Abstract: The present invention provides a medical sealing device having a decreased risk that a fastening means, such as a suture or a multifilament, ruptures through the sealing device. An absorbable medical sealing device (3; 10; 15) according to the present invention is provided with one or more recesses (6, 7; 13; 18) for fastening means (5; 14; 17) and is characterized in that the sealing device (3; 10; 15) comprises a base portion (8; 11; 16), which is made of a first material having a lower modulus, and a reinforcement portion (9; 12; 19), which is made of second material having a higher modulus, the reinforcement portion (9; 12; 19) being provided to reinforce said recesses (6, 7; 13; 18).

Abstract: A guiding tool for controllable and reversible folding or deformation of a wound closure element before insertion into a percutaneous incision or puncture in the wall of e.g. a blood vessel, said incision or puncture being smaller than said wound closure element in an unfolded or undeformed state. It comprises a tubular member having a lumen. The lumen has inner walls provided with wound closure element guiding surfaces, adapted to reversibly reduce the spatial extension of a wound closure element during its passage through the guiding tool. A system for the introduction and securing of a wound closure element into a percutaneous incision or puncture in the wall of a vessel comprises such a guiding tool.

Abstract: The invention relates to a resonance based pressure transducer system, insertable into a living body for the in vivo measurement of pressure. It comprises a pressure sensor (2) having a mechanical resonator (16), the resonance frequency of which is pressure dependent; and a source of ultrasonic energy (4). The sensor (2) is mechanically coupled to said source (4) of ultrasonic energy, and the sensor and the source of ultrasonic energy are provided on a common, elongated member (6) at the distal end thereof. A system for pressure measurement comprises an AC power supply, a resonance based pressure transducer system, and a control unit for controlling the supply mode of the AC power, and for analyzing a resonance signal emitted from the resonance based pressure transducer system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a miniaturized female connector (200) for a guide wire assembly. The female connector has a proximal end and a distal end and has a hollow insulating housing (202) capable of being attached to an interface cable (208). It also has an opening (203) for insertion of a male connector, provided on a guide wire, in the distal end. There is at least one contact member (204a-c) providing electrical contact with the male connector. The female connector can be secured to the male connector to prevent any axial or rotational motion of the male connector relative to the female connector.

Abstract: A positioning device comprises a rod-shaped portion which in its distal end, is releasable attachable to said first sealing member such that a rotational movement and a directional movement of the rod-shaped portion are transferable to the first sealing member, which makes the positioning of said first sealing member controllable and the way of sealing improved and more secure.

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: A method for temperature compensation is disclosed which comprises the excitation of sensors in a guide wire sensor assembly so as to produce two distinguishable signals. At least a component of at least one of the signals is representative of the cable resistance and can be used for compensation purposes. There is also provided an apparatus suitable for such measurements having temperature compensation circuitry. The compensation circuitry comprises circuitry for selectively and independently registering a resistance value for a passive resistor on the chip.

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 relates to a device for measuring pressure, temperature and/or flow velocity. It includes 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) is mounted in the vicinity of the pressure sensitive resistor and has a known temperature dependence, for recording temperature. It also includes an electrical circuit (43, 44, 45, 46) selectively outputting signals from either of the pressure sensitive element and the temperature sensitive resistor.

Abstract: A sensor and guide wire assembly includes a core wire having a distal end, a proximal end, and a plurality of sections of different cross sections and thereby different flexibilities. At least one of the core wire sections has an enlarged portion with a sensor receptacle therein. The assembly also includes a tube that encloses the core wire over at least a fraction of its length such that the core wire extends out from a distal end of the tube. The tube is configured to enable the sensor and guide wire assembly to be inserted into an artery and to be passed to a measurement site inside a patient's body. The assembly further includes a sensor mounted in the sensor receptacle of the enlarged portion of the core wire. A first coil is arranged to enclose a first portion of the core wire extending out from the distal end of the tube, and the first coil is located nearer to the proximal end of the core wire than the sensor.

Abstract: The sensor guide wire assembly having a sensor element is inserted into the patient's body. Acoustic or electromagnetic waves are then emitted from an external source toward the senor 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 invention relates to a device for performing hemostasis at two symmetrically located puncture sites in the femoral arteries or veins of a patient. It comprises a beam member (6, 8) provided with two attachment devices (10, 12) for pressure pads. There are belts for securing the device to the patient to provide a pressure on the puncture sites, and means (18, 20, 24, 26) for adjusting the distance between said attachment. The invention also provides a method of controlled hemostasis at two puncture sites in each femoral artery or vein of a patient after catheterization, comprising providing a beam member having two pressure pads, adapted to bear against each puncture site, adjusting the center-to-center distance of said pressure pads by moving at least one of said pressure pads along said beam member, applying said pressure pads at said puncture sites, securing said beam member carrying said pressure pads to the body of said patient, by tightening a belt around the body.

