Abstract: A pressure adjustment apparatus including a pump, a selector valve coupled to the pump, and a chamber in selective fluid communication with the pump through the selector valve is disclosed. The pump includes a pump body that defines a variable volume therein, the pump body further defining a first aperture and a second aperture therethrough. The selector valve includes a first check valve disposed in a first fluid channel of a plurality of fluid channels, the first check valve being oriented to permit flow through the first fluid channel only in a first flow direction, the first flow direction being a flow direction out of the variable volume, and a second check valve disposed in a second fluid channel of the plurality of fluid channels, the second check valve being oriented to permit flow through the second fluid channel only in a second flow direction.

Abstract: A pressure adjustment apparatus including a pump, a selector valve coupled to the pump, and a chamber in selective fluid communication with the pump through the selector valve is disclosed. The pump includes a pump body that defines a variable volume therein, the pump body further defining a first aperture and a second aperture therethrough. The selector valve includes a first check valve disposed in a first fluid channel of a plurality of fluid channels, the first check valve being oriented to permit flow through the first fluid channel only in a first flow direction, the first flow direction being a flow direction out of the variable volume, and a second check valve disposed in a second fluid channel of the plurality of fluid channels, the second check valve being oriented to permit flow through the second fluid channel only in a second flow direction.

Abstract: A pressure adjustment apparatus including a pump, a selector valve coupled to the pump, and a chamber in selective fluid communication with the pump through the selector valve is disclosed. The pump includes a pump body that defines a variable volume therein, the pump body further defining a first aperture and a second aperture therethrough. The selector valve includes a first check valve disposed in a first fluid channel of a plurality of fluid channels, the first check valve being oriented to permit flow through the first fluid channel only in a first flow direction, the first flow direction being a flow direction out of the variable volume, and a second check valve disposed in a second fluid channel of the plurality of fluid channels, the second check valve being oriented to permit flow through the second fluid channel only in a second flow direction.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for managing delivery of fluid into a vessel. A balloon catheter with a 3-way valve is introduced into an occluded vessel. The 3-way valve permits fluid, such as a contrast dye, to be injected into the vessel lumen. The valve is also configured to permit the balloon portion of the catheter to be inflated by means of the same lumen used to inject the contrast dye into the vessel. Bloodstream pressure can also be measured before and after dilation to confirm the procedure was successful. This apparatus and method provides for a quick, safe, and reliable treatment of an occluded vessel, among other things and works with known and later developed systems.

Abstract: A device and method for removing material from inside a tube is provided, comprising a catheter having a tubular body and defining an inner lumen, the distal end portion of the tubular body defining a distal opening and apertures on a sidewall. An expandable member is attached to the distal end portion of the catheter tubular body distal to the one or more apertures. The expandable member is capable of having a first unexpanded condition such that the distal opening is open to allow fluid communication with the inner lumen of the catheter through said distal opening, and a second expanded condition such that the distal opening is occluded to prevent fluid communication with the inner lumen of the catheter through said distal opening, the second expanded condition of the expandable member having a maximum transverse diameter larger than a diameter of the tubular body proximal to the expandable member.

Abstract: A fluid pressure indicating device is disclosed. The pressure indicating device includes a housing defining a cylindrical bore therein, and a piston movably disposed within the cylindrical bore. The housing includes a first portion that is permeable to visible light, a first end member, and a second end member opposite the first end member. A first variable volume is defined by the cylindrical bore, the piston, and the first end member of the housing. An inlet port is defined by the first end member of the housing and is in fluid communication with the first variable volume. A piston bypass channel is disposed outside the cylindrical bore and is in fluid communication with the inlet port. An outlet port is defined by the second end member, such that the outlet port is in fluid communication with the piston bypass channel.

Abstract: A medical device system with pressurized balloon having a radial wrap configuration yields improved withdrawal force, and has pre-stressed struts for reinforcing at fold points for ease of inflation, deflation, and heightened radiopacity.

Abstract: A fluid pressure indicating device is disclosed. The pressure indicating device includes a housing defining a cylindrical bore therein, and a piston movably disposed within the cylindrical bore. The housing includes a first portion that is permeable to visible light, a first end member, and a second end member opposite the first end member. A first variable volume is defined by the cylindrical bore, the piston, and the first end member of the housing. An inlet port is defined by the first end member of the housing and is in fluid communication with the first variable volume. A piston bypass channel is disposed outside the cylindrical bore and is in fluid communication with the inlet port. An outlet port is defined by the second end member, such that the outlet port is in fluid communication with the piston bypass channel.

