Abstract: Systems and method implant prostheses in the body. The systems and methods provide permanent attachment of the prosthesis in the body. The prosthesis can comprise, e.g., an endovascular graft, which can be deployed without damaging the native blood vessel in either an arterial or a venous system. The endovascular graft can comprise, e.g., a radially expanding vascular stent and/or a stent-graft. The graft can be placed in the vasculature, e.g., to exclude or bridge an aneurysm, for example, an abdominal aortic aneurysms. The graft desirably adapts to changes in aneurysm morphology and repairs the endovascular aneurysm. The fastening systems and methods can be deployed through the vasculature and manipulated from outside the body, to deliver a fastener to attach the graft to the vessel wall.

Abstract: Systems and method implant prostheses in the body. The systems and methods provide permanent attachment of the prosthesis in the body. The prosthesis can comprise, e.g., an endovascular graft, which can be deployed without damaging the native blood vessel in either an arterial or a venous system. The endovascular graft can comprise, e.g., a radially expanding vascular stent and/or a stent-graft. The graft can be placed in the vasculature, e.g., to exclude or bridge an aneurysm, for example, an abdominal aortic aneurysms. The graft desirably adapts to changes in aneurysm morphology and repairs the endovascular aneurysm. The fastening systems and methods can be deployed through the vasculature and manipulated from outside the body, to deliver a fastener to attach the graft to the vessel wall.

Abstract: A method for carotid endarterectomy. A blood filter is positioned within a carotid artery downstream of an atheromatous plaque. The filter is expanded. The carotid artery is clamped upstream and downstream of the atheromatous plaque while the filter is expanded. An endarterectomy procedure is performed on the region of the carotid artery having the atheromatous plaque. The carotid artery is unclamped while the filter is expanded. In certain cases a shunt is positioned in a region of the carotid artery having the atheromatous plaque and secured to the shunt by clamping, the shunt comprising a tubular member having a proximal opening, a distal opening, and a lumen therebetween.

Abstract: A method for carotid endarterectomy. A blood filter is positioned within a carotid artery downstream of an atheromatous plaque. The filter is expanded. The carotid artery is clamped upstream and downstream of the atheromatous plaque while the filter is expanded. An endarterectomy procedure is performed on the region of the carotid artery having the atheromatous plaque. The carotid artery is unclamped while the filter is expanded. In certain cases a shunt is positioned in a region of the carotid artery having the atheromatous plaque and secured to the shunt by clamping, the shunt comprising a tubular member having a proximal opening, a distal opening, and a lumen therebetween.

Abstract: A shunt and method of use for maintaining distal blood flow during an arteriotomy procedure is disclosed. The shunt includes a first tubular member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen therebetween. The proximal end has an opening in communication with the lumen, and the proximal opening is adapted to receive blood from a first region of an artery. The distal end has an opening in communication with the lumen, and the distal opening is adapted to release blood into a second region of the artery. The shunt includes a second tubular member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen therebetween which either merges and communicates at its distal end with the lumen of the first tubular member, or rides separate and parallel to it.

Abstract: Systems and methods stimulate circulatory activity in a targeted body region of an individual by applying ultrasound energy. Before, during or after the application of ultrasound energy, the systems and methods administer an agent to individual that results, e.g., in an angiogenic effect, or in a reduction of blood perfusion, or a chemotherapy effect. The application of ultrasound energy selectively increases blood perfusion or uptake of the agent in the targeted body region.

Abstract: A shunt and method of use for maintaining distal blood flow during an arteriotomy procedure is disclosed. The shunt includes a first tubular member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen therebetween. The proximal end has an opening in communication with the lumen, and the proximal opening is adapted to receive blood from a first region of an artery. The distal end has an opening in communication with the lumen, and the distal opening is adapted to release blood into a second region of the artery. The shunt includes a second tubular member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen therebetween which either merges and communicates at its distal end with the lumen of the first tubular member, or rides separate and parallel to it.

