Abstract: Methods are describe for treating intraluminal locations such as in a patient's lung. The device is a catheter which has an elongated shaft with an inner lumen, preferably defined by an inner tubular member, formed of heat resistant polymeric materials such as polyimide and high temperature vapor is directed through the inner lumen into the intraluminal location to treat tissue at and/or distal to the location. The outer surface of the catheter is also formed of heat resistant material. An enlarged or enlargeable member, such as a balloon, is provided on a distal portion of the catheter shaft to prevent proximal flow of the high temperature vapor upon discharge from the catheter.

Abstract: A catheter having an elongate shaft including a plurality of apertures disposed along at least a length of the shaft to facilitate bending. The catheter includes an inflatable balloon, wherein a subset of the plurality of apertures provides fluid communication from an inflation lumen to the inflatable balloon.

Abstract: Some embodiments of a system or method for treating heart tissue can include a catheter device that provides a user with the ability to perform a number of heart treatment tasks (before, during, and after a cardiac surgery or a percutaneous coronary intervention). In particular embodiments, the catheter device can be used to (i) precondition heart muscle tissue before the heart is isolated from the circulatory system, (ii) deliver cardioplegia into the coronary sinus during the cardiac surgery when the heart is isolated from the circulatory system, and (iii) control the blood flow through the heart after the heart is reconnected with the circulatory system. In some embodiments, the catheter device can perform some or all of: (i) intermittently occluding the coronary sinus, (ii) delivering a treatment fluid into the coronary sinus, and (iii) monitoring a flow rate of blood passing from the coronary sinus to the right atrium.

Abstract: Some embodiments of a system or method for treating heart tissue can include a catheter device that provides a user with the ability to perform a number of heart treatment tasks (before, during, and after a cardiac surgery or a percutaneous coronary intervention). In particular embodiments, the catheter device can be used to (i) precondition heart muscle tissue before the heart is isolated from the circulatory system, (ii) deliver cardioplegia into the coronary sinus during the cardiac surgery when the heart is isolated from the circulatory system, and (iii) control the blood flow through the heart after the heart is reconnected with the circulatory system. In some embodiments, the catheter device can perform some or all of: (i) intermittently occluding the coronary sinus, (ii) delivering a treatment fluid into the coronary sinus, and (iii) monitoring a flow rate of blood passing from the coronary sinus to the right atrium.

Abstract: Some embodiments of a system or method for treating heart tissue can include a catheter device that provides a user with the ability to perform a number of heart treatment tasks (before, during, and after a cardiac surgery or a percutaneous coronary intervention). In particular embodiments, the catheter device can be used to (i) precondition heart muscle tissue before the heart is isolated from the circulatory system, (ii) deliver cardioplegia into the coronary sinus during the cardiac surgery when the heart is isolated from the circulatory system, and (iii) control the blood flow through the heart after the heart is reconnected with the circulatory system. In some embodiments, the catheter device can perform some or all of: (i) intermittently occluding the coronary sinus, (ii) delivering a treatment fluid into the coronary sinus, and (iii) monitoring a flow rate of blood passing from the coronary sinus to the right atrium.

Abstract: A balloon catheter includes a balloon support member having a hollow axial lumen and open distal end for allowing passage of a guidewire therethrough, a balloon disposed around the balloon support member, and an annular balloon seal disposed proximate to a distal end of the balloon catheter. The seal defines a central passageway for allowing passage therethrough of a guidewire extending out the distal end of the balloon support member, and is configured to form a substantially fluid tight seal around each of a plurality of guidewires having different outer diameters.

Abstract: Medical devices with surfaces on which viable biologic cells are magnetically attracted and retained are disclosed along with methods of magnetic coating. The medical devices can be located in a carrier liquid containing high concentrations of magnetic cells before or after implantation. The carrier liquid with magnetic cells may be contact with the medical device in vitro or in vivo. In either case, the carrier liquid may have a concentration of magnetic cells that is high enough to facilitate coating of the medical device within an acceptable period of time, e.g., several hours or less. Magnetization of medical devices before, during, and/or after implantation and apparatus for performing the same are disclosed. Degaussing of magnetic medical devices is also disclosed.

