Abstract: The invention describes includes a device and method for dilating a coronary arterial stenosis and for creating a transection in the myocardium. The transection creates a new artery composed partially of the old artery and partially of the normal healing tissue and myocardium. Several dilating means are described, as well as several cutting means and alignment means by which the cutting means may be located and properly oriented. In operation, the dilating means, cutting means and alignment means are advanced in the distal end of a catheter, which may be guided into position by a guidewire.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a bone graft applicator assembly including a specially designed applicator, attached to a reservoir of bone graft material, such that the graft material can be moved into the delivery portion while the tip of the delivery portion is in place. The instantly disclosed device allows for the collapse of the delivery tip so that the tip can be placed between vertebras or alternatively within any bony structure or implant where the placement of bone graft material would be desirable, and then expanded to allow the bone graft material to be placed between the vertebras or the like while maintaining the geometry of the space into which the bone graft material is being placed.

Abstract: A preferred apparatus for delivering an intravascular drug such as a sclerosing agent (or a microfoam sclerosing agent) to a varicose vein includes a catheter having three concentric tubes. The innermost tube has a guide wire lumen and an inflation lumen. The distal end of the innermost tube has an integral inflatable occlusion balloon in fluid communication with the inflation lumen. The intermediate tube has a lumen through which the innermost tube extends. The distal end of the intermediate tube has a self-expanding balloon with a plurality of fluid pores in fluid communication with the intermediate tube lumen. The outer tube has a lumen through which the intermediate tube extends. Sclerosing agent is dispensed through the intermediate tube to pores located at the distal end of the intermediate tube or in the self-expanding balloon. Veins are sclerosed as the self-expanding balloon is pulled through and ultimately out of the vein.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a bone graft applicator assembly including a specially designed applicator, attached to a reservoir of bone graft material, such that the graft material can be moved into the delivery portion while the tip of the delivery portion is in place. The instantly disclosed device allows for the collapse of the delivery tip so that the tip can be placed between vertebras or alternatively within any bony structure or implant where the placement of bone graft material would be desirable, and then expanded to allow the bone graft material to be placed between the vertebras or the like while maintaining the geometry of the space into which the bone graft material is being placed.

Abstract: A preferred apparatus for delivering an intravascular drug such as a sclerosing agent (or a microfoam sclerosing agent) to a varicose vein includes a catheter having three concentric tubes. The innermost tube has a guide wire lumen and an inflation lumen. The distal end of the innermost tube has an integral inflatable occlusion balloon in fluid communication with the inflation lumen. The intermediate tube has a lumen through which the innermost tube extends. The distal end of the intermediate tube has a self-expanding balloon with a plurality of fluid pores in fluid communication with the intermediate tube lumen. The outer tube has a lumen through which the intermediate tube extends. Sclerosing agent is dispensed through the intermediate tube to pores located at the distal end of the intermediate tube or in the self-expanding balloon. Veins are sclerosed as the self-expanding balloon is pulled through and ultimately out of the vein.

Abstract: Apparatus for sclerosing the wall of a varicose vein includes an inner tube having an expandable balloon at its distal end, an intermediate tube slidably disposed over the inner tube and having a fluid outlet at its distal end and a plunger at its proximal end, and an outer tube through which the plunger is movable. Methods of using the apparatus include deploying the inner and intermediate tubes in the vessel to be sclerosed, inflating the balloon, filling the outer tube with sclerosing agent and moving the plunger from the distal end of the outer tube toward the proximal end.

Abstract: A passive perfusion sleeve/placement catheter assembly for performing coronary angioplasty allows prolonged dilatations without blocking blood flow. The perfusion sleeve comprise an elongated shaft with a distally mounted composite balloon including a semi-rigid inner material surrounded by a more flexible and expandable outer material which can extend radially from the catheter and engage the vessel wall and atheroma. The semi-rigid inner material requires more pressure to cause distention than the outer expandable material thereby defining a blood flow channel. The perfusion sleeve/placement catheter assembly of the present invention includes a perfusion sleeve apparatus having a multiple lumen shaft and an expanding balloon connected to a distal end of the shaft. A placement catheter is employed to assist in delivery and retraction of the sleeve.

Abstract: A preferred apparatus for delivering an intravascular drug such as a sclerosing agent (or a microfoam sclerosing agent) to a varicose vein includes a catheter having three concentric tubes. The innermost tube has a guide wire lumen and an inflation lumen. The distal end of the innermost tube has an integral inflatable occlusion balloon in fluid communication with the inflation lumen. The intermediate tube has a lumen through which the innermost tube extends. The distal end of the intermediate tube has a self-expanding balloon with a plurality of fluid pores in fluid communication with the intermediate tube lumen. The outer tube has a lumen through which the intermediate tube extends. Sclerosing agent is dispensed through the intermediate tube to pores located at the distal end of the intermediate tube or in the self-expanding balloon. Veins are sclerosed as the self-expanding balloon is pulled through and ultimately out of the vein.

Abstract: A medical instrument which is insertable into a vascular system to incise a stent embedded within a stenosis is provided herein and includes a multi-luminal catheter with a distal expandable balloon mounted with a reciprocating cutting member. The cutting member is selectively activated by an external reciprocating mechanism which is transmitted through the catheter to the cutting member mounted on the balloon's surface. The cutting member is designed to have the characteristics necessary to cut the metallic struts of a stent. In operation, the device is placed within the stenosis having an embedded stent and the expandable balloon is inflated. Preferably, the cutting member will be facing the myocardium. Then reciprocating motion is activated and the cutting member proceeds to sever the struts of the stent and make an incision in the stenosis. It is anticipated that more than one cutting member may be mounted on the balloon's surface.

