Abstract: A device for supporting or constraining at least some part of the epicardial surface of the heart during a portion of the heartbeat, such as diastole is used to assist in the treatment of congestive heart failure. The device comprises an enclosure having an interior and an exterior. An interior surface is preferably made in such a way that it tends not to or does not form adhesions with or accept ingrowth with the myocardial tissue of the epicardium. The device may comprise at least on rib-like structural member.

Abstract: An overtube apparatus for insertion into a body is described herein. The assembly includes an overtube having a lumen defined throughout. The distal end of the overtube member has two or more windows in apposition configured to draw in tissue via a vacuum. A drive tube, which also defines a lumen, is inserted and is freely adjustable within the overtube. A spiral or helical fastener, which is temporarily attached to the drive tube distal end, is positioned within the overtube lumen. Endoscopic devices can be inserted within the drive tube lumen and advanced past the distal ends of both the drive tube and overtube. A pump provides the vacuum to draw apposed regions of tissue from within a hollow body organ into the windows of the overtube. Once the tissue has been invaginated, the drive tube is rotated to advance the fastener into the tissue to fasten them together.

Abstract: Various obesity treatment tools and methods are described herein, as well as treatments for other gastric-related diseases, e.g., GERD. Treatment includes reducing the size of the stomach pouch to limit the caloric intake as well as to provide an earlier feeling of satiety. This may be done by creating a smaller gastric pouch within the stomach directly from the interior of the stomach itself. The smaller pouches may be made through the use of individual anchoring devices, rotating probes, or volume reduction devices. A pyloroplasty procedure may also be performed to render the pyloric sphincter incompetent. A gastric bypass procedure may additionally be performed using atraumatic magnetic anastomoses devices so that sugars and fats are passed directly to the bowel while bypassing the stomach. Many of these procedures may be done in a variety of combinations. Treatment may create enforced behavioral modifications by discouraging the ingestion of high-caloric foods.

Abstract: Various obesity treatment tools and methods are described herein, as well as treatments for other gastric-related diseases, e.g., GERD. Treatment includes reducing the size of the stomach pouch to limit the caloric intake as well as to provide an earlier feeling of satiety. This may be done by creating a smaller gastric pouch within the stomach directly from the interior of the stomach itself. The smaller pouches may be made through the use of individual anchoring devices, rotating probes, or volume reduction devices. A pyloroplasty procedure may also be performed to render the pyloric sphincter incompetent. A gastric bypass procedure may additionally be performed using a traumatic magnetic anastomoses devices so that sugars and fats are passed directly to the bowel while bypassing the stomach. Many of these procedures may be done in a variety of combinations. Treatment may create enforced behavioral modifications by discouraging the ingestion of high-caloric foods.

Abstract: An overtube apparatus for insertion into a body is described herein. The assembly includes an overtube having a lumen defined throughout. The distal end of the overtube member has two or more windows in apposition configured to draw in tissue via a vacuum. A drive tube, which also defines a lumen, is inserted and is freely adjustable within the overtube. A spiral or helical fastener, which is temporarily attached to the drive tube distal end, is positioned within the overtube lumen. Endoscopic devices can be inserted within the drive tube lumen and advanced past the distal ends of both the drive tube and overtube. A pump provides the vacuum to draw apposed regions of tissue from within a hollow body organ into the windows of the overtube. Once the tissue has been invaginated, the drive tube is rotated to advance the fastener into the tissue to fasten them together.

Abstract: This is a surgical device and a method of using it. In particular, the device is one for reinforcing the pericardial sac surrounding the heart to assist in the treatment of congestive heart failure. The device, generically, is an enclosure having an interior and an exterior. The interior surface is made in such a way that it tends not to or does not form adhesions with or accept ingrowth with the myocardial tissue of the epicardium. The exterior surface of the device, in contrast, is adapted to adhere to or to ingrow with or otherwise attach sufficiently to the pericardium so that it reinforces that membrane or structure. The nature of the device is that it tends not to allow the pericardium to expand further with time. The device, after complete deployment, should envelope some measure of pericardial fluid in its interior separating it from the epicardial surface. This device helps to prevent further declination of the heart during congestive heart failure.

Abstract: An implantable pump system including an external driver. The implantable pump is driven by the external driver during normal operation but may also operate on a-battery. The external driver is used to drive the pump with the mechanical energy of the impeller also being used to charge the battery. The external driver is also useful during emergency situations to directly drive the pump if the battery or internal coils should fail. The pump is also preferably implanted in a subpectoral location outside the patient's rib cage.

Abstract: A suture applying device comprises a shaft having a nose piece attached at its distal end. The shaft and the nose piece are separated by a transition region, and a needle entry lumen in the shaft permits a flexible needle to be introduced in the distal direction. The needle is able to cross the transition region and penetrate tissue held therein and enter into a return lumen in the nose piece. The return lumen is U-shaped and acts to bend the flexible needle as it is advanced. In this way, the needle passes from the nose piece through the transition region in a proximal direction, and is able to pass through tissue within the transition region generally on the opposite side of a tissue puncture from the first suture passage. The needle then exits from the device, permitting the suture attached to the needle to be drawn fully through the device. The suture may then be tied in order to close and seal the tissue penetration.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for suturing of body lumens allow the suturing of vascular puncture sites located at the distal end of a percutaneous tissue tract. An elongated articulated foot near a distal end of a shaft is inserted through the penetration and actuated so that the foot extends along the lumenal axis. The foot carries suturing attachment cuffs, and needles are advanced from the shaft through the vessel wall outside of the penetration and into engagement with the needle cuffs after the foot has been drawn proximally up against the endothelial surface of the blood vessel. The cross-section of the shaft within the tissue tract can be minimized by laterally deflecting the needles as they leave the shaft, while tapered depressions within the foot can guide the advancing needles into engagement with the cuffs. The cuffs lockingly engage the needles and can be withdrawn proximally along the needle paths and through the tissue tract so as to form a loop of suture across the puncture.