Abstract: A single operator exchange biliary catheter having a tubular member extending proximally from the proximal guidewire port. The tubular member defines a guidewire lumen extension adapted to permit the guidewire to be retracted from guidewire lumen and re-inserted therein. By retracting the guidewire from the guidewire lumen and into the guidewire lumen extension, fluid may be readily injected via the guidewire lumen without encountering resistance to fluid flow from the guidewire. The guidewire lumen extension also maintains guidewire lumen access such that the guidewire may be easily re-inserted into the guidewire lumen.

Abstract: A catheter is adapted to exchange heat with a body fluid, such as blood, flowing in a body conduit, such as a blood vessel. The catheter includes a shaft with a heat exchange region disposed at its distal end. This region may include hollow fibers which are adapted to receive a remotely cooled heat exchange fluid preferably flowing in a direction counter to that of the body fluid. The hollow fibers enhance the surface area of contact, as well as the mixing of both the heat exchange fluid and the body fluid. The catheter can be positioned to produce hypothermia in a selective area of the body or alternatively positioned to systemically cool the entire body system.

Abstract: The devices of the present disclosure are rheolytic thrombectomy catheters with a self-inflating distal balloon. A self-inflating balloon is located distal to an inflow gap or orifice and distal to a fluid jet emanator, which self-inflating balloon is inflated and expanded by the utilization of internal operating forces consisting of forwardly directed high velocity fluid jet streams and/or entrained thrombus particulate therein. The self-inflating balloon, when inflated, impinges on the wall of the blood vessel to isolate sections of the blood vessel distal and proximal to the inflated balloon in order to prevent flow of thrombus particulate, fluids and the like distal to the self-inflating balloon and to provide a stagnant nonflow region proximal to the self-inflating balloon. The devices of the present disclosure also provide for a uniform spacing of the catheter tube with respect to the thrombus and/or wall of the blood vessel.

Abstract: Some embodiments of a system or method for treating heart tissue can include a catheter device that provides a user with the ability to perform a number of heart treatment tasks (before, during, and after a cardiac surgery or a percutaneous coronary intervention). In particular embodiments, the catheter device can be used to (i) precondition heart muscle tissue before the heart is isolated from the circulatory system, (ii) deliver cardioplegia into the coronary sinus during the cardiac surgery when the heart is isolated from the circulatory system, and (iii) control the blood flow through the heart after the heart is reconnected with the circulatory system. In some embodiments, the catheter device can perform some or all of: (i) intermittently occluding the coronary sinus, (ii) delivering a treatment fluid into the coronary sinus, and (iii) monitoring a flow rate of blood passing from the coronary sinus to the right atrium.

Abstract: A catheter is adapted to exchange heat with a body fluid, such as blood, flowing in a body conduit, such as a blood vessel. The catheter includes a shaft with a heat exchange region disposed at its distal end. This region may include hollow fibers which are adapted to receive a remotely cooled heat exchange fluid preferably flowing in a direction counter to that of the body fluid. The hollow fibers enhance the surface area of contact, as well as the mixing of both the heat exchange fluid and the body fluid. The catheter can be positioned to produce hypothermia in a selective area of the body or alternatively positioned to systemically cool the entire body system.

Abstract: The invention, in one embodiment, is directed to a catheter for site-specific delivery of a therapeutic agent to a blood vessel of a patient. The catheter further includes an elongated shaft having at least one inner lumen, a distal end and a proximal end and proximal and distal vessel-conforming balloons where each is separately positionable and inflatable, and when inflated, substantially restricts blood flow in the vessel and creates a treatment window of a defined but variable length for delivery of the therapeutic agent. The catheter optionally includes at least one marker band adjacent to the proximal balloon and at least one marker band adjacent to the distal balloon. At least one lateral aperture positioned in the window is in fluid communication with a drug delivery conduit located within either the inner shaft or the outer shaft to provide a homogeneous concentration of the therapeutic agent to the window.

