Abstract: A surgical apparatus for introduction of laparoscopic instruments into an anatomical cavity through tissue at an entry site. The apparatus includes a body with a frustoconical-shaped wall. The body defines an interior cavity, an open bottom, and a substantially closed top wall with openings from which a plurality of ports extend upward therefrom. The ports are adapted to receive the laparoscopic instruments for introduction through the interior cavity and open bottom of the body into the anatomical cavity. In the preferred embodiment, the frustoconical-shaped wall of the body is placed through an incision in the umbilicus. In one aspect of the invention, the body is a unitary one-piece molded structure. A reinforcing belt or plate formed from a relatively hard material can be integral to the body, and separately formed port caps each having a septum may be bonded to the ports.

Abstract: A surgical implant device for treating glaucoma includes an elongate duct structure formed from a material comprising polyisobutylene and a glassy segment. The material of the elongate duct structure preferably has a general block structure with a central elastomeric polyolefinic block and thermoplastic end blocks (e.g., a triblock polymer backbone comprising polystyrene-polyisobutylene-polystyrene). The elongate duct structure provides a fluid passageway for diverting aqueous humor from the anterior chamber of the eye. Preferably, the elongate duct structure defines a lumen channel having an inside diameter between 0.05 mm and 0.3 mm. The material of the elongate duct structure is biocompatible and biostable. Moreover, the material will not encapsulate in the eye and thus provides an unobstructed flowpath that diverts aqueous humor from the anterior chamber. Different embodiments of the implant device divert the aqueous humor to different parts of the eye (e.g.

Abstract: A delivery device for delivering an implantable, radially expandable medical device having a constricted region for occluding fluid flow to a desired location in a body lumen. The delivery device includes an outer sleeve, an inner tube terminating at its distal end in a plunger, and a tapered guide member. In one embodiment, the tapered guide member is attached to and extends away from the constricted region of the occlusion device, and is thus implanted in the body lumen along with the occlusion device upon deployment of the occlusion device at the desired treatment location. In a second embodiment, the tapered guide member is integrated into the constricted region of the occlusion device. In a third embodiment, an inflatable balloon is positioned distally of the medical device, and when inflated provides a tapered guide surface that eases the navigation of the delivery device through the body lumen.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading a self-expanding prosthesis into a delivery sheath includes a substantially cylindrical cartridge for receiving the prosthesis and a cartridge un-loading device for removing the prosthesis from the cartridge and loading it into a delivery sheath. The cartridge is provided with an exterior radial key at one end. The unloading device includes a substantially cylindrical member having an interior stationary coaxial piston extending substantially its entire length and an exterior sliding ring. The cylindrical member is provided with a radial slot which restricts movement of the sliding ring, and a stepped internal stop at one end. The stepped internal stop has a radial keyway which is dimensioned to receive the key on the cartridge. The sliding ring is provided with a radial pin which resides in the radial slot in the cylindrical member and which couples the sliding ring to an interior key engaging member with a locking keyway dimensioned to engage the key on the cartridge.

Abstract: Breast prostheses for subcutaneous implantation for breast augmentation. The prostheses include an outer shell having a smooth non-porous outer envelope and a non-woven porous outer layer affixed to the envelope. The outer layer is preferably manufactured by an electrostatic spinning process to deposit biocompatible polymeric fibers on the smooth outer envelope of the prosthesis to build up a porous surface which promotes tissue ingrowth therein. In a preferred embodiment, the biocompatible porous outer layer and the non-porous outer envelope are manufactured with a polyurethane polymer material. Most preferably, a polycarbonate urethane polymer is used to manufacture the outer layer. The outer envelope and the porous outer layer may be further treated with an acetoxy-terminated siloxane to render them more crack-resistant under in vivo use.

Abstract: A mesh composite graft including an inner component, an outer component formed from strands of durable material, such as polyethylene terephthalate, and an intermediate component made from strands of biocompatible synthetic material having a melting point less than that of the durable material from which the outer component is formed and less than that of the biocompatible synthetic material from which the inner component of the graft is formed. By heating the graft to a temperature greater than the melting point of the material from which the intermediate component is formed but less than the melting point of the outer component material and less than the melting point of the material from which the inner component is formed, the components are bound by the melted intermediate component to provide a totally porous, compliant composite graft reinforced by the outer component.

Abstract: A mesh composite graft including an inner component, an outer component formed from strands of durable material, such as polyethylene terephthalate, and an intermediate component made from strands of bicompatible synthetic material having a melting point less than that of the durable material from which the outer component is formed and less than that of the biocompatible synthetic material from which the inner component of the graft is formed. By heating the graft to a temperature grater than the melting point of the material from which the intermediate component is formed but less than the melting point of the outer component material and less than the melting point of the material from which the inner component is formed, the components are bound by the melted intermediate component to provide a totally porous, compliant composite graft reinforced by the outer component.

Abstract: The anastomosis trimming device is used for trimming one end section of a tubular structure, such as a blood vessel or vascular graft, which is to be anastomosed, to provide the anastomotic end with a smooth, reproducible shape. The end is trimmed in such a manner as to mate with a similarly trimmed end of a second tubular structure or with an incision in the side of a second tubular structure. The device comprises first and second arms pivotably connected to each other at one end, with the first arm mounting a cutting die including a cutting element on a free end thereof. The cutting element faces toward the second arm, and the free end of the second arm mounts a mating element facing toward the first arm which, upon pivoting of the free ends of the first and second arm, mates with the cutting element on the first arm.

Abstract: Composite grafts are provided that have a porous wall structure to permit ingrowth thereinto under in vivo conditions but which include a generally non-porous membrane in the wall to prevent substantial fluid passage therethrough so as to provide an implantable porous graft that does not require preclotting prior to implantation. One or more of such membranes are formed in place by applying a polymeric membrane-forming composition during the formation of a graft body by winding elongated extruded fibers on a mandrel.

Abstract: Vascular grafts are provided that have an external surface which has a porous structure that is conducive to tissue ingrowth thereinto after the vascular graft has been implanted. The vascular graft is prepared by winding an extruded fiber onto a mandrel in the presence of intermittently applied electrostatic forces. Such vascular graft may include an internal surface that was formed under the influence of the electrostatic charge, which internal surface has a porosity that is substantially less than that of said porous external surface.