Abstract: An angiographic catheter includes a relatively soft, tip portion having a preformed curvature, and a resilient body portion extending therefrom having a preformed curvature in the opposite direction. A lumen extends through the catheter for the injection of angiographic dye therethrough to the right coronary artery. The part of the body portion of the catheter which it in the aortic arch of the patient during use has an amount of curvature which is less than the amount of curvature of the aortic arch, so that the body portion of the catheter is resiliently deformed where it passes through the aortic arch. The deformation results in the biassing of the tip portion of the catheter into the ostium of the right coronary artery.

Abstract: An angiographic catheter includes a relatively soft, tip portion having a preformed curvature, and a resilient body portion extending therefrom having a preformed curvature in the opposite direction. A lumen extends through the catheter for the injection of angiographic dye therethrough to the right coronary artery. The part of the body portion of the catheter which it in the aortic arch of the patient during use has an amount of curvature which is less than the amount of curvature of the aortic arch, so that the body portion of the catheter is resiliently deformed where it passes through the aortic arch. The deformation results in the biassing of the tip portion of the catheter into the ostium of the right coronary artery.

Abstract: An angiographic catheter includes a relatively soft, tip portion having a preformed curvature, and a resilient body portion extending therefrom having a preformed curvature in the opposite direction. A lumen extends through the catheter for the injection of angiographic dye therethrough to the right coronary artery. The part of the body portion of the catheter which it in the aortic arch of the patient during use has an amount of curvature which is less than the amount of curvature of the aortic arch, so that the body portion of the catheter is resiliently deformed where it passes through the aortic arch. The deformation results in the biassing of the tip portion of the catheter into the ostium of the right coronary artery.

Abstract: The angiographic catheter includes a long generally flexible portion of a first material, an intermediate portion of the first material and a second material that is more flexible then the first material and a tip portion of the second material. The long body portion has a first exit opening having a stream trajectory directed toward the exit stream trajectory from the tip member exit for stream breakup and mixing at. A reaction exit is directed in the opposite direction of the first exit opening.The generally long body portion with a curved end portion with a first end curve of generally circular shape about a center that is connected to the end of the long body with a compound curve connected to the end of the first end curve and having a member positioned generally parallel to the long body portion with the distance between parallel members generally less than to the radii of the generally circular shape.

Abstract: Plaque removal system with a catheter having a long, generally flexible portion of a first material, an intermediate portion of a second thermally insulating material and a heatable tip portion of a third material. The tip is grounded and focuses radio frequency waves upon the tip to heat the tip. The position of the tip is determined by dispensing a contrast medium out the distal end of the catheter and viewing the vessel and catheter by x-ray. The heated tip is pushed forward through the vessel blockage to vaporize or otherwise disintegrate the plaque, which clears a path through the vessel.

Abstract: The angiographic catheter includes a long generally flexible portion of a first material, an intermediate portion of the first material and a second material that is more flexible than the first material and a tip portion of the second material. The long body portion has a first exit opening having a stream trajectory directed toward the exit stream trajectory from the tip member exit for stream breakup and mixing. A reaction exit is directed in the opposite direction of the first exit opening.The generally long body portion with a curved end portion with a first end curve of generally circular shape about a center that is connected to the end of the long body with a compound curve connected to the end of the first end curve and having a member positioned generally parallel to the long body portion with the distance between parallel members generally less than to the radii of the generally circular shape.

Abstract: An angiographic catheter for delivery of radio opaque contrast media having intra-vacularly means for reducing the pressure of the radio opaque contrast media through the terminal end while maintaining sufficient volume for avoiding dilution. This improved catheter decreases the shock and damage to the vessel wall and allows sufficient contrast media to reach the vessels thereby avoiding the problems of dilution.

Abstract: An angiographic catheter having a soft flexible, pliable leading tip zone consisting of elastomeric material wherein the tip zone of an axial length in the range between 1 and 10 millimeters, and wherein the catheter is composed of a main reinforced length and an intermediate zone between the tip zone and the main length, the main length being reinforced by an inner tube of a polyamide material and wherein the polyamide is tapered in the intermediate zone to provide a tapered reinforced section tapering distally and uniformly to zero at the tip zone. The catheter may be provided with perforations in a pattern as desired.

Abstract: A profiling die for use in processing tubular material where finish is a priority, such as for use in a catheter, the die being composed of a body of heat conductive material having a through passageway composed of a first bore extending from one face and a second coaxial bore extending from an opposite face, the second bore being larger than the first bore and there being an intermediate section between the bores which is tapered from the diameter of the second bore to the diameter of the first bore and wherein the tapered intermediate section and the first bore are aligned by an integral annular insert of Teflon material and preferably a keeper is provided to maintain the insert within the die.