Abstract: A catheter is adapted to exchange heat with a body fluid, such as blood, flowing in a body conduit, such as a blood vessel. The catheter includes a shaft with a heat exchange region disposed at its distal end. This region may include hollow fibers which are adapted to receive a remotely cooled heat exchange fluid preferably flowing in a direction counter to that of the body fluid. The hollow fibers enhance the surface area of contact, as well as the mixing of both the heat exchange fluid and the body fluid. The catheter can be positioned to produce hypothermia in a selective area of the body or alternatively positioned to systemically cool the entire body system.

Abstract: A catheter is adapted to exchange heat with a body fluid, such as blood, flowing in a body conduit, such as a blood vessel. The catheter includes a shaft with a heat exchange region disposed at its distal end. This region may include hollow fibers which are adapted to receive a remotely cooled heat exchange fluid preferably flowing in a direction counter to that of the body fluid. The hollow fibers enhance the surface area of contact, as well as the mixing of both the heat exchange fluid and the body fluid. The catheter can be positioned to produce hypothermia in a selective area of the body or alternatively positioned to systemically cool the entire body system.

Abstract: A catheter is adapted to exchange heat with a body fluid, such as blood, flowing in a body conduit, such as a blood vessel. The catheter includes a shaft with a heat exchange region disposed at its distal end. This region may include hollow fibers which are adapted to receive a remotely cooled heat exchange fluid preferably flowing in a direction counter to that of the body fluid. The hollow fibers enhance the surface area of contact, as well as the mixing of both the heat exchange fluid and the body fluid. The catheter can be positioned to produce hypothermia in a selective area of the body or alternatively positioned to systemically cool the entire body system.

Abstract: A catheter is adapted to exchange heat with a body fluid, such as blood, flowing in a body conduit, such as a blood vessel. The catheter includes a shaft with a heat exchange region disposed at its distal end. This region may include hollow fibers which are adapted to receive a remotely cooled heat exchange fluid preferably flowing in a direction counter to that of the body fluid. The hollow fibers enhance the surface area of contact, as well as the mixing of both the heat exchange fluid and the body fluid. The catheter can be positioned to produce hypothermia in a selective area of the body or alternatively positioned to systemically cool the entire body system.

Abstract: A catheter enabling an increase in operability when the catheter is inserted from the outside to the inside of a body and capable of remarkably reducing the risk of damage to shafts even in an unforeseen accident without complicating steps and increasing production cost. The catheter comprises at least the distal side shaft formed of a resin tube, the rear end side shaft with a higher rigidity than that of the distal side shaft, and a guide wire lumen. The catheter is characterized in that a core wire is disposed therein to adjust a flexibility so that the rear end portion of the distal side shaft is harder than the distal end portion of the distal side shaft and softer than the rear end side shaft, and the core wire is fixed to the distal side shaft near the rear end side opening part of the guide wire lumen and at a part of the rear end side portion of the distal end shaft.

Abstract: Devices and methods for cooling vessel walls to inhibit restenosis in conjunction with medical procedures such as coronary artery angioplasty. Stenosed vessel walls can be cooled prior to angioplasty, after angioplasty, or both. The invention is believed to inhibit restenosis through cooling to a temperature near freezing, preferably without causing substantial vessel wall cell death. One catheter device includes a distal tube region having coolant delivery holes radially and longitudinally distributed along the distal region. In some devices, holes spray coolant directly onto the vessel walls, with the coolant absorbed into the blood stream. In other embodiments, a balloon or envelope is interposed between the coolant and the vessel walls and the coolant returned out of the catheter through a coolant return lumen. Some direct spray devices include an occlusion device to restrict blood flow past the region being cooled. Pressure, temperature, and ultrasonic probes are included in some cooling catheters.

Abstract: A catheter is adapted to exchange heat with a body fluid, such as blood, flowing in a body conduit, such as a blood vessel. The catheter includes a shaft with a heat exchange region disposed at its distal end. This region may include hollow fibers which are adapted to receive a remotely cooled heat exchange fluid preferably flowing in a direction counter to that of the body fluid. The hollow fibers enhance the surface area of contact, as well as the mixing of both the heat exchange fluid and the body fluid. The catheter can be positioned to produce hypothermia in a selective area of the body or alternatively positioned to systemically cool the entire body system.

