Abstract: This invention relates generally to a tubular medical device, and more particularly to a tubular medical device for fluid feeding to or fluid drainage from a body cavity. The invention describes both a device and a method of making a device that comprises an elongated flexible primary tube forming a lumen having an open end, a secondary tube concentrically surrounding and spaced from the primary tube and extending between the open end and a position spaced from the open end. The primary and secondary tubes have an integral joining portion at the open end. The primary and secondary tubes form a chamber that is sealably closed and filled with a heavy metal so that a weighted tip element, or bolus is formed. Alternatively, the chamber may be pressurized and expanded to form a balloon element by way of a side tube affixed to the primary tube and connected at one end to a source of pressurized air and at the other end to a position within the chamber.

Abstract: A device for transluminal implantation of a substantially tubular, radially expansible prosthesis (2), comprising in combination such prosthesis (2) and concentric therewith a flexible probe (1) with means (200) for maintaining said prosthesis (2) in a radially contracted state and for releasing same at the desired location, said means for maintaining and releasing the prothesis comprising a hose (5) concentrically surrounding said probe (1), one end of said hose being connected to the probe (1), and the hose (5) being folded inside itself to form a double-walled section (51, 52) radially surrounding the prothesis (2), the latter being releasable by axial relative movement of the ends of the hose, characterized by inflatable balloon means (30) positioned between said probe (1) and said prosthesis (2) and substantially coextensive with the latter, whereby after releasing the prosthesis at the desired location in the lumen controlled expansion of the prosthesis and the surrounding lumen wall can be achieved by

Abstract: An applicator assembly and method for self-testing a body cavity to determine the condition therein is disclosed. The assembly includes a reusable, applicator body, formed with a probe having a tip end formed and positioned for movement between a retracted position and an extended position. Removably mounted thereon is a flexible sheath, which carries a sensor proximate the end of the sheath. Upon movement of the probe to the retracted position, the sensor and sheath are drawn into the applicator body to protect the sensor from contamination before testing. The assembly is then inserted into the cavity, the probe is extended for testing and retracted for removal of the assembly from the cavity. To observe the test results, the probe is again extended. The sheath is removable and a new sheath can be mounted over the applicator body for repeated testing. A method of self-testing, using the assembly of the present invention is also provided.

Abstract: A medical scope guide allows internal body tissues to be viewed. The scope guide includes an elongated hollow tube having opposite inner and outer ends, and a transparent inflatable balloon secured to the inner end of the tube. The outer end of the tube is sealable and is adapted to slidably receive a scope device which extends through the tube and into the balloon. Air can be introduced and released through the tube into and from the balloon for inflating and deflating the balloon. In order to view the internal body tissues, a surgical incision is made in the body of the patient and the scope guide is inserted through the incision such that the inner end of the tube is located within the body and the outer end of the tube is located outside the body. The scope is inserted through the tube and into the balloon and the balloon is inflated so as to engage the body tissues to be observed. The body tissues are viewed with the scope device, which is removed from the scope guide when viewing is completed.

Abstract: In a refillable injection device for use with a dilation catheter, a large bore syringe is used to refill a small bore syringe without disconnecting the syringe assembly from the catheter. A one-way valve prevents fluid from moving in the opposite direction. Movement of the small bore syringe plunger produces a high pressure, low volume flow and can be repeated if necessary after the small bore syringe is refilled. Subsequent movement of the large bore syringe plunger produces a low pressure, high volume flow.

Abstract: A device and method for implantation of a prosthesis provides for insertion of the prosthesis in a location which is difficult to access. The prosthesis is held in a radially contracted state by the device. An expandable chamber within the device permits relative movements between elements of the devices as to permit the prosthesis to be inserted and radially expanded in the location.

Abstract: A catheter guide having a tubular body of a resilient material with flexible closure means located at the distal end of the tubular body which can be manipulated into various open and closed positions to permit introduction of lubricating material and to protect the catheter from bacteria within the body passage.

Abstract: A balloon catheter of the linear eversion type is provided with a sealed through lumen which will pass guide wires and other objects without disturbing the sealed nature of the balloon system.

Abstract: An everting catheter assembly includes a primary catheter tube inside which an everting or toposcopic element is secured spaced from the distal end of the primary catheter tube and with the open head end of the toposcopic element facing away from the open distal end of the primary catheter. The bonding of the toposcopic element to the interior of the primary catheter is effected with the use of a hollow mandrel through which the toposcopic element extends so that a short length of the toposcopic element projects out from the mandrel and is folded back over a length of the outer surface of the mandrel at the mandrel forward end. The mandrel is withdrawn into the primary catheter tube to the desired location for bonding at which point a bond is effected by means of heat conducted to the mating surfaces through the catheter wall or deposited locally by a radiative technique and heating between the mating surfaces.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for obtaining access to a relatively inaccessible region of a blood vessel for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes in which a primary catheter tube is inserted into the vascular system at an entry point remote from the relatively inaccessible region, the leading end of the tube is worked towards the inaccessible region in a conventional manner and then a secondary catheter tube contained within the primary tube is everted from the leading end of the primary tube to approach more closely to the required region. A catheter assembly for performing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A dilatation catheter is provided with an elongated balloon element having a distal evertable dilating portion and a proximal connector portion. The proximal connector portion extends through and past a large chamber where part of it may be layed-up in a loop or loops, and said connector portion also extends through O-ring braking and sealing structure.

Abstract: A catheter of the evagination type is provided with an inverted-evertable non-elastic tube having a diameter throughout equal to or greater than the catheter body, an axially aligned end opening at the distal end, and a multifold configuration of the distal end to maintain end-sealing during inversion and eversion.

Abstract: In a combined large and small bore syringe, the small bore syringe is used as the plunger for the large bore syringe. Movement of the small bore syringe plunger produces a high pressure, low volume flow while subsequent movement of the entirety of the small bore syringe as the plunger of the large bore syringe produces a low pressure, high volume liquid flow.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for obtaining access to a relatively inaccessible region of a blood vessel for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes in which a primary catheter tube is inserted into the vascular system at an entry point remote from the relatively inaccessible region, the leading end of the tube is worked towards the inaccessible region in a conventional manner and then a secondary catheter tube contained within the primary tube is everted from the leading end of the primary tube to approach more closely to the required region. A catheter assembly for performing the method is also disclosed.