Abstract: A method of removing abnormal tissue from the gastrointestinal tract of a patient, comprises the steps of introducing an endoscope into the, patient's gastrointestinal tract and applying suction to such abnormal tissue to pull the abnormal tissue into a ligator at the distal end of said endoscope. A ligation band is then applied to the base of the abnormal tissue within the ligator to form a polyp. An electro-surgical snare is then used to sever the polyp from the surrounding tissue.

Abstract: A catheter assembly comprises a stylus including a first generally conically shaped end tapering to a point at a predetermined angle and a second end. A cannula includes a first lumen for slidably receiving the stylus. The cannula includes a first end having an end wall and a second end. A catheter includes a second lumen for slidably receiving the cannula, a first end and a second end. The first end of the catheter includes an end wall having an outer surface tapered at the predetermined angle and an inner surface. The stylus, cannula, and catheter are configured so that the stylus, cannula, and catheter are aligned when the stylus, cannula and catheter are assembled for insertion into a patient's body.

Abstract: Inner and outer layers of a braided body portion of an intravascular catheter as well as a soft tip portion are formed from different proportioned blends of nylon and copolymer of ester linked polyethylene and polyamide to produce optimum mechanical properties in the catheter. One or more surfaces of the catheter are coated with a hydrogel containing a copolymer of polyurethane and polyvinylpyrrolidone to provide improved lubricity and antithrombogenicity.

Abstract: A catheter packaging system includes a catheter tray having a main tray body with a hub-retaining portion and an interchangeable catheter tip-retaining insert. The insert is selectively receivable within a corresponding recess in the main tray body. The main tray body and the interchangeable insert each include a plurality of catheter tracks for holding different catheters with at least one catheter tip track of the interchangeable insert being in line with a main body track for holding a catheter therein. Each main body track is provided with a hub-retaining slot for engaging and holding a catheter hub.

Abstract: A bubble oxygenator for oxygenating blood in an extracorporeal circuit. The oxygenator is formed from three concentric shells which define an oxygenating chamber, a defoaming chamber and an arterial reservoir. The arterial reservoir includes a view chamber which permits visual inspection of the level of blood held in the arterial reservoir. The outer shell which forms the arterial reservoir is rotatable with respect to the remainder of the apparatus so that the view chamber can be easily positioned for observation.