Abstract: A mouth-nose mask for reducing the transmission of pathogens via droplets of secretion is disclosed. The mouth-nose mask includes a central fold which defines a chin-nose line of the mouth-nose mask and separates the mouth-nose mask into two substantially congruent halves. A fastening means for fastening the mouth-nose mask to a wearer's ears or back of the head is attached to the ends of the two halves remote from the central fold. The mouth-nose mask includes at least two superposed layers of a filter material, the at least two layers defining the outer shape of the mouth-nose mask and being only partially joined to one another at their edges.

Abstract: A combining apparatus for use in a satellite communication system and a method for using the same.

Abstract: A combining apparatus for use in a satellite communication system and a method for using the same.

Abstract: Stent delivery system having a contracted delivery configuration and an expanded deployed configuration is provided. The stent delivery system includes a stent having a plurality of expandable elements and a plurality of interstices disposed between adjacent expandable elements, and a delivery catheter having an inflatable balloon including creases extending non-uniformly within the interstices of the stent in the contracted delivery configuration. Each crease defines a maximum radial height within a corresponding interstice, and the maximum radial heights of the creases vary. A method for stenting at a target site within a patient's vessel including providing a stent delivery system is also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to an aspiration catheter for the aspiration of material from blood vessels. The aspiration catheter according to the invention comprises a tubular catheter wall (2) having a first distal opening (3) and a first proximal opening (4). These two openings (3, 4) are connected to each other by a first lumen (5). The aspiration catheter further comprises a tubular guide sleeve (6) having a second distal opening (7) and a second proximal opening (8). A second lumen (9) extends between these two openings (7, 8). The tubular guide sleeve is arranged within the first lumen (5), wherein the second lumen (9) extends coaxially to the first lumen (5). The second proximal opening (8) extends laterally through the tubular catheter wall (2). The tubular guide sleeve is connected to the tubular catheter wall (2) in a region (X) of the first distal opening (3) and in a region (Y) of the second proximal opening (8).

Abstract: An expandable implant for inserting within a skeletal space is provided, and a method for using the implant to expand the skeletal space. The implant is preferably designed to be inserted into an intervertebral space to replace at least part of an intervertebral disc between adjacent vertebral bodies. The expandable implant contains at least one first expansion compartment and at least one second expansion compartments, which compartments can be inflatable balloons that are inflated by a catheter. Inflating the first expansion compartment expands the implant in a first direction and inflating the second expansion compartment expands the implant in a second direction.

Abstract: A method for coaxially connecting a first plastic tube (10, 110) to a second plastic tube (20, 120), said plastic tubes (10, 20) in particular being provided as part of a medical catheter (102), the two plastic tubes (10, 20) being connected by way of a tubular connecting piece (50), characterized in that the first plastic tube (10) and/or the second plastic tube (20) are integrally molded from the outside onto the tubular connecting piece (50) using a forming process such that an adhesive and/or positive connection is produced.

Abstract: An expandable implant for inserting within a skeletal space is provided, and a method for using the implant to expand the skeletal space. The implant is preferably designed to be inserted into an intervertebral space to replace at least part of an intervertebral disc between adjacent vertebral bodies. The expandable implant contains at least one first expansion compartment and at least one second expansion compartments, which compartments can be inflatable balloons that are inflated by a catheter. Inflating the first expansion compartment expands the implant in a first direction and inflating the second expansion compartment expands the implant in a second direction.

Abstract: An expandable implant for inserting within a skeletal space is provided, and a method for using the implant to expand the skeletal space. The implant is preferably designed to be inserted into an intervertebral space to replace at least part of an intervertebral disc between adjacent vertebral bodies. The expandable implant contains at least one first expansion compartment and at least one second expansion compartments, which compartments can be inflatable balloons that are inflated by a catheter. Inflating the first expansion compartment expands the implant in a first direction and inflating the second expansion compartment expands the implant in a second direction.

Abstract: Stent delivery system having a contracted delivery configuration and an expanded deployed configuration is provided. The stent delivery system includes a stent having a plurality of expandable elements and a plurality of interstices disposed between adjacent expandable elements, and a delivery catheter having an inflatable balloon including creases extending non-uniformly within the interstices of the stent in the contracted delivery configuration. Each crease defines a maximum radial height within a corresponding interstice, and the maximum radial heights of the creases vary. A method for stenting at a target site within a patient's vessel including providing a stent delivery system is also provided.

Abstract: A method of making a stent delivery system is provided in which a delivery catheter has a balloon that extends non-uniformly into interstices of a stent. In accordance with the method a balloon/stent/crimping tube assembly is placed in a crimping tool, the balloon is inflated, and the crimping tool is actuated to compress the stent on the outside of the balloon without application of heat or chemicals, thereby causing creases of the balloon to extend non-uniformly into the interstices of the stent. Optionally, pillows may be formed in the balloon to prevent longitudinal movement of the stent with respect to the balloon during intravascular delivery. One or more secondary crimpings also may be performed to achieve a smoother delivery profile.

