Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a surgical instrument. In particular, the present invention relates to a fastener remover for use during the repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms. The fastener remover, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, comprises an outer catheter, an inner sheath, and a gripping member. The outer catheter comprises a hollow passage with a proximal end and a distal end. The inner sheath is disposed within the hollow passage of the outer catheter, extending from the outer catheter's proximal end to the distal end. The gripping member is located within the inner sheath, extending from the outer catheter's proximal end to the distal end. The gripping member comprises a connector portion connected to an elongated stem.

Abstract: Several embodiments of a penetration apparatus and methods for using the same during a surgical procedure are disclosed. The penetration apparatus comprises a thin elongated body having a first end, a second end, and a central longitudinal axis extending there between. The first end opposes the second and is aligned within a vessel matrix during the surgical procedure. The second end of the body is substantially free and may be rotated around the axis. The penetration apparatus may also be housed within a catheter that has a cavity that precisely accommodates the penetration apparatus. Activation and advancement of the penetration apparatus within the catheter forms an incision through a vessel matrix enabling the placement of a fastener or a plurality of fasteners therein.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a positioning apparatus for use during a surgical procedure, which may involve the repair of a vessel. The positioning apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention may comprise a delivery assembly and a distensible member having at least one expansible member. The expansible member has a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the proximal end is interposed with the delivery assembly. The positioning apparatus, by way of the at least one expansible member, is used to position an object within a vessel that may or may not be aneurismal.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a surgical guide line assembly (10) for use during a surgical procedure. The surgical guide assembly (10) permits the manipulation of a surgical component with a vessel during a surgical procedure, such as for example an intravascular procedure. The surgical guide line assembly (10) includes a guide line component (11) having a proximal end and a distal end, and at least one suture (12) secured to the distal end of the guide line component (11). The present invention is also directed to a surgical separator assembly (60) for use in separating at least two surgical components during a surgical procedure in a vessel.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a suture support assembly for use during a surgical procedure. The suture support assembly in accordance with the present invention includes an elongated main body portion, and a proximal end portion having a passageway formed therein for receiving at least one suture therein. The proximal end portion and at least a portion of the elongated main body portion are adapted to be located within a vessel during the surgical procedure. The suture support assembly may be inserted into the vessel via an axillary incision, a brachial incision, or a femoral or a common iliac arteriotomy, and may be used in connection with the repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a stent assembly for use in temporarily securing a surgical component during a surgical procedure. The stent assembly includes a catheter assembly having at least one primary passageway extending there through. The stent assembly further includes a securing assembly for exerting a force against the surgical component for temporarily securing the surgical component during the surgical procedure. The securing assembly includes a portion that extends through the at least one primary passageway. The catheter assembly may include a secondary passageway. The secondary passageway is adapted to receive a guide device therein. The securing assembly has a retracted position and an extended position. The securing assembly exerts a force against the surgical component while the securing means is in the extended position. The securing assembly may contain a coating which increases the gripping force of the securing assembly.

Abstract: An attachment assembly and repair graft are disclosed for securing a graft to repair a vessel having an aneurysm therein. The attachment assembly comprises an attachment cuff such that the graft is not dimensionally dependent upon the size of the vessel. A visualization apparatus is also disclosed for real time direct viewing of an interior of a vessel. A penetration apparatus is disclosed for use in forming treatment specific holes in a potentially calcified vessel wall which facilitates thereafter the securing of the graft and attachment assembly to the vessel wall. An introducer sheath device is also disclosed that comprises a sealing assembly for preventing the loss of blood from the vessel during the insertion and subsequent removal of surgical components during the surgical procedure.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a delivery catheter assembly for advancing a surgical device to a desired location within a vessel during a surgical procedure. The delivery catheter assembly includes an inner sheath assembly through which the surgical device is advanced to the desired location within the vessel. The delivery catheter assembly further includes an outer sheath assembly surrounding the inner sheath assembly. In accordance with the present invention, at least one of the inner sheath assembly and the outer sheath assembly has an angular configuration at a predetermined time during the surgical procedure. The present invention further includes an adjusting assembly for creating the angular configuration of at least one of the inner sheath assembly and the outer sheath assembly. The adjusting assembly may include at least one pull wire positioned within one of the inner sheath and the outer sheath. Furthermore, the inner sheath assembly is movable with respect to the outer sheath assembly.

Abstract: The surgical support device is disclosed for use during a surgical procedure. The surgical support device includes a support assembly for supporting a surgical component during the surgical procedure. A stabilizing assembly stabilizes the support device within a vessel during the surgical procedure. The support device further includes a manipulating assembly for adjusting the position of the surgical component. The surgical support device may also be beneficially used as a ‘partial’ or ‘controlled’ occlusion balloon having the benefit of facilitating intermittent or lower level profusion to the extremities during a surgical procedure.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a fastener assembly for use during a surgical procedure for securing a first component to a second component. The fastener assembly includes a fastening assembly for securing the first component to the second component under a force. The fastening assembly has a first portion located on one side of the first component and the second component, a second portion located on another side of the first component and the second component, and an intermediate portion connecting to the first portion and the second portion. The intermediate portion extends through the second component and the first component. The first portion, the second portion and the intermediate portion act to apply a compressive force to the first component and the second component to secure the first component to the second component. In accordance with the present invention, at least one of the first portion, the second portion and the intermediate portion of fastening assembly is flexible.

