Abstract: An infusion system includes an infusion catheter defining a fluid passage extending between a proximal catheter end and a distal catheter end, and having a plurality of infusion ports in communication with the fluid passage and defining an infusion zone. A filtration device is provided which may be retrofitted upon the infusion catheter and includes a filter sleeve coupled to a slidable control sleeve. The filter sleeve is deformable between a first configuration having a radially contracted footprint and a second configuration having a radially expanded footprint, responsive to sliding the control sleeve over the infusion catheter such that the deformable filter sleeve buckles outwardly from the infusion catheter.

Abstract: An infusion system includes an infusion catheter defining a fluid passage extending between a proximal catheter end and a distal catheter end, and having a plurality of infusion ports in communication with the fluid passage and defining an infusion zone. A filtration device is provided which may be retrofitted upon the infusion catheter and includes a filter sleeve coupled to a slidable control sleeve. The filter sleeve is deformable between a first configuration having a radially contracted footprint and a second configuration having a radially expanded footprint, responsive to sliding the control sleeve over the infusion catheter such that the deformable filter sleeve buckles outwardly from the infusion catheter.

Abstract: An infusion system includes an infusion catheter defining a fluid passage extending between a proximal catheter end and a distal catheter end, and having a plurality of infusion ports in communication with the fluid passage and defining an infusion zone. A filtration device is provided which may be retrofitted upon the infusion catheter and includes a filter sleeve coupled to a slidable control sleeve. The filter sleeve is deformable between a first configuration having a radially contracted footprint and a second configuration having a radially expanded footprint, responsive to sliding the control sleeve over the infusion catheter such that the deformable filter sleeve buckles outwardly from the infusion catheter.

Abstract: A variable stiffness catheter includes an elongate tubular body having proximal and distal body ends and defining a lumen extending longitudinally between a fluid inlet in the proximal body end and a fluid outlet in the distal body end. The catheter includes a vacuum responsive stiffener coupled with the elongate tubular body, which may include a stiffening medium such as an open cell foam having an expanded state and a vacuum collapsed state. The stiffening medium can transition between the expanded state at which it is relatively flexible and the vacuum collapsed state at which it is relatively inflexible via withdrawing fluid from the vacuum responsive stiffener by way of a vacuum device.

Abstract: An infusion catheter includes an elongate catheter body having a longitudinally extending fluid supply passage, and a plurality of stellate side ports for infusing a treatment fluid from the fluid supply passage into a body lumen of a passage. Each of the stellate side ports is defined by sets of at least three convergent leaves having an attached basal edge, a terminal tip, and first and second free edges extending between the attached basal edge and the terminal tip. Making an infusion catheter includes forming a plurality of stellate side ports in fluid communication with a fluid supply passage of an elongate catheter body, each of the stellate side ports being defined by a set of at least three convergent leaves, and setting an infusion length of the infusion catheter during the forming step via spacing the stellate side ports between proximal and distal ends of the elongate catheter body.

Abstract: A lumen reentry mechanism includes a catheter configured to bypass an area of stenosis, and having a longitudinal passage with a side hole. A piercing tool is positioned within the passage and has a transverse end section with a cutting tip, trapped between first and second longitudinally extending beads within the passage. Trapping of the piercing tool limits contact between the cutting tip and an inner surface of the catheter. Related methodology is also disclosed.

Abstract: A variable infusion length catheter includes a tube assembly having a plurality of coaxial tubes each with a plurality of side ports formed therein, and having among the tubes a plurality of different rotational configurations each defining a different pattern of fluid communication among the side ports and a corresponding different infusion length of the catheter. Related methodology is also disclosed.

Abstract: A tool for engaging and withdrawing a wire guide from a patient includes a deformable distal segment having a self-expanding bias such that the distal segment assumes a tortuous configuration, and a control line attached to the distal segment and configured to extend through an intraluminal sheath, such that pulling the control line deforms the distal segment in opposition to the self-expanding bias to tighten about a wire guide. The tool may be withdrawn from the patient while tightened about the wire guide, such that the wire guide simultaneously extends out of the patient at each of a first and a second percutaneous entry point.

