Abstract: An endovascular stapler for securing an endograft to a vessel is disclosed. The stapler includes a staple housing adapted for storing at least one staple therein, the staple housing having an exit area for discharge of the at least one staple therethrough, an actuating assembly adapted for discharging the at least one staple through the exit area, and a displacement mechanism in operative association with the staple housing near the exit area. The displacement member is operative for pushing the exit area against the endograft when discharging the at least one staple therethrough. The discharged staple forms a plurality of opposed loops connected by a central element upon discharge. Also disclosed are staples and displacement mechanisms adapted for use with surgical instruments such as the present endovascular staplers. The staples may be formed from memory metal or other metal. The displacement mechanisms disclosed include balloons and rigid offsetting devices.

Abstract: An endovascular stapler for securing an endograft to a vessel is disclosed. The stapler includes a staple housing adapted for storing at least one staple therein, the staple housing having an exit area for discharge of the at least one staple therethrough, an actuating assembly adapted for discharging the at least one staple through the exit area, and a displacement mechanism in operative association with the staple housing near the exit area. The displacement member is operative for pushing the exit area against the endograft when discharging the at least one staple therethrough. The discharged staple forms a plurality of opposed loops connected by a central element upon discharge. Also disclosed are staples and displacement mechanisms adapted for use with surgical instruments such as the present endovascular staplers. The staples may be formed from memory metal or other metal. The displacement mechanisms disclosed include balloons and rigid offsetting devices.

Abstract: A device for replacement of a bioprosthetic valve having an annulus (104) and one or more leaflets (105), the device having an outer housing (106) and an inner shaft (108) with a distal end (110). The outer housing (106) is slideable relative to the inner shaft (108) such that a portion of the inner shaft (108) may be revealed. A cap (112) is associated with the distal end (110) of the inner shaft (108), the cap (112) movable between a first position adjacent the inner shaft (108) and a second position displaced from the inner shaft (108). The cap (112) is adapted to trap a skirted valve frame (102) between said cap (112) and the inner shaft (108) when in the first position. The skirted valve frame (102) may be released by the cap (112) upon sliding of the outer housing (106) relative to the inner shaft (108) to reveal the inner shaft (108) and upon movement of the cap (112) to the second position. Also disclosed are associated methods.

Abstract: Vascular anastomotic staplers (100, 200, 300) for securing grafts to vessels and methods of using such staplers are disclosed. The staplers are capable of performing anastomoses between relatively small vessels (184, 240, 340) and grafts (186, 236, 316) such as prosthetic vascular grafts. The staplers are capable of discharging multiple staples simultaneously suitable for end-to-end anastomosis (200) and for end-to-side anastomosis (300).

Abstract: A system is provided for joining two tubular structures by a surgical stapling procedure. The system includes a series of sizers, a specifically designed graft, a loading unit, a wand, a tourniquet, and a stapling instrument. As a result, a plurality of staples may be simultaneously deployed quickly and accurately in a circumferential pattern so as to join together two tubular structures. The system may be used in either an open surgical procedure or laparascopically.

Abstract: An endovascular stapler for securing an endograft to a vessel is disclosed. The stapler includes a staple housing adapted for storing at least one staple therein, the staple housing having an exit area for discharge of the at least one staple therethrough, an actuating assembly adapted for discharging the at least one staple through the exit area, and a displacement mechanism in operative association with the staple housing near the exit area. The displacement member is operative for pushing the exit area against the endograft when discharging the at least one staple therethrough. The discharged staple forms a plurality of opposed loops connected by a central element upon discharge. Also disclosed are staples and displacement mechanisms adapted for use with surgical instruments such as the present endovascular staplers. The staples may be formed from memory metal or other metal. The displacement mechanisms disclosed include balloons and rigid offsetting devices.

Abstract: An endovascular stapler (100) for securing an endograft to a vessel is disclosed. The stapler has a staple housing (104), an actuating mechanism (148) and an expansion mechanism (126). The staple housing (104) has a plurality of staple cartridges (128) adapted for storing at least one staple (180) therein. The staple cartridges (128) have an exit area (130) for discharging at least one of the staples (180) therethrough. The actuating assembly (148) is adapted for actuating the plurality of staple cartridges (128) to discharge the at least one staple through the exit area. The expansion mechanism (126) is in operative association with staple cartridges (128). The expansion mechanism (126) is operative for pushing the exit area (130) against the endograft when discharging the at least one staple therethrough.

Abstract: A device for replacement of a bioprosthetic valve having an annulus (104) and one or more leaflets (105), the device having an outer housing (106) and an inner shaft (108) with a distal end (110). The outer housing (106) is slideable relative to the inner shaft (108) such that a portion of the inner shaft (108) may be revealed. A cap (112) is associated with the distal end (110) of the inner shaft (108), the cap (112) movable between a first position adjacent the inner shaft (108) and a second position displaced from the inner shaft (108). The cap (112) is adapted to trap a skirted valve frame (102) between said cap (112) and the inner shaft (108) when in the first position. The skirted valve frame (102) may be released by the cap (112) upon sliding of the outer housing (106) relative to the inner shaft (108) to reveal the inner shaft (108) and upon movement of the cap (112) to the second position. Also disclosed are associated methods.

