Abstract: A method of making a core metal element for a medical guidewire including providing a wire of nickel titanium alloy having a length that includes a proximal portion having a first diameter and a distal portion having a second diameter. The method further includes applying cold work to the distal portion and not applying cold work to the proximal portion, thereby imparting to the distal portion a third diameter that is smaller than the second diameter; and then applying a reducing process to the wire whereby the proximal portion is reduced to have a fourth diameter that is less than the first diameter.

Abstract: A method of making a core metal element for a medical guidewire comprising providing a wire of nickel titanium alloy having a length that includes a proximal portion having a first diameter and a distal portion having a second diameter. Applying cold work to the distal portion and not applying cold work to the proximal portion, thereby imparting to the distal portion a third diameter that is smaller than the second diameter; and then applying a reducing process to the wire whereby the proximal portion is reduced to have a fourth diameter that is less than the first diameter.

Abstract: High radiopacity is achieved in a polymeric marker by combining a polymeric resin, a powdered radiopaque agent having uniformly shaped particles of a specific particle size distribution and a wetting agent. The method to produce the marker calls for the blending and pelletization of these materials followed by extrusion onto support beading. The resulting supported tubing is subsequently cut to length with the beading still in place. After ejection of the beading remnant the marker is slipped into place on the device to be marked and attached by melt bonding. Marking of a guidewire allows lesions to be measured while the marking of balloon catheters allow the balloon to be properly positioned relative to a lesion.

Abstract: High radiopacity is achieved in a polymeric marker by combining a polymeric resin, a powdered radiopaque agent having uniformly shaped particles of a specific particle size distribution and a wetting agent. The method to produce the marker calls for the blending and pelletization of these materials followed by extrusion onto support beading. The resulting supported tubing is subsequently cut to length with the beading still in place. After ejection of the beading remnant the marker is slipped into place on the device to be marked and attached by melt bonding. Marking of a guidewire allows lesions to be measured while the marking of balloon catheters allow the balloon to be properly positioned relative to a lesion.

Abstract: The end cap is preferably formed of a relatively high durometer material with an inner surface on an outer surface of the shaft and on an outer surface of the balloon skirt section, and contacts a compression member on the balloon outer surface. The configuration prevents or inhibits failure at the balloon seals which otherwise results from the compression member moving or the balloon pulling off the shaft and out from under the compression member during inflation of the balloon. As a result, the balloon catheter of the invention has an improved consistent burst pressure and/or failure mode.

Abstract: High radiopacity is achieved in a polymeric marker by combining a polymeric resin, a powdered radiopaque agent having uniformly shaped particles of a specific particle size distribution and a wetting agent. The method to produce the marker calls for the blending and pelletization of these materials followed by extrusion onto support beading. The resulting supported tubing is subsequently cut to length with the beading still in place. After ejection of the beading remnant the marker is slipped into place on the device to be marked and attached by melt bonding. Marking of a guidewire allows lesions to be measured while the marking of balloon catheters allow the balloon to be properly positioned relative to a lesion.

Abstract: High radiopacity is achieved in a polymeric marker by combining a polymeric resin, a powdered radiopaque agent having uniformly shaped particles of a specific particle size distribution and a wetting agent. The method to produce the marker calls for the blending and pelletization of these materials followed by extrusion onto support beading. The resulting supported tubing is subsequently cut to length with the beading still in place. After ejection of the beading remnant the marker is slipped into place on the device to be marked and attached by melt bonding. Marking of a guidewire allows lesions to be measured while the marking of balloon catheters allow the balloon to be properly positioned relative to a lesion.

Abstract: The end cap is preferably formed of a relatively high durometer material with an inner surface on an outer surface of the shaft and on an outer surface of the balloon skirt section, and contacts a compression member on the balloon outer surface. The configuration prevents or inhibits failure at the balloon seals which otherwise results from the compression member moving or the balloon pulling off the shaft and out from under the compression member during inflation of the balloon. As a result, the balloon catheter of the invention has an improved consistent burst pressure and/or failure mode.

Abstract: The end cap is preferably formed of a relatively high durometer material with an inner surface on an outer surface of the shaft and on an outer surface of the balloon skirt section, and contacts a compression member on the balloon outer surface. The configuration prevents or inhibits failure at the balloon seals which otherwise results from the compression member moving or the balloon pulling off the shaft and out from under the compression member during inflation of the balloon. As a result, the balloon catheter of the invention has an improved consistent burst pressure and/or failure mode.

Abstract: High radiopacity is achieved in a polymeric marker by combining a polymeric resin, a powdered radiopaque agent having uniformly shaped particles of a specific particle size distribution and a wetting agent. The method to produce the marker calls for the blending and pelletization of these materials followed by extrusion onto support beading. The resulting supported tubing is subsequently cut to length with the beading still in place. After ejection of the beading remnant the marker is slipped into place on the device to be marked and attached by melt bonding. Marking of a guidewire allows lesions to be measured while the marking of balloon catheters allow the balloon to be properly positioned relative to a lesion.

Abstract: A thin walled intracorporeal catheter such as a guiding catheter employed for intravascular procedures which generally has an elongated catheter shaft with a polymeric wall with a stranded reinforcing structure having at least one strand and preferably most, if not all of the strands, formed of a metallic matereial containing at least 50%, preferably at least 65% by weight of a refractory metal such as molybdenum, tungsten rhenium, tantalum and niobium. The refractory metal containing strands of the reinforcing structure, which may have a circular or rectangular transverse cross-sectional shape, provide high levels of radiopacity with a high level of mechanical properties.