Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a cutting device and method of vessel harvesting. The cutting device can include at least one tubular member, a cutting element, and a centering member. The cutting device can include at least one tubular member with a flexible section and a cutting element. The method of vessel harvesting can include spacing a cutting element of the cutting device from the vessel as the cutting element is advanced over the vessel.

Abstract: A system and method for endoscopically forming an anastomosis between two naturally adjacent points in the digestive tract. The system and method utilizes elongate magnetic devices that, when connected across a tissue boundary, necrose tissue until an anastomosis forms and the devices are passed naturally. Despite the elongate shape of the devices, the resulting anastomosis is substantially round. As such, round anastomoses can be formed having increased diameters merely by increasing the lengths of the devices, obviating the need for wider endoscopes.

Abstract: A device for temporarily sealing an opening in a blood vessel is provided. The device comprises a cutting mechanism for creating an opening in a blood vessel and a seal for sealing the opening in the blood vessel. The seal is delivered through an inner lumen of a tool body coupled to the cutting mechanism. Methods for using the device to construct an anastomosis between two vessels are also provided.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a vessel support system and a method of vessel harvesting. The system can include a cutting device, a catheter adapted to be inserted into a section of the vessel in order to support the vessel as the cutting device is advanced over the vessel, and a cannula adapted to be coupled to the vessel and adapted to receive the catheter as the catheter is inserted into the section of the vessel. The method can include orienting a cutting device coaxially with the cannula and the catheter and advancing the cutting device over the cannula, the catheter, and the section of the vessel in order to core out the section of the vessel and a portion of the surrounding tissue.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a cutting device and method of vessel harvesting. The cutting device can include at least one tubular member, a cutting element, and a centering member. The cutting device can include at least one tubular member with a flexible section and a cutting element. The method of vessel harvesting can include spacing a cutting element of the cutting device from the vessel as the cutting element is advanced over the vessel.

Abstract: Suction-assisted tissue-engaging devices, systems, and methods are disclosed that can be employed through minimal surgical incisions to engage tissue during a medical procedure through application of suction to the tissue through a suction member applied to the tissue. A shaft is introduced into a body cavity through a first incision, and a suction head is attached to the shaft via a second incision. The suction head is applied against the tissue by manipulation of the shaft and suction is applied to engage the tissue while the medical procedure is performed through the second incision. A system coupled to the shaft and a fixed reference point stabilizes the shaft and suction head. When the medical procedure is completed, suction is discontinued, the suction head is detached from the shaft and withdrawn from the body cavity through the second incision, and the shaft is retracted through the first incision.

Abstract: Suction-assisted tissue-engaging devices, systems, and methods are disclosed that can be employed through minimal surgical incisions to engage tissue during a medical procedure through application of suction to the tissue through a suction member applied to the tissue. A shaft is introduced into a body cavity through a first incision, and a suction head is attached to the shaft via a second incision. The suction head is applied against the tissue by manipulation of the shaft and suction is applied to engage the tissue while the medical procedure is performed through the second incision. A system coupled to the shaft and a fixed reference point stabilizes the shaft and suction head. When the medical procedure is completed, suction is discontinued, the suction head is detached from the shaft and withdrawn from the body cavity through the second incision, and the shaft is retracted through the first incision.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a vessel tensioning handle and method of placing tension on a section of a vessel being harvested. The handle can include a housing, a bobbin assembly, a vessel tensioning tape, and a tensioning device member. The tensioning device member can be coupled to a cannula that is coupled to the vessel. The method can include using the vessel tensioning tape to place tension on the section of the vessel as the cutting device is advanced over the vessel.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a vessel support system and a method of vessel harvesting. The system can include a cutting device, a catheter adapted to be inserted into a section of the vessel in order to support the vessel as the cutting device is advanced over the vessel, and a cannula adapted to be coupled to the vessel and adapted to receive the catheter as the catheter is inserted into the section of the vessel. The method can include orienting a cutting device coaxially with the cannula and the catheter and advancing the cutting device over the cannula, the catheter, and the section of the vessel in order to core out the section of the vessel and a portion of the surrounding tissue.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a cutting device and method of vessel harvesting. The cutting device can include at least one tubular member, a cutting element, and a centering member. The cutting device can include at least one tubular member with a flexible section and a cutting element. The method of vessel harvesting can include spacing a cutting element of the cutting device from the vessel as the cutting element is advanced over the vessel.

Abstract: This invention provides a heart positioning device, method and system for positioning, manipulating, holding, grasping, immobilizing and/or stabilizing a heart. The heart positioning device may include a suction head and a shaft with a means for remotely changing the position of the head from a first position axially aligned with the shaft to a second, unaligned position and a sleeve slideably positioned on the shaft and sized to receive the suction head in a compressed condition.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus employed in surgery involving making precise incisions in vessels of the body, particularly cardiac blood vessels in coronary revascularization procedures conducted on the stopped or beating heart are disclosed. Such incisions are created by applying an elongated electrosurgical cutting electrode to the outer surface of the vessel wall in substantially parallel alignment with the body vessel axis, the elongated electrosurgical cutting electrode having a predetermined cutting electrode length exceeding the cutting electrode width. RF energy is applied between the electrosurgical cutting electrode and the ground electrode at an energy level and for a duration sufficient to cut an elongated slit through the vessel wall where the elongated electrosurgical cutting electrode is applied to the surface of the vessel wall.

