Abstract: A flexible, small diameter catheter for effecting various surgical procedures, such as opening a restriction formed of an undesirable material, e.g., atherosclerotic plaque, in a lumen, e.g., an artery, of a living being. The catheter includes a working head having at least one, non-sharp impacting surface arranged to be moved, e.g., rotated, at a high rate of speed by an associated drive means within the catheter. The catheter with the moving working head is brought into engagement to effect the opening of the restriction by dilating the artery and/or removing undesirable material therefrom. The removal of undesirable material results from the impacting surface impacting the material of the restriction repeatedly. A fluid is provided through the catheter to the working head and a portion is thrown radially outward.

Abstract: A device for sealing an opening or puncture in the wall of a blood vessel, duct or other lumen of a living being. The device includes an elongated tubular body having an outlet at the distal end thereof and which is arranged to be inserted, such as percutaneously, through the puncture in the blood vessel so that the outlet is located within the vessel's interior. An expandible closure is disposed within the tubular body and is formed so as to be held in a compact configuration therein. The tubular body also includes ejecting means for forcing the closure out of the outlet into the interior of the blood vessel, whereupon the closure automatically expands to form an enlarged engagement surface. A retraction filament is secured to the closure for pulling it to the puncture after the tubular body has been withdrawn from the puncture so that the engagement surface of the closure means hemostatically engages the inner surface of the blood vessel contiguous with the puncture.

Abstract: Methods for effecting various surgical procedures via the use of a flexible, small diameter, catheter. The catheter includes a working head arranged to be moved, e.g., rotated, at a high rate of speed by an associated drive system. In one method the catheter with the moving head is brought into engagement with a restriction caused by an atherosclerotic deposit in an artery to effect the opening of the restriction by the dilation of the artery. In another method the catheter is used to dilate a duct or tube, e.g., a fallopian tube, eustachian tube, bile duct, etc. in a living being. In another application the catheter is used to effect the in situ valvulectomy of a section of vein within a living being. In still another method the catheter is used to disintegrate a stone, such as a kidney or gall stone, in the body of a living being. In yet another method, the catheter is used to stop spasm in a lumen in a living being.

Abstract: Methods for effecting various surgical procedures via the use of a flexible, small diameter, catheter. The catheter includes a working head arranged to be moved, e.g., rotated, at a high rate of speed by an associated drive system. In one method the catheter with the moving head is brought into engagement with a restriction caused by an atherosclerotic deposit in an artery to effect the opening of the restriction by the dilation of the artery. In another method the catheter is used to dilate a duct or tube, e.g., a fallopian tube, eustachian tube, bile duct, etc. in a living being. In another application the catheter is used to effect the in situ valvulectomy of a section of vein within a living being. In still another method the catheter is used to disintegrate a stone, such as a kidney or gall stone, in the body of a living being. In yet another method, the catheter is used to stop spasm in a lumen in a living being.

Abstract: Methods for effecting various surgical procedures via the use of a flexible, small diameter, catheter. The catheter includes a working head arranged to be moved, e.g., rotated, at a high rate of speed by an associated drive system. In one method the catheter with the moving head is brought into engagement with a restriction caused by an atherosclerotic deposit in an artery to effect the opening of the restriction by the dilation of the artery. In another method the catheter is used to dilate a duct or tube, e.g., a fallopian tube, eustachian tube, bile duct, etc. in a living being. In another application the catheter is used to effect the in situ valvulectomy of a section of vein within a living being. In still another method the catheter is used to disintegrate a stone, such as a kidney or gall stone, in the body of a living being. In yet another method, the catheter is used to stop spasm in a lumen in a living being.

Abstract: Methods for effecting various surgical procedures via the use of a flexible, small diameter, catheter. The catheter includes a working head arranged to be moved, e.g., rotated, at a high rate of speed by an associated drive system. In one method the cathether with the moving head is brought into engagement with a restriction caused by an atherosclerotic deposit in an artery to effect the opening of the restriction by the dilation of the artery. In another method the catheter is used to dilate a duct or tube, e.g., a fallopian tube, eustachian tube, bile duct, etc. in a living being. In another application the catheter is used to effect the in situ valvulectomy of a section of vein within a living being. In still another method the catheter is used to disintegrate a stone, such as a kidney or gall stone, in the body of a living being. In yet another method, the catheter is used to stop spasm in a lumen in a living being.