Abstract: The cannula of the present invention is useful for standard gravity drainage or vacuum assisted/suction drainage. The cannula of the present invention has a flexible shaft composed of a tubular body and an expandable scaffolding. The expandable scaffolding has a contracted position, facilitating insertion into a vessel and an expanded condition configured to allow optimal drainage in a vessel. The cannula is inserted into a vessel and navigated into an operative position within the patient's venous system. Once the cannula is in the proper position, the scaffolding is expanded either through passive, active, mechanic, hydraulic, pneumatic, thermal or electrical actuation. The cannula of the present invention is capable of expanding a collapsed vein to its normal diameter and/or capable of supporting the vein when suction is applied to the cannula to help increase fluid flow through the cannula.

Abstract: The present invention provides an drug-delivery tool and method for delivering a selected diagnostic or therapeutic agent to a target site within a selected body tissue, such as the myocardium of the heart. In one embodiment, the drug-delivery tool is configured to be introduced percutaneously for intravascular delivery into temporary cavities formed in the myocardium from the epicardial surface. In another embodiment, the drug-delivery tool is configured for intraoperative use, to be introduced thoracoscopically or through a thoracotomy, to form temporary cavities in the myocardium from the epicardial surface. The drug-delivery tool generally comprises an accessing device having a tissue-penetrating implement in its distal-end region, and means for delivering a selected agent in a cavity formed by the implement.

Abstract: There is disclosed a clear view cannula for use in surgical procedures having a tubular body, a cylindrical sleeve mounted about and slidably secured to the tubular body, and a plurality of shield members secured to the cylindrical sleeve. The cylindrical sleeve is slidably movable relative to the tubular body causing the shield members to expand and deploy such that the shield members retain torn and fragmented soft tissue within an anatomical cavity. Means are provided on the tubular body to co-act with means on the cylindrical sleeve to lock the expanded and deployed shield members and secure the tubular body within an anatomical body.

Abstract: The present invention provides a catheter positioning system which serves to control and stabilize a distal end of a catheter at a treatment site within a patient so that a medical procedure can be performed with accuracy. Generally, the positioning system operates by providing a deformable mechanical members at the distal end of the catheter which can be operated from the proximal end of the catheter to extend radially outward to engage surrounding tissue adjacent to treatment site. In one embodiment of the invention a flexible superstructure comprising the plurality of flexible veins extending longitudinally along the distal end of the catheter can be deformed to bow radially outward to engage surrounding tissue. The distal tip of the catheter joined to one of the veins was correspondingly displaced or rotated angularly as the veins bow outward.

Abstract: A catheter comprising a tube having a distal end for deployment in a patient, and a proximal end for remaining outside of the patient; an anchoring mechanism at the distal end of the tube having a fully open configuration, a fully closed configuration, and a range of configurations therebetween; a filamentary member attached to the anchoring mechanism for controlling the configuration of the anchoring mechanism; and a controller located at or near the proximal end of the tube for controlling the filamentary member, wherein the controller comprises an indicator for visually indicating the anchoring mechanism configuration, a locking mechanism for locking the anchoring mechanism in the fully closed configuration; or a combination of the visual indicator and the locking mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to multifunctional devices for performing suction, irrigation, and manipulation at an internal site in a subject, and more particularly to enlargeable multifunctional devices for performing such functions while avoiding obstruction during conventional and endoscopic surgery. The present invention eliminates many of the problems associated with malleable tissue obstruction during surgery by providing the ability to deploy and retract a guard (e.g. enlargeable section) to create an area free of tissue interference.

Abstract: A catheter having an elongate drainage tube with a proximal end and a distal end, is adapted to extend through a body conduit and into a body cavity. An anchor disposed the distal end of the tube is disposed in the body cavity and is adapted to be moved from an insertion position to a withdrawal position. The anchor in the insertion position has a low profile when the tube is moved distally and in the withdrawal position has a low profile when the tube is moved proximally. The first end of the anchor is attached to the tube, and a tension member is provided to extend distally of the tube to releasably hold the second end of the anchor in a fixed relationship with the tube. In an associated method, this tension member is severed to release the second end of the anchor from the tube and permit withdrawal of the tube and the anchor in a low-profile state.

