Abstract: An airway valve apparatus 10 for at least partially sealing an airway 30 of a subject 40 comprising: a hub 50; a plurality of anchor struts 60 disposed about and in communication with the hub; a plurality of support struts 70 disposed about and in communication with the hub; one or more membranes that are in communication with the plurality of anchor struts, the plurality of support struts, or both; and wherein the anchor struts include one or more anchor elements 62 disposed at a distal end of the anchor struts, the one or more anchor elements configured to engage a wall 32 of the airway.

Abstract: Systems and methods for mechanically heated catheter tips are provided. The systems include, for example: a catheter body with an axial lumen; a catheter tip with at least some of the tip constructed out of a high-friction, thermally-conductive material; a friction producing plug disposed in the axial lumen of the catheter tip and constructed at least in part out of a high-friction material; a drive wire running through the axial lumen of the catheter body being connected on the proximal end to a power source and on the distal end to the friction producing plug. Methods include using the drive wire to rotationally or axially translationally move the friction producing plug within the catheter tip. The friction produced by the movement of the friction producing plug and the inner wall of the catheter tip generates heat which can be conducted outward by the thermally conductive material.

Abstract: Systems and methods for mechanically heated catheter tips are provided. The systems include, for example: a catheter body with an axial lumen; a catheter tip with at least some of the tip constructed out of a high-friction, thermally-conductive material; a friction producing plug disposed in the axial lumen of the catheter tip and constructed at least in part out of a high-friction material; a drive wire running through the axial lumen of the catheter body being connected on the proximal end to a power source and on the distal end to the friction producing plug. Methods include using the drive wire to rotationally or axially translationally move the friction producing plug within the catheter tip. The friction produced by the movement of the friction producing plug and the inner wall of the catheter tip generates heat which can be conducted outward by the thermally conductive material.

Abstract: A constriction device that constricts body tissue is viewable under X ray fluoroscopy. The device includes an elongated sleeve. The sleeve includes opposed opened ends and is formed from expandable or elastic material to receive therein, when in an expanded condition, body tissue to be constricted and to constrict the body tissue therein when released from the expanded condition. At least a portion of the sleeve includes X ray opaque material rendering the device visible under X ray fluoroscopy.

Abstract: A constriction device that constricts body tissue includes fixation structures for fixing the device on constricted body tissue. The device includes an elongated sleeve including an inner surface and opposed opened ends. The device is formed from expandable or elastic material so that when in an expanded condition, body tissue to be constricted may be received therein and thereafter, when released from the expanded condition, the body tissue is constricted by the device. The fixation structures include a plurality of fixation elements on the inner surface of the sleeve that grasp the body tissue upon release of the sleeve from the expanded condition to fix the device on the constricted tissue.

Abstract: A constriction device that constricts body tissue is viewable under X ray fluoroscopy. The device includes an elongated sleeve. The sleeve includes opposed opened ends and is formed from expandable or elastic material to receive therein, when in an expanded condition, body tissue to be constricted and to constrict the body tissue therein when released from the expanded condition. At least a portion of the sleeve includes X ray opaque material rendering the device visible under X ray fluoroscopy.

Abstract: A constriction device that constricts body tissue is viewable under X ray fluoroscopy. The device includes an elongated sleeve. The sleeve includes opposed opened ends and is formed from expandable or elastic material to receive therein, when in an expanded condition, body tissue to be constricted and to constrict the body tissue therein when released from the expanded condition. At least a portion of the sleeve includes X ray opaque material rendering the device visible under X ray fluoroscopy.

Abstract: The invention provides an implantable tissue constriction device and method for suppressing leakage from resectioned body tissue. The device includes a first elongated member having a constricting surface, and a second elongated member having another constricting surface, the constricting surfaces being arranged in combination to circumscribe tissue to be excised, and further being moveable together in opposition to constrict tissue adjacent to the circumscribed tissue to be excised to an extent necessary to suppress leakage from body tissue remaining after excision of the tissue to be excised. One elongated constrictive surface may include a pliable material arranged to contact the circumscribed tissue and accommodate anatomical variations. The device may include a pivot coupled between the first and second elongated members, about which the constricting surfaces are moveable together in opposition.

Abstract: A constriction device that constricts body tissue includes fixation structures for fixing the device on constricted body tissue. The device includes an elongated sleeve including an inner surface and opposed opened ends. The device is formed from expandable or elastic material so that when in an expanded condition, body tissue to be constricted may be received therein and thereafter, when released from the expanded condition, the body tissue is constricted by the device. The fixation structures include a plurality of fixation elements on the inner surface of the sleeve that grasp the body tissue upon release of the sleeve from the expanded condition to fix the device on the constricted tissue.

Abstract: A constriction device that constricts body tissue is viewable under X ray fluoroscopy. The device includes an elongated sleeve. The sleeve includes opposed opened ends and is formed from expandable or elastic material to receive therein, when in an expanded condition, body tissue to be constricted and to constrict the body tissue therein when released from the expanded condition. At least a portion of the sleeve includes X ray opaque material rendering the device visible under X ray fluoroscopy.

Abstract: A constriction device that constricts body tissue includes fixation structures for fixing the device on constricted body tissue. The device includes an elongated sleeve including an inner surface and opposed opened ends. The device is formed from expandable or elastic material so that when in an expanded condition, body tissue to be constricted may be received therein and thereafter, when released from the expanded condition, the body tissue is constricted by the device. The fixation structures include a plurality of fixation elements on the inner surface of the sleeve that grasp the body tissue upon release of the sleeve from the expanded condition to fix the device on the constricted tissue.