Abstract: A puncture visualization device can include a guidewire having a proximal section, a distal section, and a distal tip. The device can include a needle having a needle lumen configured to receive the guidewire. The device can include a lock, and the lock can engage with the guidewire. For instance, engagement of the lock with the guidewire can inhibit relative motion between the guidewire and the needle. The device can include an optical sensor, for example located at the distal tip of the guidewire. The optical sensor can be locked into a position, for instance by the lock. In an example, the device provides a distal field of view from a location within the needle and near a distal end of the needle for visualization to facilitate puncturing a target with the distal end of the needle.

Abstract: A medical retrieval tool including a sheath; and a basket device connected to the sheath. The basket device includes a shaft and a basket located at a distal end of the shaft. The shaft is movably located in the sheath. The basket includes a first basket cage section and a second basket cage section. The first basket cage section is located in front of the second basket cage section. The basket is configured to be extended from a distal end of the sheath in a plurality of deployment modes including a first deployment mode where the first basket cage section is deployed in a first fully expanded shape and the second basket cage section is located in the sheath; and a second deployment mode where both the first basket cage section and the second basket cage section are deployed out of the distal end of the sheath.

Abstract: An apparatus including a basket device including a basket section; and a sheath on the basket device. The basket device and the sheath are configured to longitudinally slide relative to each other. The basket section includes at least two groups of loop petals including a first group having at least two first loop petals and a second group having at least two second loop petals, where the first loop petals have a different size than the second loop petals.

Abstract: A puncture visualization device can include a guidewire having a proximal section, a distal section, and a distal tip. The device can include a needle having a needle lumen configured to receive the guidewire. The device can include a lock, and the lock can engage with the guidewire. For instance, engagement of the lock with the guidewire can inhibit relative motion between the guidewire and the needle. The device can include an optical sensor, for example located at the distal tip of the guidewire. The optical sensor can be locked into a position, for instance by the lock. In an example, the device provides a distal field of view from a location within the needle and near a distal end of the needle for visualization to facilitate puncturing a target with the distal end of the needle.

Abstract: An apparatus including a basket device including a basket section; and a sheath on the basket device. The basket device and the sheath are configured to longitudinally slide relative to each other. The basket section includes at least two groups of loop petals including a first group having at least two first loop petals and a second group having at least two second loop petals, where the first loop petals have a different size than the second loop petals.

Abstract: A medical retrieval tool including a sheath; and a basket device connected to the sheath. The basket device includes a shaft and a basket located at a distal end of the shaft. The shaft is movably located in the sheath. The basket includes a first basket cage section and a second basket cage section. The first basket cage section is located in front of the second basket cage section. The basket is configured to be extended from a distal end of the sheath in a plurality of deployment modes including a first deployment mode where the first basket cage section is deployed in a first fully expanded shape and the second basket cage section is located in the sheath; and a second deployment mode where both the first basket cage section and the second basket cage section are deployed out of the distal end of the sheath.

Abstract: A medical retrieval tool including a sheath; and a basket device connected to the sheath. The basket device includes a shaft and a basket located at a distal end of the shaft. The shaft is movably located in the sheath. The basket includes a first basket cage section and a second basket cage section. The first basket cage section is located in front of the second basket cage section. The basket is configured to be extended from a distal end of the sheath in a plurality of deployment modes including a first deployment mode where the first basket cage section is deployed in a first fully expanded shape and the second basket cage section is located in the sheath; and a second deployment mode where both the first basket cage section and the second basket cage section are deployed out of the distal end of the sheath.

Abstract: A medical retrieval tool including a sheath; and a basket device connected to the sheath. The basket device includes a shaft and a basket located at a distal end of the shaft. The shaft is movably located in the sheath. The basket includes a first basket cage section and a second basket cage section. The first basket cage section is located in front of the second basket cage section. The basket is configured to be extended from a distal end of the sheath in a plurality of deployment modes including a first deployment mode where the first basket cage section is deployed in a first fully expanded shape and the second basket cage section is located in the sheath; and a second deployment mode where both the first basket cage section and the second basket cage section are deployed out of the distal end of the sheath.

Abstract: Methods for coating metallic articles. In an exemplary embodiment, the method comprises the steps of providing a metallic article having an external surface with an oxide thereon; removing at least part of the oxide from the external surface of the article; and placing a coating on the article. The invention also includes coated metallic articles, and an apparatus for coating metallic articles.

Abstract: A guidewire adapted to be inserted into a vascular vessel or into a catheter that is to be inserted into a vascular vessel or the like. The guidewire comprises a coil of flexible radiotransparent wire having a proximal section and a distal section. The proximal section is formed of a coil of wire having abutting turns and distal section is formed by the same coil of wire with the turns of wire being spaced from each other. A layer of radiopaque material of predetermined length is disposed in a predetermined location on the distal section, the interior of the layer being interstitially disposed within the outer surface of the coil. A hemispherical tip is disposed at the distal end of the distal section. A small braze is made at the juncture between the proximal section and the distal section to prevent spreading of the coils from the abutting relationship in the proximal end of said guidewire.

Abstract: A guidewire assembly for measuring the size of occlusions in blood vessels which includes a guidewire having a flexible, distal end disposable in a blood vessel. The guidewire has a core wire disposed within it which extends to the distal tip. A linear array of radiopaque markers is disposed adjacent the distal tip of the core wire. The markers are spaced from each other at predetermined distances, whereby to enable the user to accurately measure the size and diameter of occlusions in blood vessels using radiological techniques.