Abstract: A method of epidural surgery is provided that improves visibility in the epidural space of a patient for more effectively conducting therapeutic surgery therein. The method includes the steps of distending a portion of the epidural space of a patient by filling the portion of the epidural space with a fluid supplied from a catheter and positioning a portion of an optical scope in the distended portion of the epidural space by inserting the optical scope through the same catheter that supplies the distending fluid to thereby provide a visual image of the epidural space.

Abstract: A method of epidural surgery is provided that improves visibility in the epidural space of a patient for more effectively conducting therapeutic surgery therein. The method includes the steps of distending a portion of the epidural space of a patient by filling the portion of the epidural space with a fluid supplied from a catheter and positioning a portion of an optical scope in the distended portion of the epidural space by inserting the optical scope through the same catheter that supplies the distending fluid to thereby provide a visual image of the epidural space.

Abstract: A catheter and methods are provided for inserting at least portions thereof into a vessel, cavity, or tissue of a human body to thereby provide manipulation of a distal portion of the catheter when positioned within a vessel, cavity, or tissue. The catheter preferably has a module which includes an elongate tube having at least one lumen extending from a distal end to a proximal end of the tube, a module interface connected to the proximal end of the tube, and a deflector connected to the tube for deflecting the distal portion of the elongate tube. A handle detachably connects to the module and is configured to be readily held in the hand of a user. The handle has a body which includes a wall positioned in and extending transversely across distal portions of the body. The wall has an outer surface thereof defining an exterior portion of the body and a first cavity formed within the body. Preferably, the body detachably and coextensively connects to the module interface through the outer surface of the wall.

Abstract: A method of epidural surgery is provided that improves visibility in the epidural space of a patient for more effectively conducting therapeutic surgery therein. The method includes the steps of distending a portion of the epidural space of a patient by filling the portion of the epidural space with a fluid supplied from a catheter and positioning a portion of an optical scope in the distended portion of the epidural space by inserting the optical scope through the same catheter that supplies the distending fluid to thereby provide a visual image of the epidural space.

Abstract: A catheter and methods are provided for inserting at least portions thereof into a vessel, cavity, or tissue of a human body to thereby provide manipulation of a distal portion of the catheter when positioned within a vessel, cavity, or tissue. The catheter preferably has a module which includes an elongate tube having at least one lumen extending from a distal end to a proximal end of the tube, a module interface connected to the proximal end of the tube, and a deflector connected to the tube for deflecting the distal portion of the elongate tube. A handle detachably connects to the module and is configured to be readily held in the hand of a user. The handle has a body which includes a wall positioned in and extending transversely across distal portions of the body. The wall has an outer surface thereof defining an exterior portion of the body and a first cavity formed within the body. Preferably, the body detachably and coextensively connects to the module interface through the outer surface of the wall.

Abstract: A catheter and methods are provided for inserting at least portions thereof into a vessel, cavity, or tissue of a human body to thereby provide manipulation of a distal portion of the catheter when positioned within a vessel, cavity, or tissue. The catheter preferably has a module which includes an elongate tube having at least one lumen extending from a distal end to a proximal end of the tube, a module interface connected to the proximal end of the tube, and a deflector connected to the tube for deflecting the distal portion of the elongate tube. A handle detachably connects to the module and is configured to be readily held in the hand of a user. The handle has a body which includes a wall positioned in and extending transversely across distal portions of the body. The wall has an outer surface thereof defining an exterior portion of the body and a first cavity formed within the body. Preferably, the body detachably and coextensively connects to the module interface through the outer surface of the wall.

Abstract: A method of epidural surgery is provided that improves visibility in the epidural space of a patient for more effectively conducting therapeutic surgery therein. The method includes the steps of distending a portion of the epidural space of a patient by filling the portion of the epidural space with a fluid supplied from a catheter and positioning a portion of an optical scope in the distended portion of the epidural space by inserting the optical scope through the same catheter that supplies the distending fluid to thereby provide a visual image of the epidural space.

Abstract: A catheter and methods are provided for inserting at least portions thereof into a vessel, cavity, or tissue of a human body to thereby provide manipulation of a distal portion of the catheter when positioned within a vessel, cavity, or tissue. The catheter preferably has a module which includes an elongate tube having at least one lumen extending from a distal end to a proximal end of the tube, a module interface connected to the proximal end of the tube, and a deflector connected to the tube for deflecting the distal portion of the elongate tube. A handle detachably connects to the module and is configured to be readily held in the hand of a user. The handle has a body which includes a wall positioned in and extending transversely across distal portions of the body. The wall has an outer surface thereof defining an exterior portion of the body and a first cavity formed within the body. Preferably, the body detachably and coextensively connects to the module interface through the outer surface of the wall.

