Abstract: An atherectomy device comprising a rotatably motor-driven flexible hollow shaft that is coaxial with a longitudinal axis of the guidewire; an annular distal end of the hollow shaft having a diameter that is only slightly larger than the diameter of the guidewire and configured with cutting surfaces for piercing hardened atherosclerotic plaque! a tubular sleeve secured to a first peripheral surface of the hollow shaft and configured with cutting surfaces for enlarging an opening formed in the plaque; and an asymmetric cutting unit extending between the sleeve and a second peripheral surface of the hollow shaft, to enable eccentric rotation of the hollow shaft for cutting and removing additional occlusive material from the blood vessel to open a chronic total occlusion. In one embodiment, the cutting unit is a helical strand unit having a polygonal cross section with a first side that atraumatically contacts a blood vessel wall.

Abstract: A device and method for removing atheroma. An expandable atherectomy device comprises a rotatably motor-driven flexible hollow shaft that is slidable over a guidewire introducible through a flexible catheter tube and is coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the guidewire, an expandable cutting unit connected to a distal end of the hollow shaft, and an actuator which is operable to induce selective expansion of the cutting unit. The cutting unit, when expanded, is eccentrically rotatable about the longitudinal axis to cut and remove atheromous material from a blood vessel. In one embodiment, the method also includes the step of drilling an occlusion present in the lumen of a blood vessel by a drill unit connected to the cutting unit.

Abstract: An atherectomy device comprising a rotatably motor-driven flexible hollow shaft that is coaxial with a longitudinal axis of the guidewire; an annular distal end of the hollow shaft having a diameter that is only slightly larger than the diameter of the guidewire and configured with cutting surfaces for piercing hardened atherosclerotic plaque! a tubular sleeve secured to a first peripheral surface of the hollow shaft and configured with cutting surfaces for enlarging an opening formed in the plaque; and an asymmetric cutting unit extending between the sleeve and a second peripheral surface of the hollow shaft, to enable eccentric rotation of the hollow shaft for cutting and removing additional occlusive material from the blood vessel to open a chronic total occlusion. In one embodiment, the cutting unit is a helical strand unit having a polygonal cross section with a first side that atraumatically contacts a blood vessel wall.

Abstract: In a remote control system and method for use in intraluminally or intravascularly located operations, an invasive element to which a remote control unit (RCU) is attached is introducible into a lumen. An elongated tube, to which an activation device is affixed near a distal end, is feedable into the lumen via the invasive element. The RCU is positionable within transmission range of an actuator for the activation device. An operator manipulating the tube with one hand to receive a tactile sensation and engaging the RCU with another hand simultaneously views the tube distal end on a monitor, and depresses an RCU button to actuate the activation device after determining that a body portion is in need of a corrective action. In one embodiment, the RCU comprises a shell for securing the invasive element, facilitating application of a reactive force to the shell by a finger during an operation.

Abstract: A vented connector, used with male Luer tip fitting, is disclosed. The connector includes axial and bifurcating portions. The axial portion includes an exterior housing and interior post. The lumen of the post forms a continuum with an air inlet. The air inlet is furnished with a filter or membrane element, selectively allowing for the flow of air to pass therethrough while preventing an outflow of fluids therefrom. The outer diameter of the post is smaller than the inner diameter of male Luer tip fitting. This provides for a fluid flow in-between the exterior surface of the post and the interior surface of male Luer tip fitting; whereas the flow of air that is drawn into the connector from the inlet, passes via the post into the interior lumen of a receptacle, without intermingling with the concomitantly fluid flow from the receptacle.

Abstract: A device and method for removing atheroma. An expandable atherectomy device comprises a rotatably motor-driven flexible hollow shaft that is slidable over a guidewire introducible through a flexible catheter tube and is coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the guidewire, an expandable cutting unit connected to a distal end of the hollow shaft, and an actuator which is operable to induce selective expansion of the cutting unit. The cutting unit, when expanded, is eccentrically rotatable about the longitudinal axis to cut and remove atheromous material from a blood vessel. In one embodiment, the method also includes the step of drilling an occlusion present in the lumen of a blood vessel by a drill unit connected to the cutting unit.

Abstract: A vented connector, used with male Luer tip fitting, is disclosed. The connector includes axial and bifurcating portions. The axial portion includes an exterior housing and interior post. The lumen of the post forms a continuum with an air inlet. The air inlet is furnished with a filter or membrane element, selectively allowing for the flow of air to pass therethrough while preventing an outflow of fluids therefrom. The outer diameter of the post is smaller than the inner diameter of male Luer tip fitting. This provides for a fluid flow in-between the exterior surface of the post and the interior surface of male Luer tip fitting; whereas the flow of air that is drawn into the connector from the inlet, passes via the post into the interior lumen of a receptacle, without intermingling with the concomitantly fluid flow from the receptacle.

Abstract: A flow set for administration of liquid when using a liquid pump is disclosed. The flow set of the present invention permits identification of the flow set by a liquid pump that uses this flow set and prevention of pumping tube-segment over stretching.

