Abstract: Soft-tipped airway exchange apparatus for use when replacing an endotracheal tube in a patient with a new endotracheal tube. The apparatus comprises a polymeric catheter body sized for insertion into a passageway of the endotracheal tube, for ventilating the patient during replacement of the endotracheal tube. The catheter body has a proximal portion, a distal portion and a ventilation passageway extending longitudinally therein. The distal portion has a rigidity which is less than the rigidity of the proximal portion.

Abstract: An assembly for open surgical repair of a damaged wall portion of a body vessel includes a stent/graft device comprising an elongated stent body and a graft material covering the stent body. The device is expandable from a compressed condition having a diameter less than a diameter of the vessel to an expanded condition at least as great as the diameter of the vessel. A sheath enclosing the device when in the compressed condition includes a sheath body and a pull string for selectively splitting the sheath body to allow expansion of the device. The device and enclosing sheath are sized for insertion through the damaged wall portion into the vessel, wherein the pull string is extendable through the damaged wall portion for splitting the sheath body.

Abstract: An assembly for open surgical repair of a damaged wall portion of a body vessel includes a stent/graft device comprising an elongated stent body and a graft material covering the stent body. The device is expandable from a compressed condition having a diameter less than a diameter of the vessel to an expanded condition at least as great as the diameter of the vessel. A sheath enclosing the device when in the compressed condition includes a sheath body and a pull string for selectively splitting the sheath body to allow expansion of the device. The device and enclosing sheath are sized for insertion through the damaged wall portion into the vessel, wherein the pull string is extendable through the damaged wall portion for splitting the sheath body.

Abstract: A method and a stent/graft device for intraoperative repair of a damaged portion of a body vessel. The stent/graft device has a length at least as long as the length of the damaged portion of the vessel undergoing repair, and is positioned within the vessel such that the device at least spans the length of the damaged vessel portion. The stent/graft device is securely engaged with the vessel at the site of the damage in a manner such that migration of the device in said vessel is inhibited.

Abstract: A catheter assembly for use in the extracorporeal treatment of bodily fluids. The assembly comprises a catheter body having a withdrawal port, an infusion port, and a plurality of lumens therein. One of the lumens comprises a withdrawal lumen for transport of fluids withdrawn from a body vessel through the withdrawal port to an extracorporeal treatment unit, such as a dialyzer. Another lumen comprises an infusion lumen for return of treated fluids from the extracorporeal treatment unit into the body vessel through the infusion port. A wire extends from yet another lumen to an attachment point on the catheter assembly. The wire is capable of bowing radially outwardly from the catheter body, in order to space the infusion and withdrawal ports from the vessel wall.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for inserting an article into a body opening. A radially expandable introducer sheath is delivered in a non-expanded condition into a body opening. A release mechanism releases the introducer sheath from the non-expanded condition into a condition that permits radial expansion of the introducer sheath upon introduction of a medical device through the sheath into the body opening. An optional handle having a circumferential opening may be provided for withdrawing the sheath from the body opening, while leaving the medical device in place.

Abstract: A method and a stent/graft device for intraoperative repair of a damaged portion of a body vessel. The stent/graft device has a length at least as long as the length of the damaged portion of the vessel undergoing repair, and is positioned within the vessel such that the device at least spans the length of the damaged vessel portion. The stent/graft device is securely engaged with the vessel at the site of the damage in a manner such that migration of the device in said vessel is inhibited.

Abstract: A catheter assembly for use in the extracorporeal treatment of bodily fluids. The assembly comprises a catheter body having a withdrawal port, an infusion port, and a plurality of lumens therein. One of the lumens comprises a withdrawal lumen for transport of fluids withdrawn from a body vessel through the withdrawal port to an extracorporeal treatment unit, such as a dialyzer. Another lumen comprises an infusion lumen for return of treated fluids from the extracorporeal treatment unit into the body vessel through the infusion port. A wire extends from yet another lumen to an attachment point on the catheter assembly. The wire is capable of bowing radially outwardly from the catheter body, in order to space the infusion and withdrawal ports from the vessel wall.

Abstract: Soft-tipped airway exchange apparatus for use when replacing an endotracheal tube in a patient with a new endotracheal tube. The apparatus comprises a polymeric catheter body sized for insertion into a passageway of the endotracheal tube, for ventilating the patient during replacement of the endotracheal tube. The catheter body has a proximal portion, a distal portion and a ventilation passageway extending longitudinally therein. The distal portion has a rigidity which is less than the rigidity of the proximal portion.

Abstract: A medical device comprises a main body, a therapeutic agent and a radiation-curable hydrophilic coating. The hydrophilic coating allows for easy insertion of medical devices, which may include catheters, cannulae, stents, wire guides, and the like. The medical device may include more than one therapeutic agent.

Abstract: A catheter assembly for use in extracorporeal treatment of a bodily fluid. The catheter assembly includes a catheter body having an outer tubular member and an inner tubular member. At least one of the tubular members includes an expansion member, such as a malecot, for centering the catheter assembly in a body vessel. Body fluid is withdrawn from the vessel, and passed through one of the tubular members to a treatment instrument, such as a dialyzer. Treated fluid from the treatment instrument is then passed through the other tubular member and returned to the body vessel through one or more openings in said other tubular member.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for inserting an article into a body opening. A radially expandable introducer sheath is delivered in a non-expanded condition into a body opening. A release mechanism releases the introducer sheath from the non-expanded condition into a condition that permits radial expansion of the introducer sheath upon introduction of a medical device through the sheath into the body opening. An optional handle having a circumferential opening may be provided for withdrawing the sheath from the body opening, while leaving the medical device in place.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a surgical drape having a base sheet and an absorbent sheet with at least one opening. A transparent or clear sheet is attached to the edges of the opening and has at least one fenestration for performing surgery when the drape is covering a patient.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a surgical drape having a base sheet and an absorbent sheet with at least one opening. A transparent or clear sheet is attached to the edges of the opening and has at least one fenestration for performing surgery when the drape is covering a patient.