Abstract: Therapeutic devices that provide support or pressure to tissue. Devices contain a material that is capable of being contracted from its relaxed state to an evacuated state. The material applies pressure to the tissue of a patient when the material is in its relaxed state. Reduction of pressure by application of a vacuum results in a contracted state of the device, so that the device can be applied or delivered to a patient. Release of vacuum results in a return to the relaxed state, thus providing a maximum desirable pressure to tissue and avoiding the possibility of over-pressure which can result in tissue damage or necrosis.

Abstract: A system and a method for harvesting a section of a blood vessel from a patient's body for further use. The system includes an expandable hood that creates a workspace for the dissection and removal of the vessel and a telescoping device that has tools at its distal end. The blood vessel is cut at a distal location and a light catheter inserted to illuminate the area of dissection. The system can remove a section of the saphenous vein for use in coronary bypass surgery.

Abstract: A system and a method for harvesting a section of a blood vessel from a patient's body for further use. The system includes an expandable hood that creates a workspace for the dissection and removal of the vessel and a telescoping device that has tools at its distal end. The blood vessel is cut at a distal location and a light catheter inserted to illuminate the area of dissection. The system can remove a section of the saphenous vein for use in coronary bypass surgery.

Abstract: Therapeutic devices that provide support or pressure to tissue. Devices contain a material that is capable of being contracted from its relaxed state to an evacuated state. The material applies pressure to the tissue of a patient when the material is in its relaxed state. Reduction of pressure by application of a vacuum results in a contracted state of the device, so that the device can be applied or delivered to a patient. Release of vacuum results in a return to the relaxed state, thus providing a maximum desirable pressure to tissue and avoiding the possibility of over-pressure which can result in tissue damage or necrosis.

Abstract: A device and method for removing a generally cylindrical tissue structure such as a blood vessel from the body of a human or animal. The device includes a body portion having distal and proximal ends with at least one lumen extending longitudinally through the body portion. The lumen is sized to accommodate the vessel and at least one tool used in removing the vessel. Means is provided for isolating the vessel from the tools used in the removal procedure.

Abstract: A system for harvesting a section of a blood vessel from a patient's body for further use. The system includes a housing and a removable lower portion that is inserted into an incision to create a workspace for the insertion of tools used to harvest the blood vessel. A multi-lumen body portion is used with various tools to dissect the vein and to protect the vein from any damage during the harvesting procedure. The system can remove a section of the saphenous vein for use in coronary bypass surgery.

Abstract: A device and method for removing a generally cylindrical tissue structure such as a blood vessel from the body of a human or animal. The device includes a body portion having distal and proximal ends with at least one lumen extending longitudinally through the body portion. The lumen is sized to accommodate the vessel and at least one tool used in removing the vessel. Means is provided for isolating the vessel from the tools used in the removal procedure.

Abstract: A system for tissue harvesting comprising a tool to cut a vessel, apply a ligation clip, or remove patient's body fluids and a device for removing a generally cylindrical tissue structure such as a blood vessel from the body of a human or animal. The device includes a body portion having distal and proximal ends with at least one lumen extending longitudinally through the body portion. The lumen is sized to accommodate the vessel and at least one tool used in removing the vessel. Means is provided for isolating the vessel from the tools used in the removal procedure.

Abstract: A device and method for removing a generally cylindrical tissue structure such as a blood vessel from the body of a human or animal. The device includes a body portion having distal and proximal ends with at least one lumen extending longitudinally through the body portion. The lumen is sized to accommodate the vessel and at least one tool used in removing the vessel. The lumen is provided for isolating the vessel from the tools used in the removal procedure.

Abstract: An endoscope for use in harvesting blood vessels includes a scope body of the type having a lumen extending longitudinally therethrough which itself has a proximal and a distal end. The endoscope includes means for viewing an area adjacent the distal end of the lumen, and the lumen has a lateral dimension of a size sufficient to accommodate the blood vessel being harvested and at least one tool for use in harvesting the blood vessel. A first end of the blood vessel section to be harvested is exposed through an incision in the patient's body. A dissecting tool and a gripping tool are inserted through the lumen of the endoscope and used to dissect the blood vessel away from the surrounding connective tissue of the patient's body, using the viewing means of the endoscope to view this dissection in process within the patient's body.

