Abstract: Methods for cardiac ventricular restoration include delivering an implantable expandable device into the ventricle via a catheter. The expandable device is anchored either to the wall of the left ventricle or to the inter-ventricular septum and then expanded. When expanded, the device assumes a size and shape which fills the lower portion of the ventricular cavity restoring the normal volume and ellipsoid shape of the remaining portion of the cavity and favorably altering myocardial oxygen demand and wall stress.

Abstract: A completely integrated cardiopulmonary bypass system includes a common casing provided with a reservoir, a venous air trap, oxygenator, heat-exchanger and a pump. This totally integrated system provides for volume sequestration and for bypassing the reservoir without use of a shunt. The system also provides for open or closed circuit operation, thereby permitting the volume sequestration. The closed circuit operation has a venous air trap for air removal, thus retaining the safety features of both open reservoir and closed-venous air trap systems.

Abstract: Methods for cardiac ventricular restoration include delivering an implantable expandable device into the ventricle via a catheter. The expandable device is anchored either to the wall of the left ventricle or to the inter-ventricular septum and then expanded. When expanded, the device assumes a size and shape which fills the lower portion of the ventricular cavity restoring the normal volume and ellipsoid shape of the remaining portion of the cavity and favorably altering myocardial oxygen demand and wall stress.

Abstract: Methods for cardiac ventricular restoration include delivering an implantable expandable device into the ventricle via a catheter. The expandable device is anchored either to the wall of the left ventricle or to the inter-ventricular septum and then expanded. When expanded, the device assumes a size and shape which fills the lower portion of the ventricular cavity restoring the normal volume and ellipsoid shape of the remaining portion of the cavity and favorably altering myocardial oxygen demand and wall stress.

Abstract: Embodiments of a permanent shunt are provided. According to one aspect of the invention, the shunt is a flexible biocompatible fluid directing lumen with first and second ends, with at least one of the first and second ends provided with a shape memory alloy adapted to cause the end to expand in dimension upon application of a predetermined amount of energy to cause fixation of the end of the shunt within an opening in the anatomy. According to another aspect of the invention, the shunt includes open first and second ends, a central portion therebetween, and an access port within said central portion, with the access port being smaller than the first and second ends.

Abstract: A permanent shunt is implanted in a minimally invasive manner to carry arterial blood from the aorta into the relatively lower pressure venous bed of the coronary sinus. Since egress from the coronary sinus into the right atrium is at least partially blocked, the higher pressure arterial blood is forced through the coronary sinus venous bed in a retrograde fashion, thus accomplishing perfusion of those arterial beds that are deprived of normal antegrade coronary arterial blood flow on account of coronary arterial stenoses. In one embodiment, the shunt is delivered percutaneously via a catheter-based delivery system. In another embodiment, the shunt is delivered in a minimally invasive, preferably thoracoscopic manner.

Abstract: Methods for cardiac ventricular restoration include delivering an implantable expandable device into the ventricle via a catheter. The expandable device is anchored either to the wall of the left ventricle or to the inter-ventricular septum and then expanded. When expanded, the device assumes a size and shape which fills the lower portion of the ventricular cavity restoring the normal volume and ellipsoid shape of the remaining portion of the cavity and favorably altering myocardial oxygen demand and wall stress.

Abstract: Methods for percutaneous cardiac ventricular restoration include delivering an implantable expandable device into the ventricle via a catheter. The expandable device is anchored either to the wall of the left ventricle or to the inter-ventricular septum and then expanded. When expanded, the device assumes a size and shape which fills the lower portion of the ventricular cavity restoring the normal volume and ellipsoid shape of the remaining portion of the cavity and favorably altering myocardial oxygen demand and wall stress. Catheters used in heart pacer electrode implantation are adaptable for use with the implantable expandable device of the invention.

Abstract: A completely integrated cardiopulmonary bypass system includes a common casing provided with a reservoir, a venous air trap, oxygenator, heat-exchanger and a pump. This totally integrated system provides for volume sequestration and for bypassing the reservoir without use of a shunt. The system also provides for open or closed circuit operation, thereby permitting the volume sequestration. The closed circuit operation has a venous air trap for air removal, thus retaining the safety features of both open reservoir and closed-venous air trap systems.

Abstract: A surgical scissors includes two cutting blades operable via a handle. One of the blades is provided with a distally projecting needle-like tip which can easily pierce tissue. In use, the tip on the blade is gently pressed against a vessel, preferably at a shallow angle relative to the vessel, to define an entry hole. This shallow angle approach with the needle-like piercing tip reduces the opportunity for inadvertent puncture. The lower blade is then pushed further through the entry hole in alignment with the piercing tip such that the cutting blade portion of the lower blade also enters the vessel. The handle is then operated to cause the blades cut the vessel tissue therebetween to create the incision. The instrument of the invention facilitates making lengthwise incisions in vessels by eliminating offline cutting, and substantially reducing the likelihood of cutting the posterior vessel wall.

