Abstract: The present invention provides a mechanism by which the physical properties of diseased blood vessel walls can be manipulated to achieve an effective vessel lumen diameter for a prolonged period of time. The methods and devices of the present invention selectively isolate and treat the medial or adventitial layers of these diseased blood vessels. The invention is based on the delivery of proteolytic enzymes and crosslinking agents via specialized delivery devices to a select layer of the diseased blood vessel wall. By isolating and treating these layers of the artery, collagen degrading and collagen crosslinking agents can be delivered so as to affect the diameter of the blood vessels and control blood flow therein.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mechanism by which the physical properties of diseased blood vessel walls can be manipulated to achieve an effective vessel lumen diameter for a prolonged period of time. The methods and devices of the present invention selectively isolate and treat the medial or adventitial layers of these diseased blood vessels. The invention is based on the delivery of proteolytic enzymes and crosslinking agents via specialized delivery devices to a select layer of the diseased blood vessel wall. By isolating and treating these layers of the artery, collagen degrading and collagen crosslinking agents can be delivered so as to affect the diameter of the blood vessels and control blood flow therein.

Abstract: A surgical device for severing tissue, the surgical device comprising; a first shaft having a first internal lumen and a first slot disposed at a distal end; a clamp slidingly disposed in the first slot between open and closed positions to capture tissue in the first slot, the clamp having a clamping surface disposed at a distal end; at least one electrode for applying RF energy to the tissue captured in the first slot; a cutting blade slidingly disposed in the first slot between open and closed positions, the cutting blade having a cutting edge to sever the tissue; first actuation means for actuating the clamp between the open and closed positions; and second actuation means for actuating the cutting blade between the open and closed positions.

Abstract: Impression devices are provided for making an impression of a desired feature. The impression devices include: a flexible bladder having a cavity formed therein, the flexible bladder being capable of conforming to the details of the desired feature; a rheological material, such as a magnetorheological fluid, disposed in the cavity of the flexible bladder; and an activator for applying an external stimulus to the rheological material to change the state of the rheological material and thereby capture an impression of the desired feature.

Abstract: An anastomosis staple comprising of a plurality of vessel engaging members and a binding structure holding the vessel engaging members together is described. The binding structure has at least one bioabsorbable element. The binding structure is rigid enough to allow for deployment and quickly resorbs to avoid problems associated with intimal hyperplasia and physical hindrance of secondary interventional procedures. The vessel engaging members may be comprised of superelastic or shape memory metal and are independent from one another. The members may be equidistant from one another and embedded within the binding structure. The composite staple can preferably serve as a drug delivery vehicle.

Abstract: An anastomosis staple comprising of a plurality of vessel engaging members and a binding structure holding the vessel engaging members together is described. The binding structure has at least one bioabsorbable element. The binding structure is rigid enough to allow for deployment and quickly resorbs to avoid problems associated with intimal hyperplasia and physical hindrance of secondary interventional procedures. The vessel engaging members may be comprised of superelastic or shape memory metal and are independent from one another. The members may be equidistant from one another and embedded within the binding structure. The composite staple can preferably serve as a drug delivery vehicle.

Abstract: A surgical device for severing tissue, the surgical device comprising; a first shaft having a first internal lumen and a first slot disposed at a distal end; a clamp slidingly disposed in the first slot between open and closed positions to capture tissue in the first slot, the clamp having a clamping surface disposed at a distal end; at least one electrode for applying RF energy to the tissue captured in the first slot; a cutting blade slidingly disposed in the first slot between open and closed positions, the cutting blade having a cutting edge to sever the tissue; first actuation means for actuating the clamp between the open and closed positions; and second actuation means for actuating the cutting blade between the open and closed positions.

Abstract: A method for creating an anastomosis between first and second vessels. The method includes: attaching a portion of the first vessel to a body, where the body is at least partly fabricated from a sponge material; attaching a portion of the second vessel to the body; and creating an anastomosis between the portions of the first and second vessels and through an opening in the body. The attaching of the first vessel to the body includes either attaching an end portion of the first vessel to the opening formed in the body or attaching a side portion of the first vessel to the body. The attaching of the second vessel to the body includes attaching a side portion of the second vessel to the body.

