Abstract: A sear for a shotgun trigger assembly is used to convert a pull trigger to a release trigger. The release trigger sear includes a second catch surface that holds the striker catch until the trigger is released. The sear having the second catch surface may be retrofit into an existing pull trigger assembly to convert the pull trigger assembly to a release trigger assembly without further modifications to the trigger assembly. The disclosure also provides a release trigger having an assembly that adjusts the pull and release weights of the trigger.

Abstract: A sear for a shotgun trigger assembly is used to convert a pull trigger to a release trigger. The release trigger sear includes a second catch surface that holds the striker catch until the trigger is released. The sear having the second catch surface may be retrofit into an existing pull trigger assembly to convert the pull trigger assembly to a release trigger assembly without further modifications to the trigger assembly. The disclosure also provides a release trigger having an assembly that adjusts the pull and release weights of the trigger.

Abstract: An apparatus for implantation in an annulus of a tricuspid valve. The apparatus has an anterior annulus aspect, a posterior annulus aspect, and an atrioventricular (AV) node located adjacent the anterior annulus aspect. The apparatus includes an ovoid main body portion. The main body portion has an anterior body segment adapted for placement adjacent the anterior annulus aspect, a posterior body segment located opposite the anterior body portion and adapted for placement adjacent the posterior annulus aspect, and oppositely disposed left and right side body segments extending between the anterior and posterior body segments. At least two valve leaflets are secured within the main body portion and are coaptable to permit unidirectional flow of blood. A cushioned section is attached to the main body portion, coextends with a portion of the main body portion, and is adapted for placement adjacent the AV node.

Abstract: An annuloplasty ring having a three-dimensional discontinuous form generally arranged about an axis with two free ends that are axially offset. The ring is particularly suited for repair of the tricuspid valve, and more closely conforms to the annulus shape. The ring is more flexible in bending about radially extending axes than about the central axis. The ring may have an inner structural support covered by a pliable sleeve and/or a fabric tube. The structural support may have a varying cross-section, such as a C-shaped cross-section in a mid-section between two free ends and a rectangular cross-section at the free ends.

Abstract: An annuloplasty ring having a three-dimensional discontinuous form generally arranged about an axis with two free ends that are axially offset. The ring is particularly suited for repair of the tricuspid valve, and more closely conforms to the annulus shape. The ring is more flexible in bending about radially extending axes than about the central axis. The ring may have an inner structural support covered by a pliable sleeve and/or a fabric tube. The structural support may have a varying cross-section, such as a C-shaped cross-section in a mid-section between two free ends and a rectangular cross-section at the free ends.

Abstract: An annuloplasty ring having a three-dimensional discontinuous form generally arranged about an axis with two free ends that are axially offset. The ring is particularly suited for repair of the tricuspid valve, and more closely conforms to the annulus shape. The ring is more flexible in bending about radially extending axes than about the central axis. The ring may have an inner structural support covered by a pliable sleeve and/or a fabric tube. The structural support may have a varying cross-section, such as a C-shaped cross-section in a mid-section between two free ends and a rectangular cross-section at the free ends. A deliver template having a mounting ring with about the same shape as the ring facilitates implant, and may be releasably attached to a delivery handle. The deliver template may include a plurality of cutting guides for releasably attaching the annuloplasty ring thereto while presenting maximum outer surface area of the ring.

Abstract: An annuloplasty ring having a three-dimensional discontinuous form generally arranged about an axis with two free ends that are axially offset. The ring is particularly suited for repair of the tricuspid valve, and more closely conforms to the annulus shape. The ring is more flexible in bending about radially extending axes than about the central axis. The ring may have an inner structural support covered by a pliable sleeve and/or a fabric tube. The structural support may have a varying cross-section, such as a C-shaped cross-section in a mid-section between two free ends and a rectangular cross-section at the free ends. A deliver template having a mounting ring with about the same shape as the ring facilitates implant, and may be releasably attached to a delivery handle. The deliver template may include a plurality of cutting guides for releasably attaching the annuloplasty ring thereto while presenting maximum outer surface area of the ring.

Abstract: A mitral annuloplasty ring that has an outward and an upward posterior bow. The ring defines a closed, modified oval shape with a minor-major axis dimension ratio of between about 3.3:4 to 4:4. The ring is made of a material that will substantially resist distortion when subjected to the stress imparted thereon after implantation in the mitral valve annulus of an operating human heart. The outward and upward posterior bow of the annuloplasty ring corrects for pathologies associated with mitral valve prolapse, as seen with Barlow's syndrome for instance, in which the leaflets tend to be elongated or floppy. Desirably, the outward bow includes a more pronounced outward bulge having an angular extent that approximately equals the angular extent of the upward bow. Sections adjacent the outward bulge may be relatively straight.

Abstract: A surgical retractor includes a pair of parallel arms that are mounted to a toothed crossbar. One of the arms is fixed to one end of the crossbar, while the other arm is movable along the crossbar by means of a pinion. One or both of the arms includes on its upper surface a bar having a longitudinally extending flat surface. A rod is connected to the bar by means of a bracket. The bracket can be locked in position relative to the bar by a first set screw that engages the flat surface. A rod extends through an opening in the bracket and is retained in place there by a second set screw. The rod includes a circumferentially extending shoulder that engages the bracket so as to locate the rod in a desired position. One or more flat surfaces are formed on the rod adjacent the shoulder for engagement by the second set screw.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and devices for obtaining percutaneous access, maintaining hemostasis, and providing closure of openings in tissues of the body. In particular, the present invention provides methods and devices for maintaining hemostasis and providing closure surgical incisions of the left ventricular apex of the heart.

