Abstract: An anastomosis device has first and second components which each having first and second parts. The first and second components are magnetically attracted to one another. The device forms a throughhole when in use. The first parts of the first and second components are positioned radially outward from the second parts relative to the longitudinal axis with the first parts of the first and second components contacting one another and being magnetically attracted to one another. The second parts of the first and second components also being magnetically attracted to one another and are separated by the vessel walls.

Abstract: A guide member positioned through a coronary vessel and the wall of the heart provides access to a heart chamber. A first end of the guide member is passed through the coronary vessel and the heart wall into the heart chamber, and then is passed back out of the heart chamber. The end of the guide member may then be used to deliver devices into the heart chamber to carry out various medical procedures. A conduit delivery system is coupled to the end of the guide member and is delivered into the heart chamber and then used to place a conduit in the heart wall to communicate the coronary vessel with the heart chamber.

Abstract: Methods and devices for forming magnetic anastomoses between hollow bodies. End-to-side, side-to-side and end-to-end anastomoses can be created with or without a mechanical connection between the components. The anastomotic components may have various constructions and may be secured to a vessel in various manners, for example, magnetically, mechanically or adhesively. Also provided are alternative delivery devices, as well as devices for checking the position of a component on a loaded delivery device, and for checking the seal between a vessel and an anastomotic component secured thereto.

Abstract: A guide member positioned through a coronary vessel and the wall of the heart provides access to a heart chamber. A first end of the guide member is passed through the coronary vessel and the heart wall into the heart chamber, and then is passed back out of the heart chamber. The end of the guide member may then be used to deliver devices into the heart chamber to carry out various medical procedures. A conduit delivery system is coupled to the end of the guide member and is delivered into the heart chamber and then used to place a conduit in the heart wall to communicate the coronary vessel with the heart chamber.

Abstract: Anastomotic components may be attached to hollow bodies or vessels by magnetic or mechanical force to create an anastomosis, form a port in a vessel, or repair a diseased vessel lumen. Anastomoses are created by coupling a first connection to an end of a vessel and then attracting it to a second connector secured to the side wall of another vessel. The connection between the first and second connectors may be solidly magnetic, solely mechanical, or a combination thereof. Also disclosed are methods and devices for treating diseased vessel lumens, for example abdominal aortic aneurysm. A plurality of docking members is attached to the vessel at solicited positions, and then one or more grafts is secured to the docking members in any suitable manner.

Abstract: Methods and devices for placing a conduit in fluid communication with a target vessel and a source of blood, such as the aorta or a heart chamber. The device may be actuated using one hand to place the conduit. The invention allows air in the conduit to be removed prior to placement of the conduit. The invention deploys the conduit in the target vessel by moving a sheath in a distal direction and then in a proximal direction. A conduit is provided with a reinforcing member to prevent kinking of the conduit, and a structure for preventing blockage of the conduit by tissue. A vessel coupling may be used to secure a conduit to a target vessel so as to preserve native blood flow through the vessel, and the conduit may be placed in fluid communication with a target vessel via a laparoscopic or endoscopic procedure.

Abstract: Devices and methods for delivering conduits into the wall of a patient's heart to communicate a coronary vessel with a heart chamber. The devices are passed through the coronary vessel and the heart wall to place the conduit and establish a blood flow path between the vessel and the heart chamber. Additional devices and methods are provided for removing tissue from a coronary vessel or the heart wall to establish a flow path between the coronary vessel in communication with the heart chamber.

Abstract: Methods and devices for forming an anastomosis between hollow bodies utilize magnetic force to couple anastomotic securing components and connect the lumens of the hollow bodies. End-to-side, side-to-side and end-to-end anastomoses can be created without using suture or any other type of mechanical fasteners, although such attachment means may be used in practicing some aspects of the invention. The securing components have the ability to produce a magnetic field and may include materials or assemblies. A component may also be used to form a port into the lumen of a vessel, the component being attached to the vessel by mechanical and/or magnetic means. Magnetic components may include means for concentrating the magnetic flux between respective components to increase the attraction force, thereby enhancing the security of the anastomosis.

Abstract: Anastomotic components may be attached to hollow bodies or vessels by magnetic or mechanical force to create an anastomosis, form a port in a vessel, or repair a diseased vessel lumen. Anastomoses are created by coupling a first connection to an end of a vessel and then attracting it to a second connector secured to the side wall of another vessel. The connection between the first and second connectors may be solidly magnetic, solely mechanical, or a combination thereof. Also disclosed are methods and devices for treating diseased vessel lumens, for example abdominal aortic aneurysm. A plurality of docking members is attached to the vessel at solicited positions, and then one or more grafts is secured to the docking members in any suitable manner.

Abstract: Methods and devices use magnetic force to form a magnetic port in a hollow body. Additional methods and devices form anastomoses between two or more hollow bodies. First and second anastomotic securing components create a fluid-tight connection between the lumens of the hollow bodies. End-to-side, side-to-side and end-to-end anastomoses can be created without using suture or any other type of mechanical fasteners, although mechanical attachment structure may be used in conjunction with the magnetic attachment. The securing components have magnetic, ferromagnetic or electromagnetic properties and may include one or more materials, for example, magnetic and nonmagnetic materials arranged in a laminated structure. The system of anastomotic securing components may be used in many different applications including the treatment of cardiovascular disease, peripheral vascular disease, forming AV shunts, etc.

Abstract: Devices and methods for delivering conduits into the wall of a patient's heart to communicate a coronary vessel with a heart chamber. The devices are passed through the coronary vessel and the heart wall to place the conduit and establish a blood flow path between the vessel and the heart chamber. Additional devices and methods are provided for removing tissue from a coronary vessel or the heart wall to establish a flow path between the coronary vessel in communication with the heart chamber.

