Abstract: Disclosed is a device for delivering tissue adhesives and/or sealant patches to a surface which covers or surrounds a lumen, cavity or organ, or potential lumen or cavity, within a human or other animal. Also disclosed is a method of delivering tissue adhesives and/or sealant patches to a surface which covers or surrounds a lumen, cavity or organ, or potential lumen or cavity. The method is particularly suited to sealing perforations in vascular walls, such as after arterial access for Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA), Percutaneous Coronary Angiography and Percutaneous Coronary Atherectomy and similar diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.

Abstract: Disclosed is a removable cardiovascular stent, an apparatus for the retrieval of the stent and a method for removal of the stent. The removable stent includes radially inwardly extending engagement members for contacting an extraction catheter. The extraction catheter includes a tubular body and an axially moveable guidewire, each adapted to grasp the engagement members of the tubular stent. The stent is elongated in an axial direction thereby reducing the cross-sectional area of the stent. The stent can be removed directly, or can fit within the tubular body of the extraction catheter for atraumatic removal from the treatment location.

Abstract: A battery transfer and charging system for electric vehicles. A displacement station removes spent batteries of electric vehicles by forcing charged batteries into position within the vehicles so as to laterally displace spent batteries. Spent batteries displaced from vehicles are received by a receiving station of the system. The receiving system includes an engagement device for engaging with engagement structures of the batteries, in order to assist the removal of spent batteries. Spent batteries removed from vehicles are tested and charged as they progress through the system in an assembly-line fashion. Following recharge, batteries are conveyed to the displacement station for installation within later vehicles. Batteries which cannot adequately be recharged are automatically removed from the system. In one embodiment of the system, vehicles drive through the system in sequential order, stopping at a specified location for battery installation/removal.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for delivering tissue adhesives to a surface which covers or surrounds a lumen, cavity or organ, or potential lumen or cavity, within a human or animal. Also disclosed is a method of delivering tissue adhesives to a surface which covers or surrounds a lumen, cavity or organ, or potential lumen or cavity, within a human or animal. The method is particularly suited to sealing perforations in vascular walls, such as after arterial access for Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA), Percutaneous Coronary Angiography and Percutaneous Coronary Atherectomy and similar diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.

Abstract: A steerable guidewire for percutaneous transluminal insertion into the vascular system and controlled negotiation of branches and turns therein, comprises an elongated tubular support which includes a proximal hypotube section and a distal spring coil. A movable pull wire extends through the support structure and is attached at its distal end to the rounded tip of the guidewire. A deflection section is provided in which a flexible deflection ribbon is mounted. The distal end of the deflection ribbon is attached to the pull wire and its proximal end is attached to the spring coil. When the pull wire is pulled axially, it applies a compressive force to the deflection ribbon which in turn applies a lateral component of force to the pull wire and spring coil in the deflection region. This causes the guidewire to bend with the deflection ribbon functioning as a fulcrum around which the guidewire bends.

Abstract: Disclosed is a retrievable elastomeric stent, an apparatus for the insertion/retrieval of the stent and a method for insertion/retrieving the stent. The removable stent includes at least one proximal and at least one distal engagement element to allow the insertion/retrieval catheter to engage the stent for the application of axial force. The insertion/retrieval catheter includes a tubular body and an axially moveable guidewire, each adapted to engage the engagement elements of the tubular stent. When elongated in an axial direction, the stent is reduced in cross-sectional area. The stent can then be removed directly, or can fit within the tubular body of the extraction catheter for atraumatic removal from the treatment location. Further disclosed are configurations of the engagement elements to allow more precise manipulation of body lumen stents.

Abstract: Disclosed is a self-retaining surgical retractor suitable for use in small surgical incisions or punctures, able to expand the incision or puncture to one or more enlarged cross-sectional areas and designed to protect the edges of the incision or puncture. The surgical retractor comprises a radially expandable tubular body having a control at the proximal end. Pull wires couple the control to the tubular body such that force applied to the control is transmitted to the tubular body as axially compressive force.

Abstract: Disclosed is a guidewire particularly suited for use in rotational atherectomy. The guidewire has increased lateral flexibility in the distal region, and a substantially constant diameter throughout. The exterior diameter at any point is substantially equal to the sum of the diameter of the central core wire, and twice the diameter of the wire of the spring coil, if any, mounted thereon. At proximal portions of the guidewire, the outer spring coil may be deleted.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for delivering tissue adhesives to surface which covers or surrounds a lumen, cavity or organ, or potential lumen or cavity, within a human or animal. Also disclosed is a method of delivering tissue adhesives to a surface which covers or surrounds a lumen, cavity or organ, or potential lumen or cavity, within a human or animal. The method is particularly suited to sealing perforations in vascular walls, such as after arterial access for Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA), Percutaneous Coronary Angiography and Percutaneous Coronary Atherectomy and similar diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.

