Abstract: The present invention relates to treating or preventing stenosis at an anastomosis site. In one embodiment, the present invention is a stent is curved along the longitudinal axis for placement in and adjacent to the graft orifice. In a further embodiment, the stent is drug coated to allow delivery of antivasculoproliferative drugs directly to the vicinity of the graft orifice. In a further embodiment, the stent is expandable by use of an external wire. In another embodiment, the present invention is a kit comprising the specially configured stent together with a sleeve comprising a biocompatible matrix material and a pharmaceutical agent, wherein the sleeve is applied to the external surface of the vessel or graft, resulting in extravascular delivery of a pharmaceutical agent. Methods for treating or preventing stenosis at an anastomosis site by applying the extravascular sleeve and the intravascular stent are also provided.

Abstract: An orifice introducer device for introducing, for example a surgical device, into, for example an orifice of a body, includes a tubular member having a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end is adjustable between a first position for insertion into an orifice and a second position once inserted into the orifice. Alternatively, the orifice introducer device includes a distal portion having a proximal end configured to be detachably secured to the distal end of the tubular member. The distal portion is selectively detachable when the orifice introducer device is positioned in the orifice.

Abstract: The present invention relates to treating or preventing stenosis at an anastomosis site. In one embodiment, the present invention is a stent is curved along the longitudinal axis for placement in and adjacent to the graft orifice. In a further embodiment, the stent is drug coated to allow delivery of antivasculoproliferative drugs directly to the vicinity of the graft orifice. In a further embodiment, the stent is expandable by use of an external wire. In another embodiment, the present invention is a kit comprising the specially configured stent together with a sleeve comprising a biocompatible matrix material and a pharmaceutical agent, wherein the sleeve is applied to the external surface of the vessel or graft, resulting in extravascular delivery of a pharmaceutical agent. Methods for treating or preventing stenosis at an anastomosis site by applying the extravascular sleeve and the intravascular stent are also provided.

Abstract: An orifice introducer device for introducing, e.g., a surgical device, into, e.g., an orifice of a body, includes a tubular member having a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end is adjustable between a first position for insertion into an orifice and a second position once inserted into the orifice. Alternatively, the orifice introducer device includes a distal portion having a proximal end configured to be detachably secured to the distal end of the tubular member. The distal portion is selectively detachable when the orifice introducer device is positioned in the orifice.

Abstract: An orifice introducer device for introducing, e.g., a surgical device, into, e.g., an orifice of a body, includes a tubular member having a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end is adjustable between a first position for insertion into an orifice and a second position once inserted into the orifice. Alternatively, the orifice introducer device includes a distal portion having a proximal end configured to be detachably secured to the distal end of the tubular member. The distal portion is selectively detachable when the orifice introducer device is positioned in the orifice.

Abstract: The present invention relates to treating or preventing stenosis at an anastomosis site. In one embodiment, the present invention is a stent is curved along the longitudinal axis for placement in and adjacent to the graft orifice. In a further embodiment, the stent is drug coated to allow delivery of antivasculoproliferative drugs directly to the vicinity of the graft orifice. In a further embodiment, the stent is expandable by use of an external wire. In another embodiment, the present invention is a kit comprising the specially configured stent together with a sleeve comprising a biocompatible matrix material and a pharmaceutical agent, wherein the sleeve is applied to the external surface of the vessel or graft, resulting in extravascular delivery of a pharmaceutical agent. Methods for treating or preventing stenosis at an anastomosis site by applying the extravascular sleeve and the intravascular stent are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to treating or preventing stenosis at an anastomosis site. In one embodiment, the present invention is a stent is curved along the longitudinal axis for placement in and adjacent to the graft orifice. In a further embodiment, the stent is drug coated to allow delivery of antivasculoproliferative drugs directly to the vicinity of the graft orifice. In a further embodiment, the stent is expandable by use of an external wire. In another embodiment, the present invention is a kit comprising the specially configured stent together with a sleeve comprising a biocompatible matrix material and a pharmaceutical agent, wherein the sleeve is applied to the external surface of the vessel or graft, resulting in extravascular delivery of a pharmaceutical agent. Methods for treating or preventing stenosis at an anastomosis site by applying the extravascular sleeve and the intravascular stent are also provided.

Abstract: An orifice introducer device for introducing, e.g., a surgical device, into, e.g., an orifice of a body, includes a tubular member having a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end is adjustable between a first position for insertion into an orifice and a second position once inserted into the orifice. Alternatively, the orifice introducer device includes a distal portion having a proximal end configured to be detachably secured to the distal end of the tubular member. The distal portion is selectively detachable when the orifice introducer device is positioned in the orifice.

