Abstract: Disclosed is a novel wound dressing which applies ionizing radiation to the surface of the wound as soon after the wound is created as is possible. Optimally, the radiation has a range which extends to the bottom surface of the skin but not significantly beyond that depth. An example of a radioactive source that can apply this type of radiation dosing is a beta particle emitting radioisotope such as phosphorous-32 which has a range of approximately 3.5 mm for 90% of the electrons that it emits. Even very small amounts of phosphorous-32 can provide a sufficiently high level of irradiation to significantly diminish scar tissue formation. The radioactive bandage would typically be an elongated flexible structure which can be applied along a wound or surgical incision. Typically, the radioactive bandage would extend for approximately 1 to 5 mm beyond the cut in all directions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for detecting a myocardial infarction (i.e., a heart attack) at the earliest possible time and promptly warning the patient that he should immediately seek medical care. Specifically, a first embodiment of the present invention has an implantable electronic system that can sense a change in the patient's electrogram that is indicative of a myocardial infarction. If a myocardial infarction is sensed, the device would then cause an implantable or externally located alarm means such as an audio sound to be actuated to warn the patient of his condition. The patient could then promptly seek medical care, for example, at a hospital emergency room. Having been trained to recognize such an alarm, most patient would neither fail to recognize such an indication of a myocardial infarction nor would they ignore such an alarm signal if it were to occur.

Abstract: Disclosed is a completely implantable system that can detect the occurrence of a myocardial infarction, i.e., a heart attack, and automatically inject a thrombolytic and/or anti-thrombogenic agent into the bloodstream to promptly dissolve the thrombus that caused the myocardial infarction and prevent the formation of additional thrombi. It is well known that a myocardial infarction can be detected from a patient's electrocardiogram by noting an ST segment voltage deviation as compared to the voltage of the patient's TP or PQ segments. Upon detection of a myocardial infarction, an ST segment deviation electronic detection circuit within the implanted device can produce an output signal that can cause a thrombolytic and/or anti-thrombogenic agent contained within an implanted, pressurized reservoir to immediately and automatically release medications into the patient's bloodstream.

Abstract: This invention is a radioisotope impregnated material sheet or mesh designed to be placed between internal body tissues to prevent the formation of post-operative adhesions, which adhesions are really scar tissue formation. This mesh or gauze into which the isotope is placed may be either a permanent implant or it may be biodegradable. By impregnating an existing product such as the Johnson & Johnson SURGICEL.TM. absorbable hemostat gauze-like sheet with a beta emitting radioisotope such as phosphorous-32 with has a relatively short effective range of approximately 4 mm, the biodegradable mesh would act as a barrier to cell proliferation and hence be a deterrent to the formation of adhesions.

Abstract: The present invention is a stent delivery catheter system for placing a stent within a stenosis in a vessel of a human body. The stent delivery catheter system utilizes a slideable sheath with a thin-walled distal portion that is situated coaxially over a stent that is placed onto a balloon located at the distal portion of a balloon angioplasty catheter. The distal end of a central portion of the sheath has an interior shoulder which is capable of exerting a distally directed push force on the balloon angioplasty catheter at a point that is just proximal to the stent. This push force is then transferred through the non-deployed stent to a gradually tapered, highly flexible, lubricity coated distal tip of the balloon angioplasty catheter.

Abstract: An expandable external radiopaque marker band is situated external to the balloon of a balloon angioplasty catheter typically at the balloon's longitudinal center. When the balloon is inflated to dilate an arterial stenosis, the external radiopaque marker band is moved radially outward by the balloon thereby forcing the external radiopaque marker band into the arterial wall. When the balloon is then deflated, the external radiopaque marker band remains in place against the wall of the dilated stenosis. The balloon angioplasty catheter can then be removed from the artery while the expanded external radiopaque marker band remains in place to indicate (typically) the center position of the dilated stenosis. The external radiopaque marker band is typically made from a dense, radiopaque metal such as tantalum, gold, platinum or an alloy of those dense metals.