Abstract: Platelet enriched plasma is produced from blood. The platelets are activated by thrombine which causes therelease of platelet-derived growth and angiogenesis factors. A carrier such as a microcrystalline collagen is added to produce a wound-treating salve. The composition is applied directly to wounds and initiates healing in nonhealing wounds as well as accelerating normal wound-healing by increasing vascularization, stimulating fibroblast mitrosis and migration, and increasing collagen synthesis by fibroblasts. The composition is also applied to tissue to facilitate the growth of hair.

Abstract: Platelet enriched plasma is produced from blood. The platelets are activated by thrombin which causes the release of platelet-derived growth and angiogenesis factors. A carrier such as a microcrystalline collagen is added to produce a wound-treating salve. The composition is applied directly to wounds and initiates healing in nonhealing wounds as well as accelerating normal wound-healing by increasing vascularization, stimulating fibroblast mitosis and migration, and increasing collagen synthesis by fibroblasts. The composition is also applied to tissue to facilitate the growth of hair.

Abstract: This invention provides a system for eliminating gas bubbles from a liquid. The liquid enters a chamber through an inlet port. The chamber has two outlet ports, the first bounded by a hydrophilic filter which passes liquid but not gas, and the second bounded by a hydrophobic filter which passes gas but not liquid. Entrapped gas bubbles entering the chamber pass through the hydrophobic filter to the atmosphere. The degassed liquid passes through the hydrophilic filter into tubing leading to the desired receptacle. This apparatus and method are particularly suitable for intravenous infusions and other medical applications in which the degassed liquid passes directly into the blood vessels of a patient.

Abstract: A new method of tissue oxygen tension measurement which is suitable for human use utilizes an implanted Silastic tube which is inserted through four to five cm of subcutaneous tissue leaving the ends exposed. With the tube filled, for example, with a saline solution, reference and oxygen electrodes are inserted at the exposed ends and by the use of a polarographic potential the amount of oxygen which permeates through the tube from the tissue into the saline solution may be measured on a continuous real-time basis.

Abstract: A nonmitogenic angiogenesis factor is isolated from wound fluid by dialysis to include materials in the molecular size range of 2,000 to 14,000, lyophilization, and chromatography. The nonmitogenic angiogenesis factor is identified by activity by corneal implant assay and by cell migration assay. The angiogenesis factor is also characterized by inactivity by mitogenesis assay.

Abstract: An apparatus for selectively measuring central venous pressure and effecting hyperalimentation through a single catheter inserted into a central vein of the patient. The apparatus includes a manometer, a first selector valve connected to an upper portion of the manometer tube, a hyperalimentation fluid supply connected to the valve, a sterile air supply connected to the valve, a second selector valve connected to a lower end portion of the manometer tube, a waste container connected to the second selector valve, and a catheter connected to the second selector valve. The first selector valve is arranged to connect alternatively the hyperalimentation fluid supply or the sterile air supply to the upper end portion of the manometer tube, and the second selector valve is arranged to connect alternatively the lower end portion of the manometer tube selectively to the waste container or the catheter.

Abstract: An endoscope for use in harvesting blood vessels includes a scope body of the type having a lumen extending longitudinally therethrough which itself has a proximal and a distal end. The endoscope includes means for viewing an area adjacent the distal end of the lumen, and the lumen has a lateral dimension of a size sufficient to accommodate the blood vessel being harvested and at least one tool for use in harvesting the blood vessel. A first end of the blood vessel section to be harvested is exposed through an incision in the patient's body. A dissecting tool and a gripping tool are inserted through the lumen of the endoscope and used to dissect the blood vessel away from the surrounding connective tissue of the patient's body, using the viewing means of the endoscope to view this dissection in process within the patient's body.