Abstract: Provided herein is an intra-aortic balloon catheter including a tube; and a sheath seal including an elastomeric housing having a proximal end, a distal end, a lumen arranged between the proximal end of the housing and the distal end of the housing, wherein the housing includes an impingement device, wherein the lumen is configured to slidably receive the tube therein and the impingement device is configured to engage the outer surface of the tube and apply a force thereto in order to prevent the tube from sliding relative to the sheath seal when the impingement device is in a first state.

Abstract: A method of crimping a varied diameter graft is includes the steps of (i) providing a flat-woven tubular graft having an enlarged woven bulbous portion disposed between flat-woven tubular ends, wherein the flat-woven diameter of the bulbous section is greater than the flat woven diameters of the tubular ends; (ii) providing a mandrel shaped and sized to the woven bulbous section and having a curved crimping surface; and (iii) positioning the curved crimping surface within the bulbous woven section so that the bulbous woven section contours to the curved crimping surface.

Abstract: The present invention is a tunneling device for vascular tunneling procedures. The invention includes a tunneling device and a tunneling tip. The tunneling device includes a tissue-separating source of energy at the tunneling tip. The preferred source of energy is ultrasonic movement at the distal tip of the tunneler. Preferably the ultrasonic driver is disposed in a removably attached tip but it may be in the tunneler handle. Also included is a method of tunneling which includes separating tissue layers as the tunneler is advanced. The preferred method uses an ultrasonically vibrating tip.

Abstract: Sutures fabricated from and/or coated with compositions including water-soluble glass are described herein. Pledgets containing water-soluble glass within the interstices of the pledget and/or coated with compositions including water-soluble glass are also described herein. The water-soluble glass optionally includes a therapeutic agent, e.g., silver to promote wound repair.

Abstract: Sutures fabricated from and/or coated with compositions including water-soluble glass are described herein. Pledgets containing water-soluble glass within the interstices of the pledget and/or coated with compositions including water-soluble glass are also described herein. The water-soluble glass optionally includes a therapeutic agent, e.g., silver to promote wound repair.

Abstract: Provided is a carrier convertible from a sling supported vessel to a material handler for filling portable receptacles such as bags from a bulk lot of material. The front end of this unit is a scoop for gathering fluent material. Over top the scoop is a hood that prevents spill out of any material when the unit is raised into an upright position. The hood terminates at a projection that defines a hand grip. The scoop tapers into a flue. This tapering permits multiple units to nest into one another for storage purposes. The flue ends at an opening and the opening is sized so that an industry-specific standard bag fits over the opening. The length of the flue is dimensioned so that upon the bag being placed over the flue a hand can grasp both the carrier and bag easily at the projection. When grasped, the bag is tightened and secured to the carrier by the grasping hand. Other bags of different sizes can be accommodated by either gathering any slack with the gripping hand or making different size units.

Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus having tissue bolstering material releasably attached thereto for application of the material and staples to body tisuse is disclosed. The tissue bolstering material is preferably releasably held to surfaces of the stapling apparatus through pins, clips or similar securing structures. The tissue bolstering material can be either planar or tubular in configuration. Preferably, both the anvil portion and the fastener ejecting portion of the stapler are at least partially covered with the tissue bolstering material. In use, tissue is disposed between the anvil portion and the stapling portion of the instrument and the instrument is fired. The tissue bolstering material is thereby secured to the tissue and releasably detaches from the stapler upon withdrawal of the stapler from the surgical site.

Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus having tissue bolstering material disposed thereon for application of the material and staples to body tissue. Two tissue bolstering members are preferably provided, each member being generally planar in configuration, wherein a first member corresponds to the dimensions of the tissue contacting surface of a staple cartridge and a second member corresponds to the dimensions of the tissue contacting surface of an anvil. In use, tissue is disposed between the anvil and the staple cartridge and the instrument is fired, thereby securing the tissue bolstering material to the tissue.

Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus having tissue bolstering material releasably attached thereto for application of the material and staples to body tissue is disclosed. The tissue bolstering material is preferably releasably held to surfaces of the stapling apparatus through pins, clips or similar securing structures. The tissue bolstering material can be either planar or tubular in configuration. Preferably, both the anvil portion and the fastener ejecting portion of the stapler are at least partially covered with the tissue bolstering material. In use, tissue is disposed between the anvil portion and the stapling portion of the instrument and the instrument is fired. The tissue bolstering material is thereby secured to the tissue and releasably detaches from the stapler upon withdrawal of the stapler from the surgical site.

Abstract: Surgical adhesion barriers and methods of using such surgical adhesion barriers are provided. Surgical adhesion barriers according to the present invention have at least one layer of a bioabsorbable material comprising copolymers and/or block copolymers derived from trimethylene carbonate. Alternatively, a multilayer surgical structure having one or more bioabsorbable layers superimposed on a non-absorbable layer is useful for minimizing or preventing formation of fibrous adhesions between a healing trauma site and adjacent surrounding tissue. Alternatively, a bioabsorbable non-woven fabric in adherent contact with at least one bioabsorbable layer of foam, film, mesh, web or woven fabric is also provided. One or more medicinal agents may be interposed between or disposed within any of the aforementioned layers.

Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus having biocompatible surgical fabric releasably attached thereto for application of the fabric and staples to body tisuse is disclosed. The fabric is releasably held to surfaces of the stapling apparatus through pins, clips or similar securing structures. The biocompatible surgical fabric can be either planar or tubular in configuration. Preferably, both the anvil portion and the fastener ejecting portion of the stapler are at least partially covered with the biocompatible surgical fabric. In use, tissue is disposed between the anvil portion and the stapling portion of the instrument and the instrument is fired. The biocompatible surgical fabric is thereby secured to the tissue and releasably detaches from the stapler upon withdrawal of the stapler from the surgical site.

Abstract: A low density bioabsorbable non-woven fabric is disclosed. The fabric preferably includes fibers of glycolide and lactide and has a density of between about 0.05 g/cu.cm and about 0.10 g/cu.cm. In one embodiment, the glycolide content of the fibers is at least about 80 mole percent, and preferably about 90 mole percent. In an alternate embodiment, the glycolide content of the fibers is less than 30 mole percent, and preferably about 20 mole percent.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing vaporizable components from polymeric products effects uniform distribution of heat over such products contained within a chamber. The apparatus includes a heated chamber having support means for supporting the products within the chamber. Omnidirectional multi-point gas dispersion means located within the chamber uniformly disperse heated gas over the product. The vaporizable components are evacuated from the chamber along with the gas. The product can be rotated during treatment to ensure uniform exposure of the product to heat and gas.