Abstract: An assembly and method for mechanically skiving a tube to later form into a medical balloon are provided. The assembly includes a blade holder and a tube guide wherein the blade holder retains the blade in a diagonal relationship relative to the tube guide. A lathe assembly includes a mandrel for extending into a lumen of the tube and fitting into the tube guide. The lathe assembly further includes a spinning mechanism that rotates the mandrel relative to the blade for skiving the exterior surface of the polymer tube. The diagonal relationship allows for precise shaping of a transition portion of the tube, which is located between a medially located un-skived portion of tube and two skived portions located at tube ends. Once the tube is skived, a molding process inflates the un-skived portion into a balloon and stretches the transition portion and the skived portions forming a medical balloon.

Abstract: An expandable sheath assembly includes a support body extending from a proximal end to a distal end. A guide rod is interconnected to the support body and extends between the ends along an axis. A dilator extends from the guide rod for insertion into a body vessel, and a hub is releasable connected to the distal end of the support body. A distal sheath overlays the dilator, and a hemostatic valve is slidably disposed along the axis. A proximal sheath extends from the hemostatic valve and is disposed in surrounding and coaxial relationship with the guide rod. The proximal sheath is concurrently slidable with the hemostatic valve along axis to advance the proximal sheath through the hub and interleave the proximal sheath between the dilator and the distal sheath for lifting the distal sheath from the dilator and effectuating an expansion of the body vessel.

Abstract: An expandable introducer sheath for use in inserting a medical device into a body vessel of a patient includes a body which extends from a proximal end to a distal end along an axis. The body includes an inner layer, an outer layer, and an expandable reinforcement member which is disposed between said inner and outer layers. The expandable reinforcement member is configured to radially expand as the medical device is axially advanced or retracted through said introducer sheath. Once the medical device has exited the introducer sheath, the expandable reinforcement member facilitates a return of the introducer sheath to its original or unexpanded condition.

Abstract: A medical valve assembly includes a tube extending between a first tube end and a second tube end to define a passageway extending along a longitudinal axis between the ends. A plunger plate extends radially from the second tube end of the tube, and a valve housing surrounds the tube about the second tube end and extends from a first valve housing end to a second valve housing end. The valve housing includes a housing flange extending radially inwardly from the second valve housing end and disposed in spaced relationship with the plunger plate to define a distance dimension D extending therebetween. An elastomeric seal is compressed between the plunger plate and the housing flange, and one of the valve housing and the tube is axially movable relative to the other to vary the distance between said plunger plate and said housing flange and adjust an inner diameter of the elastomeric seal.

Abstract: A medical valve assembly includes a tube extending between a first tube end and a second tube end to define a passageway extending along a longitudinal axis between the ends. A plunger plate extends radially from the second tube end of the tube, and a valve housing surrounds the tube about the second tube end and extends from a first valve housing end to a second valve housing end. The valve housing includes a flange extending radially inwardly from the second valve housing end and disposed in spaced relationship with the plunger plate to define a distance dimension D extending therebetween. An elastomeric seal is compressed between the plunger plate and the flange, and one of the valve housing and the tube is axially movable relative to the other to vary the distance between said plunger plate and said flange and adjust an inner diameter of the elastomeric seal.

Abstract: A modular handle assembly for supporting and controlling a steerable catheter having at least one deflection wires includes a handle extending along an axis for being secured about a portion of the steerable catheter. The modular handle assembly includes at least one barrel rotatably connected to the handle for rotation about the axis, and at least one spindle disposed in and connected with said barrel for rotation about the axis with the barrel. At least one guide cable extends from an anchored end being anchored to the spindle to a distant end for connection with one of the deflection wires of the steerable catheter. The guide cable is wrapped about the spindle for axially moving the deflection wires in response to rotation of the first spindle about the axis by the barrel to curl the distal tip of the elongated body of the steerable catheter.

