Abstract: The present invention provides for methods of using guide wires adapted for passage across a heart valve. The guide wires have an increased diameter and a shorter, relatively floppy distal tip; the increased diameter providing improved pushability to facilitate positioning in a blood jet and passage through a heart valve. The distal tip comprises a section of rectangular cross-section that, in conjunction with the decreased tip length, causes the distal tip to vibrate, or “dance”, when positioned within a blood jet at the outlet of a heart valve. This vibratory motion may be used to position the distal tip within the blood jet, thus facilitating passage through the valve without damage to leaflets of the valve or emboli generation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for administering a medication in a blood vessel using a balloon catheter with a balloon which has at least one flank. An inflow direction of the medication is established (i.e., takes place) at an angle ? from 0° to 89°, the angle ? being formed from the flow direction of the blood in the blood vessel and the flank of the balloon.

Abstract: The present invention provides guide wires adapted for passage across a heart valve and methods of use therefor. The guide wires have an increased diameter and a shorter, relatively floppy distal tip, as compared to previously known standard guide wires. The increased diameter provides improved pushability to facilitate positioning in a blood jet and passage through a heart valve. The short, floppy distal tip reduces a risk of damage to valve leaflets during passage through the valve, reduces a risk of emboli generation and coronary artery trauma during passage through a stenosed valve, and reduces a risk of myocardial perforation after passage. Additionally, the decreased length of the distal tip facilitates positioning within the blood jet and limits deflection of the guide wire out of the jet.

Abstract: A cooling pipe arrangement (1) includes a pipe portion (2) in which two gripping elements (3) are arranged, with a coil spring (6) gripped between the gripping elements (3). The coil spring is surrounded by an annular space (15) into which opens a duct (16) for the coolant. The fluid which is supplied by way of the duct is conducted through the gap (19) between the turns of the coil spring, on to the rolled material which is conveyed through the cooling pipe arrangement. The width of the gap (19) may be varied by means of a setting ring (22).