Abstract: A stent mandrel fixture for supporting a stent during the application of a coating substance is provided. A method supporting a stent during the application of a coating substance is also provided.

Abstract: An intravascular catheter system for properly implanting a stent in a body lumen generally comprising a catheter having an elongated shaft with an inflatable balloon formed of compliant material and a stent mounted on the working length of the balloon. The balloon material is compliant within the working range of the balloon to provide substantial radial expansion. The wingless radially expansive balloon expands in a uniform manner, thereby producing uniform expansion and implantation of the stent.

Abstract: An intravascular device such as a stent is placed in a plasma source ion implantation (PSII) chamber wherein a plasma of radioactive ions is introduced to surround the device. A negative potential is applied to the stent to accelerate the ions towards the device and implant them into the surface of the device, thereby rendering the device radioactive. The stent is next deployed intravascularly within a patient's body to maintain the patency of a blood vessel and irradiate the surrounding tissue to prevent the development of restenosis.

Abstract: A radiation delivery catheter which increases the margin of safety and reduces unintended exposure to radiation dosage during delivery thereof to a target area to reduce the likelihood of the development of restenosis. The catheter includes a shaft comprised of radiation shielding material, to shield the patient and staff from unintended radiation exposure. The catheter further includes a treatment section including a reservoir balloon comprised of radiation trans-parent material, which enables predetermined concentrations of radioactivity in the radiation source to permeate therethrough into the target area in a substantially uniform dosage pattern.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for providing a readily insertable guide wire that is also accurately steerable. One embodiment of the present invention comprises one or more thin diameter, liquid filled, polymer balloons enclosed by the guide wire coils and connected through a hypotube lumen to a pressure transducer. The pressure transducer exerts pressure via a fluid medium to the balloon(s), which then expand and exert pressure onto the inner surface of the coils, thereby stiffening the distal section of the guide wire. In operation, the guide wire will typically be inserted with the balloons deflated, hence the distal tip is very flexible. Once the distal tip reaches its destination, the balloons are inflated and expanded to stiffen and/or reorient the distal tip to allow it to perform as required, typically by aiding in the positioning of a catheter or stent in the desired location.

Abstract: A dilatation or other similar catheter for intraluminal use which has an elongated shaft and an inflatable member or section on the distal extremity of the catheter shaft which has multiple working sections, a first working section which elastically expands upon inflation to a first pressure within a first pressure range and a second working section which elastically expands upon inflation to a second pressure within a second pressure range which is at least in part higher than the first pressure range. The first working section may be inflated to secure the catheter within the body lumen and then the second working section may be inflated to dilatate the body lumen.

Abstract: An ultrasound delivery catheter equipped and configured for concurrent delivery of drugs or therapeutic agents. The catheter comprises an elongate pliable catheter body having an ultrasound delivery member or wire extending longitudinally therethrough. A drug/therapeutic agent infusion lumen also extends longitudinally through the body of the catheter and opens distally through one or more outflow apertures at or near the distal end of the catheter body. The drug/therapeutic agent outflow apertures are preferably positioned and configured to cause the drug or therapeutic agent to flow in direction(s) non-parallel to the longitudinal axis of the catheter. The delivery of ultrasound through the catheter, concurrent with infusion of drug or therapeutic agent therethrough, will cause the drug or therapeutic agent to be disseminated or dispersed by the ultrasonic vibration or movement at the distal end of the catheter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for percutaneous myocardial revascularization of a human heart. A deflectable elongated flexible lasing apparatus is used which includes a source of laser radiation, an elongated flexible radiation conveying means for conducting the laser radiation to a lens on the distal end of the radiation conveying means for focusing the laser radiation, and control lines for deflecting the distal end of the radiation conveying means. The control lines are secured to the distal end of the radiation conveying means for changing the angle of deflection of the distal end of the radiation conveying means. The lasing apparatus is guided to an area within the patient's heart, and the distal end of the lasing apparatus is directed to an area of interest where the inner wall of the heart is irradiated with laser energy to form a channel through the myocardium for a desired distance. In a preferred embodiment, channels are formed without perforating the epicardium of the heart.

Abstract: A catheter is formed from a single extrusion of cold crystallizable material in its amorphous state. Selected portions of the catheter are subsequently subjected to the material's cold crystallization temperatures for a selected period of time in order to transform those portions into a more crystalline form. Increased crystallinity profoundly affects the physical characteristics of the material. A jointless catheter having a relatively stiff body and a soft, pliable, and atraumatic tip is thereby provided.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting breakage in an optical fiber is disclosed. The system includes an acoustic detector coupled to the optical fiber to be monitored for breakage which operates to generate an electrical output signal when the sound of an optical fiber break is detected. A signalling circuit measures the output of the acoustic detector and operates to generate a signal indicative of the output of the acoustic detector, and an indicator circuit is responsive to the output of the signalling circuit to provide an indication of breakage in the optical fiber. In one preferred embodiment, a control circuit is also provided which operates to interrupt light transmission through the optical fiber when breakage of the optical fiber is detected.

Abstract: An optical fiber lasing apparatus includes an optical fiber which terminates in a lens having a convex lens side at its forward end, and having an extended barrel portion secured to the distal portion of the optical fiber. The lens is larger in diameter than the diameter of the optical fiber member.

Abstract: An improved vascular catheter having a tubular member of composite structure with a tubular substrate and a resin-impregnated fibrous covering extending over a substantial part of the length thereof. The tubular substrate which is longitudinally flexible but relatively inextendible, is preferably polyimide tubing with a lubricious coating on the inner surface thereof defining an inner lumen. The fibrous covering is preferably epoxy-impregnated aramid or polyester (Dacron) multi-filament fibers. The strands are is snugly wrapped about the tubular substrate and then impregnated with a suitable resin. One or more of the strands in the distal portion are at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tubular substrate between about 20.degree. and about 45.degree. greater than the angle of one or more strands in the proximal portion. Individual strand wraps in the distal portion are at an angle of about 60.degree. to about 85.degree.

Abstract: Perfusion catheter adapted to be positioned in at least a partially occluded blood vessel having a lesion or restriction therein comprising an elongate flexible plastic tubular member having a flow passage extending therethrough. The member has proximal and distal ends and a fitting carried by the proximal end. The member has a plurality of holes spaced apart longitudinally from the distal end and permitting the flow of liquid from and into the flow passage through the holes when the catheter is positioned in the lesion or restriction so that at least some of the holes are on one side of the lesion or restriction and other holes are on the other side of the lesion or restriction.