Abstract: A medical guidewire has an elongated body that has a degree of flexibility and a distal tip region of relatively greater flexibility. The guidewire consists of a core having a body of first diameter, a distal portion of a relatively smaller diameter, and a generally flat distal end. The end is disposed in the tip region and is spaced proximally from a round tip element that defines the distal end of the guidewire. A first coil is joined to the core body and extends along the core to a termination point in the distal tip region, proximal of the end of the core. A relatively more flexible second coil is joined at its proximal end to the first coil and joined at its distal end to the round tip element. A safety wire is secured to the core and has a generally flat distal end within the second coil, joined to the round tip. A transition wire is secured to the core and has a generally flat distal end that terminates within the second coil intermediate of the distal ends of the core and safety wire.

Abstract: A blood clot filtration device, for implantation percutaneously, for preventing movement of blood clots within a blood vessel. The device has a head and a plurality of legs extending therefrom. The legs include a first linear leg portion of predetermined length emanating distally from the head generally parallel to the axis of the device; a second multi-angled leg portion of relatively greater length extending generally outwardly from the distal end of the first linear leg portion at an acute angle to the axis, to form, with other second leg portions, a conical aspect, the second leg portion having a series of discrete linear segments arrayed generally tangent to a cone defined by the second leg portions of the set of legs; and a hook portion at the distal end of each the leg extending outwardly, away from the axis in a manner for engaging the blood vessel to fix the position of the device therewithin.

Abstract: A medical device of improved design includes an elongated member for insertion into the body, a flexible tension member extending along the elongated member to an attachment upon which tension is desired to be applied, and locking means associated with the elongated member at a point outside of the body to secure said flexible member under tension. The locking means consists of a pair of locking members disposed in close association with each other at a predetermined point along the proximal portion of said flexible tension member, one locking member being movable relative to the other locking member in motion laterally across the path of the tension member under tension to a locking position in which the tension member is bent and secured between cooperating locking members. Preferably, one locking member is rotatable relative to the other. The flexible tension member may extend within a fluid-carrying conduit defined by the elongated member, which in preferred embodiments is in the form of a catheter.

Abstract: For percutaneous fixation of a hollow organ of a body, a hollow needle carrying a retaining device attached to a tension filament through the skin into the hollow organ, the retaining device is released from the needle, and the organ is fixed by adjusting the tension on the filament and clamping the filament outside the body by means bearing upon the exterior of the body.

Abstract: A gastro-enterostomy device consists of an introducing catheter, stiffening member, and separable conical tip for providing an introduction lumen of relatively large bore.

Abstract: A hand held holder, incorporating a light transmitting electrode tip that's separable from the handle, for use in high frequency electrosurgery, with built-in, finger actuated switches for operating a high frequency current generator. The device is particularly characterized in that in conjunction with a light transmitting electrode, it provides localized illumination at the region of surgery. To provide this illumination, an elongate photoconductive device is provided which extends generally longitudinally within the electrode, and communicates in the holder with a light transmitting portion, in the form of either a section of a strand like photoconductor, or an electrically operated lamp.

Abstract: The invention features an improved catheter design with a rotatable member attached to the proximal end of a catheter. The rotatable member can lock a flexible tension member, passing through the catheter, in place and thereby prevent both inadvertant removal of the catheter and wicking to the outside along the flexible tension member.

Abstract: A medical device includes a flexible, elongated tube having a continuous, smooth, outer surface, adapted for introduction into the body, and a connection for introducing inflation fluid into the space defined by the length of the tube. The tube is elastomer and the tube wall is in a weakened state while adjacent portions of the tube are not so weakened, the wall of the selected portion having a lower resistance to expansion than adjacent portions. By use of heat-sensitive, annealable plastic, a tube of uniform thickness is weakened at a selected location by annealing. The selected limited-length portion, by reason of its weakened state, is adapted to preferentially respond to pressure of inflation fluid within the tube by expanding transversely to a balloon shape larger than adjacent portions of the tube that are subjected to the same pressure.

Abstract: An introducing catheter for use in placing a large guidewire after a small guidewire is in position. The catheter has a tapered distal tip, decreased lumen size at the distal end, a side port and a ramp disposed within the tube at the distal end of the side port. The ramp is inclined distally toward the side port, the distal end of the ramp being fixed to the tube adjacent to the side port and the proximal end of the ramp being disposed adjacent the inner wall of the tube in the region opposite the side port in the manner that the small guidewire can move proximally past the ramp. The ramp deflects the distally moving larger wire so that it exists through the side port. In the embodiment shown, the ramp is formed integrally of low friction thermoplastic (PTFE) and the upper surface of the proximal end of the ramp has a convex, wire-deflecting contour as a result of thermoforming pressure.

Abstract: An electromagnetic sensor for measuring signals indicative of a biologic condition in a body channel such as a blood vessel, throat, and the like, comprises a loop-shaped flat frame with laterally compressible and expansible sides, first and second electrodes mounted at opposite sides of the frame, and a third electrode mounted at one side of the frame near the first electrode. Lead wires connected to the electrodes are arranged in a trifilar array and secured to the frame. The lead wires are connected to circuitry comprising a 180.degree. signal inverter for inverting signals picked up at one side of the channel or across the channel to suppress like signals picked up across the channel or at one side of the channel respectively, leaving only desired third signals indicative of the biologic condition to be measured which may be velocity of fluid flow, an esophageal muscular condition, diameter of a blood vessel, etc.

Abstract: A microbiological sampling device has inner and outer catheter tubes with a specimen sampling brush within the inner catheter body. A plug of water soluble material closes a distal end of the outer catheter body to prevent contamination of the inner catheter body and the brush during introduction into an organism, as for example, when placed in the lungs. The plug can be ejected and the sampling brush extended within the lungs to enable the brush to collect uncontaminated bacteria samples which are brushed into the inner body whereupon the entire assembly can be withdrawn. The plug protects the specimen sampling brush during introduction and is readily dissolvable avoiding unwanted biological problems, yet sealing the assembly against contamination.