| abstract |
A multipurpose catheter and techniques for selective catheterization of branches arising from the aorta. The catheter tip is an incomplete turn of a coil formed in three dimensions and terminating in an extremity which is tangent to, or reversed slightly in direction to, the direction of the winding of the coil. The diameter of the coil is chosen substantially to match that of the aortic lumen at the level of the branch to be catheterized for improved stability, especially during the injection of contrast media. Side holes may be formed in the side of the loop in addition to that at the extremity of the tip in order that semi-selective angiograms may be obtained. In addition to matching the diameter of the coil to that of the aortic lumen at a specific level, the catheterization involves gentle rotation of the catheter, a technique which can be mastered without extensive experience in angiography. |