detecting strain generating artefacts and comprising a strain sensor accommodated in the cap between at least part of the contact member and at least one interior area of the cap. At least one other electric conductor is connected to said strain sensor.

Abstract: A portable electrocardiogram recorder is formed from a case containing a device for the digital processing of signals taken by means of at least two electrodes in contact with the skin of the patient.One of the faces of application of said case comprises projecting electrodes in the form of protuberances on said face, said electrodes comprising cavities whose shape is complementary to that of the stud of the usual electrocardiogram electrodes fixed by adhesion to the skin of the patient, thus ensuring both mechanical and electrical coupling, so that said case may be applied either directly to the skin of the patient or indirectly through usual electrodes.

Abstract: The present invention provides electrode apparatus for use in taking electrocardograms (ECGs) in ambulatory mode according to the Holter method. The apparatus includes a metal electrode comprising a disc and a stud to which a flexible electrical condutor is connected. A flexible sponge disc is fitted over the stud, the disc having an adhesive-coated lower face, whereby to secure the disc and the electrode to the patient's skin. To protect the electrode from shocks and from pulls on the conductor, it is covered with a cup-shaped cover member presenting a base a side wall and a flange. The bottom surface of the flange is coated with adhesive whereby it is secured to the patient's skin with the electrode, disc, and a slack portion of the conductor within it.

Abstract: Portable apparatus for recording electrocardiograms registered on the patient's hands avoids the patient tensing his/her hands during the recording, so as to avoid degradation of the recording quality. A pocket-sized casing has two separate electrodes which contact parts of the respective hands of the patient. Retaining members are juxtaposed to the electrodes for pressing the hands into contact with the electrodes and maintaining the apparatus in position in the patient's hands. The apparatus is also usable for precordial electrocardiograms.