Abstract: This is a device for percutaneous tissue sampling or excision. In particular, it uses an expandable ring cutter which produces an accurately located, discrete tissue mass that is removable through a comparatively much smaller access member. The tissue mass is easily reconstructed to its original form and orientation once taken from the body for further study.

Abstract: An extracardiac pumping for supplementing the circulation of blood, including the cardiac output, in a patient without any component thereof being connected to the patient's heart, and methods of using same. One embodiment of the intravascular extracardiac system comprises a pump with inflow and outflow conduits that are sized and configured to be implantable intravascularly through a non-primary vessel, whereby it may positioned where desired within the patient's vasculature. The system comprises a subcardiac pump that may be driven directly or electromagnetically from within or without the patient. The pump is configured to be operated continuously or in a pulsatile fashion, synchronous with the patient's heart, thereby potentially reducing the afterload of the heart.

Abstract: An extracorporeal vascular conduit for circulating blood outside a patient's body over an extended period of time in a manner that minimizes risk of thrombosis and complement activation and maximizes the ability of a patient to be ambulatory during recovery stages. The inventive vascular conduit comprises a first biocompatible material and a second synthetic material that is employed over a portion of the biocompatible material that extends outside the patient's body when is use. The majority of the portion that extends within the patient's body remains uncoated. A third synthetic material is applied around the conduit near the distal end of the second coating material of the catheter to permit a physician to secure the catheter to the patient's skin to minimize relative movement.

Abstract: These are subcutaneous cavity marking devices and methods. More particularly, upon insertion into a body, the cavity marking device and method enable one to determine the center, orientation, and periphery of the cavity by radiographic, mammographic, echogenic, or other non-invasive imaging techniques. Also, the device contains a bioabsorbable or non-bioabsorbable marker. The device may be combined with various substances enhancing the radiopaque, mammographic, or echogenic characteristics of the marker or the body allowing it to be observed by any non-invasive imaging techniques. This is further a method of marking a subcutaneous cavity using a bioabsorbable material and a bioabsorbable or non-bioabsorbable marker in conjunction with the material. The method also may combine any of the features as described with the device.

Abstract: The present invention is a percutaneous catheter assembly intended for long-term blood flow of several days, said assembly comprising generally three components: a catheter housing having three sections, each of preferably differing diameter, with a set of perforations in a distal section, an end cap for closing off a proximal end of the catheter housing during insertion, and a dilator having an outer diameter substantially the same size as the inner diameter of the smallest section of the catheter housing, the dilator being configured to pass radiopaque contrast through a first and second set of openings in the dilator and the perforations in the catheter housing. The present invention further comprises a method of percutaneous blood perfusion in which the catheter assembly is used without the need for an introducer sheath.

Abstract: This is a subcutaneous cavity marking devices and methods. More particularly, upon insertion into a body, the cavity marking device and method enable one to determine the center, orientation, and periphery of the cavity by radiographic, mammographic, echogenic, or other non-invasive imaging techniques. Also, the device contains a bioabsorbable or non-bioabsorbable marker. The device may be combined with various substances enhancing the radiopaque, mammographic, or echogenic characteristics of the marker or the body allowing it to be observed by any non-invasive imaging techniques. This is further a method of marking a subcutaneous cavity using a bioabsorbable material and a bioabsorbable or non-bioabsorbable marker in conjunction with the material. The method also may combine any of the features as described with the device.

Abstract: These are subcutaneous cavity marking devices and methods. More particularly, upon insertion into a body, the cavity marking device and method enable one to determine the center, orientation, and periphery of the cavity by radiographic, mammographic, echogenic, or other non-invasive imaging techniques. Also, the device contains a bioabsorbable or non-bioabsorbable marker. The device may be combined with various substances enhancing the radiopaque, mammographic, or echogenic characteristics of the marker or the body allowing it to be observed by any non-invasive imaging techniques. This is further a method of marking a subcutaneous cavity using a bioabsorbable material and a bioabsorbable or non-bioabsorbable marker in conjunction with the material. The method also may combine any of the features as described with the device.

Abstract: These are subcutaneous cavity marking devices and methods. More particularly, upon insertion into a body, the cavity marking device and method enable one to determine the center, orientation, and periphery of the cavity by radiographic, mammographic, echogenic, or other non-invasive imaging techniques. Also, the device contains a bioabsorbable or non-bioabsorbable marker. The device may be combined with various substances enhancing the radiopaque, mammographic, or echogenic characteristics of the marker or the body allowing it to be observed by any non-invasive imaging techniques. This is further a method of marking a subcutaneous cavity using a bioabsorbable material and a bioabsorbable or non-bioabsorbable marker in conjunction with the material. The method also may combine any of the features as described with the device.

Abstract: Catheters including a rugged, reusable proximal body and a disposable distal body attached by a releasable connection are provided. The reusable proximal body is constructed from resterilizable materials such as glass, metal alloys and engineering plastics. The disposable distal body, designed for one-time use, is made from reliable but inexpensive materials. The catheters may be dilatation catheters and may be manufactured in any configuration, including rapid exchange, balloon-on-a-wire, and over-the-wire designs with single or multiple lumens. The modular construction of the catheter and releasable connection provides for rapid and easy changes in the configuration and balloon size depending on the needs of the medical procedure.

Abstract: This is a device for percutaneous tissue sampling or excision. In particular, it uses a rotating cutter which produces a helically cut, discrete tissue mass that is removable through a comparatively much smaller access member. The tissue mass is easily reconstructed to its original form and orientation once taken from the body for further study.

Abstract: This is a device for percutaneous tissue sampling or excision. In particular, it uses an expandable ring cutter which produces an accurately located, discrete tissue mass that is removable through a comparatively much smaller access member. The tissue mass is easily reconstructed to its original form and orientation once taken from the body for further study.

Abstract: A catheter system includes a guide wire, a working catheter and a torque device for removably coupling the working catheter to the guide wire while enabling rotation of the guide wire to the working catheter. Advancement of the guide wire in a vascular system is enabled by rotating the guide wire while the working catheter is coupled thereto. A procedure for use of the catheter system includes the simultaneous insertion of the guide wire and working catheter into a vascular system and independent rotation of the guide wire for steering the guide wire, with working catheter coupled thereto, through the vascular system.