Abstract: The invention provides, in one embodiment, a method for accessing an operative space within a patient. The method can employ a multifunctional, multi-piece medical device, such as for use with a vacuum lift shell. The method provides flow communication between the external environment and operative field inside the patient's body during medical procedures, including diagnostic, therapeutic and surgical procedures. The invention allows entry and exit of air or gas to help create and maintain the operative field. The invention can be used to provide an open and unobstructed working path, and allows the operative space to be maintained at ambient conditions of pressure and temperature.

Abstract: A vascular occlusive device which includes a support structure and a bioactive coating disposed onto the support structure and an outer barrier coating which serves to prevent a reaction between the bioactive agent and bodily fluids until the outer barrier is activated by applying an external agent to the outer barrier.

Abstract: A catheter having one or more radially expanded portions that comprise a guidewire lumen. The guidewire lumen and the main lumen of the catheter are not separate and share the same fluid space. The catheter maintains a large, circular lumen for aspiration or delivery. The catheter is made by lacing a guidewire lumen mandrel through openings made in the catheter shaft and then forcing the shaft to expand radially to create a guidewire lumen.

Abstract: A mechanical dilatation and medicament delivery device for enlarging a flow passage of a vessel by dilating and delivering a liposome or micelle-encapsulated therapeutic agent or medicament to an obstruction in the vessel. The present invention comprises a substantially cylindrically shaped expansion member and includes a means engaged to the expansion member for altering the distance between the proximal end and the distal end of the expansion member thereby transforming the expansion member between a diametrically contracted configuration to diametrically expanded configuration. A liposome or micelle-encapsulated therapeutic agent or medicament is coated on either the expansion member, or incorporated into a substrate coated on the expansion member.

Abstract: A catheter assembly comprises a catheter which comprises an inner shaft and an outer shaft, and at least one heat transmitting mechanism. At least one portion of at least one of the inner shaft and the outer shaft of the catheter has a predetermined longitudinal stiffness and a predetermined temperature. The predetermined longitudinal stiffness is changed when the predetermined temperature is changed. The at least one heat transmitting mechanism extends distally from the proximal end of the catheter, along the length of the catheter, to a position adjacent to the at least one portion. At least a portion of the at least one heat transmitting mechanism is constructed and arranged to conductively change the predetermined temperature of the at least one portion of the at least one of the inner shaft and the outer shaft.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for treating female urinary incontinence by injecting a bulking agent at the interface between the mucosal and submucosal layers of the urethral wall. The remodeling device comprises an elongated shaft preferably having means for forming a localized inward protrusion of the urethral wall, and a needle, movable between retracted and deployed positions, for delivering a bulking agent into the urethral wall in the vicinity of the localized inward protrusion to thereby reduce or eliminate symptoms associated with urinary incontinence.

Abstract: A nasal-nasopharyngeal irrigating and cleansing system including a cup with one or more assemblies that allow the flow and control of various irrigating, cleansing and medicinal liquids into the nasal passages. The construction of the cup provides sealing surfaces to allow the controlled flow of the liquids into the nose through either nostril without spillage. The flow of the liquid through the nasal passages removes via abrasion any virus or irritant substances that may be in the nasal passages or on the nasal membranes. According to one aspect of the invention as the liquid is dispensed, the angle of the cup to the face changes but a sealing rim on the cup wall continues to seal to the user's face as the angle of the cup to the user's face changes, allowing liquid to be drawn up into the user's nose via vacuum or gravity. A method of using the device of the invention for irrigating, cleansing and coating the nasal passages with antiviral agents or other beneficial medicines.

Abstract: A medical device is designed to be placed in a patient's body and release one or more therapeutic agents therefrom. The medical device includes an elongated member defining a passage for passing bodily fluids therethrough and at least one enclosed internal space for containing one or more therapeutic agents therein. The elongated member may further define one or more pores in fluid communication with the enclosed internal space. The medical device can deliver one or more therapeutic agents at a desired level or volume, over a desired period of time, and from a desired location of the device. Therapeutic agents may be released through the body of the medical device by diffusion and/or through the one or more pores.

Abstract: A patient control system uses a patient-implanted catheter in thermal communication with a fluid bath via a circulating fluid circuit. A controller automatically controls the temperature of the fluid bath as required for selectively cooling or heating the patient in accordance with patient temperature measurements. The controller thermally decouples the catheter and patient from the fluid bath during changes in fluid bath temperatures in order to overcome the effects of system thermal mass.

Abstract: Devices for and methods of treating afflictions occurring in a body cavity, such as the epidural space. The methods and devices provide for fluoroscopic assisted placement of a fiber optic catheter/scope with a balloon tip. These devices and methods would perform decompression surgery, neuroplasty, and mechanical lysis of adhesions (and other afflictions), as well as allowing small operating and therapeutic instruments under direct visualization.

