Abstract: A coaxial guide catheter to be passed through guide catheter having a first lumen, for use with interventional cardiology devices that are insertable into a branch artery that branches off from a main artery. The coaxial guide catheter is extended through the lumen of the guide catheter and beyond the distal end of the guide catheter and inserted into the branch artery. The device assists in resisting axial and shear forces exerted by an interventional cardiology device passed through the second lumen and beyond the flexible distal tip portion that would otherwise tend to dislodge the guide catheter from the branch artery.

Abstract: A coaxial guide catheter to be passed through guide catheter having a first lumen, for use with interventional cardiology devices that are insertable into a branch artery that branches off from a main artery. The coaxial guide catheter is extended through the lumen of the guide catheter and beyond the distal end of the guide catheter and inserted into the branch artery. The device assists in resisting axial and shear forces exerted by an interventional cardiology device passed through the second lumen and beyond the flexible distal tip portion that would otherwise tend to dislodge the guide catheter from the branch artery.

Abstract: A coaxial guide catheter to be passed through guide catheter having a first lumen, for use with interventional cardiology devices that are insertable into a branch artery that branches off from a main artery. The coaxial guide catheter is extended through the lumen of the guide catheter and beyond the distal end of the guide catheter and inserted into the branch artery. The device assists in resisting axial and shear forces exerted by an interventional cardiology device passed through the second lumen and beyond the flexible distal tip portion that would otherwise tend to dislodge the guide catheter from the branch artery.

Abstract: A cutter for cutting flexible material held on a roll thereof. The cutter has a frame that mounts a drop in roll of flexible material and a drop in tensioning roller in an open end of the frame. The cutter has a cutting area that is generally enclosed and houses a plurality of slitting knives and a tear off cutting blade. The cutting area has an entrance and exit slot for the material with the slitting knives slitting the material as it passes through the cutting area. The slit material can exit through the exit slot. After a predetermined length has been pulled forwardly relative to the cutting blade the slit material can be cut into pieces by tearing it against the cutting blade. A length determining gage allows pieces of a precise length to be cut. The material is pulled through the cutter by a set of feed rollers contained within the cutting area.

Abstract: Guide catheter unibody and method for manufacturing such a catheter. In one preferred embodiment, the present invention is a unibody guide catheter for use in percutaneous transluminal angioplasty procedures. The catheter includes a base layer and a structural layer formed over the base layer. The structural layer includes strands which cross at a plurality of points, the strands being attached together for structural integrity at a substantial number of points where they cross. The structural layer may be at least partially embedded in the base layer. Additionally, a cover layer is formed over the structural layer.

Abstract: An intravascular guide catheter includes a main shaft member, a bond member, an intermediate shaft member and a terminal shaft member. The main shaft has a proximal end and a mating distal end. The bond ring includes a mating proximal end, which is joined to the mating distal end of the main shaft member, and a mating distal end. The intermediate shaft member includes a mating proximal end, which is joined to the mating distal end of the bond member, and a mating distal end. The terminal shaft member includes a mating proximal end, which is joined to the mating distal end of the intermediate member, and a distal end. The main and intermediate shaft members have wire braiding reinforcing layers. The material of the intermediate shaft member has a greater hardness than the material of the terminal shaft member and a lower hardness than the material of the main shaft member.