Abstract: The apparatus for deployment of an intravascular therapeutic device, includes an elongated, flexible pusher member and a therapeutic device connected to a severable portion of a first connector member mounted to the flexible pusher member with an elongated second connector member connected to the therapeutic device. The first connector member or second connector member may be capable of being broken by heat, and a heat source is provided for heating and breaking the first connector member or the second connector member to release the therapeutic device.

Abstract: The apparatus for deployment of an intravascular therapeutic device, includes an elongated, flexible pusher member and a therapeutic device connected to a severable portion of a first connector member mounted to the flexible pusher member with an elongated second connector member connected to the therapeutic device. The first connector member or second connector member may be capable of being broken by heat, and a heat source is provided for heating and breaking the first connector member or the second connector member to release the therapeutic device.

Abstract: The apparatus for deployment of an intravascular therapeutic device, includes an elongated, flexible pusher member and a therapeutic device connected to a severable portion of a first connector member mounted to the flexible pusher member with an elongated second connector member connected to the therapeutic device. The first connector member or second connector member may be capable of being broken by heat, and a heat source is provided for heating and breaking the first connector member or the second connector member to release the therapeutic device.

Abstract: The apparatus for deployment of an intravascular therapeutic device, includes an elongated, flexible pusher member and a therapeutic device connected to a severable portion of a first connector member mounted to the flexible pusher member with an elongated second connector member connected to the therapeutic device. The first connector member or second connector member may be capable of being broken by heat, and a heat source is provided for heating and breaking the first connector member or the second connector member to release the therapeutic device.

Abstract: A device, system and method for diagnosing and treating gastric disorders is provided. A functional device resides within the patient's stomach and is secured to the stomach wall by an attachment device. The functional device may be a sensor for sensing various parameters of the stomach or stomach environment, or may be a therapeutic delivery device. The functional device in one embodiment provides a device, system and method for gastric electrical stimulation where stimulating electrodes are secured to the wall of the stomach by the attachment device or otherwise. A preferred device includes: at least one stimulating electrode in electrical contact with the stomach wall; an electronics unit containing the electronic circuitry of the device; and an attachment mechanism for attaching the device to the stomach wall. The functional devices may be programmed to respond to sensed information or signals.

Abstract: An endoscopic delivery system is provided to deliver a functional device through the esophagus and into the stomach where it is attached the stomach wall. The endoscopic instruments attach or remove the attachment devices and functional devices from the stomach and may be used to assist in determining the optimal attachment location.

Abstract: A device, system and method for diagnosing and treating gastric disorders is provided. A functional device resides within the patient's stomach and is secured to the stomach wall by an attachment device. The functional device may be a sensor for sensing various parameters of the stomach or stomach environment, or may be a therapeutic delivery device. The functional device in one embodiment provides a device, system and method for gastric electrical stimulation where stimulating electrodes are secured to the wall of the stomach by the attachment device or otherwise. A preferred device includes: at least one stimulating electrode in electrical contact with the stomach wall; an electronics unit containing the electronic circuitry of the device; and an attachment mechanism for attaching the device to the stomach wall. The functional devices may be programmed to respond to sensed information or signals.

Abstract: A device, system and method for diagnosing and treating gastric disorders is provided. A functional device resides within the patient's stomach and is secured to the stomach wall by an attachment device. The functional device may be a sensor for sensing various parameters of the stomach or stomach environment, or may be a therapeutic delivery device. The functional device in one embodiment provides a device, system and method for gastric electrical stimulation where stimulating electrodes are secured to the wall of the stomach by the attachment device or otherwise. A preferred device includes: at least one stimulating electrode in electrical contact with the stomach wall; an electronics unit containing the electronic circuitry of the device; and an attachment mechanism for attaching the device to the stomach wall. The functional devices may be programmed to respond to sensed information or signals.