Abstract: A combination aspiration/irrigation and illumination device using optical fibers circumferentially disposed around the aspiration conduit for transmitting illuminating light to a cavity to be aspirated. The ends of the optical fibers being formed at an angle relative to the aspiration conduit so as to direct the illuminating light inward to provide intensified illumination ahead of the aspiration conduit.

Abstract: An apparatus and method used in a urological procedure. The apparatus includes a sheath capable of insertion into a passageway within a patient. A filter is provided that includes a mesh that retains any particulate matter that is entrained with the liquid and allows the liquid to pass therethrough. The filter may be removeably attached to receive flow from an outlet of the sheath.

Abstract: The distal end of a flexible tip epidural catheter is stiffened by the insertion of a stress oriented plastic tubular section into the end of the interior of the catheter removed from a terminal flexible tip and then expanded into contact with the wall of the interior of the catheter interior to stiffen a section approximately the length of an epidural needle in which it is to be used.

Abstract: A catheter having an elongate shaft including a plurality of apertures disposed along at least a length of the shaft to facilitate bending. The catheter includes an inflatable balloon, wherein a subset of the plurality of apertures provides fluid communication from an inflation lumen to the inflatable balloon.

Abstract: A catheter and method for draining a bladder and injecting a two part biologic adhesive is provided. The catheter has a tubular body extending between proximal and distal ends. A balloon is located adjacent the distal end with a first port extending between the proximal end and the balloon providing for inflation an deflation of the balloon. A second port extends substantially between the proximal end and the distal end for drainage. A pair of ports separate from one another and from the first and second ports extend between the proximal end and the balloon. The pair of ports are each arranged in fluid communication with separate openings located between the balloon and the proximal end to provide separate fluid flow paths for the separate components of the two part biologic adhesive between the proximal end and the openings.

Abstract: A balloon catheter comprises a catheter body, a balloon at a distal end of the catheter body, and a guidewire tube within the balloon and separate from the catheter body. A catheter may be introduced over a guidewire by passing the guidewire through a guidewire lumen in the guidewire tube. No guidewire lumen is provided within the catheter body.

Abstract: Intravascular devices are provided for forming a vascular graft by axially distending a blood vessel to induce growth. These devices advantageously can be implanted via a catheter, thereby eliminating the need for a more invasive implantation procedure when the stretching is to be done in vivo. The implantable medical device for distending a blood vessel to induce axial growth of the blood vessel includes an intravascular stretching mechanism securable to an interior luminal surface of a blood vessel in vivo, and a means for operating the intravascular stretching mechanism in vivo to cause the vessel to stretch and grow axially. The stretching mechanism can include a pair of wires or stents that engage the blood vessel wall, and components of the stretching mechanism may include a shape memory material.

Abstract: An intravascular catheter system, such as a dilatation catheter system for angioplasty procedures, which provides for the replacement of the catheter or the guidewire during the procedure. The intravascular catheter has a guidewire-receiving inner lumen extending along its length. A first guidewire port is provided in the catheter body at or near the proximal end of the catheter. A second guidewire port is provided in the catheter body at a location spaced distally from the first guidewire port and proximally from a diagnostic or therapeutic tool, such as a dilatation balloon, on a distal portion of the catheter. A third guidewire port is provided in the distal end of the catheter. The guidewire ports are in communication with the guidewire-receiving inner lumen.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for effective removal of emboli or harmful fluids during vascular procedures, such as angiography, balloon angioplasty, stent deployment, laser angioplasty, atherectomy, intravascular ultrasonography and other therapeutic and diagnostic procedures. A catheter with an occluder mounted at its distal end creates an occlusion proximal to the lesion. The catheter provides a pathway for introducing a treatment catheter. Prior to, during or subsequent to the procedure, suction is activated to establish retrograde flow to remove emboli from the site. Additionally, a thin catheter with a distal fluid ejection nozzle maybe introduced distal to the treatment site to rinse emboli from the treatment site. The suction flow and/or ejected fluid flow may be varied in a pulsatile manner to simulate regular blood flow and/or perturb settled emboli into being captured that may otherwise not be collected.

