Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for a torque limiting wrench used for applying a torque to a medical device to prevent damage to the medical device by providing a predetermined torque limit to indicate when the predetermined torque is reached. The torque limiting wrench comprises a gripping mechanism for engaging a medical device, a handle extending from the gripping mechanism and a torque limiting assembly contained within a length of the handle. A predetermined torque is set by the torque limiting assembly to provide an indicator to prevent damage to the acoustic characteristics of the medical device. The torque limiting wrench comprises a material that can undergo a sterilization process.

Abstract: A handle includes a body portion and a handle portion which is slidably and rotatably mounted on the body portion. Shoulders on the body portion and the handle portion limit relative sliding movement of the body portion and handle portion. A catheter open at both ends has one end fixed to the handle portion for movement therewith, the opposite end of the catheter having a shape memory tip. A fitting is threadedly connected to an enlarged part of the body portion. A sheath is threadedly connected to the fitting and the catheter is slidable and rotatable within the sheath. An annular channel is provided between the sheath and the catheter, this channel being in fluid communication with a bore in the fitting. The outer end of the sheath has holes therethrough in fluid communication with the channel. An irrigation inflow and aspiration outflow tube is also in fluid communication with the bore in the fitting.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and a method of using an ultrasonic probe with a pharmacological agent to enhance an occlusion treating effect of the ultrasonic probe to effectively remove an occlusion. The pharmacological agent is released through a catheter to treat the occlusion and enhance an effect of a transverse ultrasonic vibration of the ultrasonic probe to effectively remove the occlusion. The pharmacological agent continues to travel downstream of the site of the occlusion and work in conjunction with the ultrasonic probe to reduce the occlusion to a size that can easily be removed from the body naturally in order to prevent reformation of the occlusion and other health risks.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for an ultrasonic medical device with improved visibility in imaging procedures. A medical device comprises an elongated probe having a material of high radiopacity at an at least one predetermined location of the probe wherein the material of high radiopacity is capable of withstanding series of vibrations of the elongated probe. The material of high radiopacity allows the elongated probe to be visualized in imaging procedures when the probe is inserted into a body. The present invention provides a method of improving the visibility of an ultrasonic medical device during a medical procedure by engaging a material of high radiopacity to a small diameter elongated probe wherein the material of high radiopacity engages the probe at an at least one predetermined location.

Abstract: An ultrasonic tissue ablation device comprising a transversely vibrating elongated probe, and a coupling assembly for probe attachment detachment that enables the probe assembly and separation from the device body that includes the ultrasound energy source and a sound conductor, and a method of use for removal of vascular occlusions in blood vessels. The coupling assembly enables incorporation of elongated probes with small cross sectional lumens such as a catheter guidewires. The probe detachability allows insertion manipulation and withdrawal independently of the device body. The probe can be used with acoustic and/or aspirations sheaths to enhance destruction and removal of an occlusion. The horn assembly of the device that contains a sound conducting horn functions as an energy regulator and reservoir for the probe, and precludes loss of probe cavitation energy by its bending or damping within the blood vessel.

Abstract: A method for destructing, reducing or removing mammalian tissue with an ultrasonic device IS disclosed, comprising contacting the tissue with a transverse mode ultrasonic probe, and transmitting ultrasonic energy to the probe, until the tissue is fragmented by emulsification. The probe can be used with acoustic and/or aspirations sheaths to enhance destruction and removal of an occlusion and in combination with an imaging device to effect remodeling of human tissue in medical and cosmetic surgical procedures.

