Abstract: A pressure controller device for selectively applying and relieving a measured pressure upon a closed volume of fluid includes a housing, a barrel defining a fluid chamber and a plunger for axial movement within the fluid chamber for applying measured pressure to a fluid therewithin. The barrel has a port for delivery of fluid at measured pressure, and moves axially within the housing in a first axial direction in response to increased pressure within the chamber. The housing and barrel are biased apart, e.g., by a first biasing spring acting with a known force upon the barrel in an opposed, second axial direction. Indicia upon the barrel and housing indicate the relative positions of barrel and housing. As pressure in the fluid chamber increases, the barrel is urged in a first direction with a force proportional to the measured pressure to overcome the known force in the second direction, the relative positions of barrel and housing providing a measure of the pressure within the fluid chamber.

Abstract: A balloon catheter having a distal ballon, and a catheter extending from the proximal end of the balloon, out of the body, forming a conduit for ballon inflation fluid, is sized and adapted, with the balloon deflated to a relatively small size, for introduction of the balloon into the body, and the balloon is adapted to be inflated to a relatively larger size by introduction of inflation fluid into the balloon for outside the body via the conduit. The balloon catheter includes a vent disposed at the distal end of the balloon for selectively venting gas above a predetermined pressure from the interior of the balloon while restricting passage of inflation fluid from the balloon at operating pressure.

Abstract: A medical device consists of an elongated catheter having a distal portion and a proximal portion, an inflatable balloon associated with the distal portion of the catheter and a valve member associated proximally with at least one lumen communicating with the volume of the balloon. In one embodiment, the valve member has a first position for connection of the first lumen to a source of liquid for introduction into the balloon and for connection of the second lumen to atmosphere for venting of gas displaced from the balloon by the liquid, and the valve member has a second position for connection of the first and second lumens to inflation/deflation means for flow of liquid into and rapidly out of the balloon via both lumens simultaneously.

Abstract: Dilatation procedures and catheter instrument for treating patients having acquired aortic stenosis, typically in which there are calcific deposits on the leaflets of the aortic valve. A dilatation balloon introduced into the stenosed aortic valve via the aorta while the blood circulation of the patient is maintained by the heart via the aortic valve, is inflated to grossly deflect the leaflets of the valve in a manner avoiding blocking the outer portions of the commissures of the valve. This inflating step enables substantial flow of blood through the outer portions of the commissures during systole despite the presence in the valve of the large inflated balloon. By prolonging the inflation for at least 30 seconds, over a large multiplicity of heart beats the calcific deposits are disturbed to increase the pliability of the leaflets and the degree of their opening, in an action found not to produce emboli.

Abstract: A balloon catheter having a distal balloon, and a catheter extending from the proximal end of the balloon, out of the body, forming a conduit for balloon inflation fluid, is sized and adapted, with the balloon deflated to a relatively small size, for introduction of the balloon into the body, and the balloon is adapted to be inflated to a relatively larger size by introduction of inflation fluid into the balloon for outside the body via the conduit. The balloon catheter includes a vent disposed at the distal end of the balloon for selectively venting gas above a predetermined pressure from the interior of the balloon while restricting passage of inflation fluid from the balloon at operating pressure.

Abstract: An endocardial electrode assembly of three or more spring legs to be inserted into the heart, sets of electrodes on respective spring legs comprising distinctive geometrical patterns, over the ventricle-contacting span of the legs, such that the active sets of electrodes provide recognizable patterns when within a ventricle of the heart and viewed with a fluoroscope, the respective locations of at least some of the electrodes of these patterns being staggered relative to electrodes on other legs in the manner to reduce lateral clumping, thus to permit the numerous electrodes to be housed in a catheter sized to be conveniently introduced into the heart.

Abstract: An electrode assembly for use with a catheter, is made of a plurality of insulated wires. The wires are bound together in a bundle by fine insulated wire for almost their entire lengths. At one end of the bundle are free wire ends of different lengths on which are electrically conductive ferrules. The ferrules are spaced apart axially when aligned with the bundle inside the catheter. The wires are made of springy material so that the free wire ends separate widely outside the catheter. Other cylindrical ferrules are mounted in axially spaced position on bared portions of the other end of the bundle, and encircle all the wires, but each ferrule is in direct electrical contact with only one of the wires.