Abstract: Systems for anastomosing a first hollow tissue structure to a second hollow tissue structure are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, such a system comprises at least one tissue securing member adapted to secure the first and second hollow tissue structures together, and a device for applying the tissue securing member to the tissue structures. The tissue securing member is preferably configured to pass through only one of the tissue structures, and is movable from a first configuration to a second configuration which results in a compressive force being applied to the tissue structures. The systems are particularly useful for performing anastomosis of blood vessels in heart surgery.

Abstract: Systems for anastomosing a first hollow tissue structure to a second hollow tissue structure are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, such a system comprises at least one tissue securing member adapted to secure the first and second hollow tissue structures together, and a device for applying the tissue securing member to the tissue structures. The tissue securing member is preferably configured to pass through only one of the tissue structures, and is movable from a first configuration to a second configuration which results in a compressive force being applied to the tissue structures. The systems are particularly useful for performing anastomosis of blood vessels in heart surgery.

Abstract: The invention provides a stabilizer having a foot to stabilize a patient's heart. The stabilizer has a first foot which is larger than a second foot. The first foot has lateral surfaces which are used to retract other parts of the heart while contact surfaces stabilize the target artery.

Abstract: Systems for anastomosing a first hollow tissue structure to a second hollow tissue structure are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, such a system comprises at least one tissue securing member adapted to secure the first and second hollow tissue structures together, and a device for applying the tissue securing member to the tissue structures. The tissue securing member is preferably configured to pass through only one of the tissue structures, and is movable from a first configuration to a second configuration which results in a compressive force being applied to the tissue structures. The systems are particularly useful for performing anastomosis of blood vessels in heart surgery.

Abstract: The invention provides a stabilizer having a foot to stabilize a patient's heart. The stabilizer has a first foot which is larger than a second foot. The first foot has lateral surfaces which are used to retract other parts of the heart while contact surfaces stabilize the target artery.

Abstract: Systems for anastomosing a first hollow tissue structure to a second hollow tissue structure are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, such a system comprises at least one tissue securing member adapted to secure the first and second hollow tissue structures together, and a device for applying the tissue securing member to the tissue structures. The tissue securing member is preferably configured to pass through only one of the tissue structures, and is movable from a first configuration to a second configuration which results in a compressive force being applied to the tissue structures. The systems are particularly useful for performing anastomosis of blood vessels in heart surgery.

Abstract: Devices and methods for performing vascular anastomosis. A needle passer is used to pass one or more needles through tissue to thread one or more lengths of suture through the tissue. The needle passer is operable using one hand and includes a handle supporting a shaft assembly carrying first and second sets of needles connected by lengths of suture. An actuator assembly uncovers the first set of needles, moves them into a radially extended position, and then passes them through tissue, for example, the wall of a patient's aorta. The needle passer may be pistol-shaped with a trigger that is moved in one direction to sequentially uncover, radially extend, and move the first set of needles through the aorta around an aortotomy. The needles may then be pulled away from the patient to thread the suture through the tissue. A delivery device is used to deliver a member adapted to be secure to body tissue, such as a vascular conduit.

Abstract: Devices and methods for performing vascular anastomosis. A needle passer is used to pass one or more needles through tissue to thread one or more lengths of suture through the tissue. The needle passer is operable using one hand and includes a handle supporting a shaft assembly carrying first and second sets of needles connected by lengths of suture. An actuator assembly uncovers the first set of needles, moves them into a radially extended position, and then passes them through tissue, for example, the wall of a patient's aorta. The needle passer may be pistol-shaped with a trigger that is moved in one direction to sequentially uncover, radially extend, and move the first set of needles through the aorta around an aortotomy. The needles may then be pulled away from the patient to thread the suture through the tissue. A delivery device is used to deliver a member adapted to be secure to body tissue, such as a vascular conduit. The delivery device includes a shaft and a collar mounted for relative movement.

Abstract: Systems for anastomosing a first hollow tissue structure to a second hollow tissue structure are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, such a system comprises at least one tissue securing member adapted to secure the first and second hollow tissue structures together, and a device for applying the tissue securing member to the tissue structures. The tissue securing member is preferably configured to pass through only one of the tissue structures, and is movable from a first configuration to a second configuration which results in a compressive force being applied to the tissue structures. The systems are particularly useful for performing anastomosis of blood vessels in heart surgery.