Abstract: A surgical device for severing tissue, the surgical device comprising; a first shaft having a first internal lumen and a first slot disposed at a distal end; a clamp slidingly disposed in the first slot between open and closed positions to capture tissue in the first slot, the clamp having a clamping surface disposed at a distal end; at least one electrode for applying RF energy to the tissue captured in the first slot; a cutting blade slidingly disposed in the first slot between open and closed positions, the cutting blade having a cutting edge to sever the tissue; first actuation means for actuating the clamp between the open and closed positions; and second actuation means for actuating the cutting blade between the open and closed positions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mechanism by which the physical properties of diseased blood vessel walls can be manipulated to achieve an effective vessel lumen diameter for a prolonged period of time. The methods and devices of the present invention selectively isolate and treat the medial or adventitial layers of these diseased blood vessels. The invention is based on the delivery of proteolytic enzymes and crosslinking agents via specialized delivery devices to a select layer of the diseased blood vessel wall. By isolating and treating these layers of the artery, collagen degrading and collagen crosslinking agents can be delivered so as to affect the diameter of the blood vessels and control blood flow therein.

Abstract: An anastomosis staple comprising of a plurality of vessel engaging members and a binding structure holding the vessel engaging members together is described. The binding structure has at least one bioabsorbable element. The binding structure is rigid enough to allow for deployment and quickly resorbs to avoid problems associated with intimal hyperplasia and physical hindrance of secondary interventional procedures. The vessel engaging members may be comprised of superelastic or shape memory metal and are independent from one another. The members may be equidistant from one another and embedded within the binding structure. The composite staple can preferably serve as a drug delivery vehicle.

Abstract: A surgical device including: a first shaft having a first projection radially offset from an axial direction of the first shaft, the first projection having a first clamping surface; a second shaft slidably disposed relative to the first shaft, the second shaft having a second projection radially offset from the axial direction, the second projection having a second clamping surface; a dissector for dissecting tissue from a blood vessel to be harvested; a first actuator for sliding the second projection relative to the first projection to capture a side branch of the vessel between the first and second clamping surfaces; at least one electrode for applying cauterizing energy to cauterize the captured side branch; a cutting blade movably disposed on one of the first or second projections; and a second actuator for moving the cutting blade to sever the side branch captured between the first and second projections.

Abstract: Devices and methods for rendering an intravascular stent radioactive in-situ, after stent placement. A stent is provided having a tubular body and a first substance immobilized on body. The first substance preferably has a high and selective affinity for a second substance which can be radioactive, cytotoxic or thrombolytic. The first substance can also have an affinity for growth factors or thrombolytic, chemolytic or cytotoxic agents. The stent can be placed across a stenosed blood vessel region, preferably after dilation by angioplasty or atherectomy. After stent placement within the vessel, the second substance can be injected into the blood stream of a patient. With each pass through the stent, the second substance is increasingly bound to the first substance on the stent. Suitable complementary substance pairs include avidin and radio-labeled biotin, protamine and radioactive heparin, and protein and anti-protein antibody.

Abstract: An introducer for use in interventional vascular procedures having a sealing mechanism for closure of a puncture site is disclosed. The introducer has a vessel-engaging component and a sealing component thereon. The vessel-engaging component comprises an elongated filament engaged within a channel in the wall of the introducer. The filament has an expandable part that is changeable from a first configuration to a second, expanded configuration. When the distal end of the introducer is inserted into the lumen of a blood vessel, the expandable part may be inflated. Pulling the introducer through the puncture in a direction opposite the vessel then causes the expandable member to be engaged on the vessel wall at the location of the puncture to provide resistance in pulling the introducer away from the blood vessel. In this way, the vessel-engaging component locates the puncture site.