Abstract: A total condensed circuit for cardiopulmonary bypass and cardioplegia are provided, as well as methods of using the same. The total circuit includes a cardiopulmonary bypass portion including tubing and components which together have a substantially short path length and priming volume preferably under 800 ml. Thus, the opportunity for an inflammatory response caused by blood contacting plasticizers is minimized. The bypass circuit includes a shunt which bypasses a blood reservoir of the total circuit. The cardioplegia circuit infuses cardioplegia fluid into blood pulled from an oxygenator of the bypass circuit. According to the method, either or both of heart-lung bypass and cardioplegia can be performed with only minimal or no isotonic priming solution circulated into the patient. In addition, use of the shunt and reservoir together eliminate the possibility of air entering the circulation system upon kinking of the circuit.

Abstract: A condensed circuit for cardiopulmonary bypass includes an air removal system located after the junction of a shunt line and the reservoir, but before the perfusion pump. Both passive and active systems are described. The dual role of the air removal system is to remove/aspirate micro-air bubbles from the venous side of the circuit and to prevent large air boluses from entering the centrifugal pump and stopping the pump.

Abstract: A total condensed circuit for cardiopulmonary bypass and cardioplegia are provided, as well as methods of using the same. The total circuit includes a cardiopulmonary bypass portion including tubing and components which together have a substantially short path length and priming volume preferably under 800 ml. Thus, the opportunity for an inflammatory response caused by blood contacting plasticizers is minimized. The bypass circuit includes a shunt which bypasses a blood reservoir of the total circuit. The cardioplegia circuit infuses cardioplegia fluid into blood pulled from an oxygenator of the bypass circuit. According to the method, either or both of heart-lung bypass and cardioplegia can be performed with only minimal or no isotonic priming solution circulated into the patient. In addition, use of the shunt and reservoir together eliminate the possibility of air entering the circulation system upon kinking of the circuit.

Abstract: An annuloplasty ring includes an anterior portion, and a posterior portion which defines a central portion and two lateral portions. The ring is adapted for optional removal of the anterior and/or the central posterior portion. Removal of the central posterior portion reduces the gradient across the ring providing enhanced valve performance. Removal of the anterior portion preserves normal annular movement. The lateral posterior portions are stiffer than the construction at the anterior and central posterior portions. If the ring is used with the central posterior portion intact, the gradient is also reduced. The ring includes indicia of multiple sets of suture markings, each set identifying a plurality of suture locations about the perimeter of the ring which are adapted to cinch the annulus a predetermined amount about the ring. A single ring may be used to cinch the annulus in accord with relatively different degrees of desired valve area reduction.

Abstract: An annuloplasty ring includes an anterior portion, and a posterior portion which defines a central portion and two lateral portions. The ring is adapted for optional removal of the anterior and/or the central posterior portion. Removal of the central posterior portion reduces the gradient across the ring providing enhanced valve performance. Removal of the anterior portion preserves normal annular movement. The lateral posterior portions are stiffer than the construction at the anterior and central posterior portions. If the ring is used with the central posterior portion intact, the gradient is also reduced. The ring includes indicia of multiple sets of suture markings, each set identifying a plurality of suture locations about the perimeter of the ring which are adapted to cinch the annulus a predetermined amount about the ring. A single ring may be used to cinch the annulus in accord with relatively different degrees of desired valve area reduction.

Abstract: A total condensed circuit for cardiopulmonary bypass and cardioplegia are provided, as well as methods of using the same. The total circuit includes a cardiopulmonary bypass portion including tubing and components which together have a substantially short path length and priming volume preferably under 800 ml. Thus, the opportunity for an inflammatory response caused by blood contacting plasticizers is minimized. The bypass circuit includes a shunt which bypasses a blood reservoir of the total circuit. The cardioplegia circuit infuses cardioplegia fluid into blood pulled from an oxygenator of the bypass circuit. According to the method, either or both of heart-lung bypass and cardioplegia can be performed with only minimal or no isotonic priming solution circulated into the patient. In addition, use of the shunt and reservoir together eliminate the possibility of air entering the circulation system upon kinking of the circuit.

Abstract: A total condensed circuit for cardiopulmonary bypass and cardioplegia are provided, as well as methods of using the same. The total circuit includes a cardiopulmonary bypass portion including tubing and components which together have a substantially short path length and priming volume preferably under 800 ml. Thus, the opportunity for an inflammatory response caused by blood contacting plasticizers is minimized. The bypass circuit includes a shunt which bypasses a blood reservoir of the total circuit. The cardioplegia circuit infuses cardioplegia fluid into blood pulled from an oxygenator of the bypass circuit. According to the method, either or both of heart-lung bypass and cardioplegia can be performed with only minimal or no isotonic priming solution circulated into the patient. In addition, use of the shunt and reservoir together eliminate the possibility of air entering the circulation system upon kinking of the circuit.