Abstract: Vascular access systems and devices for facilitating repeated access to a blood vessel for the external treatment of blood, such as dialysis, and in intra-venous administration of medicines, such as heparin, for extended periods of time. The vascular access systems comprise an anastomosis graft vessel, an occlusal balloon, and a port device for accessing the occlusal balloon. Occlusal balloons can be nonpermeable or permeable to drive an osmotic gradient and to deliver agents, such as heparin, into the blood stream. In addition, occlusal balloons can adopt a distended and a collapsed configuration, the latter allowing for blood flow through the anastomosis graft vessel.

Abstract: Vascular access systems and devices for facilitating repeated access to a blood vessel. These systems and devices can be used in external treatment of blood, such as dialysis, and in intra-venous administration of medicines, such as heparin, for extended periods of time, while avoiding deleterious effects such as those derived from repeated puncturing of the blood vessel tissues or exposure of such tissues to abnormal fluid flows. The vascular access systems comprise an anastomosis graft vessel, an occlusal balloon, and a port device for accessing the occlusal balloon. Occlusal balloons can be self-contained, they can rely on osmosis, and they can serve as the support of an agent to which the blood stream is exposed, either by transport or by mere contact. In addition, occlusal balloons can adopt a distended and a collapsed configuration, the latter allowing for blood flow through the anastomosis graft vessel.

Abstract: Anastomosis procedures are achieved through the use of a system adapted for use with an intraluminally directed anvil apparatus having an anvil pull extending from an anvil. The system has an engager for engaging the anvil pull so that a vessel can be distended by the anvil as the anvil pull is pulled. The system has a cutter for forming an opening in a vessel. The system is adapted for use with a compression plate apparatus used to eversion and holding everted surfaces around the opening together. The system can also be used with an externally positioned anvil apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a cutting apparatus for cutting an opening in a vessel for subsequent anastomosis. The cutting apparatus includes an anvil, an anvil pull and a cutter. The anvil is inserted through a small incision at the anastomosis site and brought into contact with the interior wall of a vessel so that the anvil distends the wall of the vessel. The cutter is then urged against the portion of the vessel wall that is distended by the anvil to form an opening in the vessel wall.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new and useful apparatus, systems and methods for providing an effective tool for intraluminally directed vascular anastomosis of a graft vessel to a receiving blood vessel that is performed according to a minimally invasive procedure. The intraluminally directed vascular anastomosis does not require the interruption of blood flow in the receiving blood vessel and it is versatile enough to suitably combine a variety of cutting, welding, soldering, sealing, and joining techniques. The intraluminally directed anvil apparatus comprises an anvil and a wire used for signaling the optimal anastomosis site; this signaling can be performed when the initial exploration is performed. An anastomosis device is used in conjunction with the intraluminally directed anvil apparatus for opening the anastomosis fenestra and joining the anastomosed structures.

Abstract: Vascular access systems, devices and methods for facilitating repeated access to a blood vessel. These systems, devices and methods can be used in external blood treatment, such as dialysis, and in intra-venous administration of medicines, such as heparin, for extended periods of time, while avoiding deleterious effects such as those derived from repeated puncturing of the blood vessel tissues or exposure of such tissues to abnormal fluid flows. The vascular access systems comprise an anastomosis graft vessel, an occlusal device, such as an occlusal balloon, and a port device for accessing the occlusal device. Occlusal devices can be self-contained, they can rely on osmosis, and they can serve as the support of an agent to which the blood stream is exposed, either by transport or by mere contact. In addition, occlusal devices can adopt a distended and a collapsed configuration, the latter allowing for blood flow through the anastomosis graft vessel.

Abstract: Compression plates and vascular anvils for anastomosis of structures including end-to-end and end-to-side anastomosis. Vascular anvils cooperate in the opening of the anastomosis fenestra, engagement by a compression plate and subsequent eversion of the anastomosis fenestra contour, and also in establishing the contact engagement of the anastomosed structures. Compression plates hold anastomosed structures while permitting their dilation and keeping the anastomosis leak-proof. One of the compression plates assists in the eversion of the anastomosis fenestra contour. These compression plates and vascular anvils can be used with or without catheterization in minimally invasive interventions.

Abstract: Anastomosis procedures are achieved through the use of an intraluminally directed anvil apparatus. The apparatus is inserted at a catheter site and is then positioned through the lumen of the blood vessel to a remote anastomosis site. The intraluminally directed anvil apparatus has an anvil pull extending from an anvil. At the anastomosis site, the anvil is extended through the wall of the vessel at an initial piercing. The anvil is too large to pass through the initial piercing so the anvil pull can be used to pull the anvil against the wall of the vessel and distend the vessel wall in preparation for being cut to form an opening. The apparatus is used with a cutter to form openings in a wall of a blood vessel. After the opening is formed then the vessel is joined with another vessel.

Abstract: Anastomosis procedures and anastomosis cutting procedures are achieved with an anvil apparatus that is externally positioned through the wall of a vessel into the vessel lumen. The externally positioned anvil apparatus has an anvil that engages a cutter to form a vessel opening. The anvil is larger than the cutter to enable the vessel to be cut as it is compressed between the cutter and the anvil. The anvil may have a spherical engaging end for use with a cylindrical cutter for forming circular openings in a manner such that the anvil self centers. The anvil and cutter may also be adapted to form elliptical openings. The balloon may be solid or deployable.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new and useful apparatus, systems and methods for providing an effective tool for intraluminally directed vascular anastomosis of a graft vessel to a receiving blood vessel that is performed according to a minimally invasive procedure. The intraluminally directed vascular anastomosis does not require the interruption of blood flow in the receiving blood vessel and it is versatile enough to suitably combine a variety of cutting, welding, soldering, sealing, and joining techniques. The intraluminally directed anvil apparatus comprises an anvil and a wire used for signaling the optimal anastomosis site; this signaling can be performed when the initial exploration is performed. An anastomosis device is used in conjunction with the intraluminally directed anvil apparatus for opening the anastomosis fenestra and joining the anastomosed structures.

