Abstract: A side-to-end vascular anastomosis stapling apparatus that includes a stapling tool (10), a staple forming tool (11) and a staple (12). The stapling tool (10) includes a sleeve (13), a core unit (14), a mandrel (16) and a trigger unit (17). The core unit (14) includes a plurality of fingers (26) that can be selectively urged outwardly by interaction with the mandrel (16) to grip the staple (12). The staple (12) has a plurality of vessel and interior wall engaging members (43) and a plurality of exterior wall engaging members (44).

Abstract: A method of using a staple for joining first and second blood vessels. A staple having an open center is provided to staple the two vessels together. One end of the first blood vessel is placed through the staple and then pierced by an end of the staple. An opening in the side of the second blood vessel is formed and the pierced end of the first blood vessel is inserted into the hole. A second end of the staple is then deflectively bent and pierces the outer wall of the second vessel to staple the two vessels together.

Abstract: A side-to-end vascular anastomosis stapling apparatus that includes a stapling tool (10), a staple forming tool (11) and a staple (12). The stapling tool (10) includes a sleeve (13), a core unit (14), a mandrel (16) and a trigger unit (17). The core unit (14) includes a plurality of fingers (26) that can be selectively urged outwardly by interaction with the mandrel (16) to grip the staple (12). The staple (12) has a plurality of vessel and interior wall engaging members (43) and a plurality of exterior wall engaging members (44).

Abstract: Heart valve including an annular valve body having an inner wall defining a blood flow passage, a guide strut including an integral pivot surface extending radially inward of the valve body and a disc occluder having a central aperture engaged over the disc guide strut, a disc stop extending radially inward of the valve body opposite the guide strut, and pivot projections extending radially inward of the valve body and equally spaced from the guide strut whereby the disc pivots between occluding and non-occluding surfaces in response to downstream blood pressure gradients across the disc.

Abstract: Heart valve including a valve body having a non-circular exterior periphery and a blood flow passage orifice through the valve body having a periphery substantially geometrically similar to the exterior periphery. A rigid occluder having a periphery slightly smaller than the internal periphery of the blood flow passage, pivots within the confines of the blood flow passage. The valve body can assume an oval, egg, kidney, or the like geometrical shape and pivots on an axis parallel or removed from the major axis of the non-circular heart valve body. The occluder pivots about pivot closed pivots and pivot open pivots, guide struts, or a T-shaped pivot post between occluding and non-occluding positions. Stop surfaces all retain the occluder in the occluding position and non-occluding position in the heart valve orifice.