Abstract: The present invention relates to dental suction devices for capturing aerosols and managing fluid accumulations in a patient's mouth during a dental procedure. The dental suction devices comprise a housing tube having a first end connectible to a vacuum source; a funnel demountably engageable with a second end of the housing tube; a pliable tube extending throughout the housing tube and extending outward from the funnel. The first end of the pliable tube is connectible to the vacuum source and its opposite end is positionable in a patient's mouth. The second end of the pliable tube has a plurality of apertures, and one or more pairs of retaining collars adjustably spaced-apart therealong. The pliable tube may be looped around the end of a row of teeth and secured in place by a tie that is secured to the spaced-apart pair of retaining collars between two adjacent teeth.

Abstract: Methods and devices useful, for example, in the field of angioplasty and stenting are disclosed. In some embodiments, the methods, devices and kits are configured for directional expansion inside a lumen, for example of a blood vessel obstructed by plaque. In some embodiments, the directional expansion displaces the plaque in a desired direction.

Abstract: Methods and devices useful, for example, in the field of angioplasty and stenting are disclosed. In some embodiments, the methods, devices and kits are configured for directional expansion inside a lumen, for example of a blood vessel obstructed by plaque. In some embodiments, the directional expansion displaces the plaque in a desired direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to dental suction devices for capturing aerosols and managing fluid accumulations in a patient's mouth during a dental procedure. The dental suction devices comprise a housing tube having a first end connectible to a vacuum source; a funnel demountably engageable with a second end of the housing tube; a pliable tube extending throughout the housing tube and extending outward from the funnel. The first end of the pliable tube is connectible to the vacuum source and its opposite end is positionable in a patient's mouth. The second end of the pliable tube has a plurality of apertures, and one or more pairs of retaining collars adjustably spaced-apart therealong. The pliable tube may be looped around the end of a row of teeth and secured in place by a tie that is secured to the spaced-apart pair of retaining collars between two adjacent teeth.

Abstract: Methods and devices useful, for example, in the field of angioplasty and stenting are disclosed. In some embodiments, the methods, devices and kits are configured for directional expansion inside a lumen, for example of a blood vessel obstructed by plaque. In some embodiments, the directional expansion displaces the plaque in a desired direction.

Abstract: Methods and devices useful, for example, in the field of angioplasty and stenting are disclosed. In some embodiments, the methods, devices and kits are configured for directional expansion inside a lumen, for example of a blood vessel obstructed by plaque. In some embodiments, the directional expansion displaces the plaque in a desired direction.

Abstract: Disclosed is the use of serous tissue, such as pericardium, as a component of intracorporeal implants. Particularly, disclosed is a jacketed stent assembly comprising an expandable stent provided with a jacket of processed serous tissue which, in some embodiments, is impregnated with a therapeutic or diagnostic agent. In a preferred embodiment, the jacket of the expandable stent is formed of pericardial tissue, preferably bovine or porcine pericardial tissue.

Abstract: Disclosed is the use of serous tissue, such as pericardium, as a component of intracorporeal implants. Particularly, disclosed is a jacketed stent assembly comprising an expandable stent provided with a jacket of processed serous tissue which, in some embodiments, is impregnated with a therapeutic or diagnostic agent. In a preferred embodiment, the jacket of the expandable stent is formed of pericardial tissue, preferably bovine or porcine pericardial tissue.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of repairing pelvic organ prolapse in a patient, comprising locating a suitable attachment point for fixing a prolapsed vagina to a support tissue in the prespinous area; providing a tissue interface; inserting the interface into the subfascial space of the pelvis through the vaginal epithelium; and positioning the interface and attaching to the attachment point and the rear fascia of the vaginal epithelium. The disclosure further provides a device comprising an elongate hollow element, having a distal end and a proximate end, of a stiffness and length selected to permit insertion of at least a portion of the device from within a subjects vagina through the vaginal epithelium into the subfascial space of the pelvis; and a detachable tissue interface suitable for attaching to the rear fascia of the vaginal epithelium and support tissue within the subfascial space of the pelvis.

