Abstract: An annuloplasty ring for repairing a cardiac valve includes an expandable support member having oppositely disposed proximal and distal end portions and a main body portion between the end portions. The proximal end portion of the support member includes a plurality of wing members that extend from the main body portion. Each of the wing members includes at least one hook member for embedding into a cardiac wall and the valve annulus to secure the annuloplasty ring in the valve annulus. The annuloplasty ring may be expanded into full contact engagement with the annulus of the cardiac valve by an inflatable balloon. Methods for repairing a cardiac valve using the annuloplasty ring are also provided.

Abstract: An annuloplasty ring for repairing a cardiac valve includes an expandable support member having oppositely disposed proximal and distal end portions and a main body portion between the end portions. The proximal end portion of the support member includes a plurality of wing members that extend from the main body portion. Each of the wing members includes at least one hook member for embedding into a cardiac wall and the valve annulus to secure the annuloplasty ring in the valve annulus. The annuloplasty ring may be expanded into full contact engagement with the annulus of the cardiac valve by an inflatable balloon. Methods for repairing a cardiac valve using the annuloplasty ring are also provided.

Abstract: An annuloplasty ring for repairing a cardiac valve includes an expandable support member having oppositely disposed proximal and distal end portions and a main body portion between the end portions. The proximal end portion of the support member includes a plurality of wing members that extend from the main body portion. Each of the wing members includes at least one hook member for embedding into a cardiac wall and the valve annulus to secure the annuloplasty ring in the valve annulus. The annuloplasty ring may be expanded into full contact engagement with the annulus of the cardiac valve by an inflatable balloon. Methods for repairing a cardiac valve using the annuloplasty ring are also provided.

Abstract: A medical device suitable for introducing a medical instrument into a patient includes an outer cannula and at least one arm connected to the cannula toward a proximal portion of the at least one arm. The at least one arm is deployable between a closed position and an open position. An inner member is telescopically received in the outer cannula to hold each arm in the closed position. The inner member is deployable to disengage from the arm after the device is inserted into a patient, thereby freeing the arm to be deployed to the open position where it helps hold the outer cannula in the patient. The inner member includes an inner cannula and/or a trocar.

Abstract: A medical device suitable for introducing a medical instrument into a patient includes an outer cannula and at least one arm connected to the cannula toward a proximal portion of the at least one arm. The at least one arm is deployable between a closed position and an open position. An inner member is telescopically received in the outer cannula to hold each arm in the closed position. The inner member is deployable to disengage from the arm after the device is inserted into a patient, thereby freeing the arm to be deployed to the open position where it helps hold the outer cannula in the patient. The inner member includes an inner cannula and/or a trocar.

Abstract: An annuloplasty ring for repairing a cardiac valve includes an expandable support member having oppositely disposed proximal and distal end portions and a main body portion between the end portions. The proximal end portion of the support member includes a plurality of wing members that extend from the main body portion. Each of the wing members includes at least one hook member for embedding into a cardiac wall and the valve annulus to secure the annuloplasty ring in the valve annulus. The annuloplasty ring may be expanded into full contact engagement with the annulus of the cardiac valve by an inflatable balloon. Methods for repairing a cardiac valve using the annuloplasty ring are also provided.

Abstract: A catheter is provided for clearing surgical drains of solid and semi-solid material that collects in and obstructs the drains. The catheter has a solids removal member at its distal end. Preferably, the solids removal member is an inflatable balloon, a deployable umbrella member, a deployable spring, a slicer, or a fixed spring. The solids removal member is effective to aid removal of collected solids from the surgical drain. An aspiration port is also provided at the distal end of the catheter to remove or aspirate collected solids that are dislodged from the surgical drain by the solids removal member. A method for using such a catheter is also provided.

Abstract: Paired vascular clamps simplify laparoscopic vascular reconstruction surgery by providing an instrument for bringing vessel ends together to a reasonable working distance under a controlled fashion. A first clamp, with a pivoted connecting arm, and a second clamp with a lock/release device for attaching the second clamp to the connecting arm, can be inserted through an trocar or other port into a surgical field and then positioned on with the first clam and the second clamp in side-by-side and substantially parallel relationship, so that said first clamp and said second clamp can hold and position one or more vessels or elongated tissues. A laparoscopic approximator-everter has extendable blades for gripping blood vessel edges or other tissue to be anamosted, and an extendable sheath that can be advanced to surround the blades.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for monitoring blood parameters during cardio-pulmonary bypass surgery or during other procedures which utilize an extracorporeal circuit. The apparatus is typically used to monitor the percentage of hemoglobin bound with oxygen (oxygen saturation), the total amount of hemoglobin in the blood, and the percent of blood which is comprised of red blood cells (hematocrit), although the apparatus can be adapted to measure other blood parameters. The apparatus (or monitor) provides real-time results to show immediate changes (trending) in the monitored parameters.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for medical applications is disclosed. The heat exchanger is characterized in that it is configured to provide a high heat transfer efficiency while minimizing the possibility of formation gaseous emboli and maximizing the ability to entrap and remove any such emboli which form or are introduced into the device. The heat exchanger is particularly well-suited for use in connection with cardioplegia apparatus.

Abstract: A mass transfer device including a hollow fiber bundle wound on a core for radially outward flow of a first fluid. The core has an axis extending from one end to the other. The hollow fiber bundle has packing fractions which increase radially outward of the core's axis for a major portion of the bundle. Methods for making such mass transfer device.

Abstract: A heat exchanger is provided for use in extracorporeal blood oxygenation systems. The heat exchanger includes a housing, a core disposed within the housing, and a baffle disposed within the core. A blood passage chamber is defined by the outer surface of the core and the inner surface of the housing. Blood flows from the blood inlet, through the blood passage chamber, to the blood outlet. Heat exchange fluids flow from a fluid inlet, into an inlet chamber, around the baffle, into an outlet chamber, and to a fluid outlet.

Abstract: A mass transfer device including a hollow fiber bundle wound on a core for radially outward flow of a first fluid. The core has an axis extending from one end to the other. The hollow fiber bundle has packing fractions which increase radially outward of the core's axis for a major portion of the bundle. Methods for making such mass transfer device.

Abstract: A radial flow hollow fiber blood oxygenator is provided. The oxygenator includes a hollow fiber bundle within an oxygenator chamber defined by a hollow core around which the hollow fibers are wound and an outer housing. A gas entry port is coupled to the interior of the fibers adjacent one end of the bundle and a gas outlet is coupled to the interior of the fibers at the opposite end of the bundle. A blood inlet to the core is provided adjacent one end of the bundle, and a blood outlet from the chamber is provided adjacent the same end of the bundle. The direction of blood flow through the chamber is generally radial and the oxygenator includes an inlet manifold and an outlet manifold.

Abstract: A mass transfer device including a hollow fiber bundle wound on a core for radially outward flow of a first fluid. The core has an axis extending from one end to the other. The hollow fiber bundle has packing fractions which increase radially outward of the core's axis for a major portion of the bundle. Methods for making such mass transfer device.