Abstract: Disclosed is a conduit that provides a bypass around a stenosis or occlusion in a coronary artery. The conduit is adapted to be positioned in the myocardium to provide a passage for blood to flow from a heart chamber to a coronary artery, at a site distal to the blockage or stenosis in the coronary artery. The conduit has a one-way valve positioned therein to prevent the backflow of blood from the coronary artery into the heart chamber.

Abstract: A stent suitable for implantation in myocardial tissue to enhance perfusion therein may include a tubular member having first and second ends and a lumen. The first end of the stent may be configured to pierce myocardial tissue and the lumen may be configured to be placed in flow communication with a coronary vessel. The stent may further include a means for retaining the tubular member within the myocardial tissue. A method for implanting the stent may include positioning the first end of the stent at a desired implantation site and applying force to the second end of the stent to implant the stent within the myocardial tissue. The method may further include engaging the means for retaining with the myocardial tissue to retain the stent in position.

Abstract: Left ventricular conduits and related methods are disclosed for achieving bypass of a partially or completely occluded coronary artery. More broadly, conduits for allowing communication of bodily fluids from one portion of a patient's body to another and related methods are disclosed, including conduits for forming a blood flow path from a chamber of the heart to a vessel or from one vessel to another. In other embodiments, the conduits achieve a coronary artery bypass by allowing blood communication between the left ventricle and the coronary artery or between a proximal portion of the coronary artery and a distal portion of the coronary artery. The conduits may be placed completely through the heart wall or extend only partially therein. Conduits may take on a variety of configurations for allowing the control of blood flow therethrough, including curved or tapered shapes.

Abstract: A method for inducing vascular remodeling and related methods for treating patients having diseased vasculature. The method of inducing remodeling of the vascular system includes altering the blood flow dynamics in portions of the vascular system via mechanical mechanisms. Remodeling of certain coronary vasculature may be induced by creating a passage in a heart wall between a heart chamber and a blood vessel so as to permit blood flow communication, for example, direct blood flow communication, between the chamber and the vessel. A method of inducing vascular remodeling may include providing a blood flow passage between a heart chamber and the coronary vessel, or other flow dynamics altering structure, such that enlargement of at least a portion of the coronary vessel occurs.

Abstract: The method and apparatus described and illustrated herein generally relate to a bypass method to provide blood flow directly from a heart chamber, such as the left ventricle, and coronary vasculature, such as a coronary artery, and a conduit especially suited for placement in the myocardium to provide such flow. The conduit is particularly useful when a blockage partially or completely obstructs the coronary artery, in which case the conduit is positioned distal to the blockage. Aspects of the present invention relate to conduits in the form of stents that have particular configurations exhibiting properties suited to placement in the myocardium.