Abstract: Disclosed is a focal balloon having at least one reference zone and a focal zone. In one embodiment, the reference zone and focal zone are inflatable to a first generally cylindrical profile at a first pressure. At a second, greater pressure, the focal section expands to a second, greater diameter, while the reference zone remains substantially at the first diameter. In an alternate embodiment, the focal zone and the reference zone are inflatable to their respective predetermined diameters at the inflation pressure, in the absence of constricting lesions or anatomical structures. Multiple lobed and drug delivery embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are sources and methods for delivering a radioactive dose to a site in a body lumen. The sources are preferably mounted on a balloon or other expandable or deployable mechanical structure. The source and methods enable delivery of a clinically significant dose of radiation into a vessel wall in a relatively short time while using a relatively low activity. The sources also enable delivery of a substantially uniform dose into the vessel wall, whether or not such delivery is through the wall of a stent.

Abstract: Disclosed is a focal balloon having at least one reference zone and a focal zone. In one embodiment, the reference zone and focal zone are inflatable to a first generally cylindrical profile at a first pressure. At a second, greater pressure, the focal section expands to a second, greater diameter, while the reference zone remains substantially at the first diameter. In an alternate embodiment, the focal zone and the reference zone are inflatable to their respective predetermined diameters at the inflation pressure, in the absence of constricting lesions or anatomical structures. Multiple lobed and drug delivery, embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A retention mechanism is formed of a molded plastic member having a base portion with at least one through-hole and a first through-slot adjacent thereto. The plastic member includes a card receiving structure having an open side, and a second receiving structure having an open side with a second through-slot through a wall of the receiving structure perpendicular to the base portion. Inserted in the plastic member is an elongate metal member having a base portion and a distal end. The metal member extends through the first and second through-slots with the base portion positioned adjacent the base portion and the distal portion positioned within the second receiving structure. The distal portion of the metal member is formed to provide spring action against a member inserted into the second receiving structure.

Abstract: A retention mechanism for an electronic assembly which has a substrate and a heat sink. The retention mechanism includes a substrate slot that receives the substrate and a heat sink slot that receives the heat sink. There may be two retention mechanisms that are attached to a printed circuit board adjacent to an electrical connector. There may be two heat sink slots symmetrically located about the substrate slot so that the mechanism can be mounted to a left side or a right side of the connector. The symmetric slots eliminate the need for a left side mechanism and a right side mechanism. The retainer mechanism may also have a nut retainer that captures a nut that is used to attach the mechanism to the printed circuit board. The nut retainer allows the nut to be transported with the retainer mechanism during an assembly process.

Abstract: Disclosed is a balloon catheter having an inflatable balloon having a radiation carrier such as a radiation delivery layer thereon. In one embodiment, the radiation delivery layer comprises one or more layers of metal foil, such as gold. The foil is irradiated, and the balloon is thereafter positioned at a treatment site in a vessel and expanded to bring the metal foil layer into close proximity with the vessel wall. In another embodiment, the radiation carrier is in the form of a dopant in the balloon material. Methods of using the balloon include radiation dosing a site following a balloon dilatation or other procedure, and simultaneously performing balloon angioplasty and radiation dosing.

Abstract: A retention mechanism for securing an electronic subassembly. The retention mechanism may include a latch that extends from a wall. The latch may extend into either a cover opening of a SECC type subassembly or a heat sink notch of a SEPP type subassembly.

Abstract: Disclosed is a focal balloon having at least one reference zone and a focal zone. In one embodiment, the reference zone and focal zone are inflatable to a first generally cylindrical profile at a first pressure. At a second, greater pressure, the focal section expands to a second, greater diameter, while the reference zone remains substantially at the first diameter. In an alternate embodiment, the focal zone and the reference zone are inflatable to their respective predetermined diameters at the inflation pressure, in the absence of constricting lesions or anatomical structures. Multiple lobed and drug delivery embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a focal balloon having at least one reference zone and a focal zone. In one embodiment, the reference zone and focal zone are inflatable to a first generally cylindrical profile at a first pressure. At a second, greater pressure, the focal section expands to a second, greater diameter, while the reference zone remains substantially at the first diameter. In an alternate embodiment, the focal zone and the reference zone are inflatable to their respective predetermined diameters at the inflation pressure, in the absence of constricting lesions or anatomical structures. Both balloons may be utilized to conduct interactive angioplasty to provide real-time feedback about the morphology of the lesion, and both balloons may be utilized to implant or size intravascular stents.

Abstract: A cover for a substrate of an electronic assembly. The cover may include a snap-in pin that can be inserted through an opening of the substrate. The cover may also have a barbed pin that exerts a force onto the substrate. The force secures the pin to the substrate. The snap-in pin and barbed pin may extend from a panel portion of the cover which covers one side of the substrate. The entire cover may be constructed as a relatively inexpensive plastic injection molded part.

