Abstract: A system for assisting the right heart of a patient includes a PA cannula adapted for insertion into a PA of a patient through the right internal jugular vein of the patient. The system includes a percutaneous RA cannula adapted for insertion into an RA of the patient. The system includes a blood pump disposed outside of the patient to which the RA cannula and the PA cannula are connected to provide right ventricular circulatory support to the patient without any left ventricular assist. A method for assisting the right heart of a patient includes the steps of inserting a PA cannula into a PA of a patient. There is the step of inserting an RA cannula into an RA of the patient. There is the step of connecting the RA cannula and the PA cannula to a blood pump disposed outside of the patient. There is the step of activating the blood pump to provide right ventricular circulatory support to assist the heart of the patient.

Abstract: A system for assisting the right heart of a patient includes a PA cannula adapted for insertion into a PA of a patient through the right internal jugular vein of the patient. The system includes a percutaneous RA cannula adapted for insertion into an RA of the patient. The system includes a blood pump disposed outside of the patient to which the RA cannula and the PA cannula are connected to provide right ventricular circulatory support to the patient without any left ventricular assist. A method for assisting the right heart of a patient includes the steps of inserting a PA cannula into a PA of a patient. There is the step of inserting an RA cannula into an RA of the patient. There is the step of connecting the RA cannula and the PA cannula to a blood pump disposed outside of the patient. There is the step of activating the blood pump to provide right ventricular circulatory support to assist the heart of the patient.

Abstract: A system for assisting the right heart of a patient includes a PA cannula adapted for insertion into a PA of a patient through the right internal jugular vein of the patient. The system includes a percutaneous RA cannula adapted for insertion into an RA of the patient. The system includes a blood pump disposed outside of the patient to which the RA cannula and the PA cannula are connected to provide right ventricular circulatory support to the patient without any left ventricular assist. A method for assisting the right heart of a patient includes the steps of inserting a PA cannula into a PA of a patient. There is the step of inserting an RA cannula into an RA of the patient. There is the step of connecting the RA cannula and the PA cannula to a blood pump disposed outside of the patient. There is the step of activating the blood pump to provide right ventricular circulatory support to assist the heart of the patient.

Abstract: A system for assisting the right heart of a patient includes a PA cannula adapted for insertion into a PA of a patient through the right internal jugular vein of the patient. The system includes a percutaneous RA cannula adapted for insertion into an RA of the patient. The system includes a blood pump disposed outside of the patient to which the RA cannula and the PA cannula are connected to provide right ventricular circulatory support to the patient without any left ventricular assist. A method for assisting the right heart of a patient includes the steps of inserting a PA cannula into a PA of a patient. There is the step of inserting an RA cannula into an RA of the patient. There is the step of connecting the RA cannula and the PA cannula to a blood pump disposed outside of the patient. There is the step of activating the blood pump to provide right ventricular circulatory support to assist the heart of the patient.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating a patient. The apparatus includes a catheter having a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end has an orifice through which a fluid can flow. The distal end has a port through which the fluid can flow. The port is adjacent to but apart from the orifice. The apparatus includes a mechanism for controlling the size of the port that is open. The controlling mechanism is disposed over the port and able to close the port. An apparatus for treating a patient. The apparatus includes a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end having an orifice through which a fluid can flow. The distal end has an end marker disposed about the orifice which appears in an image of an imaging device. An apparatus for treating a patient. The apparatus includes a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end having an orifice through which fluid can flow. The catheter has an axis.

Abstract: A system for assisting the right heart of a patient includes a PA cannula adapted for insertion into a PA of a patient through the right internal jugular vein of the patient. The system includes a percutaneous RA cannula adapted for insertion into an RA of the patient. The system includes a blood pump disposed outside of the patient to which the RA cannula and the PA cannula are connected to provide right ventricular circulatory support to the patient without any left ventricular assist. A method for assisting the right heart of a patient includes the steps of inserting a PA cannula into a PA of a patient. There is the step of inserting an RA cannula into an RA of the patient. There is the step of connecting the RA cannula and the PA cannula to a blood pump disposed outside of the patient. There is the step of activating the blood pump to provide right ventricular circulatory support to assist the heart of the patient.

