Abstract: A pad for cushioning a compression device, e.g., an x-ray plate, of a mammography unit. The pad includes a radiolucent central region, e.g., including radiolucent orientation markings, that is secured adjacent a contact surface of the x-ray plate. The pad includes a pair of side regions secured along respective side surfaces of the x-ray plate including a slot for inserting an x-ray cassette into the x-ray plate. The pad also includes a front region securable along a front surface of the x-ray plate. A double coated tape may be attached to the pad that includes a pressure sensitive adhesive for removably attaching the pad to the x-ray plate. Alternatively, the side regions may extend around the compression device and connect to one another to secure the pad or the pad may be a sleeve that is slidably received around at least a portion of the compression device.

Abstract: A pad for cushioning a compression device, e.g., an x-ray plate, of a mammography unit. The pad includes a radiolucent central region, e.g., including radiolucent orientation markings, that is secured adjacent a contact surface of the x-ray plate. The pad includes a pair of side regions secured along respective side surfaces of the x-ray plate including a slot for inserting an x-ray cassette into the x-ray plate. The pad also includes a front region securable along a front surface of the x-ray plate. A double coated tape may be attached to the pad that includes a pressure sensitive adhesive for removably attaching the pad to the x-ray plate. Alternatively, the side regions may extend around the compression device and connect to one another to secure the pad or the pad may be a sleeve that is slidably received around at least a portion of the compression device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a catheter having an elongated cannula with an infusion lumen and a pressure-sensing lumen, and a portion of the cannula which tapers to form a distal end which is narrower than the more proximal portions of the cannula. The distal end of the cannula has a rounded tip and forms at least one infusion lumen opening and a pressure-sensing opening. A balloon is attached to and surrounds the cannula near the distal end while being in fluid communication with the infusion lumen through one or more inflation openings. The infusion lumen openings are smaller than the inflation openings so as to make the balloon self-inflating. Also disclosed is a method for using such a catheter to perform cardioplegia by the retrograde infusion of a cardioplegic fluid into the coronary sinus.

Abstract: A balloon catheter includes a flexible small-diameter guide wire provided with an enlarged-diameter distal end portion, and a flexible elongated tubular shaft with at least one dual-function fluid-conducting lumen adapted to both receive the guide wire extending therethrough, and to communicate pressurized inflation fluid to a distal balloon of the catheter. A distal orifice of the catheter communicates with the balloon and is provided with selective valving means for releasably engaging sealingly with the enlarged distal end portion of the guide wire. Apparatus is disclosed for axially moving the guide wire to effect engagement and disengagement of the enlarged distal end portion with the selective valving means of the catheter shaft. A torquer device is also provided by means of which the guide wire may be rotated relative to the catheter shaft for steering of the guide wire along a vascular pathway.

Abstract: A low-profile single-lumen perfusion and fluid delivery balloon catheter for dilatation angioplasty procedures includes a small diameter single-lumen catheter shaft carrying a dilatation balloon adjacent to the distal end thereof. A perfusion conduit is also carried by the catheter shaft and traverses the dilatation balloon to provide perfusion blood flow past the balloon when the latter is inflated. The catheter may be used in mono-rail configuration to facilitate retracing of a subsequent catheter or other therapeutic device along the mono-rail guide wire back to the vascular site under treatment.

Abstract: A fully exchangeable integrated-wire dilation catheter for performing angioplasty is disclosed having a flexible small diameter guide wire provided with an enlarged diameter distal end portion and a flexible elongated tubular shaft with at least one dual function fluid conducting lumen adapted to receive the guide wire extending therethrough. The distal end of the tubular shaft is connected to the proximal end of an expandable balloon provided with a coaxially aligned distal orifice having means for releasably engaging the enlarged distal end portion of the guide wire in sealing relationship. In a preferred embodiment the sealing means is a flexible sleeve extending from the distal orifice of the expandable balloon and dimensioned to slidingly engage the correspondingly sized enlarged distal end portion of the guide wire. Associated procedures for utilizing the dilation catheter are also disclosed.

Abstract: A fully exchangeable low-profile single-lumen dual-balloon catheter for embolectomy, dilatation, occlusion, and infusion of treatment fluid, and having an integrated guide wire, includes a flexible small diameter guide wire provided with an distal end valving portion of comparatively enlarged diameter and a flexible elongated tubular shaft with a pair of expandable balloons spaced apart on opposite sides of a waist portion which waist portion includes an infusion section with a perforation in fluid communication with the lumen. The fluid conducting lumen is adapted to perform multiple functions in conjunction with movements of the guide wire converting the catheter to one of several modes of operation by sealing cooperation of the guide wire valving portion with seal portions of the catheter shaft.

Abstract: A catheter combination is described using a percutaneous transluminal transmitter for transmitting energy to a localized area. The combination includes a catheter having a hollow tubular member. A transmitter combination for partial insertion into the catheter includes a continuous central conductor terminating in a tip for receiving and transmitting a signal to the tip. A dielectric material surrounds at least a significant portion of the central conductor, and a continuous coaxial conductor surrounds the dielectric material for receiving and transmitting a signal to a point adjacent the tip to form an antenna for transmitting energy to tissue when the transmitter is placed into biologic tissue. A coating around the coaxial conductor covers the coaxial conductor. A signal generator is coupled to the central conductor and the coaxial conductor for applying a signal between the central and coaxial conductors to transmit energy from the tip of the central conductor.

Abstract: A catheter such as a medical catheter for PTCA procedures or the like. The catheter has a longitudinally extending wire therein, typically a steering wire. A catheter hub is positioned on the proximal end of the catheter. By this invention, the wire defines a coiled end positioned within a bore of the catheter hub and secured to the hub. Thus, fluids can flow through the bore of the hub and coiled wire end to and from the catheter, for example for the purpose of inflating or deflating a catheter balloon. At the same time, the same hub can be used to steer the distal end of the catheter by rotation of the hub in a conventional catheter steering technique.