Abstract: A device, system and method for diagnosing and treating gastric disorders is provided. A functional device resides within the patient's stomach and is secured to the stomach wall by an attachment device. The functional device may be a sensor for sensing various parameters of the stomach or stomach environment, or may be a therapeutic delivery device. The functional device in one embodiment provides a device, system and method for gastric electrical stimulation where stimulating electrodes are secured to the wall of the stomach by the attachment device or otherwise. A preferred device includes: at least one stimulating electrode in electrical contact with the stomach wall; an electronics unit containing the electronic circuitry of the device; and an attachment mechanism for attaching the device to the stomach wall. The functional devices may be programmed to respond to sensed information or signals.

Abstract: A device, system and method for diagnosing and treating gastric disorders is provided. A functional device resides within the patient's stomach and is secured to the stomach wall by an attachment device. The functional device may be a sensor for sensing various parameters of the stomach or stomach environment, or may be a therapeutic delivery device. The functional device in one embodiment provides a device, system and method for gastric electrical stimulation where stimulating electrodes are secured to the wall of the stomach by the attachment device or otherwise. A preferred device includes: at least one stimulating electrode in electrical contact with the stomach wall; an electronics unit containing the electronic circuitry of the device; and an attachment mechanism for attaching the device to the stomach wall. The functional devices may be programmed to respond to sensed information or signals.

Abstract: A device, system and method for diagnosing and treating gastric disorders is provided. A functional device resides within the patient's stomach and is secured to the stomach wall by an attachment device. The functional device may be a sensor for sensing various parameters of the stomach or stomach environment, or may be a therapeutic delivery device. The functional device in one embodiment provides a device, system and method for gastric electrical stimulation where stimulating electrodes are secured to the wall of the stomach by the attachment device or otherwise. A preferred device includes: at least one stimulating electrode in electrical contact with the stomach wall; an electronics unit containing the electronic circuitry of the device; and an attachment mechanism for attaching the device to the stomach wall. The functional devices may be programmed to respond to sensed information or signals.

Abstract: A device, system and method for diagnosing and treating gastric disorders is provided. A functional device resides within the patient's stomach and is secured to the stomach wall by an attachment device. The functional device may be a sensor for sensing various parameters of the stomach or stomach environment, or may be a therapeutic delivery device. The functional device in one embodiment provides a device, system and method for gastric electrical stimulation where stimulating electrodes are secured to the wall of the stomach by the attachment device or otherwise. A preferred device includes: at least one stimulating electrode in electrical contact with the stomach wall; an electronics unit containing the electronic circuitry of the device; and an attachment mechanism for attaching the device to the stomach wall. The functional devices may be programmed to respond to sensed information or signals.

Abstract: A device, system and method for diagnosing and treating gastric disorders is provided. A functional device resides within the patient's stomach and is secured to the stomach wall by an attachment device. The functional device may be a sensor for sensing various parameters of the stomach or stomach environment, or may be a therapeutic delivery device. The functional device in one embodiment provides a device, system and method for gastric electrical stimulation where stimulating electrodes are secured to the wall of the stomach by the attachment device or otherwise. A preferred device includes: at least one stimulating electrode in electrical contact with the stomach wall; an electronics unit containing the electronic circuitry of the device; and an attachment mechanism for attaching the device to the stomach wall. The functional devices may be programmed to respond to sensed information or signals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a combination device comprising two catheters, or a dual catheter assembly, for use in vascular procedures wherein the shaft of the first catheter functions as a guidewire for the second catheter. The dual catheter assembly comprises a first balloon catheter and a second balloon catheter wherein the second balloon catheter is slidably disposed on the shaft of the first balloon. In preferred embodiments, the first catheter is a low profile balloon on a wire catheter and the second catheter is a full size balloon catheter having a plurality of balloons mounted thereon. Optionally, a stent is carried by at least one of the balloons on the second catheter. In more preferred embodiments, the second catheter includes a manifold that may be used to inflate and deflate any combination of the plurality of balloons via a single port.

Abstract: A guide wire having a distal extremity with an adjustable support characteristic including a core wire having proximal and distal extremities. The distal extremity has a reduced cross sectional area which is more flexible than the proximal extremity. A tip is secured to the distal extremity of the core wire. A sleeve of superelastic material is disposed coaxially on the distal extremity of the core wire. The sleeve is annealed so that it is relatively flexible at a temperature ranging from 20.degree. to 40.degree. C. and becomes progressively stiffer as temperature increases. The core wire conducts electrical energy to the superelastic sleeve to supply heat to the sleeve and extends from the proximal extremity of the core wire to the sleeve to cause the sleeve to become stiffer to thereby increase the stiffness of the distal extremity of the guide wire.