Abstract: A handle includes a body portion and a handle portion which is slidably and rotatably mounted on the body portion. Shoulders on the body portion and the handle portion limit relative sliding movement of the body portion and handle portion. A catheter open at both ends has one end fixed to the handle portion for movement therewith, the opposite end of the catheter having a shape memory tip. A fitting is threadedly connected to an enlarged part of the body portion. A sheath is threadedly connected to the fitting and the catheter is slidable and rotatable within the sheath. An annular channel is provided between the sheath and the catheter, this channel being in fluid communication with a bore in the fitting. The outer end of the sheath has holes therethrough in fluid communication with the channel. An irrigation inflow and aspiration outflow tube is also in fluid communication with the bore in the fitting.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing plaque, fatty deposits, and other occlusions from blood vessels using ultrasonic energy. The method and apparatus has particular application in removing plaque from the carotid artery in a non-thermal manner. The apparatus is designed to have as small a cross-sectional profile as possible, therefore allowing the apparatus to be used in a minimally-invasive manner. As a result, the apparatus can be used in both surgical and outpatient treatment with minimal post-operative complications and minimal damage to areas other than the area of treatment. An ultrasonic probe may include aspiration channels on its outer surface. An aspiration sheath may surround the ultrasonic probe, such that the location of an aspiration port may be varied axially relative to the ultrasonic tip.

Abstract: A method for removing an occlusion is provided comprising introducing a transverse mode ultrasonic probe into a blood vessel, positioning the probe in proximity to the occlusion, and transmitting ultrasonic energy to the probe, until the occlusion is removed. The probe has a small cross-sectional lumen and is articulable for navigating in a tortuous vessel path. The probe can be used with acoustic and/or aspirations sheaths to enhance destruction and removal of an occlusion. The probe can also be used with a balloon catheter. The probe, sheaths, and catheter can be provided in a sharps container which further provides a means of affixing and detaching the probe from an ultrasonic medical device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacturing small diameter ultrasonic probes capable of vibrating in a transverse mode that can be used in ultrasonic tissue ablation. The apparatus includes a die, a style puller which is used to engage a functional end of the medical device, and a die room puller which is used to draw the medical device through the die. The die includes a bell-shaped lead-in on a front side of the die and a bell-shaped lead-in on a back side of the die allowing for reversal of the direction of the draw. The method of manufacturing includes heat treating a large diameter medical device, drawing the large diameter device through a die and reversing the draw of the medical device through the die to provide a medical device having a varying diameter along a length of the device. The method is repeated until a final diameter is reached.

Abstract: A handle includes a body portion and a handle portion which is slidably and rotatably mounted on the body portion. Shoulders on the body portion and the handle portion limit relative sliding movement of the body portion and handle portion. A catheter open at both ends has one end fixed to the handle portion for movement therewith, the opposite end of the catheter having a shape memory tip. A fitting is threadedly connected to an enlarged part of the body portion. A sheath is threadedly connected to the fitting and the catheter is slidable and rotatable within the sheath. An annular channel is provided between the sheath and the catheter, this channel being in fluid communication with a bore in the fitting. The outer end of the sheath has holes therethrough in fluid communication with the channel. An irrigation inflow and aspiration outflow tube is also in fluid communication with the bore in the fitting.

Abstract: A medical device such as an endoscope has an elongated flexible sheath. A first sleeve has a passage there through which snugly receives the sheath, the first sheath being slide-able from its proximal end to its distal end. The sleeve is a thin-walled tube having a constant inner diameter so as to minimize the increase the outer dimension of the device at the portion upon which the sleeve is positioned. The sleeve has a length of approximately one-half the length of the sheath and may have greater stiffness than the sheath. A second sleeve may be slide-ably mounted on the first sleeve and has a snug fit therewith. The second sleeve is also a thin-walled tube having a constant outer dimension. The second sleeve has a length of approximately one-half the length of the first sleeve and may have greater stiffness than the first sleeve.

Abstract: An ultrasonic medical device comprises an ultrasonic vibration generator that generates vibration along its longitudinal axis. The ultrasonic vibration is transmitted through an ultrasonic coupler and a series of transformer sections that amplify the ultrasonic vibration. A flexible member is coupled to the distal end of the transformer sections, and is thus supplied with a longitudinal vibration at its base by the transformer sections. The flexible member is designed so that it converts the longitudinal vibration into a standing wave that runs along the length of the flexible member. The standing wave produces a series of nodes and anti-nodes along the length of the flexible member. Each of the anti-nodes produces cavitation in fluids in contact with the probe. The cavitation of the fluids causes destruction of adjacent tissue. In this manner, the entire length of the flexible member becomes a working surface that may be utilized for destroying tissue.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a container for storage, dispensation, transport and disposal of a medical device such a disposable ultrasonic surgical probe, that allows its dispensation for use, and for its safe storage and disposal after use, thereby protecting the user from the hazards of needle pricks and possible contamination from small-diameter probes. The container of the present invention also provides a mechanism for restricting access to the probe to prevent its reuse, and a method for its safe attachment to and detachment from an ultrasonic medical device. The container comprises a cylindrical tube having two ends and an inner surface defining a space for containing the probe.

