20907 results about "Blood vessel" patented technology

An inexpensive surgical stapler, such as for use in securing vascular catheters, has a plastic applicator made for use with a single staple. The applicator has a backbone and two identical arms. The inside face of the backbone has a retaining channel that secures the crown portion of the staple against movement. The inside faces of the arms have guidance grooves that direct the movement of the staple as the applicator arms are squeezed with finger pressure. The outside faces of the arms are configured to permit gripping by the operator's fingers. The stapler can be used in lieu of suturing. Other staple and applicator assemblies can include two or more of such assemblies.

A surgical instrument for anastomosis of first and second blood vessels includes a housing having distal and proximal ends and an actuator disposed therebetween. The actuator includes a handle and a link assembly, the link assembly being movable through a firing stroke in response to movement of the handle. The instrument also includes a disposable loading unit releasably attached to the distal end of the housing in mechanical cooperation with the actuator. The disposable loading unit supports a plurality of surgical fasteners, which deform upon movement of the actuator and the link assembly through the firing stroke.

A device, kit and method may include or employ an implantable device (e.g., annuloplasty implant) and a tool operable to implant such. The implantable device is positionable in a cavity of a bodily organ (e.g., a heart) and operable to constrict a bodily orifice (e.g., a mitral valve). The tissue anchors may be guided into precise position by an intravascularly or percutaneously deployed anchor guide frame of the tool and embedded in an annulus of the orifice. Constriction of the orifice may be accomplished via a variety of structures, for example by cinching a flexible cable or via a anchored annuloplasty ring, the cable or ring attached to the tissue anchors. The annuloplasty ring may be delivered in an unanchored, generally elongated configuration, and implanted in an anchored generally arch, arcuate or annular configuration. Such may approximate the septal and lateral (clinically referred to as anterior and posterior) annulus of the mitral valve, to move the posterior leaflet anteriorly and the anterior leaflet posteriorly, thereby improving leaflet coaptation to eliminate mitral regurgitation.

A method of accessing a blood vessel, comprising: forming a hole in the blood vessel; mounting a hole closure device onto the blood vessel; accessing the blood vessel through the hole, while the hole closure device is mounted on the blood vessel; and closing the hole by the hole closure device, after accessing the blood vessel through the hole.

A device for closing an aperture in a vessel wall comprising an elongated member positionable inside the vessel against an internal opening of the aperture and having a dimension exceeding a dimension of the internal opening of the aperture to prevent egress of fluid through the aperture. At least two curved legs are coupled to the elongated member, curve in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the elongated member, and are positionable outside the vessel to help retain the elongated member in position the legs.

The present invention provides a dissolvable medical sealing device (3, 4; 6, 7; 9) for closing a wound in vessel. A sealing device (3, 4, 6, 7, 9) according to the invention is made of a material that dissolves by means of physical processes, rather than by means of chemical or biological processes. Such a sealing device (3, 4; 6, 7; 9) can be made of polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, copolymers containing ethylene glycol and propylene glycol, polyvinyl alcohol or polyvinyl pyrolidone, or any combinations thereof.

The present invention is a more durable expanded material that enables thinner wall thicknesses and a more flexible reinforcement suitable for stenting. The present invention is especially useful in the construction of grafts, stents, and stent-grafts which are used, for example, in repairing or replacing blood vessels that are narrowed or occluded by disease, aneurismal blood vessels, or other medical treatments. The inventive material and configurations allow expansion or contraction in size or adjustment in size in an incremental manner so that the optimum size, shape, and fit with other objects can be obtained. The present invention is also optionally capable of more accurately delivering one or more active ingredients such as drugs over longer periods of time. The present invention optionally includes surface modifications and additives that increase the surface adhesion of active ingredients, coatings, or combinations thereof. Finally, the present invention optionally includes growing cells on the inventive material so that the expanded material, reinforcement, or combinations thereof are useful, for example, in producing lab-grown blood vessels or organs.

The invention includes methods of and apparatus for endovascularly replacing a heart valve of a patient. One aspect of the invention provides a method including the steps of endovascularly delivering a replacement valve and an expandable anchor to a vicinity of the heart valve in an unexpanded configuration; and applying an external non-hydraulic or non-pneumatic actuation force on the anchor to change the shape of the anchor, such as by applying proximally and/or distally directed force on the anchor using a releasable deployment tool to expand and contract the anchor or parts of the anchor.

An apparatus for performing anastomosis between a graft vessel and a target vessel may include a connector holder having spaced-apart arms, and a member connected to the connector holder, where the member is insertable through an opening in a wall of the target vessel at least partially into the lumen of the target vessel. One or more connectors, such as staples, may be deployed from each arm to connect the graft vessel to the target vessel. One or more connectors may be deformable against the member.