Abstract: A steerable tubular sheath is disclosed, such as for use in medical applications. The tubular sheath comprises an elongate flexible tubular body, having a laterally deflectable distal tip. Lateral deflection of the tip is accomplished by axial displacement of at least one pull wire extending through the housing. The housing comprises at least one central lumen extending axially therethrough, for receiving medical implements, fiber optics, suction or transmission of fluids such as for irrigation or drug delivery. In one particular embodiment, the steerable sheath is particularly adapted for irrigation and aspiration of the contents of the lens capsule of the eye.

Abstract: A steering device, such as for use in a guidewire for percutaneous transluminal insertion into the coronary vascular system is provided. The guidewire comprises an elongate flexible housing having proximal and distal ends and at least one lumen extending through the length of the housing. The guidewire has a steering element secured within the lumen and adapted to displace the distal end of the housing in a lateral direction. At least one deflection wire extends through the flexible housing extending from a distal point of attachment to the proximal end. Axial movement of the deflection wire displaces a distal steering region of the housing in a lateral direction.

Abstract: Disclosed is a guidewire particularly suited for use in rotational atherectomy. The guidewire has increased lateral flexibility in the distal region, and a substantially constant diameter throughout. The exterior diameter at any point is substantially equal to the sum of the diameter of the central core wire, and twice the diameter of the wire of the spring coil, if any, mounted thereon. At proximal portions of the guidewire, the outer spring coil may be deleted.

Abstract: A steering device, such as for use in a guidewire for percutaneous transluminal insertion into the coronary vascular system is provided. The guidewire comprises an elongate flexible housing having proximal and distal ends and at least one lumen extending through the length of the housing. The guidewire has a steering element secured within the lumen and adapted to displace the distal end of the housing in a lateral direction. At least one deflection wire extends through the flexible housing extending from a distal point of attachment to the proximal end. Axial movement of the deflection wire displaces a distal steering region of the housing in a lateral direction.

Abstract: An elongate steerable implement is disclosed, which may be either a steerable guidewire or catheter for coronary angioplasty applications. A floppy steerable tip on a steering region at the distal end of the implement and a control device at the proximal end are connected by means of a plurality of axially movable deflection wires extending throughout the implement. Manipulation of the control permits deflection of the steering region throughout a full 360.degree. range of motion about the axis of the implement, without axial rotation or "torquing" thereof. In another embodiment, a steering ribbon is disclosed which permits steering by lateral deflection of the tip into a deflected or bent position and then permits straightening the tip back to its original position.

Abstract: An elongate steerable implement is disclosed, which may be either a steerable guidewire or catheter for coronary angioplasty applications. A floppy steerable tip on a steering region at the distal end of the implement and a control device at the proximal end are connected by means of a plurality of axially movable deflection wires extending throughout the implement. Manipulation of the control permits deflection of the steering region throughout a full 360.degree. range of motion about the axis of the implement, without axial rotation or "torquing" thereof.

Abstract: An elongate steerable implement is disclosed, which may be either a steerable guidewire or catheter for coronary angioplasty applications. A floppy steerable tip on a steering region at the distal end of the implement and a control device at the proximal end are connected by means of a plurality of axially movable deflection wires extending throughout the implement. Manipulation of the control permits deflection of the steering region throughout a full 360.degree. range of motion about the axis of the implement, without axial rotation or "torquing" thereof.

Abstract: An elongate steerable implement is disclosed, which may be either a steerable guidewire or catheter for coronary angioplasty applications. A floppy steerable tip on a steering region at the distal end of the implement and a control device at the proximal end are connected by means of a plurality of axially movable deflection wires extending throughout the implement. Manipulation of the control permits deflection of the steering region throughout a full 360.degree. range of motion about the axis of the implement, without axial rotation or "torquing" thereof.

Abstract: A clinical thermometer probe is constructed for connection with an electronic readout device and includes a support member of thin wall construction having thermocouple wires or stripes extending longitudinally of the support member and joined at the distal end of the support member. The wires or stripes are applied to the support member during the process of extruding the member or thereafter by applying the stripes to surfaces of the support member and bridging the stripes at one end of the body.

Abstract: An electric vehicle power system has a battery system to drive an electric drive motor. A flywheel is provided to supply energy to drive a generator for supplying electric current during peak loads on the battery-motor system and minimize current drain on the battery caused by acceleration of the vehicle. A microprocessor controls the system to apply needed current to the vehicle drive motor or motors. The flywheel is mounted in a vacuum housing which allows angular motion of the vehicle relative to the flywheel to avoid gyroscopic effects of the flywheel on the vehicle. A flywheel is mounted on a horizontal axis in a housing pivotal on a vertical axis, or the flywheel is mounted on a vertical axis in a housing pivotal on a horizontal axis. In one form, the flywheel is the rotor of the motor-generator.

Abstract: A synthetic liner is inserted into a blood vessel in the region of a treated stenosis. The liner is composed of a material resistant to the deposition of the fatty matter from the blood so that the build up of a new obstruction to blood flow is inhibited. The liner is tapered to generally conform to the taper or reduction in cross section of the artery in a downstream direction. The material is resilient and has elasticity compatible with the elasticity of the artery.