Abstract: Guide wire for use in a medical procedure and for use with the power supply comprising a flexible elongate tubular member having proximal and distal extremities and having a bore extending from the proximal extremity to the distal extremity. A core wire extends through the bore of the flexible elongate tubular member. A coil assembly is mounted on the distal extremity of the flexible elongate member and has a distal extremity. A rounded tip is formed on the distal extremity. An actuator member has at least a portion thereof disposed in the coil assembly and has proximal and distal extremities. The proximal extremity of the actuator member is secured to the distal extremity of the flexible elongate tubular member. The distal extremity of the actuator member is secured to the rounded tip. The actuator member has a portion thereof formed of a shape memory material and incorporating a shape member therein.

Abstract: A sheath for advancement into a vessel of a patient having a stenosis therein which at least partially occludes the flow of blood in the vessel. A flexible elongate tubular member has proximal and distal extremities with a lumen extending from the proximal extremity to the distal extremity. A portion of the distal extremity of the flexible elongate tubular member is radially expandable. The expandable portion carries stiffening elements that impart pushability and column strength to the expandable portion.

Abstract: A guide wire with extension capability for use in a medical procedure having a guide wire and a guide wire extension. The guide wire comprises a flexible elongate cylindrical member having proximal and distal extremities. A portion of the distal extremity is formed of a material having high torquability and high pushability. The guide wire extension comprises a flexible elongate cylindrical member formed of a shape memory material. A major portion of the flexible elongate cylindrical member of the guide wire extension has a shape memory in the form of a coil so that when it is free it will assume a shape memory coil. A junction is formed between the proximal extremity of the guide wire and the distal extremity of the guide wire extension for connection of the guide wire extension to the guide wire.

Abstract: A low profile catheter comprising a flexible elongate tubular member having proximal and distal extremities and having a guide wire lumen and at least one balloon inflation lumen extending from the proximal extremity to the distal extremity, said at least one balloon inflation lumen being offset eccentrically with respect to said guide wire lumen, the distal extremity of said flexible elongate tubular member having at least one inflatable balloon formed thereon and having an interior in communication with said at least one balloon inflation lumen, said guide wire lumen extending through said at least one inflatable balloon and being offset eccentrically with respect to said at least one inflatable balloon.

Abstract: Guide wire for use in a medical procedure and for use with the power supply comprising a flexible elongate tubular member having proximal and distal extremities and having a bore extending from the proximal extremity to the distal extremity. A core wire extends through the bore of the flexible elongate tubular member. A coil assembly is mounted on the distal extremity of the flexible elongate member and has a distal extremity. A rounded tip is formed on the distal extremity. An actuator member has at least a portion thereof disposed in the coil assembly and has proximal and distal extremities. The proximal extremity of the actuator member is secured to the distal extremity of the flexible elongate tubular member. The distal extremity of the actuator member is secured to the rounded tip. The actuator member has a portion thereof formed of a shape memory material and incorporating a shape member therein.

Abstract: An angioplasty catheter comprising a flexible elongate tubular member having proximal and distal extremities. A lumen therein extends from the proximal extremity to the distal extremity. First and second balloons are carried by said distal extremity and are coaxially disposed with respect to each other on the distal extremity of the flexible elongate tubular member. Means are carried by the flexible elongate tubular member for inflating the first and second balloons one at a time independent of each other.

Abstract: A low profile balloon-on-a-wire catheter having a flexible elongate tubular member with proximal and distal extremities and with a lumen extending from the proximal extremity to the distal extremity. An inflatable balloon is mounted on the distal extremity of the flexible elongate tubular member. Communication is established between the lumen and the interior of the inflatable balloon. An inflation fitting is removably secured to the proximal extremity of the flexible elongate tubular member for supplying an inflation fluid to the lumen for inflating and deflating the balloon. The inflation fitting when removed provides a proximal extremity on the catheter which is free of obstructions so that another balloon catheter can be advanced over the proximal extremity of the flexible elongate tubular member.

Abstract: Steerable flexible elongate device comprising a flexible elongate member having proximal distal extremities and having a centrally disposed lumen extending into the distal extremity. The flexible elongate member has at least three additional lumens spaced apart circumferentially about the centrally disposed lumen and extending into the distal extremity. A stiffener element is disposed in the centrally disposed lumen and has proximal and distal extremities. Additional flexible elongate elements having a negative coefficient of expansion are disposed in each of the three additional lumens and have proximal and distal extremities. The distal extremities of the stiffener element and the additional flexible elongate elements are secured to the distal extremity of the flexible elongate member. The proximal extremities of the stiffener element and the additional flexible elongate elements are also secured relative to the distal extremity of the flexible elongate member.

