Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a delivery apparatus for delivering a prosthetic heart valve to a native valve site via the human vasculature. The delivery apparatus is particularly well-suited for advancing a prosthetic valve through the aorta (i.e., in a retrograde approach) for replacing a stenotic aortic valve.

Abstract: A method and device for occluding a patient's ascending aorta, maintaining circulation of oxygenated blood in the patient and delivering cardioplegic fluid to arrest the patient's heart. An aortic occlusion catheter has an occluding member for occluding the ascending aorta. The aortic occlusion catheter passes through a cannula. Delivery of oxygenated blood is accomplished through either the cannula of the aortic occlusion catheter. In another aspect of the invention, an arterial cannula having a curved or angled distal portion. An introducer straightens the distal portion for introduction into the patient. In still another aspect of the invention, an open-mesh stabilizer is used to stabilize a discoid occluding member.

Abstract: A device for expansion within a blood vessel having a wall defining a lumen in the body. The device comprises an elongated tubular member having proximal and distal extremities and having a longitudinal axis. An expansile member is carried by the distal extremity of the elongated tubular member and is movable between contracted and expanded configurations. A deformable membrane having proximal and distal outer surfaces at least partially covers the expansile member in the expanded configuration. The proximal and distal outer surfaces have substantially different configurations when the expansile member is in the expanded configuration. Deployment means is carried by the proximal extremity of the elongated tubular member and is coupled to the expansile member for moving the expansile member between the contracted and expanded configurations. A handle assembly is carried by the proximal extremity of the elongated tubular member and coupled to said deployment means.

Abstract: A device for expansion within a blood vessel having a wall defining a lumen in the body. The device comprises an elongated tubular member having proximal and distal extremities and having a longitudinal axis. An expansile member is carried by the distal extremity of the elongated tubular member and is movable between contracted and expanded configurations. A deformable membrane having proximal and distal outer surfaces at least partially covers the expansile member in the expanded configuration. The proximal and distal outer surfaces have substantially different configurations when the expansile member is in the expanded configuration. Deployment means is carried by the proximal extremity of the elongated tubular member and is coupled to the expansile member for moving the expansile member between the contracted and expanded configurations. A handle assembly is carried by the proximal extremity of the elongated tubular member and coupled to said deployment means.

Abstract: A device for expansion within a blood vessel having a wall defining a lumen in the body. The device comprises an elongated tubular member having proximal and distal extremities and having a longitudinal axis. An expansile member is carried by the distal extremity of the elongated tubular member and is movable between contracted and expanded configurations. A deformable membrane having proximal and distal outer surfaces at least partially covers the expansile member in the expanded configuration. The proximal and distal outer surfaces have substantially different configurations when the expansile member is in the expanded configuration. Deployment means is carried by the proximal extremity of the elongated tubular member and is coupled to the expansile member for moving the expansile member between the contracted and expanded configurations. A handle assembly is carried by the proximal extremity of the elongated tubular member and coupled to said deployment means.

Abstract: A method and device for occluding a patient's ascending aorta, maintaining circulation of oxygenated blood in the patient and delivering cardioplegic fluid to arrest the patient's heart. An aortic occlusion catheter has an occluding member for occluding the ascending aorta. The aortic occlusion catheter passes through a cannula. Delivery of oxygenated blood is accomplished through either the cannula or the aortic occlusion catheter. In another aspect of the invention, an arterial cannula having a curved or angled distal portion. An introducer straightens the distal portion for introduction into the patient. In still another aspect of the invention, an open-mesh stabilizer is used to stabilize a discoid occluding member.

Abstract: A method and device for occluding a patient's ascending aorta, maintaining circulation of oxygenated blood in the patient and delivering cardioplegic fluid to arrest the patient's heart. An aortic occlusion catheter has an occluding member for occluding the ascending aorta. The aortic occlusion catheter passes through a cannula. Delivery of oxygenated blood is accomplished through either the cannula or the aortic occlusion catheter.

