Abstract: The present invention relates to catheters for use with subcutaneous access ports for continuous or intermittent infusion therapy. These catheters utilize a pretensioned, helical coil which is incorporated into a flexible cannulated portion. This feature allows the flexible cannula to be bent without kinking under normal use. This flexibility provides a great deal of comfort to the patient. These catheters also incorporate a puncture needle which is positioned axially down the length of the catheter such that the sharp point at the distal end of the needle extends beyond the distal end of the catheter. This combination of a pretensioned, flexible catheter and a puncture needle achieves a stiffness sufficient to penetrate the tough, self-sealing septum used in subcutaneous access ports, yet, once the puncture needle is removed the patient is left with a comfortable alternative to commonly used hypodermic needles.

Abstract: The coronary sinus is intermittently occluded by use of means for occluding the sinus, a pressure transducer for sensing the fluid pressure within the sinus and providing corresponding fluid pressure signals, and a controller responsive to the transducer and arranged to provide trigger signals to the occluding means to trigger an occlusion and to interrupt the occlusion, the system being characterized in that the controller is arranged to estimate a plateau level of the fluid pressure during each occlusion and for providing a trigger signal to interrupt each occlusion on the basis of the estimate. The duration of the interruption before the next occlusion is controlled in response to the volume flow in the sinus during the interruption. Pharmacological agents are injected into the sinus during the occlusion, for retroperfusion to the heart tissue. An analysis of heart function is obtained by analyzing the local pressure maxima in successive heartbeats during occlusion.

Abstract: The coronary sinus is intermittently occluded by use of means for occluding the sinus, a pressure transducer for sensing the fluid pressure within the sinus and providing corresponding fluid pressure signals, and a controller responsive to the transducer and arranged to provide trigger signals to the occluding means to trigger an occlusion and to interrupt the occlusion, the system being characterized in that the controller is arranged to estimate a plateau level of the fluid pressure during each occlusion and for providing a trigger signal to interrupt each occlusion on the basis of the estimate. The duration of the interruption before the next occlusion is controlled in response to the volume flow in the sinus during the interruption. Pharmacological agents are injected into the sinus during the occlusion, for retroprofusion to the heart tissue. An analysis of heart function is obtained by analyzing the local pressure maxima in successive heartbeats during occlusion.

Abstract: The coronary sinus is intermittently occluded by use of means for occluding the sinus, a pressure transducer for sensing the fluid pressure within the sinus and providing corresponding fluid pressure signals, and a controller responsive to the transducer and arranged to provide trigger signals to the occluding means to trigger an occlusion and to interrupt the occlusion, the system being characterized in that the controller is arranged to estimate a plateau level of the fluid pressure during each occlusion and for providing a trigger signal to interrupt each occlusion on the basis of the estimate. The duration of the interruption before the next occlusion is controlled in response to the volume flow in the sinus during the interruption. Pharmacological agents are injected into the sinus during the occlusion, for retroprofusion to the heart tissue. An analysis of heart function is obtained by analyzing the local pressure maxima in successive heartbeats during occlusion.

Abstract: For percutaneous fixation of a hollow organ of a body, a hollow needle carrying a retaining device attached to a tension filament through the skin into the hollow organ, the retaining device is released from the needle, and the organ is fixed by adjusting the tension on the filament and clamping the filament outside the body by means bearing upon the exterior of the body.

Abstract: An elongated rod-shaped medical device has a weighted portion of greater density than adjacent portions thereof for providing useful weight in light medical devices. The weighted portion has a plurality of interfitting metallic weights with facing, engaging sliding surfaces to provide for high specific gravity and high bulk density in a yieldable small diameter device.

Abstract: For percutaneous fixation of a hollow organ of a body, a hollow needle carrying a retaining device attached to a tension filament through the skin into the hollow organ, the retaining device is released from the needle, and the organ is fixed by adjusting the tension on the filament and clamping the filament outside the body by means bearing upon the exterior of the body.