Abstract: A balloon catheter comprises a catheter body, a balloon at a distal end of the catheter body, and a guidewire tube within the balloon and separate from the catheter body. A catheter may be introduced over a guidewire by passing the guidewire through a guidewire lumen in the guidewire tube. No guidewire lumen is provided within the catheter body.

Abstract: A combination device for gastrostomy or jejunostomy usage having a retaining member, an elongated member having a gastrostomy lumen and a jejustomy lumen, and an inflatable balloon mounted on the elongated member. The retaining member is of a low profile and is arranged to be located on the skin adjacent a stoma in the abdominal wall through which the elongated member extends. The balloon seals the stoma about the elongated member. The retaining member includes at least one access port to communicate with respective ones of the lumens. The device, related compositions, and processes can prevent and/or treat granulomas.

Abstract: The present invention is a balloon catheter used primarily in treatment and surgery for the purpose of dilating lesion sites such as strictures or blockages in passages in the human body. The balloon catheter of the present invention has a structure wherein a guide wire passing tubular member is deployed passing through the interior of the expansion body, and the outer surface of the tubular member and the expansion body are concentrically fused near the distal end of the catheter. This is a balloon catheter that is characterized by the fact that the Shore hardness of the material configuring the outermost surface of the tubular member is smaller than the Shore hardness of the material configuring the expansion body. It is therefore possible to flexibly adjust the tip portion formed by securing the expansion body and the guide wire passing tubular member.

Abstract: An esophageal balloon catheter capable of quickly and safely providing esophageal gauging and stenting as well as gastric aspiration during esophageal surgery. The esophageal balloon catheter includes (i) a shaft which defines a gastric lumen and an inflation lumen, (ii) a single inflatable balloon sealingly attached to the shaft at a fixed longitudinal position proximate the distal end of the shaft in fluid communication with the inflation lumen, and (iii) an aspiration port through the shaft between the balloon and the distal end of the shaft in fluid communication with the gastric lumen. The gastric lumen is not in fluid communication with the inflation lumen or the balloon so as to allow aspiration of the stomach without causing inflation or deflation of the balloon.

Abstract: A catheter includes a distal end, a proximal end, an outer tube extending from the distal end to the proximal end, and an inner tube extending through the outer tube. The distal end including a corrugated section attached to an end of the inner tube and an asymmetric balloon attached to the outer tube and configured to deflect the distal end of the catheter.

Abstract: A delivery system and method are provided for accurately locating, orienting, and implanting expandable tissue supporting devices at a lumen junction or bifurcation in a body lumen. For example, the system may be used to deliver a tissue supporting device to a bifurcated artery such that, on expansion, the tissue supporting device provides side ports of a specific size and geometry to accommodate bifurcations in the artery. The delivery system is capable of accurately orienting these side ports both radially and longitudinally with respect to branch lumen openings of the artery. The delivery system achieves orientation by utilizing a guide member which is positioned to extend from the side port feature of the tissue supporting device. The guide member is tracked along a guidewire which extends into the branch lumen, ultimately orienting the side port of the tissue supporting device properly at the branch lumen opening.

Abstract: A centering mechanism accurately centers a probe as it moves through a pathway having a changing shape, diameter, and direction. More specifically, the invention provides a probe centering device that includes a ring shaped resilient balloon, a front stopper that fixes a location of a first side of the balloon, and a biasing mechanism that applies a biasing force to a second side of the balloon. The biasing mechanism includes a rear stopper, a spring and a pusher, wherein the spring is located between the rear stopper and the pusher and the pusher is in contact with the second side of the balloon. A flexible member is preferably provided to cover and protect the biasing mechanism.

