Abstract: Methods for performing tracheal intubation of small animals are shown utilizing an endotracheal tube specifically designed for them. The endotracheal tube has a zigzag bend and a distal portion having an outwardly facing surface. The outwardly facing surface is used to depress the epiglottis of the animal thereby giving a doctor a clear view of the animal's trachea. The endotracheal tube also includes a tapered end which is easily inserted between the arytenoid cartilages of the larynx, and a pressure sensor which provides a quantitative indication of the air pressure within the cuff of the endotracheal tube.

Abstract: A catheter for delivering fluids to a patient, while preventing reflux of the tube feeds and the conditions associated therewith. The catheter comprises a tube, a barrier to prevent reflux, and a means for stomach evacuation. The catheter has several configurations, depending on the specific requirements of the patient's condition. Also provided are safety measures for the patient's protection.

Abstract: A medical balloon is constructed with protrusions thereon to prevent unwanted movement of an expandable, implantable medical device such as a stent during delivery and deployment. At least some of the protrusions are underlying the expandable, implantable medical device to grip the expandable, implantable medical device.

Abstract: A catheter having a perfusion section encapsulated by a porous membrane. The catheter can include a shaft to accommodate a radiation source. A spiraled balloon can be positioned about the shaft for centering within a body lumen. Additionally, a longitudinal balloon or mechanical expansion can be provided about the shaft for positioning within a body lumen. A radiotherapy system can be included with a radiation source and a catheter having a perfusion section encapsulated by a porous membrane. A method is provided where a catheter with a perfusion section encapsulated by a porous membrane is advanced through a body lumen. The body lumen is treated by the catheter while a body fluid is perfused past the perfusion section.

Abstract: Balloon catheters according to the present invention have surface contours with protrusions and grooves to make non-continuous lesions. There is a heating element inside the balloon. The balloon will be filled with a fluid before ablation to expand the balloon for tissue contact, and to transfer heating energy from the heating element to the tissue in contact with the balloon. Since the balloon surface has contours with grooves and protrusions, the tissue contact will not be continuous along the balloon surfaces, and therefore the ablation on the tissue will not be continuous. The energy transmitter can be ultrasound transducer, electrical resistant heater, and microwave antenna.

Abstract: A balloon catheter with a balloon having at least a section which has an uninflated configuration with at least two lobes and an inflated configuration with a cylindrical surface. In a presently preferred embodiment, the balloon has a lobed inner surface and a lobed outer surface. In one embodiment, the balloon has a uniform wall thickness around a circumference of the lobed balloon section. However, in alternative embodiments the balloon wall thickness may nonuniform around the balloon circumference. Each lobe forms a deflated balloon wing when the balloon is deflated.

Abstract: A catheter and a method of using the catheter are disclosed that serve to create an efficient and rapid controlled manner of regulating a patient's body temperature. The catheter is a heat exchange catheter insertable into a blood vessel of a patient, circulating a heat exchange fluid therein, and including a spiral-shaped inflatable balloon that mixes laminar layers of the heat exchange fluid flowing inside the balloon.

Abstract: A stent holding member used in a stent delivery system adapted to implant a stent of a cylindrical configuration, designed to be embedded in a living body, to a desired site of implantation in a vessel of the living body. The stent holding member includes a tubular holding member formed of an elastic material. The holder has a groove in its outer peripheral portion for holding one or more supporting struts making up the stent. Each of these supporting struts is embedded at least partially in the groove to hold the stent. The groove has its opening end side expanded by expansion of the holder along the radial direction. By expansion of the opened end of the groove, the stent held in the groove is dilated and released from the holder.

Abstract: A system used in a blood vessel when an interventional procedure is being performed in a stenosed or occluded region, which is capable of treating an entire affected area in a blood vessel while preventing adverse effects for healthy tissue. The system includes a catheter which is positionable in a blood vessel at the interventional procedure site. The system further includes an expandable interventional instrument such as an expandable stent which is expandable and which may be deployed in the blood vessel at the interventional procedure site, which includes an unexpanded axial dimension. The system also includes an expandable member such as an expandable balloon, for expanding the expandable stent. The expandable balloon is capable of expanding so as to expand and deploy the expandable stent, and to substantially retain the unexpanded axial dimension of the expandable stent.

Abstract: Desired portions of a balloon may be marked by varying the texture of the surface. Marking the balloon facilitates positioning of the balloon on a catheter and facilitates positioning a medical device on the balloon.

Abstract: The invention concerns a catheter (1) designed to be inserted in a corporeal duct and comprising a flexible elongated body, rigid in traction, including a sealed tubular sheath (3) for transmitting a fluid under pressure and capable of being subjected to radial collapse. Said catheter is characterized in that said sheath (3) is made at least partially of a flexible material and has a thin wall (4) with uneven surface, such that, when said sheath (3) is subjected to such a radial collapse, the irregularities at the surface thereof maintain a fluid communication (7) between said sheath (3) ends.

