Abstract: The invention provides a femoral compression device including a pressure applying device for compressive bearing at a puncture site at a femoral artery of a patient and for applying pressure on said puncture site, a belt adapted to be fixed around the patient's body, and a base plate provided with first and second extensions, with the end of the first extension being closer to the pressure applying device than the end of the second extension and being provided with a fastener in the ends thereof for fastening of an end of the belt. The compression device comprises also a support plate, which is attached to the second extension and which is adapted to bear against the patient's body, thereby compensating for the imbalance, which originates from the different extents of the two extensions, that otherwise would be present.

Abstract: A splint (2) for a radial artery compression system (1) or an arterial wrist support, which is provided with one or more longitudinal reinforcement profiles (10a, 10b) on the bottom surface thereof. Whereby the reinforcement profiles (10a, 10b) form a support structure (11), such that the splint (2) when placed on a flat surface is supported in one position without wobbling. The splint (2) may further be comprised of a non-rigid material such as polystyrene, paper (preferably recycled) and the like, such that a disposable splint (2) may be achieved.

Abstract: A method and a device for measuring a physiological variable in a living body, whereby a transmitter (1) is disposed outside of the body to transmit radio frequent energy, and a receiver (3) of radio frequent energy is disposed outside of the body. A transponder unit (2), having a sensor (11) sensitive to the physical variable, and a modulator unit (12) for controlling the radio frequent energy absorption of the transponder unit according to a time-sequence representing said physical variable, is introduced into the body. The transmitter sends radio frequent energy of substantially constant frequency and amplitude onto the transponder, and the receiver monitors the radio energy absorption of the transponder unit to determine the time-sequence representing said physical variable. The time-sequence is decoded to interpret it as a measure of the physical variable.

Abstract: The invention provides an air cushion unit (4) for use in conjunction with a compression device for stopping bleeding from puncture wounds. The air cushion unit (4) comprises a base plate (5), an inflatable air cushion (6), which is attached to the base plate (5), and an internal telescopic guide (7), the first end of which is attached to the base plate (5) and the second end of which is attached to the top of the air cushion (6). Throughout the pressurizing of the inflatable air cushion (6), the length of the telescopic guide (7) corresponds to the degree of expansion of the air cushion (6), thereby providing an internal support for the air cushion unit (4), which eliminates undesired, irregular movements of the air cushion (6).

Abstract: Methods and systems related to sealing punctures in blood vessels (such as following an angio or PTCA procedure) are disclosed. The position of a distal end of an introducer assembly in tissue is determined using a pressure sensor. The pressure sensor is connected to the proximal end of the introducer assembly. The introducer assembly has a fluid path between its distal end and its proximal end. Measured blood pressure is outputted as an indication of the position of the distal end of the introducer assembly in the tissue. Proper positioning of a seal is confirmed by placing the introducer assembly such that its distal end is in tissue outside a puncture in a blood vessel wall and observing a characteristic of blood at the proximal end of the introducer assembly.

Abstract: When a bolus dose of cold saline is injected into a catheter where a wire, carrying a sensor unit and electrical leads for signal transmission, is located, the lead resistance is affected by the cold saline thereby altering the resistivity. However, by countering this effect and measuring the change needed to affect this countermeasure, a resistance variation curve can be generated. An accurate starting point for the determination of a transit time can be derived from the curve. Using conventional flow measurement calculations with the accurate starting point yields a better understanding of the flow profile in an artery based on the transit time.

Abstract: The invention provides a closure device (1) for sealing an incision channel leading through a vessel wall and into the vessel. The closure device (1) comprises a haemostatic material (3), which is contained in the distal end of an elongated insertion assembly (2). The insertion assembly (2), which comprises a stationary part (4) and a retractable part (5) being slidably movable with regard to each other, is adapted to be attached to an introducer (7) being in position in the incision channel, so that the insertion assembly (2) can be slid along the introducer (7) until the distal end of the insertion assembly (2) is in contact with the vessel wall, where the haemostatic material (3) is delivered in the incision channel by a retracting movement of the retractable part (5).

Abstract: Following a catheterization of the radial artery in the forearm, the flow of blood through to puncture wound has to be stopped. An adjustable radial artery compressor (1) according to the invention comprises a support arm (2) provided with a support pad (5), a compressor arm (3) provided with a compression pad (6), and a pressure-adjusting means (7, 9, 10) for adjusting the distance between the support pad (5) and the compression pad (6). When the adjustable radial artery compressor (1) is arranged on the forearm of a patient, the support pad (5) bears against a well-defined area at the upside of the radius bone while the compression pad (6) presses against a well-defined area at the underside of the radius bone. With the pressure-adjusting means (7, 9, 10) the compression pressure can be adjusted with high precision, and due to the well-defined contact surfaces, which minimize the risk of vein stasis, the compression pressure is constant irrespective of any movement of the hand or forearm.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a measuring device, insertable into a living body. The device includes an elongated flexible member in the form of a thick-walled hollow tube with a proximal end and a distal end. The tube defines a central lumen with an inner wall. The lumen may contain a core and an insulating material provided between the core and the inner wall. The core may be made of an electrically conductive material and may be of essentially constant diameter over its entire length. Alternatively, the lumen may contain at least two electrical leads. An electrical sensor is attached to the distal end of the elongated flexible member and is electrically connected to the core.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for measuring pressure, temperature and flow velocity. It comprises a sensor (6) with a sensor support body (13) provided with a diaphragm (15) covering a cavity (14) formed in the support body (13). A pressure sensitive element (41) is mounted on the diaphragm, for recording pressure. Furthermore, a temperature sensitive resistor (42) mounted in the vicinity of and having known temperature dependences, for recording temperature. It also comprises an electrical circuit (43, 44, 45, 46) selectively outputting signals from either of the pressure sensitive element and the temperature sensitive resistor.