Abstract: A method and device for occluding a patient's ascending aorta, maintaining circulation of oxygenated blood in the patient and delivering cardioplegic fluid to arrest the patient's heart. An aortic occlusion catheter has an occluding member for occluding the ascending aorta. The aortic occlusion catheter passes through a cannula. Delivery of oxygenated blood is accomplished through either the cannula of the aortic occlusion catheter. In another aspect of the invention, an arterial cannula having a curved or angled distal portion. An introducer straightens the distal portion for introduction into the patient. In still another aspect of the invention, an open-mesh stabilizer is used to stabilize a discoid occluding member.

Abstract: A device for expansion within a blood vessel having a wall defining a lumen in the body. The device comprises an elongated tubular member having proximal and distal extremities and having a longitudinal axis. An expansile member is carried by the distal extremity of the elongated tubular member and is movable between contracted and expanded configurations. A deformable membrane having proximal and distal outer surfaces at least partially covers the expansile member in the expanded configuration. The proximal and distal outer surfaces have substantially different configurations when the expansile member is in the expanded configuration. Deployment tool is carried by the proximal extremity of the elongated tubular member and is coupled to the expansile member for moving the expansile member between the contracted and expanded configurations. A handle assembly is carried by the proximal extremity of the elongated tubular member and coupled to said deployment tools.

Abstract: A method and device for occluding a patient's ascending aorta, maintaining circulation of oxygenated blood in the patient and delivering cardioplegic fluid to arrest the patient's heart. An aortic occlusion catheter has an occluding member for occluding the ascending aorta. The aortic occlusion catheter passes through a cannula. Delivery of oxygenated blood is accomplished through either the cannula or the aortic occlusion catheter. In another aspect of the invention, an arterial cannula having a curved or angled distal portion. An introducer straightens the distal portion for introduction into the patient. In still another aspect of the invention, an open-mesh stabilizer is used to stabilize a discoid occluding member.

Abstract: A method and device for occluding a patient's ascending aorta, maintaining circulation of oxygenated blood in the patient and delivering cardioplegic fluid to arrest the patient's heart. An aortic occlusion catheter has an occluding member for occluding the ascending aorta. The aortic occlusion catheter passes through a cannula. Delivery of oxygenated blood is accomplished through either the cannula or the aortic occlusion catheter. In another aspect of the invention, an arterial cannula having a curved or angled distal portion. An introducer straightens the distal portion for introduction into the patient. In still another aspect of the invention, an open-mesh stabilizer is used to stabilize a discoid occluding member.

Abstract: A method and device for occluding a patient's ascending aorta, maintaining circulation of oxygenated blood in the patient and delivering cardioplegic fluid to arrest the patient's heart. An aortic occlusion catheter has an occluding member for occluding the ascending aorta. The aortic occlusion catheter passes through a cannula. Delivery of oxygenated blood is accomplished through either the cannula or the aortic occlusion catheter.

Abstract: A device for expansion within a blood vessel having a wall defining a lumen in the body. A first elongate tubular member has proximal and distal extremities and has a longitudinal axis. An expansile member is carried by the distal extremity of the first elongate tubular member is and movable between contracted and expanded positions. The expansile member has a predetermined configuration in the expanded position. A deformable membrane covers the expansile member, and is sized so as to be capable of overlying and underlying the expansile member in the expanded position. A deployment mechanism is carried by the proximal extremity of the first elongate tubular member and is adapted to be operated by the human hand for controlling movement of the expansile member between the contracted and expanded positions. A deployment mechanism includes a push-pull wire with proximal and distal extremities and extends through the first elongate tubular member and is coupled to the expansile member.