Abstract: An implantable flow control element is provided which prevents air from entering an isolated portion of a patient's lung. The element may permit air to escape from the isolated portion so that the element acts like a valve. Systems for implanting pulmonary devices are also provided.

Abstract: This relates to surgical devices and methods of using them. In particular, the devices are used to support and to reform myocardial tissue in the region of and across an infarct. The devices provide tension across the infarct in varying degrees by attachment of the device to the myocardium at sites adjacent the infarct. A support-providing component across the infarct, between the heart attachment sites, provides support to the myocardial wall and support across the infarct. Optionally, but preferably, the support-providing component includes a time-delay element that variously may allow the device to be introduced onto the myocardial surface and to change the support of the support element over time.

Abstract: An implantable pump system including an external driver. The implantable pump is driven by the external driver during normal operation but may also operate on a-battery. The external driver is used to drive the pump with the mechanical energy of the impeller also being used to charge the battery. The external driver is also useful during emergency situations to directly drive the pump if the battery or internal coils should fail. The pump is also preferably implanted in a subpectoral location outside the patient's rib cage.

Abstract: An implantable flow control element is provided which prevents air from entering an isolated portion of a patient's lung. The element may permit air to escape from the isolated portion so that the element acts like a valve. Systems for implanting pulmonary devices are also provided.

Abstract: An implantable flow control element is provided which prevents air from entering an isolated portion of a patient's lung. The element may permit air to escape from the isolated portion so that the element acts like a valve. Systems for implanting pulmonary devices are also provided.

Abstract: Various obesity treatment tools and methods are described herein, as well as treatments for other gastric-related diseases, e.g., GERD. Treatment includes reducing the size of the stomach pouch to limit the caloric intake as well as to provide an earlier feeling of satiety. This may be done by creating a smaller gastric pouch within the stomach directly from the interior of the stomach itself. The smaller pouches may be made through the use of individual anchoring devices, rotating probes, or volume reduction devices. A pyloroplasty procedure may also be performed to render the pyloric sphincter incompetent. A gastric bypass procedure may additionally be performed using atraumatic magnetic anastomoses devices so that sugars and fats are passed directly to the bowel while bypassing the stomach. Many of these procedures may be done in a variety of combinations. Treatment may create enforced behavioral modifications by discouraging the ingestion of high-caloric foods.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for suturing of body lumens allow the suturing of vascular puncture sites located at the distal end of a percutaneous tissue tract. An elongated articulated foot near a distal end of a shaft is inserted through the penetration and actuated so that the foot extends along the lumenal axis. The foot carries suturing attachment cuffs, and needles are advanced from the shaft through the vessel wall outside of the penetration and into engagement with the needle cuffs after the foot has been drawn proximally up against the endothelial surface of the blood vessel. The cross-section of the shaft within the tissue tract can be minimized by laterally deflecting the needles as they leave the shaft, while tapered depressions within the foot can guide the advancing needles into engagement with the cuffs. The cuffs lockingly engage the needles and can be withdrawn proximally along the needle paths and through the tissue tract so as to form a loop of suture across the puncture.

Abstract: Various obesity treatment tools and methods are described herein, as well as treatments for other gastric-related diseases, e.g., GERD. Treatment includes reducing the size of the stomach pouch to limit the caloric intake as well as to provide an earlier feeling of satiety. This may be done by creating a smaller gastric pouch within the stomach directly from the interior of the stomach itself. The smaller pouches may be made through the use of individual anchoring devices, rotating probes, or volume reduction devices. A pyloroplasty procedure may also be performed to render the pyloric sphincter incompetent. A gastric bypass procedure may additionally be performed using atraumatic magnetic anastomoses devices so that sugars and fats are passed directly to the bowel while bypassing the stomach. Many of these procedures may be done in a variety of combinations. Treatment may create enforced behavioral modifications by discouraging the ingestion of high-caloric foods.

Abstract: A device for supporting or constraining at least some part of the epicardial surface of the heart during a portion of the heartbeat, such as diastole is used to assist in the treatment of congestive heart failure. The device comprises an enclosure having an interior and an exterior. An interior surface is preferably made in such a way that it tends not to or does not form adhesions with or accept ingrowth with the myocardial tissue of the epicardium. The device may comprise at least on rib-like structural member.

Abstract: An implantable pump system including an external driver. The implantable pump is driven by the external driver during normal operation but may also operate on a battery. The external driver is used to drive the pump with the mechanical energy of the impeller also being used to charge the battery. The external driver is also useful during emergency situations to directly drive the pump if the battery or internal coils should fail. The pump is also preferably implanted in a subpectoral location outside the patient's rib cage.

Abstract: An implantable flow control element is provided which prevents air from entering an isolated portion of a patient's lung. The element may permit air to escape from the isolated portion so that the element acts like a valve. Systems for implanting pulmonary devices are also provided.