Abstract: A stiffened balloon apparatus with increased flexibility is provided for use in the human body. The stiffened balloon apparatus incorporates one or more stiffeners having at least one thinned area to facilitate bending or flexing of the stiffener as the apparatus is navigated through a passage. The thinned area of a stiffening member facilitates navigation of the stiffened balloon apparatus through a curved passage.

Abstract: The instrument has a pair of instrument arms, an angled instrument finger is attached to each arm, and the respective bottom surfaces of the distal ends of the angled instrument fingers are substantially parallel to the plane of the instrument arms.

Abstract: An ergonomic hand instrument with a finger grip loop and a thumb grip loop also has a forefinger control surface on at least one of the instrument arms. The control surface may include a proximally facing curved wall surface to receive the distal end of the tip of the user's forefinger. Forward and downward pressure can be applied with the forefinger with improved control and stability.

Abstract: A tubular conduit is used to access blood vessels or other structures in the human body. The conduit has a distal tip angled to match the angle of entry into the body and an end contour adapted for the surface of the target vessel or organ. The contour may be curved to match the curve on the outer surface of the vessel or organ. The conduit's angled and contoured distal end may be adapted to engage, and align the conduit with, the surface of the vessel or organ. The conduit bears a longitudinal groove along its lower, inner surface. When the conduit is appropriately aligned, the groove may be used to guide a needle tip to the desired location, for example, the mid-line of the vessel or organ.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a stiffened balloon which can be used in angioplasty, endovascular, and valvuloplasty procedures or as a delivery balloon to deliver a stent or a stent-graft. Longitudinally discontinuous stiffening members connected to the expandable balloon stiffen the balloon but allow it to be navigated through curved passages. Projections on the stiffening members may engage, incise, crush, fracture, or pierce occlusions or retain a stent or stent-graft. Radio-opaque portions may be referenced to determine orientation. Longitudinally continuous stiffening members bearing projections and connected to the balloon perform in a similar manner.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a stiffened balloon which can be used in angioplasty, endovascular, and valvuloplasty procedures or as a delivery balloon to deliver a stent or a stent-graft. Longitudinally discontinuous stiffening members connected to the expandable balloon stiffen the balloon but allow it to be navigated through curved passages. Projections on the stiffening members may engage, incise, crush, fracture, or pierce occlusions or retain a stent or stent-graft. Radio-opaque portions may be referenced to determine orientation. Longitudinally continuous stiffening members bearing projections and connected to the balloon perform in a similar manner.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a stiffened balloon which can be used in angioplasty, endovascular, and valvuloplasty procedures or as a delivery balloon to deliver a stent or a stent-graft. Longitudinally discontinuous stiffening members connected to the expandable balloon stiffen the balloon but allow it to be navigated through curved passages. Projections on the stiffening members may engage, incise, crush, fracture, or pierce occlusions or retain a stent or stent-graft. Radio-opaque portions may be referenced to determine orientation. Longitudinally continuous stiffening members bearing projections and connected to the balloon perform in a similar manner.

Abstract: The present invention relates to ergonomic hand instruments and medical procedures. In particular, the invention relates to a dissector, and methods for the dissection of tissue from skin to an underlying blood vessel and the methods of accomplishing such dissections and arterial and venous punctures.

Abstract: Apparatus to achieve percutaneous entry to a blood vessel includes several coacting combinations of coacting instruments, some capable of independent action, as well as enabling clear visualisation of the operative area, precise location of the operative site, capture and immobilization of the vessel, and guidance in the positioning and insertion of the puncturing needle Additionally, apparatus is provided for the placement of a sponge directly on the entry wound in the vessel to reduce bleeding. The present invention also sets forth a method for vascular puncture and more particularly for the arterial puncture procedure. The line of maximal pulsation is ascertained, and a small incision in the skin is made. A dissecting-retracting tool (100) is then employed to create a skin-to-vessel channel. The vessel is inspected through the spread fingers. A tubular access conduit (300), mounted on an obturator-carrier (400), is inserted until it rest upon the vessel.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a stiffened balloon which can be used in angioplasty, endovascular, and valvuloplasty procedures or as a delivery balloon to deliver a stent or a stent-graft. Longitudinally discontinuous stiffening members connected to the expandable balloon stiffen the balloon but allow it to be navigated through curved passages. Projections on the stiffening members may engage, incise, crush, fracture, or pierce occlusions or retain a stent or stent-graft. Radio-opaque portions may be referenced to determine orientation. Longitudinally continuous stiffening members bearing projections and connected to the balloon perform in a similar manner.