Abstract: Tissue expander system including a tissue expander, an injection port, and a tube connecting the tissue expander to the injection port. The tissue expander is of a one piece molded body of a pancake to waffle like configuration. Within the one piece molded body is a member of non-stick material of a slightly smaller geometrical shape similar to that of the one piece molded body. A self-sealing valve member closes off the tube in the tissue expander after injection of a solution for expanding the tissue expander. A Dacron mesh can be embedded in members of the one piece body providing for directional expansion of the tissue expander. In an alternative embodiment, Dacron mesh can be provided in both the upper and lower members of the one piece body. An accordion configured perimeter also provides for upward directional expansion. The tissue expanders can assume any geometrical configuration, whether it be square, rectangular, circular, oval, or kidney shaped.

Abstract: A balloon sleeve is provided for a balloon catheter, and the balloon catheter itself with the balloon sleeve provided wherein a substantially smaller front end cross-section is presented for insertion into a patient. The balloon sleeve has a thermoplastic film positioned adjacent each end thereof. However, one is on the internal surface and one on the outer surface enabling mounting the sleeve in a reverse lap fashion wherein the entire balloon body is so reverse lapped when mounted. The mounting eliminates separate objects for securing the balloon sleeve. Nevertheless, the manner of mounting causes the inflated balloon to flow over and protect a patient from the catheter end.

Abstract: A nephrostomy catheter comprising, an elongated shaft having a drainage lumen extending along the shaft and a distal end, and a formed tip bonded to the distal end of the shaft and having a distal opening communicating with the lumen to receive a guide wire.

Abstract: A balloon catheter having an expandable and collapsible elastic balloon is shown, wherein the balloon is reinforced by knitted fabric such that the balloon can not expand beyond a predetermined diameter regardless of the internal pressure applied to the balloon. The knitted construction permits the balloon to expand in diameter without shortening in length, and permits the balloon to collapse smoothly without folds and wrinkles.

Abstract: A medical device includes a flexible, elongated tube having a continuous, smooth, outer surface, adapted for introduction into the body, and a connection for introducing inflation fluid into the space defined by the length of the tube. The tube is elastomer and the tube wall is in a weakened state while adjacent portions of the tube are not so weakened, the wall of the selected portion having a lower resistance to expansion than adjacent portions. By use of heat-sensitive, annealable plastic, a tube of uniform thickness is weakened at a selected location by annealing. The selected limited-length portion, by reason of its weakened state, is adapted to preferentially respond to pressure of inflation fluid within the tube by expanding transversely to a balloon shape larger than adjacent portions of the tube that are subjected to the same pressure.

Abstract: Large bore catheter having a flexible tip construction. A main flexible shaft tube is provided having a flow passage therein and having proximal and distal ends. A coil spring is secured to the distal end of the main shaft tube. Flexible tubing extends over the exterior of the coil spring and has a distal extremity which extends beyond the distal extremity of the coil spring. The flexible tubing forms a close fit over the coil spring.

Abstract: A tubular surgical instrument such as a thrombectomy catheter or gall stone dislodger comprises a shaft of plastics material with a coiled spring projecting from its forward end. A portion of the spring is secured in a coupling portion at the distal end of the shaft. The coupling portion has an outer surface with a recess which flares forwards from a shoulder of the shaft towards an annular support surface. The spring is secured in the coupling portion. A balloon is inflatable by fluid pressure applied through a lumen in the shaft. An end of the balloon is located in the recess and is secured by a tie. The balloon is secured directly or indirectly to the spring by a second tie forward of the first. The instruments are primarily intended for use as aortic or venous catheters and especially thrombectomy catheters, but can also be used for example as gall stone dislodgers.

Abstract: A method and article for medical diagnosis and/or treatment of body disorders, comprising a sleeve unit 10 insertable in a natural body vessel to isolate material flowing into the vessel from direct contact with the interior surface of the vessel. When applied to the treatment of obesity, the sleeve is disposed along a zone in the digestive tract 32 to interfere with the digestive or absorptive function of that zone and thereby reduce net caloric intake.

Abstract: A ballooned cannula including an elongated tube encompassed by a housing formed of a biologically inert, soft plastic. A balloon is formed on one end of the tube and the housing by a tip structure including radially inner and outer sleeves, the inner sleeve including a shoulder against which the tube end may abut and the outer sleeve defining the balloon. The cannula also includes an integral handle formed of flexible material including a flexible injection receiver.

Abstract: A dilatation catheter is provided with an elongated balloon element having a distal evertable dilating portion and a connector portion having a radially pleated proximal end. An always-open lumen of the catheter is defined in part by the balloon.

Abstract: A connector member (11) is disclosed for sealed connection with a second connector member (30), to permit sealed flow of material through the joined connector members. The connector member (11) is made of a material selected from the group consisting of aliphatic hydrocarbon resins, aliphatic polyester resins, copolymers of olefins and vinyl acetate, and olefin-acrylate copolymers. The material also contains an effective amount of an antioxidant agent being selected to provide to the material the characteristic of permitting transmission of at least 15 percent of at least one wavelength of ultraviolet radiation having a wavelength between 220 and 300 nanometers through a thickness of 0.003 inch of the material.