Abstract: Cannulas for surgical and medical use expand along their entire lengths. The cannulas are inserted through tissue when in an unexpanded condition and with a small diameter. The cannulas are then expanded radially outwardly to give a full-size instrument passage. Expansion of the cannulas occurs against the viscoelastic resistance of the surrounding tissue. The expandable cannulas do not require a full depth incision, or at most require only a needle-size entrance opening. In one embodiment of the invention, the cannula has a pointed end portion. In this embodiment of the invention, the cannula includes wires having cores which are enclosed by jackets. The jackets are integrally formed as one piece with a sheath of the cannula. The cannula may be expanded by inserting members or by fluid pressure. The cannula is advantageously utilized to expand a vessel, such as a blood vessel. An expandable chamber may be provided at the distal end of the cannula.

Abstract: A self-deploying catheter assembly comprises an anchoring device mounted to a tube. A distal end of the anchoring device is held in a fixed position by a releasable suture while a proximal end is freely movable between a proximal position and a distal position defined by a stop on the tube. During insertion into a body cavity, the anchor automatically maintains a low-profile state with the ends spaced apart. Once fully inserted, the anchor self converts into a high-profile state when the tube is slightly withdrawn, bringing the ends closer together. The suture is disengaged to release the distal end of the anchor in order to facilitate a low-profile state for withdrawal of the assembly.

Abstract: A double lumen-type catheter design which prevents damage to a child catheter and loosening of a stud valve of the double lumen-type catheter. A child catheter is housed inside a parent catheter so that it can freely slide, with the back end of the parent catheter joining with a front end of a Y-type connector with a branching path. The back end of the child catheter extends so that it passes through a back of the Y-type connector toward. A stud valve locks the back end of the child catheter at the back end of the Y-type connector. A cover covers the stud valve at the back end of the Y-type connector and the back end of the child catheter, and is attached so that it can be removed and replaced as needed.

Abstract: A low profile device for simultaneous angioplasty and occlusion includes an angioplasty balloon and an occlusion element which adjoin a common catheter. The occlusion element may be either self-expanding (in which case it is deployed with a sheath that surrounds the catheter) or non-self-expanding (in which case it is deployed with a pull wire that passes through the catheter). The angioplasty balloon is inflated with fluid that either passes through the catheter or a separate tube (or lumen) that adjoins the catheter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for retaining a catheter tip in a fixed position within a blood flow and preventing it from contacting a blood vessel wall. The apparatus includes a tip retainer at the distal end of the catheter that anchors the tip of the catheter within the blood vessel. The catheter tip is retained within the blood vessel spaced from the wall to ensure that it does not contact the wall of the blood vessel. This reduces damage to the blood vessel caused by chronic movement and contact between the catheter tip and the wall of the blood vessel. In one embodiment, the tip retainer includes a prong that penetrates the wall of the blood vessel, thus preventing the catheter tip from moving longitudinally within the blood vessel. In alternative embodiments, the tip retainer contacts the wall but does not penetrate the wall.

Abstract: An indwelling catheter comprising a flexible malecot tube having a plurality of slits elongating toward the longitudinal direction in the vicinity of the tip of the catheter, a flexible core wire movable in the axial direction along the malecot tube with its tip fixed to the tip of the malecot tube, a cylindrical connector fixed to the root side of the malecot tube and permitting the root of the core wire to protrude out of the end portion of the malecot tube, and a stopper provided on the connector to constrain arbitrary movement of the core wire.

Abstract: A system for removing the lens from an eye of a mammal, including a lens-removal device having a probe for penetrating the lens capsule. The probe includes a sheath that shields a rotating impeller at all times, with the impeller being pneumatically actuated to advance to a lens removal position within the sheath. The impeller is pneumatically rotated using a turbine mechanism within a handle for the probe. Irrigation and aspiration are provided to facilitate removal of the lens tissue. The turbine is driven with pulsed air to prevent stiction. A purge/protection cap helps remove air bubbles from the system prior to use and protects the delicate impeller during transport. An operating system is also provided with a foot pedal actuator.