Abstract: A centering catheter with engagement knobs to provide improved perfusion in a vessel during intravascular radiation therapy. In one embodiment, a helical centering balloon catheter includes a helical centering balloon formed of helical lobes having a plurality of engagement knobs that outwardly protrude from the helical lobes. The helical lobes form a main spiral perfusion channel for perfusion of blood past the centering catheter. The engagement knobs compliantly engage the vessel walls and offset of the helical lobes such that auxiliary perfusion channels are formed around the engagement knobs between the helical lobes and the walls of the vessel to allow additional perfusion. In the event of a partial obstruction of the spiral channel or a single point failure, the auxiliary perfusion channels allow perfusion past the obstruction.

Abstract: Apparatus for the treatment of volume deficiency disorders of body structures and related syndromes and, more particularly, apparatus that deliver fluid via a catheter at a controlled pressure into a balloon situated within or adjacent a body cavity to effect tissue expansion. A drainage mechanism, especially useful in treating bladder deficiencies, is disclosed which permits drainage of body fluids while the balloon is in its expanded state. The balloon can be adapted to fit within a recess of the catheter, for example, in a folded or rolled state, and the invention also provides means for delivering fluid at a controlled pressure into an inflatable balloon.

Abstract: A collapsible filter element for a transcatheter embolic protection device, the filter element comprises a collapsible filter body of polymeric material which is movable between a collapsed stored position for movement through a vascular system and an expanded position for extension across a blood vessel such that blood passing through the blood vessel is delivered through the filer element. A proximal inlet portion of the filter body has one or more inlet openings sized to allow blood and embolic material enter the filter body. A distal outlet portion of the filter body has a plurality of generally circular outlet openings sized to allow through-passage of blood, but to retain embolic material within the filter body. The distal outlet portion of the filter body in the region of the outlet openings has means for reducing shear stress on blood passing through the outlet openings. The shear stress reducing means includes lead-in and lead-out radiussed portioins of the filter body leading to the outlet holes.

Abstract: A system of rotate-to-advance medical devices including catheters, dilators, occluders, stents, suprapubic catheters and camera introducers configured with external screw threads and depending substantially on rotation for means of advancement and emplacement in mammalian genitourinary and gastrointestinal passages and organs.

Abstract: An active cannula or sleeve which does more than merely maintain a channel or passage is usable to create and/or enlarge a channel or passage, to position a scope or instrument, to move or locate tissue, etc. The cannula can vary in size or shape as needed, intraoperatively. Because a cannula of the present invention is expandable, the surgeon can make a small relatively small incision, stretch the tissue with the expandable cannula, contract the cannula and remove it, allowing the skin to come back to its unstretched condition. Thus, a smaller incision can be made to fit the same size instrument. This results in less trauma and scarring and an easier operation. The cannulas are or can assume such a non-circular shape, to fit into a natural skin opening and cause less trauma. The devices can be used to seal off a space; to expand an existing space or a potential space for working or visualization; to move tissue (for example, to stretch an incision) or to protect it.

Abstract: A predetermined arrangement of differentially lubricious areas on a balloon catheter for controlling against unexpected movement of a stent carried thereon when in situ in the body.

Abstract: The invention concerns a balloon catheter (1) for dilating vascular constrictions and for simultaneously introducing a permanently deformable stent (9) into the vessel to be dilated in order to stabilize it in the dilated condition, wherein the distal region of the catheter which is intended to receive the stent has an inner tube (2) which is surrounded by the non-expanded stent, the balloon (7) is arranged between the stent (9) and the inner tube (2) and the inner tube has at its ends as X-ray markings two sleeves (3, 4) which are carried thereon and which comprise an X-ray-opaque material and which are provided within the balloon on the inner tube, wherein provided between the inner tube and the outer balloon is a tube (5) which forms an additional plateau and which comprises a soft-elastic material as an intermediate layer, in such a way that it extends in the longitudinal direction to beyond the sleeves forming the X-ray markings.

Abstract: A balloon catheter for medical applications has a balloon 11 in a tip region facing the patient having a structured outer surface 12. The structured outer surface 12 is formed by wave troughs and wave crests which are not connected to each other. The structured outer surface 12 of a balloon 11 can cling to adjacent surfaces. The balloon catheter is introduced via a left-ventricular cardiotomy in the tip region and inserted into the aorta ascendens. The balloon 11 occludes the aorta ascendens. The balloon allows cardioplegia to be performed and relieves the heart through suctioning-off. Particular applications for the balloon catheter include by calcification of the aorta ascendens, for effecting LIMA/RIMA-anastomoses, and when effecting venovenostomies.

Abstract: A balloon catheter having a balloon disposed upon an elongate shaft near a relatively rigid distal insertion tip, a fluid lumen for fluid communication with a body cavity and an inflation lumen for fluid communication with the balloon. The balloon holds the catheter tip within a body cavity such as the stomach for long-term enteral feeding. The balloon is configured such that upon inflation, the balloon distends distally to cover the distal tip thus insulating it from sensitive anatomy.