Abstract: An endoscope has an anchoring and positioning device, in the form of an inflatable balloon, at its distal end section. The distal end of the endoscope has a section length, a major peripheral part, and a minor peripheral part. The inflatable balloon, being shaped as a cradle, circumscribes the major peripheral part of the distal end section. A window section is located on the minor peripheral part. The balloon is capable of spacing the window section from a wall of a passage surrounding the endoscope, thereby providing a good view and sufficient working space for the operation of the endoscope. A catheter to flow a fluid in and out of the balloon is coupled to the balloon.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a catheter for use in an emboli containment system. In one embodiment, the catheter has a tubular body with a metallic braid construction. Two lumen extend through the tubular body, the lumen being in a side-by-side configuration. One of the lumen functions as an inflation lumen, and is in fluid communication with an inflatable balloon mounted on the distal end of the catheter. The second lumen is adapted to receive other therapeutic catheters which comprise the emboli containment system.

Abstract: An intravascular catheter system has a balloon angioplasty device disposed about a common lumen near its distal end. The common lumen is in communication with multiple lumens within a proximal region of the catheter body to allow for positioning of the catheter over a movable guide wire and convenient delivery of imaging or interventional devices to a desired region of the blood vessel being treated.

Abstract: A probe for a speculum for use in examining the interior of a body cavity. The probe comprised an elongated tubular member (1) having a first and second end and an expandable sealing element (2) encircling said tubular member at or near the first end (3). A means for admission of a fluid (50) is provided to the interior of said sealing element to effect expansion thereof. A removable closure means is adapted to engage the second end (30). A means for admission of a fluid into the bore of said tubular member is also provided (32). The closure means provides a line of sight and extending there through and along the bore of the tubular member.

Abstract: An integrated inflation/deflation device provides easy, precise delivery of a small amount of fluid for proper inflation of a low volume surgical balloon and similarly provides easy and fast deflation of the balloon. A preferred embodiment includes a low volume syringe and large syringe mounted together within a housing. A port in the low volume syringe is in communication with the large syringe barrel. The low volume syringe plunger is controlled by a knob disposed on the housing. The large syringe is used to prime the surgical balloon system, including a catheter, and the low volume syringe delivers a precise, predetermined volume of fluid to inflate the balloon. The low volume syringe is also used to deflate the balloon. Preferably, indicia on the housing adjacent the knob direct the required rotation of the knob to deliver the correct volume of fluid to be injected to match a balloon of a given size and shape so that the balloon is properly inflated.

Abstract: A balloon catheter which has an elongate shaft with an inflatable balloon connected to its distal end and a manifold connected to its proximal end. The manifold may be fixedly or removably attached to the shaft and includes a barrel with a plunger movably disposed inside it. The barrel has an internal volume of less than 5 cc and an internal diameter of less than 0.25 inches. A pressure transducer may be mounted to the manifold to permit measurement via a sensor tube. A pressure source for a balloon catheter including a barrel with a plunger inside it. The barrel is in fluid communication with the inflation lumen of the catheter and has an internal volume less than 5 cc and an internal diameter of less than 0.25 inches. A pressure sensor may be connected to the barrel with a sensor tube defining a fluid path from the interior of the barrel to the pressure sensor. A lock mechanism may be connected to the barrel to control longitudinal movement of the plunger.

Abstract: A system for selectively inflating and deflating a balloon of a dilation balloon catheter. The system includes an inflation syringe that generates a positive pressure for inflating the balloon and a vacuum source that generates a negative pressure for deflating the balloon. A valve is used to selectively establish fluid communication between the vacuum source and the catheter. The valve may be a manually operable device for alternatingly and selectively applying the positive and negative pressures to the catheter. Alternatively, the valve includes a port in a wall of the barrel of the inflation syringe. The port is obstructed when the plunger of the inflation syringe is advanced beyond a specified point in the barrel. An obstructed port isolates the negative pressure of the vacuum source from the catheter, while an opened port establishes fluid communication between the vacuum source and the catheter. The system may be used to position a stent in a treated artery of a patient.