Abstract: This invention is a multipolar or multi-conductor guidewire which can be navigated or steered through the vasculature from outside a patient's body to perform a medical procedure within the patient's vasculature. In one embodiment, a guidewire of this invention has at least 4, preferably at least 6, to as many as 10 or more distal-to-proximal conductive pathways, which are substantially longitudinally parallel to each other running linearly along substantially the majority if not the entire length of the guidewire body, preferably in a printed circuit format. In a further practice, the conductive pathways helically wound around the guidewire body.

Abstract: A method of joining, e.g., by fusion welding, titanium, and titanium-based alloys to ferrous metals, and the intermetallic weld pool created by practice of the method is described. The instant invention involves the use, inclusion or deployment of tantalum into the weld pool and upon cooling a weld, to create a surprisingly strong intermetallic bond, weld, or joint.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to implantable pacing leads, and more particularly to guidewire-styled temporary transvenous endocardial leads for pacing or other medical applications.

Abstract: A distal tip protector, protection shield, or packaging insert to protect the distal segment of a guidewire projecting from a guidewire carrier.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for cardiac ablation and to sensor structures useful in such apparatus and methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to hydrophilic, i.e., water loving coatings (hereafter referred to as “WLC”). Polyurethane epoxy alkylene oxide coatings usable as coatings on for example, medical devices are a preferred WLC.

Abstract: This invention is directed towards a guidewire comprising an elongated core having a proximal section and a distal section. One or the other of the proximal or distal sections of the guidewire have a hydrophobic coating. The hydrophobic coating comprises hydrophobic ink.

Abstract: A distal tip protector, protection shield, or packaging insert to protect the distal segment of a guidewire projecting from a guidewire carrier.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and a method for capturing a guidewire being progressed along the lumen of a bodily duct and to direct it into a catheter. In one aspect a catheter-based eccentric cone capture means is used to engage and direct a guidewire oppositely approaching the capture means.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to implantable pacing leads, and more particularly to guidewire-styled temporary transvenous endocardial leads for pacing or other medical applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of delivering drugs having e.g., anti-proliferative activity in the vascular, preferably, the cardiovascular, system locally or systematically using an at least partially drug-coated guidewire. The drug-coated guidewire, particularly an expansion member or portion thereof, is brought into contact with the target tissue or in circulation and the drugs are quickly released into the area surrounding the device in a short time after the contact step. Once the therapeutic drugs are released, they are quickly and effectively absorbed by the surrounding cells or circulation.

Abstract: Medical devices that include on at least some portion thereof an aromatic polyimide of the structure: wherein R is a tetravalent aromatic radical, preferably containing at least one ring of six carbon atoms, said ring characterized by benzenoid unsaturation, the four carbonyl groups being attached directly to separate carbon atoms in a ring and each pair of carbonyl groups being attached to adjacent carbon atoms in a ring of the R radical; and wherein R? is a divalent benzenoid radical selected from the group consisting of wherein R? is selected from the group consisting of an alkylene chain having 1-3 carbon atoms, R?? and R?? are selected from the group consisting of alkyl and aryl. In one embodiment the medical device is a coated lead body. Coated guide wires are a further embodiment. Methods of application are a further embodiment.

Abstract: A guide wire having a non-metallic, non-woven core wire is disclosed. Monofilar, polymeric fibers of multifilar helically-wound non-metallic fibers are preferred core wire materials. The guide wire optionally includes further coatings and other materials on the core wire. In one embodiment, a non-metallic distal coil wire is disclosed. The guide wire of this invention is particularly useable for magnetic resonance imaging applications.

Abstract: Medical devices that include on at least some portion thereof an aromatic polyimide of the structure: wherein R is a tetravalent aromatic radical, preferably containing at least one ring of six carbon atoms, said ring characterized by benzenoid unsaturation, the four carbonyl groups being attached directly to separate carbon atoms in a ring and each pair of carbonyl groups being attached to adjacent carbon atoms in a ring of the R radical; and wherein R? is a divalent benzenoid radical selected from the group consisting of wherein R? is selected from the group consisting of an alkylene chain having 1-3 carbon atoms, wherein R?? and R?? are selected from the group consisting of alkyl and aryl. In one embodiment the medical device is a coated lead body. Coated guide wires are a further embodiment. Methods of application are a further embodiment.

