Abstract: In one embodiment, there is disclosed a device adapted to be used for percutaneous minimally invasive heart surgery including a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end adapted to be fed through a blood vessel, a pump associated with the distal end of the catheter, and a tool associated with the distal end of the catheter. The tool is adapted to be used for percutaneous minimally invasive heart surgery. Examples of the tools include a tool for excising natural tissue, a tool for excising a natural valve, and anthretomy device, a prosthetic valve delivery system, a balloon catheter, a knife, a stapler, and a screwdriver. The pump is used for maintaining blood flow around the site of the heart surgery while the surgery is taking place without the use of cardiopulmonary bypass.

Abstract: In one embodiment, there is disclosed a device adapted to be used for percutaneous minimally invasive heart surgery including a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end adapted to be fed through a blood vessel, a pump associated with the distal end of the catheter, and a tool associated with the distal end of the catheter. The tool is adapted to be used for percutaneous minimally invasive heart surgery. Examples of the tools include a tool for excising natural tissue, a tool for excising a natural valve, and anthretomy device, a prosthetic valve delivery system, a balloon catheter, a knife, a stapler, and a screwdriver. The pump is used for maintaining blood flow around the site of the heart surgery while the surgery is taking place without the use of cardiopulmonary bypass.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring particles generated from a medical device includes a platform configured for retaining at least one medical device and at least one simulated body lumen tubing. The platform includes: a medical device receptacle dimensioned to retain a medical device; a pretest receptacle dimensioned to retain pretest tubing; and a test receptacle dimensioned to retain test tubing. The apparatus can be used for measuring particles generated from a medical device during a simulated clinical application by the following: introducing the medical device into the test tubing; causing fluid to flow through the pretest tubing, past the medical device, and through the test tubing; and counting the particles in the fluid downstream from the medical device.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring particles generated from a medical device during a simulated clinical application includes a platform configured for retaining at least one medical device and at least one simulated body lumen tubing. The platform includes the following: a medical device receptacle dimensioned to retain the at least one medical device; a pretest receptacle dimensioned to retain pretest tubing; and a test receptacle dimensioned to retain test tubing, said test receptacle having at least one substantially straight portion configured for straightening said test tubing when disposed therein and at least one tortuous portion configured for bending said test tubing into a tortuous pathway when disposed therein. Additionally, the platform includes a junction that interconnects the medical device receptacle, pretest receptacle, and test receptacle.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring particles generated from a medical device during a simulated clinical application includes a platform configured for retaining at least one medical device and at least one simulated body lumen tubing. The platform includes the following: a medical device receptacle dimensioned to retain the at least one medical device; a pretest receptacle dimensioned to retain pretest tubing; and a test receptacle dimensioned to retain test tubing, said test receptacle having at least one substantially straight portion configured for straightening said test tubing when disposed therein and at least one tortuous portion configured for bending said test tubing into a tortuous pathway when disposed therein. Additionally, the platform includes a junction that interconnects the medical device receptacle, pretest receptacle, and test receptacle.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring particles generated from a medical device includes a platform configured for retaining at least one medical device and at least one simulated body lumen tubing. The platform includes: a medical device receptacle dimensioned to retain a medical device; a pretest receptacle dimensioned to retain pretest tubing; and a test receptacle dimensioned to retain test tubing. The apparatus can be used for measuring particles generated from a medical device during a simulated clinical application by the following: introducing the medical device into the test tubing; causing fluid to flow through the pretest tubing, past the medical device, and through the test tubing; and counting the particles in the fluid downstream from the medical device.

Abstract: In one embodiment, there is disclosed a device adapted to be used for percutaneous minimally invasive heart surgery including a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end adapted to be fed through a blood vessel, a pump associated with the distal end of the catheter, and a tool associated with the distal end of the catheter. The tool is adapted to be used for percutaneous minimally invasive heart surgery. Examples of the tools include a tool for excising natural tissue, a tool for excising a natural valve, and anthretomy device, a prosthetic valve delivery system, a balloon catheter, a knife, a stapler, and a screwdriver. The pump is used for maintaining blood flow around the site of the heart surgery while the surgery is taking place without the use of cardiopulmonary bypass.

Abstract: In one embodiment, there is disclosed a device adapted to be used for percutaneous minimally invasive heart surgery including a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end adapted to be fed through a blood vessel, a pump associated with the distal end of the catheter, and a tool associated with the distal end of the catheter. The tool is adapted to be used for percutaneous minimally invasive heart surgery. Examples of the tools include a tool for excising natural tissue, a tool for excising a natural valve, and anthretomy device, a prosthetic valve delivery system, a balloon catheter, a knife, a stapler, and a screwdriver. The pump is used for maintaining blood flow around the site of the heart surgery while the surgery is taking place without the use of cardiopulmonary bypass.

Abstract: In one embodiment, there is disclosed a device adapted to be used for percutaneous minimally invasive heart surgery including a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end adapted to be fed through a blood vessel, a pump associated with the distal end of the catheter, and a tool associated with the distal end of the catheter. The tool is adapted to be used for percutaneous minimally invasive heart surgery. Examples of the tools include a tool for excising natural tissue, a tool for excising a natural valve, and anthretomy device, a prosthetic valve delivery system, a balloon catheter, a knife, a stapler, and a screwdriver. The pump is used for maintaining blood flow around the site of the heart surgery while the surgery is taking place without the use of cardiopulmonary bypass.