Abstract: An improved vascular incisor and method for allowing a user to safely create an incision in a body lumen. The present invention provides an apparatus which can create an incision in a front wall of the ascending aorta while preventing the blade from creating an incision in surrounding body structures, such as the back wall of the ascending aorta. The incisor includes a surgical element such as a blade which is activated by an actuator. As the actuator is depressed, the blade is moved from a protected, retracted position to an exposed, deployed position. The exposed blade is pushed into a front wall of the ascending aorta to create an incision. As the actuator is depressed further, the blade is automatically moved to the retracted position to prevent the blade from incising the back wall of the aorta.

Abstract: An improved vascular incisor and method for allowing a user to safely create an incision in a body lumen. The present invention provides an apparatus which can create an incision in a front wall of the ascending aorta while preventing the blade from creating an incision in surrounding body structures, such as the back wall of the ascending aorta. The incisor includes a surgical element such as a blade which is activated by an actuator. As the actuator is depressed, the blade is moved from a protected, retracted position to an exposed, deployed position. The exposed blade is pushed into a front wall of the ascending aorta to create an incision. As the actuator is depressed further, the blade is automatically moved to the retracted position to prevent the blade from incising the back wall of the aorta.

Abstract: The invention provides a stabilizer having a foot to stabilize a patient's heart. The stabilizer has a first foot which is larger than a second foot. The first foot has lateral surfaces which are used to retract other parts of the heart while contact surfaces stabilize the target artery.

Abstract: An improved vascular incisor and method for allowing a user to safely create an incision in a body lumen. The present invention provides an apparatus which can create an incision in a front wall of the ascending aorta while preventing the blade from creating an incision in surrounding body structures, such as the back wall of the ascending aorta. The incisor includes a surgical element such as a blade which is activated by an actuator. As the actuator is depressed, the blade is moved from a protected, retracted position to an exposed, deployed position. The exposed blade is pushed into a front wall of the ascending aorta to create an incision. As the actuator is depressed further, the blade is automatically moved to the retracted position to prevent the blade from incising the back wall of the aorta.

Abstract: Devices and methods for performing vascular anastomosis. A needle passer is used to pass one or more needles through tissue to thread one or more lengths of suture through the tissue. The needle passer is operable using one hand and includes a handle supporting a shaft assembly carrying first and second sets of needles connected by lengths of suture. An actuator assembly uncovers the first set of needles, moves them into a radially extended position, and then passes them through tissue, for example, the wall of a patient's aorta. The needle passer may be pistol-shaped with a trigger that is moved in one direction to sequentially uncover, radially extend, and move the first set of needles through the aorta around an aortotomy. The needles may then be pulled away from the patient to thread the suture through the tissue. A delivery device is used to deliver a member adapted to be secure to body tissue, such as a vascular conduit. The delivery device includes a shaft and a collar mounted for relative movement.

Abstract: Devices and methods for performing vascular anastomosis. A needle passer is used to pass one or more needles through tissue to thread one or more lengths of suture through the tissue. The needle passer is operable using one hand and includes a handle supporting a shaft assembly carrying first and second sets of needles connected by lengths of suture. An actuator assembly uncovers the first set of needles, moves them into a radially extended position, and then passes them through tissue, for example, the wall of a patient's aorta. The needle passer may be pistol-shaped with a trigger that is moved in one direction to sequentially uncover, radially extend, and move the first set of needles through the aorta around an aortotomy. The needles may then be pulled away from the patient to thread the suture through the tissue. A delivery device is used to deliver a member adapted to be secure to body tissue, such as a vascular conduit.

Abstract: Systems for anastomosing a first hollow tissue structure to a second hollow tissue structure are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, such a system comprises at least one tissue securing member adapted to secure the first and second hollow tissue structures together, and a device for applying the tissue securing member to the tissue structures. The tissue securing member is preferably configured to pass through only one of the tissue structures, and is movable from a first configuration to a second configuration which results in a compressive force being applied to the tissue structures. The systems are particularly useful for performing anastomosis of blood vessels in heart surgery.

Abstract: Systems for anastomosing a first hollow tissue structure to a second hollow tissue structure are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, such a system comprises at least one tissue securing member adapted to secure the first and second hollow tissue structures together, and a device for applying the tissue securing member to the tissue structures. The tissue securing member is preferably configured to pass through only one of the tissue structures, and is movable from a first configuration to a second configuration which results in a compressive force being applied to the tissue structures. The systems are particularly useful for performing anastomosis of blood vessels in heart surgery.