Abstract: A guidance system for guiding an intervention device such as a needle to a target location such as a vessel while remaining within a field of view of an imaging device such as an ultrasound. The guidance system may include an attachment mechanism for removable attachment to a specific ultrasound probe or which is adaptable to multiple different probes. A guidance mechanism may extend outwardly from the attachment mechanism for guiding the angle and depth of the intervention device. The guidance mechanism may include a plurality of openings through which the intervention device may be selectively inserted, with each opening being configured for a different angle and/or depth. Alternatively, the guidance mechanism may include a single opening that is adjustable along an arcuate path. A release mechanism may be included to allow the intervention device to be safely removed from the guidance mechanism without undue movement of the intervention device.

Abstract: A handle apparatus comprising void regions or attachment devices that accommodate the shape of surgical devices and imaging units such that the device is held securely and mechanically fixed to the imaging unit within the handle assembly.

Abstract: A handle apparatus comprising void regions or attachment devices that accommodate the shape of surgical devices and imaging units such that the device is held securely and mechanically fixed to the imaging unit within the handle assembly.

Abstract: A handle apparatus comprising detachable hardware and void regions or attachment devices that accommodate the shape of surgical devices and imaging units such that the device is held securely and mechanically fixed to the imaging unit within the handle assembly.

Abstract: A handle apparatus comprising void regions or attachment devices that accommodate the shape of surgical devices and imaging units such that the device is held securely and mechanically fixed to the imaging unit within the handle assembly.

Abstract: A method for infusing a liquid into a patient's vasculature in accordance with an infusion protocol is disclosed. For this method, an infusion catheter having a multi-lumen infusion unit that is mounted adjacent the catheter's distal end is positioned in an artery within a predetermined distance from an intended target tissue surface. An inflation balloon is then deployed to at least partially occlude the artery and a force is exerted on the liquid to establish a flow rate for the liquid in the catheter. Specifically, the force is exerted to infuse the liquid from the catheter through the infusion unit and into the vasculature with a homogeneous distribution of the liquid to cover the intended surface of the target tissue. The flow rate can be established in accordance with an infusion protocol that is characterized by time and liquid volume parameters based on viscosity and pressure values in the liquid.

Abstract: A method for infusing a liquid into a patient's vasculature in accordance with an infusion protocol is disclosed. For this method, an infusion catheter having a multi-lumen infusion unit that is mounted adjacent the catheter's distal end is positioned in an artery within a predetermined distance from an intended target tissue surface. An inflation balloon is then deployed to at least partially occlude the artery and a force is exerted on the liquid to establish a flow rate for the liquid in the catheter. Specifically, the force is exerted to infuse the liquid from the catheter through the infusion unit and into the vasculature with a homogeneous distribution of the liquid to cover the intended surface of the target tissue. The flow rate can be established in accordance with an infusion protocol that is characterized by time and liquid volume parameters based on viscosity and pressure values in the liquid.

Abstract: A method for infusing a liquid into a patient's vasculature in accordance with an infusion protocol is disclosed. For this method, an infusion catheter having a multi-lumen infusion unit that is mounted adjacent the catheter's distal end is positioned in an artery within a predetermined distance from an intended target tissue surface. An inflation balloon is then deployed to at least partially occlude the artery and a force is exerted on the liquid to establish a flow rate for the liquid in the catheter. Specifically, the force is exerted to infuse the liquid from the catheter through the infusion unit and into the vasculature with a homogeneous distribution of the liquid to cover the intended surface of the target tissue. The flow rate can be established in accordance with an infusion protocol that is characterized by time and liquid volume parameters based on viscosity and pressure values in the liquid.