Abstract: A medical valve assembly includes a tube extending between a first tube end and a second tube end to define a passageway extending along a longitudinal axis between the ends. A plunger plate extends radially from the second tube end of the tube, and a valve housing surrounds the tube about the second tube end and extends from a first valve housing end to a second valve housing end. The valve housing includes a flange extending radially inwardly from the second valve housing end and disposed in spaced relationship with the plunger plate to define a distance dimension D extending therebetween. An elastomeric seal is compressed between the plunger plate and the flange, and one of the valve housing and the tube is axially movable relative to the other to vary the distance between said plunger plate and said flange and adjust an inner diameter of the elastomeric seal.

Abstract: A medical valve assembly includes a tube extending between proximal and distal tube ends. A plunger plate extends radially from the distal tube end, and a valve housing surrounds the tube and extends between proximal and distal valve housing ends. The valve housing includes a flange extending radially inwardly from the distal valve housing end and disposed in spaced relationship with the plunger plate to define a distance dimension D extending therebetween. An elastomeric seal is compressed between the plunger plate and the flange to establish a closed condition of the medical valve assembly. The elastomeric seal axially moves one of the valve housing and the tube relative to the other when a medical device is inserted into the medical valve assembly to automatically increase the distance dimension and establish an open and sealed condition of the medical valve assembly with the inserted medical valve.

Abstract: An expandable introducer sheath for use in inserting a medical device into a body vessel of a patient includes a body which extends from a proximal end to a distal end along an axis. The body includes an inner layer, an outer layer, and an expandable reinforcement member which is disposed between said inner and outer layers. The expandable reinforcement member is configured to radially expand as the medical device is axially advanced or retracted through said introducer sheath. Once the medical device has exited the introducer sheath, the expandable reinforcement member facilitates a return of the introducer sheath to its original or unexpanded condition.

Abstract: A modular handle assembly for supporting and controlling a steerable catheter having at least one deflection wires includes a handle extending along an axis for being secured about a portion of the steerable catheter. The modular handle assembly includes at least one barrel rotatably connected to the handle for rotation about the axis, and at least one spindle disposed in and connected with said barrel for rotation about the axis with the barrel. At least one guide cable extends from an anchored end being anchored to the spindle to a distant end for connection with one of the deflection wires of the steerable catheter. The guide cable is wrapped about the spindle for axially moving the deflection wires in response to rotation of the first spindle about the axis by the barrel to curl the distal tip of the elongated body of the steerable catheter.

Abstract: An expandable sheath assembly includes a support body extending from a proximal end to a distal end. A guide rod is interconnected to the support body and extends between the ends along an axis. A dilator extends from the guide rod for insertion into a body vessel, and a hub is releasable connected to the distal end of the support body. A distal sheath overlays the dilator, and a hemostatic valve is slidably disposed along the axis. A proximal sheath extends from the hemostatic valve and is disposed in surrounding and coaxial relationship with the guide rod. The proximal sheath is concurrently slidable with the hemostatic valve along axis to advance the proximal sheath through the hub and interleave the proximal sheath between the dilator and the distal sheath for lifting the distal sheath from the dilator and effectuating an expansion of the body vessel.

Abstract: A medical valve assembly includes a tube extending between a first tube end and a second tube end to define a passageway extending along a longitudinal axis between the ends. A plunger plate extends radially from the second tube end of the tube, and a valve housing surrounds the tube about the second tube end and extends from a first valve housing end to a second valve housing end. The valve housing includes a flange extending radially inwardly from the second valve housing end and disposed in spaced relationship with the plunger plate to define a distance dimension D extending therebetween. An elastomeric seal is compressed between the plunger plate and the flange, and one of the valve housing and the tube is axially movable relative to the other to vary the distance between said plunger plate and said flange and adjust an inner diameter of the elastomeric seal.

Abstract: A method for balancing an article for rotation includes the initial steps of providing an article having a surface and providing a balance weight including a weight portion having an opening and a rivet portion. The weight portion of the balance weight is disposed against the surface of the article. The rivet portion of the balance weight is inserted within the opening of the weight portion of the balance weight such that a portion of the rivet portion engages the surface of the article. Lastly, the portion of the rivet portion is welded, such as by resistance welding techniques, to the surface of the article.