Abstract: Guide wire for use in a medical procedure and for use with a power supply comprising a solid core wire having proximal and distal extremities. The proximal extremity has a predetermined diameter. At least a portion of the distal extremity has a reduced size with respect to the predetermined diameter. A flexible coil is secured to the distal extremity of the core wire and extends over the portion of the core wire having a reduced size. An actuator member is disposed proximal of the coil and extends along the core wire. Electrical conductors extend from the proximal extremity of the core wire to the actuator member for supplying heat to the actuator member. The actuator member is formed of a temperature activated metal alloy having a Young's modulus of 4.times.10.sup.6 to 14.times.10.sup.6 psi which increases in stiffness when heat is supplied thereto to increase the stiffness of the guide wire proximally of the coil.

Abstract: An aspiration needle apparatus for collecting cell samples from tissue comprising a vacuum container having an enclosed evacuated space evacuated to a subambient pressure and sealed by a penetrable diaphragm. An adapter has a recess to receive the vacuum container. A needle is carried by the adapter and has a distal extremity serving as an aspiration needle to collect the cell sample and has a proximal extremity disposed in the recess and is capable of penetrating the diaphragm of the vacuum container to couple the evacuated space to the flow passage of the needle to supply a subambient pressure to the distal extremity of the needle. An on-off mechanism carried by the adapter includes yieldable means and a member mounted in the recess actuatable by axial movement of the vacuum container into the recess against the force of the yieldable means disposed within the recess.

Abstract: Guide wire for use in a medical procedure and for use with the power supply comprising a flexible elongate tubular member having proximal and distal extremities and having a bore extending from the proximal extremity to the distal extremity. A core wire extends through the bore of the flexible elongate tubular member. A coil assembly is mounted on the distal extremity of the flexible elongate member and has a distal extremity. A rounded tip is formed on the distal extremity. An actuator member has at least a portion thereof disposed in the coil assembly and has proximal and distal extremities. The proximal extremity of the actuator member is secured to the distal extremity of the flexible elongate tubular member. The distal extremity of the actuator member is secured to the rounded tip. The actuator member has a portion thereof formed of a shape memory material and incorporating a shape member therein.

Abstract: A multiple balloon catheter for use in a vessel of a patient and for use with an inflation/deflation device. A flexible elongate tubular member with proximal and distal extremities has a distal balloon mounted on the distal extremity of the flexible elongate tubular member. Coaxial inner and outer balloons are mounted on the distal extremity of the flexible elongate member proximal of the distal balloon. The flexible elongate tubular member has balloon inflation lumens therein in communication with the interiors of the distal balloon and the inner and outer coaxial balloons. A manifold is secured to the proximal extremity of the flexible elongate tubular member in communication with the inflation lumens and is adjusted to be coupled to the inflation/deflation device. Valves are carried by the inflation/deflation manifold for inflating the distal balloon in the inner and outer coaxial balloons one at a time or in unison without removal of the inflation/deflation device from the manifold.

Abstract: A low profile, balloon-on-a-wire catheter comprising a flexible elongate tubular member having proximal and distal extremities. A balloon inflation-deflation lumen extends from the proximal extremity to the distal extremity. An inflatable balloon is carried by the distal extremity of the flexible elongate tubular member. The flexible elongate tubular member carries means which establishes communication between the lumen and the interior of the inflatable balloon. A removable inflation device is removably secured to the proximal extremity of the flexible elongate tubular member for supplying an inflation fluid to the lumen for inflating and deflating the balloon. The removable inflation device forms a high pressure seal with the proximal extremity of the flexible elongate tubular member. The removable inflation device is free of obstructions so that another balloon catheter can be advanced over the proximal extremity of the flexible elongate tubular member which serves as a stand-alone guide wire.