Abstract: A method of tubal recanalization comprising advancing an everting catheter adapted for dilatation and an endoscope to a position adjacent the site of a stenosis in an internal tubal passage of a patient. The everting catheter includes an endoscope lumen and the endoscope is within the endoscope lumen. The everting element is everted to a location within the stenosis and is then expanded to reduce the stenosis. When the tubal passage has been opened sufficiently, the everting element is retracted. The site of the stenosis is viewed using the endoscope and such viewing may be carried out prior to expansion of the everting element to locate the site as well as after the everting element has been retracted.

Abstract: A connector and method is disclosed for connecting a thoracic catheter to a source of suction. The connector comprises a first tube approximately equal in inner diameter to the inner diameter of the main lumen of the thoracic catheter and a second tube connected to and in fluid communication with the first tube along a common longitudinal axis. The first and second tubes form a continuous non-constricted passage through the first and second tubes. In one embodiment, a connecting tube is placed over and in binding contact with the second tube at one end and in contact with the source of suction at the other end. In another embodiment, primarily for use with catheters with a funnel tip for connecting to the source of suction, the first and second tubes have inner diameters approximately equal to the inner diameter of the main lumen of the thoracic catheter.

Abstract: A stylet for guiding a retrograde coronary sinus cannula into a coronary sinus. The stylet comprises an elongate shaft having proximal and distal ends, and a handle at the proximal end of the shaft. The handle includes a lever extending laterally outwardly relative to the shaft. The lever has a notch for receiving a digit of the user generally adjacent the shaft to define a fulcrum generally adjacent the shaft, with the lever extending laterally outwardly beyond the notch to facilitate rotation of the stylet around the longitudinal axis of the shaft. Also disclosed are first and second opposed indentations in a cylindrical portion of the handle.

Abstract: A catheter has an electrode tip assembly that is bendable at the selection of the user in two different directions. The electrode tip assembly assumes different asymmetric predetermined curve configurations when bent in the two directions and is manipulated by means of steering wires adjustably connected tangentially to the lateral edges of a rotatable cam located in the catheter handle.

Abstract: A needle guard for a syringe having a forward annular member with an internal diameter sufficient to extend around a diameter of a syringe needle, a cap flexibly fastened to the forward annular member, a rearward annular member having a diameter suitable for attachment to the syringe, and a resilient member connected to the rearward annular member and connected to the forward annular member so as to urge the forward annular member away from the rearward annular member. The cap is fastened to an end of the forward annular member opposite said resilient member. The cap is movable from a first position in proximity to an end of the forward annular member and a second position away from the end of the forward annular member. A drawstring is connected at one end to the forward annular member and extends toward the rearward annular member so as to actuate a movement of the forward annular member toward the rearward annular member.

Abstract: A locking catheter system including a flexible catheter having a restraining portion such as a pigtail, malecot rib or J-curve at its distal end and a flexible filament extending therefrom to attaching means at the other end of the catheter. The attaching means comprise a self-sealing sleeve through which the filament passes and an elastomeric sheath which encapsulates the sleeve to restrain the filament.

Abstract: A handpiece for preventing the visual field of an endoscope from being disturbed by irrigation liquid, and which performs safely and reliably selective separation of biological tissue such as a blood vessel or the like by ultrasonic vibration, in operation under a visual field of an endoscope which is restricted in operation has a tip section of 5/4 or 7/4 times wavelength, a forward end curved in an arcuate form, and a tip cover provided with a detachable tip top cover at a forward end, which is semi-transparent or transparent, and which has an inclined surface, to prevent irrigation liquid from scattering. The tip cover of an ultrasonic surgical knife is provided with an auxiliary cavity for a laser probe, and a spatula-like projection at the forward end of the cover. The main cavity and the auxiliary cavity for the tip are closed by an O-ring gas-tight packing or a gas-tight closure to prevent pneumoperitoneum gas within an abdomen cavity from leaking.

Abstract: A balloon catheter having a balloon which is produced by molding polyarylenesulfide or an alloy thereof wherein polyarylenesulfide is a main constituent, and the balloon is provided with excellent dimensional stability as well as sufficient softness and flexibility, leading to an improved trackability of the catheter to reach the target lesion.

Abstract: A stent delivery system having an expandable stent in a contracted condition positioned on an expandable member, such as an inflatable balloon, disposed on the distal portion of an elongated catheter body. A guidewire extends through an inner lumen within the elongated catheter body and out its distal end. A tubular protective sheath is secured by its distal end to the portion of the guidewire which extends out of the distal end of the catheter body and fits over the rolled up stent mounted on the expandable member on the distal end of the catheter body. The catheter assembly is advanced to a desired location within a patient's body lumen, such as the patient's arterial system, with the sheath in place over the stent. Once in proper position, the guidewire is advanced distally in order to remove the attached sheath and completely expose the stent. The expandable member on the catheter is expanded to expand the stent.

Abstract: Catheter assembly for use in performing medical procedures in the body of a patient having a vessel therein comprising a multi-port introducer adapted to be inserted into a vessel of the patient and a plurality of catheters disposed in the multi-port introducer and adapted to be disposed in the vessel of the patient.

