摘要:
Intravascular catheters that include a flexible catheter body, a distal housing secured to the catheter body, a work element disposed within the housing and exposed to the external environment through a side window, and a guiding structure for the work element, are disclosed. An axial path through the housing is defined by the guiding structure. Embodiments of the guiding structure include a slot or channel formed in the housing, a coaxial tube attached to the housing, a radially offset ribbon attached to the housing, or the external surface of the housing itself. The work element, such as a rotatable cutting blade in an atherectomy catheter, is coupled to the guiding structure such that the work element is retained within the housing during insertion and operation of the catheter and even when the housing is bent or distorted as a result of bends in the blood vessel.
摘要:
Intravascular catheters that include a flexible catheter body, a distal housing secured to the catheter body, a work element disposed within the housing and exposed to the external environment through a side window, and a guiding structure for the work element, are disclosed. An axial path through the housing is defined by the guiding structure. Embodiments of the guiding structure include a slot or channel formed in the housing, a coaxial tube attached to the housing, a radially offset ribbon attached to the housing, or the external surface of the housing itself. The work element, such as a rotatable cutting blade in an atherectomy catheter, is coupled to the guiding structure such that the work element is retained within the housing during insertion and operation of the catheter and even when the housing is bent or distorted as a result of bends in the blood vessel.
摘要:
An improved atherectomy catheter and methods of making and using a catheter are disclosed. In one embodiment, the catheter comprises a housing shaft having a torsionally-reinforced outer layer concentrically disposed over a polymeric inner layer, with an inflation tube disposed concentrically over the housing shaft to define an annular inflation lumen. A housing is attached to the distal end of the housing shaft, and may contain interventional means such as a cutting blade. The balloon for urging the housing against a vessel wall, such as a balloon, is attached to the housing opposite the interventional means and is in communication with the inflation lumen. A drive shaft may be rotatably disposed through a longitudinal lumen in the housing shaft, the drive shaft being coupled at its distal end to the interventional balloon. The method of the invention facilitates construction of a catheter shaft through the steps of forming a flexible tubular polymeric outer layer with a first melting point over a tubular polymeric inner layer with a second melting point, the first melting point being lower than the second melting point; heating the outer layer to at least the first melting point and less than the second melting point, and impregnating a wire braid into the outer layer up to the inner layer. In a preferred embodiment, the inner layer is a fluorocarbon polymer, and the outer layer is a thermoplastic elastomer which is stable near body temperatures, impregnated with one or more layers of a stainless steel wire braid.
摘要:
An improved atherectomy catheter and methods of making and using a catheter are disclosed. In one embodiment, the catheter comprises a housing shaft having a torsionally-reinforced outer layer concentrically disposed over a polymeric inner layer, with an inflation tube disposed concentrically over the housing shaft to define an annular inflation lumen. A housing is attached to the distal end of the housing shaft, and may contain an interventional device such as a cutting blade. Apparatus for urging the housing against a vessel wall, such as a balloon, is attached to the housing opposite the an interventional device and is in communication with the inflation lumen. A drive shaft may be rotatably disposed through a longitudinal lumen in the housing shaft, the drive shaft being coupled at its distal end to the interventional device. The method of the invention facilitates construction of a catheter shaft through the steps of forming a flexible tubular polymeric outer layer with a first melting point over a tubular polymeric inner layer with a second melting point, the first melting point being lower than the second melting point; heating the outer layer to at least the first melting point and less than the second melting point, and impregnating a wire braid into the outer layer up to the inner layer. In a preferred embodiment, the inner layer is a fluorocarbon polymer, and the outer layer is a thermoplastic elastomer which is stable near body temperatures, impregnated with one or more layers of a stainless steel wire braid.
摘要:
Apparatus for delivering stents to body lumens include one or more tubular prostheses carried at the distal end of a catheter shaft, a sheath slidably disposed over the prostheses, and a guidewire tube extending from within the sheath to the exterior of the sheath through an exit port in a sidewall thereof. A guidewire extends slidably through the guidewire tube. The sheath can be moved relative to the catheter shaft and the guidewire tube to expose the prostheses for deployment. Methods of delivering stents are also provided.
摘要:
A system and method for use in iontophoretic anesthesia of a tympanic membrane are disclosed. The system generally includes an earplug and an electrode device. The earplug includes at least one sealing member for sealing the earplug in an ear canal. The method involves using the system on a human or animal subject.
摘要:
Delivery catheters and systems are adapted for delivering multiple discreet prostheses in body lumens. An exemplary delivery catheter comprises a sheath, a pusher for moving the prostheses relative to the sheath, and a valve member for selectively retaining the prostheses in the sheath. For balloon expandable stents, an elongated shaft and an expandable member are slidably disposed in the sheath, and the prostheses are positionable on the expandable member for deployment in the body lumen. The valve member allows a selected number of prostheses to be deployed from the sheath while retaining other prostheses within the sheath.
摘要:
A surgical device for reinforcing the pericardial sac surrounding the heart to assist in the treatment of congestive heart failure includes an enclosure having an interior and an exterior. The interior surface limits adhesions or accepts ingrowth with the myocardial tissue of the epicardium. The exterior surface is adapted to adhere to or otherwise attach to the pericardium to provide reinforcement.
摘要:
Systems and methods are provided for automatically forming an incision in a tympanic membrane of an ear and placing a tympanic membrane pressure equalization tube into the incision. The systems include a housing with a shaft extending therefrom. A mechanism is disposed within the housing. A distal end of the shaft is placed against a tympanic membrane, and the mechanism is triggered to causes the tympanic membrane to be automatically incised and dilated and a tympanic membrane pressure equalization tube to be placed in the dilated incision.
摘要:
A system and method for use in iontophoretic anesthesia of a tympanic membrane are disclosed. The system generally includes an earplug and an electrode device. The earplug includes at least one sealing member for sealing the earplug in an ear canal. The sealing member includes microholes which vent fluid above a certain pressure threshold. A headset may connect the earplug to a second earplug. The method involves using the system on a human or animal subject.