Abstract: A paired, expandable anastomosis device joins two vessels together and can expand and contract with changes in the size of the two vessels. The anastomosis device has two expandable rings with a plurality of holding tabs. The holding tabs of one ring are shaped to enable a graft vessel tissue to be everted through one of the rings and to be held on one of the rings. Similarly, the holding tabs of the other ring are shaped to enable a target vessel to be everted through the other ring and to be retained by the holding tabs. Once the graft and target vessels are loaded, the rings are adapted to be brought together to a position in which the graft and target vessels are anastomosed together.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a cutting apparatus for cutting an opening in a vessel for subsequent anastomosis. The cutting apparatus includes an anvil, an anvil pull and a cutter. The anvil is inserted through a small incision at the anastomosis site and brought into contact with the interior wall of a vessel so that the anvil distends the wall of the vessel. The cutter is then urged against the portion of the vessel wall that is distended by the anvil to form an opening in the vessel wall. The anvil has a surface that is softer than the cutter so that the cutter can cut completely through the vessel and depress into the anvil.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a cutting apparatus for cutting an opening in a vessel for subsequent anastomosis. The cutting apparatus includes an anvil, an anvil pull and a cutter. The anvil is inserted through a small incision at the anastomosis site and brought into contact with the interior wall of a vessel so that the anvil distends the wall of the vessel. The cutter is then urged against the portion of the vessel wall that is distended by the anvil to form an opening in the vessel wall.

Abstract: Compression plate apparatus enables vessels to be joined together in various anastomosis configurations. The compression plates have locking components such as snap-fit components to maintain the plates together. The compression plate apparatus may be utilized with an intraluminally directed anvil apparatus or an eternally positioned anvil apparatus. One of the compression plates assists in the eversion of the anastomosis fenestra contour. One of the compression plates enables a graft vessel to be pre-everted so that the anastomosis fenestra contours are everted. The appparatus provides a structure that enables the vessels to be joined without being penetrated.

Abstract: Anastomosis procedures and anastomosis cutting procedures are achieved with an anvil apparatus that is externally positioned through the wall of a vessel into the vessel lumen. The externally positioned anvil apparatus has an anvil that engages a cutter to form a vessel opening. The anvil is larger than the cutter to enable the vessel to be cut as it is compressed between the cutter and the anvil. The anvil may have a spherical engaging end for use with a cylindrical cutter for forming circular openings in a manner such that the anvil self centers. The anvil and cutter may also be adapted to form elliptical openings. The balloon may be solid or deployable.

Abstract: Vascular access systems and devices for facilitating repeated access to a blood vessel for the external treatment of blood, such as dialysis, and in intra-venous administration of medicines, such as heparin, for extended periods of time. The vascular access systems comprise an anastomosis graft vessel, an occlusal balloon, and a port device for accessing the occlusal balloon. Occlusal balloons can be nonpermeable or permeable to drive an osmotic gradient and to deliver agents, such as heparin, into the blood stream. In addition, occlusal balloons can adopt a distended and a collapsed configuration, the latter allowing for blood flow through the anastomosis graft vessel.

Abstract: Compression plate apparatus enables vessels to be joined together in various anastomosis configurations. The compression plates are guided to each other in a parallel orientation by guides. The compression plate apparatus may be utilized with an intralumninally directed anvil apparatus or an externally positioned anvil apparatus. One of the compression plates assists in the eversion of the anastomosis fenestra contour. One of the compression plates enables a graft vessel to be pre-everted so that the anastomosis fenestra contours are everted. The appparatus provides a structure that enables the vessels to be joined without being penetrated.

Abstract: Anastomosis procedures are achieved through the use of a system adapted for use with an intraluminally directed anvil apparatus having an anvil pull extending from an anvil. The system has an engager for engaging the anvil pull so that a vessel can be distended by the anvil as the anvil pull is pulled. The system has a cutter for forming an opening in a vessel. The system is adapted for use with a compression plate apparatus used to eversion and holding everted surfaces around the opening together. The system can also be used with an externally positioned anvil apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new and useful apparatus for use with an intraluminally directed anvil apparatus for intraluminally directed vascular anastomosis of an end of a graft vessel to the wall of a receiving blood vessel that is performed according to a minimally invasive procedure. The intraluminally directed vascular anastomosis does not require the interruption of blood flow in the receiving blood vessel and it is versatile enough to suitably combine a variety of cutting, welding, soldering, sealing, and joining techniques such as stapling. The intraluminally directed anvil apparatus comprises an anvil and a wire used for signaling the optimal anastomosis site; this signaling can be performed when the initial exploration is performed. The intraluminally directed anvil apparatus is typically used with a catheter.

Abstract: A method for acquiring spatial and velocity image data for three dimensional magnetic resonance angiography simultaneously by using a stepped bipolar gradient pulse in which the zeroth gradient moment is nulled by the second lobe of the pulse to provide a second echo which encodes velocity information, and spatial information is readout following the first lobe of the bipolar pulse. The preferred embodiment of the invention utilizes a multiple overlapping thin slab acquisition technique which makes possible high quality images for both spatial and velocity signals.