Abstract: A catheter having a heat transfer device at or near its distal end, wherein the heat transfer device is layered or coated onto or into the catheter wall is described. The heat transfer device is preferably a flexible film having one or more electrical resistor flow paths thereon or therethrough, or is disposed directly onto the catheter wall by a deposition process. The heat transfer device may alternatively be formed by a length of the catheter wall being formed wholly, substantially of partly from doped material able to act as a heat transfer device upon application of power therethrough. The heat transfer device is preferably powered by one or more metal wires co-extruded within the catheter body.

Abstract: Dilation restrictor apparatus for use in conjunction with prosthetic vascular grafts, including venous valve grafts made from preserved bioprosthetic venous valves. The dilation restrictors limit the extent to which a blood vessel may dilate adjacent to a point whereat a cut end of the blood vessel has been anastomosed to an implant graft. Also disclosed is a related method of anastomosing the prosthetic graft to an existing vein segment of a patient.

Abstract: Exovascular and endovascular stent devices and associated support/restrictor assemblies for use in conjunction with prosthetic vascular grafts, including venous valve grafts made from preserved bioprosthetic venous valves. Also disclosed are methods for preparing vascular grafts such as venous valve grafts using the devices and assemblies of the present invention.

Abstract: Exovascular and endovascular stent devices and associated support/restrictor assemblies for use in conjunction with prosthetic vascular grafts, including venous valve grafts made from preserved bioprosthetic venous valves. Also disclosed are methods for preparing vascular grafts such as venous valve grafts using the devices and assemblies of the present invention.

Abstract: A biological valvular prosthesis defined by a chemically fixed biological derived conduit having at least one integrally formed tissue valve. The chemical fixation of the valve ensures that the leaflets remain open under normal forward blood flow conditions, but close under minimal backflow pressure. The biological valvular prostheses are useful in the replacement of venous valves and other biological valves. The biological valvular prosthesis may also be in the form of a tubular conduit bearing one tissue valve. This valvular conduit prosthesis is useful for the reconstruction of the pulmonary artery to correct various types of congenital defects.

Abstract: A method and device for testing artificial or natural venous valves. The device comprises chamber (10) a sample for mounting a test valve (V) on a liquid flow path and a muscle pump component (16) and/or respiratory pump component (50) and/or capacitance reservoir (58) and/or vertical hydrostatic column component (102) fluidly connected to the flow path to mimic the muscle pump, respiratory pump, capacitance and hydrostatic impedance effects on venous circulation in the mammalian body. Included in the invention are methods of testing venous valves by mimicking known hemodynamic flow conditions within a mammalian body.

Abstract: A method and device for testing artificial or natural venous valves. The device comprises (a) a fixture for mounting a sample valve on a liquid flow path, (b) a muscle pump component and/or (o) respiratory pump component and/or (d) capacitance reservoir component and/or (e) vertical hydrostatic column component, all of the components being fluidly connected to the flow path to mimic the muscle pump, respiratory pump, capacitance and hydrostatic impedance effects of actual in situ venous circulation in the mammalian body. The invention includes methods of testing venous valves by mimicking known hemodynamic flow conditions within a mammalian body.

Abstract: Calcification resistant bioprosthetic implants are made from tanned biological materials, such as porcine heart valves, bovine pericardium, human dura mater or the like, which has been impregnated with a calcification-mitigating effective amount of a ferric and/or stannic salt. The impregnated biological materials and processes are particularly advantageous for the preparation of bioprosthetic heart valves. These implants have been found to be highly resistant to calcification in vivo.

Abstract: A tendon or ligament bioprosthesis comprised of a naturally occurring tendon or ligament isolated from an animal source, tanned with a bifunctional reagent capable of cross-linking biological tissue, at least one end of the tendon or ligament having attached thereto an intact decalcified chip of the bone from which the tendon or ligament was isolated. The presence of the decalcified bone chip provides a substrate which is receptive to the ingrowth of bone tissue when the bioprosthesis is implanted in a resected bone.