Abstract: A method and systems for treating chronic total occlusions, particularly those that are difficult to treat, is disclosed. In this approach, recanalizing the CTO is achieved using a combined antegrade and retrograde approach. The proximal end of the occlusion is penetrated using an antegrade wire, using a traditional approach. Using collateral vessels, the distal end of the occlusion is crossed in a retrograde fashion and by appropriately maneuvering each member, a continuous channel is created. Additional elements such as capture devices, dilators and injection catheters are also disclosed.

Abstract: A medicinal liquid injection catheter includes a flexible main body, a needle-like tubular member, a medicinal liquid supply device, and a balloon. The tubular member is inserted in the main body and an end portion of the tubular member projects from a side hole provided in the main body. The medicinal liquid supply device accommodates a medicinal liquid, and is connected to the tubular member to supply the medicinal liquid through the tubular member. The balloon is attached to an outer portion of the main body and the balloon is expansible in substantially the same direction as a direction in which the portion of the tubular member projects. The medicinal liquid injection catheter additionally includes first and second guide wires. The second guide wire projects from the main body in a direction which intersects a direction in which the first guide wire projects from the main body.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide an infusion device that can be easily inserted into the body and that when inserted into a blood vessel reliably ensures the flow of blood. The infusion device is provided with a needle-shaped tube member having a sharp tip in any one lumen of the three lumens provided within a tubular member that can be inserted into the body in such a manner that it can move axially, an extrusion aperture provided in the tubular member through which the needle-shaped tube member is extruded, and a reagent supplier for supplying a predetermined reagent into the needle-shaped tube member. Additionally, recessed portions extending axially are formed in an outer circumferential surface of the tubular member in such a manner that the cross sectional shape perpendicular to the axial direction of the tubular member is a shape in which at least a portion of the outer circumference of an annular shape has been recessed radially inward.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to an injection devices that inject a specified reagent with cells into lesions and other areas of body tissue. Particular embodiments comprise a main tube with a projection hole on its exterior, an axially-moveable needle tube with a needle at its tip, a reagent supplier configured to supply a specified reagent into the needle tube, and axially-moveable guide wires.

Abstract: The present invention provides an arrester in which energy during discharge is not concentrated in one point and which has good responsiveness to overvoltage. The arrester is provided with an energy absorber 3 that absorbs energy when a lightning strike occurs, and a pair of conductive electrodes 1 and 2. Between the pair of conductive electrodes 1 and 2, two air gaps 9 are formed in series, between the conductive electrode 1 and the energy absorber 3, and between the conductive electrode 2 and the energy absorber 3. The two air gaps 9 include planer gaps.

Abstract: A needle-like tubular body (12) with its tip formed as a needle, a first guide wire (14), and a second guide wire (16) are inserted into a main tube (10). A first opening and a second opening (28 and 36) through which a first guide wire and a second guide wire (14 and 16) are respectively extended out of the main tube (10) are provided in the main tube (10). A projection aperture (32) through which the needle of the needle-like tubular body (12) is projected out of the main tube (10) is provided in the main tube (10). A support tube (60) that supports the part of the second guide wire (16) extending from the second opening (36) is further provided in the main tube (10).

Abstract: A method and systems for treating chronic total occlusions, particularly those that are difficult to treat, is disclosed. In this approach, recanalizing the CTO is achieved using a combined antegrade and retrograde approach. The proximal end of the occlusion is penetrated using an antegrade wire, using a traditional approach. Using collateral vessels, the distal end of the occlusion is crossed in a retrograde fashion and by appropriately maneuvering each member, a continuous channel is created. Additional elements such as capture devices, dilators and injection catheters are also disclosed.