A selectively coupleable and remotely actuateable surgical attachment for use with an electromechanical driver device for use in expanding occluded vessels and lumens. The attachment includes an axial rod which is coupleable to the electromechanical driver device, and which is selectively rotateable in accordance with the action of the electromechanical driver device. The rod is also threaded in opposing orientations at either end thereof. A pair of nuts are mounted to the rod, and specifically on the opposing threads. The rod and nuts are disposed within an axial track which permits the rod to turn, but constrains the rotational motion of the nuts, thereby permitting the nuts to move axially along the threadings of the rod when the rod turns. Attached to the nuts are a series of jointed spokes which are coupled to a flexible tubular shroud which surrounds the entire assembly. The jointed spokes are radially extended and retracted in accordance with the motion of the nuts in an umbrella-like fashion in accordance with the actuation of the electromechanical driver device. The radial expansion of the flexible tubular shroud provides the necessary force to expand an occluded vessel or lumen.

Self-expandable, woven intravascular devices for use as stents (both straight and tapered), filters (both temporary and permanent) and occluders for insertion and implantation into a variety of anatomical structures. The devices may be formed from shape memory metals such as nitinol. The devices may also be formed from biodegradable materials. Delivery systems for the devices include two hollow tubes that operate coaxially. A device is secured to the tubes prior to the implantation and delivery of the device by securing one end of the device to the outside of the inner tube and by securing the other end of the device to the outside of the outer tube. The stents may be partially or completely covered by graft materials, but may also be bare. The devices may be formed from a single wire. The devices may be formed by either hand or machine weaving. The devices may be created by bending shape memory wires around tabs projecting from a template, and weaving the ends of the wires to create the body of the device such that the wires cross each other to form a plurality of angles, at least one of the angles being obtuse. The value of the obtuse angle may be increased by axially compressing the body.

Endovascular fastener applicator for endoluminally fastening prosthetic grafts to vessels, are provided. The endovascular fastener applicator includes a delivery assembly configured for positioning within a vessel, and a control assembly mounted to a proximal end of the outer sheath for extracorporeal control of the delivery assembly. The delivery assembly includes an expandable portion disposed adjacent a distal end of an outer sheath and being expandable to support a prosthetic in contact with an inner surface of a vessel; a yoke assembly disposed within the expandable portion; an applicator head assembly pivotably mounted to the yoke assembly and movable between a loading position longitudinally aligned with the yoke assembly, and a firing position oriented substantially perpendicular to the yoke assembly; and a fastener assembly connectable to a distal end of the expandable portion, the fastener assembly retaining at least one fastener therein.

Medical devices, and in particular implantable medical devices, may be coated to minimize or substantially eliminate a biological organism's reaction to the introduction of the medical device to the organism. The medical devices may be coated with any number of biocompatible materials. Therapeutic drugs, agents or compounds may be mixed with the biocompatible materials and affixed to at least a portion of the medical device. These therapeutic drugs, agents or compounds may also further reduce a biological organism's reaction to the introduction of the medical device to the organism. In addition, these therapeutic drugs, agents and/or compounds may be utilized to promote healing, including the formation of blood clots. Various materials and coating methodologies may be utilized to maintain the drugs, agents or compounds on the medical device until delivered and positioned.

Systems and methods of use for continuous analyte measurement of a host's vascular system are provided. In some embodiments, a continuous glucose measurement system includes a vascular access device, a sensor and sensor electronics, the system being configured for insertion into communication with a host's circulatory system.

Apparatus for endovascularly replacing a patient's heart valve, including: a delivery catheter having a diameter of 21 french or less; an expandable anchor disposed within the delivery catheter; and a replacement valve disposed within the delivery catheter. The invention also includes a method for endovascularly replacing a heart valve of a patient. In some embodiments the method includes the steps of: inserting a catheter having a diameter no more than 21 french into the patient; endovascularly delivering a replacement valve and an expandable anchor to a vicinity of the heart valve through the catheter; and deploying the anchor and the replacement valve.

An implantable analyte-measuring device including a membrane adapted to promote vascularization and/or interfere with barrier cell layer formation. The membrane includes any combination of materials, architecture, and bioactive agents that facilitate analyte transport to provide long-term in vivo performance of the implantable analyte-measuring device.

The present invention provides an apparatus for endovascularly replacing a patient's heart valve. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes an expandable anchor supporting a replacement valve, the anchor and replacement valve being adapted for percutaneous delivery and deployment to replace the patient's heart valve, the anchor having a braid having atraumatic grasping elements adapted to grasp tissue in a vicinity of the patient's heart valve.

A monitor for determining a patient's physiological parameter includes a calibration device that provides a calibration signal indicative of an accurate measurement of the patient's physiological parameter. The monitor also includes a processor, which receives a noninvasive signal from a noninvasive sensor positioned over a blood vessel. The processor uses the calibration signal to calibrate a relationship between the noninvasive signal and a property of the physiological parameter. The processor also determines when to recalibrate the relationship.

