Abstract: An alignment tool to be used in a method for the manufacture of an electrode catheter assembly includes an alignment handle, a grooved longitudinal axis which is opposed to the alignment handle and which includes a channel or groove in the radial direction, wherein the grooved longitudinal axis has alignment grooves and alignment surfaces to precisely allow alignment and separation of electrode rings; two arms or tines formed by the channel or groove, wherein the arms or tines are compressible in radial direction to the grooved longitudinal axis; a removable proximal shoulder ring, wherein the proximal shoulder ring has a shoulder surface and an internal opening, wherein the internal opening allows the shoulder proximal ring to slide on or off the grooved longitudinal axis, a control surface, and a distal shoulder surface.

Abstract: An alignment tool to be used in a method for the manufacture of an electrode catheter assembly includes an alignment handle, a grooved longitudinal axis which is opposed to the alignment handle and which includes a channel or groove in the radial direction, wherein the grooved longitudinal axis has alignment grooves and alignment surfaces to precisely allow alignment and separation of electrode rings; two arms or tines formed by the channel or groove, wherein the arms or tines are compressible in radial direction to the grooved longitudinal axis; a removable proximal shoulder ring, wherein the proximal shoulder ring has a shoulder surface and an internal opening, wherein the internal opening allows the shoulder proximal ring to slide on or off the grooved longitudinal axis, a control surface, and a distal shoulder surface.

Abstract: A device and method for improving flow through a native blood vessel valve, such as the aortic valve, are provided. The present invention allows a miniature valve to be implanted into affected leaflets percutaneously, obviating the need for coronary bypass surgery. The method includes the cutting of small holes, on the order of 4 mm, in the leaflets of a targeted valve, thereby allowing blood to flow through the newly formed holes. The holes are used as attachment sites for the miniature valves of the present invention.

Abstract: This invention encompasses products and methods for preventing teat infections in cows resulting from a variety of causes. More specifically, this invention relates to products and methods for blocking a cow's teat and teat canal to prevent infection during a non-lactating period.

Abstract: A device capable of capturing and facilitating the removal of a thrombus in blood vessels (or stones in biliary or urinary ducts, or foreign bodies) uses a soft coil mesh with the aid of a pull wire or string to engage the surface of a thrombus, and remove the captured thrombus. The soft coil mesh is formed by an elongated microcoil element that forms the helical elements of a macrocoil element. The microcoil element provides a relatively elastic effect to the helical elements forming the macrocoil and allows for control of gripping forces on the thrombus while reducing non-rigid contact of the device with arterial walls. The use of multiple coil mesh elements, delivered through a single lumen or multiple lumens, preferably with separate control of at least one end of each coil, provides a firm grasp on a distal side of a thrombus, assisting in non-disruptive or minimally disrupted removal of the thrombus upon withdrawal of the device.

Abstract: The invention is a tapered bore connector comprising a body having a conical bore with a central axis that forms an opening in the body. At least one compound cantilevered flange is attached to the body and extends a predetermined distance from the body in an outward radial direction relative to the conical bore axis and also extends a predetermined distance from the body in a circumferential direction relative to the conical bore axis. In operation, when the tapered bore connector is fully engaged with a compatible tapered shaft connector having an internally threaded locking collar, the compound cantilevered flange is deflected thereby generating an additional restraining force that dissuades premature disconnection.

Abstract: A housing for a prosthetic valve comprises a first housing portion having a conduit end opening and a valve end opening, a second housing portion having a conduit end opening, a valve end opening and a threaded outer surface adjacent the valve end opening, a first conduit coupled to the conduit end opening of the first housing portion, a second conduit coupled to the conduit end opening of the second housing portion, and a connecting member having a threaded inner surface. The threaded outer surface of the second housing portion is structured to mate with the threaded inner surface of the connecting member to couple the first housing portion to the second housing portion.

Abstract: A device and method for improving flow through a native blood vessel valve, such as the aortic valve, are provided. The present invention allows a miniature valve to be implanted into affected leaflets percutaneously, obviating the need for coronary bypass surgery. The method includes the cutting of small holes, on the order of 4 mm, in the leaflets of a targeted valve, thereby allowing blood to flow through the newly formed holes. The holes are used as attachment sites for the miniature valves of the present invention.

Abstract: A device and method for improving flow through a native blood vessel valve, such as the aortic valve, are provided. The present invention allows a miniature valve to be implanted into affected leaflets percutaneously, obviating the need for coronary bypass surgery. The method includes the cutting of small holes, on the order of 4 mm, in the leaflets of a targeted valve, thereby allowing blood to flow through the newly formed holes. The holes are used as attachment sites for the miniature valves of the present invention.

Abstract: An access and control device consists of a safety ring, a connector, and a separator ring. The safety ring has loops on its proximal surface. The connector has a cuff around its periphery with hooks on its distal surface. The separator ring is positioned between safety ring and cuff to not allow hooks to engage with loops. When the separator ring is removed, the hooks engage with the loops to form a connection between the safety ring and the connector/cuff assembly.

