Abstract: A hybrid heater that includes a structural mass into which passages are provided to create a labyrinth for chemical flow through the structural mass, the passages being sized and disposed to receive a plurality of heater rods such that the chemical is traversed through the passages in direct contact with the heater rods. A coiled spring may be disposed or other spiral arrangement provided in the space between and against the walls of the passages and the heater rod to facilitate flow uniformity around the rods. A temperature sensor may be provided in direct contact with the heating element and may be fitted with a mass sleeve to draw off any excess heat on the sensor during transitions.

Abstract: A hybrid heater that includes a structural mass into which passages are provided to create a labyrinth for chemical flow through the structural mass, the passages being sized and disposed to receive a plurality of heater rods such that the chemical is traversed through the passages in direct contact with the heater rods. A coiled spring may be disposed or other spiral arrangement provided in the space between and against the walls of the passages and the heater rod to facilitate flow uniformity around the rods. A temperature sensor may be provided in direct contact with the heating element and may be fitted with a mass sleeve to draw off any excess heat on the sensor during transitions.

Abstract: A hybrid heater that includes a structural mass into which passages are provided to create a labyrinth for chemical flow through the structural mass, the passages being sized and disposed to receive a plurality of heater rods such that the chemical is traversed through the passages in direct contact with the heater rods. A coiled spring may be disposed or other spiral arrangement provided in the space between and against the walls of the passages and the heater rod to facilitate flow uniformity around the rods. A temperature sensor may be provided in direct contact with the heating element and may be fitted with a mass sleeve to draw off any excess heat on the sensor during transitions.

Abstract: A dilator assembly used for the dilatation of vessel, tracts, or cavities. The dilator assembly comprises a hub portion, a shaft portion, and a long tapered tip portion having a taper no greater than 4 Fr per 1 cm. In certain aspects, the taper of the tapered tip portion is between approximately 1 Fr per 1 cm to 1 Fr per 1.5 cm. The present invention obviates the need for pre-dilatation. The dilator shaft portion and/or the distal tapered tip portion are flexible, providing excellent tractability, being capable of bending along a guide wire with minimal physical force and without kinking, to tract the curvature of a vessel, tract, or cavity. Additionally, a section of the shaft portion can be is capable of similarly bending along a guide wire. The present invention functions as a dilator, and tracts like a catheter over a guide wire.

Abstract: Multiple catheters are used to improve the positioning of devices for the treatment of stenosis in carotid arteries. A first catheter is introduced through the right common femoral artery and used to position a first balloon occluder within the external carotid artery. A second catheter is introduced through the left common femoral artery and used to position a balloon occluder catheter within the common carotid artery after removal of the first catheter. A guide wire is used to guide a self-expanding stent through the balloon occluder catheter adjacent a narrowing or stenosis within the carotid artery for treatment. The utilization of multiple catheters makes possible the positioning of devices used to treat stenosis easier and in locations that have been difficult to treat.

Abstract: A hybrid heater that includes a structural mass into which passages are provided to create a labyrinth for chemical flow through the structural mass, the passages being sized and disposed to receive a plurality of heater rods such that the chemical is traversed through the passages in direct contact with the heater rods. A coiled spring may be disposed or other spiral arrangement provided in the space between and against the walls of the passages and the heater rod to facilitate flow uniformity around the rods. A temperature sensor may be provided in direct contact with the heating element and may be fitted with a mass sleeve to draw off any excess heat on the sensor during transitions.