Abstract: The present invention is a device and method for securing and releasing the distal end of a thin-walled sheath to and from a distal section of a stent delivery catheter. The invention comprises a stent delivery catheter system which includes a sheath which is releasably attached to a distal section of a stent delivery catheter. When the stent delivery system has been advanced into the body so that the stent (which is situated coaxially within the sheath) is placed at the site of an arterial stenosis where it is to be deployed, the sheath is released from the stent delivery catheter and then the sheath is pulled back in a proximal direction thereby uncovering the stent. Self-deploying stents will automatically deploy when the sheath is pulled back. Balloon expandable stents can be deployed by balloon inflation after the sheath has been pulled back.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for using an improved guiding catheter that eliminates the need for an introducer sheath or a separate Tuohy-Borst "Y" adaptor, thus reducing the time and expense for performing artery opening procedures. Furthermore, the guiding catheter with straightening dilator as described herein allows the hole in the wall of the femoral artery in the groin, or even more advantageously, the radial artery in the arm to be approximately 2 French sizes smaller in diameter as compared to the hole that would be created if an introducer sheath is also used. The advantages of the present invention are accomplished by utilizing a guiding catheter with a dilator that has a stiffened and/or curved distal section that can be used to straighten the distal section of the guiding catheter as it is advanced through the arterial system.

Abstract: This invention provides a non-kinking and thin-walled introducer sheath (10) having a flat wire metal coil (12) that lies within a plastic covering (20) fitted onto the exterior surface of the flat wire metal coil (12) and extends into a space between adjacent turns of the flat wire metal coil (12) without covering the interior surface. Each turn of the flat wire metal coil (12) has a thickness within the range between 0.75-3.0 mils with a width to thickness ratio lying between 12 and 80. A plastic adapter (30) is provided and is located at a proximal end of the sheath (10) for inserting guide wires through the sheath (10) into a vessel.

Abstract: The Dottering Auger Catheter system is designed for penetration of tight stenoses or total occlusions (called blockages) as a precursor to balloon angioplasty, atherectomy, or any other vessel opening means that requires an initial passageway. Specifically, the Dottering Auger Catheter system consists of a centering catheter and a Dottering auger catheter which is a catheter that opens a passageway through an arterial blockage by passing its wedge shaped distal end through that blockage causing outward plastic deformation of the plaque; i.e., angioplasty. A centering catheter that surrounds the Dottering Auger Catheter can be used to center the distal end of the auger catheter just proximal to the blockage. The purpose of the auger type of Dottering catheter is to penetrate through the blockage by means of a self-tapping screw at the catheter's distal end.

Abstract: The invention is a system for reducing blood loss when placing a guiding catheter into an artery of a human subject. The system consists of a guiding catheter, a sealing means to be placed on the guiding catheter's proximal end and a guide wire that can be placed through both the guiding catheter and the sealing means to assist in placing the guiding catheter into a specific artery. The sealing means is typically a cap consisting of a male Luer lock fitting that includes a hemostasis valve that is designed to seal around the guide wire. The cap can be a separate component or it can be joined to the guiding catheter's proximal end by means of a flexible hinge. After the guiding catheter has been placed at a desired location in the arterial system, the cap and guide wire can be removed and a "Y" adaptor would then be placed onto the guiding catheter's proximal end. If desired the flexible hinge could also be removed from the guiding catheter.

Abstract: A guiding catheter system (10) is provided that includes a Tuohy-Borst fitting (20) attached as a one-piece construction to a guiding catheter tube (11). The guiding catheter system (10) can also include a dilator (16) and a guide wire 15. The Tuohy-Borst fitting (20) can have a side arm (14) onto which a stop cock (30) can be attached. With the stop cock (30) in its closed position, fluid flow through the side arm (14) is prevented. When the nut (22) on the Tuohy-Borst fitting (20) is tightened down so that the gland (24) in the Tuohy-Borst fitting (20) seals against the guide wire (15) and the stop cock (30) is closed, blood loss through the proximal end of the guiding catheter system (10) can be essentially eliminated. Since the Tuohy-Borst fitting (20) is integrally joined to the proximal end of the guiding catheter tube (11), the need for a separately packaged and sterilized Tuohy-Borst fitting to be screwed onto the guiding catheter's proximal end is eliminated.

