Abstract: A balloon catheter which has an elongate shaft with an inflatable balloon connected to its distal end and a manifold connected to its proximal end. The manifold may be fixedly or removably attached to the shaft and includes a barrel with a plunger movably disposed inside it. The barrel has an internal volume of less than 5 cc and an internal diameter of less than 0.25 inches. A pressure transducer may be mounted to the manifold to permit measurement via a sensor tube. A pressure source for a balloon catheter including a barrel with a plunger inside it. The barrel is in fluid communication with the inflation lumen of the catheter and has an internal volume less than 5 cc and an internal diameter of less than 0.25 inches. A pressure sensor may be connected to the barrel with a sensor tube defining a fluid path from the interior of the barrel to the pressure sensor. A lock mechanism may be connected to the barrel to control longitudinal movement of the plunger.

Abstract: An improved deployment system deploys a stent to maintain the patency of a dilated vessel. The improved stent deployment system is adapted for deployment with a balloon catheter. The stent deployment system includes an expandable stent sheath for supporting the stent for deployment. The stent sheath is movably coupled to a catheter shaft and is relatively short in comparison to the catheter shaft. The stent sheath is movably coupled to the catheter shaft for movement between a retracted position and an advanced deployment position aligned with the balloon for expansion via the balloon for deployment of the stent supported thereby.

Abstract: A catheter is disclosed which includes an over-the-wire type balloon catheter with a guide wire wherein the catheter includes a polyethylene inner tube and an outer tube having a relatively stiff proximal outer section, a midshaft section of lesser stiffness, and a tapering distal outer section of the least stiffness. An inflatable balloon is connected to the distal ends of the inner tube and the outer tube. The guide wire may be removed from and inserted into the guide wire lumen at either end of the catheter.

Abstract: An angioplasty and stent delivery system to facilitate introduction and placement of a stent, including a catheter having an expandable distal portion constructed and arranged for expanding the outer diameter of the catheter from a contracted state to an expanded state: a stent positioned around the distal portion of the catheter having a contracted condition and being expandable to an expanded condition, and being sized in the contracted condition to closely surround the catheter in the contracted state, the expandable distal portion of the catheter including a balloon within which or over which there is included on a catheter shaft at least one axially movable or enlargeable body of a diameter larger than the catheter shaft to which the stent and balloon are fitted, as by crimping, for holding the stent in place until it is released therefrom by expansion of the balloon.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for introducing therapeutic and/or diagnostic devices through a balloon dilatation catheter and to an occlusion site, while longitudinally moving the dilatation balloon proximally from the occlusion area. This may enable, for example, an Intra-Vascular Ultra-Sonic (IVUS) device to produce non-distorted images of an occluded site between balloon dilatations of an angioplasty procedure.

Abstract: A system/assembly for delivery and deployment of an inflation expandable stent within a vessel, comprising a catheter having proximal and distal ends; a stent, inflation expandable from a delivery diameter to a deployment diameter, such that the delivery diameter is reduced from the deployment diameter for conforming the stent to the catheter, such that the stent, in its delivery diameter, is coaxially mounted on the catheter near the catheter distal end; an expandable inflation means coaxially mounted on the catheter axially within the stent, for expansion of the stent from the delivery diameter to the deployment diameter upon application of fluid deployment pressure to the inflation means; and a securement component coaxially mounted on the catheter, axially within the expandable inflation means, the securement component designed and adapted to provide a securement pressure to the stent in the delivery diameter to maintain the stent in position on the catheter during delivery to the deployment site.

Abstract: A variable length balloon catheter is provided. The balloon catheter includes a catheter shaft having a distal portion, a balloon and an adjustment device. The balloon is in fluid communication with a distal end of the catheter shaft. The adjustment device includes an outer sleeve and an attachment structure. The outer sleeve is configured to be generally co-axially received over the distal portion of the catheter shaft and includes a distal end configured to restrict inflation proximal the distal end. Further, the outer sleeve is configured such that at least a portion of the outer sleeve is slidable relative to the distal portion of the catheter shaft such that a distal end of the outer sleeve relative to the balloon can be varied.

Abstract: A convertible intravascular catheter assembly having a single proximal lumen while incorporating the benefits of a single operator exchange catheter and an over-the-wire catheter. The catheter includes a first elongate shaft having a lumen therethrough for slidably receiving a guide wire or stylet. The first elongate shaft extends the length of the catheter, while a second elongate shaft is coaxially disposed over a distal portion of the first elongate shaft to form a second lumen therebetween. An inflatable balloon is sealingly connected proximate the distal end of the second elongate shaft, and sealingly connected proximate the distal end of the second elongate shaft. A fluid connection communication between the first lumen and second lumen are provided and the seal assembly is disposed within the first lumen distal of the means for fluid communication.

Abstract: A micro-cable interconnect comprises a single exterior flexible insulative coating internally containing a plurality of terminally prepared, precisely spaced conductors. The conductors are arranged with a spacing and pitch to identically match spacing and pitch of interconnect zones operatively connected to an integrated circuit or connector, with the conductors constructed and arranged for bonding to the interconnect zones.