Abstract: Non-invasive sensor apparatus and method for assessing cardiac performance. A wide variety of different sensor components can capture sensor readings relating to patient attributes. Those sensor readings can then be compared by a processor component to derive a cardiac performance indicator relating to the patient.

Abstract: The apparatus and method for hemostasis that informs the provider as to whether the appropriate magnitude of pressure is being applied to a puncture site on a patient. A visual pulse indicator can visually convey whether or not there is proper blood flow at the puncture site based on the pulsing motion encountered by the visual pulse indicator on the puncture site. The visual pulse indicator can potentially factor in a variety of different input parameters in displaying information that is useful to providers.

Abstract: A catheter assembly for sensing the temperature of an arterial wall or other body lumen includes a blood-flow-occluding feature to increase the accuracy the temperature measurements. In addition to the flow-occluding feature, the catheter includes a distal end with a temperature sensing structure and a proximal end including a manually operated expansion control. The temperature sensing structure includes one or more presentation elements in the form of a basket or braided structure having at least one temperature sensor supported thereon, each sensor being operative to generate an electrical signal indicative of temperature. In the preferred embodiment, the feature to occlude blood flow is an inflatable balloon disposed near the expandable basket or braid structure. The temperature sensors are preferably thermistors, and an elastic sleeve covering the expandable basket or braid structure is also preferably provided to further insulate the temperature sensors from the cooling effects of blood flow.

Abstract: A catheter assembly for sensing the temperature of an arterial wall or other body lumen includes a blood-flow-occluding feature to increase the accuracy the temperature measurements. In addition to the flow-occluding feature, the catheter includes a distal end with a temperature sensing structure and a proximal end including a manually operated expansion control. The temperature sensing structure includes one or more presentation elements in the form of a basket or braided structure having at least one temperature sensor supported thereon, each sensor being operative to generate an electrical signal indicative of temperature. In the preferred embodiment, the feature to occlude blood flow is an inflatable balloon disposed near the expandable basket or braid structure. The temperature sensors are preferably thermistors, and an elastic sleeve covering the expandable basket or braid structure is also preferably provided to further insulate the temperature sensors from the cooling effects of blood flow.

Abstract: A catheter assembly for sensing the temperature of an arterial wall or other body lumen includes a blood-flow-occluding feature to increase the accuracy of the temperature measurements. In addition to the flow-occluding feature, the catheter includes a distal end with a temperature sensing structure and a proximal end including a manually operated expansion control. The temperature sensing structure including one or more presentation elements in the form of a basket or braided structure having at least one temperature sensor supported thereon, each sensor being operative to generate an electrical signal indicative of temperature.

Abstract: A thermal sensing catheter finds particular utility in detecting and isolating unstable arterial plaque. Miniaturized temperature sensors, preferably in the form of microthermistors, are embedded into expandable presentation elements disposed at the distal end of a catheter. The sensors may then be deployed to measure the surface temperature of the inner wall of coronary arteries or other vessels at multiple sites to identify sites of elevated temperature indicative of unstable plaque. The presentation elements may assume a “hand” type design or an alternate basket-type structure. A plurality of thermal sensors are embedded into the sides of polymeric or metallic sensing elements which expand out from the centerline of a catheter toward the inner vessel walls.

Abstract: A hand/wrist positioning splint to keep the hand positioned for radial artery access and to permit application of a hemostasis band to apply pressure to the radical artery puncture site to permit closing of said puncture site, is provided. The splint includes a rigid structure (12A) for positioning a patient's hand, and wrist in a fixed hyper-extended state, the structure (12A) having a distal end surface to support a patient's hand, and palm up, the end surface extends downwardly from the wrist position to make a first fixed angle with a horizontal plane. The rigid structure also has a wrist/forearm support surface also extending downwardly from the wrist position to make a second fixed angle with a horizontal plane. Straps (16A) are provided for securing the hand, and the wrist/forearm in fixed position on the rigid structure. An opening (20A) in the wrist/forearm surface of the rigid support below the point of arterial access permits application of a hemostasis band to the arterial puncture site.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring length in a blood vessel includes an inner barrel slideably fitting within an outer barrel. The apparatus also preferably includes a zero ring for initializing a position of the inner barrel relative to the outer barrel, wherein the zero ring is rotatably positioned on the outer barrel. The apparatus further includes a small-diameter clamp extending outwardly from the inner barrel for holding a catherization mechanism for visualizing a blood vessel, wherein the catherization mechanism includes a marker and a scale is positioned on the inner barrel for indicating a displacement of the inner barrel relative to the outer barrel in response to the catherization mechanism marker.

Abstract: An angioplasty syringe has a half-threaded surface which engages a threaded hydraulic plunger for generating balloon inflating pressure. The threaded nut is part of a component having a cam which engages a cam is part of a pistol trigger. The cam positively raises and closes the threaded surface depending upon the trigger position.