Abstract: A system for providing a continuous flow of blood between two locations in a cardiovascular system of a patient is provided. The system includes a blood conduit having a proximal portion configured to be attached to an artery. The system also includes a distal portion configured to be inserted into a blood vessel at an insertion site and to be advanced there through to a location spaced apart from the insertion site. Moreover, the system includes a reinforcement member positioned at least partially about the blood conduit in at least one of the distal portion, the proximal portion, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A clutch mechanism 5 for use with a carrier of a linear drive device 1, where the mechanism 5 includes: a housing 3; a first gear 6 coupled to the housing 3 and having gear teeth 61 configured to engage a threaded shaft 2 of a linear drive device 1, so that rotation of the shaft 2 causes the housing 3 to move along the shaft 2 in a first mode of operation; and a first clutch arrangement associated with the first gear 6 and configured to prevent substantial rotation of the first gear 6 with respect to the housing 3 when a rotational force applied to the first gear 6 is less than a threshold force and to permit rotation of the first gear 6 with respect to the housing 3 when a rotational force applied to the first gear 6 is greater than the threshold force.

Abstract: Vessel wound closure systems and method for sealing a puncture wound in a target vessel, such as those puncture wounds that occur from interventional procedures. The vessel wound closure system comprises at least a biocompatible, viscoelastic, self-sealing septum material injected onto the adventitia of the target vessel prior to performance of an interventional procedure. The prior injected septum material remains and seals the puncture wound of the target vessel even after various components associated with accessing the target vessel and the performance of the interventional procedure are removed from the target vessel and the puncture wound.

Abstract: The present invention is a telescopic drive device of a device for holding a surgical instrument. The telescopic drive device includes a support; a first telescopic stage carried by the support; a first telescopic stage carried by the support, the first telescopic stage being able to perform a first motion with respect to the support; a second telescopic stage, which is able to perform a second motion with respect to the first telescopic stage; and a drive system, which is operable to drive the first and second motions. The first telescopic element performs the first motion and the second telescopic element simultaneously performs the second motion. The telescopic drive is operable to support a further device and to move the further device such that the movement is centered around a point or wherein each of the telescopic elements is arcuate.

Abstract: A bioabsorbable polymeric stent with time dependent structure and properties and methods of treating a diseased blood vessel with the bioabsorable polymeric stent are disclosed. The structure and properties of the stent change with time and allow the vessel to be restored to a natural unstented state. The bioabsorbable stent loses mechanical integrity in a controlled manner due to modification of selected structural elements.

Abstract: A flap (20) for an inhalation actuated mechanism (18) of a powder inhaler (1) comprises a base member (29), a skirt structure (24) projecting from a surface of the base member (29), and a coupling portion (21) to be coupled to a resilient member (40?) of the inhalation actuated mechanism (18).

Abstract: Systems and methods for tracking a device are disclosed. The system comprises an identification plate coupled to the device and laser engraved with a tracking identifier, the identification plate adapted to maintain the engraving under stress, elevated temperature, and wear conditions, and at least one computer adapted to read the tracking number and determine the location of the device.

Abstract: A bioabsorbable polymeric stent with time dependent structure and properties and methods of treating a diseased blood vessel with the bioabsorable polymeric stent are disclosed. The structure and properties of the stent change with time and allow the vessel to be restored to a natural unstented state. The bioabsorbable stent loses mechanical integrity in a controlled manner due to modification of selected structural elements.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a blood conduit for fluidly coupling a first vascular segment to a second vascular segment are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a system for fluidly coupling proximal and distal tubular segments of a fluid conduit in a cardiovascular system is provided. The system may include a first engagement feature disposed on a distal end of the proximal tubular segment. The system also may include a second engagement feature disposed on a proximal end of the distal tubular segment. The first engagement feature may be configured to mate with the second engagement feature. In this manner, continuous flow may be provided between the proximal and distal tubular segments of the fluid conduit. In another embodiment, the proximal and distal tubular segments of the fluid conduit may collectively form a single unitary lumen without a connection device interposed between the segments.

Abstract: A connector for fluidly coupling proximal and distal tubular segments of a fluid conduit is provided. In one embodiment, a system is provided for providing continuous flow of blood between two locations in a patient's cardiovascular system. A first blood conduit is provided that has a distal portion and a proximal portion. The distal portion is adapted to be inserted into a blood vessel at an insertion site and to be advanced therethrough to a location spaced apart from the insertion site. The system is provided with a connector that has a distal portion adapted to be engaged with the proximal portion of the first blood conduit and a tubular body extending proximally of the distal portion. The tubular body is adapted to be inserted into and/or attached to an end of a second blood conduit, such as a vascular graft or the like.

