Abstract:
A urethral stent is disclosed for the nonsurgical management of bladder outlet obstruction caused by an enlarged prostate. The stent is sufficiently rigid to provide support to assure patency of an intact but contracted urethral lumen but is sufficiently flexible to accommodate the natural anatomical bend of the prostatic urethra. The stent further includes means for frictionally engaging the urethral walls to anchor the device within the prostatic urethra and to prevent migration back into the bladder or down the urethra. When the need arises, the stent is easily and nonsurgically removed from the prostatic urethra.
Abstract:
An echogenically enhanced medical device and method for manufacture are disclosed. A mask is applied to the surface of the medical device, and portions of bare metal are exposed through the mask. The masked device is subjected to a process which removes material from the exposed portions. The resulting depressions enhance echogenicity of the device under ultrasound. In a preferred embodiment the depressions comprise alternating rows of squares and diamonds disposed around the circumference of the device.
Abstract:
An endoprosthetic implant is formed from a plurality of separate individual components that are inserted sequentially and transluminally into a bifurcated vascular region with each component being deployed in sequence by a sequence of catheter-like deployment devices. The separate components are placed relative to each other to define a bifurcated endoprosthesis. In one embodiment the deployment device includes a tubular sheath for maintaining the radially expandable tubular implant in a contracted configuration and a gripping device including a cup and a gripping member that cooperate to define an annular space by which the trailing end of the implant can be securely held by the deployment device during positioning of the device.
Abstract:
An apparatus for the treatment and collection of blood from two different sources is described. A separator (20) with an opening (40) is located in a support structure (18), dividing the support structure (18) into first and second portions (26 and 28). A depth filter (22) is located within the first portion (26) of the support structure (18). The first portion (26) of the support structure (18) with the depth filter (22) forms a cardiotomy blood chamber (30) and the second portion (28) forms a venous blood chamber (32). These components are placed within a clear outer shell (6). This outer shell (6) has a cover (12) with a venous blood inlet (14) and a plurality of cardiotomy inlets (42). The cardiotomy inlets (42) are in fluid communication with the cardiotomy blood chamber (30). The venous blood inlet (14) is in communication with a center tube (13) which extends through the first portion (26) of the support structure (8), through the opening (40) in the separator (20) and opens into the venous blood chamber (32).
Abstract:
A guidewire having a flexible distal end region that permits axisymmetric steering and forming, said guidewire comprising: a core wire having a main body and a flexible distal end at said flexible distal end region of said guidewire; a flexible first coil coupled to said distal end of said core wire, said first coil having a proximal section with a first outer diameter and a distal section with a second outer diameter smaller than said first outer diameter; and a flexible second coil coupled to said first coil and positioned substantially concentrically over said distal section of said first coil; wherein said second coil is formed from a formable material capable of reaching a stress value above its yield point such that said second coil maintains a desired bend imparted thereto to thereby impart a bend to said distal end of said guidewire.
Abstract:
A system for irrigating a surgical site is disclosed having a lightweight battery powered pumping unit (10) that is directly connectible to an irrigation source (12), and a handpiece (14) that either irrigates the site with irrigation fluid from the pumping unit or aspirates spent irrigation liquid and biological debris from the site. The handpiece communicates with the site through an elongate wand that passes through an incision to the irrigation site. A spike (18) extending upwardly from a pump head portion of the pumping unit detachably connects the pumping unit to the irrigation source.
Abstract:
An apparatus for irrigating a local irrigation site includes a suction/irrigation tip that is removably connected to a suction/irrigation handpiece. The tip has an irrigation tube for directing irrigation liquid to the irrigation site, and a suction tube coaxially aligned within the irrigation tube. The handpiece pumps irrigation liquid from an external reservoir, through the annular space between the irrigation tubes and the suction tube to the irrigation site. Suction is applied to the site through the central suction lumen which has a large unobstructed opening to reduce clogging. A flexible splash shield, slidably mounted to the tip, is conically shaped and extends distally from a collar to a rim. The rim is sized to fit around and about the local site.
Abstract:
A hydraulic multiple ligating band dispenser comprises a body whose distal portion is adapted to support the elastic ligating bands. A tissue contacting surface is disposed surrounding and spaced from the distal portion so as to define a chamber. A seal slidably mounted on the distal portion is shaped to seal the chamber, to which a proximally situated fluid inlet is coupled. By these means pressurized fluid applied to the fluid inlet causes the seal to slide in a distal direction along the distal portion in order to urge the ligating bands distally and to dispense them serially.
Abstract:
A snap-fit assembly for the distal tip of a catheter is provided. The assembly includes a thermally insulative core and a thermally conductive ablation electrode arranged to interlock with one another by snapping the two together. The core has a proximal end which is shaped to readily fit within the distal tip of an ablation catheter and includes a head which temporarily compresses as it is inserted into the ablation electrode. A method of making the distal tip assembly is also provided.
Abstract:
A bidirectional steering catheter comprising a distal electrode assembly, a flexible tip assembly, an elongated shaft having a central lumen running the length of the shaft, and a handle/actuator. A plurality of ring electrodes are attached to the surface of the flexible tip assembly. Signal wires running the length of the catheter are electrically connected to each ring electrode. At least two pull cables having first and second ends extend distally through the central lumen. The first end of each pull cable is attached to the handle/actuator. The second end of each pull cable is attached to the distal electrode assembly, such that the distal electrode assembly may be moved between a first and second position within a single plane by manipulating the handle/actuator. At least two reinforcement members are located inside the flexible tip assembly. Each reinforcement member has a proximal section, a middle section and a distal section. Each proximal section has a larger diameter than each middle section, thus being stiffer than the middle section. This variable stiffness along the length of each reinforcement member distributes stresses evenly along the length of the tip assembly.