Abstract: A single integrated tool is used both to create an opening in a vessel wall and deploy an anastomosis device into that opening, thereby simplifying an anastomosis procedure such as a coronary artery bypass graft procedure. The creation of the opening and deployment of the anastomosis device may be actuated with a single control.

Abstract: A method treats a patient for adult-onset dementia of the Alzheimer's type by removing a portion of the patient's cerebrospinal fluid, preferably (although not necessarily) by transporting the fluid to another portion of the patient's body. An apparatus for removing cerebrospinal fluid includes (1) a conduit with a first opening and a second opening, the first opening of the conduit being disposed in fluid communication with a space within a patient's subarachnoid space, the second opening being disposed in fluid communication with another portion of the patient's body; and (2) a flow rate control device attached to the conduit.

Abstract: A single integrated tool is used both to create an opening in a vessel wall and deploy an anastomosis device into that opening, thereby simplifying an anastomosis procedure such as a coronary artery bypass graft procedure. The creation of the opening and deployment of the anastomosis device may be actuated with a single control.

Abstract: A tool for performing anastomosis connects two tissue structures end-to-end. A clamp holds each tissue structure. The clamps are movable relative to one another, and are registered together such that the flaps of one tissue structure are pressed against the corresponding flaps of the other tissue structure when the clamps come together. Each flap of one tissue structure is connected to a corresponding flap on the other corresponding tissue structure with at least one connector.

Abstract: A method of performing anastomosis includes securing an access port system to an exterior surface of the target vessel to assist in axial alignment, depth registration, and/or sealing when inserting instruments such as punching instruments and anastomosis instruments into the target vessel.

Abstract: A tool for performing anastomosis connects two tissue structures end-to-end. An end of each of the two tissue structures is sized to a known interface dimension with a tissue preparation device, and two or more cuts are made in that end to create at least two flaps. a clamp holds each tissue structure, and each clamp may be integrated with a tissue preparation device. The clamps are movable relative to one another, and are registered together such that the flaps of one tissue structure are pressed against the corresponding flaps of the other tissue structure when the clamps come together. Each flap of one tissue structure is connected to a corresponding flap on the other corresponding tissue structure with at least one connector such as a staple or other fastener.

Abstract: An organ manipulator including at least one suction member or adhesive disc mounted to a compliant joint, a flexible locking arm for mounting such suction member or compliant joint, and a method for retracting and suspending an organ in a retracted position using suction (or adhesive force) so that the organ is free to move normally (e.g., to beat or undergo other limited-amplitude motion) in at least the vertical direction during both steps. In preferred embodiments, a suction member exerts suction to retract a beating heart and suspend it in a retracted position during surgery. As the retracted heart beats, the compliant joint allows it to expand and contract freely (and otherwise move naturally) at least in the vertical direction so that hemodynamic function is not compromised. The suction member conforms or can be conformed to the organ anatomy, and its inner surface is preferably smooth and lined with absorbent material to improve traction without causing trauma to the organ.

Abstract: A coronary artery bypass graft procedure is performed through one or more openings made in the patient to create a point of entry to the thoracic cavity. A vein measurement device measures the distance between the proximal and distal anastomotic sites for each graft. A proximal anastomosis tool splits to release a graft vessel after deploying an anastomosis device at the proximal anastomosis site. The tool may be articulated. An integrated stabilizer stabilizes one or more tools relative to the surface of the beating heart at a distal anastomotic site. A distal anastomotic tool may be provided as part of the integrated stabilizer, and connects one end of the graft vessel to a target vessel. An epicardial dissector may be provided as part of the integrated stabilizer, and dissects the epicardium from the target vessel at a distal anastomotic site, as needed.

Abstract: An organ manipulator including at least one suction member or adhesive disc mounted to a compliant joint, a flexible locking arm for mounting such suction member or compliant joint, and a method for retracting and suspending an organ in a retracted position using suction (or adhesive force) so that the organ is free to move normally (e.g., to beat or undergo other limited-amplitude motion) in at least the vertical direction during both steps. In preferred embodiments, a suction member exerts suction to retract a beating heart and suspend it in a retracted position during surgery. As the retracted heart beats, the compliant joint allows it to expand and contract freely (and otherwise move naturally) at least in the vertical direction so that hemodynamic function is not compromised. The suction member conforms or can be conformed to the organ anatomy, and its inner surface is preferably smooth and lined with absorbent material to improve traction without causing trauma to the organ.

Abstract: A flexible locking arm for use in an organ manipulator apparatus. The flexible locking arm has a flexible state, used to position the organ manipulator as needed, and a fixed state for mounting the manipulator in a desired orientation. Even in the fixed state, the organ manipulator maintains a limited freedom of movement, to allow the organ held to continue to move substantially according to its natural motion during functioning. For example, in an embodiment where a suction member exerts suction to retract a beating heart and suspend it in a retracted position during surgery by setting the flexible arm to the fixed state, as the retracted heart beats, a complaint joint allows it to expand and contract freely (and otherwise move naturally) at least in the vertical direction so that hemodynamic function is not substantially compromised.

Abstract: A method for treating a patient for adult-onset dementia of the Alzheimer's type by removing a portion of the patient's cerebrospinal fluid, preferably (although not necessarily) by transporting the fluid to another portion of the patient's body. The invention also provides an apparatus for removing cerebrospinal fluid including (1) a conduit with a first opening and a second opening, the first opening of the conduit being adapted to be disposed in fluid communication with a space within a patient's subarachnoid space, the second opening being adapted to be disposed in fluid communication with another portion of the patient's body; and (2) a flow rate control device attached to the conduit.