Abstract: A method of indicating seatbelt usage to observers outside a vehicle. The method employs buckle assemblies, pressure switches, and belt position sensors to send information diagnostic information to a processor. The processor includes control electronics that analyzes the diagnostic information and sends display instructions to an indicator assembly. The indicator assembly is directs easily-discernable visual output to a conspicuous location on the monitored car. The method provides information that is recognizable regardless even if the monitored vehicle is in motion.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a common baseball-type hat or headband, to which is attached a wide angled halide light apparatus or an apparatus containing several halide lights positioned in a wide configuration. The object of this invention is to provide an efficient lighting apparatus which embodies the principles of an adjustable cap or headband worn on the head, to which a battery-powered halide lighting apparatus is attached by the hook and loop concept. The wide halide light(s) requires a small amount of electrical current and illuminates a larger area with a brighter illumination than the customary headlight. Furthermore, the halide lights emit less radiation (in the form of heat) than halogen lights.The design of the apparatus permits diverse tasks to be easily performed, and increases the safety of all movements in the dark. It is particularly advantageous to pilots of aircraft and engineers to illuminate instrument panels in emergency situations when darkness prevails.

Abstract: The current invention utilizes the common baseball-type hat or headband, to which is attached a single tubular halogen light apparatus or an apparatus containing several halogen lights positioned in a wide configuration. It is the object of this invention to provide an efficient lighting apparatus which embodies the principles of an adjustable cap or headband worn on the head, to which a battery-powered halogen lighting apparatus is attached by the hook and loop concept.

Abstract: The present invention is a device for creating a transection in a coronary artery. Structurally, the present invention includes an inflatable balloon mounted at the distal end of a catheter. A single blade is mounted to project radially from the surface of the balloon and is aligned with the balloon's longitudinal axis. Additionally, a series of radio-opaque markers are distributed on the balloon's surface. Operationally, the balloon is advanced, using the catheter, until it is positioned at the approximate site of the desired transection. An X-ray imaging system is then used to visualize the radio-opaque markers, allowing the balloon and blade to be oriented radially and longitudinally at the location required for the transection. The balloon is then inflated, forcing the blade to incise the artery wall and creating the desired transection. The transection creates a new artery composed partially of the old artery and partially of the surrounding fibrous tissue.

Abstract: The present invention pertains, generally, to the lighting of darkened areas. More particularly, it pertains to a light removably affixed to a cap worn on the head which permits the wearer to see and perform functions in the dark with both hands free. More particularly, it is a fluorescent light on a cap which light is detachable for placement to another site.

Abstract: A device for incising and dilating a stenosis in a vessel of a patient includes a dilator housing and a plurality of incising blades which can be selectively extended distally from the housing. Specifically, the plurality of blades are mounted on a base member which is attached to the distal end of a push-pull catheter. The housing has a plurality of slits which are positioned distally from the base member with the blades on the base member in alignment with the slits in the housing. A placement catheter is positioned in a surrounding relationship over the push-pull catheter, and the distal end of the placement catheter is attached to the housing to create a chamber between the placement catheter and the housing in which the base member is located. In the operation of the device, the push-pull catheter is manipulated distally and proximally in the placement catheter to move the base member within the chamber between a first position and a second position.

Abstract: An medical instrument which is insertable into an arterial system to incise an arterial stenosis is provided and includes a cutting member selectively covered by a catheter sheath. The sheath is shaped to provide protection against unintentional incisions during insertion and placement of the device. Longitudinal slots are formed by the body of the sheath and are engaged by alignment lugs included on the cutting member such that the interaction between the slots and the lugs provides the surgeon with added control over the length of the incisions. In operation, the device is placed next to a stenosis and the cutting member is advanced relative to the sheath to longitudinally incise the stenosis. After incising the stenotic segment, an inflatable balloon included on the device is placed in the stenotic segment and standard dilation is performed.

Abstract: A uniform system for marking X-Ray films with pertinent data. Further, it establishes a technique for manufacturing X-Ray markers which vary only slightly, so that by piggy-backing or stacking, virtually any thickness of marker can be obtained. In addition a method for making a transparent, adherent, and reusable marker is described. The markers are made of brass by a photo-chemical-etching technique and are coated with nickel in order to achieve permanency and contrast against a black plastic background for easy identification and storage.

Abstract: The invention describes a method of use of a specimen support comprising a specimen board with an absorbent square attached thereto, radio-opaque indicia attached to the specimen board, a compression sheet hingedly attached to the specimen board and means for attaching the board and sheet together at a location remote from the hinge. The method includes use of the apparatus for diagnostic studies including radiologically localizing internal structure of a specimen carried by the board and for pathological study of the specimen and reporting of the results of such diagnostic studies.

Abstract: The invention is a specimen support comprising a specimen board with an absorbent square attached thereto, radio-opaque indicia attached to the specimen board, a compression sheet hingedly attached to the specimen board and means for attaching the board and sheet together at a location remote from the hinge. The apparatus may be used for radiographically localizing internal structure of a specimen carried by the board.

Abstract: A prepackaged, injectable pharmaceutical hypodermic needle has semi-rigid outer container, supported within which is a substantially non-resiliant inner container containing a pre-measured dose of the pharmaceutical. A cannula extending through and fixed with respect to the outer container is adapted to pierce the inner container for injection of the pharmaceutical upon manual collapsing or squeezing of the outer container. Air flow openings in the outer container permit the flow of air into the cavity between the inner and outer containers upon manual release during successive manual compression or squeezing operations, thereby obviating the possibility of negative air pressure being exerted upon the inner container.