Abstract: Method and apparatus for mapping the shape and dimensions of a 3-dimensional body, by applying to the 3-dimensional body a stretchable covering configured and dimensioned such that in its stretched condition it tightly engages and conforms to the shape and dimensions of the 3-dimensional body to be mapped. The stretchable covering carries a plurality of reference devices, such as bands and/or markers which are at know or determinable reference locations in an initial condition of the covering, and which change their locations in the stretched condition of the stretchable covering according to the shape and dimensions of the 3-dimensional body covered thereby. The locations of the markers on the stretchable covering are determined after the stretchable covering has been applied to the 3-dimensional body, and are utilized to produce a map of the shape and dimensions of the 3-dimensional body.

Abstract: Methods to determine fluid filtration rates through mammalian luminal organs. In one method, the method comprises the steps of positioning a segment of a mammalian luminal organ within a device, the device configured to prevent axial flow conditions through a lumen of the segment from a first end of the segment to an opposite second end of the segment, obtaining a first segment measurement at a first time, obtaining a second segment measurement at a second time, and determining a rate of fluid filtration through a wall of the segment based upon a difference between the first segment measurement and the second segment measurement and a difference in time between the first time and the second time.

Abstract: Transradial access devices, systems, and methods. An exemplary device of the present disclosure for providing access to a vessel or other luminal organ and to prevent overperforation of the same comprises a needle having a needle tip and at least one current element positioned thereon or embedded therein at or near the needle tip, a sheath positioned around at least part of the needle, and a protractor in communication with the needle, whereby engagement of the protractor causes the needle tip to protract from the sheath through the aperture, and whereby release of the protractor causes the needle tip to retract through the aperture into the sheath. Activation of the at least one current element can facilitation vasodilation of the vessel or other luminal organ.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for localized drug delivery. In at least one embodiment of a method of localized drug delivery, the method comprises the steps of placing a resorbable device within a tube, introducing the tube within a mammalian body at or near a tissue and/or organ within the mammalian body, and anchoring the resorbable device to the tissue and/or organ. Devices and systems useful for performing such a method are also disclosed herein, wherein an exemplary device comprises at least one drug release portion having at least one drug to be released over time and a binder intermixed with the at least one drug, and at least one resorbable anchor portion coupled to the at least one drug release portion.

Abstract: The disclosure of the present application provides devices, systems, and methods for replacing damaged or compromised blood vessels and engineering luminal grafts for various medical applications. Such devices are capable of providing viable, small-diameter grafts for use in anastomotic procedures and comprise a tubular construct consisting largely of elastin and some collagen fibers and having at least one diameter of less than or equal to about 5 mm. In one exemplary embodiment, the graft comprises at least one layer of pulmonary ligament tissue and/or pulmonary visceral pleura. Systems and methods for the manufacture of the graft are also provided, which include the use of at least one layer of tissue, a mandrel and a closure mechanism.

Abstract: Transradial access devices, systems, and methods. An exemplary device of the present disclosure for providing access to a vessel or other luminal organ and to prevent overperforation of the same comprises a needle having a needle tip and at least one current element positioned thereon or embedded therein at or near the needle tip, a sheath positioned around at least part of the needle, and a protractor in communication with the needle, whereby engagement of the protractor causes the needle tip to protract from the sheath through the aperture, and whereby release of the protractor causes the needle tip to retract through the aperture into the sheath. Activation of the at least one current element can facilitation vasodilation of the vessel or other luminal organ.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for transradial access. In at least one embodiment of a device for providing access to a vessel or other luminal organ of the present disclosure, the device comprises a needle having a needle tip, a sheath positioned around at least part of the needle, the sheath defining an aperture at a distal sheath end, and a protractor in communication with the needle, whereby engagement of the protractor causes the needle tip to protract from the sheath, and whereby release of the protractor causes the needle tip to retract into the sheath.

Abstract: Methods for the determination of transit time in circulatory systems and applications of the same. In at least one embodiment, the method includes the steps of obtaining a biological tree image showing a vasculature of at least part of a mammalian biological tree including at least a vessel segment, determining a transit time in the vessel segment, determining a blood volume in the vessel segment, determining a blood volume in a first vascular tree comprising the vessel segment, and calculating a transit time in the first vascular tree based upon the transit time through the vessel segment, the blood volume in the vessel segment, and the blood volume in the first vascular tree.

Abstract: Methods are provided for determining flow resistance within at least a portion of a vessel, whereby at least a partial biological tree image is obtained and resistance is calculated therefrom based upon at least the length of a defined vessel portion and a diameter of a stem vessel at a location proximal to a vessel crown. Methods are also provided for determining vessel volume, whereby at least a partial biological tree image is obtained and cumulative crown volume is calculated based on at least the diameter and length of the stem segment.