Abstract: A localization device (10) comprising an outer needle cannula (11), an optional inner sleeve cannula (13) and an anchor stylet comprising a plurality of preformed superelastic alloy wires (12). Once the distal portions (14) of the wires (12) are deployed from the ends of the sleeve and needle cannulae, they function as curved barbs (15) projecting outward to anchor the device into tissue, an organ, or a foreign body. A slidable locking member (18), such as a pin vise, can be included over the outer needle cannula for securing the localization device against a template.

Abstract: Indwelling catheter having an upper distal end having a portion that can expand within a bladder type spaces without having to be inflated. An embodiment allows for at least one slit on an upper side of the catheter tube and a head member that when pulled down by a stylette moving inside the catheter causes a bulge wing portion(s) that holds the catheter safely and painlessly within the bladder. Magnetic and electret valves can be included inside the tube of the catheter that can cycle between open and closed positions when activated by normal bladder pressure when urination is desired. The novel catheter tube can naturally conform to an opening and closing urethra during natural bladder drainage. The catheter tube surface can include an anti-microbial layer that is either or both coated and impregnated thereon with either an antibacterial and/or hydrophyllic materials. Sampling ports can be located on both inside catheter tube valves and on an externally attached magnetic valve.

Abstract: Disclosed is a closure catheter, for closing a tissue opening such as an atrial septal defect, patent foreman ovale, or the left atrial appendage of the heart. The closure catheter carries a plurality of tissue anchors, which may be deployed into tissue surrounding the opening, and used to draw the opening closed. Methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a substance delivery device (1) capable of insertion into a body cavity of an animal, including delivery apparatus (11) capable of actively being controlled to deliver a substance to an outlet, and retention apparatus (2, 3) capable of retaining the substance delivery device within the body cavity of an animal. In one embodiment, a microprocessor (18) can be remotely programmed to enable control over the delivery device after it is placed in the animal. The microprocessor (18) can also communicate with an external device to enable the operation of the delivery device to be determined. The invention may also include sensors to monitor the environment around the delivery device, to determine when a substance should be delivered into the body.

Abstract: Disclosed is a closure catheter, for patching a tissue opening such as an atrial septal defect, patent foreman ovale, or the left atrial appendage of the heart. The closure catheter carries a deployable patch and a plurality of tissue anchors, which may be deployed to secure the patch to surrounding tissue. Methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A Device and Method for providing Therapeutic Massage and Dilation is disclosed. The Device is a uniquely designed instrument that is cupped from side to side and is narrower at one end than at the other. The narrow end has a flattened tip that is rounded around its perimeter. The wide end incorporates a semi-spherical handle. The bottom of the Device is convex and has small ridge that is rounded running along most of its length.

Abstract: A dental syringe (10) has a needle (11) affixed to a carpule holder (12), which carpule holder (12) is affixed to a power drive unit (13). A harpoon (20) is provided to affix the drive unit to the carpule plunger (32). The harpoon (20) is made of stainless steel or other hard, corrosion resistant, sterilizable, material. Harpoon 20 has a unique barb geometry and hardened, knife-like, edges (21). The syringe (10) may operate to divide the delivery of anesthesia into two phases. According to the method, during the first about 10 seconds of the injection, anesthetic is delivered at an extremely slow rate to maximize patient comfort. The injection rate then automatically increases to the preprogrammed rate associated with the injection type selected.

Abstract: A device and method for occluding a patient's ascending aorta, maintaining circulation of oxygenated blood in the patient and delivering cardioplegic fluid to arrest the patient's heart. An aortic occlusion device has an occluding member in the form of a non-inflatable structure which is moved mechanically between collapsed and expanded orientations. The device is introduced into the ascending aorta in its collapsed orientation and is moved to its expanded orientation to occlude the aorta. The aortic occlusion includes a lumen through which blood is delivered to the patient. The lumen may be provided in the aortic occlusion device or in a separate cannula coupled to the device.

