Abstract: The present invention relates to a guide wire, comprising a core wire (4) having a proximal and a distal end. There is at least one electrical lead (10a, 10b, 10c) provided on said core wire and extending along the length thereof, connecting to an electrical device (6) provided at the distal end of said core wire. A male connector is provided at the proximal end of said core wire, and a protective tubing (not shown) covers the core wire and the leads. The leads are formed on a sheet (14) of a thin, flexible material, said sheet being at least partially wrapped around said core wire along the length thereof. The flexible sheet has a wider portion (18) at the proximal end, and is wrapped at least one full turn around the proximal end of said core wire. The wider portion has at least one conductive strip (8a, 8b, 8c) extending over said portion in the transverse direction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of creating a miniaturized source of radiation and delivering radiation to a location such as therapy location. The radiation source comprises a member made of a material emitting electrons when energy is supplied to the member. There is an electron retarding member disposed opposite the electron emitting member, and the electron retarding member is made of a material emitting ionizing radiation when electrons are retarded therein. The radiation source is further provided on an elongated member in the distal region thereof, and the elongated member is insertable into the body.

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

Abstract: The invention relates to a hard tissue biopsy sampling device, e.g. for bone in humans or animals, comprising a tube shaped casing or sleeve with a distal end provided with a cutting edge and a proximal end. The invention further comprises a needle insertable in the sleeve, the needle extending out of the distal end of the sleeve, and having a tip allowing penetration in the hard tissue. The sleeve exhibits in the vicinity of its distal end a portion having reduced outer diameter. The distal end has a section with reducing diameter, such that the inner diameter of the interior of the device is continuously reduced over at least the major part of the section. In side projection, the cutting edge forms an angle in relation to a perpendicular plane through the cross-section of the device, the angle preferably being 17.degree.-23.degree..

Abstract: A device for puncturing cortical bone. The device consists of a cannula and inside of it an axially movable needle. The distal end of the needle has an eccentrically shaped tip which, by drilling, forms a hole, larger than the outer diameter of the needle, through corticalis, whereupon the enclosing cannula can be inserted into the drilled hole. In this way the cannula's position in the bone is secured and the cannula functions as a fixed anchored guiding channel for further sampling or treatment.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of diagnosing damaged intervertebral disks by measuring pressure in a plurality of disks and comparing the different pressures to ascertain the damaged disk. Another method provides for localising a damaged intervertebral disk by measuring pressure in a first disk suspected to be damaged, and measuring the pressure in disks surrounding the suspected disk, comparing the different pressures and diagnosing the damaged disk or simultaneously registering how vertebrae move relative to one another.

Abstract: A device for puncturing cortical bone. The device consists of a cannula and inside of it an axially movable needle. The distal end of the needle has an eccentrically shaped tip which, by drilling, forms a hole, larger than the outer diameter of the needle, through corticalis, whereupon the enclosing cannula can be inserted into the drilled hole. In this way the cannula's position in the bone is secured and the cannula functions as a fixed anchored guiding channel for further sampling or treatment.

Abstract: Femoral compression device including a pressurizing element for compressive bearing at the puncture site, preferably located at the femoral artery of a patient subjected to, for example, heart catheterization, and for applying a pressure on the same, and a base plate for supporting the pressurizing element. A belt is adapted to be fixed around the patient's body. The base plate has a top portion and a bottom portion and is adapted to be fixed to the belt and the pressurizing element is provided at the bottom portion of the base plate so as to exert a compressive force against the patient's body at the puncture site.

Abstract: A sensor guide has a sensor element, an electronic unit, a signal transmitting cable connecting the sensor element to the electronic unit, a flexible tube having the cable and the sensor element disposed therein, a solid metal wire having a plurality of sections with differing thicknesses such that each of the sections has a different flexibility, and a coil which is attached to a distal end of the wire. An inside portion of the flexible tube acts as an air channel to establish communication between the sensor element and atmospheric pressure. In addition, the wire is rigidly disposed in the sensor guide and extends along the entire sensor guide inside of the tube. Moreover, one of the plurality of sections is an enlarged portion having a slot therein and the sensor element is disclosed in the slot between the coil and the proximal end of the wire.

Abstract: A miniaturized pressure sensor for physiological in situ measurements has an elastic material shell having an outer surface with an opening extending therethrough. The opening is covered by an elastic diaphragm and a light conductor having an end surface is disposed inside the shell and connected thereto by a glue joint. A body of silicon or gallium is disposed inside the shell and has a thin, cantilevered, short beam portion and a reflecting surface connected to and perpendicularly projecting from a free end of the short beam portion. The reflecting surface is proximate to the end surface of the light conductor so that when the diaphragm is subjected to a pressure differential, it is forced to move thereby causing a corresponding movement of the short beam portion so that the reflecting surface is positioned opposite to the end surface of the light conductor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fiber optic connection (1) between a sensor-guide portion (2) comprising an optic fiber (4) arranged in an air channel, said optic fiber (4) leading to a sensor element in the farther end of said sensor-guide portion (2), and a connective portion (3) comprising an optic fiber (8) arranged in an air channel, said optic fiber (8) leading to an electronic unit, wherein said optic fiber (4) said sensor-guide portion (2) and said optic fiber (8) of said connective portion (3) being aligned against each other in fixed, light transmitting position when said connection (1) is closed, and an outwards pressure tight air channel (11) is formed in the closed position of said connection, said air channel (11) extending continuously from said electronic unit to said sensor element via said connection (1). Furthermore, the invention relates to use of the connection (1) during intravascular pressure measuring, especially of artherosclerotic vessels.

Abstract: A miniaturized transducer for in vivo measurements of physiological pressure has a transducer unit and an inner tube with a wall opening. A diaphragm covers the wall opening. Distinguishing for the invention is that the diaphragm is protected by an outer tube arranged outside the inner tube, and having a wall opening situated radially opposite the wall opening of the inner tube. An end closure closes off the distal end of the tube and a seal seals the outer tube against the inner tube. The lumen of the inner tube is in communication with the atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A sensor guide has a sensor element, an electronic unit, a signal transmitting cable connecting the sensor element to the electronic unit, a flexible tube having the cable and the sensor element disposed therein, a solid metal wire having a plurality of sections with differing thicknesses such that each of the sections has a different flexibility, and a coil which is attached to a distal end of the wire. An inside portion of the flexible tube acts as an air channel to establish communication between the sensor element and atmospheric pressure. In addition, the wire is rigidly disposed in the sensor guide and extends along the entire sensor guide inside of the tube. Moreover, one of the plurality of sections is an enlarged portion having a slot therein and the sensor element is disclosed in the slot between the coil and the proximal end of the wire.