Abstract: A clutch mechanism 5 for use with a carrier of a linear drive device 1, the mechanism 5 comprising: a housing 3; a first gear 6 coupled to the housing 3 and having gear teeth 61 configured to engage a threaded shaft 2 of a linear drive device 1, such that rotation of the shaft 2 causes the housing 3 to move along the shaft 2 in a first mode of operation; and a first clutch arrangement associated with the first gear 6 and configured to prevent substantial rotation of the first gear 6 with respect to the housing 3 when a rotational force applied to the first gear 6 is less than a threshold force and to permit rotation of the first gear 6 with respect to the housing 3 when a rotational force applied to the first gear 6 is greater than the threshold force, such that the housing 3 can be manually moved along a length of the shaft 2, in a second mode of operation, by exerting a force on the housing 2 such that the rotational force applied to the first gear 6 through the interaction of the threaded shaft 2 and the g

Abstract: A clutch mechanism for use with a carrier of a linear drive device includes a housing, a first gear, and a first clutch arrangement. The first gear coupled to the housing and has gear teeth to engage a threaded shaft of a linear drive device . Rotation of the shaft causes the housing to move along the shaft in a first mode of operation. The first clutch arrangement prevents substantial rotation of the first gear. The first gear permits rotation of the first gear with respect to the housing. The housing can be manually moved along a length of the shaft, in a second mode of operation, by exerting a force on the housing. The rotational force applied to the first gear through the interaction of the threaded shaft and the gear teeth exceeds the first threshold.

Abstract: A method is provided for preparing a tissue implant for implantation. The method includes treating a pericardium tissue material, which has been harvested from a donor and rendered essentially acellular, with a chlorine dioxide treatment solution; and thereafter treating the pericardium tissue material with an antioxidant solution, which comprises ascorbic acid or a salt thereof.

Abstract: Vessel wound closure systems and method for sealing a puncture wound in a target vessel, such as those puncture wounds that occur from prior interventional procedures. A sealing member is deployed intravascularly into the target vessel, and an anchor member is deployed extravascularly of the target vessel. The sealing member and the anchor member are connected by a suture that may be drawn to tighten the sealing member and the anchor member relative to one another in order to effect the seal of the puncture wound. After tightening, the suture is secured to maintain the sealing member and the anchor member relative to one another in order to maintain the seal. Preferably, the anchor member, the suture and the sealing member are comprised of biocompatible, bioresorbable materials that are absorbed into the body after the sealing of the puncture wound has been achieved.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of fabricating a stent assembly comprising radially expanding a polymeric tube to an optimal degree of radial expansion; fabricating a stent from the expanded polymeric tube; and crimping the stent onto a catheter assembly, wherein the temperature of the stent during crimping is an optimal crimping temperature, wherein the optimal degree of radial expansion and the optimal crimping temperature correspond to an optimal fracture toughness exhibited by the crimped stent upon its deployment as a function of degree of radial expansion and crimping temperature.

Abstract: A method is provided for preparing a tissue implant for implantation. The method includes harvesting a tissue material from a human or an animal donor, treating the tissue material with water or a hypotonic solution to lyse native cells of the tissue material, treating the tissue material in a nuclease-containing solution which includes an antimicrobial, treating the tissue material with an alkaline alcohol solution, treating the tissue material with a chlorine dioxide treatment solution, and sterilizing the tissue material.

Abstract: A method is provided for preparing a tissue implant for implantation. The method includes treating a pericardium tissue material, which has been harvested from a donor and rendered essentially acellular, with a chlorine dioxide treatment solution; and thereafter treating the pericardium tissue material with an antioxidant solution, which comprises ascorbic acid or a salt thereof.

Abstract: Vessel wound closure systems and method for sealing a puncture wound in a target vessel, such as those puncture wounds that occur from prior interventional procedures. A sealing member is deployed intravascularly into the target vessel, and an anchor member is deployed extravascularly of the target vessel. The sealing member and the anchor member are connected by a suture that may be drawn to tighten the sealing member and the anchor member relative to one another in order to effect the seal of the puncture wound. After tightening, the suture is secured to maintain the sealing member and the anchor member relative to one another in order to maintain the seal. Preferably, the anchor member, the suture and the sealing member are comprised of biocompatible, bioresorbable materials that are absorbed into the body after the sealing of the puncture wound has been achieved.

Abstract: Methods of making dough pieces that can be baked to form baked bread articles having a reduced number of voids in the crumb are provided.

Abstract: Methods of making dough pieces that can be baked to form baked bread articles having a reduced number of voids in the crumb are provided.