Abstract: A guidewire for placement within a blood vessel for penetrating an occlusion therein. The guidewire comprises a length of flexible wire having a lumen extending therethrough. The distal end of the guidewire is generally arcuate and has a diameter greater than that of the wire immediately proximal thereto. A flexible stylet substantially the same length as the flexible wire may be disposed within the lumen of the wire. In operation, the arcuate distal end of the guidewire is positioned in the blood vessel against an occlusion, and a dottering action is thereafter provided whereby the arcuate distal end of the guidewire repeatedly impinges on the occlusion until penetration of the occlusion occurs.

Abstract: A guidewire for guiding and exchanging body insertable catheters includes a body insertable guide section and an exchange section, both formed of flexible wire. In one embodiment, a pin connector at the distal end of the exchange section includes a truncated conical head, a shank, and a groove between the head and the shank. A socket connector is attached to the proximal end of the guide section. Four indentations are formed in the socket connector, spaced apart angularly 90.degree. from one another. The maximum diameter of the conical head is greater than the distance between opposed nodules. As, the pin connector is insertable into the socket, it temporarily elastically deforms the socket as the head moves past the nodules. The nodules become captured within the groove, to allow rotation of the exchange section relative to the guide section while preventing any substantial axial relative movement of the sections.

Abstract: A guidewire for guiding and exchanging body insertable catheters includes a body insertable guide section and an exchange section, both formed of flexible wire. In one embodiment, a pin connector at the distal end of the exchange section includes a truncated conical head, a shank, and a groove between the head and the shank. A socket connector is attached to the proximal end of the guide section. Four indentations are formed in the socket connector, spaced apart angularly 90.degree. from one another. The maximum diameter of the conical head is greater than the distance between opposed nodules, as the pin connector is insertable into the, it temporarily elastically deforms the socket as the head moves past the nodules. The nodules become captured within the groove, to allow rotation of the exchange section relative to the guide section while preventing any substantial axial relative movement of the sections.

Abstract: An atherectomy catheter device includes an improved guidewire system including a guidewire port member secured to the distal tip portion of the outer tubular member of an atherectomy catheter of the coaxial type having large and small concentrically disposed elongated flexible tubular members with a rotating cutter member fixed to the distal end of the inner tubular member. The guidewire is spaced from the cutter head yet controls the cutter disposition relative to the vessel lumen of interest. The inner and outer tubular members are constructed to simultaneously provide flushing liquid and aspirate the cutting site. A method of using the improved catheter is also disclosed.

Abstract: An atherectomy catheter is provided with an improved high speed rotating cutting head is disclosed in which the cutting head has a generally oval-shaped nose portion which includes a plurality of radially disposed excising openings extending along and rearward from a point near the center of the nose. The openings are elongated but do not extend beyond the elliptical portion of reduced diameter, and, therefore, do not damage the lining of the vessel involved.

Abstract: Polyol(allyl carbonate) monomer, e.g., diethylene glycol bis(allyl carbonate), containing 1,4-dihydroxy anthraquinone in amounts sufficient to selectively absorb at least 94 percent of the visible and ultraviolet light segments of the electromagnetic spectrum below 530 nanometers is described. Also described are ophthalmic articles prepared by curing the monomer.

Abstract: Polyol(allyl carbonate) monomer, e.g., diethylene glycol bis(allyl carbonate), containing 1,4-dihydroxy anthraquinone in amounts sufficient to selectively absorb at least 94 percent of the visible and ultraviolet light segments of the electromagnetic spectrum below 530 nanometers is described. Also described are ophthalmic articles prepared by curing the monomer.

Abstract: Polyol(allyl carbonate) monomer, e.g., diethylene glycol bis(allyl carbonate), containing 1-[(2,6-dibromo-4-methylphenyl)amino]-4-hydroxy-9,10-anthracenedione in amounts sufficient to selectively absorb at least 90 percent of the visible and ultraviolet light segments of the electromagnetic spectrum below 550 nanometers is described. Also described are ophthalmic articles prepared by curing the monomer.

Abstract: The collapsible and slidable cart provides for the transport of articles on both horizontal and oblique surfaces. The cart includes a pair of spacially parallel support members, each having a handle portion at the upper end and a wheel mounted for rotation at the lower end. At least one tray member for supporting articles extends outwardly from and is rotationally connected to the support members. Lock means which permit or prevent the rotational movement of the parallel support members relative to the tray member provides the cart user with means to collapse the cart for storage. The parallel support members have a curved, outwardly extending lower end portion so that the wheels extend outwardly from the remaining upper length. The curved lower ends having a low friction contact surface permits the cart to be transported on oblique surfaces, such as stairs.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optically clear casting prepared by polymerizing a composition comprising (1) a diol bis(allyl carbonate) monomer, e.g., diethylene glycol bis(allyl carbonate), (2) from about 1 to about 10 weight percent of a saturated aliphatic or aromatic dicarboxylic acid containing from 3 to 10 carbon atoms, e.g., succinic acid and phthalic acid or the anhydrides of succinic acid and phthalic acid, and (3) an infrared absorbing amount, e.g., 1.5 to 4.0 weight percent, of a metal hexacarbonyl, e.g., tungsten, molybdenum or vanadium hexacarbonyl. The castings are capable of absorbing near infrared radiation and are useful as optical, e.g., ophthalmic, lenses.