Abstract: A method for infusing a liquid into a patient's vasculature in accordance with an infusion protocol is disclosed. For this method, an infusion catheter having a multi-lumen infusion unit that is mounted adjacent the catheter's distal end is positioned in an artery within a predetermined distance from an intended target tissue surface. An inflation balloon is then deployed to at least partially occlude the artery and a force is exerted on the liquid to establish a flow rate for the liquid in the catheter. Specifically, the force is exerted to infuse the liquid from the catheter through the infusion unit and into the vasculature with a homogeneous distribution of the liquid to cover the intended surface of the target tissue. The flow rate can be established in accordance with an infusion protocol that is characterized by time and liquid volume parameters based on viscosity and pressure values in the liquid.

Abstract: A system for moving particles suspended in a first fluid, and for infusing them into the stream of a second fluid, includes a catheter with a multi-lumen distal separator. The separator is formed with a plurality of parallel lumens, wherein each lumen has a predetermined diameter to reduce particle flocculation. An inflatable balloon, affixed to the outside of the catheter, can be provided to regulate flow of the second fluid and thereby facilitate entry of the particles into the stream of the second fluid. A reinforcing member is employed to strengthen the catheter wall under the inflatable balloon. With this arrangement, the catheter does not kink or collapse due to the pressure exerted on the catheter wall when the balloon is inflated. In one embodiment, the reinforcing member includes an annular shaped ring. In another embodiment, the separator is positioned under the balloon and acts as the reinforcing member.

Abstract: An elongated, tubular-shaped balloon for a balloon catheter includes three regions along its length, in sequence: a proximal region, an intermediate region, and a distal region. The intermediate region is defined by a curved outer surface that is established by a radius of curvature r1. Similarly, a curved inner surface for the intermediate region is established by a radius of curvature r2, wherein r1?r2. Balloon thickness at the center of the intermediate region is tc, while balloon thickness in both the proximal and distal regions is t (t>tc). The stretchability and bendability of the balloon material is directly proportional to the thickness of the balloon, to thereby shape the balloon as a prolate spheroid when inflated.

Abstract: An elongated, tubular-shaped balloon for a balloon catheter includes three regions along its length, in sequence: a proximal region, an intermediate region, and a distal region. The intermediate region is defined by a curved outer surface that is established by a radius of curvature r1. Similarly, a curved inner surface for the intermediate region is established by a radius of curvature r2, wherein r1?r2. Balloon thickness at the center of the intermediate region is tc, while balloon thickness in both the proximal and distal regions is t (t>tc). The stretchability and bendability of the balloon material is directly proportional to the thickness of the balloon, to thereby shape the balloon as a prolate spheroid when inflated.

Abstract: A balloon system is disclosed for positioning a distal end of a catheter at a treatment site. The system includes an elongated catheter shaft that is formed with a lumen and a tubular shaped balloon membrane that is made of a compliant material. For the system, the proximal and distal ends of the balloon membrane are affixed to an outer surface of the shaft to establish an inflation chamber between the balloon membrane and the outer surface of the shaft. The balloon membrane can have a non-uniform thickness between the proximal and distal ends of the membrane to establish a selected membrane shape when the balloon is inflated. For example, the selected membrane shape can be a prolate spheroid. With this arrangement, a relatively short and a relatively flat inter-contact surface in the midway region of the membrane is obtained when the balloon is inflated.

Abstract: A system for advancing a needle through a vasculature to an injection site at the heart of a patient includes a guide catheter with a reflective distal tip. Also included is an imaging unit that is mounted on the catheter to radiate an energy field. Structurally, a distal portion of the catheter is biased to bend into a predetermined configuration that will position the distal end of the catheter for interception by the energy field. If necessary, coincidence of the reflective tip with the energy field is established by moving the energy field along the length of the guide catheter. With coincidence, the reflective tip reflects a signal that is useful for advancement of the needle from the guide catheter and into the injection site.