Abstract: Disclosed is an anastomosis catheter, for achieving a tissue to tissue or synthetic graft to tissue attachment. The catheter includes a plurality of deployable tissue anchors, which may be laterally deployed into surrounding tissue. The anchors may be used to achieve end to end or end to side anastomoses. Methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: There is disclosed a clear view cannula for use in surgical procedures having a tubular body, a cylindrical sleeve mounted about and slidably secured to the tubular body, and a plurality of shield members secured to the cylindrical sleeve. The cylindrical sleeve is slidably movable relative to the tubular body causing the shield members to expand and deploy such that the shield members retain torn and fragmented soft tissue within an anatomical cavity. Means are provided on the tubular body to co-act with means on the cylindrical sleeve to lock the expanded and deployed shield members and secure the tubular body within an anatomical body.

Abstract: A medical device for draining fluid from the body of a patient comprises an elongate member that defines a lumen and includes a proximal end and a distal portion. The device further comprises a dilating member disposed in the distal portion of the elongate member. The dilating member comprises a plurality of arms movable from a collapsed state to an expanded state in which the arms protrude radially to anchor the device within the body of the patient. The device includes a tension member that extends through the lumen to the dilating member and couples to the plurality of arms. Application of tension to the tension member causes the arms to move to the collapsed state thereby permitting insertion and removal of the device into and from the body of the patient. Some embodiments include a tension control member disposed at the proximal end of the elongate member and movable in at least a first direction and a second direction to increase and decrease tension to one or more tension members.

Abstract: A catheter for delivery of an expandable intracorporeal device and method of using the catheter. The catheter may have an elongate shaft with a proximal section, distal section, proximal end and distal end. The distal section has a radially expandable shear barrier which is at least partially radially constrained by an outer radially constraining section. An expandable intracorporeal device, specifically an expandable endovascular graft, is disposed within an inner space within the radially expandable shear barrier. The catheter is guided to a desired site within a patient's body and the radial constraint of the outer radially constraining section is at least partially removed from the radially expandable shear barrier so as to allow the shear barrier and expandable intracorporeal device to expand and deploy.

Abstract: Disclosed is a closure catheter, for patching a tissue opening such as an atrial septal defect, patent foreman ovale, or the left atrial appendage of the heart. The closure catheter carries a deployable patch and a plurality of tissue anchors, which may be deployed to secure the patch to surrounding tissue. Methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a closure catheter, for closing a tissue opening such as an atrial septal defect, patent foreman ovale, or the left atrial appendage of the heart. The closure catheter carries a plurality of tissue anchors, which may be deployed into tissue surrounding the opening, and used to draw the opening closed. Methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a closure catheter, for closing a tissue opening such as an atrial septal defect, patent foreman ovale, or the left atrial appendage of the heart. The closure catheter carries a plurality of tissue anchors, which may be deployed into tissue surrounding the opening, and used to draw the opening closed. Methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device and method for delivering a therapeutic substance to a treatment site within a patient such as a vessel that has undergone angioplasty. The device provides flexible conduits placed together in the vessel along with a shaft that is attached to their distal ends. After being navigated to the treatment site, the shaft may be moved relative to the conduits causing them to buckle and bow radially outward into contact with the tissue to be treated. The therapeutic substance is then pressurized to be delivered through perfusion ports along the distal portion of the conduits. Because the conduits can be expanded into contact with the treatment site without the assistance of an inflatable member, blood flow through the region during delivery of the therapeutic substance is not interrupted in any significant way. Alternatively, the present invention may be used in conjunction with a balloon angioplasty catheter to deliver therapeutic substances after the dilatation procedure.

Abstract: Disclosed is a closure catheter, and methods for reducing the volume of a body cavity such as a vessel, or a portion of the heart. The closure catheter includes a plurality of deployable tissue anchors, which may be laterally deployed into surrounding tissue. The anchors may thereafter be used to draw the tissue radially inwardly, to reduce the volume of the body cavity. Methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: An expandable intraluminal catheter is used for removing occlusive material from a body passage. The catheter includes a handle having both a proximal handle end and a distal handle end. Attached to the distal handle end is an elongate tubular body, which includes a proximal body end and a distal body end. The elongate tubular body further includes a lumen between the proximal body end and the distal body end. A number of expandable segments are disposed on the elongate tubular body near the distal body end. These expandable segments can be mechanically activated by a user when the distal body end is within a blood vessel, to thereby isolate and partition occlusive material within the blood vessel. The isolated and partitioned occlusive material within the blood vessel can then be removed.

