Abstract: A control device for use with an aerodynamic wing including a bar having a fixed trim adjustment located between the bar and the user. The invention also includes a stopper that permits the user to quickly adjust the range of available dynamic trim. Preferably, the stopper does not lock until it engages the control bar, allowing the user to slide it quickly and easily to the desired location. The control systems of the invention provide a safety depower function when the end of the fixed trim is secured to a safety line.

Abstract: A medical graft connector or plug is made, for example, by cutting end portions of a tube of highly elastic material axially at numerous locations spaced circumferentially around the tube to produce a plurality of fingers which extend axially from each end of an uncut medial portion of the tube. The fingers are deflected radially outwardly from the medial portion and set in that condition. For a graft connector, the medial portion is coaxially connected to an end portion of a tubular graft. The connector is then installed through an aperture in the side wall of a patient's tubular body conduit, for example, by using a delivery tube in which the fingers are elastically deflected back to approximately their initial positions. When the delivery conduit is withdrawn from the connector, the fingers spring out to engage the inner and outer surfaces of the body conduit wall.

Abstract: A replacement heart valve structure including a structure of tissue which is an intact, mammalian heart valve that has been harvested and treated to preserve it. A conventional fabric sleeve is typically disposed concentrically around the outside of the tissue structure. A support structure is included to facilitate implanting the heart valve by somewhat increasing the stability of the heart valve structure, but without unduly rigidifying it. An annular sewing cuff may be added adjacent the blood inflow end of the valve structure to facilitate making the annular suture line that is required at that end.

Abstract: A method for coating a material on targeted surfaces, such as on an implantable medical device, includes providing a spray application apparatus that defines an application zone within which a spray device is disposed, and supplying the spray device with a material solution including an activatable species. The object having the surfaces targeted for coating is placed within the application zone and subjected to the concurrent application of the material solution and a stimulus, with the stimulus operably activating the activatable species.

Abstract: A control device for use with an aerodynamic wing including a bar having a fixed trim adjustment located between the bar and the user. The invention also includes a stopper that permits the user to quickly adjust the range of available dynamic trim. Preferably, the stopper does not lock until it engages the control bar, allowing the user to slide it quickly and easily to the desired location. The control systems of the invention provide a safety depower function when the end of the fixed trim is secured to a safety line.

Abstract: An aerodynamic wing formed by a flexible canopy with an internally routed canopy line for controlling the canopy profile. Preferably, the canopy line is routed through a gatherable tube secured to the trailing edge of the canopy. Tensioning the canopy line alters the canopy profile to facilitate launching the kite.

Abstract: A multiple layer coating for application upon surfaces of an implantable medical device, a first layer of such coating includes an anti-thrombogenic factor and a second layer of such coating includes a hyperplasia inhibiting factor that is releasably contained therein. The hyperplasia inhibiting factor is controllably released from the multiple layer coating over a predetermined period of time upon implantation of the medical device in vivo.

Abstract: An aerodynamic wing formed by a flexible canopy with an internally routed canopy line for controlling the canopy profile. Preferably, the canopy line is routed through a gatherable tube secured to the trailing edge of the canopy. Tensioning the canopy line alters the canopy profile to facilitate launching the kite.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for making an anastomotic connection between an opening at an end of a graft conduit and an aperture in a side wall of a body tissue conduit using a hollow connector assembly are provided, wherein the cross-sectional area of the anastomotic connection is larger than that of the graft conduit. The tissue about the opening is introduced about and retained by first members of a distal portion of the connector assembly held by a loading tool. A delivery tool then collapses a proximal portion defined by second members of the connector assembly and delivers the second members into the lumen of the body tissue conduit via the aperture. Upon inserting the second members into the body tissue conduit, the delivery tool is disemployed and the second members expand such that they press against the interior wall of the body tissue conduit and such that the first members are held within the aperture against a medial wall of the body tissue conduit.

Abstract: Plugs and methods for plugging septal defects and blood vessels are provided. Plugs are delivered via catheter to a septal defect or a location where it is desired to occlude blood flow in a blood vessel. The plugs are positioned and expanded at the treatment site. The expansion of the plugs can be accomplished passively by using a heat-treated elastic frame or actively by using a balloon to deform a plastically-deforming frame. Plugging structures mounted to the frame span the defect or lumen and prevent blood flow. The plugs described herein have small profiles, and are more reliable than preceding intraluminal transcatheter methods.

