Abstract: A vascular graft may be configured to transition from an insertion state to a deployed state. The graft comprising a proximal end having an expandable mesh, a distal end having an expandable mesh, and at least one suture cuff positioned between the proximal and distal ends, wherein each suture cuff comprises additional material relative to the proximal and distal ends that is configured to form when the vascular graft transitions from the insertion state to the deployed state.

Abstract: A vascular graft deployment tool may include a grip, an elongated mandrel positioned distal of the grip, a vascular graft, at least part of which is disposed coaxially about the mandrel, a sheath configured to be withdrawn proximally that constrains the vascular graft against the mandrel in an insertion diameter and an actuator that is moveable relative to the grip and engages the sheath assembly. A first operation of the actuator causing withdrawal of the sheath to free at least a distal portion of the vascular graft and a repeated operation of the actuator causing further withdrawal of the sheath to free a proximal portion of the vascular graft.

Abstract: A vascular graft deployment tool may include a grip, an elongated mandrel positioned distal of the grip, a vascular graft, at least part of which is disposed coaxially about the mandrel, a sheath assembly including a distal sheath portion and a proximal sheath potion, wherein the distal sheath portion and the proximal sheath portion are configured to constrain the vascular graft against the mandrel in an insertion diameter and a actuator that is moveable relative to the grip and engages the sheath assembly, wherein operation of the actuator causes at least one of the distal sheath portion and the proximal sheath portion to separate longitudinally to free at least a portion of the vascular graft. Further, a vascular graft is expandable from an insertion state to a deployed state and at least two suture cuffs are located between opposed ends of the vascular graft.

Abstract: A system having an elongate assembly, an expandable assembly having a fixed end region and a movable end region, the expandable assembly selectively transitioning between an expanded state and an unexpanded state with movement of the movable end region towards the fixed end region, and an advancement aid extending distally from the expandable assembly.

Abstract: A deployment tool and associated method are disclosed for implanting a vascular connector in a patient. The vascular connector deployment tool has a housing, an inner sheath extending distally from the housing, a floating mandrel, a vascular connector disposed coaxially about the mandrel, and an outer sheath telescopically deployed over an inner sheath. The outer sheath constrains the vascular connector around the mandrel in an insertion profile when the outer sheath is disposed over the vascular connector. The inner sheath may be rotated to cause the outer sheath to retract relative to the floating mandrel and expose sequential portions of the vascular connector. A drive disposed within the housing and coupled to a proximal end of the outer sheath translates rotational motion of the inner sheath into longitudinal motion of the outer sheath.

Abstract: A vascular connector deployment tool may include a handle, an elongated mandrel extending distally from the handle, a vascular connector disposed coaxially about the mandrel, a retractable sheath assembly including an outer sheath telescopically deployed over an inner sheath and an actuator on the handle that is configured to selectively retract the outer sheath and the inner sheath relative to the mandrel. The sheath assembly is configured to constrain the vascular connector against the mandrel in an insertion profile. A distal transition between the outer sheath and the inner sheath visually indicates position of the vascular connector.

Abstract: An exemplary surgical method includes possessing a loader that holds a curved-tip cartridge, and a surgical stapler that includes an anvil and channel at a distal end thereof; causing at least one of the loader and the channel to move toward the other; as a result of the causing, engaging the loader and the curved-tip cartridge with the channel; and causing at least one of the loader and the channel to move away from the other, such that the curved-tip cartridge remains engaged with the channel. That method further may include actuating the surgical stapler; grasping the unloader; sliding the unloader toward the channel; disengaging the curved-tip cartridge from the channel with the unloader; and withdrawing the unloader away from said channel, wherein the withdrawing causes the curved-tip cartridge to disengage from the channel.

Abstract: A system having an elongate assembly, an expandable assembly having a fixed end region and a movable end region, the expandable assembly selectively transitioning between an expanded state and an unexpanded state with movement of the movable end region towards the fixed end region, and an advancement aid extending distally from the expandable assembly.

Abstract: A vascular graft deployment tool may include a grip, an elongated mandrel positioned distal of the grip, a vascular graft, at least part of which is disposed coaxially about the mandrel, a sheath assembly including a distal sheath portion and a proximal sheath potion, wherein the distal sheath portion and the proximal sheath portion are configured to constrain the vascular graft against the mandrel in an insertion diameter and a actuator that is moveable relative to the grip and engages the sheath assembly, wherein operation of the actuator causes at least one of the distal sheath portion and the proximal sheath portion to separate longitudinally to free at least a portion of the vascular graft. Further, a vascular graft is expandable from an insertion state to a deployed state and at least two suture cuffs are located between opposed ends of the vascular graft.

Abstract: A vascular graft deployment tool may include a grip, an elongated mandrel positioned distal of the grip, a vascular graft, at least part of which is disposed coaxially about the mandrel, a sheath configured to be withdrawn proximally that constrains the vascular graft against the mandrel in an insertion diameter and an actuator that is moveable relative to the grip and engages the sheath assembly. A first operation of the actuator causing withdrawal of the sheath to free at least a distal portion of the vascular graft and a repeated operation of the actuator causing further withdrawal of the sheath to free a proximal portion of the vascular graft.

Abstract: A vascular graft may be configured to transition from an insertion state to a deployed state. The graft comprising a proximal end having an expandable mesh, a distal end having an expandable mesh, and at least one suture cuff positioned between the proximal and distal ends, wherein each suture cuff comprises additional material relative to the proximal and distal ends that is configured to form when the vascular graft transitions from the insertion state to the deployed state.