Abstract: A balloon catheter, and preferably to a rapid exchange type balloon catheter, having a proximal shaft section, and a distal shaft section with an inner tubular member and an outer tubular member, the outer tubular member having a section which is bonded as by fusing or otherwise bonding. The bonded section extends along a thickened wall portion of the outer tubular member at the rapid exchange junction. A reinforcing member or tube extends within at least a section of the bonded section of the outer tubular member. In one embodiment, the reinforcing tube extends within at least a section of the thickened wall portion of the outer tubular member. The configuration provides a rapid exchange junction with improved kink resistance and flexibility for excellent trackability, and with a minimal decrease in the size of the inflation lumen at the rapid exchange junction for an improved shortened balloon inflation/deflation time.

Abstract: A balloon catheter having a balloon with a porous polymer layer and one or more filamentary members which are on or in the porous polymer layer and which form ridges protruding outwardly from a surface of the balloon in the inflated configuration. In a presently preferred embodiment, the balloon has a wingless noninflated configuration.

Abstract: A fluid injection system is disclosed The system is adapted to employ first and second injectors which may sequentially, or simultaneously, inject first and second fluids into a patient via a catheter. The first and second injectors may be power actuated. The actuation of the injectors may be controlled via a controller of the system. The user may be provided with an operator interface module to enable the control of the system to be affected during operation. A separate waste line may be provided to drain the system effectively and efficiently. A pressure sensor may be provided proximate the catheter to reduce pressure signal wave dampening and fluid waste.

Abstract: Since this syringe has projections provided on the rear surface of a flange of a syringe barrel, when it is inserted in an insertion groove of a cylinder holder, the tips of projections are compressed and the flange is fixed. Consequently, even when a solution having high viscosity is injected at higher pressure, breakage does not occur easily. Further, pressure-receiving area may also be increased by providing a guide defining mounting direction of a syringe, alternatively, a positioning mechanism may be provided so as to obtain mounting at a correct position, or the surface of a flange may be roughened.

Abstract: The technical field of the invention is that of needleless syringes used for intradermal, subcutaneous or intramuscular injections of active principle for therapeutic purposes. More particularly, the invention concerns a needleless syringe (10) comprising a propelling system, the active principle and an application guide (8), mainly characterised in that the propelling system consists of an impact wave generating device (3) and the active principle is arranged in at least a blind cavity (7) of the downstream surface (6) of a barrier (4) extended by the application guide (8). Thus, the active principle is expelled in the form of streamlined jets, driven at very high speed.

Abstract: An implantable access port in accordance with one embodiment of the invention comprises a hollow port casing having a first channel, a second channel and a third channel. A self-sealing insert may be disposed within the third channel. The implantable access port may further comprise a graft having a first branch, a second branch, and a third branch, the first branch extending from the first channel and adapted to be anastomosed to a vessel at a first location, the second branch extending from the second channel and adapted to be anastomosed to a vessel in a second location, the third branch extending at least partially into the third channel, wherein the third branch is disposed between the self-sealing insert and the hollow port casing. Methods for performing medical procedures associated with the implantable access port are also disclosed.

Abstract: A transfer needle safety apparatus including a guide port adapted to fit a variety of body fluid receptacle sizes. A sleeve substantially fills the cavity inside a needle shield. The sleeve includes a robust external lead-in structure for aligning/assembling and centering the sleeve in the shield and a robust internal lead-in structure for aligning and centering a narrow body receptacle onto a needle. The sleeve engages a long section of the outer surface of a receptacle thereby preventing rocking or lateral motion of a receptacle septum relative to a needle tip. Streamlined gripping features allow removal of the sleeve from the shield.

Abstract: A luminal access system comprises an evertable, lubricious sleeve, a pusher tube, and optionally a lumen tube. The evertable, lubricious sleeve is attached to a non-evertable sheath which is coaxially received over the pusher tube. A distal portion of the evertable sleeve folds or everts into an axial passage of the pusher tube where it is connected to a lumen tube. A distal portion of the pusher tube may be bendable, typically comprising a relatively soft polymer which is circumferentially reinforced to enhance hoop strength.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a balloon portion for a balloon catheter for radially expanding a vessel in the body of a mammal, which catheter comprises a tube portion with a passage therethrough and a hollow expandable balloon portion defined by a fluid impervious wall and secured to the tube portion, which balloon portion can be inflated and deflated by means of a fluid passed through the passage, characterized in that: a. the wall of the balloon portion is formed from a flexible substantially fluid impervious material having reinforcing fibers formed integrally with the wall material; and b. the balloon portion is preformed to the desired radial diameter at its inflated state having smaller diameter end portions and a wider diameter portion intermediate the said ends and has a substantially uniform wall thickness. The invention also provides a balloon catheter in which the balloon portion is a balloon of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a modular electrode system, and its use, for facilitating the introduction of a macromolecule into cells of a selected tissue in a body or plant. The modular electrode system comprises a plurality of needle electrodes; a hypodermic needle; an electrical connector that provides a conductive link from a programmable constant-current pulse controller to the plurality of needle electrodes; and a power source. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an operator can grasp the plurality of needle electrodes that are mounted on a support structure and firmly insert the them into the selected tissue in a body or plant. The macromolecules are then delivered via the hypodermic needle into the selected tissue. The programmable constant-current pulse controller is activated and constant-current electrical pulse is applied to the plurality of needle electrodes.