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: An apparatus (10) for intraoperative calibration of a fundus fold cuff comprises an inlet having lead (14) the end of which facing the patient being connectable to an inflatable balloon (13) and the other end of which facing away from the patient having means for inflation/deflation of the balloon 13 and for measurement of the internal pressure of the balloon (13). The balloon (13) has, at least in the inflated state, an outer contour defining a seating surface (16) and two raised humps (17) which are sidewardly bordered. Fundus portions are joined together to form a cuff surrounding the esophagus, and the properties of the cuff are determined by the forces exercised by the cuff on the balloon.

Abstract: A stent for placement in a body tube includes a flexible support structure which is embedded in a hollow cylindrical casing of a synthetic material which at least at body temperature has limited elasticity. The support structure of the stent is composed of at least two zigzag-shaped wires which extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the casing of the stent and which are offset relative to each other on the circumference of the casing, wherein each wire has at least three legs and the middle leg includes an acute angle with each of the two adjoining legs.

Abstract: A seal 10 comprises a bushing 11 and a thread 12, wherein the bushing 11 has a first lumen 15 and a second lumen 16. The lumina 15 and 16 extend along the entire length of the bushing 11. The thread 12 can be introduced at one end into the second lumen 16 and has a swelling 21 at the free end which prevents reintroduction and travel of the end of the thread through the second lumen 16. The thread 12 can be introduced into the first lumen 15 via its other free end and pushed through first lumen 15. Enlargements 20 are formed on the thread 12 having a size preventing introduction into the first lumen 15 without the exercise of force. The bushing 11 and the thread 12 are manufactured from a flexible material having a stable shape. When the enlargements 20 are pulled into the first lumen 15, the bushing 11 bends and seats on e.g. tissue to be ligated. When the enlargements 20 are completely pulled into the first lumen 15, the seal 10 is permanently closed.

Abstract: An instrument for interventional flexible tracheoscopy/bronchoscopy, particularly for the treatment of central air passage stenoses under local anesthesia with the aid of a flexible fiber bronchoscope, includes an outer tube and an inner tube, wherein the outer tube and the inner tube can be displaced relative to each other, and wherein at least one guide element is provided for positioning the inner tube relative to the outer tube and a cuff which can be filled with a medium is arranged in the area of the distal end of the inner tube.

Abstract: A trocar system (10) comprises a trocar tube (11), a trocar plunger (12) and a valve housing (13) formed on the end of the trocar tube (11) facing away from the patient. The trocar tube (11) is produced from a flexible material which is stabilized by a spiral (22). The trocar tube (11) has a taper at the end (21) next to the patient which can be supported at a circular shoulder (15) with the trocar plunger (12) inserted into the trocar tube (11). The trocar tube (11) can be bent in the direction of arrow (23) and stretched in the direction of arrow (24).

Abstract: A polymer material (6) is formed from a first polyethylene component (1) having a low density (VLDPE) which is silane-grafted with an organic silane (3) in combination with organic peroxide (4) and is cross-linked through storage in a damp environment and/or in water. The polymer material (6) can be processed into medical instruments under dry conditions prior to cross-linkage. After cross-linkage the medical instruments made from the polymer material (6) exhibit a high degree of transparency, are non-buckling and flexible. The polymer material (6) is produced in an extruder, preferentially in a double-worm extruder.

Abstract: A stent for placement in a body tube includes a flexible support structure composed of an elastomer which is hard in a temperature range lower than 25.degree. C. and soft in a temperature range greater 35.degree. C. The flexible support structure may be embedded in a hollow cylindrical casing of an elastic synthetic material which has a limited elasticity at least at body temperature, wherein the casing is composed of an elastomer which is hard in a temperature range lower than 25.degree. C. and soft in a temperature range greater than 35.degree. C. The casing in which the flexible support structure is embedded may also be of a memory elastomer, particularly on the basis of polyurethane.

Abstract: An artificial respiration bag (10) comprises an inflatable sidewardly folded reservoir (11). A holding element (12) and a support (15) forming a lumen opening (16) and connected to a cuff (13) are provided for on the reservoir. The entire artificial respiration bag (10) is produced from a silicone or thermoplastic elastomer. In this manner, the artificial respiration bag (10) is manufactured from a material to which the skin is insensitive and which does not cause allergic reactions. The holding element (12) has an integrally vulcanized holding ring (12'). The support (15) has a surrounding enlargement (20) which engages a shoulder (19) of the cuff and is permanently attached thereto. In this manner, the artificial respiration bag (10) fulfills the strength and safety requirements of ISO-standard 5362.

