Abstract: A steerable catheter including a handle and a catheter tube, the tip of which may be selectively curved by the operator to assume a pre-programmed curved shape in three dimensions. A single elongated, substantially flat planar shim is mounted within the tip of the catheter tube. The shim has at least one transverse or lateral twist which causes the tip of the catheter tube to assume a curvature in more than one plane when the catheter is operated by manipulation of the remotely positioned handle.

Abstract: Apparatus for irrigating and suctioning a patient during ventilating wherein in one operation the irrigation fluid is directed solely to the patient and in another operation the irrigation fluid is directed solely to flush the internal lumen of the catheter and in another operation suctioning of the patient is permitted.

Abstract: A low velocity aortic cannula having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen therebetween for conducting blood, the distal end being adapted for insertion into the aorta during heart surgery to provide blood to the aorta. There is a diffuser at least partially blocking the distal end of the cannula, and a plurality of outlet openings in the side of the distal end of the cannula. In one embodiment the distal end of the cannula is closed with a cap, and the diffuser is a rounded cone extending generally upstream in the lumen. The outlet openings are located in the sidewall of the cannula. In a second embodiment of the invention, the diffuser has a helical configuration, and partially blocks the distal opening of the cannula. Additional openings are provided in the sidewall to permit flow. According to the method of this invention, an opening is formed in the aorta, the distal end of one of the embodiments of the cannula is inserted into the opening, and blood flow through the cannula is established.

Abstract: There is disclosed a balloon catheter wherein the balloon is fabricated of a high pressure, ultra-thin wall modified polyethylene terephthalate copolymer, and has a desired memorized shape. In a preferred embodiment the balloon has a central waist-like configuration suitable for valvuloplasty. The polymer can be heat-shaped and retains or memorizes a desired shape thereafter. The balloon is blow-molded and attached to a catheter for inflation through a lumen thereof. When inflated to a first low pressure it assumes the desired shape, and rounds out after a second inflating pressure is achieved.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for injecting/removing non-solid substances is diclosed. The instrument comprises a body formed from two legs (1, 2) pivotally articulated to each other at one of their ends, one of said legs (1) being provided with means (15,17) for receiving and retaining a syringe or squirt (16) while the other of said legs (2) is provided with means (20,22) for selectively retaining a plunger (19) which cooperates with said syringe or squirt, said legs being selectively pivotable between a first position wherein said plunger (19) is received within said syringe (16) and a plurality of positions wherein plunger (18) moves within syringe (16) in order to inject/remove a non-solid substance.

Abstract: A tri-fold dilatation catheter balloon and a method for preparing the same. The disclosed balloon has a tri-fold configuration in which the longitudinal creases defined by three flaps of the balloon are softened to ensure symmetrical deflation of the balloon into its tri-fold form. The tri-fold configuration initially imparted to the balloon by drawing the balloon into an longitudinal interstitial channel defined by three substantially cylindrical pins arranged in a pyramid-type stack. While the balloon is secured within this channel, negative pressure is applied to an inflation lumen of the balloon to deflate the balloon. Negative pressure is maintained on the inflation lumen as the balloon is withdrawn from the interstitial channel, and continues to be maintained while the creases defined by the three tri-fold flaps are heated with a longitudinal heating element. This softens the balloon material in longitudinal creases, so that the same creases will tend form whenever the balloon is deflated.

Abstract: Disclosed is a syringe assembly which greatly reduces the chances of an operator coming in contact with an infectious needle. The syringe assembly is initially provided with its needle retracted within its barrel, in a sterile and safe environment. When used, the needle is engaged by the plunger, and locked in place at the forward end of the syringe barrel. Before disposal, the needle is withdrawn back into the barrel, and the plunger is broken off. Thus, the disposed of syringe is incapable of being reused, and there is little or no danger of accidental punctures, because the needle is retained within the syringe barrel.

Abstract: An automatic means and method for preventing and/or treating hypotension in hemodialysis patients. To this end, a system is provided wherein the patient or healthcare practitioner can cause the hemodialysis machine to automatically deliver sodium to the patient through the dialysate so as to increase blood and extracellular osmolarity, increase blood volume from vascular refilling, and raise blood pressure. This would thereby alleviate any clinical symptoms caused by hypotension during hemodialysis.

Abstract: A torpedo device which is attached to the end of a guide wire to provide a local driving force to the end thereof. The torpedo includes a telescopic structure having a combustion chamber therein. In operation, a combustible fuel is fed to the combustion chamber and an explosion is created by igniting the combustible fuel. Upon explosion, the torpedo expands axially to drive a projectile portion thorough an obstructed or constricted vessel lumen. Fins can be included on the exterior of the torpedo to prevent backward movement. The fins can also be used to scrape or cut an obstruction by engaging the obstruction and subsequently applying rearward movement to the torpedo.

Abstract: A catheter balloon is provided for medical dilation procedures which is formed from a polymeric composite having an enhanced integrity. The balloon comprises an expandable central body and two tapered termini positioned at opposing ends of the body which are formed from a structural layer of continuous polymeric materials characterized as biaxially oriented in the body, but not in the tapered termini. A layer of an imide-containing polymer is provided external to the structural layer of the tapered termini to coat the termini and strengthen or otherwise enhance the integrity of the termini not having a biaxial orientation. The imide-containing polymer coating may further be continuously extended to the body of the balloon. The imide-containing polymer is applied to the structural layer of the balloon, in a liquid state and heat cured over time to produce a high-integrity coating.

Abstract: The balloon of an angioplasty balloon catheter is prepared for insertion through a patient's cardiovascular system by a series of steps to create three or more folded wings or flaps. The wings are wrapped circumferentially to provide a minimized outer diameter when the balloon is in its deflated state.