Abstract: An intravascular catheter system for the treatment of occluded blood vessels that includes tissue displacement or hinged expansion members that are movable from a closed to an open position. An actuating assembly may be provided for moving the tissue expansion members between an open and closed position to exert a substantially lateral distal end force upon the region surrounding an occluded blood vessel. The tissue expansion members may stretch apart, tear or otherwise disrupt a vascular occlusion sufficiently to create a pathway that may support the passage or placement of a guidewire or an interventional vascular device across the occlusion or obstruction. Methods of crossing or displacing a vascular occlusion are further provided that include the positioning of a vascular catheter having at least one hinged spreading member positioned at the distal region of the catheter that is responsive to directed force along the longitudinal axis of the catheter.

Abstract: An intravascular catheter has an outer end portion formed with a discharge orifice. A flexible centering wire supports the outer end portion of the catheter within a blood vessel while a treating agent is delivered into the blood vessel through the discharge orifice. The centering wire, in its natural, free state condition, has a coiled distal end portion. The centering wire is received lengthwise within a channel in the catheter. The centering wire is slidable in the channel from a retracted position to an operative position in which the distal end portion of the wire projects outwardly from the channel through a channel outlet and assumes its natural, coiled condition in contact with the interior wall of the blood vessel to support the outer end portion of the catheter within the blood vessel. The outer end portion of the catheter is centered within the blood vessel, out of contact with the interior wall of the blood vessel.

Abstract: A universal mechanical dilator combined with massaging action comprises a probe (12) consisting of a two rods (22 and 24), a drive unit (14) and an adapter (16) that connects the probe (12) to the drive unit. The instrument is intended for dilation of the urethra or other ducts of a human body and can operate in three different modes: pure dilation, pure vibration, and dilations combined with vibrations. This is achieved by using the adapter (16) as an adjustable coupling. The probe (12) together with the adapter (16) can be disconnected from the drive unit (14) and used separately as a mechanical manual dilator. At its distal end, the probe (12) has means for connecting replaceable tips (28a, 32a) used for various applications, i.e., urethral, anal, vaginal, etc. The invention also relates to a method of treatment of voiding or an orectal diseases by combining dilations with vibrations. The instrument can also be used for training sphincteric muscles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for retaining a catheter tip in a fixed position within a blood flow and preventing it from contacting a blood vessel wall. The apparatus includes a tip retainer at the distal end of the catheter that anchors the tip of the catheter within the blood vessel. The catheter tip is retained within the blood vessel spaced from the wall to ensure that it does not contact the wall of the blood vessel. This reduces damage to the blood vessel caused by chronic movement and contact between the catheter tip and the wall of the blood vessel. In one embodiment, the tip retainer includes a prong that penetrates the wall of the blood vessel, thus preventing the catheter tip from moving longitudinally within the blood vessel. In alternative embodiments, the tip retainer contacts the wall but does not penetrate the wall.

Abstract: A mechanical dilatation and irradiation device for enlarging a flow passage of a vessel by dilating and irradiating an obstruction in the vessel. The present invention comprises a substantially cylindrically shaped expansion member and includes a means engaged to the expansion member for altering the distance between the proximal end and the distal end of the expansion member thereby transforming the expansion member between a diametrically contracted configuration to diametrically expanded configuration. A radioisotope is place either inside the expansion member, alloyed into the metal from which the expansion member is constructed, coated onto the expansion member's exterior surface or alternately, the non-radioactive metal or alloy of the expansion member can be irradiated so that it has become radioactive, i.e. it is then a radioisotope.

