Abstract: Disclosed is a light angioplasty catheter and method for exposing the interior of a body lumen to a source of light. Light exposure may be accomplished prior to, during, or following conventional balloon dilatation. Also disclosed is a method and apparatus for exposing a preselected portion of vessel wall to a source of light. Relatively low energy light exposure has been found by the inventors herein to both inhibit restenosis following dilatation of a stenotic region, and to inhibit vascular spasms whether or not associated with a stenotic region. It may also arrest progress of a stenosis. Methods are also disclosed for cooling the vascular wall to treat a stenosis. Cooling may be accomplished prior to, during, or following dilatation.

Abstract: Dilatation catheters for use in administering treatments to relieve stenotic regions within a body lumen while maintaining blood flow past the dilatation balloons are described. According to the present invention, perfusion ports are provided in both a guidewire lumen and in a bypass lumen in several alternative embodiments in order to provide increased blood flow past the dilatation balloon.

Abstract: Dilatation catheters for use in administering treatments to relieve stenotic regions within a body lumen are described. In one aspect of the invention, a two wire catheter system, of minimal diameter for treating distal arteries is disclosed. In another aspect of the invention, a multiple wire multiple balloon system in disclosed, in which a first balloon on a first catheter is disposed distally of a second balloon on a second associated catheter. Additional balloons and associated catheters may also be incorporated into the multiple wire multiple balloon system. Methods are also discussed for accomplishing sequential dilatations using a multiple wire multiple balloon catheter.

Abstract: Dilatation catheters for use in administering treatments to relieve stenotic regions within a body lumen are described. In one aspect of the invention, a two wire catheter system, of minimal diameter for treating distal arteries is disclosed, In addition, a number of various dilatation balloon configurations, for treating stenotic areas which are present in tortuous vessels, as well as hardened, or calcified stenotic portions are also described. Finally, a catheter system which provides a path for conducting blood past the stenosis and inflated dilatation balloon is discussed.

Abstract: Dilatation catheters for use in administering treatments to relieve stenotic regions within a body lumen are described. In one aspect of the invention, a two wire catheter system, of minimal diameter for treating distal arteries is disclosed. In addition, a number of various dilatation balloon configurations, for treating stenotic areas which are present in tortuous vessels, as well as hardened, or calcified stenotic portions are also described. Finally, a catheter system which provides a path for conducting blood past the stenosis and inflated dilatation balloon is discussed.

Abstract: Dilation catheters for use in administering treatments to relieve stenotic regions within a body lumen are described. In the invention, a novel catheter system having a balloon length of minimal length for treating distal arteries is utilized. In addition, novel methods for treating stenotic areas which are present in tortuous vessels, as well as hardened, or calcified stenotic portions are also described.

Abstract: Dilatation catheters for use in administering treatments to relieve stenotic regions within a body lumen are described. In one aspect of the invention, a two wire catheter system, of minimal diameter for treating distal arteries is disclosed. In addition, a number of various dilatation balloon configurations, for treating stenotic areas which are present in tortuous vessels, as well as hardened, or calcified stenotic portions are also described. Finally, a catheter system which provides a path for conducting blood past the stenosis and inflated dilatation balloon is discussed.

Abstract: A topless catheter, which can be used as either a guiding catheter for guiding balloon dilatation catheters into a body lumen, or as a diagnostic catheter for conducting radio opaque dyes into a predetermined body lumen or both is disclosed. The topless catheter comprises a cylindrical catheter shaft, integrally connected to an arcuate topless guilding finger. The guiding finger is adapted for placement proximate to, or partially within a predetermined blood vessel for subselective placement of a dilatation balloon catheter. By virtue of the manner in which the guiding finger is configured, blood flow through the more distal arteries is substantially unimpeded without detracting from the support and guidance features, found in conventional guiding catheters.

Abstract: Dilatation catheters for use in administering treatments to relieve stenotic regions within a body lumen are described. In one aspect of the invention, a two wire catheter system, of minimal diameter for treating distal arteries is disclosed. In addition, a number of various dilatation balloon configurations, for treating stenotic areas which are present in tortuous vessels, as well as hardened, or calcified stenotic portions are also described. Finally, a catheter system which provides a path for conducting blood past the stenosis and inflated dilatation balloon is discussed.

Abstract: Dilatation catheters for use in administering treatments to relieve stenotic regions within a body lumen are described. In one aspect of the invention, a two wire catheter system, of minimal diameter for treating distal arteries is disclosed. In addition, a number of various dilatation balloon configurations, for treating stenotic areas which are present in tortuous vessels, as well as hardened, or calcified stenotic portions are also described. Finally, a catheter system which provides a path for conducting blood past the stenosis and inflated dilatation balloon is discussed.

Abstract: A topless catheter, which can be used as either a guiding catheter for guiding balloon dilatation catheters into a body lumen, or as a diagnostic catheter for conducting radio opaque dyes into a predetermined body lumen or both is disclosed. The topless catheter comprises a cylinderical catheter shaft, integrally connected to an arcuate topless guiding finger. The guiding finger is adapted for placement proximate to, or partially within a predetermined blood vessel for subselective placement of a dilation balloon catheter. By virtue of the manner in which the guiding finger is configured, blood flow through the more distal arteries is substantially unimpeded without detracting from the support and guidance features, found in conventional guiding catheters.

Abstract: A blood flow detector produces a signal in response to pulsatile blood flow to provide means for positioning a slot in a plate in alignment with a patient's artery. Pressing the plate against the patient's skin retains the artery in alignment with the slot for puncturing. A groove in the bottom of the plate holds the artery in position while a first slot located at one end of the groove is used to guide an instrument toward the artery. A second slot adjacent the first slot is spaced a predetermined distance from the first slot so that by guiding a needle through the second slot the vein corresponding to an artery can be penetrated.

Abstract: Catheter systems provide blood flow paths past a stenotic region of a blood vessel receiving treatment to restore acceptable blood flow. A catheter includes distal and proximal side orifices into a main lumen to provide a blood flow path through the catheter across the stenosis. A segmented or lobed balloon forms blood flow passages between the catheter and blood vessel wall to provide blood flow past the stenosis while the balloon is inflated. Superselective catheter systems provide means for inserting a catheter into coronary arteries remote from the aorta.

Abstract: A hemostat for restricting blood flow through a blood vessel for assisting hemostasis. An ultrasonic sensor is mounted with a pressure pad to sense rate of blood flow through the vessel when pressure is applied to obtain minimum bleeding with maximum flow through the vessel, without need for continual observation. The output signal of the sensor may be connected to an auditory signal or a visual display to free personnel from the site to perform other necessary tasks.