Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for an ultrasonic medical device with improved visibility in imaging procedures. A medical device comprises an elongated probe having a material of high radiopacity at an at least one predetermined location of the probe wherein the material of high radiopacity is capable of withstanding series of vibrations of the elongated probe. The material of high radiopacity allows the elongated probe to be visualized in imaging procedures when the probe is inserted into a body. The present invention provides a method of improving the visibility of an ultrasonic medical device during a medical procedure by engaging a material of high radiopacity to a small diameter elongated probe wherein the material of high radiopacity engages the probe at an at least one predetermined location.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for an ultrasonic medical device with improved visibility in imaging procedures. A medical device comprises an elongated probe having a material of high radiopacity at an at least one predetermined location of the probe wherein the material of high radiopacity is capable of withstanding series of vibrations of the elongated probe. The material of high radiopacity allows the elongated probe to be visualized in imaging procedures when the probe is inserted into a body. The present invention provides a method of improving the visibility of an ultrasonic medical device during a medical procedure by engaging a material of high radiopacity to a small diameter elongated probe wherein the material of high radiopacity engages the probe at an at least one predetermined location.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacturing small diameter ultrasonic probes capable of vibrating in a transverse mode that can be used in ultrasonic tissue ablation. The apparatus includes a die, a style puller which is used to engage a functional end of the medical device, and a die room puller which is used to draw the medical device through the die. The die includes a bell-shaped lead-in on a front side of the die and a bell-shaped lead-in on a back side of the die allowing for reversal of the direction of the draw. The method of manufacturing includes heat treating a large diameter medical device, drawing the large diameter device through a die and reversing the draw of the medical device through the die to provide a medical device having a varying diameter along a length of the device. The method is repeated until a final diameter is reached.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and a method for using an ultrasonic probe to remove an occlusion in vascular access devices including fistulas, grafts, catheters and subcutaneous access devices. The ultrasonic probe is inserted into the vascular access device and a section of a longitudinal axis of the ultrasonic probe engages the occlusion. A transducer transmits an ultrasonic energy from an ultrasonic energy source that produces a transverse ultrasonic vibration along the longitudinal axis of the ultrasonic probe. The transverse ultrasonic vibration of the ultrasonic probe provides a plurality of transverse anti-nodes along a portion of the longitudinal axis of the ultrasonic probe that cause a cavitation in a medium in communication with the ultrasonic probe to ablate the occlusion.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacturing small diameter ultrasonic probes capable of vibrating in a transverse mode that can be used in ultrasonic tissue ablation. The apparatus includes a die, a style puller which is used to engage a functional end of the medical device, and a die room puller which is used to draw the medical device through the die. The die includes a bell-shaped lead-in on a front side of the die and a bell-shaped lead-in on a back side of the die allowing for reversal of the direction of the draw. The method of manufacturing includes heat treating a large diameter medical device, drawing the large diameter device through a die and reversing the draw of the medical device through the die to provide a medical device having a varying diameter along a length of the device. The method is repeated until a final diameter is reached.

Abstract: An ultrasonic medical device comprising an ultrasonic probe and a collet assembly for probe attachment and detachment, and a method of removing occlusions in blood vessels using the ultrasonic medical device. The probe detachability allows insertion, manipulation and withdrawal independently of a device body. The collet assembly comprises a compression clamp capable of releasably receiving the probe, and a compression housing that initiates a minimal area “line-contact” between the collet assembly segments upon engagement. A line-contact lip ensures consistent and repeatable contact between the compression clamp and the compression housing at a predetermined location to provide a consistent closing force on the probe for any selected tightening torque. The line-contact between the collet assembly segments provides efficient ultrasonic energy transfer from an ultrasonic energy source to the probe thereby increasing the probe efficiency during tissue ablation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacturing small diameter ultrasonic probes capable of vibrating in a transverse mode that can be used in ultrasonic tissue ablation. The apparatus includes a die, a style puller which is used to engage a functional end of the medical device, and a die room puller which is used to draw the medical device through the die. The die includes a bell-shaped lead-in on a front side of the die and a bell-shaped lead-in on a back side of the die allowing for reversal of the direction of the draw. The method of manufacturing includes heat treating a large diameter medical device, drawing the large diameter device through a die and reversing the draw of the medical device through the die to provide a medical device having a varying diameter along a length of the device. The method is repeated until a final diameter is reached.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying a lubricant coating to surgical needles utilizes a belt coating system with two endless belts. The endless belts have confronting running sides and are rotated in opposite directions for feeding the surgical needles therebetween. The needles are fed between the confronting running sides and are pressed lightly between the endless belts, whose surfaces have been wetted with the lubricant solution. The needles are cured after coating.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying a lubricant coating to surgical needles utilizes a belt coating system with two endless belts. The endless belts have confronting running sides and are rotated in opposite directions for feeding the surgical needles therebetween. The needles are fed between the confronting running sides and are pressed lightly between the endless belts, whose surfaces have been wetted with the lubricant solution. The needles are cured after coating.

Abstract: An aqueous silicone coating composition containing a reactive siloxane polymer and a non-reactive dimethylpolysiloxane in an aqueous carrier having an effective amount of at least one dispersing agent to disperse the siloxanes throughout the aqueous carrier. Also provided is a method of lubricating substrates by applying an aqueous silicone coating composition to the substrate and curing the silicone thereon, as well as lubricated surgical needles prepared by that method.

Abstract: A laparoscopic suturing device includes a suturing needle and a driver for manipulating the needle. The suturing needle features a helically-wound front-end portion with a needle point at its proximal end for penetrating tissue and a rear-end portion connected to the driver. The slender design of the suturing device is ideally suited for minimally-invasive surgery.

Abstract: A surgical suturing needle is formed to have a needle shaft with a rectangular cross-section and a needle head with a triangular needle point. A transitional portion between the needle shaft and the needle head is formed to have a maximum width greater than the width of the needle shaft. A plurality of cutting edges extend from the needle point to at least the maximum width section of the transitional portion. After forming and grinding the suturing needle, it is immersed in an acid bath and exposed to an electrical field. Finally, the surgical needle is heat-treated to increase its strength and resistance to bending or breaking.

Abstract: A metallic product having a dark, nonreflective and nonflaking surface is disclosed. A method of manufacturing the dark, nonreflective and nonflaking surface is also disclosed.

Abstract: An alloy comprising silver plus one or more additives taken from the class consisting of gold, platinum, osmium, iridium, palladium, ruthenium and rhodium is disclosed. Each additive metal is present in an amount of from 0 to 1% by weight of the alloy. The total amount of additive is at least 0.05% by weight of the alloy. A method of making permanent electrical connections using the alloy is also disclosed.

Abstract: An alloy comprising silver plus one or more additives taken from the class consisting of gold, platinum, osmium, iridium, palladium, ruthenium and rhodium is disclosed. Each additive metal is present in an amount of from 0 to 1% by weight of the alloy. The total amount of additive is at least 0.05% by weight of the alloy. A method of making permanent electrical connections using the alloy is also disclosed.