Abstract: The present invention relates to medicine, more specifically to microsurgery and can find application both for dilating stenosed portions of tubular organs and blood vessels and for fixing the edges of holes in tissues or holding prostheses, e.g., when positioning occluding, valve, or filtering prosthetic appliances on parietal lesions or defects, as well as on inosculations of hollow or tubular organs. The invention makes possible extending the field of application and functional capabilities of the microsurgical fixing device, as well as to enhance its reliability and safety of its positioning. According to one of its embodiments the microsurgical fixing device appears as at least two springs each appearing as a cone frustum or a flat ring made from a Z-shaped bar that forms a closed loop. The springs are movably interconnected through the apices of zigzags which are situated on the same circle so as to provide reversible compression of the springs under the effect of external load.

Abstract: This invention is a medical device and a method of using it. The device is a foldable stent or stent-graft which may be percutaneously delivered with (or on) a catheter, typically an endovascular catheter, to a body cavity or lumen and then expanded. It may also be delivered or via surgical (or other) techniques. The expandable stent structure utilizes torsional members which distribute bending and folding loads in such a way that the stent is not plastically deformed. The stent's configuration allows it to be folded or otherwise compressed to a very small diameter prior to deployment without changing the length of the stent. The graft component cooperating with the stent is tubular and preferably is blood-compatible material which may, if desired, be reinforced with fibers. The stent is able to provide collapsible support for otherwise frangible graft material.

Abstract: A system for treating an aneurysm in a vessel includes a delivery device having a delivery portion suitable for delivery of embolic material. The delivery device is placed in a neck of the aneurysm and an expandable member is placed proximate the neck. The expandable member is expanded to overlie substantially the entire neck. Embolic material is delivered to the aneurysm with a delivery device. The expandable member is held over the neck to inhibit movement of the embolic material out of the aneurysm. Blood is allowed to flow out of the aneurysm, past the neck of the aneurysm, and through the vessel while the expandable member is held over the neck of the aneurysm.

Abstract: Catheters for delivering drugs or other agents within a lumen, such as an artery or vein, are disclosed. In one embodiment, a catheter comprises an outer shaft with a lumen extending longitudinally therethrough. An inner shaft is slidably received within the outer shaft. A distal portion of the shaft comprises a plurality of grooved delivery members having a non-deployed position wherein the delivery members lie within and are compressed by the outer shaft, and a deployed position wherein the delivery members extend beyond the outer shaft. In the deployed position, the delivery members flare outward at an angle, beyond the diameter of the outer shaft to bear against a site of interest, which can be a thrombus or a vessel wall, for example. Drugs or other agents can be conveyed to the delivery members through a space between the inner and outer shafts.

Abstract: A series of medical instruments can be made with the use of shape memory tube with a transformation temperature that is above or below the ambient temperature. In the first case, the material behaves with the shape memory effect and in the second case the behavior is superelastic. The wall of the tube has been provided with a plurality of slots in specific places, often near or at the distal end of the instrument, and in specific arrangements which allow local variations in diameter, shape, and/or length. These variations can either be caused by the memory effect during temperature change or by superelastic behavior during change of the mechanical influences on the memory metal by the surrounding material.

Abstract: A deformable intraocular lens injecting apparatus including a transverse hinged lens cartridge for allowing the lens cartridge to be opened and closed for loading the deformable intraocular lens into the lens cartridge. A preferred embodiment includes a lens cartridge including a lens holding portion connected to a nozzle portion. In this preferred embodiment, the lens holding portion includes a movable wall portion with a protrusion for folding the deformable intraocular lens into a lens delivery passageway of the lens cartridge when closing the movable wall portion.

Abstract: A surgical device for cleaning and removing obstructing material from within a vascular conduit or other bodily passageway. The device comprises a balloon catheter having an independently operable outer woven sleeve having a plurality of mesh openings. The woven sleeve surrounds the radially expandable and contractible balloon. In one embodiment, the outer woven sleeve is configured into a predetermined shape through manipulation of the catheter and used to maintain the inflated balloon within that predetermined configuration. In another embodiment, the woven sleeve is radially expanded by the inflated balloon such that the woven mesh is driven into the vascular conduit. The woven sleeve may be used to abrade the surface of the vascular conduit and increase the flow passage or alternatively as traction for various other surgical procedures within the vascular conduit.