Abstract: A shunt and method of use for maintaining distal blood flow during an arteriotomy procedure is disclosed. The shunt includes a first tubular member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen therebetween. The proximal end has an opening in communication with the lumen, and the proximal opening is adapted to receive blood from a first region of an artery. The distal end has an opening in communication with the lumen, and the distal opening is adapted to release blood into a second region of the artery. The shunt includes a second tubular member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen therebetween which either merges and communicates at its distal end with the lumen of the first tubular member, or rides separate and parallel to it.

Abstract: A flexible bond is formed between the exterior sleeve of a catheter guide tube and the exterior sleeve of the steerable electrode tip of the catheter. The flexible bond holds the sleeves in fluid tight abutment during twisting of the guide tube and bending of the electrode tip.

Abstract: An improved probe for cardiac diagnosis and/or treatment includes a control handle and a catheter for insertion into the heart. The catheter has a distal end, a proximal end and at least one lumen connecting said distal and proximal ends. It also includes a flexible inner tube and an outer sheath enveloping said tube. At least one measuring electrode or ablation device is attached to the distal end of the tube. The outer sheath and the inner tube are rotatable relative to each other so that the electrode or device can be rotated within the heart without rotating the outer sheath. The sheath is also axially movable relative to the tube to selectively enclose or expose the electrode or device for use.

Abstract: A mesh or fabric, having zero to variable stretch, is made from absorbable or partially absorbable fibers. The mesh or fabric can be either knitted or woven. The fabric is useful in surgical repair.

Abstract: An anastomotic device and method for receiving the free ends of anatomic tubular structures to be anastomosed, the device having a pair of ring members for securement to the free end of each of the tubular members to be anastomosed and the ring members having annular connecting structure which mate with each other to connect the ring members. Novel securement structure is associated with the annular connecting structure to enable the securement of the ring members in a fixed relationship at a predetermined distance from each other. Structure is provided to connect each tubular member free end over a ring member so that the free ends are positioned contiguous to each other around the connecting structure to enable the ends to grow together in an atmosphere outside the flow path of the tubular members to be anastomosed and approximate the outer surface of the tubular member.

Abstract: A mesh or fabric, having zero to variable stretch, is made from absorbable or partially absorbable fibers. The mesh or fabric can be either knitted or woven. The fabric is useful in surgical repair.

Abstract: A surgical electrode consisting of an insulated stainless steel wire having surgical needles conductively affixed at one or both ends, at least one needle having a pointed end and a nonpointed end with a blind hole or flange in the nonpointed end thereof, and the blunt end of a blunt pointed pin fitted into said hole or flange and a crimp in said nonpointed end of the needle retaining said pin in said hole or flange with controlled pull-out characteristics, said pin conductively and permanently affixed at the other end to said wire, whereby said pin may be pulled out of said blind hole or flange and the blunt end of said pin used as an electrical jack for connection to a pacemaker or similar electric current generating or monitoring device. The electrodes are particularly useful as temporary heart pacer electrodes for cardiac stimulation during and after surgical operations.

Abstract: The physical properties of structural surgical elements which are made from bioabsorbable materials having a glycolic ester linkage can be controlled so that the rate of strength loss and degradation in vivo is altered to achieve disintegration into fragments suitable for removal from or passage through the body without the need for waiting until the material is absorbed. This is achieved by a method of modifying the element through various chemical and/or physical treatments, preferably irradiation, or combinations thereof, with the result that bioabsorbable structural surgical elements are made more controllable in their strength loss and degradation pattern.

Abstract: An anastomotic device and method for receiving the free ends of anatomic tubular structures to be anastomosed, the device having a pair of ring members for securement to the free end of each of the tubular members to be anastomosed and the ring members having annular connecting structure which mate with each other to connect the ring members. Novel securement structure is associated with the annular connecting structure to enable the securement of the ring members in a fixed relationship at a predetermined distance from each other. Structure is provided to connect each tubular member free end over a ring member so that the free ends are positioned contiguous to each other around the connecting structure to enable the ends to grow together and approximate the outer surface of the tubular member.