Abstract: A structure includes a main tube 2 that contains a needlelike tubular body lumen 10 through which a needlelike tubular body 3 is inserted, with a distal section 4 of the main tube 2 having a first guide wire insertion section 33 and second guide wire insertion section 35, respectively containing a first guide wire lumen 38 and second guide wire lumen 52 through which a first guide wire 32 and second guide wire 34 are inserted. This structure further has a support tube 62 whose tip remains a free end, wherein this support tube 62 accepts a part of the second guide wire 34 extending out of the second guide wire lumen 52 and thereby supports the second guide wire insertion section 35.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for efficiently producing an optically active ?-amino acid and an optically active ?-amino acid amide. After contacting with cells or processed cells thereof having an ability to asymmetrically hydrolyse, a water solvent is substituted with at least one solvent selected from the group consisting of linear, branched, or cyclic alcohol having 3 or more carbon atoms and the optically active ?-amino acid is preferentially precipitated from the alcohol solution. The addition of basic compounds, particularly potassium compounds to the alcohol solution containing the optically active ?-amino acid amide, which is obtained after the separation of the optically active ?-amino acid, enables the purification of the amide without the inclusion of amino acid into amino acid amide. Thus, the amide is subjected to the step of racemization and then recycled.

Abstract: A medicinal liquid injection catheter includes a flexible main body, a needle-like tubular member, a medicinal liquid supply device, and a balloon. The tubular member is inserted in the main body and an end portion of the tubular member projects from a side hole provided in the main body. The medicinal liquid supply device accommodates a medicinal liquid, and is connected to the tubular member to supply the medicinal liquid through the tubular member. The balloon is attached to an outer portion of the main body and the balloon is expansible in substantially the same direction as a direction in which the portion of the tubular member projects. The medicinal liquid injection catheter additionally includes first and second guide wires. The second guide wire projects from the main body in a direction which intersects a direction in which the first guide wire projects from the main body.

Abstract: A medicinal liquid injection catheter includes a flexible main body, a needle-like tubular member, a medicinal liquid supply device, and a balloon. The tubular member is inserted in the main body and an end portion of the tubular member projects from a side hole provided in the main body. The medicinal liquid supply device accommodates a medicinal liquid, and is connected to the tubular member to supply the medicinal liquid through the tubular member. The balloon is attached to an outer portion of the main body and the balloon is expansible in substantially the same direction as a direction in which the portion of the tubular member projects. The medicinal liquid injection catheter additionally includes first and second guide wires. The second guide wire projects from the main body in a direction which intersects a direction in which the first guide wire projects from the main body.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide an infusion device that can be easily inserted into the body and that when inserted into a blood vessel reliably ensures the flow of blood. The infusion device is provided with a needle-shaped tube member having a sharp tip in any one lumen of the three lumens provided within a tubular member that can be inserted into the body in such a manner that it can move axially, an extrusion aperture provided in the tubular member through which the needle-shaped tube member is extruded, and a reagent supplier for supplying a predetermined reagent into the needle-shaped tube member. Additionally, recessed portions extending axially are formed in an outer circumferential surface of the tubular member in such a manner that the cross sectional shape perpendicular to the axial direction of the tubular member is a shape in which at least a portion of the outer circumference of an annular shape has been recessed radially inward.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to an injection devices that inject a specified reagent with cells into lesions and other areas of body tissue. Particular embodiments comprise a main tube with a projection hole on its exterior, an axially-moveable needle tube with a needle at its tip, a reagent supplier configured to supply a specified reagent into the needle tube, and axially-moveable guide wires.

Abstract: A flame retardant optical fiber cord having improved flame retardancy without compromising the mechanical characteristics is described. The flame retardant optical fiber cord comprises: an optical fiber; a fiber buffering layer comprising high tension fibers arranged on the optical fiber; and a plastic sheath covering the fiber buffering layer, wherein at least the fiber buffering layer is made flame retardant with a halogen-free flame retarder in the form of a powder.