Abstract: A dilatation catheter includes an inflation balloon having a variable diameter inflation profile. The balloon has a first inflation profile, in which it exhibits a substantially cylindrical central working profile. The first inflation profile of the balloon is achieved by inflating the balloon to a first inflation pressure. The balloon has a second inflation profile which is achieved by increasing the inflation pressure to a second, higher pressure. In the second inflation profile, a proximal segment and a distal segment of the balloon have a first inflated diameter and a central focal segment, separating the proximal and distal segments, has a second inflated diameter, such that the second inflated diameter is greater than the first inflated diameter. Methods of using the catheter are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a low profile infusion catheter for medical use. The catheter comprises a proximal infusion lumen, which, in one embodiment, branches into two or more distal infusion lumen. Each of the distal fluid lumen is provided with at least one effluent flow port for infusion into the patient. Construction of the catheter provides a series of discrete flexibility zones.

Abstract: Disclosed is a focal balloon having at least one reference zone and a focal zone. In one embodiment, the reference zone and focal zone are inflatable to a first generally cylindrical profile at a first pressure. At a second, greater pressure, the focal section expands to a second, greater diameter, while the reference zone remains substantially at the first diameter. In an alternate embodiment, the focal zone and the reference zone are inflatable to their respective predetermined diameters at the inflation pressure, in the absence of constricting lesions or anatomical structures. Multiple lobed and drug delivery embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tuvular sheath which is adapted to fit coaxially over an inflatable balloon. The sheath functions to alter the expansion characteristics of the balloon. In one preferred embodiment, the sheath converts the inflation profile of a dilatation balloon from a compliant mode to a noncompliant mode. Advantageously, the balloon sheath may be used in stent placement procedures, to accurately size the stent within a body lumen, while providing protection against balloon rupture. In one embodiment, the balloon sheath comprises a two-layered tubular structure, with an outer elastic layer surrounding an inner inelastic layer. Also disclosed are methods of altering the expansion characteristics of a balloon using the balloon sheath.

Abstract: Disclosed is a balloon catheter having an inflatable balloon having a radiation carrier such as a radiation delivery layer thereon. In one embodiment, the radiation delivery layer comprises one or more layers of metal foil, such as gold. The foil is irradiated, and the balloon is thereafter positioned at a treatment site in a vessel and expanded to bring the metal foil layer into close proximity with the vessel wall. In another embodiment, the radiation carrier is in the form of a dopant in the balloon material. Methods of using the balloon include radiation dosing a site following a balloon dilatation or other procedure, and simultaneously performing balloon angioplasty and radiation dosing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a focal balloon having at least one reference zone and a focal zone. In one embodiment, the reference zone and focal zone are inflatable to a first generally cylindrical profile at a first pressure. At a second, greater pressure, the focal section expands to a second, greater diameter, while the reference zone remains substantially at the first diameter. In an alternate embodiment, the focal zone and the reference zone are inflatable to their respective predetermined diameters at the inflation pressure, in the absence of constricting lesions or anatomical structures. Both balloons may be utilized to conduct interactive angioplasty to provide real-time feedback about the morphology of the lesion, and both balloons may be utilized to implant or size intravascular stents.

Abstract: Disclosed is a Low Profile Perfusion Catheter, for use in coronary angioplasty applications. Preferably, the catheter is provided with an inflatable dilatation balloon, and a perfusion lumen extending therethrough. The diameter of the perfusion lumen is enlargable from a first, reduced diameter to a second, enlarged diameter. In one embodiment, an axially movable tubular support is movable within the lumen from a proximal, insertion position to a distal perfusion position. In another embodiment, the support is radially expandable. In a further embodiment, a porus drug delivery balloon is provided.

Abstract: A reinforced lumen catheter body is disclosed, such as for use in a balloon dilatation and/or drug delivery catheter. In one embodiment, the catheter body is provided with a guidewire access port along its length, to permit exchange of catheters during a cardiovascular procedure. Preferably, at least one lumen extending through the catheter body is defined within a tubular metal wall. One or more adjacent lumen are defined within a polymeric wall.

Abstract: Disclosed is a low profile infusion catheter for medical use. The catheter comprises a proximal infusion lumen, which, in one embodiment, branches into two or more distal infusion lumen. Each of the distal fluid lumen is provided with at least one effluent flow port for infusion into the patient. Construction of the catheter provides a series of discrete flexibility zones.

Abstract: Disclosed is a Low Profile Perfusion Catheter, for use in coronary angioplasty applications. Preferably, the catheter is provided with an inflatable dilatation balloon, and a perfusion lumen extending therethrough. The diameter of the perfusion lumen is enlargable from a first, reduced diameter to a second, enlarged diameter. In one embodiment, an axially movable tubular support is movable within the lumen from a proximal, insertion position to a distal perfusion position. In another embodiment, the support is radially expandable. In a further embodiment, a porus drug delivery balloon is provided.