Abstract: Steerable flexible elongate device comprising a flexible elongate member having proximal distal extremities and having a centrally disposed lumen extending into the distal extremity. The flexible elongate member has at least three additional lumens spaced apart circumferentially about the centrally disposed lumen and extending into the distal extremity. A stiffener element is disposed in the centrally disposed lumen and has proximal and distal extremities. Additional flexible elongate elements having a negative coefficient of expansion are disposed in each of the three additional lumens and have proximal and distal extremities. The distal extremities of the stiffener element and the additional flexible elongate elements are secured to the distal extremity of the flexible elongate member. The proximal extremities of the stiffener element and the additional flexible elongate elements are also secured relative to the distal extremity of the flexible elongate member.

Abstract: A flexible elongate device including a flexible elongate tubular member having proximal and distal extremities. A flexible coil spring is provided having proximal and distal extremities. The proximal extremity of the coil spring is secured to the distal extremity of the flexible elongate tubular member. A rounded tip is secured to the distal extremity of the coil spring. A flexible elongate element having proximal and distal extremities is disposed within said coil spring and extends longitudinally of the coil spring. The distal extremity of the flexible elongate element is secured to the rounded tip. A vibrator is secured to the proximal extremity of the flexible elongate element for imparting vibratory motion to the flexible elongate element to cause vibratory impact motion of the rounded tip in a direction longitudinal of the axis of the flexible elongate element.

Abstract: A device comprising a flexible elongate member having proximal and distal extremities. A flexible coil spring is provided having proximal and distal extremities. The proximal extremity of the coil spring is secured to the distal extremity of the flexible elongate member. A shape-memory alloy element is disposed within and extends substantially longitudinally of the coil spring. The shape-memory alloy element has a memory which makes it attempt to assume a straight shape when an electrical current is passed through and heats the same. The shape-memory alloy element also has a stiffness which increases with the temperature of the element. An electrical current supply is provided for supplying an electrical current to the shape-memory alloy element for changing the stiffness of the shape-memory alloy element to thereby stiffen the distal extremity of the flexible elongate member.

Abstract: Elongate device for insertion into a body cavity comprising an elongate tubular member having proximal and distal extremities. First and second elongate temperature-activated shape-memory elements are carried by and are disposed within at least a portion of the elongate tubular member. The first and second shape-memory elements are substantially circular in cross-section along substantially their entire length. The shape-memory elements have end portions carrying indicia permitting the shape-memory elements to be oriented circumferentially in the elongate tubular member. Heat is supplied to the shape-memory elements to cause bending to occur in the shape-memory elements to form a bend in that portion of the elongate tubular member in which the shape-memory elements are disposed.

Abstract: A flexible elongate device comprising a flexible elongate member having proximal and distal extremities, means mounted on the distal extremity and having a cavity therein, a transducer disposed in the cavity, support means for mounting the transducer so that energy omitted from the transducer is propagated in a forward direction, and oscillatory means connected to said support means for parting angular motion to the support means to repeatedly sweep that through an angle, said oscillatory means including at least one shape memory element and means for repeatedly energizing and deenergizing the shape memory element.

Abstract: Flexible elongate device comprising a flexible elongate member having proximal and distal extremities, a shape-memory element is disposed in the flexible elongate member and is capable of assuming martensitic and austenitic states and has first and second portions. A layer of conductive material is formed on at least one of said portions. The layer has a conductivity greater than that of the shape-memory element. Electrical current is supplied to the shape-memory element. The conductive layer serves to conduct current and shunts current flow around that portion of the shape-memory element having the layer of conductive material thereon.

Abstract: Device comprising an elongate tubular member having proximal and distal extremities and having a section with a plurality of lumens extending from the proximal extremity to the section. At least two conductive elements are disposed in the lumens in said section of the elongate tubular member. The conductive elements are formed of a conductive metal alloy having a recoverable strain in excess of 1% and exhibiting a martensitic phase transformation. Electrical current is supplied to the at least one conductive element. The section has at least one portion. A current conductor is carried by said at least one conductive element for shunting current flow around the at least one portion of said at least one conductive element.

Abstract: Steerable flexible elongate device comprising a flexible elongate member having proximal distal extremities and having a centrally disposed lumen extending into the distal extremity. The flexible elongate member has at least three additional lumens spaced apart circumferentially about the centrally disposed lumen and extending into the distal extremity. A stiffener element is disposed in the centrally disposed lumen and has proximal and distal extremities. Additional flexible elongate elements having a negative coefficient of expansion are disposed in each of the three additional lumens and have proximal and distal extremities. The distal extremities of the stiffener element and the additional flexible elongate elements are secured to the distal extremity of the flexible elongate member. The proximal extremities of the stiffener element and the additional flexible elongate elements are also secured relative to the distal extremity of the flexible elongate member.