Abstract: A balloon catheter is formed by blow molding an elongated polyurethane tube so that one section of the tube has a thinned cross sectional balloon area between the distal end of tube which is sealed and its open proximal end. The balloon portion which is positioned adjacent the distal end has a thinner cross sectional area which allows a balloon to be formed if a fluid is introduced into the catheter by a syringe apparatus which is adapted to be attached to the lumen by a connection adaptor. A wire guide member is adapted to be inserted through the lumen for stretching the catheter when it is inserted into a blood vessel to stiffen the catheter and position it in a proper position. The wire guide member may also be mitred at predetermined intervals to determine the position of the catheter within the blood vessel.

Abstract: A catheter comprising, an extruded tube having a drainage lumen and inflation lumen, with the inflation lumen communicating with the outside of the tube through opening means. The catheter has a tip secured to a distal end of the tube, and an annular sleeve extending from the tip and having a proximal end secured to the outside of the tube.This application is a division of application Ser. No. 146,421, filed May 5, 1980 and now U.S. Pat. No. 4,361,152, issued Nov. 30, 1982, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 930,386 filed Aug. 2, 1978 and now abandoned, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 767,425 filed Feb. 10, 1977 and now abandoned, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 581,251 filed May 27, 1975 and now abandoned.

Abstract: A catheter comprising, an extruded tube having a drainage lumen and inflation lumen, with the inflation lumen communicating with the outside of the tube through opening means. The catheter has a tip secured to a distal end of the tube, and an annular sleeve extending from the tip and having a proximal end secured to the outside of the tube.

Abstract: A catheter comprising, an extruded tube having a drainage lumen and inflation lumen, with the inflation lumen communicating with the outside of the tube through an opening. The catheter has a tip secured to a distal end of the tube, and an annular sleeve extending from the tip and having a proximal end secured to the outside of the tube.

Abstract: The disclosed balloon catheter includes a proximal catheter segment, a distal catheter segment, and an inflatable balloon member secured to and disposed between the proximal and distal catheter segments. A tension member is secured to the distal catheter segment and passes through the lumen of a coil spring included in the proximal catheter segment, such that the tension member is free to slide within the coil spring. A stop member is secured to the proximal end of the tension member to limit the sliding movement of the tension member inside the proximal catheter segment. The disclosed structure permits the balloon member to stretch both axially and circumferentially as it inflates, thereby improving the concentricity of the resulting balloon.

Abstract: A detachable balloon catheter device comprises a hollow cannula adapted for attachment to a fluid source. An inflatable balloon is detachably connected to an end of the cannula in fluid communication therewith. A closure is adapted to seal the balloon internally after it is inflated with fluid from the source responsive to withdrawing movement of the cannula from the balloon in the proximal direction.Use of the balloon catheter device substantially as described above to occlude a vessel is also contemplated by the present invention.

Abstract: A stomach insert for treating obesity in humans by reducing the stomach volume comprises a flexible torus-shaped inflatable balloon having a central opening extending therethrough. At least a portion of the balloon has a self-sealing substance to facilitate puncture thereof with a needle for inflating the balloon and sealing of the puncture upon removal of the needle. The method herein comprises positioning the balloon inside the stomach of the person being treated for obesity so as to reduce the stomach volume.

Abstract: A diagnostic catheter for use in performing cystometrograms and urethral pressure profile tests having a shaft of conventional elastomeric construction closed at the distal end and having a CMG port adjacent to this end. An inflation lumen extends to a second port which underlies a thin inflatable member secured to the shaft up to the edges of the second port so that when inflated, the member only expands outwardly over the area of the port. Back pressure readings may be taken during catheter removal for precise location of urethral obstructions.

Abstract: Provided is a method as well as apparatus for a catheter catheter-balloon assembly wherein the catheter balloon is mounted on the catheter by means of adhesive and, in the preferred mode, an annular internal rib protrusion of the catheter balloon is provided for forming a sharply defined boundary of adhesive thereby aiding in the even and symmetrical inflation of the catheter balloon.

Abstract: This invention provides a releasable balloon catheter having a portion cuttable by torsion or a portion cuttable by heating at or near a joint part between the catheter body and the balloon. When the balloon catheter is inserted into a vessel and carried to the desired site by the blood stream and the balloon is inflated by introducing a fluid into the balloon and is fixed at the desired site face-to-face with the wall of the vessel, torsion or heating causes the balloon to be released from the catheter body. The balloon catheter is used to embolize vascular lesions.

Abstract: A catheter related cystometer system and gastric feeding device is usable as a urinary catheter providing a sealed drainage tube with a normally closed access opening for injecting an irrigating liquid into the drainage tube and the bladder in which the catheter is positioned. An adaptation of the device enables it to be used as a cystometry system to measure the pressure volume relationship in the bladder of a patient from a source of fluid and further adaptation enables the device to be used as a gastric feeding device by being placed in a desired location in a patient and communication established with an IV bottle or the like.

Abstract: A miniaturized balloon catheter assembly includes a cannula and an inflatable tubular balloon constructed of a silastic tubing detachably mounted on the cannula for performing a surgical procedure in a human vessel in response to pressure therein. In one embodiment, the balloon is detachable mounted with the detachability being responsive to pressure. For example, the balloon elastically grips the cannula and there is a small metallic C-shaped spring mounted about the balloon and cannula. In another embodiment, a valve, such as a pinhole in the silastic material for example, is included in the balloon which opens only after the pressure within the balloon exceeds a predetermined amount. According to a method of the invention, the cannula and the attached balloon are inserted into a small vessel and the balloon is pressurized therethrough. The balloon is partially inflated to allow fluid flow in the vessel to position the balloon at a desired location.