Abstract: A guide wire for measuring physiological characteristics inside a body includes a sensor (14) for monitoring the physical variable and for forming an output signal characteristic for the value of the physical variable. The sensor is connected to a first electrical potential of an electronic unit (22) via an electrical wire (11) extending along the guide wire. An internal body electrode (17) is connected to the sensor (14) and is in contact with body fluids surrounding the sensor circuit. The guide wire (10) is inserted into a vessel of the body (25), and a second electrode (21) is applied near the internal body electrode, and the sensor circuit is powered by a second potential of the electronic unit (22) via a part of the body.

Abstract: An intra-arterial occluder according to the invention exhibits a central elongated portion being comparatively stiff, e.g., by being thicker, and an outer rim portion being more flexible. The occluder is passed through the puncture, and is oriented such that the axis of the central portion is generally coaxial with the vessel. When retracted, the central portion will rest against the vessel wall at two diametrically opposed areas around the puncture, and along the length of the vessel. These areas represent the strongest areas around the puncture, and will therefore be able to safely carry the retracting force. At the same time, the thinner circumferential rim portion, which is easily foldable to fit into an insertion tool, adapts to the vessel wall and acts as an efficient sealing.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and system for monitoring, determining by measurement and calculation and graphically displaying physiological variables related to blood pressure. At least two physiological variables, arterial pressure (Pa) and distal coronary pressure (Pd), are detected by and derived from a guidewire-mounted pressure sensor. The Myocordial Fractional Flow Reserve (FFRmyo) is determined by calculating a ratio Pd/Pa from the measured physiological variables (Pa, Pd) and a graph is formed and displayed of the data resulting from the calculation. The invention also provides an interactive graphical user interface system for controlling the calculation of and for displaying, in at least one screen on a display in a monitoring unit, intermediate and final results of the method.

Abstract: A resonant microbeam pressure sensor is disclosed, comprising a microbeam suspended by a diaphragm at one or more points by suspension elements. Pressure applied to the diaphragm will cause the resonance frequency of the beam to shift. This shift is detectable and proportional to the pressure. The device is manufactured by surface micromachining.

Abstract: The invention relates to a loading device provided with a tamping mechanism with which two or three functional operations needed in the sealing of punctures in blood vessels can be sequentially executed in one single manual operation. In a preferred embodiment of the tamping mechanism, a cam curve (15) transforms the single manual operation of a tamping button (8) being the one end of a plunger (14) into the retraction of a pusher (5), which has been used to insert an inner seal (1) into the vessel, and, then, the advancement of a tamping tube (10), which pushes an outer seal (2) into engagement with the outer vessel wall. In the end position of the tamping button (8), a recess (23) in the plunger (14) releases a thread (3), which tamps the inner and outer seals (1, 2) together around the intermediate vessel wall, from a retainer (16), thereby completing the third operation step.

Abstract: A method to assist an operator of an interactive measurement system for determining flow related parameters based upon physiological signals obtained by a measurement unit that comprises a catheter adapted to be inserted into a vessel inside a body of a human or an animal, a wire adapted to be inserted into the catheter and provided with a temperature sensor at its distal end, and a computer means adapted to receive and store detected temperature signals received from said sensor and said wire.

Abstract: The sensor and guide wire assembly having a sensor element is inserted into the patient's body. Acoustic or electromagnetic waves are them emitted from an external source toward the sensor element. The sensor element receives the incident waves and enters into a resonating state. The characteristics of the resonance correspond to the variable or variables to be measured. A transducer is located externally from the patient's body and receives the scattered wave and transmits a resultant signal to an electronic drive and detection unit for signal analysis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to A device for measurements, insertable into a living body, comprising an elongated flexible member (2, 30) with a proximal end and a distal end and a central lumen with an inner wall;. The lumen is filled with a core (22) and an insulating material (21) is provided between the core and the inner wall; the core (22) is made of an electrically conductive material and has an essentially constant diameter over its entire length. An electrical sensor (44) is attached to the distal end of the elongated flexible member and is electrically connected (52) to the core (22).

Abstract: A sealing device and a wound closure device includes a sealing device for closing a wound in a wall of a vessel. The objective of the invention is to provide a sealing device and a wound closure device which has enhanced tightening properties. This problem is solved by the sealing device comprising an elongated member, which constitutes or is coated by a suture wire, having a constant thickness along its lock portion, the thickness being greater than the opening of the second sealing member. The sealing device is infinitely variable lockable along the distal lock portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to an air cushion unit (2) of single use type for stopping bleeding. The unit (2) comprises a base plate (4) and an inflatable air cushion (8) attached to the base plate (4). The air cushion (8) comprises a reinforced portion (16), integral with the cushion surface, and extending radially along the inside of the cushion, and corresponding to an area of contact with a wound site.