Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting the position and orientation of a medical device within a patient's body includes a distal portion, a body portion and a proximal portion. The distal portion has a lumen for receiving at least three control tubes. Each control tube houses a control wire that is attached to the medical device. The body portion is connected to the distal portion by a ball-and-socket joint and configured to receive at least one control wire. The proximal portion is rotatably and slidably attached to the body portion and configured to receive at least one control wire.

Abstract: A method of treating a patient utilizes a temporary valve. In one embodiment, an inflatable structure of a temporary valve is inflated at a cardiovascular site in fluid communication with a native valve. At least a portion of the native valve is removed translumenally. A prosthetic valve is deployed to compliment or replace a native valve. The temporary valve is removed.

Abstract: Embodiments of apparatus and methods for tissue lifting, or for correcting a ptosis condition caused by tissue stretching, are described. In some embodiments a tissue is supported by a support member. In some embodiments, tension is applied to a support member through at least one suspension member. The described embodiments provide examples of methods and apparatus effective for use in lifting or otherwise applying tension to various tissues, including tissues of the breast, buttock, thigh, arm, abdomen, neck and face.

Abstract: A method of implanting a prosthetic valve within the heart comprises translumenally advancing a prosthetic valve comprising an inflatable structure to a position proximate a native valve of the heart. A first chamber of the inflatable structure is inflated and then, independently, a second chamber of the inflatable structure is inflated.

Abstract: A case (1), such as a suitcase or trolley case, with a seat (6) is disclosed. The case has a channel (7A, 7B) provided near or along a surface (such as the rear surface 4B) of the case, and the seat is movable between a first stowed position in which the seat is held within the channel and a second seating position in which at least part of the seat lies substantially flat along the top surface (4C) of the case. The seat may be stowed within a pocket (5) along the surface of the case, with the channel being housed inside the pocket. Alternatively, the surface of the seat may also act as the case surface when the seat is in the stowed position.

Abstract: Disclosed is a stentless transluminally implantable heart valve, having a formed in place support. The formed in place support exhibits superior crush resistance when compared to conventional balloon expandable or self expandable stent based valves.

Abstract: A cardiovascular prosthetic valve comprises an inflatable body that has at least a first inflatable chamber and a second inflatable chamber that is not in fluid communication with the first inflatable chamber. The inflatable body is configured to form, at least in part, a generally annular ring. A valve is coupled to the inflatable body. The valve is configured to permit flow in a first axial direction and to inhibit flow in a second axial direction opposite to the first axial direction. A first inflation port is in communication with the first inflatable chamber. A second inflation port in communication with the second inflatable chamber.

Abstract: A cardiovascular prosthetic valve includes a cuff having a distal end and a proximal end. An inflatable structure is coupled to the cuff and has at least one inflatable channel that forms a toroidal structure. A valve is coupled to the cuff; the valve configured to permit flow in a first axial direction and to inhibit flow in a second axial direction opposite to the first axial direction. In one arrangement, the distal end of the cuff has a non-circular cross-section with respect to the flow and the non-circular cross-section is configured to affect the performance of an adjacent valve. In another arrangement, the cuff includes an anchor moveable from a first position to a second position. In another arrangement, control wires are coupled to the cuff.

Abstract: A method of treating a patient utilizes a temporary valve. In one embodiment, an inflatable structure of a temporary valve is inflated at a cardiovascular site in fluid communication with a native valve. At least a portion of the native valve is removed translumenally. A prosthetic valve is deployed to compliment or replace a native valve. The temporary valve is removed.

Abstract: An implantable prosthetic valve having an in situ formable support structure and methods of deploying such a valve are disclosed. In one arrangement, the valve has a base and at least one flow occluder. A first flexible component which is incapable of retaining the valve at a functional site in the arterial vasculature extends proximally of the base of the valve. A second flexible component which is incapable of retaining the valve at a functional site in the arterial vasculature extends distally of the base of the valve. At least one rigidity component combines with at least one of the first and second flexible components to impart sufficient rigidity to the first or second components to retain the valve at the site.

Abstract: A method of implanting a prosthetic valve within the heart comprises translumenally advancing a prosthetic valve comprising an inflatable structure to a position proximate a native valve of the heart. A first chamber of the inflatable structure is inflated and then, independently, a second chamber of the inflatable structure is inflated.

Abstract: A method of implanting a prosthetic valve within a heart comprises translumenally advancing a prosthetic valve comprising an inflatable structure to a position proximate a native valve of the heart. A portion of the inflatable structure that is distal to the native valve is inflated. A portion of the inflatable structure that is proximal to the native annular valve is inflated.

Abstract: The present invention involves placing a valve between the left atrium and the lung to prevent regurgitant flow from increasing the pulmonary pressures, which may lead to pulmonary edema and congestion. Mitral stenosis or poor synchronization of the mitral valve may add additional pressures to the left atrium thus raising the pulmonary pressures and leading to congestion in the lung vasculature. By blocking the additional pressures from the mitral regurgitant flow from reaching the pulmonary circulation, the left atrium may act as a sealed vessel to allow additional aortic output. The valve placement can be intralumenal or attached to the ostium of the atrium. The device can be placed via the vascular conduits or through a surgical procedure into the pulmonary circulation. One or more devices may be placed in each of the four pulmonary veins. Additionally only one, two, three or all four veins may be implanted with the valve as desired by the physician.

Abstract: An air delivery device for use in delivering air from the outlet of a turbocharger to a carburetor. The device has an intake passage extending from an inlet through an appended portion extending to an outlet. A flow divider extends diametrically through the passage from the inlet to the outlet. The flow divider provides passage into an upper channel and a lower channel. The upper channel delivers air to the front barrels of a four-barrel carburetor and the upper channel delivers air to the rear barrels of a four-barrel carburetor. The intake passage has a frustoconical shape which increases in diameter from the inlet to the bend portion.

Abstract: An air delivery device for use in delivering air from the outlet of a turbocharger to a carburetor. The device has an intake passage extending from an inlet through an appended portion extending to an outlet. A flow divider extends diametrically through the passage from the inlet to the outlet. The flow divider provides passage into an upper channel and a lower channel. The upper channel delivers air to the front barrels of a four-barrel carburetor and the upper channel delivers air to the rear barrels of a four-barrel carburetor. The intake passage has a frustoconical shape which increases in diameter from the inlet to the bend portion.