Abstract: A catheter and a method facilitate insertion into a blood vessel by providing a tubular wall section with a lumen having a longitudinally extending first volume and a second volume extending side-by-side and contiguous with the first volume. A sector of the tubular wall section is extended side-by-side and contiguous with the second volume of the lumen and is constructed of a material enabling the sector to be collapsed diametrically and nested within the first volume so that the section is provided with limited diametric dimensions. Upon insertion of the section into the blood vessel, the sector is expanded to extend diametrically outside the first volume, thereby rendering the section configured with expanded diametric dimensions and the lumen with a total cross-sectional area for accommodating a desired relatively high volumetric flow rate of fluid through the catheter.

Abstract: A tissue sampling apparatus and method obtain a sample of tissue from a selected site and place a hemostatic plug at the selected site. The apparatus includes an external needle and an internal needle within the external needle. A chamber in the internal needle is divided by a divider member into a plug compartment for receiving a hemostatic plug, and a sample compartment for receiving a tissue sample. The divider member is resiliently biased into the plug compartment and the internal needle is movable relative to the external needle for admitting the hemostatic plug into the plug compartment and displacing the divider member into the sample compartment, and then closing the chamber. The apparatus then is advanced to the selected site where relative movement between the internal and external needles opens the chamber, allowing the divider member to expel the hemostatic plug from the plug compartment, and admitting a tissue sample into the sample compartment.

Abstract: A tissue sampling apparatus and method obtain a sample of tissue from a selected site and place a hemostatic plug at the selected site. The apparatus includes an external needle and an internal needle within the external needle. A chamber in the internal needle is divided by a divider member into a plug compartment for receiving a hemostatic plug, and a sample compartment for receiving a tissue sample. The divider member is resiliently biased into the plug compartment and the internal needle is movable relative to the external needle for admitting the hemostatic plug into the plug compartment and displacing the divider member into the sample compartment, and then closing the chamber. The apparatus then is advanced to the selected site where relative movement between the internal and external needles opens the chamber, allowing the divider member to expel the hemostatic plug from the plug compartment, and admitting a tissue sample into the sample compartment.

Abstract: A tissue sampling apparatus and method obtain a sample of tissue from a selected site and place a hemostatic plug at the selected site. The apparatus includes an external needle and an internal needle within the external needle. A chamber in the internal needle is divided by a divider member into a plug compartment for receiving a hemostatic plug, and a sample compartment for receiving a tissue sample. The divider member is resiliently biased into the plug compartment and the internal needle is movable relative to the external needle for admitting the hemostatic plug into the plug compartment and displacing the divider member into the sample compartment, and then closing the chamber. The apparatus then is advanced to the selected site where relative movement between the internal and external needles opens the chamber, allowing the divider member to expel the hemostatic plug from the plug compartment, and admitting a tissue sample into the sample compartment.

Abstract: A system and method facilitate percutaneous intravascular access while militating against unwanted penetration of the accessed blood vessel. A small diameter access tube includes a terminal segment comprised of a shape memory polymer and configured to flare outwardly toward a larger diameter orifice. The configuration of the terminal segment is modified to taper toward the insertion point of an internal insertion needle for facilitating insertion of the access tube into a blood vessel. Subsequent to insertion, the access tube is advanced relative to the insertion needle which then is retracted, and the terminal segment is allowed to return to the flared configuration so that fluid flow through the access tube is facilitated.

Abstract: A drive mechanism effects a rotary power output in a selected one of opposite first and second power output directions in response to a reciprocating power input resulting from substantially linear forces applied to the drive mechanism. The drive mechanism includes input bevel gears meshed with corresponding output bevel gears coupled to a common power output shaft through clutches that effect a rotary power output at the power output shaft in response to the reciprocating power input from the substantially linear forces. Opposite crank arms are coupled with the input bevel gears such that each crank arm is advanced by an applied substantially linear force, and is retracted upon advancement of the opposite crank arm. A selector enables selection of either one of the opposite directions of rotation of the power output shaft, without requiring a change in the manner in which the linear force input is applied.

Abstract: A novel set of biopsy-gun related tools are developed in order to make a better safer sampling and diagnosis, comprising a set of tools that takes the sample, releases a drug impregnated plug and additionally may inject drugs, measure pH and the molecular content of the penetrated tissues. A novel technology aiming to minimize the penetrated tissue damage, using a small diameter needle with capabilities for immediate spectroscopic analysis of the tissue, and followed by sampling and plugging of the tissue when needed. The invention describes a set of variable diameter thin tubes used to guide and insulate the penetrated organs, and a final operation of plugging the wounds with absorbable substances, impregnated with drugs. The supplementary low intensity radiation sources could increase the processes' accuracy and safety, offering the opportunity of gathering supplementary x-densitometry information.

Abstract: A drive mechanism effects a rotary power output in response to a reciprocating power input resulting from substantially linear forces applied to the drive mechanism, such as those forces applied by a rider on a bicycle. The drive mechanism includes input bevel gears meshed with corresponding output bevel gears coupled to a common power output shaft through clutches that effect a rotary power output at the power output shaft in response to the reciprocating power input from the substantially linear forces. Opposite crank arms are coupled with the input bevel gears such that each crank arm is advanced by an applied substantially linear force, and is retracted upon advancement of the opposite crank arm. In a bicycle, opposite pedals are coupled to corresponding crank arms and are moved through predetermined power strokes in response to substantially linear forces applied by a rider to effect corresponding rotational movements of the input bevel gears and concomitant rotary power output at the power output shaft.

Abstract: A drive mechanism effects a rotary power output in response to a reciprocating power input resulting from substantially linear forces applied to the drive mechanism, such as those forces applied by a rider on a bicycle. The drive mechanism includes input bevel gears meshed with corresponding output bevel gears coupled to a common power output shaft through clutches that effect a rotary power output at the power output shaft in response to the reciprocating power input from the substantially linear forces. Opposite crank arms are coupled with the input bevel gears such that each crank arm is advanced by an applied substantially linear force, and is retracted upon advancement of the opposite crank arm. In a bicycle, opposite pedals are coupled to corresponding crank arms and are moved through predetermined power strokes in response to substantially linear forces applied by a rider to effect corresponding rotational movements of the input bevel gears and concomitant rotary power output at the power output shaft.