Abstract: Methods and devices for manufacturing a conduit for placing a target vessel in fluid communication with a source of blood, such as a heart chamber containing blood. The conduit includes first and second portion adapted to be placed in fluid communication with a heart chamber and a target vessel. The conduit lies on the exterior of the myocardium between the blood source and the target vessel and delivers blood in multiple directions within the lumen of the target vessel. The conduit, which may be formed of any suitable synthetic vascular graft material, is generally T-shaped with the leg having two free ends disposed in the target vessel, preferably being secured thereto via a suture-free attachment. The conduit comprises vascular graft material and may be manufactured various ways, such as molding a conduit from any suitable biocompatible material or fabricating a conduit from one or more pieces of vascular graft material.

Abstract: Devices and methods utilized in performing transmyocardial coronary bypass include retractors used to engage and support myocardial tissue, and mechanisms for supporting coronary vessels so as to allow precise entry into a vessel lumen. In addition, various conduits are provided having a configuration that permits their positioning in a heart wall to place a coronary vessel in communication with a heart chamber.

Abstract: Methods and devices for forming an anastomosis utilize a graft vessel secured to a vessel coupling that is fixed to a target vessel without using suture. The vessel coupling may be collapsed for introduction into the target vessel and then expanded to engage the vessel wall. The vessel coupling may be a stent attached to a graft vessel to form a stent-graft assembly. The anastomosis may be carried out to place the graft and target vessels in fluid communication while preserving native proximal flow through the target vessel, which may be a coronary artery. As a result, blood flowing through the coronary artery from the aorta is not blocked by the vessel coupling and thus is free to move past the site of the anastomosis.

Abstract: Methods and devices using magnetic force to form an anastomosis between hollow bodies. End-to-side, side-to-side and end-to-end anastomoses can be created without using suture or any other type of mechanical fasteners, although such attachment means may be used in practicing some aspects of the invention. Magnetic anastomotic components may be attached to the exterior of a vessel, e.g., by adhesive, without extending into the vessel lumen. Various magnetic component configurations are provided and may have different characteristics, for example, the ability to match the vessel curvature or to frictionally engage the vessel.

Abstract: Methods and devices for forming an anastomosis during a bypass procedure utilize a graft vessel secured to a vessel coupling adapted to be fixed to a target vessel without using suture. The graft vessel is placed in fluid communication with a heart chamber containing blood. The vessel coupling may be collapsed for introduction into the target vessel and then expanded to fix the coupling thereto. The vessel coupling may be a stent with the graft vessel secured thereto to form a stent-graft assembly. The anastomosis is carried out to place the graft and target vessels in fluid communication while preserving native proximal flow through the target vessel, which may be a coronary artery. As a result, blood flowing from the aorta and past an obstruction in the coronary artery is not blocked by formation of the anastomosis; rather, such proximal blood flow is free to move past the vessel coupling and the anastomosis.

Abstract: Methods and devices for forming an anastomosis between hollow bodies using magnetic force to couple anastomotic securing components and create a fluid-tight connection between the lumens of the hollow bodies. End-to-side, side-to-side and end-to-end anastomoses can be created without using suture or any other type of mechanical fasteners, although any such attachment means may be used in conjunction with the magnetic attachment The securing components have magnetic, ferromagnetic or electromagnetic properties and may include one or more materials, for example, magnetic and nonmagnetic materials arranged in a laminated structure. The system of anastomotic securing components may he used in many different applications including the treatment of cardiovascular disease, peripheral vascular disease, forming AV shunts for dialysis patients, etc., and may be sized and configured for forming an anastomosis to a specific hollow body, for example, a coronary artery or the aorta.

Abstract: Methods and devices for placing a conduit in fluid communication with a target vessel and a source of blood, such as the aorta or a heart chamber. The device may be actuated using one hand to place the conduit. The invention allows air in the conduit to be removed prior to placement of the conduit. The invention deploys the conduit in the target vessel by moving a sheath in a distal direction and then in a proximal direction. A conduit is provided with a reinforcing member to prevent kinking of the conduit, and a structure for preventing blockage of the conduit by tissue. A vessel coupling may be used to secure a conduit to a target vessel so as to preserve native blood flow through the vessel, and the conduit may be placed in fluid communication with a target vessel via a laparoscopic or endoscopic procedure.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and devices providing transmyocardial blood flow or coronary revascularization for the treatment of coronary atherosclerosis and resulting myocardial ischemia by increasing the flow of blood from one or more oxygenated blood sources within the patient to one or more sites selected in the arterial vascular system of the heart using a channel for maintaining and regulating blood flow therebetween. A valved conduit or a self-maintained channel is created between the left ventricle reservoir of oxygenated blood and the coronary artery distal to an area of obstruction by surgical and percutaneous methods. Preferably, the conduit or self-maintained channel integrally regulates the flow of blood between the oxygenated blood source and the site selected in the arterial vascular system of the heart wherein an increase in blood flow is desired.

Abstract: Methods and devices for forming an anastomosis utilize a graft vessel secured to a vessel coupling that is fixed to a target vessel without using suture. The vessel coupling may be collapsed for introduction into the target vessel and then expanded to engage the vessel wall. The vessel coupling may be a stent attached to a graft vessel to form a stent-graft assembly. The anastomosis may be carried out to place the graft and target vessels in fluid communication while preserving native proximal flow through the target vessel, which may be a coronary artery. As a result, blood flowing through the coronary artery from the aorta is not blocked by the vessel coupling and thus is free to move past the site of the anastomosis.