Abstract: A radially expandable intravascular medical device is disclosed. The device typically includes two members. The first member is an outer tube-shaped sheath which is radially expandable by being formed from elastic material or other means and having relatively low column strength. The second member is an inner portion extending throughout the outer tube. This inner portion includes a slit to allow it to expand radially as well. Using the structure diagnostic, therapeutic, or other desired objects may be conveyed through the device yet still enable the device to have a smaller cross-sectional area throughout most of its length than the object conveyed therethrough.

Abstract: A radially expandable intravascular medical device is disclosed. The device typically includes two members. The first member is an outer tube-shaped sheath which is radially expandable by being formed from elastic material or other means and having relatively low column strength. The second member is an inner portion extending throughout the outer tube. This inner portion includes a slit to allow it to expand radially as well. Using the structure diagnostic, therapeutic, or other desired objects may be conveyed through the device yet still enable the device to have a smaller cross-sectional area throughout most of its length than the object conveyed therethrough.

Abstract: A radially expandable intravascular medical device is disclosed. The device typically includes two members. The first member is an outer tube-shaped sheath which is radially expandable by being formed from elastic material or other means and having relatively low column strength. The second member is an inner portion extending throughout the outer tube. This inner portion includes a slit to allow it to expand radially as well. Using the structure diagnostic, therapeutic, or other desired objects may be conveyed through the device yet still enable the device to have a smaller cross-sectional area throughout most of its length than the object conveyed therethrough.

Abstract: An exchangeable catheter-guidewire system is disclosed in which the guidewire can be manipulated to seize and to release itself from the catheter body while both are in place in a vasculature or other body vessel. For balloon dilatation catheters, this arrangement permits one to transmit the fluid used for perfusion and/or balloon inflation through the same lumen through which the guidewire passes. Balloon catheters which utilize the invention have the capacity to secure the position of the guidewire relative to the catheter body, as well as to seal the lumen and balloon to retain fluid under pressure, both by remote control from the proximal end of the catheter. The seizure and sealing are achieved by a deformable section on the guidewire, which expands upon deformation to seize a tubular section of the catheter body.

Abstract: A radially expandable intravascular medical device is disclosed. The device typically includes two members. The first member is an outer tube-shaped sheath which is radially expandable by being formed from elastic material or other means and having relatively low column strength. The second member is an inner portion extending throughout the outer tube. This inner portion includes a slit to allow it to expand radially as well. Using the structure diagnostic, therapeutic, or other desired objects may be conveyed through the device yet still enable the device to have a smaller cross-sectional area throughout most of its length than the object conveyed therethrough.

Abstract: An angioplasty catheter system is disclosed which allows insertion and removal of a guidewire through the inner member of the catheter, yet which inner member includes a portion which is smaller than the cross-section of portions of the guidewire. Advancement and removal of the guidewire are achieved by forming the first portion of the inner member of the catheter shaft from material which is expandable, or which is sufficiently thin to be folded and temporarily secured in place using several techniques.

Abstract: A dilatation balloon catheter is disclosed with an inelastic balloon wrapped about a smaller section of a guidewire. During introduction across a region of a stenosis, the balloon is wrapped around a guidewire in such a way that the guidewire contained therein can rotated freely, but cannot advance independently of the balloon. The wrapped configuration is maintained by means of a temporary bond. Inflation of the balloon, following proper positioning of the catheter breaks the bond, permitting the balloon to unwrap from the guidewire contained therein. Typically, the distal end of the guidewire is tapered and the guide wire is controllably clamped to the catheter for advancement into the patient.

Abstract: A Y-adapter (2) includes a check valve (22) having an entrance section (24) and a sealing section (26). The sealing section includes two or more flexible, thin, conformable sheets (48, 50) having normally abutting sealing surfaces extending axially at least twice the diameter of the therapeutic catheter (6). The sealing section collapses onto the catheter so that the patient's blood pressure seals the sheets against the catheter to prevent blood loss even during insertion and removal of the catheter. The main bore (10) is sealed adjacent the side port (20) to eliminate dead space where blood clots can form. The flexible, conformable sheets provide very little resistance to the insertion of the catheter to minimize damage to the catheter.

Abstract: A guiding catheter 20 of variable, operator-controlled flexibility to be used in the performance of a percutaneous translumenal coronary angioplasty procedure is described which includes an elongate housing 42 suitable for insertion into an artery, as well as an operator-controlled variable stiffener coupled to the distal aspect of the catheter to permit the operator performing the angioplasty procedure to increase the rigidity of the catheter. In a preferred embodiment the stiffening apparatus consists of a fluid-filled chamber eccentrically displaced along the longitudinal axis of the catheter housing nearly encompassing the housing that contains a segment capable of asymmetric elongation when subjected to hydrostatic pressure resulting in the development of torque and increased rigidity of the distal end as desired by the operator.

Abstract: A dilitation balloon catheter with an inelastic balloon disposed in a streamlined configuration having a smaller deflated cross-sectional profile than any catheter hereto available and yet a potentially larger inflation caliber than prior art "low profile" catheters. During introduction across a region of stenosis, the balloon is wrapped around a guidewire in such a way that the guidewire contained therein can move freely. The wrapped configuration is maintained by means of a temporary bond. Inflation of the balloon, following proper positioning of the catheter results in disruption of the aforementioned bond, permitting a balloon to unwrap from the guidewire contained therein.

Abstract: A guiding catheter 40 of variable, operator-controlled flexibility to be used in the performance of a percutaneous translumenal coronary angioplasty procedure is described which includes an elongate housing 42 suitable for insertion into an artery, as well as an operator-controlled variable stiffener coupled to the distal aspect of the catheter to permit the operator performing the angioplasty procedure to increase the rigidity of the catheter. In a preferred embodiment the stiffening apparatus consists of a balloon 50 extending longitudinally along the distal end of the catheter to allow increases in rigidity of the distal end as desired by the operator. Increasing the rigidity of the guiding catheter, once installed within the coronary ostium, precludes disengagement of the guiding catheter, thus expediting the performance and enhancing the safety of the procedure.