Abstract: A hybrid graft and method for implantation in a blood vessel of a patient is described. The hybrid graft may include a graft portion having proximal and distal ends and an expandable mesh secured to the distal end of the graft portion. The expandable mesh is configured to transition from an insertion to a deployed diameter. The hybrid graft may also include a tubular sleeve having a lumen configured to receive a part of the graft portion and the expandable mesh and a suture cuff positioned adjacent the expandable mesh. During deployment, the distal end of the hybrid graft is inserted through an opening in the blood vessel wall or an end of the vascular graft and expanded from the insertion to the deployed diameter to secure the hybrid graft within the blood vessel or vascular graft. The suture cuff is sutured to the blood vessel or vascular graft.

Abstract: A method and deployment tool for implanting a graft in a blood vessel of a patient. The deployment tool may include a mandrel with a dilator tip at a distal end and an inner passage defined through the dilator tip. The tool may also include a graft having a first end and a second end, at least part of which is placed about the mandrel. A sheath may be wrapped about at least part of the graft so that the graft is compressed at least partially against the mandrel by the sheath to an insertion diameter. The graft may be implanted by advancing the deployment tool to insert the first end of the graft through an opening in a wall of the blood vessel, removing the sheath from the graft, and expanding at least the first end of the graft to secure the graft within the blood vessel.

Abstract: An assembly and method for implanting a graft in a blood vessel of a patient including a graft having proximal and distal ends, with an expandable mesh positioned adjacent one of the ends and a cover extending from the proximal to distal ends. The graft may have a proximal removable sheath disposed over a portion of the graft corresponding to the proximal end and a distal removable sheath disposed over a portion of the graft corresponding to the distal end. Each sheath may be configured to compress the graft to an insertion diameter relative to a deployed diameter. The graft may be deployed by inserting the distal end of the graft through an opening in a wall of the blood vessel, removing the distal sheath and expanding the distal end of the graft from the insertion diameter to the deployed diameter to secure the graft within the blood vessel.

Abstract: A graft and method for implantation of the graft in a blood vessel of a patient is described. The graft may have proximal and distal ends, with an expandable mesh positioned adjacent the distal end that is configured to transition from an insertion diameter relative to a deployed diameter. The graft may also include a cover configured to extend at least from the proximal end to the distal end and a suture cuff positioned adjacent the distal end. During deployment, the distal end of the graft may be inserted through an opening in a wall of the blood vessel or an end of the vascular graft. The distal end of the graft is expanded from the insertion diameter to the deployed diameter to secure the graft within the blood vessel or the vascular graft. The suture cuff of the graft is sutured to the blood vessel or the vascular graft.

Abstract: An exemplary surgical method includes possessing a loader that holds a curved-tip cartridge, and a surgical stapler that includes an anvil and channel at a distal end thereof; causing at least one of the loader and the channel to move toward the other; as a result of the causing, engaging the loader and the curved-tip cartridge with the channel; and causing at least one of the loader and the channel to move away from the other, such that the curved-tip cartridge remains engaged with the channel. That method further may include actuating the surgical stapler; grasping the unloader; sliding the unloader toward the channel; disengaging the curved-tip cartridge from the channel with the unloader; and withdrawing the unloader away from said channel, wherein the withdrawing causes the curved-tip cartridge to disengage from the channel.

Abstract: A containment structure for use with a workpiece vascular graft may include a sheath having two lateral edges; holes defined through the sheath in proximity to the lateral edges of the sheath, wherein longitudinally-adjacent holes are spaced longitudinally from one another; and a pull wire extending through the holes. A medical apparatus may include a vascular graft self-expandable from an insertion state to a deployed state; and a suture cuff located at one end of the vascular graft. A deployment tool may include a mandrel; a vascular graft placed about the mandrel, and a sheath wrapped about the vascular graft, wherein the sheath compresses the vascular graft to an insertion diameter. A hybrid graft may include a graft and a stent, where an end of the graft is affixed to an end of the stent.

Abstract: An exemplary surgical method includes possessing a loader that holds a curved-tip cartridge, and a surgical stapler that includes an anvil and channel at a distal end thereof; causing at least one of the loader and the channel to move toward the other; as a result of the causing, engaging the loader and the curved-tip cartridge with the channel; and causing at least one of the loader and the channel to move away from the other, such that the curved-tip cartridge remains engaged with the channel. That method further may include actuating the surgical stapler; grasping the unloader; sliding the unloader toward the channel; disengaging the curved-tip cartridge from the channel with the unloader; and withdrawing the unloader away from said channel, wherein the withdrawing causes the curved-tip cartridge to disengage from the channel.

Abstract: A system having an elongate assembly, an expandable assembly having a fixed end region and a movable end region, the expandable assembly selectively transitioning between an expanded state and an unexpanded state with movement of the movable end region towards the fixed end region, and an advancement aid extending distally from the expandable assembly.

Abstract: A vessel closure device delivery system including a delivery device that couples to a vessel closure clip for delivering the clip onto a blood vessel and a retractable vessel locator is removeably attached to the delivery device, the distal end of the vessel locator being adapted to transition from a collapsed state suitable for insertion into a vessel and an expanded state that lodges against a wall of the vessel from inside the vessel.