Abstract: A surgical light source system for cooling high-powered arthroscopic light emitters. The surgical light source system includes a housing having a proximal end and a distal end with a tube connected to the proximal end. The system also includes a light source at the distal end of the housing which is connected to a remote power source. The system has a plurality of fins extending around the light source within the housing and a remote fan connected to the tube. The remote fan is adapted to draw air across the fins, forming a heatsink within the housing.

Abstract: A surgical light source system for cooling high-powered arthroscopic light emitters. The surgical light source system includes a housing having a proximal end and a distal end with a tube connected to the proximal end. The system also includes a light source at the distal end of the housing which is connected to a remote power source. The system has a plurality of fins extending around the light source within the housing and a remote fan connected to the tube. The remote fan is adapted to draw air across the fins, forming a heatsink within the housing.

Abstract: A dynamic fluid flow system for training. The system incorporates transparent piping, transparent pump components, transparent valve components, and other components found in most fluid flow systems which provide visual feedback for training purposes when training personnel on the fluid flow system. The fluid flow system of the present invention includes all elements which would typically be found on a fluid flow system used in industrial facilities such as power plants, and allows full training and certification of personnel on a full interactive dynamic system which produces visual feedback not capable on existing training systems or even on actual systems used in industrial applications. An embodiment of the present invention could be in the form of a portable system which can be transported in a standard trailer or even deployed in a vehicle for remote deployment.

Abstract: A dynamic fluid flow system for training. The system incorporates transparent piping, transparent pump components, transparent valve components, and other components found in most fluid flow systems which provide visual feedback for training purposes when training personnel on the fluid flow system. The fluid flow system of the present invention includes all elements which would typically be found on a fluid flow system used in industrial facilities such as power plants, and allows full training and certification of personnel on a full interactive dynamic system which produces visual feedback not capable on existing training systems or even on actual systems used in industrial applications. An embodiment of the present invention could be in the form of a portable system which can be transported in a standard trailer or even deployed in a vehicle for remote deployment.

Abstract: A guiding catheter system employs an outer jacket with one or more inflation lumens provided along the length of the jacket. The lumens are in fluid communication with one or more fluted balloons mounted at a distal end of the outer jacket. A torquable stylet is movably disposed within an open lumen of the outer jacket. A guidewire is movably disposed in an open lumen of the torquable stylet. The outer jacket can be provided with break-away features allowing the jacket to be peeled off of a pacing lead.

Abstract: A multi-lumen balloon for use in a fluted balloon centering catheter and method for providing the same. The multi-lumen balloon maintains a radiation source at the center of a cardiovascular artery, has improved blood perfusion capability, and has improved balloon refolding characteristics. The method of fabricating a multi-lumen balloon designed for a radiation centering catheter uses an improved extrusion process that allows the manufacture of the multi-lumen balloon sub-assembly to be done separately from the catheter shaft assembly.

Abstract: A guiding catheter system employs an outer jacket with one or more inflation lumens provided along the length of the jacket. The lumens are in fluid communication with one or more fluted balloons mounted at a distal end of the outer jacket. A torquable stylet is movably disposed within an open lumen of the outer jacket. A guidewire is movably disposed in an open lumen of the torquable stylet. The outer jacket can be provided with break-away features allowing the jacket to be peeled off of a pacing lead.

Abstract: A guiding catheter system employs an outer jacket with one or more inflation lumens provided along the length of the jacket. The lumens are in fluid communication with one or more fluted balloons mounted at a distal end of the outer jacket. A torquable stylet is movably disposed within an open lumen of the outer jacket. A guidewire is movably disposed in an open lumen of the torquable stylet. The outer jacket can be provided with break-away features allowing the jacket to be peeled off of a pacing lead.

Abstract: A stepped centering catheter for delivery of intravascular radiation therapy including a central segment of a first effective diameter and smaller, offset segments of second effective diameters to each side of the central segment. The first effective diameter of the central segment substantially centers a portion of a radiation source within the lumen of a vessel along a therapeutic treatment length. The second effective diameters of the offset segments constrain portions of the radioactive source that extend beyond the therapeutic treatment length within a region having a minimum offset distance from the vessel wall. The first effective diameter of the central segment is gradually tapered to the second effective diameter of the offset segments across first steps. The second effective diameters of the offset segments are gradually tapered to the diameter of the catheter shaft across second steps.