Abstract: A balloon angioplasty catheter system comprising a flexible guide wire, balloon catheter and slide handle. The balloon catheter has a shaft with a guide wire lumen that includes a guide wire removal slit which extends along a portion of the shaft. The slide handle is configured to open the slit as the handle slides along the catheter. The handle includes a separate passage for the catheter and guide wire and is provided with a fitting for connecting the handle to the "Y" adaptor of a guide catheter. The system provides a arrangement with the advantages of both an over-the-wire and monorail catheter.

Abstract: An introducer sheath (10) is provided for percutaneous insertion of catheters into a blood vessel. The introduction of the sheath (10) through a wall of blood vessel causes an opening to be formed through which blood may pass from the blood vessel. The sheath(10) includes an inflatable collar (20) which may be expanded under pressurized inflation of fluid inserted within the inflatable collar (20) to expand into contiguous contact with a periphery of the opening formed by the sheath (10) to prevent blood leakage through the blood vessel wall opening.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a vascular access needle (20) for insertion of a sharpened end of a needle (28) into the lumen of a blood vessel. The vascular access needle (20) includes both a hollow needle (28) and an elongated cylindrical body (22) having respective central passageway lumen (27) and capillary lumen (26) extending through the entire vascular access needle (20). The elongated cylindrical body includes a planar angled surface (21) which plane is oriented parallel to the plane of the needle distal opening (29), which provides the capability for proper orientation of the needle (28) for insertion into the blood vessel lumen. The elongated cylindrical body (22) further includes a pair of parallel flat surfaces (23) for stabilization and proper orientation of the needle distal opening (29) when inserting into the blood vessel lumen.

Abstract: The present invention is a means for accessing blood vessels for the insertion of a guide wire while preventing the free release of blood. Specifically, a hollow, thin-walled metal tube typically having a sharp point at its distal end is joined at its proximal end to a transparent viewing section. The viewing section has a distal narrow lumen and a proximal chamber which has a cap at its proximal end. The cap encloses a pressure sealing means through which a guide wire can be passed. After the distal end of the metal tube is placed in an artery, blood will rush through the metal tube and into the viewing section. The air in the air-tight proximal chamber will alternatively be compressed between diastolic and systolic blood pressure. Feedback to the operator that the distal end of the metal tube is properly placed within an artery can be achieved by observing the reciprocating pulsatile motion of the blood column within the distal narrow lumen of the viewing section.

Abstract: The Dottering Auger Catheter system is designed for penetration of tight stenoses or total occlusions (called blockages) as a precursor to balloon angioplasty, atherectomy, or any other vessel opening means that requires an initial passageway. Specifically, the Dottering Auger Catheter system consists of a centering catheter and a Dottering auger catheter which is a catheter that opens a passageway through an arterial blockage by passing its wedge shaped distal end through that blockage causing outward plastic deformation of the plague; i.e., angioplasty. A centering catheter that surrounds the Dottering Auger Catheter can be used to center the distal end of the auger catheter just proximal to the blockage. The purpose of the auger type of Dottering catheter is to penetrate through the blockage by means of a self-tapping screw at the catheter's distal end.

Abstract: The two-piece percutaneous introducer sheath includes a distal portion which can remain in a blood vessel while a proximal portion can be removed after a valve at the proximal end of the distal portion is closed thus preventing undue loss of blood. Thus, a thrombus that has been pulled into the proximal portion can be removed when the proximal portion is removed without any significant blood loss after the sheath valve has been closed. Further, for any other useful therapeutic purpose, the proximal portion can be changed while the distal portion with its valve closed can remain in place in the vessel.

Abstract: An introducer sheath includes an extremely thin, flat wire metal coil that is surrounded only on its exterior surface with a plastic tube or coating. The flat wire coil optimizes the resistance of the sheath to buckling while minimizing the wall thickness of the sheath. The plastic covering being only on the outside of the metal coil optimizes the thinness of the introducer sheath wall while still providing a smooth outer surface for easy percutaneous insertion into an artery or other vessel of a living body. The higher density of the metal coil as compared to the plastic tubes of existing introducer sheaths, maximizes the radiopacity of the sheath for this thin-walled design. An alternative embodiment consists of two flat wire metal coils, one wound over the other, with a plastic covering the outer surface of the outer metal coil.