Abstract: A single-piece bifurcated graft for insertion into the femoral artery and further into the aorta with approximately one half of the graft inverted inside out after positioning within the artery. There is no central section like other bifurcated grafts. Instead, two bifurcated sections are joined at the top. Upon introduction, the graft is attached to the aortic wall in the middle section, the vicinity of the renal arteries, and the inversion process takes place. This process allows deployment of the second half of the graft into its final inverted position. While stents are located only at the openings of the graft, additional stents may be deployed inside the graft if necessary.

Abstract: A gun for dispensing a fluid from a fluid dispenser has a body portion, a plunger assembly and an advancing mechanism. The body portion has a jaw portion for holding the fluid dispenser in a retained position and adapted for releasing the fluid dispenser when a specific pressure is reached in the chamber of the fluid dispenser. The body portion has a catcher portion for catching the fluid dispenser in a caught position upon being released by the jaw portion. The jaw portion has a pair of legs projecting from the body portion. Each leg has a foot projecting inwardly towards each other and spaced from the body portions, therein defining a flange receiving space. The feet are of such a length to overlie and engage a portion of a flange element of the fluid dispenser. The catcher has a pair of parallel plates; each plate has an opening for receiving the flange of the fluid dispenser in both the retained position and the caught position. The plunger assembly has a plunger rod slideably carried by the body portion.

Abstract: An insertion guide wire with an anchor formed in the distal end for precisely locating a subcutaneous arterial wound and guiding a plug of hemostatic material thereto. When the hemostatic material is properly placed, the anchor can be released and the guide wire removed, leaving no foreign object in the lumen of the artery.

Abstract: An insertion guide wire with an anchor formed in the distal end for precisely locating a subcutaneous arterial wound and inserting a guide sheath adjacent to said arterial wound. The hemostatic material can then be placed outside the wound. When the guide sheath is properly placed, the anchor can be released and the guide wire removed. The hemostatic material can then be placed outside the wound, leaving no foreign object in the lumen of the artery.

Abstract: An intra-aortic balloon pump includes an overdrive system for inflating the intra-aortic balloon with a working gas and deflating the balloon more rapidly. A substantially constant inflation pressure is applied to the working gas for a predetermined time to substantially fully inflate the balloon to a working pressure. The inflation pressure is then reduced to a pressure which is substantially equal to the working pressure so as to maintain the balloon in the inflated condition and prevent its overinflation. Subsequently, a substantially constant deflation pressure is applied to the working gas and is held for a predetermined time to substantially fully deflate the balloon to a desired end deflation pressure. The deflation pressure is then increased to a pressure which is substantially equal to the end deflation pressure so as to maintain the balloon in the deflated condition and ready the system for the next inflation cycle.

Abstract: An insertion guide wire with an anchor formed in the distal end for precisely locating a subcutaneous arterial wound and guiding a plug of hemostatic material thereto. When the hemostatic material is properly placed, the anchor can be released and the guide wire removed, leaving no foreign object in the lumen of the artery.

Abstract: A balloon catheter assembly in which the catheter tube terminates at the entrance to the balloon chamber and in which a thin support member connects the distal end of the catheter tube to the tip at the distal end of the balloon chamber. A connecting anchor is provided at the distal end of the catheter tube. The connecting anchor has a skirt portion that is connected to the catheter tube. The support member is attached to the skirt portion.

Abstract: A system and method for connecting a first fluid carrying tube and a second fluid carrying tube or tube fitting includes a first tube having a lumen therethrough and an open end, and a second tube or tube fitting having a lumen therethrough and an open end. The first tube and second tube (or tube fitting) are connected by connecting means, including a bubble elimination chamber, in a first position, wherein the lumen of the tube, the lumen of the connecting means and the lumen of the tube fitting form a fluid-tight circuit and the bubble elimination chamber is open to the circuit, to permit elimination of any bubbles in the fluid circuit to the bubble elimination chamber. The first tube, connecting means and second tube (or tube fitting) then are connected in a second position, wherein a continuous, fluid-tight, bubble-free fluid circuit is formed, and the bubble elimination chamber is closed to the fluid circuit. The connecting means may include a soft connector alone or in combination with a connector tube.

Abstract: A pump and pump/oxygenator system including a generally cylindrical pump housing, a tube arranged in a helical turn within the pump housing, and a rotor assembly rotatably mountable in the housing for pumping fluid through the tube by peristaltic action. The tube may be preformed with a D-shaped cross-section, a helical turn of about 380.degree. and a compression portion having a decreasing volume per unit length in a direction from the proximal end to the distal end thereof. In one aspect, the rotor assembly includes a cam operated occlusivity adjusting mechanism for translating the drive roller in a radial direction of the rotor assembly from a non-occluding storage position to a tube-occluding operative position. In another aspect, the housing includes a door forming an arcuate portion of the sidewall of the housing.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided which involve an improved intra-aortic balloon structure. A safety balloon or safety membrane is mounted within an extension catheter. Helium contained in the safety balloon or membrane can be driven into and out of an intra-aortic balloon by forcing driving fluid into and out of the extension catheter, thereby compressing and decompressing the safety balloon or membrane. A variety of structures are suggested for insuring that the balloon or membrane does not inadvertently block the helium or drive fluid as it moves.

Abstract: A pump and pump/oxygenator system including a generally cylindrical pump housing, a tube arranged in a helical turn within the pump housing, and a rotor assembly rotatably mountable in the housing for pumping fluid through the tube by peristaltic action. The tube may be performed with a D-shaped cross-section, a helical turn of about 380.degree. and a compression portion having a decreasing volume per unit length in a direction from the proximal end to the distal end thereof. In one aspect, the rotor assembly includes a cam operated occlusivity adjusting mechanism for translating the drive roller in a radial direction of the rotor assembly from a non-occluding storage position to a tube-occluding operative position. In another aspect, the housing includes a door forming an arcuate portion of the sidewall of the housing.

Abstract: A system and method for connecting two fluid carrying tubes includes a first tube having a lumen therethrough and an open end, and a bubble elimination port proximate the open end and in fluid communication with the lumen, and a second tube having a lumen therethrough and an open end. The first and second tubes are connected in a first position, wherein the lumen of the first tube and the lumen of the second tube form a fluid-tight circuit and the bubble elimination port is open to the circuit, to eliminate any bubbles in the fluid circuit. The first and second tubes then are connected in a second position, wherein the lumen of the first tube and the lumen of the second tube form a continuous, fluid-tight circuit and the bubble elimination port is closed to the fluid circuit.