Abstract: Provided is a method for the treatment of blood vessel occlusions, comprising the localized anchoring of a catheter during the procedure by temporarily adhering its tip to the occlusion treatment site using a vacuum. Also provided is a catheter with a vacuum anchoring tip controlled by an externally generated vacuum, a catheter with a vacuum anchoring tip controlled by a self-generated vacuum, and a catheter with a vacuum anchoring tip in which the vacuum is controlled by an electronic signal. The localized anchoring method utilizes a vacuum to secure the tip of the catheter in place while allowing a free passage for the wire or dedicated occlusion penetrating device, and thereby frees the operator from constantly monitoring the tip position and pushing the catheter to support the advancement of the wire.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of treating an aneurysm by deploying an implantable graft assembly.

Abstract: Methods and devices useful, for example, in the field of angioplasty and stenting are disclosed. In some embodiments, the methods, devices and kits are configured for directional expansion inside a lumen, for example of a blood vessel obstructed by plaque. In some embodiments, the directional expansion displaces the plaque in a desired direction.

Abstract: An implantable graft-assembly has a) a radially expandable substantially tubular frame (e.g., a stent); and b) a graft having an at least partially curved periphery, such as an oval or circular graft. Also provided are methods of treating aneurysms using such graft assemblies, methods of making the graft assemblies, use of sheets of materials for making the graft assemblies, and methods of mounting graft-assemblies having partial covers such as grafts on delivery devices such as delivery catheters or inside delivery sheaths.

Abstract: Disclosed is an implantable graft assembly comprising a graft secured to a expandable tubular frame, the graft only partially covering the frame and the use of the graft assembly in treating an aneurysm, especially a cerebral aneurysm. Disclosed is also a method of treating an aneurysm by deploying an implantable graft assembly. Disclosed is also the use of serous tissue for the preparation of a cerebrovascular implant, especially as a graft, especially as a component of a cerebrovascular implantable graft assembly.

Abstract: A bifurcated stent assembly using a flexible membrane, preferably a tubular membrane, as a stent connector to bendably hold and functionally associate two or more component stents is disclosed. The flexible stent connector allows the relative orientation of the two stents to be varied with no deformation of the component stents. In preferred embodiments, the stent connector is configured to provide support in the vicinity of the bifurcation point of a vessel in which deployed.

Abstract: A stent suitable for maintaining the patency of a bodily lumen, generally comprising a tubular body configured to facilitate connection of a cover thereto. A stent assembly of the invention generally comprises a stent having cover connectors in contact with a cover to secure the cover to a surface of the stent. The invention also comprises methods of securing a cover to a stent. In a first embodiment, the cover connector on an expandable tubular body has a first section, a second section, and a third section between the first and second sections. The connector has an open configuration, and a closed configuration in which the first section has at least one bend and the second section has at least one bend, so that the first and second sections are bent together and are directed towards the third section therebetween.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to sterile packaging for medical devices or components where the medical device or component (e.g., a stent) is protected, at least in part with a sheath or the like configured to maintain a protective fluid about a portion of the device or component. The sheath preferably has one or more ports to add fluid to or withdraw fluid from the interior of the protective sheath.

Abstract: A surgical buttress-dispensing assembly configured for releasably engaging a surgical stapling device. The surgical buttress-dispensing assembly comprises an one-piece cartridge for receiving and engaging therein an elongate buttress strip, and a carrier configured to slidingly receive, engage, and discharge the cartridge. The cartridge comprises a cylindrical end portion from which extends a pair of opposed elongate semi-circular sleeves. The cylindrical end portion is configured to slidingly received therethrough the closed closed jaws of a surgical stapler. The semi-circular sleeves are configured such that each sleeve slidingly communicates and cooperates with one of the stapler's jaws. The elongate edges of the sleeves are configured to engage and retain therewith the elongate edges of a surgical buttress strip. The carrier is engaged with a cartridge having a buttress strip installed onto the opposed sleeves, and is manipulated to slide and mount the cartridge onto the jaws of a surgical stapler.

Abstract: A graft-stent assembly comprising a stent and a substantially tubular graft branching therefrom is disclosed. The stent is preferably deployed in a trunk vessel to support trunk vessel patency while the tubular graft is preferably deployed in a branching vessel. In embodiments, the downstream end of the tubular graft is provided with an expandable ring-shaped support member to anchor the downstream end of the tubular graft in place.

Abstract: A bifurcated stent assembly using a flexible membrane, preferably a tubular membrane, as a stent connector to bendably hold and functionally associate two or more component stents is disclosed. The flexible stent connector allows the relative orientation of the two stents to be varied with no deformation of the component stents. In preferred embodiments, the stent connector is configured to provide support in the vicinity of the bifurcation point of a vessel in which deployed.