Abstract: A device for expansion within a blood vessel having a wall defining a lumen in the body. The device comprises an elongated tubular member having proximal and distal extremities and having a longitudinal axis. An expansile member is carried by the distal extremity of the elongated tubular member and is movable between contracted and expanded configurations. A deformable membrane at least partially covers the expansile member and is sized so as to be capable of expanding as the expansile member moves from the contracted configuration to the expanded configuration. Deployment members are carried by the proximal extremity of the elongated tubular member and are coupled to the expansile member. The deployment members are adapted to be capable of moving the expansile member between the contracted and expanded configurations. A handle assembly is carried by the proximal extremity of the elongated tubular member and coupled to the deployment members.

Abstract: A device for introducing and polymerizing polymeric biomaterials in the human body. The device has a first elongate tubular member having proximal and distal extremities and a longitudinal axis. An expansile member is carried by the distal extremity of the first elongate tubular member and is movable between contracted and expanded positions. The expansile member has a predetermined configuration in the expanded position. A deformable membrane covers the expansile member and is sized so as to be capable of overlying and underlying the expansile member in the expanded position. A second elongate tubular member has proximal and distal extremities, a longitudinal axis and a first lumen extending from the proximal to the distal extremity of the second elongate tubular member. The distal extremity of said second elongate tubular member terminates proximal to the distal extremity of said first elongate tubular member and adjacent to said expansile member.

Abstract: A device for expansion within a blood vessel having a wall defining a lumen in the body. A first elongate tubular member has proximal and distal extremities and has a longitudinal axis. An expansile member is carried by the distal extremity of the first elongate tubular member and is movable between contracted and expanded positions. The expansile member has a predetermined configuration in the expanded position. A deformable membrane covers the expansile member and is sized so as to be capable of overlying and underlying the expansile member in the expanded position. A deployment mechanism is carried by the proximal extremity of the first elongate tubular member and is adapted to be operated by the human hand for controlling movement of the expansile member between the contracted and expanded positions. A biological sealant introducer is connected to the first elongate tubular member for introducing a biological sealant into the body proximal to the expansile member and external to the lumen of the vessel.

Abstract: A colorimetric assay for the determination of conjugated or unconjugated bilirubin in biological fluids can be carried out with an improved analytical element. The element includes a support having thereon a gelatin-free mordant layer with a positively-charged interactive mordant having at least one binding site for bilirubin, a radiation-blocking layer, and a porous spreading layer. The interactive mordant is dispersed in a binder material of crosslinkable copolymers which include a monomer capable of reaction with a crosslinking agent to crosslink the copolymer.

Abstract: A process to detect the loss of a continuous spun web of plexifilament fibers exiting a forwarding apparatus depends on the manner in which the filament oscillate in a cross machine direction prior to depositing onto a collecting surface. The loss of these fibers, due to hang up in the filament forwarding device, can cause multiple position spinning machine loss due to the knock down of nearby spinning positions or wrap the sheet on forwarding rolls. The hang up in the forwarding device is referred to as a blow-up. This process detects the instant a blow-up occurs through the loss of electrostatic charge due to the absence of the oscillating swath at the sensor. When the instant charge is lost at the sensor, a signal indicates a blow-up has occurred.

Abstract: A device to detect the loss of a continuous spun web of plexifilament fibers exiting a forwarding apparatus depends on the manner in which the filaments oscillate in a cross machine direction prior to depositing onto a collecting surface. The loss of these fibers, due to hang up in the filament forwarding device, can cause multiple position spinning machine loss due to the knock down of nearby spinning positions or wrap the sheet on forwarding rolls. The hang up in the forwarding device is referred to as a blow-up. This invention detects the instant a blow-up occurs through the loss of electrostatic charge due to the absence of the oscillating swath at the sensor. When the instant charge is lost at the sensor, a signal indicates a blow-up has occurred.

Abstract: A colorimetric assay for the determination of conjugated, unconjugated or total bilirubin in biological fluids can be carried out with an improved analytical element. This element comprises a support having thereon a substantially gelatin-free mordant layer comprising a positively-charged interactive mordant having at least one binding site for bilirubin, a radiation-blocking layer, and a porous spreading layer. This element does not contain any colorimetric or fluorometric interactive compositions for bilirubin other than the mordant.