Abstract: A flexible drive catheter for removing deposits from the inner walls of a blood vessel to increase blood flow through the vessel. The catheter includes an outer sheath and a rotatable core coupled to a distal tip which directly contacts the deposits. An outer surface of the rotatable core defines a screw pump for moving dislodged deposits away from the blood vessel through the catheter sheath to a bifurcating adapter located outside the patient. One opening in the adapter accommodates the rotatable core and a second opening provides a method of monitoring blood pressure in the blood vessel, removing dislodged deposits from the catheter and injecting flushing liquids or clotting control agents into the blood vessel.

Abstract: Guidewire insertion method and apparatus. A guidewire can be inserted into an obstructed blood vessel. A proximal portion of the guidewire is driven back and forth at high speed by a hand-held drive unit containing a battery, a D.C. motor and a transmission that converts rotating motor output shaft motion to reciprocating back and forth movement of a clamp that engages the guidewire. The guidewire moves back and forth at high speed within a catheter and a distal guidewire tip engages the obstruction with a ramming back and forth action to form a pilot passageway through the obstruction.

Abstract: A catheter guidewire for use in inserting a catheter into a subject. The guidewire includes a center wire core surrounded by a coiled wire sheath that is Teflon coated on an outside surface. The extreme distal end of the rod widens to a sphere. The rod and sheath are pre-bent to a desired form. As the core is rotated inside the sheath, the distal end of the guidewire is re-oriented in the direction of rotation.

Abstract: An improved technique for positioning a balloon dilatation catheter. When the balloon catheter approaches an obstruction that is difficult to enter, a drive catheter having a rotatable head is inserted into a central passageway in the catheter. The drive catheter bores through the obstruction allowing the balloon to be inserted and pressurized to compress obstructions and widen a passageway for blood flow.

Abstract: Disclosed is a urological catheter equipped, at its distal portion, with a pair of balloons inflatable from the proximal end of the catheter. One balloon completely covers the distal tip of the catheter to serve, when inflated, as a cushion preventing damage to the patient's bladder, while the other balloon serves to anchor the catheter in sealing relation to the discharge passage of the bladder. A drainage opening in the catheter wall is disposed intermediate the balloons.

Abstract: Hemostasis cannula comprising a body having a passage therethrough adapted to receive a catheter and a pair of juxtaposed gaskets mounted in the passage. The first gasket forms a seal around a catheter enclosed within the cannula; the second gasket is compressed against the first to seal the passage when the catheter is removed. The cannula also features a flexible entrance tube and a port for introducing fluids into a patient's blood vessel.

Abstract: A separatory device is disclosed wherein a bundle of hollow fibers have their end portions potted in a polyurethane tube-sheet, said polyurethane consisting of an isocyanate-containing prepolymer which is non-catalytically crosslinked with a polyol. The resulting tube-sheet has demonstrated an unexpected degree of adherence to the fibers. In addition, essentially no adverse toxicity effects are encountered in biomedical applications of said device.