Abstract: The variable distention angioplasty balloon assembly, for insertion into a blood vessel, comprises an inner elongated, inflatable balloon having a distal portion, a proximal portion and an intermediate portion therebetween and defining therein a first chamber. The inner balloon has a first Young's modulus. The outer elongated, inflatable balloon has a distal portion, a proximal portion and an intermediate portion therebetween positioned around the inner balloon and defines between the balloons a second chamber. The outer balloon has a second Young's modulus. The inner balloon is substantially enclosed by the outer balloon, and the first Young's modulus of the inner balloon is less than the second Young's modulus of the outer balloon. The first chamber of the inner balloon and the second chamber of the outer balloon define a variable dilation structure for dilating an anatomical stricture.

Abstract: An obturator for use with a conventional sheath introducer or any other tubular member providing access to the interior of the body of a living being. The obturator comprises a shaft in the form of an elongated rod-like element having a distal end. The rod-like element is formed of a first material, e.g., polyester based polyurethane, having a first durometer, e.g., 75 (Shore D). The distal end of the rod like element is in the form of a tip formed of a second material, e.g., aliphatic polyurethane, having a second durometer, e.g., 80 (Shore A), substantially less than that of the first material. The tip is a hollow tubular body having a domed free end. The distal end of the rod-like element includes an annular recess about its periphery which cooperates with the mating shaped hollow interior surface of the tip to secure the tip in place. A radiopaque material, e.g.

Abstract: A surgical device has a first cannula formed to define a first interior channel and a second cannula positioned substantially within the first interior channel of the first cannula. The second cannula is formed to define a second interior cannula. Both the first cannula and the second cannula are attached to a conduit piece that defines a first passageway in fluid communication with the first interior channel of the first cannula and a second passageway in fluid communication with the second interior channel of the second cannula. A third passageway defined by the conduit piece is in fluid communication with the first interior channel of the first cannula. The second passageway is covered by a breachable seal that permits insertion of instruments therethrough while limiting undesired fluid flow. A knife blade can be attached to said first cannula and said second cannula can be positioned around the knife blade to shield the knife blade.

Abstract: A dilatation balloon catheter includes a shaft having a proximal outer tube section and a distal outer tube section. The proximal outer tube section is formed from a tubular braid of a stainless steel member, which is encased in polyimide material. The distal outer tube section is a tube made of a polymer material, such as a high density polyethylene.

Abstract: A steering mechanism including a steering shaft coupled to a controller which includes a handle and apparatus for manipulating the distal end of the steering shaft. The steering shaft includes a flexible coiled spring having a lead spring fixed in position with respect to a distal end thereof in the distal end of the steering shaft. One or more steering wires is affixed at the distal ends thereof to the lead spring. The steering wires extend through the steering shaft to the controller, and the steering apparatus of the controller is used to place tension on one or both of the steering wires. The attachment of the distal ends of the steering wires to the lead spring may be opposite one another or may be offset for providing greater maneuverability.

Abstract: A catheter monitor bridge is provided which allows for rapid identification of intravenous lines. The bridge has color-keyed fluid routing paths indicated on the bridge so that a caretaker can easily connect intravenous lines to the bridge and can readily manipulate the flow of fluids between the intravenous lines.

Abstract: A catheter with a balloon characterized by a balloon reinforced with a composite yarn consisting of an elastic yarn and a non-elastic yarn with a larger free length of the non-elastic yarn than that of said elastic yarn. When the catheter is inserted into a blood vessel or taken out on a surgical operation, the balloon is deflated to a small diameter without producing any wrinkle and is stretched by inflation to the same size and the same shape at any time. Therefore, reliability of the balloon catheter in surgical operation is improved and the cut wound in the surgical operation is smaller. Treatment and management after the surgical operation are simple and the time required for recovery is extremely short.

Abstract: A syringe and needle assembly having a means to align the beveled tip of the needle with the volumetric scale on the syringe is disclosed. In the preferred embodiment, a visible mark is placed longitudinally on the hub of the needle on the same side and in coaxial alignment with the beveled tip of the needle. This allows for the needle to be installed on the syringe and the beveled tip quickly aligned with the volumetric scale printed on the syringe body without the need for removing the needle safety cap prior to or during installation.

Abstract: An introducer sheath (10) is provided for percutaneous insertion of catheters into a blood vessel. The introduction of the sheath (10) through a wall of blood vessel causes an opening to be formed through which blood may pass from the blood vessel. The sheath(10) includes an inflatable collar (20) which may be expanded under pressurized inflation of fluid inserted within the inflatable collar (20) to expand into contiguous contact with a periphery of the opening formed by the sheath (10) to prevent blood leakage through the blood vessel wall opening.

Abstract: A valve device for a catheter with a catheter hub. A tubular housing has one end provided with an outer cone for fitting into an inner cone of the catheter hub and has a valve body within acting as a locking member of an axial channel for the passage of an elongate object. The housing is provided with an axially directed protrusion forming a radial space together with the outer surface of the outer cone and has a locking member cooperating with a complementary member at the catheter hub projecting into the space so as to act as a disconnection lock. Thus, a valve device is provided that is suitable for use with a catheter system destined for venous applications according to the Seldinger method, and which ensures a reliable sealing of the extracorporal end of the catheter.