Abstract: A method for infusing a liquid into a patient's vasculature in accordance with an infusion protocol is disclosed. For this method, an infusion catheter having a multi-lumen infusion unit that is mounted adjacent the catheter's distal end is positioned in an artery within a predetermined distance from an intended target tissue surface. An inflation balloon is then deployed to at least partially occlude the artery and a force is exerted on the liquid to establish a flow rate for the liquid in the catheter. Specifically, the force is exerted to infuse the liquid from the catheter through the infusion unit and into the vasculature with a homogeneous distribution of the liquid to cover the intended surface of the target tissue. The flow rate can be established in accordance with an infusion protocol that is characterized by time and liquid volume parameters based on viscosity and pressure values in the liquid.

Abstract: A method for infusing a liquid into a patient's vasculature in accordance with an infusion protocol is disclosed. For this method, an infusion catheter having a multi-lumen infusion unit that is mounted adjacent the catheter's distal end is positioned in an artery within a predetermined distance from an intended target tissue surface. An inflation balloon is then deployed to at least partially occlude the artery and a force is exerted on the liquid to establish a flow rate for the liquid in the catheter. Specifically, the force is exerted to infuse the liquid from the catheter through the infusion unit and into the vasculature with a homogeneous distribution of the liquid to cover the intended surface of the target tissue. The flow rate can be established in accordance with an infusion protocol that is characterized by time and liquid volume parameters based on viscosity and pressure values in the liquid.

Abstract: A method for infusing a liquid into a patient's vasculature in accordance with an infusion protocol is disclosed. For this method, an infusion catheter having a multi-lumen infusion unit that is mounted adjacent the catheter's distal end is positioned in an artery within a predetermined distance from an intended target tissue surface. An inflation balloon is then deployed to at least partially occlude the artery and a force is exerted on the liquid to establish a flow rate for the liquid in the catheter. Specifically, the force is exerted to infuse the liquid from the catheter through the infusion unit and into the vasculature with a homogeneous distribution of the liquid to cover the intended surface of the target tissue. The flow rate can be established in accordance with an infusion protocol that is characterized by time and liquid volume parameters based on viscosity and pressure values in the liquid.

Abstract: A method for infusing a liquid into a patient's vasculature in accordance with an infusion protocol is disclosed. For this method, an infusion catheter having a multi-lumen infusion unit that is mounted adjacent the catheter's distal end is positioned in an artery within a predetermined distance from an intended target tissue surface. An inflation balloon is then deployed to at least partially occlude the artery and a force is exerted on the liquid to establish a flow rate for the liquid in the catheter. Specifically, the force is exerted to infuse the liquid from the catheter through the infusion unit and into the vasculature with a homogeneous distribution of the liquid to cover the intended surface of the target tissue. The flow rate can be established in accordance with an infusion protocol that is characterized by time and liquid volume parameters based on viscosity and pressure values in the liquid.

Abstract: A system for moving particles suspended in a first fluid, and for infusing them into the stream of a second fluid, includes a catheter with a multi-lumen distal separator. The separator is formed with a plurality of parallel lumens, wherein each lumen has a predetermined diameter to reduce particle flocculation. An inflatable balloon, affixed to the outside of the catheter, can be provided to regulate flow of the second fluid and thereby facilitate entry of the particles into the stream of the second fluid. A reinforcing member is employed to strengthen the catheter wall under the inflatable balloon. With this arrangement, the catheter does not kink or collapse due to the pressure exerted on the catheter wall when the balloon is inflated. In one embodiment, the reinforcing member includes an annular shaped ring. In another embodiment, the separator is positioned under the balloon and acts as the reinforcing member.

Abstract: A method for infusing a liquid into a patient's vasculature in accordance with an infusion protocol is disclosed. For this method, an infusion catheter having a multi-lumen infusion unit that is mounted adjacent the catheter's distal end is positioned in an artery within a predetermined distance from an intended target tissue surface. An inflation balloon is then deployed to at least partially occlude the artery and a force is exerted on the liquid to establish a flow rate for the liquid in the catheter. Specifically, the force is exerted to infuse the liquid from the catheter through the infusion unit and into the vasculature with a homogeneous distribution of the liquid to cover the intended surface of the target tissue. The flow rate can be established in accordance with an infusion protocol that is characterized by time and liquid volume parameters based on viscosity and pressure values in the liquid.

