Abstract: A catheter device comprising an elongated outer member having an outer surface and an interior surface forming a lumen extending from a proximal end to a distal end, wherein an outer diameter of said distal end is larger than an outer diameter of said proximal end, and embodiments thereof.

Abstract: A catheter device comprising: a micro-fabricated elongated outer member having an outer surface and an interior surface forming a lumen extending from a proximal end to a distal end and a plurality of fenestrations made through said outer surface and said interior surface into at least a portion of said lumen; and an outer elastomer laminate layer in contact with at least a portion of said outer surface and filling said plurality of fenestrations, and embodiments thereof.

Abstract: A catheter device comprising: a micro-fabricated elongated outer member having an outer surface and an interior surface forming a lumen extending from a proximal end to a distal end, wherein said outer member is formed from two or more different stock materials, and embodiments thereof.

Abstract: A catheter device comprising: a micro-fabricated elongated outer member having an outer surface and an interior surface forming a lumen extending from a proximal end to a distal end; and an outer elastomer laminate layer in contact with at least a portion of said outer surface, and embodiments thereof.

Abstract: A guidewire device comprising: a micro-fabricated elongated outer member having an outer surface and an interior surface forming a lumen extending from a proximal end to a distal end; an outer elastomer laminate layer in contact with at least a portion of said outer surface; and an inner member disposed within a substantial portion of said lumen, and embodiments thereof.

Abstract: A guidewire device comprising: a micro-fabricated elongated outer member having an outer surface and an interior surface forming a lumen extending from a proximal end to a distal end, wherein said outer member is formed from two or more stock materials; and an inner member disposed within a portion of said lumen, and embodiments thereof.

Abstract: Stent delivery catheters adapted to provide both flexibility and strength are disclosed. Such stent delivery catheters may have outer shafts adapted for tensile strength and inner shafts adapted for compressive strength. In some instances, at least one of the outer shaft and/or the inner shaft may include a micromachined portion.

Abstract: Micro-cutting machines for forming cuts in catheters, guidewires, and similar products, are disclosed, including a micro-cutting machine that can directly control the dimensions of the resultant beams being cut into products, and that can capture images of each cut for feedback control and accuracy verification.

Abstract: Stent delivery catheters adapted to provide both flexibility and strength are disclosed. Such stent delivery catheters may have outer shafts adapted for tensile strength and inner shafts adapted for compressive strength. In some instances, at least one of the outer shaft and/or the inner shaft may include a micromachined portion.

Abstract: Treatment of warm-blooded animals having a tumor or non-malignant hypervascularation, by administering a sufficient amount of a cytotoxic agent formulated into a phosphate prodrug form having substrate specificity for microvessel phosphatases, so that microvessels are destroyed preferentially over other normal tissues, because the less cytotoxic prodrug form is converted to the highly cytotoxic dephosphorylated form.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an elongate wire (solid or hollow) having a distal end section for detachment and delivery to a target location, the wire also having a discontinuity located rearwardly of the distal end section for rupturing when vibrational energy is applied to the wire, and a vibrational energy source couples to the proximal end of the wire for selectively applying vibrational energy to the wire to travel to the discontinuity and causes detachment of the end section.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for receiving and distributing currency. In particular, the present invention provides a novel apparatus for the inflow and outflow of a variety of currency. The systems of the present inventio are capable of recycling a variety of currency from multiple countries and multiple denominations. The systems of the present invention have the added advantage of compact size.

Abstract: A hybrid catheter guide wire includes an elongate solid body having a tapered distal end over which is disposed a tubular section—about which a catheter may be threaded for guidance to a target location in a vasculature passageway of a body. Cuts are formed either by saw-cutting, laser cutting or etching at spaced-apart locations along at least a portion of the tubular section to increase its lateral flexibility, while maintaining its rotational torquability, and to control the direction and degree of flexure.

Abstract: Apparatus for delivering fluids to blood vessels, body cavities and the like, includes a resilient tubular wire for threading lengthwise into the lumen of a catheter and out the distal end thereof to a target location of a body passageway to be treated. The tubular wire has a central lumen and a distal end formed into a coil, which, when straightened, may be threaded lengthwise through the catheter, but when extended out the distal end of the catheter at the target location, resumes its coiled shape. The tubular wire includes openings at least on the outside of the coils for discharging radially outwardly medication carried in the lumen of the wire. In this manner, the medication may be directed toward the wall of the passageway to infuse a diseased area being treated.

Abstract: A hybrid catheter guide wire includes an elongate solid body having a tapered distal end over which is disposed a tubular section—about which a catheter may be threaded for guidance to a target location in a vasculature passageway of a body. Cuts are formed either by saw-cutting, laser cutting or etching at spaced-apart locations along at least a portion of the tubular section to increase its lateral flexibility, while maintaining its rotational torquability, and to control the direction and degree of flexure.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are disclosed by which a hollow distal end portion of a wire may be deposited at selected sites in body passageways. The apparatus includes an elongate wire (solid or hollow) having a distal end section for detachment and delivery to a target location, the wire also having a discontinuity located rearwardly of the distal end section for rupturing when vibrational energy is applied to the wire. The discontinuities may take the form of cuts formed in the wire, reduced diameter sections in the wire, adhesive, welded or soldered couplings between the wire and the distal end section, or the wire transitioning from the wire to a large mass disposed on the distal end section. A catheter is coupled to or surrounds the elongate wire to deliver therapeutic liquid to a target body location.

Abstract: A hybrid catheter guide wire includes an elongate solid body having a tapered distal end over which is disposed a tubular section—about which a catheter may be threaded for guidance to a target location in a vasculature passageway of a body. Cuts are formed either by saw-cutting, laser cutting or etching at spaced-apart locations along at least a portion of the tubular section to increase its lateral flexibility, while maintaining its rotational torquability, and to control the direction and degree of flexure.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are disclosed by which a hollow distal end portion of a wire may be deposited at selected sites in body passageways. The apparatus includes an elongate wire (solid or hollow) having a distal end section for detachment and delivery to a target location, the wire also having a discontinuity located rearwardly of the distal end section for rupturing when vibrational energy is applied to the wire. The discontinuities may take the form of cuts formed in the wire, reduced diameter sections in the wire, adhesive, welded or soldered couplings between the wire and the distal end section, or the wire transitioning from the wire to a large mass disposed on the distal end section. A catheter is coupled to or surrounds the elongate wire to deliver therapeutic liquid to a target body location.

Abstract: A micromachined stent includes an elongate resilient wire formed into a coil for threading lengthwise into and through a catheter for ultimate discharge from the end of the catheter, to a target location in a blood vessel or body duct. When discharged, the wire resumes a coil form to hold the vessel or duct walls apart. Selective preferential flexibility is provided in the wire by placement of generally transversely formed cuts on the exterior of the wire.

Abstract: A device and method for irradiating with a desired radioactive emission the interior walls of blood vessels, body cavities and the like. The device includes a catheter for placement in the blood vessel, body cavity or the like, adapted for disposition adjacent the walls thereof. The distal end of the catheter is preferably configured to expand into a helical coil shape when unconstrained, but may be straightened when constrained within a second catheter. The catheter includes a section which is opaque to the radioactive emissions in question, and a wire slidably disposed therein for threading selectable distances into the catheter. A radioactive source is positioned at the distal end of the wire, and when positioned within the radio-opaque section of the catheter, radioactive emissions arc blocked from reaching adjacent tissue, allowing the radiation source to be safely guided to a target location.