Abstract: The present invention is for a guide wire with an improved flexible distal section with both a radiolucent coil and radiopaque coil.

Abstract: The present invention is for a stent delivery guide catheter to be used in percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). The stent delivery guide catheter consists of a guide catheter body having proximal and distal ends with a cylindrical outer wall and a coaxial inner wall defining a inner lumen. A bladder is formed between the inner and outer walls and is in fluid communication with an inflation lumen. A radially expandable and compressible stent is located inside the guide catheter body and is removably attached to the inner wall in the area of the bladder. In use, a balloon catheter is slid inside the guide catheter with the balloon positioned under the stent. When the bladder is inflated, the stent is compressed radially inward and is deposited on the balloon catheter. The present invention can also be used without the stent to facilitate the exchange of an over-the-wire balloon catheter. The balloon catheter is pulled proximal to the inflatable bladder inside the guide catheter.

Abstract: The present invention is for a guided locking balloon protector (10) for a dilatation catheter balloon (30) which consists of a proximal cylindrical component (15) with a distal end and a proximal end and a distal cylindrical component (20) with a distal end and a proximal end. The proximal cylindrical component (15) has two longitudinally opposed raised ribs (55) defining a slot (60) and a inner diameter (40) that can slidably fit over the balloon (25). The distal cylindrical component (20) has a inner diameter (65) that can slidably fit over balloon (25) and a integral rib (75) extending proximally from the proximal end, the integral rib (75) is sized to fit in the slot (60) and is approximately the length of the proximal cylindrical component (15). Affixed to the proximal end of the integral rib (75) is a downwardly extending locking tab (80).

Abstract: The present invention is for a two piece balloon protector (5) which consists of an cylindrical tube (10) and an inner elastomeric member (15). The inner elastomeric member (15) has a outer diameter that is smaller than the inner diameter of cylindrical tube (10) and fits inside of the cylindrical tube (10). The proximal end of the inner elastomeric member (15) has a return flange (30) that fits around the proximal end of cylindrical tube (10). To install the balloon protector (5) over the dilatation catheter balloon (20), cylindrical tube (10) is held fixed while the inner elastomeric member (15) is pulled longitudinally at its distal end, thus stretching the material, decreasing the longitudinal cross-section and creating a larger inner diameter in inner elastomeric member (15).

Abstract: A guidewire extension assembly for use in angioplasty to facilitate exchanging a balloon dilitation catheter that includes a guidewire and an extension wire that are releasably connected thus avoiding the need to use a separated exchange wire. The proximal end of the guidewire and the distal end of the extension wire either have one or more slots or one or more keys and when joined together cream a guidewire extension system utilizing a keyed joint connection. The key, when inserted in the slot, is held in place by frictional engagement to connect the distal end of the extension wire to the proximal end of the guidewire. The keyed connection between the guidewire and the extension wire makes it simple to attach the wires together, transfers torsional forces between the wires without the fear of the wires coming apart or unscrewing and is readily disconnected/reconnected when required.

Abstract: A system for inserting and exchanging a dilatation catheter (18) using a lockable guidewire (23) and a guide catheter (17). The locking mechanism is engaged when a hypotube (31) is retracted in the locking section (8) and exposes the radially expanding corewire (30) which locks the guidewire (23) in place in the guiding catheter (17). The guiding catheter (17) may have a modified catheter inner surface (13) lined with a means for frictional engagement with the radially expanding corewire (30). In one embodiment the guiding catheter (17) can be lined with a threaded means complementary to radially expanding corewire (30) helical coil for mechanically holding the lockable guidewire (23) in place. Once locked, the guidewire (23) remains fixed in relation to the lesion (20) during the exchange of a dilatation catheter (18).