Abstract: An endolumenal medical device assembly is provided for use in a bifurcation region of a body lumen. An expandable prosthesis, preferably an endolumenal support device such as a stent, is included in the assembly and is adjustable from a radially collapsed condition to a radially expanded condition. The expandable prosthesis further includes a prosthesis passageway and a side port through which the prosthesis passageway communicates externally of the prosthesis. A dilator or an access device is engaged within the prosthesis passageway and also through the side port while the expandable prosthesis is in the radially collapsed condition.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus employed in surgery involving making precise incisions in vessels of the body, particularly cardiac blood vessels in coronary revascularization procedures conducted on the stopped or beating heart are disclosed. Such incisions are created by applying an elongated electrosurgical cutting electrode to the outer surface of the vessel wall in substantially parallel alignment with the body vessel axis, the elongated electrosurgical cutting electrode having a predetermined cutting electrode length exceeding the cutting electrode width. RF energy is applied between the electrosurgical cutting electrode and the ground electrode at an energy level and for a duration sufficient to cut an elongated slit through the vessel wall where the elongated electrosurgical cutting electrode is applied to the surface of the vessel wall.

Abstract: Suction-assisted tissue-engaging devices, systems, and methods are disclosed that can be employed through minimal surgical incisions to engage tissue during a medical procedure through application of suction to the tissue through a suction member applied to the tissue. A shaft is introduced into a body cavity through a first incision, and a suction head is attached to the shaft via a second incision. The suction head is applied against the tissue by manipulation of the shaft and suction is applied to engage the tissue while the medical procedure is performed through the second incision. A system coupled to the shaft and a fixed reference point stabilizes the shaft and suction head. When the medical procedure is completed, suction is discontinued, the suction head is detached from the shaft and withdrawn from the body cavity through the second incision, and the shaft is retracted through the first incision.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus employed in surgery involving making precise incisions in vessels of the body, particularly cardiac blood vessels in coronary revascularization procedures conducted on the stopped or beating heart are disclosed. Such incisions are created by applying an elongated electrosurgical cutting electrode to the outer surface of the vessel wall in substantially parallel alignment with the body vessel axis, the elongated electrosurgical cutting electrode having a predetermined cutting electrode length exceeding the cutting electrode width. RF energy is applied between the electrosurgical cutting electrode and the ground electrode at an energy level and for a duration sufficient to cut an elongated slit through the vessel wall where the elongated electrosurgical cutting electrode is applied to the surface of the vessel wall.

Abstract: An endolumenal medical device assembly is provided for use in a bifurcation region of a body lumen. An expandable prosthesis, preferably an endolumenal support device such as a stent, is included in the assembly and is adjustable from a radially collapsed condition to a radially expanded condition. The expandable prosthesis further includes a prosthesis passageway and a side port through which the prosthesis passageway communicates externally of the prosthesis. A dilator or an access device is engaged within the prosthesis passageway and also through the side port while the expandable prosthesis is in the radially collapsed condition.

Abstract: An endolumenal medical device assembly is provided for use in a bifurcation region of a body lumen. An expandable prosthesis, such as a stent, is included in the assembly and is adjustable from a radially collapsed condition to a radially expanded condition. The expandable prosthesis includes a prosthesis passageway and a side port. A dilator or an access device is engaged within the prosthesis passageway and also through the side port while the expandable prosthesis is in the radially collapsed condition. The expandable prosthesis may be positioned in the bifurcation region such that its distal end portion is in a first branch lumen extending from the bifurcation, its proximal end portion is in a common proximal lumen of the bifurcation region, and the side port is aligned with an entrance zone to a second branch lumen extending from the bifurcation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating stenoses at bifurcated regions of body lumens is disclosed. A balloon catheter system is disclosed comprising two balloon catheters, or a balloon catheter having a bifurcated distal end, with a linking guide wire lumen at the distal end of one balloon catheter, or one branch of the bifurcated catheter, for linking the two balloons or branches such that the device can be tracked to a treatment site. Once at the treatment site, the balloon catheters or branches of the bifurcated distal end can be unlinked and separately positioned within the branches of the bifurcated body lumen. The apparatus can also serve as a delivery system for multiple prostheses or a bifurcated endoluminal prosthesis.

Abstract: The balloon portion of a balloon catheter for implanting a stent structure is at least initially retained laterally to a guide wire by passing the guide wire axially along the balloon inside the stent structure but not through the interior of the balloon or any permanent guide wire lumen at the location of the balloon. The initially deflated balloon may be folded laterally into a plurality of folds, and the guide wire may pass between the folds or outside the folds as desired. Guide wire lumens may be provided distally and/or proximally of the balloon. An elastic sleeve may be provided around the balloon to help keep the balloon folded prior to inflation and to help refold the balloon during and after deflation. If an elastic sleeve is provided, the guide wire may pass along the balloon inside the sleeve.