Abstract: A balloon catheter for medical applications has a balloon 11 in a tip region facing the patient having a structured outer surface 12. The structured outer surface 12 is formed by wave troughs and wave crests which are not connected to each other. The structured outer surface 12 of a balloon 11 can cling to adjacent surfaces. The balloon catheter is introduced via a left-ventricular cardiotomy in the tip region and inserted into the aorta ascendens. The balloon 11 occludes the aorta ascendens. The balloon allows cardioplegia to be performed and relieves the heart through suctioning-off. Particular applications for the balloon catheter include by calcification of the aorta ascendens, for effecting LIMA/RIMA-anastomoses, and when effecting venovenostomies.

Abstract: The invention concerns a stent 1 for the bracing and/or holding-open of a body cavity having a tube 2 made from an elastic material, a tubular weave 3 comprising filaments 5 seating in close adjacency to the outer surface of the tube 2 as well as a coating 4 applied to the outer surface of the tube 2 which attaches the weave 3 to the outer surface of the tube 2. The coating 4 is adapted to have a structured outer surface dominated by the weave 3. The stent 1 in accordance with the invention can be produced economically with adjustable restoring forces and facilitates a secure placing within the body cavity. Means for preventing drifting within the body cavity can also be introduced onto outer surface of the stent.

Abstract: Prior-art systems for drainage of body cavities, in particular renal cavity systems, have usually comprised of a flexible drainage tube (1) with at least one crooked end (11, 13), a tubular device, called a pusher (2), serving to push the drainage tube (1) into a body cavity, a distal end of which is connected in a separable way with a proximal end of the drainage tube (1), and a guide wire (3) passing through the drainage tube (1) and the pusher (2). Up to now, the separable connection consisted of either a predetermined break point or a wedge connection. Both solutions have been unsatisfactory.According to this invention, ends of a drainage tube (1) and a pusher (2), which are connected with each other, have parts (41, 42) of a lock (4) complementary to each other, which define sections (45, 46) overlapping each other and featuring facing sections fitted to each other which transmit axial traction forces and a torque. Sections (45, 46) are held in mesh by the guide wire (3) passing through them.