Abstract: A circuit board arrangement includes a first printed circuit board having a first edge connector and a second printed circuit board having a second edge connector. The first edge connector includes a plurality of fingers, with each finger having at least one first conductor pad. The second edge connector includes a plurality of openings positioned generally in line with each other and a plurality of second conductor pads. Each opening has a corresponding finger positioned therein. Each second conductor pad is positioned adjacent a corresponding opening and corresponding first conductor pad.

Abstract: A circuit board arrangement includes a first printed circuit board having a first edge connector, and a second printed circuit board having a second edge connector and a plurality of holes positioned in relation to the second edge connector. A pair of circuit board carriers mount the first printed circuit board generally perpendicular to the second printed circuit board. Each circuit board carrier is positioned at an opposite lateral edge of the first printed circuit board. Each circuit board carrier includes a flat base for abutting the second circuit board, and a pair of wings on laterally opposite sides of the base. Each wing includes a snap-in feature for snap engagement with a corresponding hole in the second circuit board. At least one slot guide retains a corresponding lateral edge of the first printed circuit board. A retainer at an end generally opposite the base retains a distal edge of the first printed circuit board.

Abstract: An elongate medical device that may be used for performing medical procedures on a patient is provided. This elongate medical device may include a first member having a distal end, an outer surface, and a first lumen, where the first member may have an elongated configuration such that the length of the first member is at least ten times greater than the width of the first member. The elongate medical device may also have a second member positioned within the first member and a hood stop. The hood stop in this device may be positioned within the first member and may have a distal region and a shoulder region where the shoulder region may be configured to limit the travel of the first member or the second member past the hood stop.

Abstract: A circuit board arrangement includes a first printed circuit board having a first edge connector and a second printed circuit board having a second edge connector. The first edge connector includes a plurality of fingers, with each finger having at least one first conductor pad. The second edge connector includes a plurality of openings positioned generally in line with each other and a plurality of second conductor pads. Each opening has a corresponding finger positioned therein. Each second conductor pad is positioned adjacent a corresponding opening and corresponding first conductor pad.

Abstract: A circuit board arrangement includes a first printed circuit board having a first edge connector, and a second printed circuit board having a second edge connector and a plurality of holes positioned in relation to the second edge connector. A pair of circuit board carriers mount the first printed circuit board generally perpendicular to the second printed circuit board. Each circuit board carrier is positioned at an opposite lateral edge of the first printed circuit board. Each circuit board carrier includes a flat base for abutting the second circuit board, and a pair of wings on laterally opposite sides of the base. Each wing includes a snap-in feature for snap engagement with a corresponding hole in the second circuit board. At least one slot guide retains a corresponding lateral edge of the first printed circuit board. A retainer at an end generally opposite the base retains a distal edge of the first printed circuit board.

Abstract: A catheter is provided for the injection of therapeutic agents at a target site within a patient's body. The catheter includes a first elongated shaft having a distal end and a proximal end and a lumen extending therebetween. The catheter also includes a second elongated shaft in the form of a needle slidingly disposed in the first elongated shaft, the needle having a distal end and a proximal and a lumen extending therebetween. The catheter may include a flexible sleeve, wherein the flexible sleeve compresses along the inside of a curve and elongates along the outside of a curve. The catheter may additionally or alternatively include an adjustable distal tissue contact surface, wherein the position of the distal tissue contact surface may be adjusted with respect to a stop surface for stopping the advancement of a needle. The catheter may additionally or alternatively include a fluid pressure contact monitor.

Abstract: An elongate medical device that may be used for performing medical procedures on a patient is provided. This elongate medical device may include a first member having an elongated configuration, a second member pivotally coupled to the first member at a pivot area of the first member, and a manipulation member extending through either a first lumen or a second lumen of the first member. The second member of this device may have a first region on one side of the pivot area and a second region on a different side of the pivot area. The medical device may also include a third member slidable within one of the lumens of the first member.

Abstract: A laser system comprises a reflective chamber capable of housing a laser medium and at least two laser diodes emitting light at different respective wavelengths into the reflective chamber. The wavelength of each respective laser diode may be selected to minimize fluctuations in absorption by the laser medium of light emitted by the diode bars as the wavelength of each respective laser diode changes due to changes in an operating temperature of the laser system. The wavelength of each respective laser diode may be selected such that absorption by the laser medium of the wavelength of light emitted by one laser diode increases and absorption by the laser medium of the wavelength of light emitted by another laser diode decreases as the operating temperature changes within a predefined range.

Abstract: Needles configured to prevent or reduce contact of tissue or other material with the heel of the needle to prevent coring of the tissue or other material by the heel of the needle. Also provided are needles having no heels or blunted heels. The prevent invention also provides methods of manufacturing needles having obstructed or blunted heels.