Abstract: A novel proximal shaft design used for the manufacture of a catheter. In particular, the proximal shaft design provides excellent stiffness and kink resistance with a reduced outer catheter shaft diameter for improved catheter performance. The proximal shaft design incorporates a shaft with radially extending ridges that have inset regions positioned between adjacent ridges. The catheter may be used in delivering and maintaining a radiation source in a patient's body lumen, such as a coronary artery, for a specified period of time. The proximal shaft design can be applied to other treatments and treatment sources, as well as, other catheter designs.

Abstract: A method of treating a tapered vessel with radiation. Separate sections of the vessel are treated for independently determined dwell times. A proximal diameter, a distal diameter, and an intermediate diameter can be established upon which prescription points can be based.

Abstract: A multi-lumen balloon for use in a fluted balloon centering catheter and method for providing the same. The multi-lumen balloon maintains a radiation source at the center of a cardiovascular artery, has improved blood perfusion capability, and has improved balloon refolding characteristics. The method of fabricating a multi-lumen balloon designed for a radiation centering catheter uses an improved extrusion process that allows the manufacture of the multi-lumen balloon sub-assembly to be done separately from the catheter shaft assembly.

Abstract: A catheter having a perfusion section encapsulated by a porous membrane. The catheter can include a shaft to accommodate a radiation source. A spiraled balloon can be positioned about the shaft for centering within a body lumen. Additionally, a longitudinal balloon or mechanical expansion can be provided about the shaft for positioning within a body lumen. A radiotherapy system can be included with a radiation source and a catheter having a perfusion section encapsulated by a porous membrane. A method is provided where a catheter with a perfusion section encapsulated by a porous membrane is advanced through a body lumen. The body lumen is treated by the catheter while a body fluid is perfused past the perfusion section.

Abstract: A multi-lumen balloon for use in a fluted balloon centering catheter and method for providing the same. The multi-lumen balloon maintains a radiation source at the center of a cardiovascular artery, has improved blood perfusion capability, and has improved balloon refolding characteristics. The method of fabricating a multi-lumen balloon designed for a radiation centering catheter uses an improved extrusion process that allows the manufacture of the multi-lumen balloon sub-assembly to be done separately from the catheter shaft assembly.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a radiation source for delivery of a radiation treatment to a body lumen. The radioactive tip of the source wire is detachable from the main portion of the core wire to allow the radioactive source in the tip to be sterilized and re-sterilized independently of the core wire. The detachable radioactive tip also includes a flexible portion for improved tracking through a lumen of a catheter.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a radiation source for delivery of a radiation treatment to a body lumen. The radioactive tip of the source wire is detachable from the main portion of the core wire to allow the radioactive source in the tip to be sterilized and re-sterilized independently of the core wire. The detachable radioactive tip also includes a flexible portion for improved tracking through a lumen of a catheter.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a method of bonding thermoplastic catheter parts to a metallic member such as hypotubing and the product formed. The polymeric material is hot pressed against the metallic member with sufficient pressure to ensure plastic deformation of the polymeric material. A fluid tight bond is formed which can withstand pressures of up to 650 psi.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a method of bonding thermoplastic catheter parts to a metallic member such as hypotubing and the product formed. The polymeric material is hot pressed against the metallic member with sufficient pressure to ensure plastic deformation of the polymeric material. A fluid tight bond is formed which can withstand pressures of up to 650 psi.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a radiation delivery catheter assembly for maintaining patency of a body lumen for a period of time sufficient to allow delivery of a radiation source to the body lumen. The catheter utilizes an inflatable region which maintains and centers the catheter in the body lumen. The catheter may include a perfusion lumen for supplying oxygenated blood to tissue located downstream from the catheter when the inflatable region is expanded in the body lumen. The inflatable region can be made up of a plurality of balloon segments which help center the radiation source, even if placed on a curved section of the body lumen. Embodiments of the invention include a catheter design which utilizes “rapid exchange” features and a dual therapeutic catheter which is capable of dilating a stenosed region of the body lumen prior to the administration of the radiation treatment. A two-piece protective sheath is used to protect the radiation source from bodily fluids.

Abstract: A radiation delivery catheter which increases the margin of safety and reduces unintended exposure to radiation dosage during delivery thereof to a target area to reduce the likelihood of the development of restenosis. The catheter includes a shaft comprised of radiation shielding material, to shield the patient and staff from unintended radiation exposure. The catheter further includes a treatment section including a reservoir balloon comprised of radiation trans-parent material, which enables predetermined concentrations of radioactivity in the radiation source to permeate therethrough into the target area in a substantially uniform dosage pattern.