Abstract: An expandable multifunctional instrument for creating a space at an obstructed site in the body includes an elongate member having a distal end for being introduced in the body, a proximal end for being disposed externally of the body and an expandable member for being positioned at the obstructed site. The expandable member is movable at the obstructed site from a non-expanded position to an expanded position to displace anatomical tissue to create a space at the obstructed site for performing various operative procedures. A method of creating a space at an obstructed site includes expanding an expandable member at the obstructed site and/or introducing fluid under pressure at the obstructed site to create a space where normally no space exists.

Abstract: An introducer is shown and described which includes a number of unique and useful features designed to improve the process of obtaining access to a bodily cavity for the purpose of performing minimally invasive surgical procedures, particularly laparoscopic procedures. These features include, among others, a sharpened cannula distal end, in order to assist entry of the introducer through the tissue barrier into the bodily cavity, a substantially transparent support disk so that visual access to the insertion site is maintained at all times, a septum seal designed to sealingly receive instruments having a cross-sectional dimension of 2.2 mm or less, an improved anchoring device which is simply and manually actuated and is of an advantageous three-slit design, and a simple, side-mounted gas insufflation port, usable at all times during the procedure and adapted for connection to gas tubing fitted with a pinch clamp for easy control of the gas flow.

Abstract: A device for supporting the outlet end portion of an intravascular catheter within a blood vessel while a treating agent is delivered into the blood stream through an orifice at the tip. The device comprises a frame having a plurality of radially outwardly projecting frame elements in the form of elongated wire struts extending lengthwise of the catheter. Each wire strut has a generally V-shaped radially outwardly projecting mid-portion, with the apex of the V-shaped mid-portion adapted to rest on the wall of the blood vessel. The distal ends of the wire struts are affixed to the catheter. The proximal ends are longitudinally sidable in grooves in the catheter. The grooves are long enough to accommodate the wire struts when flattened somewhat to pass through narrower blood vessels or when flattened completely for storage in a tube shelter.

Abstract: Devices and methods for providing access to a body cavity without substantial loss of inflation gas therein. The device comprises an access assembly 10 that may have a tubular member 12, at least one sleeve 16 coaxially disposed over the tubular member, a pneumostasis valve 13 attached to the tubular member, and an obturator 11 removably received in the tubular member. Sleeve 16 comprises expandable region 19 capable of forming an anchor 30 upon axial compression. A method to provide access using assembly 10 comprises insertion of the assembly 10 into the body cavity, expanding region 19, and insufflating the cavity with gas. Expandable region 19 on assembly 10 is axially compressed to form anchor 30 to seal against an interior wall of the body cavity. The method may further comprise either a second expanded anchor 50 or a non-expanding anchor 40 which clamps against an exterior wall of the body cavity to securely position and seal the access assembly 10.

Abstract: The expandable intraluminal catheter is used for removing occlusive material from a body passage. The catheter includes a handle having both a proximal handle end and a distal handle end. Attached to the distal handle end is an elongate tubular body, which includes a proximal elongate tubular body end and a distal elongate tubular body end. The elongate tubular body further includes a lumen between the proximal elongate tubular body end and the distal elongate tubular body end. A number of radially-expandable segments are disposed on the elongate tubular body near the distal elongate tubular body end. These radially-expandable segments can be mechanically activated by a user when the distal elongate tubular body end is within a blood vessel, to thereby contact and partition occlusive material within the blood vessel. The partitioned occlusive material within the blood vessel can then be removed.

Abstract: A device for retrograde hole opening through tissue has a member elongate on an axis with a cross section shaped to insert axially through external tissue. A distal and a proximal end on the member respectively enter the tissue during placement and remain outside the tissue for control. A tip at the distal end has a deployable tissue divider with one or more tissue parting elements and each has a splitter. The tissue parting elements are located within the cross sectional dimensions of the member in a storage position and are movable relative to the tip for placement in an exposed position relative to the tip when shifted from storage so that the splitter thereof splits tissue during retrograde extraction along the axis and contact with tissue. Linkage between the proximal end and the deployable tissue divider retains each of the tissue parting elements with its splitter exposed.