Abstract: Systems and methods for the assessment of fluid content and electrolyte balance in patients are provided. The systems generally include two or more ultrasound transducers and may include impedance-sensing electrodes as well. These elements are positioned about a soft tissue of a patient by means of a retention element.

Abstract: A method for treating a patient may include establishing an anastomosis between a pulmonary artery and an aorta; and pumping blood from the pulmonary artery to the aorta when the pulmonary artery has a pressure lower than or equal to a pressure of the aorta.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing transcatheter coronary artery bypass grafting procedures are provided. The methods generally involve passing the graft from the aorta to the coronary artery through the pericardial space. The systems include poke-out wires, a coring device, and devices for forming anastomoses at the proximal and distal ends of a vascular graft.

Abstract: A method for treating a patient may include establishing an anastomosis between a pulmonary artery and an aorta; and pumping blood from the pulmonary artery to the aorta when the pulmonary artery has a pressure lower than or equal to a pressure of the aorta.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the assessment of fluid content and electrolyte balance in patients are provided. The systems generally include two or more ultrasound transducers and may include impedance-sensing electrodes as well. These elements are positioned about a soft tissue of a patient by means of a retention element.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing transcatheter coronary artery bypass grafting procedures are provided. The methods generally involve passing the graft from the aorta to the coronary artery through the pericardial space. The systems include poke-out wires, a coring device, and devices for forming anastomoses at the proximal and distal ends of a vascular graft.

Abstract: A stent is provided having attachment members for allowing attachment of a sheath or sheaths. Accordingly, a practitioner is able to selectively choose a desirable sheath, such as a polymeric sleeve, a biomaterial, or a natural blood vessel, at a point-of-use and attach it to the sheath. The attachment members may be bendable tabs and/or secondary support stents.

Abstract: A stent is provided having attachment members for allowing attachment of a sheath or sheaths. Accordingly, a practitioner is able to selectively choose a desirable sheath, such as a polymeric sleeve, a biomaterial, or a natural blood vessel, at a point-of-use and attach it to the sheath. The attachment members may be bendable tabs and/or secondary support stents.

Abstract: A stent comprises a plurality of axially spaced serpentine bands. Each serpentine band has a proximal and distal end and consists of a plurality of interconnected struts. The struts are of substantially the same length. Serpentine bands which are adjacent one another are connected one to the other. The stent further comprises a plurality of wishbone connectors. Each wishbone connector connects two serpentine bands which are adjacent one another. The wishbone connectors have an elongate portion which is disposed between the two serpentine bands and does not overlap longitudinally with either of the two serpentine bands. The elongate portion has a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end has two legs extending therefrom to one of the two serpentine bands and the distal end has two legs extending therefrom to the other of the two serpentine bands. At least one wishbone connector connects serpentine bands which are adjacent one another.

Abstract: Pressure is measured inside of a high pressure vehicle. A substance is compressed at a first pressure to create a preform having a first density. The preform is placed inside of a high pressure vessel and subjected to a second pressure, greater than the first pressure. The preform therefore changes in density to a second density, greater than the first density, whereby the second pressure can be determined. The method may also be used in determining the pressure inside of a food product during food processing and a high pressure vessel.

Abstract: Methods for making a loaded catheter assembly for delivering a self-expanding stent where the self-expanding stent is carried in a compressed state and the compressed stent has an inside diameter smaller than the outside diameter of the catheter distal tip. The methods can utilize catheter sub-assemblies lacking already attached tips or having partially formed distal tips. A stent can be proximally and co-axially slid over the distal end of the catheter shaft and constrained by a retractable sheath disposed co-axially about the compressed stent. The catheter distal tip can be added or more fully formed after the loading of the stent. Some catheters include a preformed distal conical tip held in position by a heat-shrink film. Other catheters have an elastomeric distal tip waist for slipping over and engaging an outward projection on the catheter shaft distal region. Some catheters are adapted to engage catheter shaft distal threaded regions.

Abstract: Pressure is measured inside of a high pressure vehicle. A substance is compressed at a first pressure to create a preform having a first density. The preform is placed inside of a high pressure vessel and subjected to a second pressure, greater than the first pressure. The preform therefore changes in density to a second density, greater than the first density, whereby the second pressure can be determined. The method may also be used in determining the pressure inside of a food product during food processing and a high pressure vessel.

Abstract: A stent is provided having attachment members for allowing attachment of a sheath or sheaths. Accordingly, a practitioner is able to selectively choose a desirable sheath, such as a polymeric sleeve, a biomaterial, or a natural blood vessel, at a point-of-use and attach it to the sheath. The attachment members may be bendable tabs and/or secondary support stents.

