Abstract: The invention provides surgical systems and methods for ablating heart tissue within the interior and/or exterior of the heart. A plurality of probes is provided with each probe configured for introduction into the chest for engaging the heart. Each probe includes an elongated shaft having an elongated ablating surface of a predetermined shape. The elongated shaft and the elongated ablating surface of each probe are configured to ablate a portion of the heart. A sealing device affixed to the heart tissue forms a hemostatic seal between the probe and the penetration in the heart to inhibit blood loss therethrough.

Abstract: The invention provides surgical systems and methods for ablating heart tissue within the interior and/or exterior of the heart. A plurality of probes is provided with each probe configured for introduction into the chest for engaging the heart. Each probe includes an elongated shaft having an elongated ablating surface of a predetermined shape. The elongated shaft and the elongated ablating surface of each probe are configured to ablate a portion of the heart. A sealing device affixed to the heart tissue forms a hemostatic seal between the probe and the penetration in the heart to inhibit blood loss therethrough.

Abstract: The invention provides surgical systems and methods for ablating heart tissue within the interior and/or exterior of the heart. A plurality of probes is provided with each probe configured for introduction into the chest for engaging the heart. Each probe includes an elongated shaft having an elongated ablating surface of a predetermined shape. The elongated shaft and the elongated ablating surface of each probe are configured to ablate a portion of the heart. A sealing device affixed to the heart tissue forms a hemostatic seal between the probe and the penetration in the heart to inhibit blood loss therethrough.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve has leaflets made of a thin and flexible material. The side edges of adjacent leaflets are sewn together so as to form a substantially tubular valve structure having an in-flow end and an out-flow end. Each of the leaflets is adapted to flex inwardly into and out of engagement with another leaflet so as to close and open the valve in response to force by blood pressure. The leaflets are configured so that a portion of the inner face of each leaflet is in a facing relationship with a portion of the inner face of an adjacent leaflet.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for using tubular material to replace a semilunar heart valve (i.e., an aortic or pulmonary valve). To create such a replacement valve, the native valve cusps are removed from inside an aorta or pulmonary artery, and the inlet end of a tubular segment is sutured to the valve annulus. The outlet (distal) end of the tube is either “tacked” at three points distally, or sutured longitudinally along three lines; either method will allow the flaps of tissue between the suture lines to function as movable cusps. This approach generates flow patterns that reduce turbulence and closely duplicate the flow patterns of native semilunar valves. An article of manufacture is also disclosed, comprising a sterile biocompatible synthetic material which has been manufactured in tubular form, by methods such as extrusion or coating a cylindrical molding device, to avoid a need for a suture line or other seam to convert a flat sheet of material into a tubular shape.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve has leaflets made of a thin and flexible material. The side edges of adjacent leaflets are sewn together so as to form a substantially tubular valve structure having an in-flow end and an out-flow end. Each of the leaflets is adapted to flex inwardly into and out of engagement with another leaflet so as to close and open the valve in response to force by blood pressure. The leaflets are configured so that a portion of the inner face of each leaflet is in a facing relationship with a portion of the inner face of an adjacent leaflet.

Abstract: A replacement heart valve is configured to replace a native atrioventricular heart valve (mitral or tricuspid valve, positioned between an atrial chamber and a ventricular chamber). The replacement valve includes a a thin and flexible wall portion having no more than two leaflets. Two securement locations adjacent the outlet end of the valve are adapted to be attached to respective papillary muscles. The unconstrained regions between the securement locations flex inwardly into and out of engagement with each other in response to blood pressure in order to close and open the valve. The leaflets engage each other along a line of commissure.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for using tubular material to replace a semilunar heart valve (i.e., an aortic or pulmonary valve). To create such a replacement valve, the native valve cusps are removed from inside an aorta or pulmonary artery, and the inlet end of a tubular segment is sutured to the valve annulus. The outlet (distal) end of the tube is either “tacked” at three points distally, or sutured longitudinally along three lines; either method will allow the flaps of tissue between the suture lines to function as movable cusps. This approach generates flow patterns that reduce turbulence and closely duplicate the flow patterns of native semilunar valves. An article of manufacture is also disclosed, comprising a sterile biocompatible synthetic material which has been manufactured in tubular form, by methods such as extrusion or coating a cylindrical molding device, to avoid a need for a suture line or other seam to convert a flat sheet of material into a tubular shape.

Abstract: A mitral valve annuloplasty ring and method for implanting a mitral valve annuloplasty ring to treat mitral insufficiency by reestablishing the normal shape and contour of the mitral valve annulus. The annuloplasty ring is flexible and can be readily adjusted to different sizes and shapes. The method substantially eliminates scarring subsequent to the annuloplasty procedure to maintain flexibility of the ring and the annulus indefinitely.

Abstract: A method is provided for inhibiting and substantially decreasing the motility of cells, and especially melanoma cells. In the invention, a cell is contacted with a motility-inhibiting amount of a metal ion selected from the group consisting of cobalt ion, the lanthanide metal ions, and mixtures thereof; particularly preferred metal ions are the Co2+ and Gd3+ ions. Metal ion sources may be administered in the form of soluble metal halide salts to in vitro to cells dispersed in an aqueous saline medium, or by administering an aqueous dispersion thereof to an in vivo mammalian subject at or adjacent a tumor site.

