Abstract: A mixture of powders for preparing a sintered nickel-titanium-rare earth (Ni—Ti—RE) alloy includes Ni—Ti alloy powders comprising from about 55 wt. % Ni to about 61 wt. % Ni and from about 39 wt. % Ti to about 45 wt. % Ti, and RE alloy powders comprising a RE element.

Abstract: An ablation catheter is provided with an elongated member or shaft and a plurality of helically-shaped cutting wires attached to the shaft to form a cutting basket. Each of the cutting wires has a section formed as a circumferentially subscribing arc and together the wires present a circumferential cutting area of an essentially cylindrical configuration. Obstructing matter on the inner surface of a vessel cavity, such as a blood vessel or the like, is separated from the surface as the catheter is moved through the vessel. The catheter may be inserted in a vessel in a standard fashion using a wire guide which extends through a longitudinal passageway in the shaft and a hub interconnecting the basket wire. The shaft and basket together may be contained in an outer sheath to facilitate insertion.

Abstract: An extremely small diameter epidural catheter is disclosed which is both flexible and kink-resistant when flexed. The catheter includes a tubular sheath or tube having a passageway therein for the delivery of fluids to biological tissue. Positioned in the passageway is a coil which is expansion-fitted therein to form a composite wall structure which is extremely flexible and kink-resistant. This composite wall structure is utilized to form a catheter having an extremely small outside diameter in a range of 0.010" to 0.032" for delivering acceptable levels of fluid volume. The coil comprises a plurality of closely spaced turns extending from the proximal to almost the distal end thereof. About the distal end of the coil is a number of loosely coupled or relaxed turns which adds further flexibility to the distal end of the catheter. The tubular sheath of the catheter comprises a high tensile or flexural strength material which does not rupture or tear when the catheter is bent or flexed.

Abstract: A temperature-based, rate-modulated cardiac pacemaker having means for variably controlling the stimulation rate of the heart according to multiple temperature characteristics of the blood referenced to multiple moving baseline temperatures. A target rate is periodically calculated by obtaining a weighted sum of the following rate components: (1) the magnitude of a decrease in temperature below resting temperature, a first moving baseline, (2) the magnitude of an increase in temperature above a local minimum temperature, a second moving baseline, (3) the magnitude of an increase in the resting baseline above a daily minimum temperature, a third moving baseline, and (4) the absolute value of the rate of change of temperature. The resting temperature is preferably calculated over a longer interval than the local minimum temperature but a much shorter interval than the daily minimum temperature.

Abstract: Method, apparatus, and a substance is disclosed for releasing at a temperature above normal tissue temperature an anti-cancer drug and applying heat in combination to tissue having neoplastic cells such as a malignant brain tumor. The apparatus comprises a probe having a semi-rigid elongated member that is interstitially implanted in the malignant tumor. The elongated member is coated with a carrier substance that is responsive at a temperature above normal tissue temperature for releasing a carried substance such as a therapeutic anti-cancer drug. Within the elongated member, an electrical heater element produces heat when energized for heating the probe, the carrier substance, the anti-cancer drug, and the surrounding tissue. An electrical thermistor is also included within the elongated member for measuring the temperature of the probe in order to regulate the release of the drug and the temperature of the surrounding tissue.

Abstract: Method and apparatus is disclosed for treating tissue interstitially with multiple modalities of treatment. The apparatus comprises a semi-rigid elongated member that is implanted interstitially in the malignant tumor. A hollow passageway is longitudinally positioned in the member for positioning one or more modalities inserted or positioned therein. The elongated member is coated with another modality such as a carrier substance that is responsive at a temperature above normal tissue temperature for releasing a carried substance such as a therapeutic anti-cancer drug. Within the elongated member, an electrical heater element for one modality produces heat when energized for heating the probe, the carrier substance, the anti-cancer drug, and the surrounding tissue. A second modality such as a source of radiation is inserted in the passageway after the probe is interstitially implanted. A trocar stylet is initially inserted in the passageway to implant the probe.

Abstract: A pacemaker is disclosed with a pacing rate that is restricted within a range defined by variable upper and lower rate limits that change as a function of the patient's detected level of activity. An indication such as the nonambient temperature of blood is sensed in the right ventricle of the heart to indicate detected activity level. Other activity indications, such as blood oxygen concentration and body motion, either singly or in combination are also disclosed. A control circuit of the pacemaker varies the upper and lower rate limits according to the patient's detected level of activity. The control circuit also varies the atrial and ventricular refractory periods along with the AV delay period in response to detected activity level changes.