Abstract: An extendable balloon-on-a-wire catheter is provided which includes a telescoping exchange core wire mounted along the inside lumen of the longitudinal tube of the balloon-on-a-wire assembly. In the preferred embodiment, the exchange core wire is mounted within a hypodermic tube secured to the core wire of the balloon-on-a-wire assembly. A multiple component system includes this balloon-on-a-wire assembly together with an over-the-wire catheter which slidably passes over the elongated body of the balloon-on-a-wire assembly. Preferably, the relative sizing of these components of the system is such that the over-the-wire catheter does not pass over the balloon of the balloon-on-a-wire assembly. In a treatment procedure, the balloon-on-a-wire assembly achieves dilation of a lesion or a stenosis, after which it is moved somewhat distally to clear the stenosis. When the over-the-wire catheter is used, it is slidably moved over the balloon-on-a-wire assembly until its treatment location reaches the stenosis.

Abstract: A needle-syringe assembly, operable in a normal mode and convertible to a retraction mode, comprises an elongated, generally cylindrical barrel, a plunger slidably mounted in the barrel, and a needle holder carrying a hollow needle on the distal end thereof. The barrel forms a hollow nozzle located at the distal end of the barrel. The plunger forms a coaxial cavity extending therethrough, and the plunger includes a helical slot exposing a proximal portion of the coaxial cavity. The needle holder is slidably mounted in the coaxial cavity of the plunger. During the normal mode, a distal portion of the needle holder is engaged within the nozzle by a taper lock. To switch from the normal mode to the retraction mode, the taper lock is disengaged by rotary movement of the plunger relative to the barrel.

Abstract: An improved hypodermic syringe includes a needle retraction feature permitting the needle to be fully retracted into the cylindrical cavity of the syringe barrel following the injection of medicine into a patient. The needle is held on the distal end of the barrel by means of an attachment hub, which includes an internal abutment surface to prevent outward movement of the needle. Inward movement of the needle is prevented by an expandable restriction of a distal barrel opening, extending between the cylindrical cavity and the distal end of the barrel. The needle is part of a subassembly including a flange held between this internal abutment surface and this expandable restriction. The distal end of the plunger is fitted with a needle extractor, which moves into the distal barrel opening as the plunger is pushed fully into the cylindrical cavity.

Abstract: The equipment consists, on the one hand, of a metallic adaptor (2) having an upstream end (10) which can be connected to the syringe and a downstream end (9) which can be connected to a disposable cannula (1), the said cannula (1) defining at least two channels (5, 6) for distribution of fluid, and the said adaptor (2) comprising a corresponding number of supply channels (18, 19) which can be brought into correspon-dence, for communication of fluid, with the said distri-bution channels (5, 6).

Abstract: An organizer for organizing and maintaining a plurality of lines in a specifically arranged manner. The organizer is to include a clamping arrangement to facilitate securement to an exterior structure. The lines are fixedly mounted at appropriate spaced-apart locations on a block with this block being pivotally mounted on the clamping apparatus so as to position the lines at a desired orientation relative to an exterior structure upon which the clamping apparatus is mounted. Identifying indicia is to be placed on the organizer which is to correspond to identifying indicia on the lines so as to organize the lines and avoid confusion between the different lines mounted on the organizer.

Abstract: A novel over the wire-rapid exchange catheter is provided comprising a novel proximal end, which works in conjunction with the distal end of a traditional rapid exchange catheter, having a particular arrangement as shown in FIG. 1 which serves to enhance the users ability to properly operate and maneuver the guidewire/catheter, and thus to more effectively carry out the catherization procedure.Additionally, an OTW-RE catheter is provided with a means for rapidly removing the guidewire from the proximal end of the catheter, at the appropriate time during the procedure, while preserving the integrity of the device.

Abstract: An apparatus 10 for driving a plunger 134 of a syringe 16 includes a plate 48 on the top 38 of a frame 36 and a structure 62 on the plate 48 for releasably attaching the cylinder 130 of the syringe 16 to the frame 36 and securing the cylinder 130 against lengthwise movement relative to the frame 36. A lever 76 is pivotably attached to the top 38 of the frame 36 a selected distance from the plate 48. A pair of pivot pins 108,110 releasably pivotably attach the distal end 150 of the plunger 134 of the syringe 16 to the lever 76. In this manner, pivotable movement of the lever 76 is translated into lengthwise movement of the plunger 134. An apparatus 10 for transferring a measured amount of fluid from a first fluid supply 14 to a fluid reservoir 170 includes a syringe 16, the syringe driving apparatus 12 and a two-way check valve 18. The fluid supply 14, the fluid reservoir 70 and the syringe 16 are maintained in fluid communication through the two-way check valve 18.

Abstract: An infusion catheter with an elongate tubular body having proximal and distal ends and a lumen extending between the ends through which a diagnostic, therapeutic, or vasoocclusive agent can be delivered is disclosed. The elongate tubular body is formed of a relatively stiff tapered proximal segment, a relatively flexible and strong distal segment, and a transition section that is less flexible than the distal segment but more flexible than the proximal segment. The infusion catheter is directed to the target site by means of the flow of blood to that site.

Abstract: An apparatus wherein the primary dye container is connected to a secondary dye container with sufficient safeguards, including at least one-way check valve and at least one stopcock between the primary dye container and the secondary dye container, to assure a sterile barrier between the primary and secondary dye sources so that less than the total amount of sterile contrast media can be transferred from the primary dye container in an amount sufficient to perform a cardiac catheterization procedure.