Abstract: A mitral valve annuloplasty ring and method for implanting a mitral valve annuloplasty ring to treat mitral insufficiency by reestablishing the normal shape and contour of the mitral valve annulus. The annuloplasty ring is flexible and can be readily adjusted to different sizes and shapes. The method substantially eliminates scarring subsequent to the annuloplasty procedure to maintain flexibility of the ring and the annulus indefinitely.

Abstract: The invention provides surgical systems and methods for ablating heart tissue within the interior and/or exterior of the heart. A plurality of probes is provided with each probe configured for introduction into the chest for engaging the heart. Each probe includes an elongated shaft having an elongated ablating surface of a predetermined shape. The elongated shaft and the elongated ablating surface of each probe are configured to ablate a portion of the heart. A sealing device affixed to the heart tissue forms a hemostatic seal between the probe and the penetration in the heart to inhibit blood loss therethrough.

Abstract: The invention provides surgical systems and methods for ablating heart tissue within the interior and/or exterior of the heart. A plurality of probes is provided with each probe configured for introduction into the chest for engaging the heart. Each probe includes an elongated shaft having an elongated ablating surface of a predetermined shape. The elongated shaft and the elongated ablating surface of each probe are configured to ablate a portion of the heart. A sealing device affixed to the heart tissue forms a hemostatic seal between the probe and the penetration in the heart to inhibit blood loss therethrough.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for using tubular material to replace a semilunar heart valve (i.e., an aortic or pulmonary valve). To create such a replacement valve, the native valve cusps are removed from inside an aorta or pulmonary artery, and the inlet end of a tubular segment is sutured to the valve annulus. The outlet (distal) end of the tube is either “tacked” at three points distally, or sutured longitudinally along three lines; either method will allow the flaps of tissue between the suture lines to function as movable cusps. This approach generates flow patterns that reduce turbulence and closely duplicate the flow patterns of native semilunar valves. An article of manufacture is also disclosed, comprising a sterile biocompatible synthetic material which has been manufactured in tubular form, by methods such as extrusion or coating a cylindrical molding device, to avoid a need for a suture line or other seam to convert a flat sheet of material into a tubular shape.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for using tubular material to replace a semilunar heart valve (i.e., an aortic or pulmonary valve). To create such a replacement valve, the native valve cusps are removed from inside an aorta or pulmonary artery, and the inlet end of a tubular segment is sutured to the valve annulus. The outlet (distal) end of the tube is either “tacked” at three points distally, or sutured longitudinally along three lines; either method will allow the flaps of tissue between the suture lines to function as movable cusps. This approach generates flow patterns that reduce turbulence and closely duplicate the flow patterns of native semilunar valves. An article of manufacture is also disclosed, comprising a sterile biocompatible synthetic material which has been manufactured in tubular form, by methods such as extrusion or coating a cylindrical molding device, to avoid a need for a suture line or other seam to convert a flat sheet of material into a tubular shape.

Abstract: A replacement heart valve is configured to replace a native atrioventricular heart valve (mitral or tricuspid valve, positioned between an atrial chamber and a ventricular chamber). The replacement valve includes a a thin and flexible wall portion having no more than two leaflets. Two securement locations adjacent the outlet end of the valve are adapted to be attached to respective papillary muscles. The unconstrained regions between the securement locations flex inwardly into and out of engagement with each other in response to blood pressure in order to close and open the valve. The leaflets engage each other along a line of commissure.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve has leaflets made of a thin and flexible material. The side edges of adjacent leaflets are sewn together so as to form a substantially tubular valve structure having an in-flow end and an out-flow end. Each of the leaflets is adapted to flex inwardly into and out of engagement with another leaflet so as to close and open the valve in response to force by blood pressure. The leaflets are configured so that a portion of the inner face of each leaflet is in a facing relationship with a portion of the inner face of an adjacent leaflet.

Abstract: The invention provides surgical systems and methods for ablating heart tissue within the interior and/or exterior of the heart. A plurality of probes is provided with each probe configured for introduction into the chest for engaging the heart. Each probe includes an elongated shaft having an elongated ablating surface of a predetermined shape. The elongated shaft and the elongated ablating surface of each probe are configured to ablate a portion of the heart. A sealing device affixed to the heart tissue forms a hemostatic seal between the probe and the penetration in the heart to inhibit blood loss therethrough.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for using tubular material to replace a semilunar heart valve (i.e., an aortic or pulmonary valve). To create such a replacement valve, the native valve cusps are removed from inside an aorta or pulmonary artery, and the inlet end of a tubular segment is sutured to the valve annulus. The outlet (distal) end of the tube is either “tacked” at three points distally, or sutured longitudinally along three lines; either method will allow the flaps of tissue between the suture lines to function as movable cusps. This approach generates flow patterns that reduce turbulence and closely duplicate the flow patterns of native semilunar valves. An article of manufacture is also disclosed, comprising a sterile biocompatible synthetic material which has been manufactured in tubular form, by methods such as extrusion or coating a cylindrical molding device, to avoid a need for a suture line or other seam to convert a flat sheet of material into a tubular shape.

Abstract: The invention provides surgical systems and methods for ablating heart tissue within the interior and/or exterior of the heart. A plurality of probes is provided with each probe configured for introduction into the chest for engaging the heart. Each probe includes an elongated shaft having an elongated ablating surface of a predetermined shape. The elongated shaft and the elongated ablating surface of each probe are configured to ablate a portion of the heart. A sealing device affixed to the heart tissue forms a hemostatic seal between the probe and the penetration in the heart to inhibit blood loss therethrough.