Abstract: A perfusion cannula for treating a patient. The, cannula includes a hollow tube adapted for insertion into a vessel of the patient and adapted for fluid flow. The tube has a proximal end. The tube has a primary hole disposed in proximity to the proximal end for release of fluid from the tube and at least a first perfusion hole disposed in the tube wall for release of fluid from the tube. The cannula includes a widener extending from the outer surface of the tube and effectively extending the outer diameter of the tube. The inner diameter of the tube is smooth and continuous and has a circular, cross-section throughout. The widener is in spaced relation from the proximal end and in proximity to and in operational relation with the first perfusion hole wherein fluid in able to escape from the first perfusion hole without obstruction by the vessel wall when the tube is in the vessel wall. A perfusion cannula for treating a patient having at least a first ridge. A system for treating a patient.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating a patient. The apparatus includes a catheter having a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end has an orifice through which a fluid can flow. The distal end has a port through which the fluid can flow. The port is adjacent to but apart from the orifice. The apparatus includes a mechanism for controlling the size of the port that is open. The controlling mechanism is disposed over the port and able to close the port. An apparatus for treating a patient. The apparatus includes a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end having an orifice through which a fluid can flow. The distal end has an end marker disposed about the orifice which appears in an image of an imaging device. An apparatus for treating a patient. The apparatus includes a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end having an orifice through which fluid can flow. The catheter has an axis.

Abstract: An apparatus for holding a first portion of a bone and a second portion of a bone together for the bone to heal. A method for holding a first portion of a bone and a second portion of a bone together for the bone to heal. A suture. A grommet for a bone. A method for securing a suture through a bone.

Abstract: An apparatus for burning calories of an individual. The apparatus includes a cooling mechanism adapted to cool the individual's temperature. The apparatus includes a controlling mechanism for controlling the rate at which the cooling mechanism cools the individual. A method for burning calories in an individual. The method includes the steps of applying a fluid in regard to the individual. Then there is the step of cooling the individual at the controlled rate with the fluid.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating a patient. The apparatus includes a catheter having a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end has an orifice through which a fluid can flow. The distal end has a port through which the fluid can flow. The port is adjacent to but apart from the orifice. The apparatus includes a mechanism for controlling the size of the port that is open. The controlling mechanism is disposed over the port and able to close the port. An apparatus for treating a patient. The apparatus includes a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end having an orifice through which a fluid can flow. The distal end has an end marker disposed about the orifice which appears in an image of an imaging device. An apparatus for treating a patient. The apparatus includes a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end having an orifice through which fluid can flow. The catheter has an axis.

Abstract: An apparatus for holding a first portion of a bone and a second portion of a bone together for the bone to heal. A method for holding a first portion of a bone and a second portion of a bone together for the bone to heal. A suture. A grommet for a bone. A method for securing a suture through a bone.

Abstract: A system and method for closing a first side of a severed bone with a second side of a severed bone of a patient. The system includes a first anchor mechanism which is adapted to enter into the first side of the bone and a second anchor mechanism which is adapted to anchor into the second side of the bone. The second anchor mechanism is separate and remote from the first anchor mechanism. The system also includes a lash that extends through the first and second anchor mechanisms and which binds the first side of the severed bone with the second side of the severed bone. Preferably, the lash comprises a wire made of stainless steel or suture material. A method for closing a first side of a severed bone with a second side of a severed bone.

