Abstract: A catheter guide wire comprises a main section having a circular cross-section and a distal end section surrounded by a spiral. The distal end section has a portion adjoining the guide wire tip, in the shape of a wedge, the height of which diminishes towards the guide wire tip and the width of which increases towards the guide wire tip.

Abstract: The balloon dilatation catheter has a first lumen extending along the entire length of a shaft, which lumen is connected to a pump and, at the distal end of the catheter, to the inside of the balloon. Through this lumen there also passes a support wire connected firmly to the catheter. The shaft has an additional lumen which opens outwards via an opening behind the proximal end of the balloon. A controllable guide wire can be introduced into this lumen via an attachment piece. Similarly, a measuring apparatus or an apparatus for introducing a contrast medium or drug can be connected to this additional lumen. The catheter is particularly suitable for treating strictures in an arterial ramification.

Abstract: An aspiration catheter arrangement for aspiration of thrombi and emboli from blood vessels has a central catheter (2) and an outside catheter (1) surrounding it coaxially. A guide wire (4) and a dilator (3) are provided for inserting the catheter arrangement into a vessel and for dilating same. A blood clot is removed by means of a vacuum applied to the central catheter (2). If the central catheter (2) becomes clogged by the blood clot during the aspiration procedure, the central catheter (2) can be extracted out of the outside catheter (1) and replaced by a new central catheter (2). This new central catheter (2) can be connected to the aspiration device and the process is then continued. Instead of inserting a new central catheter (2), the aspiration process can also be continued through the outside catheter (1) by connecting the latter to the aspiration device after removing the central catheter (2).

Abstract: A stent delivery system for a balloon expandable stent includes a balloon catheter with a tubular shaft and an elongated dilatation balloon. The tubular shaft has a guidewire lumen with an entry for the guidewire distal of the balloon and an exit for the guidewire proximal of the balloon. A sleeve for preventing expansion of balloon segments is mounted on the tubular shaft with a distal end surrounding a portion of the proximal end of the balloon and a proximal end removably attached to a portion of the tubular shaft.

Abstract: The appliance comprises a core wire on which is mounted a coil of radioactive material. A first proximal radiopaque coil configuration and a second distal radiopaque coil configuration maintain and locate the radioactive radiation coil on the core wire thereby assuring positioning thereof on the core wire and accurate visualization via X-ray fluoroscopy.

Abstract: A catheter with a self-expanding stent of a permeable mesh of stiff intersecting fibers is provided. A tubular outer catheter shaft holds the stent under tension at its distal end and from which the stent can be released for placement. A displaceable inner catheter inside the tubular outer catheter shaft supports the stent axially at its proximal end. In order to release the stent, the outer catheter shaft is retracted with respect to the inner catheter. A process for producing this catheter is also described. The stent is secured by gripping it at its proximal end in such a way that it forms a permeable mesh cone that expands automatically together with the stent and has a radius that increases gradually to the radius of the relaxed stent. The stent is securely anchored on the inner catheter with the help of the mesh cone.

Abstract: The stent delivery device has an elongated sheath with a self-expandable stent placed in contracted condition within the distal area of the sheath. An elongated core is arranged in the sheath for relative longitudinal motion between core and sheath, and drive means are arranged between the core and the stent. Scratch protection tubular means comprise a reinforcement ring secured in the sheath and surrounding the distal end portion of the stent when the stent is in contracted condition in the sheath and a tube of thermoformable material heat shrunk over the proximal end portion of the stent and over the core.

Abstract: The guide wire comprises an elongated flexible shaft which is tubular. A helical coil assembly of radiopaque material comprises a first coil having a proximal portion threadedly force fitted into the tubular portion of shaft. A second coil has a proximal portion surrounding and threadingly engaging the distal portion of the first coil, and a distal portion terminating into a tip.

Abstract: A medical device is disclosed for the treatment of a body lumen by radiation. The device includes a catheter for insertion into a body lumen, a radiation source, and a wire for advancing and removing the radiation source into and from the catheter.

Abstract: The balloon catheter comprises a shaft with an elongated dilatation balloon mounted in the vicinity of the distal end thereof. Armature for preventing expansion of balloon segments are mounted on shaft proximally of the balloon and include an armature enclosed in a sleeve moveable over a proximal portion of the balloon.

Abstract: A catheter with a radially self-expanding cylindrical vascular support made of a permeable mesh of crossed stiff fibers is disclosed. The catheter has a tubular outer catheter shaft and an inner catheter to which the vascular support is fixed. The tubular outer catheter shaft is axially movable with respect to the inner catheter.