Abstract: A medicinal liquid injection catheter includes a main body having a flexibility, a needle-like tubular member, a medicinal liquid supply device, and a balloon. The tubular member is inserted in the main body and an end portion of the tubular member projects from a side hole provided in the main body. The medicinal liquid supply device accommodates a medicinal liquid, and is connected to the tubular member so as to supply the medicinal liquid through the tubular member. The balloon is attached to an outer portion of the main body and the balloon is expansible in substantially the same direction as a direction in which the portion of the tubular member projects. The medicinal liquid injection catheter additionally includes a first guide wire, and a second guide wire. The second guide wire projects from the main body in a direction which intersects a direction in which the first guide wire projects from the main body.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for efficiently producing an optically active &agr;-amino acid and an optically active &agr;-amino acid amide. After contacting with cells or processed cells thereof having an ability to asymmetrically hydrolyse, a water solvent is substituted with at least one solvent selected from the group consisting of linear, branched, or cyclic alcohol having 3 or more carbon atoms and the optically active &agr;-amino acid is preferentially precipitated from the alcohol solution.

Abstract: An apparatus for deploying a guidewire across a complex lesion in a vessel formed by a wall and normally having a lumen extending therethrough including an elongate flexible catheter having proximal and distal extremities and having a plurality of separate spaced apart lumens therein extending from the proximal extremity into a location at least adjacent the distal extremity. A handle is mounted on the proximal extremity of the flexible elongate catheter. A flexible elongate sheath is mounted on the catheter and has a proximal portion, a transition portion and a distal portion with the transition portion being in the vicinity of the distal extremity of the catheter. The sheath has a lumen therein extending from the proximal portion through the transition portion and through the distal portion. First and second devices are slidably mounted in the spaced-apart lumens of said catheter.

Abstract: Recanalization apparatus for use in crossing a stenosis forming a total occlusion in a vessel formed by a vessel wall, the stenosis having a distal end cap which is convex facing in a proximal direction. The apparatus is comprised of an outer sheath formed of an elongate flexible tubular member having proximal and distal extremities and having a lumen extending from the proximal extremity to the distal extremity. An inner sheath is slidably mounted in the lumen of the outer sheath and is formed of a flexible elongate tubular member having proximal and distal extremities. The distal extremity has a sharpened tip. The inner sheath has a length so that when the sharpened tip is disposed distally of the distal extremity of the outer sheath, the proximal extremity extends proximally of the proximal extremity of the outer sheath. An imaging guide wire is slidably mounted in the lumen of the inner sheath and has proximal and distal extremities.

Abstract: Recanalization apparatus for crossing a stenosis forming a total occlusion in a lumen in a vessel formed by a vessel wall. The stenosis has a fibrous cap comprising a guiding sheath comprised of a flexible elongate tubular member having proximal and distal extremities. A lumen extends from the proximal extremity to the distal extremity. A hemostasis valve is mounted on the proximal extremity of the flexible elongate tubular member. A needle cannula is slidably mounted in the lumen of the guiding sheath and has proximal and distal extremities and has a lumen extending from the proximal extremity to the distal extremity. A sharpened tip is mounted on the distal extremity. The needle cannula has a length so that its proximal extremity extends beyond the proximal extremity of the guiding sheath when the sharpened tip is deployed beyond the distal extremity of the guiding sheath.

Abstract: A starting pitch for carbon fibers is obtained by mixing (1) 100 parts by volume of a heavy fraction oil boiling at not lower than 200.degree. C. and obtained at the time of fluidized catalytic cracking of petroleum with (2) 10 to 200 parts by volume of a fraction boiling in the range of 250.degree. to 550.degree. C. obtained by distilling under reduced pressure an oil produced at the time of heat treating a starting pitch and then heat treating the resulting mixture at a temperature of from 370.degree. C. to 480.degree. C. under a pressure of from 2 to 50 Kg/cm.sup.2.G thereby to obtain the starting pitch for carbon fibers. The thus obtained starting pitch is heat treated to obtain a precursor pitch which is melt spun, infusibilized, carbonized or graphitized to obtain the carbon fibers.