Abstract: An apparatus is provided for use with a contrast media injector. The injector is of the type including a gas source and a liquid source. The apparatus includes a gas delivery channel connected to the gas source and a liquid delivery channel connected to the liquid source. Two normally closed valves are provided to control flow from the gas and liquid channel. The valves insure that gas and liquid do not simultaneously exit from the channel. The valves minimize inadvertent mixing of the gas and saline downstream of the valves. The gas channel is connected to a gas source using a fitting which also connects electro-conductive wires in the apparatus to a power source. The liquid channel connects to a source of liquid.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided to deliver carbon dioxide to an animal in a manner which allows the carbon dioxide to totally displace blood in an area of interest and to thus serve as a contrast media for angiographic procedures, or blood displacement media for angioscopic or laser procedures. The apparatus enables the carbon dioxide to flow at varied flow rates, the varied flow rates correlated to the varied flow rate of blood in the animal's vascular system. The flow rate of the carbon dioxide is variable during the course of a single injection.

Abstract: An elongated tubular catheter adapted for use in an artery or vein is provided. The catheter has a central axis, a proximal end and a distal end. The catheter has a distal portion including a curved portion and an end portion. The end portion has a first opening. The curved portion defines a zone substantially encircling the central axis and has openings facing the axis. The catheter terminates in the end portion. The end portion extends from the curved portion to a position substantially along the axis facing proximally. In use the curved portion centers the catheter and causes the end portion first opening and all other openings to be spaced from the wall of the artery or vein.

Abstract: A needle guide assembly for placement of tubular surgical instruments within a human or animal body includes a short locator needle assembled within a needle guide outer cannula for penetrating the body to locate a target area, the locator needle being removable from the needle guide assembly permitting a long guide wire to be inserted through the needle guide outer cannula into the body to locate its distal end at the target area, the needle guide outer cannula being crimped to the guide wire to form a guide assembly for advancing the tubular surgical instrument to the target area.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing a target object from a body passageway. The apparatus comprises a catheter, a spiral wound coil disposed within the catheter and rotatably driven by an air actuated drive means, and a parachute basket. The spiral wound coil has a cutting tip at its distal end which is housed within the distal tip of the catheter and is prevented from extending outside the catheter by a grommet. In most situations, the target object is fragmented by the cutting action of the tip of the spiral wound coil as it is rotated at high speed within the catheter by the air actuated drive means. Rotation of the spiral wound coil also facilitates transport of the target fragments through the catheter lumen simultaneously with aspiration. The parachute basket is deployed downstream of the target object in order to capture any target fragments not aspirated into the catheter lumen.

Abstract: A needle sheath complex and related process for external use of the complex for decompressing or sampling tissue within a multitude of areas in human and animal bodies.The needle sheath complex is comprised of a small gauge needle which is comprised of a stylus within a cannula and which is long enough so that a shorter outer sheath can be slidable located on the small gauge needle leaving exposed a long enough portion of the smaller gauge needle to probe the body and locate the area to be decompressed or sampled. The small gauge needle is inserted into the body and when the target area has been located, the outer sheath is slid over the small gauge needle into the body stretching the opening to the target. The smaller needle is then removed leaving the larger inside diameter sheath in place in the body through which sampling or decompression can be performed.