Abstract: An expandable dilation catheter advantageously useful to deliver and orient an endovascular prosthesis with respect to a target body passageway. The catheter comprises a first tubular member disposed in a proximal portion of the portion of the catheter and a second tubular member disposed in a distal portion of the catheter. The first tubular member and the second tubular member are in a spaced relationship with respect to one another. An expandable member (e.g., a balloon) is disposed distally of the second tubular member. A first lumen and a second lumen disposed in each of the first tubular member and in the second tubular member. The first lumen is in communication with an interior of the expandable member to function as an inflation lumen and the second lumen serves to receive a first guidewire. The first tubular member and second tubular member are interconnected by a coupling member.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for causing necrosis of tissue and specifically intended for thermal ablation of the uterine cavity to cauterizing the endometrial tissue. The apparatus includes a liquid-tight, liquid filled system having a distal flexible member; a proximal flexible member; and a catheter joining and providing a liquid path between these distal and proximal members. The apparatus further includes a pressurizable pneumatic chamber into which the proximal flexible member is inserted and a means to controllably heat the contents of the pneumatic chamber. The system operates to: first withdraw substantially all of the liquid into the proximal flexible member contained within the pressurizable pneumatic chamber; second to heat this liquid to a temperature such that it can cause tissue necrosis; and third to force the heated liquid from the proximal flexible member into the distal flexible member where it is maintained for a predetermined time and at a predetermined pressure.

Abstract: Disclosed are a system, apparatus, and method for determining a physiologic characteristic of a body lumen that include determining, at one or more selected pressures, the volume of incompressible medium infused into a balloon 54 of catheter 24 while the balloon is placed in each of (a) a lumen having a predetermined, fixed diameter and (b) a desired location of a body lumen having an unknown diameter. In certain variations, the physiologic characteristic (e.g., diameter, cross-sectional area) is determined by calculating the difference in the volume of infused medium between (a) and (b) at at least one static pressure. Other physiologic characteristics (e.g., compliance) are determined by calculating the difference in infused medium for (b) at at least two static pressures.

Abstract: An expandable dilation catheter advantageously useful to deliver and orient an endovascular prosthesis with respect to a target body passageway. The catheter comprises a first tubular member disposed in a proximal portion of the portion of the catheter and a second tubular member disposed in a distal portion of the catheter. The first tubular member and the second tubular member are in a spaced relationship with respect to one another. An expandable member (e.g., a ballon) is disposed distally of the second tubular member. A first lumen and a second lumen disposed in each of the first tubular member and in the second tubular member. The first lumen is in communication with an interior of the expandable member to function as an inflation lumen and the second lumen serves to receive a first guidewire. The first tubular member and second tubular member are interconnected by a coupling member.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for causing necrosis of tissue and specifically intended for thermal ablation of the uterine cavity to cauterizing the endometrial tissue. The apparatus includes a liquid-tight, liquid filled system having a distal flexible member; a proximal flexible member; and a catheter joining and providing a liquid path between these distal and proximal members. The apparatus further includes a pressurizable pneumatic chamber into which the proximal flexible member is inserted and a means to controllably heat the contents of the pneumatic chamber. The system operates to: first withdraw substantially all of the liquid into the proximal flexible member contained within the pressurizable pneumatic chamber; second to heat this liquid to a temperature such that it can cause tissue necrosis; and third to force the heated liquid from the proximal flexible member into the distal flexible member where it is maintained for a predetermined time and at a predetermined pressure.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for causing necrosis of tissue and specifically intended for thermal ablation of the uterine cavity to cauterizing the endometrial tissue. The apparatus includes a liquid-tight, liquid filled system having a distal flexible member; a proximal flexible member; and a catheter joining and providing a liquid path between these distal and proximal members. The apparatus further includes a pressurizable pneumatic chamber into which the proximal flexible member is inserted and a means to controllably heat the contents of the pneumatic chamber. The system operates to: first withdraw substantially all of the liquid into the proximal flexible member contained within the pressurizable pneumatic chamber; second to heat this liquid to a temperature such that it can cause tissue necrosis; and third to force the heated liquid from the proximal flexible member into the distal flexible member where it is maintained for a predetermined time and at a predetermined pressure.

Abstract: A system for medical ultrasound in which the ultrasound probe is positioned by a robot arm under the shared control of the ultrasound operator and the computer is proposed. The system comprises a robot arm design suitable for diagnostic ultrasound, a passive or active hand-controller, and a computer system to co-ordinate the motion and forces of the robot and hand-controller as a function of operator input, sensed parameters and ultrasound images.