Abstract: A helical balloon is attached to the distal end of a catheter to serve when inflated as a therapeutic tool for the removal of blood clots and as a diagnostic tool for physical measurements and the application of treatment and other materials.

Abstract: A vessel occluding instrument for facilitating the surgical treatment of an anatomical vessel. The instrument comprises an elongated body member having top and bottom surfaces, opposed sides, and first and second opposed ends; a length of resilient tape extending from adjacent the first opposed end of the body member; a securing device positioned adjacent the second opposed end for releasably holding the resilient tape; and a resilient pad secured to the bottom surface of the body member, the resilient pad comprising a cohesive-adhesive covering sheet for releasing securing the pad to the vessel, whereby the sheet and the vessel collectively produce an adherence relationship therebetween.

Abstract: A balloon catheter of the linear eversion type is provided with a sealed through lumen which will pass guide wires and other objects without disturbing the sealed nature of the balloon system.