Abstract: A method for treating a patient for adult-onset dementia of the Alzheimer's type by removing a portion of the patient's cerebrospinal fluid, preferably (although not necessarily) by transporting the fluid to another portion of the patient's body. The invention also provides an apparatus for removing cerebrospinal fluid including (1) a conduit with a first opening and a second opening, the first opening of the conduit being adapted to be disposed in fluid communication with a space within a patient's subarachnoid space, the second opening being adapted to be disposed in fluid communication with another portion of the patient's body; and (2) a flow rate control device attached to the conduit.

Abstract: An access port system of the present invention provides a passageway through which instruments are inserted into a target vessel during performance of an anastomosis procedure. The access port system is secured to an exterior surface of the target vessel and assists in axial alignment, depth registration, and sealing when inserting instruments into the target vessel. The access port system provides the capability of placing punching instruments, anastomosis instruments, and other instruments in their correct positions relative to a target vessel and providing hemostasis while inserting instruments into and removing instruments from the target vessel.

Abstract: An organ manipulator including at least one suction member or adhesive disc mounted to a compliant joint, a flexible locking arm for mounting such suction member or compliant joint, and a method for retracting and suspending an organ in a retracted position using suction (or adhesive force) so that the organ is free to move normally (e.g., to beat or undergo other limited-amplitude motion) in at least the vertical direction during both steps. In preferred embodiments, a suction member exerts suction to retract a beating heart and suspend it in a retracted position during surgery. As the retracted heart beats, the compliant joint allows it to expand and contract freely (and otherwise move naturally) at least in the vertical direction so that hemodynamic function is not compromised. The suction member conforms or can be conformed to the organ anatomy, and its inner surface is preferably smooth and lined with absorbent material to improve traction without causing trauma to the organ.

Abstract: An organ manipulator including at least one suction member or adhesive disc mounted to a compliant joint, a flexible locking arm for mounting such suction member or compliant joint, and a method for retracting and suspending an organ in a retracted position using suction (or adhesive force) so that the organ is free to move normally (e.g., to beat or undergo other limited-amplitude motion) in at least the vertical direction during both steps. In preferred embodiments, a suction member exerts suction to retract a beating heart and suspend it in a retracted position during surgery. As the retracted heart beats, the compliant joint allows it to expand and contract freely (and otherwise move naturally) at least in the vertical direction so that hemodynamic function is not compromised. The suction member conforms or can be conformed to the organ anatomy, and its inner surface is preferably smooth and lined with absorbent material to improve traction without causing trauma to the organ.

Abstract: An organ manipulator including at least one suction member or adhesive disc mounted to a compliant joint, a flexible locking arm for mounting such suction member or compliant joint, and a method for retracting and suspending an organ in a retracted position using suction (or adhesive force) so that the organ is free to move normally (e.g., to beat or undergo other limited-amplitude motion) in at least the vertical direction during both steps. In preferred embodiments, a suction member exerts suction to retract a beating heart and suspend it in a retracted position during surgery. As the retracted heart beats, the compliant joint allows it to expand and contract freely (and otherwise move naturally) at least in the vertical direction so that hemodynamic function is not compromised. The suction member conforms or can be conformed to the organ anatomy, and its inner surface is preferably smooth and lined with absorbent material to improve traction without causing trauma to the organ.

Abstract: An organ manipulator including at least one suction member or adhesive disc mounted to a compliant joint, a flexible locking arm for mounting such suction member or compliant joint, and a method for retracting and suspending an organ in a retracted position using suction (or adhesive force) so that the organ is free to move normally (e.g., to beat or undergo other limited-amplitude motion) in at least the vertical direction during both steps. In preferred embodiments, a suction member exerts suction to retract a beating heart and suspend it in a retracted position during surgery. As the retracted heart beats, the compliant joint allows it to expand and contract freely (and otherwise move naturally) at least in the vertical direction so that hemodynamic function is not compromised. The suction member conforms or can be conformed to the organ anatomy, and its inner surface is preferably smooth and lined with absorbent material to improve traction without causing trauma to the organ.

Abstract: A method for treating a patient for adult-onset dementia of the Alzheimer's type by removing a portion of the patient's cerebrospinal fluid, preferably (although not necessarily) by transporting the fluid to another portion of the patient's body. The invention also provides an apparatus for removing cerebrospinal fluid including (1) a conduit with a first opening and a second opening, the first opening of the conduit being adapted to be disposed in fluid communication with a space within a patient's subarachnoid space, the second opening being adapted to be disposed in fluid communication with another portion of the patient's body; and (2) a flow rate control device attached to the conduit.

Abstract: A man-machine interface device is provided which employs rigid links interconnected by measured revolute joints to provide the position of a hand relative to a reference location, such as a desk, keyboard or chair. By proper selection of kinematic structure, and by placing one of the joints near the elbow and extending one of the links along the line of the forearm, translation of the joint-link structure is minimized, hence the undesirable perception of friction and inertia are also minimized. When Hall-Effect sensors are used as the revolute joint goniometers, the permanent magnets of neighboring joints are placed in the same link so the effects of magnetic field interference can be calibrated out. A hand-sensing joint-link device as described herein can produce data which is more noise free, at a higher sample rate, with less latency and more robust that competing electromagnetic, optical and ultrasonic sensing technologies, without adding much encumbrance.

Abstract: A method for treating a patient for adult-onset dementia of the Alzheimer's type by removing a portion of the patient's cerebrospinal fluid, preferably (although not necessarily) by transporting the fluid to another portion of the patient's body. The invention also provides an apparatus for removing cerebrospinal fluid including (1) a conduit with a first opening and a second opening, the first opening of the conduit being adapted to be disposed in fluid communication with a space within a patient's arachnoid membrane, the second opening being adapted to be disposed in fluid communication with another portion of the patient's body; and (2) a flow rate control device attached to the conduit.