Abstract: A prosthesis is provided for implantation at a native semilunar valve of a native valve complex. The prosthesis includes a distal fixation member, configured to be positioned in a downstream artery, and to apply a first axial force directed toward a ventricle. The prosthesis further includes a proximal fixation member coupled to the distal fixation member, the proximal fixation member configured to be positioned at least partially on a ventricular side of the native valve complex, and to apply a second axial force directed toward the downstream artery, such that application of the first and second forces couples the prosthesis to the native valve complex by axially sandwiching the native valve complex from a downstream side and the ventricular side thereof. The prosthesis is configured, upon implantation thereof, to embrace, without squeezing, leaflets of the native semilunar valve. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A capsulotomy cutting device, including a planar cutting head sized to fit into intraocular tissue, including at least one sharp edge and an oscillation mechanism adapted to oscillate the cutting head.

Abstract: Various anastomotic connectors (400) for attaching two blood vessels are described, including connectors, which comprise a plurality of clip like elements. In some embodiments, each clip like element comprises a flat medallion section (404) and a tearable hook section (402).

Abstract: A sliding surgical clip adapted to connect blood vessel tissue, comprising: an elongate rail leg having a main axis and terminating with a first tissue penetrating tip; and a sliding leg terminating with a second tip and configured to slide along said rail leg towards said first tissue penetrating tip, such that said two tips face each other and engage vascular tissue between them.

Abstract: An anastomotic connector for connecting a graft to a target vessel, comprising a thin collar section (104) adapted to engage a portion of the graft; and a separate spike section (124) adapted to mount on said collar section, and comprising a plurality of spikes (126) each of said spikes (126) adapted to transfix said graft. Preferably, the connector comprises at least one locking element for interlocking said spike section (124), and said collar section (104). Preferably the locking element provides a spring action between the two sections.

Abstract: This invention is a device (500) for sealing a hole in a blood vessel, comprising a ring (504); a plurality of spikes (506) extending from said ring towards a center of said ring, and to first direction along an axis of said ring, said spikes being adapted for engaging a blood vessel; a plurality of tabs (502) extending substantially radially from said ring, wherein rotating said tabs around said ring distorts said ring such that said spikes are rotated in a same direction as said tabs.

Abstract: A cutter (300) adapted for making an aperture in a blood vessel (810) suitable for receiving an anastomotic connector, the cutter comprising a handle a curved element extending from the handle, a sharp tip (306) at the end of the element, the tip (306) adapted for making at least one entry cut in a blood vessel (810) and at least one exit cut in the same blood vessel a distance from the entry cut while a portion of the curved element is substantially within the vessel lumen and a sharp edge (376) along a portion of the convex aspect of the portion, the edge adapted to cut the vessel as the handle is pulled radially away from the lumen.

Abstract: A method of dissecting urethra obstructing tissue. The method includes capturing urethra obstructing tissue between portions of an implant and applying pressure on the tissue caught between the portions of the implant, for longer than 1 hour, until the tissue dies or falls off.

Abstract: A method of performing an anastomosis, comprising, juxtaposing two blood vessels to be anastomosed using an juxtaposition device, to a desired configuration in which at least one vessel is an end vessel; applying an adhesive to said vessels while they are in said configuration, said adhesive being sufficient to ensure both sealing and bonding of said two vessels to each other, and removing said juxtaposition device after said adhesive sufficiently sets.

Abstract: A leg compacting system for compacting inwards a group of legs (228) of an anastomotic connector towards a central location thereof, comprising, a coupler for coupling to a delivery system on which said connector is mounted; and a plurality of leg confiners (820), said leg confiners (820) configured to selectively move in an inwards direction and said confiners configured to have a resting compacted configuration in which a space of between 7 and 1 mm in width is maintained between the innermost leg contacting sections of said confiners such that a graft vessel suitable for mounting on said connector can be passed between said confiners (820).

Abstract: An anastomosis connector comprises a plurality of ring segments (106), together defining a radially expandable ring-like shape (106) having a lumen; at least one pivot bar (114) coupled to at least one of said ring segments (106); at least one spike (109) mounted on said pivot bar (114) and rotatable around said pivot bar (114), wherein radial deformation of said ring-like shape (106) does not substantially directly affect said spike (109) rotational position.

Abstract: A method of accessing a blood vessel, comprising: forming a hole in the blood vessel; mounting a hole closure device onto the blood vessel; accessing the blood vessel through the hole, while the hole closure device is mounted on the blood vessel; and closing the hole by the hole closure device, after accessing the blood vessel through the hole.

Abstract: A fluid-based anastomosis system, including a body, a fluid power source, an actuator powered by said source and at least two elements coupled to said actuator and adapted to perform at least two different relative motions, responsive to serial powering of said actuator.

Abstract: Hole-forming apparatus (1900) for forming a hole in a blood vessel, comprising a penetration shaft (1908), having a tip (1904) adapted to be inserted through a wall of a blood vessel; a tissue holder (1986), configured to hold a portion of said wall, said holder (1986) being activated to perform said holding separately from an insertion of said penetration shaft (1908) through said wall; and a cutting surface (1910) adapted to cut through the wall.

Abstract: An anastomosis and punch delivery system, comprising: a punch section containing a punch mechanism; a connector section containing a connector; and a switching mechanism which pulls said punch mechanism back and replaces it with said connector mechanism.

Abstract: An anastomotic connector (200) for attaching two blood vessels comprising a plurality of eye segments (1604), each defining a channel and each including a part of an interlock mechanism (1600) on said channel; a plurality of hook segments (1602), each defining a tissue holding area, each adapted to pass through said channel and including a second part of said interlock mechanism (1600), wherein, said interlock mechanism (1600) engages for a hook and an eye segment when said hook segment (1602) is retracted back into said eye segment (1604) enough to attach two layers of vascular tissue between said eye segment (1604) and said hook segment (1602).

Abstract: An anastomosis delivery system for delivering a connector having at least one backwards spike having a bent tip, comprising: a hollow guide sheath; and a hollow, axially slotted section, fitting within said sheath, said section having a flared configuration and an unflared configuration and wherein said axially slotted section is adapted to contain at least a part of said connector and to limit axial motion of said connector when said section is in its unflared configuration.

Abstract: A delivery system for an anastomosis connector, comprising: a body including a handle for applying force; a capsule adapted to interlock with said body and for carrying a connector, wherein said force is transferred by said interlocking to deploy said connector; and an extension, adapted to be connected between said body and said capsule, thereby extending a reach of said delivery system.

Abstract: A vascular attachment device (800) seals an opening between two blood conduit tips, where the device comprises a ring element (752); a plurality of fingers (754) mounted on the ring element (752) and adapted to seal at least a portion of an opening between the two blood conduit lips by compressing at least two lips between at least one finger (754) and the ring element (752); and at least one puller spike (812) adapted for pulling, inside the body, at least one of the lips to a space defined between the finger (754) and the ring element (752).

Abstract: This invention is a hole closure device (100) having at least two blood vessel engaging structures (106), preferably spikes, each comprising a base (102), at least one second, deformable structure (112) coupled to said at least two blood vessel engaging structures (106), having a first deformation state, and a second deformation state; wherein said at least one second deformable structures (106) urges said two blood vessel engaging structures (106) towards each other when going from said deformation state to said second deformation state; wherein said change in deformation state is at least partially mechanically decoupled from each of said blood vessel engaging structures (106).