Abstract: A flexible, small diameter catheter for effecting the formation of a restriction in a vessel, duct or lumen in a living being and methods of using the catheter. The catheter contains a working head arranged for high speed movement with respect to a longitudinal axis of the catheter. The high speed movement of the working head causes the tissue of the vessel, duct or lumen to produce a restriction. In one aspect of the invention the restriction formation is expedited by the expulsion of a liquid and/or particles into the tissue wall adjacent the working head. In another aspect of the invention the working head includes abrasive means thereon for abrading or otherwise sclerosing the tissue of the vessel, duct or lumen adjacent the working head. A sclerosing liquid or a tissue swelling liquid or adhesive agent can also be introduced by the catheter into contact with the tissue of the vessel, duct or lumen to expedite the restriction forming process.

Abstract: Procedures and devices for opening restrictions, e.g., occulsions, in passageways, e.g., arteries, of living beings. The device basically comprises an elongated, flexible recanalization catheter arranged to be threaded through the passageway to the site of the restriction. The catheter includes a working head which is adapted to be moved, e.g., rotated, by turbine drive while the head is advanced into the restriction to effect its opening. Blocking apparatus is provided for use with the catheter to preclude any debris produced during the restriction opening procedure from flowing distally down the passageway. Profusion apparatus also provided to provide oxygenated fluid, drugs, contrast media or dyes into the passageway. One embodiment of the recanalization catheter is a combination device having different diameter sections for introduction into a large passageway within the body while the working head is located within a small remotely located passageway.

Abstract: An elongated catheter for pumping blood through at least a portion of a being's vascular system. The catheter is of sufficiently small diameter and flexiblility to enable it to be passed through the vascular system so that the distal end portion of the catheter is located within or adjacent the being' heart. A rotatable pump is located at the distal end of the catheter and is rotated by drive means in the catheter. The distal end portion of the catheter includes an inlet for blood to flow therein and an outlet for blood to flow thereout. The catheter is arranged so that blood is pumped by the catheter's pump through the heart and into the vascular system without requiring any pumping action of the heart.

Abstract: A catheter device for introduction into the body of a being to effect a procedure, e.g., lumen opening, therein. The catheter is an elongated member having a working head at its distal end and is sufficiently flexible and of small diameter to enable it to be located within the body of the being with the working head at the situs of the procedure. The catheter comprises an elongated drive wire extending through the catheter and motion transtator located at the distal end of the catheter. The wire is rotated at a high speed and the transtator translate that rotary motion into high speed reciprocation of the working head. In some embodiments, the motion transtator also causes the working head to be rotated at the same time it is reciprocated. In other embodiments, the working head is only reciprocated. In all cases, the motion of the working head is at a very high speed. The catheter also includes means to provide a fluid therethrough so that when the catheter is used to open a lumen, e.g.

Abstract: A recanalization catheter comprising a very small diameter elongated, flexible tubular member having a distal end at which a tool is mounted for high speed rotation. A flexible drive assembly is located within the tubular member and is connected to the tool. The drive assembly includes a flexible drive shaft mounted within plural spaced bearings to enable the shaft to be rotated at a very high rate of speed from a remotely located motor. The bearings serve to keep the drive shaft centered even as the catheter is bent through a sharp radius of curvature, while also preventing the shaft from going into critical whirl.

Abstract: A flexible, small diameter catheter for effecting various surgical procedures, such as opening a restriction formed of an undesirable material, e.g., atherosclerotic plaque, in a lumen, e.g., an artery, of a living being. The catheter includes a working head having at least one, non-sharp impacting surface arranged to be moved, e.g., rotated, at a high rate of speed by an associated drive means within the catheter. The catheter with the moving working head is brought into engagement to effect the opening of the restriction by dilating the artery and/or removing undesirable material therefrom. The removal of undesirable material results from the impacting surface impacting the material of the restriction repeatedly. A fluid is provided through the catheter to the working head and a portion is thrown radially outward.

Abstract: A device for sealing an opening or puncture in the wall of a blood vessel, duct or other lumen of a living being. The device includes an elongated tubular body having an outlet at the distal end thereof and which is arranged to be inserted, such as percutaneously, through the puncture in the blood vessel so that the outlet is located within the vessel's interior. An expandible closure is disposed within the tubular body and is formed so as to be held in a compact configuration therein. The tubular body also includes ejecting means for forcing the closure out of the outlet into the interior of the blood vessel, whereupon the closure automatically expands to form an enlarged engagement surface. A retraction filament is secured to the closure for pulling it to the puncture after the tubular body has been withdrawn from the puncture so that the engagement surface of the closure means hemostatically engages the inner surface of the blood vessel contiguous with the puncture.