Abstract: A system is provided for joining two tubular structures by a surgical stapling procedure. The system includes a series of sizers, a specifically designed graft, a loading unit, a wand, a tourniquet, and a stapling instrument. The sizers are for determining the diameter of a target aorta and the availability of a sufficient transected aortic length to perform a stapling procedure. The loading unit holds the graft in position in the body and deploys a circumferential line of staples through the graft and an overlapping end of the aorta. The graft includes a side port by which the loading unit holds the graft during the stapling procedure, and which may be closed once the stapling procedure has been completed. The wand may be used to introduce the loading unit and graft into the body, to position them within the transected aorta, and to hold them in place during the application of the tourniquet.

Abstract: An endovascular stapler (100) for securing an endograft to a vessel is disclosed. The stapler has a staple housing (104), an actuating mechanism (148) and an expansion mechanism (126). The staple housing (104) has a plurality of staple cartridges (128) adapted for storing at least one staple (180) therein. The staple cartridges (128) have an exit area (130) for discharging at least one of the staples (180) therethrough. The actuating assembly (148) is adapted for actuating the plurality of staple cartridges (128) to discharge the at least one staple through the exit area. The expansion mechanism (126) is in operative association with staple cartridges (128). The expansion mechanism (126) is operative for pushing the exit area (130) against the endograft when discharging the at least one staple therethrough.

Abstract: An implantable access port in accordance with one embodiment of the invention comprises a hollow port casing having a first channel, a second channel and a third channel. A self-sealing insert may be disposed within the third channel. The implantable access port may further comprise a graft having a first branch, a second branch, and a third branch, the first branch extending from the first channel and adapted to be anastomosed to a vessel at a first location, the second branch extending from the second channel and adapted to be anastomosed to a vessel in a second location, the third branch extending at least partially into the third channel, wherein the third branch is disposed between the self-sealing insert and the hollow port casing. Methods for performing medical procedures associated with the implantable access port are also disclosed.

Abstract: An endovascular stapler for securing an endograft to a vessel is disclosed. The stapler includes a staple housing adapted for storing at least one staple therein, the staple housing having an exit area for discharge of the at least one staple therethrough, an actuating assembly adapted for discharging the at least one staple through the exit area, and a displacement mechanism in operative association with the staple housing near the exit area. The displacement member is operative for pushing the exit area against the endograft when discharging the at least one staple therethrough. The discharged staple forms a plurality of opposed loops connected by a central element upon discharge. Also disclosed are staples and displacement mechanisms adapted for use with surgical instruments such as the present endovascular staplers. The staples may be formed from memory metal or other metal. The displacement mechanisms disclosed include balloons and rigid offsetting devices.

Abstract: An implantable access post having a port casing core with an aperture therethrough, a patch associated with the port casing core, the patch adapted to be sewn to a vessel to connect the port casing core to the vessel to permit fluid communication from the vessel through the aperture of the port casing core, and an insert disposed within the aperture of the port casing core, the insert adapted to prevent fluid flow through the aperture. The insert may be self-sealing and may include a valve. The port may also include a port outer casing at least partially surrounding the port casing core.

Abstract: A gel based laparoscopic trocar having a shaft with upper and lower portions, the shaft having an interior dimension, a rigid gel casing surrounding the upper portion of the shaft, at least two resilient gel filled membranes filling the interior dimension of the upper portion of the shaft, a plurality of petals surrounding the external portion of the lower portion of the shaft, the petals having a first condition in which the petals are elongated along the length of the shaft and a second condition in which portions of the petals are permitted to curl upward and away from the shaft, and a release mechanism associated with the petals, the release mechanism adapted to permit the petals to move from the first condition to the second condition upon actuation. The petals may include a memory metal having a natural condition relating to the second condition of the petals.

Abstract: An assembly for supporting a surgical platform, the assembly comprising an attachment mechanism for securement to a surgical table, a post extending from the attachment mechanism at its first end, a platform mating device engaged with the post's second end at a base portion, the platform mating device comprising at least one leg extending from the base portion, the at least one leg adapted to be mated with a surgical platform to support the surgical platform. Also disclosed is a post for mounting a surgical apparatus to a surface, the post comprising a first end and a second end, the first end operatively engaged with the surface and the second end operatively engaged with the apparatus, a middle portion between the first end and the second end, the middle position having at least one condition in which the middle portion is non-linear.

Abstract: Two prostheses each have a tubular sidewall with a terminal portion extending to a connection end. A connector body has first and second terminal portions extending to first and second ends. The connector body terminal portions are respectively surrounded by the prostheses terminal portions. First and second straps respectively circumscribe the prostheses terminal portions to bias the prostheses into engagement with the connector body. The connector body has first and second strap engagement projections respectively captured by apertures in the straps.

Abstract: Two prostheses each have a tubular sidewall with a terminal portion extending to a connection end. A connector body has first and second terminal portions extending to first and second ends. The connector body terminal portions are respectively surrounded by the prostheses terminal portions. First and second straps respectively circumscribe the prostheses terminal portions to bias the prostheses into engagement with the connector body. The connector body has first and second strap engagement projections respectively captured by apertures in the straps.