Abstract: A catheter having one or more radio-opaque bands near the distal end is designed to be inserted into the renal artery so that the distal end of the catheter is adjacent to the origin of the renal artery. An X-ray image of the bands is used to position the X-ray head relative to the aorta and renal artery so that a useful, unobstructed radiological image perpendicular to the axis of the renal artery at its origin is obtained. This facilitates the positioning of a stent in the renal artery so that the stent encompasses the origin and extends no more than about three millimeters into the aorta. Two radio-opaque bands placed close to one another define a narrow radio-translucent band such that when the X-ray head is rotated to a position where parallax is reduced and the radio-translucent band can be imaged, the renal artery can be appropriately imaged without being obscured by the aorta.

Abstract: A catheter having one or more radio-opaque bands near the distal end is designed to be inserted into the renal artery so that the distal end of the catheter is adjacent to the origin of the renal artery. An X-ray image of the bands is used to position the X-ray head relative to the aorta and renal artery so that a useful, unobstructed radiological image perpendicular to the axis of the renal artery at its origin is obtained. This facilitates the positioning of a stent in the renal artery so that the stent encompasses the origin and extends no more than about three millimeters into the aorta. Two radio-opaque bands placed close to one another define a narrow radio-translucent band such that when the X-ray head is rotated to a position where parallax is reduced and the radio-translucent band can be imaged, the renal artery can be appropriately imaged without being obscured by the aorta.

Abstract: A catheter for introducing material into the vascular system is provided. The catheter includes an elongated catheter body having a side wall defining a catheter lumen. The catheter body has a proximal portion. Material can be introduced into the catheter lumen at its proximal portion. The catheter body has a distal portion. The distal portion has a single wall in an exit zone. At least one pressure responsive exit is formed in the side wall of the distal portion of the catheter body. The pressure responsive exit permits material to exit from the catheter lumen in response to a pressure over a first predetermined amount while preventing material from entering into the catheter lumen at a pressure less than a second pre-determined amount.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided to deliver carbon dioxide to an animal in a manner which allows the carbon dioxide to totally displace blood in an area of interest and to thus serve as a contrast media for angiographic procedures, or blood displacement media for angioscopic or laser procedures. The apparatus enables the carbon dioxide to flow at varied flow rates, the varied flow rates correlated to the varied flow rate of blood in the animal's vascular system. The flow rate of the carbon dioxide is variable during the course of a single injection.

Abstract: A catheter for introducing material into the vascular system is provided. The catheter includes an elongated catheter body having a side wall defining a catheter lumen. The catheter body has a proximal portion. Material can be introduced into the catheter lumen at its proximal portion. The catheter body has a distal portion. The distal portion has a single wall in an exit zone. At least one pressure responsive exit is formed in the side wall of the distal portion of the catheter body. The pressure responsive exit permits material to exit from the catheter lumen in response to a pressure over a first pre-determined amount while preventing material from entering into the catheter lumen at a pressure less than a second pre-determined amount.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a suction collection and drainage apparatus which comprises a fluid collection container and a separate tissue specimen trap container. The collection container is connected, by a tube, to a source of suction. Another tube serves to connect the collection container and the trap container together to provide fluid communication therebetween. Still another tube serves to connect the trap container to an endoscope to permit collection of tissue specimens aspirated from the patient and transmitted to the trap container. A filter is supported within the trap container and is formed having a plurality of traps and a plurality of enlarged openings spaced around the filter.