Abstract: A medical device for delivering a reagent, such as a pharmaceutical agent, a diagnostic agent, a nutrient, or another type of reagent, to an intravascular or intralumenal location, is disclosed. The medical device has a coating, where exposing the coating to light severs a photosensitive bond that releases the reagent into the immediate vicinity of the location.

Abstract: A fluid pressure indicating device is disclosed. The fluid pressure indicating device includes a base defining an aperture therethrough, a plate separated from the base by a variable distance, the plate defining a hole therethrough, a shaft including a helical surface disposed within the hole of the plate, a first bellows extending between the base and the plate, and a second bellows extending between the base and the plate, the second bellows disposed around the first bellows, the first bellows and the second bellows defining a first chamber therebetween. The first bellows and the second bellows expand or contract in response to a difference between a pressure inside the first chamber and a pressure outside the first chamber. The variable distance between the base and the plate varies upon expansion or contraction of the first bellows and the second bellows, such that the shaft rotates relative to the plate.

Abstract: A pressure adjustment apparatus including a pump, a selector valve coupled to the pump, and a chamber in selective fluid communication with the pump through the selector valve is disclosed. The pump includes a pump body that defines a variable volume therein, the pump body further defining a first aperture and a second aperture therethrough. The selector valve includes a first check valve disposed in a first fluid channel of a plurality of fluid channels, the first check valve being oriented to permit flow through the first fluid channel only in a first flow direction, the first flow direction being a flow direction out of the variable volume, and a second check valve disposed in a second fluid channel of the plurality of fluid channels, the second check valve being oriented to permit flow through the second fluid channel only in a second flow direction.

Abstract: A device and method for removing material from inside a tube is provided, comprising a catheter having a tubular body and defining an inner lumen, the distal end portion of the tubular body defining a distal opening and apertures on a sidewall. An expandable member is attached to the distal end portion of the catheter tubular body distal to the one or more apertures. The expandable member is capable of having a first unexpanded condition such that the distal opening is open to allow fluid communication with the inner lumen of the catheter through said distal opening, and a second expanded condition such that the distal opening is occluded to prevent fluid communication with the inner lumen of the catheter through said distal opening, the second expanded condition of the expandable member having a maximum transverse diameter larger than a diameter of the tubular body proximal to the expandable member.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for managing delivery of fluid into a vessel. A balloon catheter with a 3-way valve is introduced into an occluded vessel. The 3-way valve permits fluid, such as a contrast dye, to be injected into the vessel lumen. The valve is also configured to permit the balloon portion of the catheter to be inflated by means of the same lumen used to inject the contrast dye into the vessel. Bloodstream pressure can also be measured before and after dilation to confirm the procedure was successful. This apparatus and method provides for a quick, safe, and reliable treatment of an occluded vessel, among other things and works with known and later developed systems.

Abstract: A stimulating needle and catheter system, including components, is provided such that the position of the stimulating needle or the stimulating catheter may be identified after insertion into the body of a patient by electrically stimulating and thus locating a specific nerve. Use of the needle and catheter system is eased by providing the system to the medical practitioner in a unitary structure. That is, the needle and catheter are connected by a catheter lock. The catheter lock is attached to the hub of the needle and can be actuated to either firmly grip the catheter or allow the catheter to move axially with respect to the lock and needle assembly. Thus, supplying the catheter to the practitioner already locked into the catheter lock allows the practitioner to insert the needle into the patient and, when ready, release the catheter for disposal through the needle into the patient. This and other disclosed features allow the medical practitioner to focus attention on the medical procedure.

Abstract: A catheter connector for coupling to a catheter, the connector having a body part, a tubular shaped compressible plug situated in a bore in part, with the proximal end of the catheter insertable into the bore of the plug, and a lever pivotably mounted to the housing part. Pivoting of the lever applies an axial force on one end of the plug causing the plug to deform radially inward and tightly engage the proximal end of the catheter.

Abstract: A cell necrosis apparatus for delivering thermal microwave energy to a specific site in a body, including: a. a microwave generator, b. a coolant delivery system for delivering and circulating a quantity of cooled liquid coolant via inlet and return passageways, c. a probe including a probe handle and a probe body having a proximal portion coupled to the probe handle and a distal portion, d. a microwave antenna in the distal portion of the probe body for applying thermal microwave energy to a specific site in cell necrosis treatment, and e.

Abstract: A catheter connector for coupling to a catheter, the connector having a body part, a tubular shaped compressible plug situated in a bore in part, with the proximal end of the catheter insertable into the bore of the plug, and a lever pivotably mounted to the housing part. Pivoting of the lever applies an axial force on one end of the plug causing the plug to deform radially inward and tightly engage the proximal end of the catheter.