Abstract: An elongate medical device that may be used for performing medical procedures on a patient is provided. This elongate medical device may include a first member having a distal end, an outer surface, and a first lumen, where the first member may have an elongated configuration such that the length of the first member is at least ten times greater than the width of the first member. The elongate medical device may also have a second member positioned within the first member and a hood stop. The hood stop in this device may be positioned within the first member and may have a distal region and a shoulder region where the shoulder region may be configured to limit the travel of the first member or the second member past the hood stop.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for catheter-based sensing and injection at a target site within a patient's body. An injection catheter is equipped with electrodes at its distal end which contact the surface of a target site, such as an AV node of the heart. Electrical signals detected at the target site by the electrodes are fed via leads to the proximal end of the catheter, where they are received by a monitor, such as an EKG monitor. If the electrical signals satisfy predetermined criteria, a needle within the catheter is extended into the target site, and a therapeutic agent is injected into the target site.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for catheter-based sensing and injection at a target site within a patient's body. An injection catheter is equipped with a electrodes at its distal end which contact the surface of a target site, such as an AV node of the heart. Electrical signals detected at the target site by the electrodes are fed via leads to the proximal end of the catheter, where they are received by a monitor, such as an EKG monitor. If the electrical signals satisfy predetermined criteria, a needle within the catheter is extended into the target site, and a therapeutic agent is injected into the target site.

Abstract: An apparatus for the injection of therapeutic and other agents at a target site within a patient's body. A catheter including a first elongated shaft having a distal end and a proximal end and a lumen extending therebetween. The catheter also including a second elongated shaft slidingly disposed in the first elongated shaft, the second elongated shaft having a distal end and a proximal and a lumen extending therebetween. The catheter further including a third elongated shaft disposed in and attached to the second elongate shaft, the third elongated shaft to move in a one-to-one relationship with the first elongated shaft and the second elongated shaft to maintain a predetermined needle deployment length as each are subjected to various bend configurations.

Abstract: A catheter shaft assembly is disclosed. A catheter shaft in accordance with the present invention comprises a first elongate shaft having an inner surface defining a lumen, a second elongate shaft slidingly disposed within the lumen of the first elongate shaft, at least one interstitial member disposed between the inner surface of the first elongate shaft and the outer surface of the second elongate shaft.

Abstract: A catheter assembly is disclosed. This assembly may include a first elongate member having an internal lumen and a distal portion, a second elongate member, slidable within the first elongate member, and a spacer positioned between the second elongate member and the first elongate member. In this example, the spacer may be positioned at bendable portions of the first elongate member and the second elongate member such that the spacer maintains a substantially uniform spacing between the second elongate member and the first elongate member when the first elongate member and the second elongate member are in a curved orientation.

Abstract: An elongate medical device that may be used for performing medical procedures on a patient is provided. This elongate medical device may include a first member having an elongated configuration, a second member pivotally coupled to the first member at a pivot area of the first member, and a manipulation member extending through either a first lumen or a second lumen of the first member. The second member of this device may have a first region on one side of the pivot area and a second region on a different side of the pivot area. The medical device may also include a third member slidable within one of the lumens of the first member.

Abstract: A therapeutic catheter is provided. This therapeutic catheter may include an outer tube with a distal piercing end and a first lumen which may have a stop positioned within it. The first lumen may also have a plug positioned within it wherein the stop may have an inside diameter smaller than the inside diameter of the first lumen and the plug may be sized to prevent travel of the stop outside of the distal end of the outer tube.

Abstract: A therapeutic catheter is provided. This therapeutic catheter may include an outer tube with a distal piercing end and a first lumen, this first lumen may have a stop positioned within it. The first lumen may also have a plug positioned within it wherein the stop may have an inside diameter smaller than the inside diameter of the first lumen and the plug may be sized to prevent travel of the stop outside of the distal end of the outer tube.

Abstract: Therapeutic catheters for increasing myocardial blood perfusion in procedures including percutaneous myocardial revascularization (PMR), which can include tips for cutting into the myocardium to stimulate a healing response and/or for injecting angiogenic substances. PMR catheters can include an outer shaft slidably housing an inner shaft having a distal therapeutic tip. The outer shaft can be slidably disposed in a guide catheter and have an expandable atraumatic distal tip for presenting an enlarged distal profile against the heart chamber wall. The enlarged atraumatic profile can reduce the likelihood of the outer shaft penetrating undesirably into the myocardium. One expandable distal tip expands radially when forced against the endocardium. Another expandable tip expands when unconstrained by the guide catheter. Yet another expandable tip expands when manipulated by an elongate manipulation member.