Abstract: A method for accessing a pericardial space of a heart of a mammalian patient is disclosed comprising: guiding a catheter through a coronary sinus of the heart and to a cardiac vein; advancing said catheter to a distal segment of the cardiac vein; intentionally puncturing the vein with the catheter to access the pericardial space, and performing a therapy or a diagnostic procedure using the catheter an the puncture in the vein and using the pericardial space.
Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the design and use of implantable medical devices, and in particular to the design and use of an implantable device for establishing long-term access to a patient's blood circulation for extra corporeal treatment of blood, such as hemodialysis, hemofiltration, oxygenation of blood and other. A vascular access device is provided having a rotatable inner core positioned within a device body between first and second positions for diverting blood flow to an extra corporeal blood circuit.
Abstract: Phacoemulsification apparatus includes a phacoemulsification handpiece having a needle and an electrical circuitry for ultrasonic vibrating the needle. A power source provides pulsed electrical power to the handpiece electrical circuitry and an input is provided for enabling a surgeon to select an amplitude of dislighted pulses and a pulse width. A control system and pulse duty cycle is provided for controlling the off duty cycle to insure heat dissipation before a subsequent pulse is activated, including a foot pedal switch.