Systems and methods of use for continuous analyte measurement of a host's vascular system are provided. In some embodiments, a continuous glucose measurement system includes a vascular access device, a sensor and sensor electronics, the system being configured for insertion into communication with a host's circulatory system.

A medical apparatus and method suitable for remodeling a mitral valve annulus adjacent to the coronary sinus. The apparatus comprises an elongate body having a proximal region and a distal region. Each of the proximal and distal regions is dimensioned to reside completely within the vascular system. The elongate body may be moved from a first configuration for transluminal delivery to at least a portion of the coronary sinus to a second configuration for remodeling the mitral valve annulus proximate the coronary sinus. A forming element may be attached to the elongate body for manipulating the elongate body from the first transluminal configuration to the second remodeling configuration. Further, the elongate body may comprise a tube having a plurality of transverse slots therein.

A composite implant is provided for repairing a tissue defect in a patient. In one embodiment, the implant is a porous tissue scaffold having at least one pocket formed therein and adapted to contain a viable tissue. The tissue scaffold can have a variety of configurations, and in one embodiment it includes top and bottom portions that can be at least partially mated to one another, and in an exemplary embodiment that are heated sealed to one another around a perimeter thereof to form an enclosed pocket therebetween. The pocket is preferably sealed with a viable tissue disposed therein. In another embodiment, the tissue scaffold is substantially wedge-shaped and the pocket comprises a hollow interior formed in the tissue scaffold, and/or at least one lumen extending into the tissue scaffold. The tissue scaffold can also optionally include at least one surface feature formed thereof to promote blood vessel formation.

Systems and methods of use for continuous analyte measurement of a host's vascular system are provided. In some embodiments, a continuous glucose measurement system includes a vascular access device, a sensor and sensor electronics, the system being configured for insertion into communication with a host's circulatory system.

Devices for attaching a first mass and a second mass and methods of making and using the same are disclosed. The devices can be made from an resilient, elastic or deformable materials. The devices can be used to attach a heart valve ring to a biological annulus. The devices can also be used for wound closure or a variety of other procedures such as anchoring a prosthesis to surrounding tissue or another prosthesis, tissue repair, such as in the closure of congenital defects such as septal heart defects, tissue or vessel anastomosis, fixation of tissue with or without a reinforcing mesh for hernia repair, orthopedic anchoring such as in bone fusing or tendon or muscle repair, ophthalmic indications, laparoscopic or endoscopic tissue repair or placement of prostheses, or use by robotic devices for procedures such as those above performed remotely.

Systems and methods of use for continuous analyte measurement of a host's vascular system are provided. In some embodiments, a continuous glucose measurement system includes a vascular access device, a sensor and sensor electronics, the system being configured for insertion into communication with a host's circulatory system.

Systems and methods of use for continuous analyte measurement of a host's vascular system are provided. In some embodiments, a continuous glucose measurement system includes a vascular access device, a sensor and sensor electronics, the system being configured for insertion into communication with a host's circulatory system.

Systems and methods of use for continuous analyte measurement of a host's vascular system are provided. In some embodiments, a continuous glucose measurement system includes a vascular access device, a sensor and sensor electronics, the system being configured for insertion into communication with a host's circulatory system.

Systems and methods of use for continuous analyte measurement of a host's vascular system are provided. In some embodiments, a continuous glucose measurement system includes a vascular access device, a sensor and sensor electronics, the system being configured for insertion into communication with a host's circulatory system.

Systems and methods of use for continuous analyte measurement of a host's vascular system are provided. In some embodiments, a continuous glucose measurement system includes a vascular access device, a sensor and sensor electronics, the system being configured for insertion into communication with a host's circulatory system.

Apparatus for endovascularly replacing a patient's heart valve, including: a custom-designed anchor; and a replacement valve, wherein the custom-designed anchor is adapted to engage native leaflets of the heart valve, and wherein the anchor and the valve are adapted for in vivo expansion and coupling to one another to form composite apparatus that endovascularly replaces the heart valve. The invention also includes a method for endovascularly replacing a patient's heart valve. In some embodiments the method includes the steps of: providing apparatus comprising an anchor piece and a replacement valve piece; endovascularly delivering the anchor piece to a vicinity of the heart valve in a collapsed delivery configuration; expanding the anchor piece to a deployed configuration; engaging at least one valve leaflet of the heart valve with the anchor piece; endovascularly delivering the replacement valve piece to the vicinity of the heart valve in a collapsed delivery configuration; expanding the replacement valve piece to a deployed configuration; and coupling the valve piece to the anchor piece in vivo to form composite two-piece apparatus that endovascularly replaces the patient's heart valve.

Systems and methods of use for continuous analyte measurement of a host's vascular system are provided. In some embodiments, a continuous glucose measurement system includes a vascular access device, a sensor and sensor electronics, the system being configured for insertion into communication with a host's circulatory system.