Abstract: An over-the-wire balloon dilatation catheter has a stainless steel hypotube catheter shaft, an intermediate sleeve section bonded to the shaft and a distal balloon section connected to the sleeve section. The sleeve section is forced from relatively flexible polymer materials and includes an inner core tube which defines a guide wire lumen extending only through a distal portion of the catheter (including its sleeve and balloon sections) to facilitate fast balloon catheter exchanges. A distal end of the hypotube shaft is crimped laterally and the core tube is nested and bonded within the crimp to provide a proximal outlet for the guide wire lumen. The hypotube shaft provides an inflation lumen for the balloon, with the inflation lumen being continued as an annular inflation lumen through the sleeve section where an outer sleeve is bonded about the core tube and extends from the distal end of the hypotube shaft to the balloon section.

Abstract: A medical device system and method allows an arterial bypass graft to be proximally anastomosed to an aorta during a beating heart procedure without substantial loss of blood by use of an endolumenal aorta isolation assembly provided along the distal end portion of an elongate catheter body. The aorta isolation assembly includes proximal and distal portions that are separated by an isolation region and that are adjustable to first and second extended positions, respectively, which are adapted to circumferentially engage the aortic wall and isolate upstream and downstream aspects of an exterior space between the elongate body and the aortic wall. The intermediate region is adapted to be positioned along the proximal anastomosis site such that the distal and proximal portions when adjusted to the first and second extended positions circumferentially engage the aortic wall on upstream and downstream sides of the proximal anastomosis site.

Abstract: The present invention preferably includes a balloon catheter for use with a guidewire. The catheter has a body with a balloon located thereon, preferably at the distal end. A lumen within the catheter body communicates with the interior of the balloon which can be inflated by known methods with saline solution. A series of sleeve members of predetermined lengths and sizes are coupled to and positioned along the length of the catheter body. One or more of the sleeve members can span the length of the balloon. Each sleeve member has a passageway and both an exit and entry port so that the guidewire can pass therethrough. Instead of a balloon, the catheter can include a device member that forms a chamber which can store medicine until discharged at the desired site within the blood vessel. Apertures or pores on the catheter body allow for the perfusion of blood or the delivery of medicine to the site of the blood vessel. A method of operation is also disclosed.

Abstract: A combination device for gastrostomy or jejunostomy usage having a retaining member, an elongated member having a gastrostomy lumen and a jejustomy lumen, and an inflatable balloon mounted on the elongated member. The retaining member is of a low profile and is arranged to be located on the skin adjacent a stoma in the abdominal wall through which the elongated member extends. The balloon seals the stoma about the elongated member. The retaining member includes at least one access port to communicate with respective ones of the lumens. The device, related compositions, and processes can prevent and/or treat granulomas.

Abstract: An intravascular catheter system, such as a dilatation catheter system for angioplasty procedures, which provides for the replacement of the catheter or the guidewire thereof during the procedure. The intravascular catheter has an guidewire-receiving inner lumen extending along the length thereof. A first guidewire port is provided in the catheter body at or near the proximal end of the catheter, a second guidewire port is provided in the catheter body at a location spaced distally from the first guidewire port and proximally from a diagnostic or therapeutic element, such as a dilatation balloon, on a distal portion of the catheter and a third guidewire port is provided in the distal end of the catheter. The guidewire ports are in communication with the guidewire-receiving inner lumen.

Abstract: An occlusion catheter for the ascending aorta capable of obstructing the blood flow within the ascending aorta without inserting through the femoral artery. The occlusion catheter is provided with a drug release aperture formed in the region, which is closer to the proximal end of the catheter tube than a balloon on the outer circumference of the distal end and which is to be located in the vicinity of the coronary ostium when the balloon is placed within the ascending aorta. The present occlusion catheter, when inserted directly into the ascending aorta in the vicinity of the heart to obstruct the blood flow therewithin, enables delivery of a cardiac muscle protective drug to the vicinity of the coronary ostium without inserting the occlusion catheter through the femoral artery in the conventional manner.