Abstract: A system for closing together a first side of a sternum and a second side of the sternum of a patient. The system includes a first grommet to be disposed in the first side. The system includes a second grommet adapted to be disposed in the second side. The system includes a mechanism for placing a grommet into the sternum. The placing mechanism is adapted to hold the grommet for placement in the sternum. The system includes a first wire suture for insertion through the first and second grommets. The system includes a stop mechanism for allowing the placing mechanism to place a grommet into the sternum only in a desired location of the patient and any other portion of the patient is protected from damage by the placing mechanism during operation. A grommet. An approximator. A drill stop mechanism. A placement tool. A method of threading a wire suture through a hole in a sternum. A method of bringing together a first side of a sternum and a second side of the sternum.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to an apparatus for assisting a patient's heart operation. The apparatus comprises a mechanism for expanding and collapsing a right ventricle free wall of a heart of a patient. The apparatus also comprises a mechanism for powering the expanding and collapsing mechanism. The powering mechanism is in communication with the expanding and collapsing mechanism. The present invention pertains to a method for assisting operation of a patient's heart. The method comprises the steps of expanding a balloon placed between a right ventricle free wall and a septum of a patient such that right ventricular compression is achieved during cardiac systole. Then there is the step of collapsing the balloon during cardiac diastole.

Abstract: A system for closing together a first side of a sternum and a second side of the sternum of a patient. The system includes a first grommet to be disposed in the first side. The system includes a second grommet adapted to be disposed in the second side. The system includes a mechanism for placing a grommet into the sternum. The placing mechanism is adapted to hold the grommet for placement in the sternum. The system includes a first wire suture for insertion through the first and second grommets. The system includes a stop mechanism for allowing the placing mechanism to place a grommet into the sternum only in a desired location of the patient and any other portion of the patient is protected from damage by the placing mechanism during operation. A grommet. An approximator. A drill stop mechanism. A placement tool. A method of threading a wire suture through a hole in a sternum. A method of bringing together a first side of a sternum and a second side of the sternum.

Abstract: An apparatus for repairing a vessel in a patient. The apparatus includes a graft. The apparatus includes a mechanism for compressing the vessel to the graft and holding the vessel to the graft. A method of repairing a vessel of a patient. The method includes the steps of placing a first end of a graft in contact with a first side of the vessel. Then there is the step of placing a second side of the graft in contact with the second side of the vessel. Next there is the step of compressing the first side of the vessel against the first end. Then there is the step of compressing the second side of the vessel against the second end.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to an apparatus for assisting a patient's heart operation. The apparatus comprises a mechanism for expanding and collapsing a right ventricle free wall of a heart of a patient. The apparatus also comprises a mechanism for powering the expanding and collapsing mechanism. The powering mechanism is in communication with the expanding and collapsing mechanism. The present invention pertains to a method for assisting operation of a patient's heart. The method comprises the steps of expanding a balloon placed between a right ventricle free wall and a septum of a patient such that right ventricular compression is achieved during cardiac systole. Then there is the step of collapsing the balloon during cardiac diastole.

Abstract: An implantable attaching device includes an annular ring having an axial passageway and a plurality of channels extending radially through the ring. Tissue attaching pins are positioned in the channels and extend radially inward into the axial passageway during implantation. The pins are driven into the native annulus tissue after the ring is positioned. Once the pins are driven into the annulus, the axial passageway of the ring is unobstructed and is adapted to receive a heart valve or other implantable device.

Abstract: A system for closing together a first side of a sternum and a second side of the sternum of a patient. The system includes a first grommet to be disposed in the first side. The system includes a second grommet adapted to be disposed in the second side. The system includes a mechanism for placing a grommet into the sternum. The placing mechanism is adapted to hold the grommet for placement in the sternum. The system includes a first wire suture for insertion through the first and second grommets. The system includes a stop mechanism for allowing the placing mechanism to place a grommet into the sternum only in a desired location of the patient and any other portion of the patient is protected from damage by the placing mechanism during operation. A grommet. An approximator. A drill stop mechanism. A placement tool. A method of threading a wire suture through a hole in a sternum. A method of bringing together a first side of a sternum and a second side of the sternum.