Abstract: Catheters for infusion of cardiovascular fluids into blood are disclosed. The cardiovascular fluid may, for example, comprise water highly supersaturated with a gas such as oxygen. Each catheter comprises one or more capillary tubings (or capillaries) through which a cardiovascular fluid flows. The distal end of each capillary is mounted (e.g., potted) preferably flush with an external surface of a catheter sidewall, while the proximal end of each capillary is in fluid communication with a cardiovascular fluid flowing through the lumen of the catheter. The combination of the catheter shape and the orientation of the distal end of each capillary relative to the longitudinal axis of the catheter provides control over the mixing pattern of the cardiovascular fluid with blood flowing within a vascular space such as an aorta.

Abstract: Catheters for infusion of cardiovascular fluids into blood are disclosed. The cardiovascular fluid may, for example, comprise water highly supersaturated with a gas such as oxygen. Each catheter comprises one or more capillary tubings (or capillaries) through which a cardiovascular fluid flows. The distal end of each capillary is mounted (e.g., potted) preferably flush with an external surface of a catheter sidewall, while the proximal end of each capillary is in fluid communication with a cardiovascular fluid flowing through the lumen of the catheter. The combination of the catheter shape and the orientation of the distal end of each capillary relative to the longitudinal axis of the catheter provides control over the mixing pattern of the cardiovascular fluid with blood flowing within a vascular space such as an aorta.

Abstract: Catheters for infusion of cardiovascular fluids into blood are disclosed. The cardiovascular fluid may, for example, comprise water highly supersaturated with a gas such as oxygen. Each catheter comprises one or more capillary tubings (or capillaries) through which a cardiovascular fluid flows. The distal end of each capillary is mounted (e.g., potted) preferably flush with an external surface of a catheter sidewall, while the proximal end of each capillary is in fluid communication with a cardiovascular fluid flowing through the lumen of the catheter. The combination of the catheter shape and the orientation of the distal end of each capillary relative to the longitudinal axis of the catheter provides control over the mixing pattern of the cardiovascular fluid with blood flowing within a vascular space such as an aorta.

Abstract: Catheters for infusion of cardiovascular fluids into blood are disclosed. The cardiovascular fluid may, for example, comprise water highly supersaturated with a gas such as oxygen. Each catheter comprises one or more capillary tubings (or capillaries) through which a cardiovascular fluid flows. The distal end of each capillary is mounted (e.g., potted) preferably flush with an external surface of a catheter sidewall, while the proximal end of each capillary is in fluid communication with a cardiovascular fluid flowing through the lumen of the catheter. The combination of the catheter shape and the orientation of the distal end of each capillary relative to the longitudinal axis of the catheter provides control over the mixing pattern of the cardiovascular fluid with blood flowing within a vascular space such as an aorta.

Abstract: A new footwear, such as a shoe or boot, with heated sole for helping keep a wearer's foot warm, especially in cold weather. The inventive device includes a footwear member having a sole and an upper portion for accepting a foot. The heel of the sole has a cavity therein with the lower surface of the heel having an opening into the cavity. A heel door is pivotally coupled to the lower surface of the heel for substantially closing the opening into the cavity. An elongate heating coil is provided within the interior of the sole for providing heat to the footwear when powered. Disposed within the cavity of the heel is a power source electrically coupled to the heating coil to provide power to the heating coil.

Abstract: An apparatus 10 for delivery of a gas, such as oxygen, solution into an environment (such as a coronary artery). The apparatus includes a high pressure tubular housing 12 defining a lumen 14 therewithin. A plurality of axially disposed concentric tubes 16 are supported within the lumen 14. Each defines an annular space 18 between adjacent tubes. One or more supports 20 extend radially inwardly from the tubular housing 12. The supports are connected to the concentric tubes 16 to prevent radially or axially migration thereof during high pressure infusion of the oxygen supersaturated physiologic solution.

Abstract: A method of injecting gas-supersaturated fluids as a bubble-free effluent from a delivery system into a relatively low pressure, gas-depleted environment without cavitation or bubble formation. The method includes the steps of eliminating cavitation nuclei from within the delivery system, compressing a fluid and a gas at a high partial pressure to form a gas-supersaturated fluid, and ejecting the gas-supersaturated fluid through the delivery system into the environment without associated cavitation formation in the effluent.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering oxygen into an environment of interest, such as blood plasma, having the characteristic of a low concentration of oxygen before delivery. The method includes the steps of preparing a mixture of oxygen and a liquid, compressing the mixture so that the oxygen dissolves in the liquid to form an oxygen-enriched liquid, delivering the oxygen-enriched liquid to a catheter having an internal diameter and length which retains the oxygen in solution and prevents the formation of bubbles, positioning the catheter in the environment of interest, and injecting the oxygen-enriched liquid into the environment through the catheter, such that the environment rapidly becomes enriched in oxygen. The apparatus includes a catheter with drawn silica tubing having narrowly defined passages through which oxygen-enriched liquid passes to oxygenate blood plasma.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring luminal dimensions through visualization of a lumen during fiberoscopy. The method comprises the steps of positioning a fiberscope having a distal end within the lumen; providing a means of support for a means for delivering electromagnetic energy, the support means extending along the lumen beyond the distal end of the fiberscope; emitting a transverse ring of electromagnetic radiation from the support means at a known distance from the distal end of the fiberscope, the ring of electromagnetic radiation becoming incident upon a discrete cross section of a luminal surface of the lumen; and visualizing a ring of electromagnetic radiation reflected from the luminal surface. The apparatus of the present invention comprises an apparatus for measuring luminal dimensions through visualization of a lumen during fiberoscopy.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for making a laser balloon catheter (10) having a diffusing tip (24) for propagating a uniform cylindrical pattern of laser energy. Included in the catheter are an elongated flexible tube (12) with an inflatable balloon (14) connected to the tube and means for inflating (16) and deflating (18) the balloon. A central channel (20) is disposed within the balloon and coupled to the tube. An optical fiber (22) with the diffusing tip at its distal end delivers laser radiation through the balloon to tissue to be treated. The method comprises the steps of etching the distal end of the optical fiber to form an etched portion thereof, cladding the etched portion with a medium which secures the optical fiber to the central channel, and microballoons which diffuse the laser radiation radially from the optical fiber, thereby substantially avoiding axial propagation and heating of blood forward of the optical fiber.