Abstract: A movement and control mechanism for operating a syringe is disclosed. The movement mechanism includes a rotatable shaft and two rods disposed coaxially to the shaft and a plunger associated unit. The plunger unit accommodates a plunger of a syringe and axially translates upon rotation of the shaft. An electrical sensor system is implemented with the movement mechanism for detecting the presence of a syringe plunger in the plunger associated unit during the operation of the mechanism. The electrical sensor system forms an interruptible electrical circuit between the rods of the movement mechanism, allowing continuous detection of the presence of a plunger in the plunger associated unit during axial translation of the plunger associated unit along the rods.

Abstract: A disposable flow set for use with a pump includes a first administration tube, at least one tube-segment having a first end and a second end, the first end connected to the first administration tube, a second administration tube connected to the second end of the at least one tube-segment; and an identifying key member connected to the at least one tube-segment. The identifying key member includes a number of teeth that define a unique code, including a combination of location and width. The teeth fit into compatible niches located in the pump.

Abstract: A movement and control mechanism for operating a syringe is disclosed. The movement mechanism comprises a rotatable shaft, at least one rod disposed coaxially to the shaft and a plunger associated unit, accommodating the plunger of the syringe and axially translated upon the rotation of the shaft. An electrical sensor system implemented with the movement mechanism for detecting the plunger of the syringe, during the operation of the mechanism, is further disclosed. A control system for the movement mechanism, controlling the operation the thereof is disclosed as well.

Abstract: A disposable flow set for use with a pump includes a first administration tube, at least one tube-segment having a first end and a second end, the first end connected to the first administration tube, a second administration tube connected to the second end of the at least one tube-segment; and an identifying key member connected to the at least one tube-segment. The identifying key member includes a number of teeth that define a unique code, including a combination of location and width. The teeth fit into compatible niches located in the pump.

Abstract: A flow set for administration of liquid when using a liquid pump is disclosed. The flow set of the present invention permits identification of the flow set by a liquid pump that uses this flow set and prevention of pumping tube-segment over stretching.

Abstract: A disposable flow set for use with a pump includes a first administration tube, at least one tube-segment having a first end and a second end, the first end connected to the first administration tube, a second administration tube connected to the second end of the at least one tube-segment; and an identifying key member connected to the at least one tube-segment. The identifying key member includes a number of teeth that define a unique code, including a combination of location and width. The teeth fit into compatible niches located in the pump.

Abstract: An anti-siphon control valve includes a housing fitted with a first port inflow, being in fluid communication with a first chamber; a second port outflow, being in fluid communication with a second chamber coaxial with the first chamber. A fluid flow path extends between the chambers. A resilient membrane is tensioned over the fluid flow path and over chamber so as to close the fluid flow path. The membrane has one face exposed to atmospheric pressure. The arrangement is such that when differential pressure across the membrane exceeds predetermined pressure threshold the membrane flexes and opens the fluid path allowing fluid flow between the first chamber and the second chamber. The scope of the invention will be pointed out in the appended claims.

Abstract: Methods and arrangements for administration of liquids to a patient by a medical pump from any size and type of syringe to a patient through a flexible tube are disclosed. Contemplated herein are methods and arrangements which permit a reduction in size of devices commonly encountered heretofore while administering liquids with high precision. While the arrangements of the present invention are of a size conducive to portability, the arrangements may also be mated with a docking station in a stationary configuration. Such a stationary configuration is preferably mounted on an IV pole.

Abstract: A pump includes a motor and a motor control in operative connection with the motor. The motor control provides energy input to the motor to drive the motor and receives feedback from the motor of motor function. The motor control includes a motor control protocol that controls the energy input to the motor based upon the feedback received from the motor. The motor control protocol causes a rapid increase in energy provided to the motor if motor feedback indicates an unusual load on the motor.

Abstract: A piston pump propels liquid through a lumen of a flexible tube segment. The pump includes a first tube clamping member, a first set of tube squeezing members, a second tube clamping member, a second set of tube squeezing members and a synchronizing arrangement for activating the members in a sequential order such that fluid in the tube is displaced in a downstream direction.

Abstract: A system for encoding and decoding includes a code surface, a code reader and a controller. The code surface includes a non-conductive surface, divided into segments, and a number of conductive strips. Each strip is attached to and covers a segment of the non-conductive surface. The length of each strip represents a value, and a combination of values represents a code. The code reader includes a contacts-array divided into segments of contacts. The contacts-array is adapted to be attached to the code surface for reading the code. The controller is operable for recognizing the location of connected-contacts that match the conductive strips, calculating the length of strip of each segment, according to the number of the connected-contacts in a segment that are connected to the strips, and decoding the code according to a combination of the length of the strips.

Abstract: A disposable flow set for use with a pump includes a first administration tube, at least one tube-segment having a first end and a second end, the first end connected to the first administration tube, a second administration tube connected to the second end of the at least one tube-segment; and an identifying key member connected to the at least one tube-segment. The identifying key member includes a number of teeth that define a unique code, including a combination of location and width. The teeth fit into compatible niches located in the pump.