Abstract: An orifice introducer device for introducing, e.g., a surgical device, into, e.g., an orifice of a body, includes a tubular member having a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end is adjustable between a first position for insertion into an orifice and a second position once inserted into the orifice. Alternatively, the orifice introducer device includes a distal portion having a proximal end configured to be detachably secured to the distal end of the tubular member. The distal portion is selectively detachable when the orifice introducer device is positioned in the orifice.

Abstract: A separable insertion sheath is for inserting a medical device into a patient. The insertion sheath includes releasably connectable ends. A medical device loaded into the insertion sheath is deployed by using an elongate member connected to the insertion sheath to shift the proximal and distal sections away from each other to expose the medical device.

Abstract: A separable or splittable insertion sheath is for inserting a medical device into a patient. The insertion sheath includes releasably connectable ends or is configured to split into proximal and distal sections upon application of a predetermined level of pulling or twisting force to opposite ends of the insertion sheath. A medical device loaded into the insertion sheath is deployed by pulling the proximal and distal sections away from each other to expose the medical device.

Abstract: A heart valve includes a stent for fixing the heart valve in a bodily vessel and a stentless valve portion for restricting the flow of blood through the valve to a single direction. The valve portion is supported and suspended in the bodily vessel via connectors spanning a gap between the valve portion and the stent or by a direct end-to-end connection with the anchor portion.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for treatment of stroke are provided. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention disposes at least one catheter having a distal occlusive member in either the common carotid artery (CCA) or both the vertebral artery (VA) and the CCA on the hemisphere of the cerebral occlusion. Blood flow in the opposing carotid and/or vertebral arteries may be inhibited. Retrograde or antegrade flow may be provided through either catheter independently to effectively control cerebral flow characteristics. Under such controlled flow conditions, a thrombectomy device may be used to treat the occlusion, and any emboli generated are directed into the catheter(s).

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for treating cerebral occlusions are provided, including a thrombectomy device having at least one deployable element. The deployable element is advanced through the occlusion in a contracted state, then self-deploys distal of the occlusion or, alternatively, may be deployed to a wide range of configurations using a physician-actuated deployment knob. The thrombectomy device then may be retracted to cause the deployable element to snare the occlusion, and/or rotated circumferentially to cause the fibrin strands of the occlusion to be wrapped around the deployable element.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for treating cerebral occlusions are provided, comprising a thrombectomy device having at least one deployable element. The deployable element is advanced through the occlusion in a contracted state, then self-deploys distal of the occlusion or, alternatively, may be deployed to a wide range of configurations using a physician-actuated deployment knob. The thrombectomy device then may be retracted to cause the deployable element to snare the occlusion, and/or rotated circumferentially to cause the fibrin strands of the occlusion to be wrapped around the deployable element.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for treatment of stroke are provided. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention disposes at least one catheter having a distal occlusive member in the common carotid artery of the hemisphere of the cerebral occlusion. Retrograde flow may be provided through the catheter to effectively control cerebral flow characteristics. Under such controlled flow conditions, a thrombectomy device may be used to treat the occlusion, and any emboli generated are directed into the catheter.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for treatment of stroke are provided. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention disposes at least one catheter having a distal occlusive member in either the common carotid artery (CCA) or both the vertebral artery (VA) and the CCA on the hemisphere of the cerebral occlusion. Blood flow in the opposing carotid and/or vertebral arteries may be inhibited. Retrograde or antegrade flow may be provided through either catheter independently to effectively control cerebral flow characteristics. Under such controlled flow conditions, a thrombectomy device may be used to treat the occlusion, and any emboli generated are directed into the catheter(s).

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for treatment of stroke are provided. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention disposes at least one catheter having a distal occlusive member in the common carotid artery of the hemisphere of the cerebral occlusion. Retrograde flow may be provided through the catheter to effectively control cerebral flow characteristics. Under such controlled flow conditions, a thrombectomy device may be used to treat the occlusion, and any emboli generated are directed into the catheter.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for treatment of stroke are provided. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention disposes at least one catheter having a distal occlusive member in either the common carotid artery (CCA) or both the vertebral artery (VA) and the CCA on the hemisphere of the cerebral occlusion. Blood flow in the opposing carotid and/or vertebral arteries may be inhibited. Retrograde or antegrade flow may be provided through either catheter independently to effectively control cerebral flow characteristics. Under such controlled flow conditions, a thrombectomy device may be used to treat the occlusion, and any emboli generated are directed into the catheter(s).

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for treatment of stroke are provided. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention disposes at least one catheter having a distal occlusive member in either the common carotid artery (CCA) or both the vertebral artery (VA) and the CCA on the hemisphere of the cerebral occlusion. Blood flow in the opposing carotid and/or vertebral arteries may be inhibited. Retrograde or antegrade flow may be provided through either catheter independently to effectively control cerebral flow characteristics. Under such controlled flow conditions, a thrombectomy device may be used to treat the occlusion, and any emboli generated are directed into the catheter(s).