Abstract: Implantable prosthetic valve systems and methods for implanting them are provided. Magnets are employed within one or more components of the valve systems to facilitate anchoring of the prosthetic valve at a target implant site, delivery of the prosthetic valve to the target implant site or both.

Abstract: Prosthetic intervertebral discs, systems including such prosthetic intervertebral discs, and methods for using the same are described. The subject prosthetic discs include upper and lower endplates separated by a compressible core member. The subject prosthetic discs exhibit stiffness in the vertical direction, torsional stiffness, bending stiffness in the saggital plane, and bending stiffness in the front plane, where the degree of these features can be controlled independently by adjusting the components, construction, and other features of the discs.

Abstract: Prosthetic intervertebral discs, systems including such prosthetic intervertebral discs, and methods for using the same are described. The subject prosthetic discs include upper and lower endplates separated by a compressible core member. The subject prosthetic discs exhibit stiffness in the vertical direction, torsional stiffness, bending stiffness in the saggital plane, and bending stiffness in the front plane, where the degree of these features can be controlled independently by adjusting the components, construction, and other features of the discs.

Abstract: Anastomotic components may be attached to hollow bodies or vessels by magnetic or mechanical force to create an anastomosis, form a port in a vessel, or repair a diseased vessel lumen. Anastomoses are created by coupling a first connection to an end of a vessel and then attracting it to a second connector secured to the side wall of another vessel. The connection between the first and second connectors may be solidly magnetic, solely mechanical, or a combination thereof. Also disclosed are methods and devices for treating diseased vessel lumens, for example abdominal aortic aneurysm. A plurality of docking members is attached to the vessel at solicited positions, and then one or more grafts is secured to the docking members in any suitable manner.

Abstract: An anastomosis device has first and second components which each having first and second parts. The first and second components are magnetically attracted to one another. The device forms a throughhole when in use. The first parts of the first and second components are positioned radially outward from the second parts relative to the longitudinal axis with the first parts of the first and second components contacting one another and being magnetically attracted to one another. The second parts of the first and second components also being magnetically attracted to one another and are separated by the vessel walls.

Abstract: Implantable prosthetic valve systems and methods for implanting them are provided. Magnets are employed within one or more components of the valve systems to facilitate anchoring of the prosthetic valve at a target implant site, delivery of the prosthetic valve to the target implant site or both.

Abstract: Methods and devices using magnetic force to form an anastomosis between hollow bodies. End-to-side, side-to-side and end-to-end anastomoses can be created without using suture or any other type of mechanical fasteners, although such attachment means may be used in practicing some aspects of the invention. Magnetic anastomotic components may be attached to the exterior of a vessel, e.g., by adhesive, without extending into the vessel lumen. Various magnetic component configurations are provided and may have different characteristics, for example, the ability to match the vessel curvature or to frictionally engage the vessel.

Abstract: Devices and methods for placing a conduit in fluid communication with a target vessel to communicate the target vessel with a source of blood. A conduit is coupled to the target vessel by first and second securing components that compress or sandwich the vessel wall. The conduit may be preshaped to assume a desired orientation when in an unbiased state, for example, to allow the conduit to be deformed during delivery and then regain its desired orientation once which is regained when deployed. The first and second securing components may be any shape but are preferably elongated in the direction of the vessel axis, e.g., elliptical or rectangular, such that a minimum amount of material is present at the outlet to closely approximate the cross-sectional area of the native target vessel. The securing components do not significantly occlude the target vessel lumen, may be secured to the vessel wall in non-penetrating fashion, and provides a fluid-tight seal around the attachment site.

Abstract: Methods and devices for forming magnetic anastomoses between hollow bodies. End-to-side, side-to-side and end-to-end anastomoses can be created with or without a mechanical connection between the components. The anastomotic components may have various constructions and may be secured to a vessel in various manners, for example, magnetically, mechanically or adhesively. Also provided are alternative delivery devices, as well as devices for checking the position of a component on a loaded delivery device, and for checking the seal between a vessel and an anastomotic component secured thereto.

Abstract: Methods and devices for forming an anastomosis between hollow bodies utilize magnetic force to couple anastomotic securing components and connect the lumens of the hollow bodies. End-to-side, side-to-side and end-to-end anastomoses can be created without using suture or any other type of mechanical fasteners, although such attachment means may be used in practicing some aspects of the invention. The securing components have the ability to produce a magnetic field and may include materials or assemblies. A component may also be used to form a port into the lumen of a vessel, the component being attached to the vessel by mechanical and/or magnetic means. Magnetic components may include means for concentrating the magnetic flux between respective components to increase the attraction force, thereby enhancing the security of the anastomosis.

Abstract: Methods and devices for placing a target vessel in fluid communication with a source of blood and a target vessel. A conduit includes first portion adapted to be placed in fluid communication with a source of blood, such as a heart chamber, and a second portion adapted to be placed in fluid communication with a target vessel having a lumen, such as coronary artery. The first and second conduit portions are transverse to each other such that the conduit is generally T-shaped. The conduit lies on an exterior of the heart between the blood source and the target vessel and is configured to deliver blood in multiple directions into the lumen of the target vessel. For example, in an occluded coronary artery, blood flows both toward and away from the occlusion. The conduit may be flexible, rigid, collapsible or non-collapsible, and may be formed of synthetic vascular graft material, tissue, or a combination of the two.

Abstract: Methods and devices using magnetic force to form an anastomosis between hollow bodies. End-to-side, side-to-side and end-to-end anastomoses can be created without using suture or any other type of mechanical fasteners, although such attachment means may be used in practicing some aspects of the invention. Magnetic anastomotic components may be attached to the exterior of a vessel, e.g., by adhesive, without extending into the vessel lumen. Various magnetic component configurations are provided and may have different characteristics, for example, the ability to match the vessel curvature or to frictionally engage the vessel.

Abstract: A vascular access system for accurately locating body structures, such as blood vessels within a patient includes a flexible probe for applying Doppler ultrasonic techniques that has a relatively adjustable length relative to a needle assembly. The flexible probe has a coaxial cable design that includes a piezoelectric element at a proximal end of the probe. The piezoelectric element is used for emitting ultrasonic signals and for receiving ultrasonic signals that are reflected off of various body structures within a patient. The intensity of the reflective ultrasonic signals is used to determine the location of a preselected body structure. The flexible probe is adaptable for use within a variety of needles for a variety of applications.