Abstract: A graft repair system for use in the repair of an aneurysm within a vessel is disclosed. The graft repair system includes a graft assembly and a support assembly for supporting the graft assembly within the vessel. The graft assembly may include a tubular portion having proximal and distal ends. The graft assembly may be bifurcated. The graft assembly may further comprise a distal graft assembly. The support assembly includes at least one attachment assembly for attaching the graft assembly to a vessel wall. The support assembly further includes a connecting assembly for connecting the attachment assembly to the proximal end of the graft assembly, such that the attachment assembly extends cephalad from the proximal end of the graft assembly. The support device further includes a securing assembly for securing the connecting assembly to the proximal end of the graft assembly.

Abstract: An attachment assembly and repair graft are disclosed for securing a graft to repair a vessel having an aneurysm therein. The attachment assembly comprises an attachment cuff such that the graft is not dimensionally dependent upon the size of the vessel. A visualization apparatus is also disclosed for real time direct viewing of an interior of a vessel. A penetration apparatus is disclosed for use in forming treatment specific holes in a potentially calcified vessel wall which facilitates thereafter the securing of the graft and attachment assembly to the vessel wall. An introducer sheath device is also disclosed that comprises a sealing assembly for preventing the loss of blood from the vessel during the insertion and subsequent removal of surgical components during the surgical procedure.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a repair apparatus for repairing a vessel during a surgical procedure. The apparatus includes a housing, and at least one of a penetration apparatus for use in forming a treatment specific hole in a vessel and a visualization apparatus for viewing an interior of the vessel during the surgical procedure. The housing includes a plurality of layers surrounding a central channel. The housing further includes at least one lumen formed in one of the plurality layers. The repair apparatus according to the present invention may further include a positioning assembly for positioning the repair apparatus within the vessel.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electrically activated thermally inserted fastener assembly for use in a surgical procedure for securing a first component to a second component. The fastener assembly in accordance with the present invention comprises a securing assembly for securing the first component to the second component, and insertion assembly for inserting the securing assembly through the first component and at least a portion of the second component. A heat transmitting portion of the fastener assembly burns an incision in the first and second component to permit insertion of the fastener.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a surgical cutting device. The surgical cutting device may include a housing, an assembly for securing the cutting device upon an object to be cut, and a cutting assembly for cutting the object. The cutting device permits the close cutting of control lines, sutures or other surgical components during a surgical procedure.

Abstract: A depth sensor is disclosed for sensing the position of a surgical device within a vessel wall during a surgical procedure. The depth sensor includes a housing, sensing assembly for sensing acoustic wave information generated during the surgical procedure, a processing assembly for processing the acoustic wave information received from the sensing assembly and a control assembly that receives data from the processing assembly thereby enabling operational control of the penetration device.

Abstract: A fastener for use during a surgical procedure for securing a surgical component to a vessel wall is disclosed having a flexible fastening assembly for securing the surgical component to the vessel wall under a compressive force. The fastening assembly has a first portion located on one side of the surgical component and the vessel wall, a second portion located on another side of the surgical component and the vessel wall, and an intermediate portion connecting to the first portion and the second portion, the intermediate portion extending through the vessel wall and the surgical component. The first portion, second portion and the intermediate portion act together to apply a compressive force to the surgical component and the vessel wall to secure the surgical component to the vessel wall. The fastening assembly may further include at least one supplemental fastening assembly to secure the surgical component to the vessel wall.

Abstract: A surgical stapler and method for implanting an aortic graft with staples to treat an aortic aneurysm. A prosthetic graft is implanted within the aorta to functionally replace the segment of the aorta damaged by an aneurysm. The stapler would typically be used where the graft is to be attached to an area of the aorta which lacks sufficient healthy tissue to ensure secure attachment by conventional fasteners such as when an aneurysm develops near the iliac arteries. The graft is implanted with staples fired from the surgical stapler. The stapler consists of a stapling device attached to the end of a modified catheter by a hinge. In order to allow greater flexibility in positioning the staples, a mechanism may be used to move the stapling device into the desired angle or position to implant the staple. The stapler may be positioned and fired by remote control.

Abstract: Innovative fasteners are disclosed for use in repairing a vessel having an aneurysm. The fasteners comprise either coiled spring or ring type fasteners. An attachment assembly and repair graft are also disclosed for use in the repair of the vessel. An attachment assembly comprises an attachment cuff such that the graft is not dimensionally dependent upon the size of the vessel. A visualization apparatus is also disclosed for real time direct viewing of an interior of a vessel. A penetration apparatus is disclosed for use in forming treatment specific holes in a potentially calcified vessel wall which facilitates thereafter the securing of the graft and attachment assembly to the vessel wall. An introducer sheath device is also disclosed that comprises a sealing assembly for preventing the loss of blood during the insertion and subsequent removal of surgical components during the surgical procedure.

Abstract: An attachment assembly and repair graft are disclosed for securing a graft to repair a vessel having an aneurysm therein. The attachment assembly comprises an attachment cuff such that the graft is not dimensionally dependent upon the size of the vessel. A visualization apparatus is also disclosed for real time direct viewing of an interior of a vessel. A penetration apparatus is disclosed for use in forming treatment specific holes in a potentially calcified vessel wall which facilitates thereafter the securing of the graft and attachment assembly to the vessel wall. An introducer sheath device is also disclosed that comprises a sealing assembly for preventing the loss of blood from the vessel during the insertion and subsequent removal of surgical components during the surgical procedure.