Abstract: A stent comprises a plurality of axially spaced serpentine bands. Each serpentine band has a proximal and distal end and consists of a plurality of interconnected struts. The struts are of substantially the same length. Serpentine bands which are adjacent one another are connected one to the other. The stent further comprises a plurality of wishbone connectors. Each wishbone connector connects two serpentine bands which are adjacent one another. The wishbone connectors have an elongate portion which is disposed between the two serpentine bands and does not overlap longitudinally with either of the two serpentine bands. The elongate portion has a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end has two legs extending therefrom to one of the two serpentine bands and the distal end has two legs extending therefrom to the other of the two serpentine bands. At least one wishbone connector connects serpentine bands which are adjacent one another.

Abstract: The inventive stent delivery system includes a catheter having a retractable outer sheath near its distal end. A shape memory contraction member having a memorized contracted shape is connected to the retractable outer sheath. A heat generating device connected to the shape memory contraction member causes the shape memory contraction member to heat up to its transition temperature and assume its contracted position, retracting the retractable outer sheath. Another embodiment utilizes 2 springs, a “normal” spring and a shape memory alloy (SMA) spring, the two springs selected and designed so that the “normal” has an expansion force which is less than SMA spring when the SMA spring is austenitic, but greater than the SMA spring when the SMA spring is martensitic.

Abstract: Methods for making a loaded catheter assembly for delivering a self-expanding stent where the self-expanding stent is carried in a compressed state and the compressed stent has an inside diameter smaller than the outside diameter of the catheter distal tip. The methods can utilize catheter sub-assemblies lacking already attached tips or having partially formed distal tips. A stent can be proximally and co-axially slid over the distal end of the catheter shaft and constrained by a retractable sheath disposed co-axially about the compressed stent. The catheter distal tip can be added or more fully formed after the loading of the stent. Some catheters include a preformed distal conical tip held in position by a heat-shrink film. Other catheters have an elastomeric distal tip waist for slipping over and engaging an outward projection on the catheter shaft distal region. Some catheters are adapted to engage catheter shaft distal threaded regions.

Abstract: Methods for making a loaded catheter assembly for delivering a self-expanding stent where the self-expanding stent is carried in a compressed state and the compressed stent has an inside diameter smaller than the outside diameter of the catheter distal tip. The methods can utilize catheter sub-assemblies lacking already attached tips or having partially formed distal tips. A stent can be proximally and co-axially slid over the distal end of the catheter shaft and constrained by a retractable sheath disposed co-axially about the compressed stent. The catheter distal tip can be added or more fully formed after the loading of the stent. Some catheters include a preformed distal conical tip held in position by a heat-shrink film. Other catheters have an elastomeric distal tip waist for slipping over and engaging an outward projection on the catheter shaft distal region. Some catheters are adapted to engage catheter shaft distal threaded regions.

Abstract: The inventive stent delivery system includes a catheter having a retractable outer sheath near its distal end. A shape memory contraction member having a memorized contracted shape is connected to the retractable outer sheath. A heat generating device connected to the shape memory contraction member causes the shape memory contraction member to heat up to its transition temperature and assume its contracted position, retracting the retractable outer sheath. Another embodiment utilizes 2 springs, a “normal” spring and a shape memory alloy (SMA) spring, the two springs selected and designed so that the “normal” has an expansion force which is less than SMA spring when the SMA spring is austenitic, but greater than the SMA spring when the SMA spring is martensitic.

Abstract: The inventive stent delivery system includes a catheter having a retractable outer sheath near its distal end. A shape memory contraction member having a memorized contracted shape is connected to the retractable outer sheath. A heat generating device connected to the shape memory contraction member causes the shape memory contraction member to heat up to its transition temperature and assume its contracted position, retracting the retractable outer sheath. Another embodiment utilizes 2 springs, a “normal” spring and a shape memory alloy (SMA) spring, the two springs selected and designed so that the “normal” has an expansion force which is less than SMA spring when the SMA spring is austenitic, but greater than the SMA spring when the SMA spring is martensitic.

Abstract: A stent delivery system having a hydraulically actuated retractable sheath is disclosed. A pressurizing fluid is either supplied by an inflation lumen to a portion of a piston housing or is withdrawn from a portion of a piston housing, thereby actuating a piston. As the piston moves, a retractable sheath which is connected to the piston moves as well causing the sheath to retract.