Abstract: This invention is directed towards a guidewire comprising an elongated core having a proximal section and a distal section. One or the other of the proximal or distal sections of the guidewire have a hydrophobic coating. The hydrophobic coating comprises hydrophobic ink.

Abstract: A thrombolysis catheter system having a fixed length infusion zone is disclosed. The invention contemplates apparatus, method and kit aspects. The apparatus, which has the capability to track a guidewire, uses a multilumen catheter to deliver radially thrombolytic agent to an infusion zone defined by one or more balloon means. In one aspect, with an occluder means, a primary lumen of the catheter is used both for catheter placement and delivery of fluid. The method discloses utilization of radiopaque indicia to place the catheter in proximity to the occlusion or diseased tissue to be treated. The kit includes a catheter of the invention in conjunction with a steerable guidewire and a tip occluder wire, either or both of the tip occluder wire and the guidewire having an enlargement on their distal tip which cooperates with a reduced diameter portion of the catheter lumen.

Abstract: A hollow lumen cable is formed by helically winding inner and outer coils with the helices of each coil being in an abutting relationship and the outer coil inner peripheral diameter being less than the outer peripheral diameter of the inner coil. Preferably, each coil is multifilar. After the coils are wound, an unwinding force is applied to the outer coil and the inner coil is inserted into the outer coil to have its winding inclined opposite to that of the outer coil; and thence, the outer coil is allowed to contract to form an interference fit with the inner coil. The cable may be incorporated as part of a medical apparatus. The cable is bendable about the tight radii and has a high torque transfer resolution while having a small cable outer diameter, a relatively long life, and has a hollow lumen in which there is no structure or through which fluid, wires or medial devices may pass.

Abstract: A thrombolysis catheter system having a fixed length infusion zone is disclosed. The invention contemplates apparatus, method and kit aspects. The apparatus, which has the capability to track a guidewire, uses a multilumen catheter to deliver radially thrombolytic agent to an infusion zone defined by one or more balloon means. In one aspect, with an occluder means, a primary lumen of the catheter is used both for catheter placement and delivery of fluid. The method discloses utilization of radiopaque indicia to place the catheter in proximity to the occlusion or diseased tissue to be treated. The kit includes a catheter of the invention in conjunction with a steerable guidewire and a tip occluder wire, either or both of the tip occluder wire and the guidewire having an enlargement on their distal tip which cooperates with a reduced diameter portion of the catheter lumen.

Abstract: A roll-formed, guidewire extension system for connecting an extension wire to a guidewire is disclosed. The system comprises a connector or sleeve, such as a turnbuckle, having a tubular outer body, a guidewire retention means, an extension wire retention means, a guidewire and an extension wire. A sleeve or turnbuckle nut is produced by rolling a portion of a formable hollow tubular workpiece upon an elongated projection with the projection being disposed at an angle with respect to the axis of the workpiece. This process is repeated on the remaining part of the workpiece to create external threads in the sleeve of opposite pitch. The roll-formed external beads or dents in the sleeve create threads in the interior of the sleeve, the threads running in opposite directions and meeting at approximately the middle of the sleeve. The guidewire and the extension wire engagement means are preferably helically wound wires which are connected e.g., brazed to reduced diameter portions of the guidewire/extension wire.

Abstract: A thrombolysis catheter system having a fixed length infusion zone is disclosed. The invention contemplates apparatus, method and kit aspects. The apparatus, which has the capability to track a guidewire, uses a multilumen catheter to deliver radially thrombolytic agent to an infusion zone defined by one or more balloon means. In one aspect, with an occluder means, a primary lumen of the catheter is used both for catheter placement and delivery of fluid. The method discloses utilization of radiopaque indicia to place the catheter in proximity to the occlusion or diseased tissue to be treated. The kit includes a catheter of the invention in conjunction with a steerable guidewire and a tip occluder wire, either or both of the tip occluder wire and the guidewire having an enlargement on their distal tip which cooperates with a reduced diameter portion of the catheter lumen.