Abstract: Systems and methods to obtain a myocardial mass index indicative of an at-risk myocardial region. In at least one embodiment, a method for diagnosing a risk of cardiac disease is provided, the method comprising the steps of identifying a luminal cross-sectional area of a side branch vessel, identifying a luminal cross-sectional area of a main artery most proximal to the side branch vessel, determining a myocardial region at risk for infarct from side branch occlusion relative to a mass perfused by the most proximal artery, wherein such region is based on a relationship between the cross-sectional areas of the side branch and the most proximal main artery, and diagnosing a risk of cardiac disease based on a diameter of the side branch and the size of the myocardial region at risk for infarct perfused by the side branch.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for localized drug delivery. In at least one embodiment of a method of localized drug delivery, the method comprises the steps of placing a resorbable device within a tube, introducing the tube within a mammalian body at or near a tissue and/or organ within the mammalian body, and anchoring the resorbable device to the tissue and/or organ. Devices and systems useful for performing such a method are also disclosed herein, wherein an exemplary device comprises at least one drug release portion having at least one drug to be released over time and a binder intermixed with the at least one drug, and at least one resorbable anchor portion coupled to the at least one drug release portion.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for localized drug delivery. In at least one embodiment of a method of localized drug delivery, the method comprises the steps of placing a resorbable device within a tube, introducing the tube within a mammalian body at or near a tissue and/or organ within the mammalian body, and anchoring the resorbable device to the tissue and/or organ. Devices and systems useful for performing such a method are also disclosed herein, wherein an exemplary device comprises at least one drug release portion having at least one drug to be released over time and a binder intermixed with the at least one drug, and at least one resorbable anchor portion coupled to the at least one drug release portion.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for mapping the shape and dimensions of a 3-dimensional body, by applying to the 3-dimensional body a stretchable covering configured and dimensioned such that in its stretched condition it tightly engages and conforms to the shape and dimensions of the 3-dimensional body to be mapped. The stretchable covering carries a plurality of reference devices, such as bands and/or markers which are at known or determinable reference locations in an initial condition of the covering, and which change their locations in the stretched condition of the stretchable covering according to the shape and dimensions of the 3-dimensional body covered thereby. The locations of the markers on the stretchable covering are determined after the stretchable covering has been applied to the 3-dimensional body, and are utilized to produce a map of the shape and dimensions of the 3-dimensional body.

Abstract: Devices and systems to size a luminal organ. At least some embodiments include a catheter comprising an outer elongate tube, an inner elongate tube disposed within the outer elongate tube, a proximal balloon attached to the outer elongate tube, a distal balloon having a first end attached to the outer elongate tube and a second end attached to the inner elongate tube, electrodes positioned on the outer elongate tube, and a pressure transducer positioned on the outer elongate tube.

Abstract: The present invention discloses devices, systems and methods for the isovolumic measurement of vasoactivity in a blood vessel (3). The length and volume of the blood vessel (3) are maintained constant while a chemical or pressure is exposed to the blood vessel (3). The reaction of the blood vessel (3) to the chemical or physical stimuli is measured by internal lumen pressure changes.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for determining isometric and isotonic activity of luminal organs. In an exemplary method for detecting a luminal organ response to mechanical stimulation of the present disclosure, the method comprises the steps of maintaining a luminal organ at a first internal pressure, increasing the first internal pressure of the luminal organ, and measuring a first organ parameter change in response to the increase in internal pressure.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for localized drug delivery. In at least one embodiment of a method of localized drug delivery, the method comprises the steps of placing a resorbable device within a tube, introducing the tube within a mammalian body at or near a tissue and/or organ within the mammalian body, and anchoring the resorbable device to the tissue and/or organ. Devices and systems useful for performing such a method are also disclosed herein, wherein an exemplary device comprises at least one drug release portion having at least one drug to be released over time and a binder intermixed with the at least one drug, and at least one resorbable anchor portion coupled to the at least one drug release portion.

Abstract: An accurate analysis of the spatial distribution and intravascular pattern of blood flow in any organ must be based on detailed morphometry (diameters, lengths, vessel numbers, branching pattern, branching angles, etc.) of the organ vasculature. Despite the significance of detailed morphometric data, there is relative scarcity of database on vascular anatomy, mainly because the process is extremely labor intensive. Novel methods in the form of a segmentation algorithm for semi-automation of morphometric data extraction are provided. The extraction algorithm is based on a topological analysis of a vector field generated by the normal vectors of the extracted vessel wall. With this approach, special focus is made on achieving the highest accuracy of the measured values, with excellent results when compared to manual measurements of the main trunk of the coronary arteries with microscopy.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a method for diagnosing vascular disease is provided, the method comprising the steps of obtaining a vessel image showing a vasculature of a vessel, identifying at least two measurements from the vasculature of the vessel, the measurements relating to at least two parameters, calculating a relationship between the at least two parameters from the at least two measurements to generate one or more vasculature data points, and comparing the one or more vasculature data points to data relative to a model vasculature to determine the extent of vascular disease. In an another embodiment, a method for diagnosing vascular disease in a patient's vascular tree is provided, the method comprising the steps of generating a model vascular tree from a minimum energy hypothesis calculation, and comparing the patient's vascular tree with the model vascular tree to determine the extent of vascular disease.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for controlling local blood pressure. In an exemplary embodiment of a device for exposing a blood vessel to increased pressure of the present disclosure, the device comprises an anchor configured for placement into a blood vessel and to expand independently from a particle held from flowing away by the anchor, the particle configured to gradually expand due to exposure to blood flow.