Abstract: A transverse mode ultrasonic probe is provided which creates a cavitation area along its longitudinal length, increasing the working surface of the probe. Accessory sheaths are also provided for use with the probe to enable a user to select from features most suited to an individual medical procedure. The sheaths provide acoustic enhancing and aspiration enhancing properties, and/or can be used as surgical tools or as medical access devices, protecting tissue from physical contact with the probe.

Abstract: Isolated Partial Scan (IPS) circuits and methods provide a partial scan technique in which no blocking or isolation circuitry is required and which requires little extra circuitry, reduces the amount of added circuitry and eliminates the need for circuit design restrictions that are common to conventional design for testability (DFT) methods. IPS ensures by construction that the state of non-scan sequential devices is not changed during the scan operations of scan sequential devices without the need to add disabling logic to protect or isolate the non-scan devices from the scan devices. A partial scan test circuit has sequential scan elements for directly replacing sequential logic elements within a circuit. Each scan element performs the same function of the replaced sequential element and includes a data input, a data output, a scan input, a scan output, and control signals for controlling the operation of the scan element, including normal, scan in and scan out operations.

Abstract: A rotary microwave antenna system suitable for satellite or cellular microwave radio telecommunications features an integrated, low-profile, rotary microwave joint, slip ring and antenna assembly. The rotary antenna system includes a stator (i.e., stationary portion), for attachment to a mobile platform (e.g., an automobile or other vehicle), having a rotary joint coaxial microwave coupler for electrically coupling a microwave transmission line from a microwave telecommunications radio system to a microwave antenna element of an microwave antenna rotatable about an axis relative to the mobile platform. The rotary antenna system also includes a rotor (i.e., rotary portion) for attachment to the microwave antenna. The rotor includes a slip ring circuit (or brushes) for coupling power and low frequency electrical signals to the microwave antenna through contacting brushes (or slip ring) attached to the stator, rotates relative to the stator, and is concentric with the axis of rotation of the microwave antenna.

Abstract: A toe pick for an in-line skate provides figure skaters with a means for performing various skating maneuvers the same as performed on ice skates. The positioning and configuration of the toe pick effectively prevents the skater from over-rotating while providing a pick point used to center the skater's body in preparation for a jump or other type of stunt. The invention features a cylindrical toe pick disk held rotationally mobile by locking means, and secured to the in-line wheel frame of the skate forward of the toe wheel so as not to contact the ground during normal skating action. Although rotationally mobile, the toe pick disk is orientated to have a central axis parallel to the axis of rotation of each of the in-line skate wheels. The toe pick disk is positioned so that it contacts the horizontal skating surface, e.g., the ground, when the axis passing through the axles of the front and rear wheels of the in-line skate form an angle of between 5.degree. and 20.degree..

Abstract: An RF hyperthermia applicator for inducing a temperature rise in a human female breast for treating carcinomas includes a waveguide applicator having an aperture and a phased-array of monopole electric field radiators coupled to a source of electric field energy for producing electric field radiation output from the waveguide through the aperture. Compression means is used for compressing a human breast to a predetermined thickness. The waveguide is positioned adjacent to the compression means such that the breast is positioned adjacent to the aperture and thereby receives electric field radiation from the waveguide. In another embodiment, at least two waveguide applicators are positioned on opposite sides of the compression means so that the compressed breast is positioned between the opposed apertures of the waveguides. An electric field probe is placed into a target within the breast to assist in focusing the electric field energy into the target.