Abstract: Methods for effecting various surgical procedures via the use of a flexible, small diameter, catheter. The catheter includes a working head arranged to be moved, e.g., rotated, at a high rate of speed by an associated drive system. In one method the catheter with the moving head is brought into engagement with a restriction caused by an atherosclerotic deposit in an artery to effect the opening of the restriction by the dilation of the artery. In another method the catheter is used to dilate a duct or tube, e.g., a fallopian tube, eustachian tube, bile duct, etc. in a living being. In another application the catheter is used to effect the in situ valvulectomy of a section of vein within a living being. In still another method the catheter is used to disintegrate a stone, such as a kidney or gall stone, in the body of a living being. In yet another method, the catheter is used to stop spasm in a lumen in a living being.

Abstract: Methods for effecting various surgical procedures via the use of a flexible, small diameter, catheter. The catheter includes a working head arranged to be moved, e.g., rotated, at a high rate of speed by an associated drive system. In one method the catheter with the moving head is brought into engagement with a restriction caused by an atherosclerotic deposit in an artery to effect the opening of the restriction by the dilation of the artery. In another method the catheter is used to dilate a duct or tube, e.g., a fallopian tube, eustachian tube, bile duct, etc. in a living being. In another application the catheter is used to effect the in situ valvulectomy of a section of vein within a living being. In still another method the catheter is used to disintegrate a stone, such as a kidney or gall stone, in the body of a living being. In yet another method, the catheter is used to stop spasm in a lumen in a living being.

Abstract: Methods for effecting various surgical procedures via the use of a flexible, small diameter, catheter. The catheter includes a working head arranged to be moved, e.g., rotated, at a high rate of speed by an associated drive system. In one method the catheter with the moving head is brought into engagement with a restriction caused by an atherosclerotic deposit in an artery to effect the opening of the restriction by the dilation of the artery. In another method the catheter is used to dilate a duct or tube, e.g., a fallopian tube, eustachian tube, bile duct, etc. in a living being. In another application the catheter is used to effect the in situ valvulectomy of a section of vein within a living being. In still another method the catheter is used to disintegrate a stone, such as a kidney or gall stone, in the body of a living being. In yet another method, the catheter is used to stop spasm in a lumen in a living being.

Abstract: Methods for effecting various surgical procedures via the use of a flexible, small diameter, catheter. The catheter includes a working head arranged to be moved, e.g., rotated, at a high rate of speed by an associated drive system. In one method the cathether with the moving head is brought into engagement with a restriction caused by an atherosclerotic deposit in an artery to effect the opening of the restriction by the dilation of the artery. In another method the catheter is used to dilate a duct or tube, e.g., a fallopian tube, eustachian tube, bile duct, etc. in a living being. In another application the catheter is used to effect the in situ valvulectomy of a section of vein within a living being. In still another method the catheter is used to disintegrate a stone, such as a kidney or gall stone, in the body of a living being. In yet another method, the catheter is used to stop spasm in a lumen in a living being.

Abstract: Procedures and devices for opening restrictions, e.g., occlusions, in passageways, e.g., arteries, of living beings. The device basically comprises an elongated, flexible recanalization catheter arranged to be threaded through the passageway to the site of the restriction. The catheter includes a working head which is adapted to be moved, e.g., rotated, by turbine drive while the head is advanced into the restriction to effect its opening. Blocking structure is provided for use with the catheter to preclude any debris produced during the restriction opening procedure from flowing distally down the passageway. Profusion structure is also provided to provide oxygenated fluid, drugs, contrast media or dyes into the passageway. One embodiment of the recanalization catheter is a combination device having different diameter sections for introduction into a large passageway within the body while the working head is located within a small remotely located passageway.

Abstract: A slip gripping device for use with an elongated cylindrical member to selectively move that member to any desired longitudinal or rotational position. The device comprises a collet-like member including a plurality of fingers, each of which includes a gripping element at the free end thereof. The collet member is arranged to be grasped and squeezed whereupon its fingers are flexed so that the gripping elements engage the surface of the cylindrical member so that rotary motion imparted to the slip grip device causes the concomitant rotation of the flexible member so that any longitudinal movement of the device causes concomitant longitudinal movement of the member. Release of the collet-like member enables the slip grip device to be slid and rotated with respect to the cylindrial member for positioning anywhere there along.

Abstract: A procedure and device for use in removing atherosclerotic plaques by inserting a multiple-lumen catheter having a cutting tip into an artery, such as the coronary artery. The cutting tip is rotated by the application of fluid pressure through an inner lumen while, if necessary, negative pressure can be applied through a separate lumen to remove embolic particles as they are cut from the inner wall of the artery. A balloon inflatable through a third lumen may be applied proximally as a protection against possible perforation of the artery.