Abstract: The catheter has a housing of such a size as to be readily held in the hand of the user, and a tubular proximal portion connected to and extending from the housing. The proximal portion is formed of a flexible polymeric material. The distal portion is coaxial with and is adjacent to the proximal portion. The distal portion is also formed of a flexible polymeric material and it has substantially the same outer circumference as the proximal portion. The distal portion is more flexible than the medial portion. A pair of control wires extend longitudinally through the proximal and distal portions and parallel to the axis of the coaxial portions for bending the flexible portions in response to movement of the control wires. A control is carried by the housing for controlling the movement of the control wires to thereby bend the flexible portions and remotely manipulate the catheter within a human body.

Abstract: A catheter for use in body vessels or cavities has a housing of such size as to be readily held in the hand of a user and elongate tube means having one end connected to the housing and extending outwardly therefrom and being formed of material of such a stiffness so as to maintain the elongate tube means in straight condition in the absence of an external force applied thereto, an outer end portion of the elongate tube means being flexible. Guide wires are connected to the housing by the inner ends thereof and extend outwardly therefrom through the elongate tube means. The outer ends of the guide wires are connected to the flexible outer end portion of the elongate tube means. Guide wire control means is carried by the housing and cooperates with the inner end portions of the guide wires for controlling the angular attitude of the flexible outer end portion of the elongate tube means.

Abstract: A method of epidural surgery is provided that improves visibility in the epidural space of a patient for more effectively conducting therapeutic surgery therein. The method includes the steps of distending a portion of the epidural space of a patient by filling the portion of the epidural space with a fluid supplied from a catheter and positioning a portion of an optical scope in the distended portion of the epidural space by inserting the optical scope through the same catheter that supplies the distending fluid to thereby provide a visual image of the epidural space.

Abstract: A catheter for use in body vessels or cavities has a housing of such size as to be readily held in the hand of a user and elongate tube means having one end connected to the housing and extending outwardly therefrom and being formed of material of such a stiffness so as to maintain the elongate tube means in straight condition in the absence of an external force applied thereto, an outer end portion of the elongate tube means being flexible. Guide wires are connected to the housing by the inner ends thereof and extend outwardly therefrom through the elongate tube means. The outer ends of the guide wires are connected to the flexible outer end portion of the elongate tube means. Guide wire control means is carried by the housing and cooperates with the inner end portions of the guide wires for controlling the angular attitude of the flexible outer end portion of the elongate tube means.

Abstract: A catheter imaging apparatus for internally viewing body vessels or cavities, having a catheter, the catheter comprising a housing of such a size as to be readily held in the hand of a user, an elongate tube with one end connected to the housing and extending outwardly therefrom and being formed of material having sufficient stiffness to maintain the elongate tube in a substantially straight condition in the absence of an external force applied thereto, the elongate tube having a flexible distal end portion, guide wires having inner ends connected to the housing and extending outwardly therefrom through the elongate tube means, distal ends of the guide wires being connected to the flexible distal end portion of the elongate tube means, and a guide wire control carried by the housing and cooperating with proximal inner end portions of the guide wires for controlling the angular attitude of the flexible distal end portion of the elongate tube means, the guide wires and guide wire control cooperating to limit th

Abstract: The catheter has a housing of such a size as to be readily held in the hand of the user, and a tubular proximal portion connected to and extending from the housing. The proximal portion is formed of a flexible polymeric material. The distal portion is coaxial with and is adjacent to the proximal portion. The distal portion is also formed of a flexible polymeric material and it has substantially the same outer circumference as the proximal portion. The distal portion is more flexible than the medial portion. A pair of control wires extend longitudinally through the proximal and distal portions and parallel to the axis of the coaxial portions for bending the flexible portions in response to movement of the control wires. A control is carried by the housing for controlling the movement of the control wires to thereby bend the flexible portions and remotely manipulate the catheter within a human body.

Abstract: A method of epidural surgery is provided that improves visibility in the epidural space of a patient for more effectively conducting therapeutic surgery therein. The method includes the steps of distending a portion of the epidural space of a patient by filling the portion of the epidural space with a fluid supplied from a catheter and positioning a portion of an optical scope in the distended portion of the epidural space by inserting the optical scope through the same catheter that supplies the distending fluid to thereby provide a visual image of the epidural space.

Abstract: A catheter for use in body vessels or cavities has a housing of such size as to be readily held in the hand of a user and elongate tube means having one end connected to the housing and extending outwardly therefrom and being formed of material of such a stiffness so as to maintain the elongate tube means in straight condition in the absence of an external force applied thereto, an outer end portion of the elongate tube means being flexible. Guide wires are connected to the housing by the inner ends thereof and extend outwardly therefrom through the elongate tube means. The outer ends of the guide wires are connected to the flexible outer end portion of the elongate tube means. Guide wire control means is carried by the housing and cooperates with the inner end portions of the guide wires for controlling the angular attitude of the flexible outer end portion of the elongate tube means.