Abstract: A system and methods are described for performing catheter based procedures on high risk patients that mitigate the risk to the patient and extend the acceptable time window for response when emergencies or complications arise. The system is useful for stopped heart catheter procedures or as a safety backup in beating heart catheter procedures and is compatible with concurrent or sequential surgical interventions. The system combines a therapeutic or diagnostic catheter subsystem with a selective aortic perfusion and cardiopulmonary bypass subsystem. The catheter subsystem may include catheters for angioplasty, stent delivery, atherectomy, valvuloplasty or other diagnostic or therapeutic procedures.

Abstract: A balloon catheter for use with a guidewire is disclosed. The catheter has a body with a balloon located thereon, preferably at the distal end. A lumen within the catheter body communicates with the interior of the balloon which can be inflated by known methods with saline solution. A series of sleeve members of predetermined lengths and sizes are coupled to and positioned along the length of the catheter body. One or more of the sleeve members can span the length of the balloon. Each sleeve member has a passageway and both an exit and entry port so that the guidewire can pass therethrough. Instead of a balloon, the catheter can include a device member that forms a chamber which can store medicine until discharged at the desired site within the blood vessel. Apertures or pores on the catheter body allow for the perfusion of blood or the delivery of medicine to the site of the blood vessel. A method of operation is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention is a dilation catheter which comprises an elongated catheter shaft, a guide wire tube, and an angioplasty balloon. The distal end of the balloon is attached to the distal portion of the guide wire tube, and the proximal portion of the balloon is attached to the distal portion of the catheter shaft. A stiffening wire is attached to the inner wall of the catheter shaft at a plurality of points along its length. The distal extremity of the guide wire tube is decreased in size relative to the proximal portion of the guide wire tube. A fluid is contained within the guide wire lumen.

Abstract: Apparatus for sclerosing the wall of a varicose vein includes an inner tube having an expandable balloon at its distal end, an intermediate tube slidably disposed over the inner tube and having a fluid outlet at its distal end and a plunger at its proximal end, and an outer tube through which the plunger is movable. Methods of using the apparatus include deploying the inner and intermediate tubes in the vessel to be sclerosed, inflating the balloon, filling the outer tube with sclerosing agent and moving the plunger from the distal end of the outer tube toward the proximal end.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a stent delivery method and system which generally includes an elongated delivery sheath and a catheter disposed within an outer lumen of the sheath having an expandable member on its distal extremity. An expandable stent is mounted on the expandable member of the catheter. The distal portion of the sheath tapers down and is tucked within an elastic cone during transport of the stent to a stenotic region. A manipulating device is provided on the proximal end of the delivery system to effect relative axial movement between the sheath and the catheter so as to expose the stent mounted on the expandable member on the catheter within a body lumen such as a coronary artery and allow the expansion of the stent by the expansion of the expandable member. The elastic cone thereby disengages from the sheath and collapses about the distal end of the catheter.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an intravascular balloon catheter and a method for forming the same. The catheter includes an elongated shaft having proximal and distal ends, a guidewire receiving lumen extending through at least a distal portion of the elongated shaft; and a balloon on a distal shaft section. A distal portion the guidewire receiving lumen has different stiffness along a length thereof.

Abstract: A device for the optical spectroscopic examination of interior surfaces (2, 2′) of a body, e.g. of blood vessels (1), comprising an optical spectrometer and an endoscope (3) with a light guide for illuminating the surfaces, wherein at the proximal end of the light guide it is supplied with light and at the distal of the light guide the light can be launched to the surfaces to be examined, wherein at the distal end of this endoscope there is provided a device for receiving the light reflected by the surfaces to be examined, is characterized in that the distal end of the light guide is arranged within an inflatable balloon (4) with an elastic exterior, and that the light decoupled from the light guide and the light reflected by the surfaces to be examined to the receiving device penetrates in each case the exterior of the balloon. In this way, the light launched by the light guide and also the light directed to the surface to be examined and the light scattered by them, if e.g.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus used for securing the end of a drug-delivery catheter at the round window niche of the inner ear; specifically an apparatus employing a miniature threaded screw pump to inflate a balloon allowing a catheter to be secured within the round window niche of the inner ear.