Abstract: A guide wire for a catheter comprises an elongated hollow shaft has a lumen for delivering or leading away the fluid, and an insertion aid in the form of a flexible wire coil connected coaxially to a distal end of the hollow shaft. The wire coil has a guide wire tip arranged at a distal end, a core wire being arranged in the lumen of the hollow shaft to control the flexibility of the guide wire. The core wire extends out of the lumen and through the wire coil to the guide wire tip. A distal inner area of the wire coil adjacent to the guide wire tip in a proximal direction communicates with the lumen of the hollow shaft by means of a fluid channel formed next to the core wire and has at least one outwardly open passage opening for the fluid to be introduced or removed.

Abstract: An expandable implant for inserting within a skeletal space is provided, and a method for using the implant to expand the skeletal space. The implant is preferably designed to be inserted into an intervertebral space to replace at least part of an intervertebral disc between adjacent vertebral bodies. The expandable implant contains at least one first expansion compartment and at least one second expansion compartments, which compartments can be inflatable balloons that are inflated by a catheter. Inflating the first expansion compartment expands the implant in a first direction and inflating the second expansion compartment expands the implant in a second direction.

Abstract: An expandable implant for inserting within a skeletal space is provided, and a method for using the implant to expand the skeletal space. The implant is preferably designed to be inserted into an intervertebral space to replace at least part of an intervertebral disc between adjacent vertebral bodies. The expandable implant contains at least one first expansion compartment and at least one second expansion compartments, which compartments can be inflatable balloons that are inflated by a catheter. Inflating the first expansion compartment expands the implant in a first direction and inflating the second expansion compartment expands the implant in a second direction.

Abstract: An expandable implant for inserting within a skeletal space is provided, and a method for using the implant to expand the skeletal space. The implant is preferably designed to be inserted into an intervertebral space to replace at least part of an intervertebral disc between adjacent vertebral bodies. The expandable implant contains at least one first expansion compartment and at least one second expansion compartments, which compartments can be inflatable balloons that are inflated by a catheter. Inflating the first expansion compartment expands the implant in a first direction and inflating the second expansion compartment expands the implant in a second direction.

Abstract: A catheter (100, 200) for insertion into a human and/or animal hollow organ, comprising a catheter shaft (110, 210) with a lumen (120, 220), which opens into a front opening at a distal end (112, 212) of the catheter shaft (110, 210), wherein the catheter shaft (110, 210) has at least a first lateral opening (130, 230a) that is at a distance from the distal end (112, 212) and opens into the lumen (120, 220), is distinguished by virtue of the fact that there is at least a first insertion device (140, 240a), arranged on an external side (114, 214) of the catheter shaft (110, 210) in a region of the first lateral opening (130, 230a), for a wire-like element (300, 400, 500) that should be inserted into the first lateral opening (130, 230a) from the outside.

Abstract: A duct for enclosing post tension reinforcing tendons includes a first closed circumference conduit having at least one minimum internal radius. The conduit includes at least one corrugation including two longitudinally spaced apart end members wherein a radial outer surface of each end member defining at least one external radius. A reduced diameter portion is disposed between the two end members. The reduced diameter portion defining at least one intermediate radius larger than the at least one minimum internal radius and smaller than the at least one external radius.

Abstract: A guide wire for a catheter comprises an elongated hollow shaft has a lumen for delivering or leading away the fluid, and an insertion aid in the form of a flexible wire coil connected coaxially to a distal end of the hollow shaft. The wire coil has a guide wire tip arranged at a distal end, a core wire being arranged in the lumen of the hollow shaft to control the flexibility of the guide wire. The core wire extends out of the lumen and through the wire coil to the guide wire tip. A distal inner area of the wire coil adjacent to the guide wire tip in a proximal direction communicates with the lumen of the hollow shaft by means of a fluid channel formed next to the core wire and has at least one outwardly open passage opening for the fluid to be introduced or removed.

Abstract: A catheter (100, 200) for insertion into a human and/or animal hollow organ, comprising a catheter shaft (110, 210) with a lumen (120, 220), which opens into a front opening at a distal end (112, 212) of the catheter shaft (110, 210), wherein the catheter shaft (110, 210) has at least a first lateral opening (130, 230a) that is at a distance from the distal end (112, 212) and opens into the lumen (120, 220), is distinguished by virtue of the fact that there is at least a first insertion device (140, 240a), arranged on an external side (114, 214) of the catheter shaft (110, 210) in a region of the first lateral opening (130, 230a), for a wire-like element (300, 400, 500) that should be inserted into the first lateral opening (130, 230a) from the outside.

Abstract: The invention relates to a catheter for introducing into a hollow human or animal organ. Said catheter comprises a catheter tip that protrudes forwards and a region that is encased by an expandable tubular hollow body and that is situated behind the catheter tip. Said catheter is characterised in that a wire spiral is located in the encased region. It can also be advantageous to provide a radiopaque ring, in particular a platinum, gold or tungsten ring, on a hollow shaft of the catheter, together with several rib-type projections running around the hollow shaft and projecting from the latter, in a region in front of and/or behind the radiopaque ring.