Abstract: A medical system for limiting the re-use of a medical probe, such as, e.g., a catheter or a surgical probe, is provided. The medical system includes a medical probe that includes an electronic storage component for storing a probe identification code. The medical probe further includes a disabling circuit, the activation of which disables the electronic storage component. The medical system further includes a control unit, such as, e.g., an RF generator, for connection to the medical probe. The control unit includes control circuit that is configured for automatically reading the probe identification code from the electronic storage component and preventing the medical probe from being operated if the probe identification code is not approved. If the medical probe has been previously used, the control circuit prevents operation of the medical probe and activates the disabling circuitry to disable the electronic storage component in the medical probe.

Abstract: A medical system for limiting the re-use of a medical probe, such as, e.g., a catheter or a surgical probe, is provided. The medical system includes a medical probe that includes an electronic storage component for storing a probe identification code. The medical probe further includes a disabling circuit, the activation of which disables the electronic storage component. The medical system further includes a control unit, such as, e.g., an RF generator, for connection to the medical probe. The control unit includes control circuit that is configured for automatically reading the probe identification code from the electronic storage component and preventing the medical probe from being operated if the probe identification code is not approved. The control circuit is also configured for determining if the medical probe has been previously used.

Abstract: A medical system for limiting the re-use of a medical probe, such as, e.g., a catheter or a surgical probe, is provided. The medical system includes a medical probe that includes an electronic storage component for storing a probe identification code. The medical probe further includes a disabling circuit, the activation of which disables the electronic storage component. The medical system further includes a control unit, such as, e.g., an RF generator, for connection to the medical probe. The control unit includes control circuit that is configured for automatically reading the probe identification code from the electronic storage component and preventing the medical probe from being operated if the probe identification code is not approved. The control circuit is also configured for determining if the medical probe has been previously used.

Abstract: A guiding catheter for disposition within a patient's right coronary artery having a main tubular section which is relatively straight, a second curved tubular section immediately distal to the main tubular section and much shorter than the main tubular section which curves away from the longitudinal axis of the main tubular section, a third tubular section which is relatively straight and distally adjacent to the second tubular section and a fourth tubular section on the distal end of the catheter which curves toward the longitudinal axis of the main tubular section. The radius of curvature of the second tubular section is much greater than the radius of curvature of the fourth tubular section. A line tangent to the second curved section intersects an extension of the longitudinal axis of the main tubular section at a minimum obtuse angle greater than 100.degree..The catheter can be advanced through a patient's aorta and easily seated into the right coronary ostium thereof.

Abstract: A shield is provided which is adapted for use in protecting a capillary pipette of a pipette assembly. The shield includes a hollow tubular body closed at one end and open at the other end. The open end of the shield is designed for removably mounting the shield on a pipette assembly with the capillary pipette thereof in protected position in the hollow tubular body. The body is formed at the closed end to facilitate use of the shield as a puncturing device. A shoulder is intermediate the ends of the body to provide a stop for preventing over extension of the closed end when used as a puncturing device and providing an engaging surface for the open end of another shield when at least two shields are nested together. When nested, the closed end of one shield extends into the open end of the next shield. By use of the shoulder and the configuration of the outer surface of a shield body, the degree of nesting is controlled and ease of removal of each shield for use is facilitated.