Abstract: A method of gasification of an environment having the characteristic of a low concentration of gas. The method is particularly suited for oxygenation of hypoxemic blood. The method comprises the steps of preparing a powdered oxygen hydrate; mixing the hydrate with powdered ice; pulverizing the mixture of the hydrate and the ice into small particles; encapsulating the mixture of the hydrate and the ice within a pressure vessel; applying a high pressure to the mixture; warming the pressure vessel and its contents to provide an aqueous suspension of the hydrate within liquid water formed from the ice upon warming; providing a conduit in communication with a catheter, the catheter having one or more high resistance exit ports; and intravenous injection of the suspension of particles at a rate which permits mixing of the hydrate with its environment before decomposition of the gas hydrate or bubble coalescence can occur.

Abstract: A method for treating a lesion (27) in an arterial wall (28) having plaque (52) thereon and a luminal surface (29). The arterial wall (28) has typically been mechanically injured during an angioplasty procedure. As a result of that procedure, the arterial wall (28) and the plaque (52) include fissures (24) defined therein. It has been found that those fissures (24) form excellent sites at which a bioprotective material (26) may become bonded upon application of thermal energy.

Abstract: A method for treating a lesion in an arterial wall having plaque thereon and a luminal surface, the arterial wall having been mechanically injured during an angioplasty procedure, the arterial wall and the plaque including fissures resulting therefrom, the method comprising the steps of positioning an angioplasty catheter adjacent to the lesion being treated; delivering a bioprotective material between the arterial wall and the angioplasty catheter so that the bioprotective material is entrapped therebetween and permeates into the fissures and small vessels of the arterial wall during apposition of the angioplasty catheter to the arterial wall; applying thermal energy to the lesion, thereby bonding the bioprotective material to the arterial wall and within the fissures; and removing the angioplasty catheter, the bioprotective material remaining adherent to the arterial wall and within the fissures, thereby coating the luminal surface of the arterial wall with an insoluble layer of the bioprotective material s

Abstract: Method of encapsulating a hyperbaric gas for the treatment of diseases in humans with encapsulated gaseous precursors, such as microbubbles of oxygen. The method includes the step of immersing a receptacle containing an encapsulating material into a reaction vessel. An ultrasonic probe is then inserted into the reaction vessel. When the vessel is sealed, a source of hyperbaric gas is communicated therewith, and the vessel is then immersed within a cooling fluid so that the hyperbaric gas condenses. Thermal energy is then applied to the receptacle and ultrasound energy is delivered to the ultrasonic probe. When the probe vibrates, hyperbaric gas is distributed within the heated encapsulating material. After the cooling fluid chills the mixture of hyperbaric gas in the encapsulating material, the hyperbaric gas is entrapped therewithin. The encapsulated oxygen precursor can be used to treat atherosclerosis, infections and neoplasms, as well as to provide systemic oxygenation of tissues.

Abstract: A method for the treatment of atherosclerosis in a mammal by destruction of atheromatous plaque is disclosed. The disclosed method includes injecting a hematoporphyrin into the mammal for selective uptake into the atheromatous plaque, and delivering light to the diseased vessel so that the light activates the hematoporphyrin for lysis of the plaque. The preferred method utilizes a balloon catheter equipped with flexible optical fibers for transmission of light from an external source for illumination of the interior of the inflated balloon. By inflation of the balloon, the opaque blood between the balloon and the atheromatous plaque is displaced to facilitate activation of the hematoporphyrin. The balloon may be illuminated and inflated and deflated in a cycle responsive to the patient's pulse so as to minimize interference with blood flow.

Abstract: By moving a wedge (18) within the radiographic field during exposure of an area of interest, steps of the wedge are presented one by one at the same film location over sequential exposures. Wedge steps are thus superimposed over an identical position within the radiographic field, and a correlation may then be made between wedge step thickness and film optical density over successive exposures for calibrating the radiographs. A preferred form of the stepped wedge is circular (FIG. 2). An alternate form is a circular ramp (FIG. 3).