Abstract: A stiffened balloon apparatus with increased flexibility is provided for use in the human body. The stiffened balloon apparatus incorporates one or more stiffeners having at least one thinned area to facilitate bending or flexing of the stiffener as the apparatus is navigated through a passage. The thinned area of a stiffening member facilitates navigation of the stiffened balloon apparatus through a curved passage.

Abstract: The instrument has a pair of instrument arms, an angled instrument finger is attached to each arm, and the respective bottom surfaces of the distal ends of the angled instrument fingers are substantially parallel to the plane of the instrument arms.

Abstract: An ergonomic hand instrument with a finger grip loop and a thumb grip loop also has a forefinger control surface on at least one of the instrument arms. The control surface may include a proximally facing curved wall surface to receive the distal end of the tip of the user's forefinger. Forward and downward pressure can be applied with the forefinger with improved control and stability.

Abstract: A tubular conduit is used to access blood vessels or other structures in the human body. The conduit has a distal tip angled to match the angle of entry into the body and an end contour adapted for the surface of the target vessel or organ. The contour may be curved to match the curve on the outer surface of the vessel or organ. The conduit's angled and contoured distal end may be adapted to engage, and align the conduit with, the surface of the vessel or organ. The conduit bears a longitudinal groove along its lower, inner surface. When the conduit is appropriately aligned, the groove may be used to guide a needle tip to the desired location, for example, the mid-line of the vessel or organ.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a stiffened balloon which can be used in angioplasty, endovascular, and valvuloplasty procedures or as a delivery balloon to deliver a stent or a stent-graft. Longitudinally discontinuous stiffening members connected to the expandable balloon stiffen the balloon but allow it to be navigated through curved passages. Projections on the stiffening members may engage, incise, crush, fracture, or pierce occlusions or retain a stent or stent-graft. Radio-opaque portions may be referenced to determine orientation. Longitudinally continuous stiffening members bearing projections and connected to the balloon perform in a similar manner.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a stiffened balloon which can be used in angioplasty, endovascular, and valvuloplasty procedures or as a delivery balloon to deliver a stent or a stent-graft. Longitudinally discontinuous stiffening members connected to the expandable balloon stiffen the balloon but allow it to be navigated through curved passages. Projections on the stiffening members may engage, incise, crush, fracture, or pierce occlusions or retain a stent or stent-graft. Radio-opaque portions may be referenced to determine orientation. Longitudinally continuous stiffening members bearing projections and connected to the balloon perform in a similar manner.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a stiffened balloon which can be used in angioplasty, endovascular, and valvuloplasty procedures or as a delivery balloon to deliver a stent or a stent-graft. Longitudinally discontinuous stiffening members connected to the expandable balloon stiffen the balloon but allow it to be navigated through curved passages. Projections on the stiffening members may engage, incise, crush, fracture, or pierce occlusions or retain a stent or stent-graft. Radio-opaque portions may be referenced to determine orientation. Longitudinally continuous stiffening members bearing projections and connected to the balloon perform in a similar manner.

Abstract: The present invention relates to ergonomic hand instruments and medical procedures. In particular, the invention relates to a dissector, and methods for the dissection of tissue from skin to an underlying blood vessel and the methods of accomplishing such dissections and arterial and venous punctures.

Abstract: Apparatus to achieve percutaneous entry to a blood vessel includes several coacting combinations of coacting instruments, some capable of independent action, as well as enabling clear visualisation of the operative area, precise location of the operative site, capture and immobilization of the vessel, and guidance in the positioning and insertion of the puncturing needle Additionally, apparatus is provided for the placement of a sponge directly on the entry wound in the vessel to reduce bleeding. The present invention also sets forth a method for vascular puncture and more particularly for the arterial puncture procedure. The line of maximal pulsation is ascertained, and a small incision in the skin is made. A dissecting-retracting tool (100) is then employed to create a skin-to-vessel channel. The vessel is inspected through the spread fingers. A tubular access conduit (300), mounted on an obturator-carrier (400), is inserted until it rest upon the vessel.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a stiffened balloon which can be used in angioplasty, endovascular, and valvuloplasty procedures or as a delivery balloon to deliver a stent or a stent-graft. Longitudinally discontinuous stiffening members connected to the expandable balloon stiffen the balloon but allow it to be navigated through curved passages. Projections on the stiffening members may engage, incise, crush, fracture, or pierce occlusions or retain a stent or stent-graft. Radio-opaque portions may be referenced to determine orientation. Longitudinally continuous stiffening members bearing projections and connected to the balloon perform in a similar manner.

Abstract: A multi-leg caliper with heart scale allowing analysis over a variable plurality of heart beats for arrhythmia is taught. Briefly stated, a plurality of parallel members are pivotally connected to a second set of parallel members thereby forming a lattice structure. Points are disposed at one end of each of the first mentioned parallel members which are placed against certain events recorded on an ECG strip chart. Pivot points associated with the opposite ends of the pointed parallel members are placed against a scale which is suitably calibrated to indicate various heart beat criteria.

