DR. WILLIAM E RICE, D.C.
Chiropractic at Martin, Irvine, CA

5693015, Dec 2, 1997

Jun 6, 1995

8/469265

Blair Walker - Long Beach CA
Manouchehr Miraki - Aliso Viejo CA
William Rice - Irvine CA
Brett Trauthen - Newport Beach CA
Hye Lee - Garden Grove CA
Greg Welsh - Newport Beach CA
Henry Nita - Mission Viejo CA
Shawn O'Leary - Newport Beach CA

Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc. - Santa Clara CA

A61M 2900

604 96

A balloon catheter includes a flexible small-diameter guide wire provided with an enlarged-diameter distal end portion, and a flexible elongated tubular shaft with at least one dual-function fluid-conducting lumen adapted to both receive the guide wire extending therethrough, and to communicate pressurized inflation fluid to a distal balloon of the catheter. A distal orifice of the catheter communicates with the balloon and is provided with selective valving means for releasably engaging sealingly with the enlarged distal end portion of the guide wire. Apparatus is disclosed for axially moving the guide wire to effect engagement and disengagement of the enlarged distal end portion with the selective valving means of the catheter shaft. A torquer device is also provided by means of which the guide wire may be rotated relative to the catheter shaft for steering of the guide wire along a vascular pathway. A distal end tapered portion of the catheter shaft provides protection for a joint of the guide wire assembly.

5454788, Oct 3, 1995

Apr 15, 1994

8/228550

Blair Walker - Long Beach CA
Manouchehr Miraki - Aliso Viejo CA
William Rice - Irvine CA
Brett Trauthen - Newport Beach CA
Hey Lee - Garden Grove CA
Greg Welsh - Newport Beach CA
Henry Nita - Mission Viejo CA
Shawn O'Leary - Newport Beach CA
Mark Dehdashtian - CM CA
Sheryl W. Higgins - Silverado CA
Nora Pham - Lake Forest CA

Baxter International Inc. - Deerfield IL

A61M 2900

604 96

A balloon catheter includes a flexible small-diameter guide wire provided with an enlarged-diameter distal end portion, and a flexible elongated tubular shaft with at least one dual-function fluid-conducting lumen adapted to both receive the guide wire extending therethrough, and to communicate pressurized inflation fluid to a distal balloon of the catheter. A distal orifice of the catheter communicates with the balloon and is provided with selective valving means for releasably engaging sealingly with the enlarged distal end portion of the guide wire. Apparatus is disclosed for axially moving the guide wire to effect engagement and disengagement of the enlarged distal end portion with the selective valving means of the catheter shaft. A torquer device is also provided by means of which the guide wire may be rotated relative to the catheter shaft for steering of the guide wire along a vascular pathway. A distal end tapered portion of the catheter shaft provides protection for a joint of the guide wire assembly.