Abstract: The invention relates to a guide wire assembly, having a guide wire (2) having a distal end portion (16) and a proximal end, wherein a measuring device (14) is mounted in the distal end portion (16) of the guide wire (2). It also has an interface cable (4) having a first end connectable to a control unit (8), and a second end connectable to the proximal end of the guide wire. Furthermore there is provided information storage (20; 22; Rx) on the interface cable, containing calibration/temperature compensation data, uniquely characteristic of the measuring device. The data and an uncompensated output from the measuring device forming the input for calculation of a correct measurement value.

Abstract: A male connector with a continuous surface is provided for a guide wire. The male connector includes a core wire (1), and conductive members (5) spaced apart longitudinally along the core wire (1). An insulating material (9) is disposed between the core wire (1) and the conductive members (5), the insulating material having an outer surface coextensive with outer surfaces of the conductive members (5). Conductors (7), disposed along the core wire (1), are connected to the conductive members (5). The outer surface of the insulating material and the outer surfaces of the conductive members (5) are substantially smooth.

Abstract: A resonant microbeam pressure sensor is disclosed, comprising a microbeam suspended in a diaphragm in at least one point 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 sensor/guide wire device for biological pressure measurements having a guide wire (16, 17, 18, 21, 23) having a distal and a proximal end, and a pressure sensor device (19) mounted at the distal end of the guide wire. The distal portion can be a solid wire member (16) surrounded by a spiral member (18), and the sensor (19) can be an electrical sensor of a piezoresistive type. The sensor (19) is mounted on the solid wire (16). The sensor is mounted in a cantilevering fashion such that a pressure sensitive end of the sensor does not contact any structure other than its mount. This prevents forces (bending artifacts) from being exerted on the sensor, which could otherwise interfere with pressure measurements.

Abstract: A sensor and guide wire assembly includes a core wire having a distal end, a proximal end, and a plurality of sections of different cross sections and thereby different flexibilities. At least one of the core wire sections has an enlarged portion with a sensor receptacle therein. The assembly also includes a tube that encloses the core wire over at least a fraction of its length such that the core wire extends out from a distal end of the tube. The tube is configured to enable the sensor and guide wire assembly to be inserted into an artery and to be passed to a measurement site inside a patient's body. The assembly further includes a sensor mounted in the sensor receptacle of the enlarged portion of the core wire. A first coil is arranged to enclose a first portion of the core wire extending out from the distal end of the tube, and the first coil is located nearer to the proximal end of the core wire than the sensor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor/guide wire device for biological pressure measurements having a guide wire (16, 17, 18, 21, 23) having a distal and a proximal end, and a pressure sensor device (19) mounted at the distal end of the guide wire. The distal portion can be a solid wire member (16) surrounded by a spiral member (18), and the sensor (19) can be an electrical sensor of a piezoresistive type. The sensor (19) is mounted on the solid wire (16). The sensor is mounted in a cantilevering fashion such that a pressure sensitive end of the sensor does not contact any structure other than its mount. This prevents forces (bending artifacts) from being exerted on the sensor, which could otherwise interfere with pressure measurements.

Abstract: A guide wire for intravascular investigations includes an elongated element, and electrical conductors extending along a length of the guide wire. A portion of one of the electrical conductors is provided as a layer of electrically conductive material, extending concentrically over the circumference of, and along the elongated element forming a part of the guide wire.A method of manufacturing a conductor element for a guide wire with conductors in the form of a layer of a conductive material extending along the length of the conductor element is provided. A core element is provided. Overlapping layers of alternating insulating and conductive materials are applied concentrically around the circumference of the core element along a portion of its length, until a desired number of conductive layers have been applied.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring flow of a fluid flowing in a narrow channel. A sensor is provided, having an element sensitive to pressure, and an element sensitive to a selected chemical or physical property, both arranged at the distal end of a guide wire, for registering pressure values and values of said selected chemical or physical property. The sensor is located at a point of measurement in the narrow channel. A bolus of liquid having a property distinguishable from the selected property of the flowing fluid and detectable by the second sensitive element is injected into the fluid, and registered with said first sensitive element is a pressure pulse resulting from said injecting step. A point in time of the pulse is taken as a starting point for measuring elapsed time. Registered with the second sensitive element is the distinguishable property of the bolus in the fluid when the bolus in the fluid passes the second sensitive element.