Abstract: A catheter system for mechanical dilatation of coronary arterial stenoses includes a balloon dilatation catheter, a guide wire and a guide catheter. The balloon dilatation catheter has, for the perfusion of vessel fluid during dilatation, side openings arranged both distal and proximal of the balloon and connected to one another via a lumen extending within the balloon. The internal lumen configuration of the balloon dilatation catheter permits the catheter system to be utilized as either a "monorail"-type or an "over-the-wire" system.

Abstract: The dilatation catheter has a shaft which consists of two separately produced shaft portions. Both portions have a first lumen for a guide wire and a second lumen for a pressure liquid. The two portions overlap at a connection point and are preferably welded to one another at this point. The proximal portion consists of two coaxial tube portions and the distal portion consists of an extruded two-lumen tube piece. The proximal portion is stiffer than the distal portion, which permits an optimal adaptation to a non-straight course of a blood vessel. The dilatation catheter according to the invention is particularly suitable for the treatment of arterial occlusions, which are situated in or downstream of a vessel curve.

Abstract: The probe is provided at its distal end with an olive-shaped tip which is solidly joined to a shaft. The shaft is provided with a wire made of stainless steel as well as a spring. The maximum diameter of the tip is preferably approx. 1 mm. The guide catheter is suitable especially for recanalization of coronary and completely obstructed occlusions. The probe is preferably applied together with a baloon catheter itself known.

Abstract: An introducer valve has a connecting housing enclosing a generally cylindrical elastomeric valve body having a proximal end, a distal end, a central axis, and a central longitudinal opening. The central opening has a proximal aperture tapering inwardly to the central axis and has a distal aperture tapering inwardly to the central axis, and is adapted to receive an elongated guidewire or catheter element. The valve body has an exterior surface which tapers from the proximal end inwardly and from the distal end inwardly generally parallel with the respective apertures (in a somewhat hourglass configuration). The central opening of the valve body is normally sealed closed, and further surrounds and seals a penetrating catheter which is introduced or changed within the valve. The valve further comprises an elastomeric ring which circumscribes the center of the valve body.