Abstract: A system for moving particles suspended in a first fluid, and for infusing them into the stream of a second fluid, includes a catheter with a multi-lumen distal separator. The separator is formed with a plurality of parallel lumens, wherein each lumen has a predetermined diameter to reduce particle flocculation. An inflatable balloon, affixed to the outside of the catheter, can be provided to regulate flow of the second fluid and thereby facilitate entry of the particles into the stream of the second fluid. A reinforcing member is employed to strengthen the catheter wall under the inflatable balloon. With this arrangement, the catheter does not kink or collapse due to the pressure exerted on the catheter wall when the balloon is inflated. In one embodiment, the reinforcing member includes an annular shaped ring. In another embodiment, the separator is positioned under the balloon and acts as the reinforcing member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transmyocardial implant placement device with an introducer, a transmyocardial implant mounted about the introducer, a wound closure clip engaged to the introducer adjacent the transmyocardial implant. The introducer is adapted to be inserted through a lumen of a coronary vessel and a myocardium of a patient into a chamber of the patient's heart and form a blood flow pathway through the myocardium between the heart chamber and the coronary vessel. When the introducer is inserted, the wound closure clip engages an outer wall of the coronary vessel and the transmyocardial implant extends from the heart chamber to the lumen of the coronary vessel. The transmyocardial implant is expanded in the blood flow pathway and the introducer retracted, leaving the transmyocardial implant in the within the blood flow pathway.

Abstract: A vascular implant includes a scaffold and a tubing in covering relating to the scaffold. Preferably, the tubing completely covers or encases the scaffold interior surface and exterior surface to leave no portion of the scaffold exposed. Methods for constructing includes pulling tubing through a scaffold and folding at least a portion of the tubing over at least one of the ends of the scaffold. Methods for using an implant include performing coronary vessel bypass procedures or forming blood flow paths in a blood vessel utilizing constructions described herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transmyocardial implant placement device with an introducer, a transmyocardial implant mounted about the introducer, a wound closure clip engaged to the introducer adjacent the transmyocardial implant. The introducer is adapted to be inserted through a lumen of a coronary vessel and a myocardium of a patient into a chamber of the patient's heart and form a blood flow pathway through the myocardium between the heart chamber and the coronary vessel. When the introducer is inserted, the wound closure clip engages an outer wall of the coronary vessel and the transmyocardial implant extends from the heart chamber to the lumen of the coronary vessel. The transmyocardial implant is expanded in the blood flow pathway and the introducer retracted, leaving the transmyocardial implant in the within the blood flow pathway.

Abstract: A transmyocardial implant delivery system is disclosed for establishing a blood flow path through a myocardium between a heart chamber and a lumen of a coronary vessel residing on an exterior of the heart. The transmyocardial implant delivery assembly includes as conduit for defining a blood flow path, a temporary sheath, and a tool holding a second end of the conduit. The conduit includes a rigid portion adapted to be inserted into and retained within the heart wall of a heart chamber. The rigid conduit is sufficiently rigid to withstand collapsing in response to contraction forces of the heart wall. The conduit also includes a synthetic flexible portion that is in fluid communication with the rigid portion. An end of the flexible portion corresponding to the second end of the conduit is sized to be received in a lumen of a coronary vessel. The transmyocardial implant delivery system is inserted through the heart wall.

Abstract: A vascular implant includes a scaffold and a tubing in covering relating to the scaffold. Preferably, the tubing completely covers or encases the scaffold interior surface and exterior surface to leave no portion of the scaffold exposed. Methods for constructing includes pulling tubing through a scaffold and folding at least a portion of the tubing over at least one of the ends of the scaffold. Methods for using an implant include performing coronary vessel bypass procedures or forming blood flow paths in a blood vessel utilizing constructions described herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a catheter incorporating an articulating distal end, including a catheter body with a central lumen and an outer wall in which are one or more wires, and a handle including mechanisms for applying tension to the wires. Applying tension to a wire will cause a bending portion of the catheter to bend into an arc. When more than one wire or tensioning member and more than one mechanism for applying tension are included in the catheter, the wires are offset from each other so that multiple bends on multiple planes may be formed in multiple bending portions in the body of the catheter. The present invention further relates to a catheter including one wire, and a handle including a mechanism for applying tension to the wire, the wire and the catheter body configured so that applying tension to a wire will cause more than one bending portion of the catheter to bend into an arc, and the bending portions are made of different durometer material.