Abstract: A lumen reentry mechanism includes a catheter configured to bypass an area of stenosis, and having a longitudinal passage with a side hole. A piercing tool is positioned within the passage and has a transverse end section with a cutting tip, trapped between first and second longitudinally extending beads within the passage. Trapping of the piercing tool limits contact between the cutting tip and an inner surface of the catheter. Related methodology is also disclosed.

Abstract: A variable infusion length catheter includes a tube assembly having a plurality of coaxial tubes each with a plurality of side ports formed therein, and having among the tubes a plurality of different rotational configurations each defining a different pattern of fluid communication among the side ports and a corresponding different infusion length of the catheter. Related methodology is also disclosed.

Abstract: A variable stiffness catheter includes an elongate tubular body having proximal and distal body ends and defining a lumen extending longitudinally between a fluid inlet in the proximal body end and a fluid outlet in the distal body end. The catheter includes a vacuum responsive stiffener coupled with the elongate tubular body, which may include a stiffening medium such as an open cell foam having an expanded state and a vacuum collapsed state. The stiffening medium can transition between the expanded state at which it is relatively flexible and the vacuum collapsed state at which it is relatively inflexible via withdrawing fluid from the vacuum responsive stiffener by way of a vacuum device.

Abstract: An infusion catheter includes an elongate catheter body having a longitudinally extending fluid supply passage, and a plurality of stellate side ports for infusing a treatment fluid from the fluid supply passage into a body lumen of a passage. Each of the stellate side ports is defined by sets of at least three convergent leaves having an attached basal edge, a terminal tip, and first and second free edges extending between the attached basal edge and the terminal tip. Making an infusion catheter includes forming a plurality of stellate side ports in fluid communication with a fluid supply passage of an elongate catheter body, each of the stellate side ports being defined by a set of at least three convergent leaves, and setting an infusion length of the infusion catheter during the forming step via spacing the stellate side ports between proximal and distal ends of the elongate catheter body.

Abstract: An infusion system includes an infusion catheter defining a fluid passage extending between a proximal catheter end and a distal catheter end, and having a plurality of infusion ports in communication with the fluid passage and defining an infusion zone. A filtration device is provided which may be retrofitted upon the infusion catheter and includes a filter sleeve coupled to a slidable control sleeve. The filter sleeve is deformable between a first configuration having a radially contracted footprint and a second configuration having a radially expanded footprint, responsive to sliding the control sleeve over the infusion catheter such that the deformable filter sleeve buckles outwardly from the infusion catheter.

Abstract: An elongated medical apparatus suitable for insertion into a bodily passageway of a patient for carrying out a medical procedure. The elongated apparatus includes an elongated tubular body having a proximal portion and a distal portion, wherein the distal portion terminates at a distal end. The tubular body has a plurality of lumens extending therein. An inflatable balloon member is mounted at the distal end of the tubular body and extends in a distal direction therefrom. The balloon member is inflated by receiving an inflation fluid through one of the lumens. The presence of the balloon member at the leading end of the elongated apparatus reduces the risk of puncture and trauma upon insertion of the apparatus into the bodily passageway.

Abstract: An elongated medical apparatus suitable for insertion into a bodily passageway of a patient for carrying out a medical procedure. The elongated apparatus includes an elongated tubular body having a proximal portion and a distal portion, wherein the distal portion terminates at a distal end. The tubular body has a plurality of lumens extending therein. An inflatable balloon member is mounted at the distal end of the tubular body and extends in a distal direction therefrom. The balloon member is inflated by receiving an inflation fluid through one of the lumens. The presence of the balloon member at the leading end of the elongated apparatus reduces the risk of puncture and trauma upon insertion of the apparatus into the bodily passageway.

Abstract: A mouth-to-mouth resuscitator device for providing a physical barrier between a rescuer and a victim including a hollow tubular housing having an air input end and an air output end and counting a self closing one way valve having a disc shape secured between the housing ends and a pair of spaced apart rods secured to the disc for attaching the disc to a support plate, so that the inner end of the plate is received between the rods to support the valve disc and provide a hinge for dividing the disc into a pair of flaps to bend outward to an open position in response to forced air for transferring the air from the air input end to the air output end, and the flaps resiliently return to a closed position when the forced air has dissipated.