Abstract: A stent for placement in a body tube includes a flexible support structure of wires, wherein the wires are of a material having a shape memory function. The support structure of the stent is composed of wires which have different shape memories. In a method for changing the configuration of a stent of the above-described type which has been placed in a body tube, the stent is subjected over at least portions thereof to a specific application of heat or cold in order to influence the restoring force and/or the geometric shape.

Abstract: A stent for the splinting and/or for the holding open of a hollow organ is comprised from filaments 11 which are formed together into a tubular and self-expanding netting. In the collapsed state the stent 10 is stretched in an axial direction and in an extended state the stent is fore-shortened in the axial direction. The filaments 11 are formed with rectangular cross-section and the crossing-points 12 are securely attached to another at the free ends 14 and 15.

Abstract: A tracheal stent 1 is comprised from a plastic shaft 2 and metal clasps 5 which grasp the plastic shaft 2 ventrolaterally. The plastic shaft 2 is, cranially, lengthwise oval in cross section and, caudally, squarish-oval. It is comprised from thin highly-elastic and stable sheet and from clasps 5, whereby the clasps 5 are bound to the sheet. The clasps 5 can, in a first manifestation, be sufficiently compressed together over their free ends 6, 7 that the plastic shaft 2 is given as small an outer circumference as possible. In a second manifestation, the clasps 5 can be spread out by, for example, being heat activated. A stably-shaped and, in section 7', highly-elastic lumen 8 is formed in plastic shaft 2 which largely corresponds to the size of a lumen of a natural trachea.

Abstract: An ureteral catheter has an elongated shaft and a lumen for drainage, the shaft has a first end with a pigtail and several openings therein, whereby the openings communicate with the lumen and the shaft has a second end with an open tip in the valve mechanism, wherein the open tip on the second end has an extendable folded shaft section and the shaft further comprises a retainer system within the valve mechanism and wherein the retainer system comprises a section, integral with the shaft, which is split into two half shafts, the half shafts being spaced apart from one another, in an unloaded mode, in a direction transverse to the lumen.

Abstract: Accessory devices for laparoscopic operations can be combined with a plastic receptacle 2 in such a way that an opening formed outside the abdominal wall in a cover sheet 10 can be coupled in sealing relationship with an end of the plastic receptacle 2 that can be closed or opened. The plastic receptacle 2 is in this case still located inside the abdominal space, at least in part, the opening of the plastic receptacle 2 projecting beyond the abdominal wall 4.

Abstract: The tracheal prosthesis is intended to replace damaged, diseased or missing tracheal and/or bronchial segments. The tracheal prosthesis comprises a plastic shaft which is embraced by hoops. The hoops 9 stabilize the thin film-like material wall. As in the case of the human trachea, the hoops leave an area of the plastic shaft uncovered so that a particularly resilient circumferential surface is obtained between the hoops, resembling the membranaceous part of the human trachea. The ends of the tracheal prosthesis are reinforced by spring elements. These spring elements ensure that the tracheal prosthesis is retained safely in the natural tracheal and/or bronchial stumps. The inner surface of the tracheal prosthesis is hydrophilized.

Abstract: A coniostomy tube intended for insertion through the front wall of the larynx between the bottom edge of the thyroid cartilage and the upper edge of the front part of the cricoid cartilage includes a pre-shaped curved tubular pipe having a substantially straight patient-end section, a pipe connector and an intermediate tube section which is curved through substantially 100.degree.. At least that part of the tube which extends through the opening between the thyroid cartilage and the cricoid cartilage has a substantially oval cross-sectional shape with the small axis of the ovality positioned in the curvature plane of the tube. This ovality is in the range of 1:1.2 to 1:1.35. The curved intermediate section of the tube preferably has essentially the same ovality and ovality orientation, and the tube may also have the same oval cross-sectional shape along the whole of its length. The outer pipe connector of the tube preferably forms an angle of 80.degree.

Abstract: A medical instrument consists of a relatively rigid shaft (1) and a flexible tip (3) that is attached to one end of the shaft (1) as an extension thereof. Fastened to its outer end at points opposite each other are tension cables (5, 6), which are guided in a tubular sheath parallel to the tip (3) and to the shaft (1) to its other end, and at the other end of the shaft are joined to an adjusting wheel (8) that allows shortening of one and equal lengthening of the other of the two oppositely located tension cables (5, 6) in order to impart to the tip (3) a selectable curvature in the direction of the shortened tension cable. The invention has as its object a simplification of known instruments which simultaneously allows a reduction in dimensions.