Abstract: A device for the ECG derivation from a catheter can be used with a guide wire as well as without a guide wire, and can be manipulated in a simple and sterile manner. The device includes a pipe section exhibiting a channel that includes a contact pin which is connected to a terminal at the outer face of the device and is movable between a first position and a second position, the two positions representing different positions with respect to the channel axis.

Abstract: Vascular protection system comprising a radially expandable filtering element (10) permeable to blood but impermeable to embolic materials, comprising a membrane (9?) linked to a hollow support structure made up of a succession of wires (70?1, 70?2). The support structure comprises at least two groups (34, 36) of wires, each having more than two mutually adjacent wires, these groups being parted at a point on the length of the wires so that at least some of the wires within one of the groups part from one another, after which, farther along this length, the wires of a specific group which part from at least some of the other wires of this same group rejoin at least one wire of (one of) the other group(s) of wires.

Abstract: A medical assembly for introducing an expansible prosthesis in a bodily duct includes a tubular sheath opened at a distal end, an elongated element disposed substantially at the centre of the sheath and letting an intermediate radial space between the elongated element and the sheath, and a pusher movable in said tubular sheath. The expansible prosthesis is introduced in the bodily duct by moving between a first holding position in which the prosthesis is at least substantially applied against an internal wall of the sheath, and a second expanded position in which the prosthesis is applied against an internal wall of the bodily duct, the expansible prosthesis passing through intermediate positions in which a proximal portion is inside the sheath and a distal portion is outside the sheath.

Abstract: Vascular protection system comprising a radially expandable filtering element (10) permeable to blood but impermeable to embolic materials, comprising a membrane (9′) linked to a hollow support structure made up of a succession of wires (70′1, 70′2). The support structure comprises at least two groups (34, 36) of wires, each having more than two mutually adjacent wires, these groups being parted at a point on the length of the wires so that at least some of the wires within one of the groups part from one another, after which, farther along this length, the wires of a specific group which part from at least some of the other wires of this same group rejoin at least one wire of (one of) the other group(s) of wires.

Abstract: The invention is an assembly for positioning an implant that has an axis and at least one axial tubular region having an inside diameter. More specifically, the assembly positions the implant into an internal passageway in a body, such as a blood vessel. The assembly has two removable elements, both having a predetermined cross-section. At the distal end of the first element of the assembly is a lateral protuberance having a radial length. The assembly is further characterized in that the cumulative cross-section dimension of the two elements away from their distal ends and the radial length of the lateral protuberance are both smaller than the inside diameter of the axial tubular region of the implant.

Abstract: A torque device for attaching to and selectively gripping and releasing a catheter guidewire to permit rotational and longitudinal manipulation of the guidewire to steer the guidewire through a vessel. A spindle is threadably engaged in a cap, and a bore through the spindle aligns with a bore through the cap to accept the guidewire. The end of the spindle inside the cap has a pair of fingers straddling the guidewire. As the cap and spindle are rotated with respect to each other, the threaded engagement of the spindle and cap forces the end of the fingers to advance along a tapering bore in the cap, which causes the fingers to close and grip the guidewire. Reversing the direction of rotation releases the grip on the guidewire.

Abstract: A self-expanding cardiovascular occlusion apparatus including a predetermined pattern of wire and three collinear bands, whereby pushing the bands together causes the two exposed braided or helical sections between them to flatten to two disk-like shapes. The disks are then forced outward relative to the middle band, causing the exposed braided or wound pattern to invaginate. The final shape is similar to two cones attached end to end. The device is heat treated to maintain this configuration. In use, the device is straightened to its cylindrical form, installed in the distal end of a device pusher which is advanced through a small diameter catheter installed in a blood vessel When the device is expelled from the device pusher, it returns to its expanded shape and lodges in a blood vessel, for example. Once lodged in the vessel, the device will initiate thrombus formation which will occlude the vessel.