Abstract: A docking assembly for the extension of a guidewire. The docking assembly comprises a plug formed at the proximal end of the guidewire, and a socket formed of a tubing permanently bent so as to have a V shaped portion comprised between two straight portions. The end of straight portion is affixed to the distal end of extension wire. A sleeve is slidably engaged over the tubing to substantially straighten it and facilitate insertion of plug into the tubing. Removal of sleeve allows the tubing to recover its preshaped deformation, thereby assuring locking of plug in tubing. To release the assembly it suffices to pull the guidewire and extension wire oppositely to slip the plug out from the tubing.

Abstract: A catheter with a self-expanding stent of a permeable mesh of stiff intersecting fibers is provided. A tubular outer catheter shaft holds the stent under tension at its distal end and from which the stent can be released for placement. A displaceable inner catheter inside the tubular outer catheter shaft supports the stent axially at its proximal end. In order to release the stent, the outer catheter shaft is retracted with respect to the inner catheter. A process for producing this catheter is also described. The stent is secured by gripping it at its proximal end in such a way that it forms a permeable mesh cone that expands automatically together with the stent and has a radius that increases gradually to the radius of the relaxed stent. The stent is securely anchored on the inner catheter with the help of the mesh cone.

Abstract: The guidewire attachment assembly comprises a tubing affixed to the proximal end of a guidewire. Inside the tubing is a shoulder and a ramp for directing and positioning a bolt arranged at the end of a resilient shaft affixed to the distal end of the extension wire. The assembly provides a positive locking action for the guidewire and extension wire and direct unlocking thereof.

Abstract: An aspiration catheter arrangement for aspiration of thrombi and emboli from blood vessels has a central catheter (2) and an outside catheter (1) surrounding it coaxially. A guide wire (4) and a dilator (3) are provided for inserting the catheter arrangement into a vessel and for dilating same. A blood clot is removed by means of a vacuum applied to the central catheter (2). If the central catheter (2) becomes clogged by the blood clot during the aspiration procedure, the central catheter (2) can be extracted out of the outside catheter (1) and replaced by a new central catheter (2). This new central catheter (2) can be connected to the aspiration device and the process is then continued. Instead of inserting a new central catheter (2), the aspiration process can also be continued through the outside catheter (1) by connecting the latter to the aspiration device after removing the central catheter (2).

Abstract: The coated stent comprises a cylindrical wall formed by meshed wires and a covering layer of elastic material extending on a portion of its length, with an outer surface, and totally embracing the wire mesh.Method of coating the stent using a lifting medium and then an elastomeric composition dissolved in solvent are disclosed.

Abstract: A device for implanting endoprostheses has a tubular outer body and an elongated core element placed inside of the outer body. To operate the device, both the core element and the tubular body are provided with handles at their proximal ends. In order to produce a form-locking connection between the endoprosthesis and the core element, the core element exhibits a region in which is impressed a stamping corresponding to the inner form of the endoprosthesis. As a result, there are a great number of form-locking meshing sites between the enclosed, folded endoprosthesis and the core element. A device with this type of design permits a partially released endoprostheses to be folded back up in a radially contracted state again by pushing the tubular body forward so that the endoprosthesis may be repositioned. In addition, sure and reliable operation is achieved by this type of stamping of the core element.

Abstract: The packaging for a catheter comprises a flat air tight support member and a cover member formed of an air tight and flexible sheet adhered by its periphery on the support member. A vacuum is exerted between the support member and the cover member by connection of a duct to a vacuum pump, and the duct is then sealed. The cover member thus takes the relief of the shapes of the catheter whatever they are.

Abstract: A packaging comprises a sealed peel-apart flexible pouch in which the preshaped stem of a medical appliance is maintained by elastic pressure of the walls of a sheath open at its ends formed by a wall having two parallel lateral edges forming slides in which are engaged the lateral edges of two spaced apart portions of a second wall. The two walls are flat and deformable by their own elasticity. A retaining window is provided in one of the walls for a handling and connecting hub connected to the stem of the medical appliance to extend therethrough.

Abstract: The guide wire of this invention is especially suited for the percutaneous introduction of a balloon dilatation catheter into a blood vessel. It contains a flexible shaft with a proximal portion and a distal portion. A flexible helical coil assembly surrounds the distal portion of the shaft. The helical coil assembly has a radiographically visible distal helical coil and a proximal radiographically invisible helical coil. The proximal helical coil and the distal helical coil are attached to each other by a connecting helical coil that on one end is screwed into the proximal helical coil and on the other end is screwed into the distal helical coil.