Abstract: A medical implant comprises a hollow conduit having a first end opening, a second end opening, and a slit opening located between said first and second end openings, and a one way valve located within said conduit.

Abstract: A conduit protector for temporarily minimizing the surface friction on an outside surface of an implant includes a curvilinear sheet formed into a generally cylindrical shape having a first axial edge and a second axial edge, a connecting member coupling the first axial edge of the curvilinear sheet to the second axial edge of the curvilinear sheet, and a release member structured for separating the first axial edge of the curvilinear sheet from the second axial edge of the curvilinear sheet. An inside surface of the curvilinear sheet may have an inner diameter approximately equal to an outer diameter of the outside surface of the implant.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved cutting tool to reliably and safely cut a circular hole through the wall of a body vessel. Unlike prior art, the vessel cutting tool can measure the thickness of the vessel wall before cutting the hole, measure the depth of tool penetration during cutting, and control the rate of rotational cutting relative to the rate of axial movement. Also, the invention provides other benefits not previously offered by prior art inventions. For instance, in one embodiment of the invention an electric motor is used to cut the hole. In another embodiment, the anchor element forms an immediate low profile device within the vessel and by acting as a protective separator, the anchor prevents unwanted vessel tissue from inadvertently being cut by the rotating cutter. In yet another embodiment, an adhesive is used in place of the anchor element to provide an adhesive bond to secure the cutting tool to the vessel.

Abstract: A device and method for improving flow through a native blood vessel valve, such as the aortic valve, are provided. The present invention allows a miniature valve to be implanted into affected leaflets percutaneously, obviating the need for coronary bypass surgery. The method includes the cutting of small holes, on the order of 4 mm, in the leaflets of a targeted valve, thereby allowing blood to flow through the newly formed holes. The holes are used as attachment sites for the miniature valves of the present invention.

Abstract: A device and method for improving flow through a native blood vessel valve, such as the aortic valve, are provided. The present invention allows a miniature valve to be implanted into affected leaflets percutaneously, obviating the need for coronary bypass surgery. The method includes the cutting of small holes, on the order of 4 mm, in the leaflets of a targeted valve, thereby allowing blood to flow through the newly formed holes. The holes are used as attachment sites for the miniature valves of the present invention.

Abstract: A device and method for improving flow through a native blood vessel valve, such as the aortic valve, are provided. The present invention allows a miniature valve to be implanted into affected leaflets percutaneously, obviating the need for coronary bypass surgery. The method includes the cutting of small holes, on the order of 4 mm, in the leaflets of a targeted valve, thereby allowing blood to flow through the newly formed holes. The holes are used as attachment sites for the miniature valves of the present invention.

Abstract: A hand-operated syringe for injecting a liquid under high pressure. The syringe has an elongated barrel with proximal and distal ends, the barrel having opposing finger grips at its proximal end with each finger grip having a proximal inner portion defining a most proximal pressure point closely adjacent the barrel, the pressure points defining a plane substantially perpendicular to the barrel's axis. A plunger is received in the barrel and has a proximal end that includes a pressure surface adapted to receive manual pressure. The pressure surface of the plunger and the finger pressure points are arranged so that when the plunger is in its fully inserted position, its pressure surface is spaced distally of the plane defined by the finger pressure points.

Abstract: A device and method for improving flow through a native blood vessel valve, such as the aortic valve, are provided. The present invention allows a miniature valve to be implanted into affected leaflets percutaneously, obviating the need for coronary bypass surgery. The method includes the cutting of small holes, on the order of 4 mm, in the leaflets of a targeted valve, thereby allowing blood to flow through the newly formed holes. The holes are used as attachment sites for the miniature valves of the present invention.

Abstract: A device and method for improving flow through a native blood vessel valve, such as the aortic valve, are provided. The present invention allows a miniature valve to be implanted into affected leaflets percutaneously, obviating the need for coronary bypass surgery. The method includes the cutting of small holes, on the order of 4 mm, in the leaflets of a targeted valve, thereby allowing blood to flow through the newly formed holes. The holes are used as attachment sites for the miniature valves of the present invention.

Abstract: A device capable of capturing and facilitating the removal of a thrombus in blood vessels (or stones in biliary or urinary ducts, or foreign bodies) uses a soft coil mesh with the aid of a pull wire or string to engage the surface of a thrombus, and remove the captured thrombus. The soft coil mesh is formed by an elongated microcoil element that forms the helical elements of a macrocoil element. The microcoil element provides a relatively elastic effect to the helical elements forming the macrocoil and allows for control of gripping forces on the thrombus while reducing non-rigid contact of the device with arterial walls. The use of multiple coil mesh elements, delivered through a single lumen or multiple lumens, preferably with separate control of at least one end of each coil, provides a firm grasp on a distal side of a thrombus, assisting in non-disruptive or minimally disrupted removal of the thrombus upon withdrawal of the device.