Abstract: A system for moving particles suspended in a first fluid, and for infusing them into the stream of a second fluid, includes a catheter with a multi-lumen distal separator. The separator is formed with a plurality of parallel lumens, wherein each lumen has a predetermined diameter. Importantly, the diameter of each lumen is dimensioned to sequentially receive particles therethrough, to prevent the particles from flocculating before they enter the stream of the second fluid. A recollection chamber in fluid communication with the separator allows for reconsolidation of the fluid after leaving the separator and for minimizing the damage caused to the vessel when the fluid exits the catheter. An inflatable balloon, affixed to the outside of the catheter, can be provided to regulate flow of the second fluid and thereby facilitate entry of the particles into the stream of the second fluid and increase retention of particles in targeted tissue.

Abstract: A method for infusing a liquid into a patient's vasculature in accordance with an infusion protocol is disclosed. For this method, an infusion catheter having a multi-lumen infusion unit that is mounted adjacent the catheter's distal end is positioned in an artery within a predetermined distance from an intended target tissue surface. An inflation balloon is then deployed to at least partially occlude the artery and a force is exerted on the liquid to establish a flow rate for the liquid in the catheter. Specifically, the force is exerted to infuse the liquid from the catheter through the infusion unit and into the vasculature with a homogeneous distribution of the liquid to cover the intended surface of the target tissue. The flow rate can be established in accordance with an infusion protocol that is characterized by time and liquid volume parameters based on viscosity and pressure values in the liquid.

Abstract: A system for moving particles suspended in a first fluid, and for infusing them into the stream of a second fluid, includes a catheter with a multi-lumen distal separator. The separator is formed with a plurality of parallel lumens, wherein each lumen has a predetermined diameter to reduce particle flocculation. An inflatable balloon, affixed to the outside of the catheter, can be provided to regulate flow of the second fluid and thereby facilitate entry of the particles into the stream of the second fluid. A reinforcing member is employed to strengthen the catheter wall under the inflatable balloon. With this arrangement, the catheter does not kink or collapse due to the pressure exerted on the catheter wall when the balloon is inflated. In one embodiment, the reinforcing member includes an annular shaped ring. In another embodiment, the separator is positioned under the balloon and acts as the reinforcing member.

Abstract: A system for moving particles suspended in a first fluid, and for infusing them into the stream of a second fluid, includes a catheter with a multi-lumen distal tip. The tip is formed with a plurality of parallel lumens, wherein each lumen has a predetermined diameter. Importantly, the diameter of each lumen is dimensioned to sequentially receive particles therethrough, to prevent the particles from flocculating before they enter the stream of the second fluid. A valve, affixed to the outside of the catheter, can be provided to regulate flow of the second fluid and thereby facilitate entry of the particles into the stream of the second fluid.

Abstract: A system for advancing a needle through a vasculature to an injection site at the heart of a patient includes a guide catheter with a reflective distal tip. Also included is an imaging unit that is mounted on the catheter to radiate an energy field. Structurally, a distal portion of the catheter is biased to bend into a predetermined configuration that will position the distal end of the catheter for interception by the energy field. If necessary, coincidence of the reflective tip with the energy field is established by moving the energy field along the length of the guide catheter. With coincidence, the reflective tip reflects a signal that is useful for advancement of the needle 34b from the guide catheter and into the injection site.

Abstract: A system for moving particles suspended in a first fluid, and for infusing them into the stream of a second fluid, includes a catheter with a multi-lumen distal separator. The separator is formed with a plurality of parallel lumens, wherein each lumen has a predetermined diameter. Importantly, the diameter of each lumen is dimensioned to sequentially receive particles therethrough, to prevent the particles from flocculating before they enter the stream of the second fluid. A recollection chamber in fluid communication with the separator allows for reconsolidation of the fluid after leaving the separator and for minimizing the damage caused to the vessel when the fluid exits the catheter. An inflatable balloon, affixed to the outside of the catheter, can be provided to regulate flow of the second fluid and thereby facilitate entry of the particles into the stream of the second fluid and increase retention of particles in targeted tissue.