Abstract: A variety of new ways can be used for associating antimicrobial elemental metal with a medical article. The associated antimicrobial metal reduces the risk of infection associated with the medical use of the medical article. New medical articles are produced by some of these new approaches. Some of the methods involve ways of adjusting the dissociation rate of associated elemental metal such that desired degrees of antimicrobial activity can be achieved over selected periods of time.

Abstract: This invention relates to heart valve annuloplasty prostheses that are fashioned of bioresorbable materials. The prostheses are eventually resorbed by the patient, during which time regenerated tissue replaces the prosthesis. This leaves the patient with a biological and functional annular structure, resulting in improved heart valve function.

Abstract: A transmyocardial implant includes a hollow conduit adapted to be inserted into and retained within the heart wall of a heart chamber containing oxygenated blood. The conduit is in blood-flow communication with blood contained within the chamber. A natural blood vessel graft having a first end is secured to the conduit for blood flow from the chamber to flow into the graft. The graft has a second end secured to the coronary vessel with an opening of the second end in blood flow communication with a lumen of the coronary vessel. The conduit and graft defining a blood flow path between the openings of the first and second ends.

Abstract: A transmyocardial implant includes a hollow rigid conduit having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is sized to be received within a coronary vessel lumen. The first portion has an axial dimension aligned with an axis of the vessel. The second portion is sized to extend from the vessel through a myocardium into a heart chamber. The conduit has open first and second ends on axial ends of respective ones of the first and second portions to define a blood flow pathway within an interior of the conduit between the first and second ends. The first portion has at least one radial opening formed therethrough for blood to flow radially outward of the first portion proximally to the first end.

Abstract: A transmyocardial implant includes a hollow conduit having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is received within the lumen. The first portion has an axial dimension aligned with an axis of the vessel. The second portion is sized to extend from the vessel through the myocardium into the heart chamber. The conduit has open first and second ends on axial ends of respective ones of the first and second portions to define a blood flow pathway within an interior of the conduit between the first and second ends. A collar surrounds an exterior of the artery overlying the first portion at the first open end.

Abstract: A variety of new ways can be used for associating antimicrobial elemental metal with a medical article. The associated antimicrobial metal reduces the risk of infection associated with the medical use of the medical article. New medical articles are produced by some of these new approaches. Some of the methods involve ways of adjusting the dissociation rate of associated elemental metal such that desired degrees of antimicrobial activity can be achieved over selected periods of time.

Abstract: A blood flow path is formed from a heart chamber to a coronary vessel. The coronary vessel has a predetermined diameter. A hollow conduit is selected having a vessel portion and a myocardial portion. The vessel portion has an open leading end sized to be inserted into the coronary vessel. The myocardial portion has an open leading end and the myocardium portion is sized to extend through a thickness of the heart wall. The conduit is selected with the vessel portion sized to be inserted within the vessel without dilating the vessel to such a degree that the vessel is incapable of further dilation in response to blood flow in the vessel. The myocardial portion is placed in the heart wall with the open leading end of the myocardial portion protruding into the heart chamber. The leading end of the vessel portion is placed in the coronary vessel.

Abstract: The transmyocardial implant for establishing blood flow through the myocardium between a heart chamber and a lumen of a coronary vessel includes a hollow rigid conduit extending between the lumen and the heart chamber. The conduit includes a first portion for placement in the vessel. The first portion includes an attachment location spaced from an open end for securing a suture around the vessel overlying the first portion at the attachment location. The conduit is formed of a rigid material to resist deformation in response to contraction of the myocardium and the conduit is resistant to thrombus. A tissue growth-inducing material is secured to an exterior of the first portion at the attachment location.

Abstract: A transmyocardial implant includes a hollow conduit inserted through a heart wall. The conduit defines a blood flow path between a heart chamber opening and a vessel opening. The heart chamber opening of the conduit is placed in communication with a chamber of the heart. A coronary vessel on an exterior of the heart wall is severed into a proximal portion and a distal portion. The distal portion of the vessel is placed into the vessel opening of the conduit. An alternative embodiment places the vessel flush with the vessel opening of the conduit.

Abstract: The transmyocardial implant for establishing blood flow through the myocardium between a heart chamber and a lumen of a coronary vasculature includes a hollow rigid conduit extending between the lumen and the heart chamber. The conduit is formed of a rigid material to resist deformation in response to contraction of the myocardium and the conduit is resistant to thrombus. A tissue growth-inducing material is secured to an exterior of the conduit. The tissue growth-inducing material is positioned to discourage tissue growth over openings of the implant.

Abstract: The invention involves containers and associated methods for the storage of devices in a moist environment without immersing the device in liquid. The containers have a moisture source that has a liquid supply isolated from a main chamber holding the device. The moisture source is in vapor communication with the main chamber to maintain a high relative humidity. The containers are conducive to storing the device in a sterile environment.

Abstract: An obstructed coronary artery is bypassed by forming a first blood flow path from a left ventricle of the heart to a coronary vein associated with the obstructed coronary artery. A second blood flow path is formed form the obstructed coronary artery to the right ventricle for blood to flow from the left ventricle through the coronary vein to the myocardium and subsequently through the coronary artery to the right ventricle in a blood flow direction opposite a normal blood flow direction in the coronary artery and coronary vein.

Abstract: The present invention includes a metallic coating on portions of the prosthesis to enhance the overall acceptability of the implantable device or fabric/sutures used to implant the prosthesis. The preferred metal is silver, which is applied to surfaces which are exposed to the heart tissue. The silver-treated portions of these devices inhibit or greatly reduce colonization of endocarditis-causing bacteria without impacting the overall biocompatibility of the device.

Abstract: This invention relates to bioprosthetic heart valve stents that are fashioned of bioresorbable materials. Such stents may be configured as sheaths or frames contoured to the shape of a valvular graft. The stents are eventually resorbed by the patent, leaving a functional "stentless" valve with improved hemodynamic characteristics compared to stented valve implants.

Abstract: This invention relates to bioprosthetic heart valve stents that are fashioned of bioresorbable materials. Such stents may be configured as sheaths or frames contoured to the shape of a valvular graft. The stents are eventually resorbed by the patient, leaving a functional "stentless" valve with improved hemodynamic characteristics compared to stented valve implants.