Abstract: A multi-leg caliper with heart scale allowing analysis over a variable plurality of heart beats for arrhythmia is taught. Briefly stated, a plurality of parallel members are pivotally connected to a second set of parallel members thereby forming a lattice structure. Points are disposed at one end of each of the first mentioned parallel members which are placed against certain events recorded on an ECG strip chart. Pivot points associated with the opposite ends of the pointed parallel members are placed against a scale which is suitably calibrated to indicate various heart beat criteria.

Abstract: An improved removable expandable sheath for aiding in the introduction of catheters into the body which is fabricated from a semi-stiff plastic with memory formed in a tubular configuration with a longitudinal slit or non-joined seam extending along the entire length of the sheath and where the tubular structure with slit is coiled about its longitudinal axis so that its tubular wall overlaps itself in its native state. On exertion of an internal force directed outward, the tubular sheath enlarges its effective diameter by uncoiling to the extent necessary to accommodate a catheter inserted therein. The memory inherent in the material of the sheath keeps the wall of the sheath snugly around the catheter to afford guidance of the catheter into a blood vessel.

Abstract: The present invention provides a valvuloplasty device having a plurality of expandable chambers for valvuloplasty such that the arrangements and disposition of the expandable chambers conforms to the anatomy of the valve to be treated, thereby increasing the likelihood that inflation of the balloons will restore the valve more closely to its original anatomy and function. The expandable chambers can be expanded in various combinations or sequences in order to provide improved results from the treatment. The present invention also provides a method of performing valvuloplasty in which a plurality of expandable chambers having a fixed geometric relationship to each other are positioned within the valve to be treated and the expandable chambers are expanded in combination and/or in sequence to provide improved anatomical structure and function of the valve treated by the method.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved introducing-dilating catheter which may also be applied to facilitate insertion of catheters of all types and functional purposes. The catheter has a tapered portion which is, in turn, connected to a bevelled tip portion to facilitate insertion of the catheter into a pre-existing puncture aperture. The bevelled tip portion is finished to remove any points capable of puncturing or any edges capable of injuring the tissues by the application of only a small force. Indicia means are provided to enable the practitioner using the introduction-dilation catheter to determine the orientation of the tip of the catheter so that the leading point of the bevelled tip will initiate engagement with the vascular puncture cut and enter the vessel in the acute angle formed between the guide wire and the vessel wall. Additionally, after entry of the entire tip, the indicia means allow the introducing catheter to be reoriented so as to keep the bevel parallel to the wall of a vessel.

Abstract: The present invention involves catheters used for electrical pacing or excitation of the heart where critical placement and firm contact within the inner wall of the heart is required. The invention meets the requirement in the case of pacing catheters in the electrode at the catheter tip which maintains a firm, constant contact pressure against the inner surface of the heart's muscular wall despite the beating and movement of the heart. The invention provides a mechanism whereby the electrode tip actually presses against the heart with constant pressure resulting in a much more effective and desirable operation. A first magnet is positioned at or near the electrode tip of the pacing catheter and a second passive or holding magnet is fixed to the chest of the use to provide a magnetic force to position the tip of the pacing catheter.

Abstract: The present invention sets forth a balloon catheter device adapted for use with catheters in angioplasty and/or valvuloplasty procedures which is expandable under fluid pressure and incorporates a plurality of stiffening means to resist deformation of isolated portions of the balloon when the balloon is expanded during the treatment procedure. Reinforcing means may also be provided to coact with the stiffening means to strengthen the balloon and/or to assist in the fixing of the location of the stiffening means. Various shapes and tapers of stiffening means can be provided to increase the effectiveness of the stiffening means and/or to reduce the change of damage to the balloon.

Abstract: A gauge which facilitates the analysis of a recorded electrocardiogram which comprises a flat sheet of transparent material having a plurality or fan of straight diverging lines disposed on said sheet; a plurality of straight, parallel lines disposed on the sheet extending in a direction transverse to the diverging lines and perpendicular to a line extending medially between the outermost of said diverging lines, said diverging lines intersecting said parallel lines as to define equal increments along any parallel line; the transverse lines being spatially arranged such that they intersect with the diverging lines to form a grid therewith wherein the distance between adjacent points of intersection with the diverging lines on any of the parallel lines bear a relation to the heart beat rates or heart rate cycle interval of a periodic wave form recorded on an electrographic chart or strip; indicia means disposed on said sheet for designating the transverse parallel lines as graduations of a scale comprising int

Abstract: A device which is adapted to transmit electrical energy between an electrical instrument and a living body such as a human body. The device includes a support which has an outer face adapted to be placed in engagement with a surface such as a human skin surface, while the support has an outer periheral edge surrounding the latter outer face thereof and the support being formed inwardly of its outer peripheral edge with an opening extending at least partly into the support from its outer face. An electrically-conductive gel is situated in the latter opening and is at least partly exposed at the outer face of the support so as to be capable of engaging and making electrical contact with the surface which is engaged by the outer face of the support. At least one carbon yarn has a portion situated in this gel for making electrical contact therewith, and an insulation covers the yarn at the region of its portion which is situated in the gel.