Abstract: Instrumentation for facilitating cutting an opening in a side wall of a body conduit in a patient. A tubular structure defines a lumen and has a sharpened distal end portion configured to cut a section of the body conduit to create the opening. A tissue holding structure is provided which is axially movable within the lumen of the tubular structure. The tissue holding structure includes a piercing portion to permit passage of the tissue holding structure through the body conduit from an entrance side to an exit side thereof. The tissue holding structure also includes a retention member to secure the section of the body conduit to the tissue holding structure during movement of the tissue holding structure to approximate the entrance side of the body conduit with the sharpened distal portion of the tubular structure to enable the sharpened distal structure to cut the body conduit. A connector is also provided for attaching a new length of tubing to the body conduit at the opening made by the cutting.

Abstract: A replacement heart valve structure includes a structure of tissue which is an intact, mammalian heart valve that has been harvested and treated to preserve it. A conventional fabric sleeve is typically disposed concentrically around the outside of the tissue structure. A support structure is included to facilitate implanting the heart valve by somewhat increasing the stability of the heart valve structure, but without unduly rigidifying it. An annular sewing cuff may be added adjacent the blood inflow end of the valve structure to facilitate making the annular suture line that is required at that end.

Abstract: A vulcanizable rubber composition and method for making the same are disclosed. The rubber composition comprises a rubber component mixed with a methylene donor and methylene acceptor; the methylene acceptor is 3-hydroxydiphenylamine.

Abstract: An intravascular catheter (10,110) having an elongated tubular body with a proximal portion, a distal portion and a lumen extending therebetween. The tubular body is formed with polymeric materials, preferably containing no radiopaque filler, and metallic reinforcing braiding (22,130) configured to provide the catheter (10,110) with radiopaque properties and/or kink resistance.

Abstract: A bypass graft conduit is installed in the circulatory system of a patient using apparatus which facilitates performing most or all of the necessary work intraluminally (i.e., via lumens of the patient's circulatory system). A guide structure such as a wire is installed in the patient via circulatory system lumens so that a portion of the guide structure extends along the desired path of the bypass conduit, which bypass conduit path is outside the circulatory system as it exists prior to installation of the bypass graft. The bypass graft is then introduced into the patient along the guide structure and connected at each of its ends to the circulatory system using connectors that form fluid-tight annular openings from the bypass graft lumen into the adjacent circulatory system lumens. The guide structure is then pulled out of the patient.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for making an anastomotic connection between a first conduit and a second conduit are provided. A connector is mounted annularly around the distal end portion of an inflatable balloon. Upon inflation of the balloon, the connector enlarges radially and shortens axially such that first and second members of the connector engage the first and second conduits, respectively, and draw the two conduits together to create a seal therebetween. Additional apparatus may be provided to reduce the tension on the first conduit (e.g., a graft conduit) and/or to define a kink-free path for the first conduit to follow after making the anastomotic connection.

Abstract: A connector for use in providing an anastomotic connection between two tubular body fluid conduits in a patient is provided. The connector is preferably a single, integral structure that can be cut from a tube. The connector has axially spaced portions that include “fingers” for engaging the two body fluid conduits. The connector also has members that have sharpened end portions that engage and penetrate the wall of one of the body fluid conduits. The fingers and sharpened members hold the two conduits together in a fluid-tight engagement. Apparatus for use in deploying a connector is also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for preparing formaldehyde-free resorcinol resins are disclosed. The methods generally comprise reacting resorcinol first with dicyclopentadiene and then reacting that mixture with an olefinic compound. The resins produced by this method are also disclosed, as are rubber compositions utilizing the present resins. The resins are characterized as having a free resorcinol content of about 1 wt. % or less, and yielding a suitable softening point when used in rubber applications.

Abstract: Instrumentation for facilitating cutting an opening in a side wall of a body conduit in a patient. A tubular structure defines a lumen and has a sharpened distal end portion configured to cut a section of the body conduit to create the opening. A tissue holding structure is provided which is axially movable within the lumen of the tubular structure. The tissue holding structure includes a piercing portion to permit passage of the tissue holding structure through the body conduit from an entrance side to an exit side thereof. The tissue holding structure also includes a retention member to secure the section of the body conduit to the tissue holding structure during movement of the tissue holding structure to approximate the entrance side of the body conduit with the sharpened distal portion of the tubular structure to enable the sharpened distal structure to cut the body conduit. A connector is also provided for attaching a new length of tubing to the body conduit at the opening made by the cutting.

Abstract: A vulcanizable rubber composition and method for making the same are disclosed. The rubber composition comprises a rubber component mixed with a methylene donor and methylene acceptor; the methylene acceptor is 3-hydroxydiphenylamine.