Abstract: A method of protecting an upper and a lower body of a patient from high venous pressures comprising: providing an elongate valve stent, wherein the stent comprises a first stent member with a first tissue valve secured to a first support structure being disposed at a first end of the stent and a second stent member with a second tissue valve secured to a second support structure being disposed at an opposite second end of the stent, wherein both support structures are collapsibly expandable, the second end being connected to the first end with at least one elongate connecting member; passing the elongate valve stent through a blood vessel with the first and second support structures in a collapsed position; and securing the first support structure to an inferior vena cava and the second support structure to a superior vena cava with both support structures in an expanded shape.

Abstract: An annuloplasty ring having a three-dimensional discontinuous form generally arranged about an axis with two free ends that are axially offset. The ring is particularly suited for repair of the tricuspid valve, and more closely conforms to the annulus shape. The ring is more flexible in bending about radially extending axes than about the central axis. The ring may have an inner structural support covered by a pliable sleeve and/or a fabric tube. The structural support may have a varying cross-section, such as a C-shaped cross-section in a mid-section between two free ends and a rectangular cross-section at the free ends. A deliver template having a mounting ring with about the same shape as the ring facilitates implant, and may be releasably attached to a delivery handle. The deliver template may include a plurality of cutting guides for releasably attaching the annuloplasty ring thereto while presenting maximum outer surface area of the ring.

Abstract: An annuloplasty ring having a three-dimensional discontinuous form generally arranged about an axis with two free ends that are axially offset. The ring is particularly suited for repair of the tricuspid valve, and more closely conforms to the annulus shape. The ring is more flexible in bending about radially extending axes than about the central axis. The ring may have an inner structural support covered by a pliable sleeve and/or a fabric tube. The structural support may have a varying cross-section, such as a C-shaped cross-section in a mid-section between two free ends and a rectangular cross-section at the free ends. A deliver template having a mounting ring with about the same shape as the ring facilitates implant, and may be releasably attached to a delivery handle. The deliver template may include a plurality of cutting guides for releasably attaching the annuloplasty ring thereto while presenting maximum outer surface area of the ring.

Abstract: A mitral annuloplasty ring that has an outward and an upward posterior bow. The ring defines a closed, modified oval shape with a minor-major axis dimension ratio of between about 3.3:4 to 4:4. The ring is made of a material that will substantially resist distortion when subjected to the stress imparted thereon when the ring is implanted in the mitral valve annulus of an operating human heart. As a result, the annuloplasty ring corrects for pathologies associated with mitral valve prolapse, or Barlow's syndrome, in which the leaflets tend to be elongated or floppy.

Abstract: Various methods and devices are disclosed for improving cardiac function in hearts having zones of infarcted (akinetic) and aneurysmal (dyskinetic) tissue regions. The methods and devices reduce the radius of curvature in walls of the heart proximal infarcted and aneurysmal regions to reduce wall stress and improve pumping efficiency. The inventive methods and related devices include splinting of the chamber wall proximal the infarcted region and various other devices and methods including suture and patch techniques.

Abstract: A method of protecting an upper body and a lower body of a patient from high venous pressures comprising implanting a first stented valve at the superior vena cava and a second stented valve at the inferior vena cava, wherein the first and second valves are configured to permit blood flow towards a right atrium of the patient and prevent blood flow in an opposite direction.

Abstract: A method triggers a printer (106) to receive a trigger to initiate an embedding algorithm (220), receive the print data (228); read the printer configuration data (230); encode the configuration data (230); insert the configuration data (230) into the print data (228); send the print data (228) to a printhead (206); and print the data. The printed data is then scanned, run through analysis software, and the embedded data is returned. The embedded data can then be used to diagnose printer problems or as a digital notary.

Abstract: An annuloplasty ring having a three-dimensional discontinuous form generally arranged about an axis with two free ends that are axially offset. The ring is particularly suited for repair of the tricuspid valve, and more closely conforms to the annulus shape. The ring is more flexible in bending about radially extending axes than about the central axis. The ring may have an inner structural support covered by a pliable sleeve and/or a fabric tube. The structural support may have a varying cross-section, such as a C-shaped cross-section in a mid-section between two free ends and a rectangular cross-section at the free ends. A deliver template having a mounting ring with about the same shape as the ring facilitates implant, and may be releasably attached to a delivery handle. The deliver template may include a plurality of cutting guides for releasably attaching the annuloplasty ring thereto while presenting maximum outer surface area of the ring.

Abstract: Various methods and devices are disclosed for improving cardiac function in hearts having zones of infarcted (akinetic) and aneurysmal (dyskinetic) tissue regions. The methods and devices reduce the radius of curvature in walls of the heart proximal infarcted and aneurysmal regions to reduce wall stress and improve pumping efficiency. The inventive methods and related devices include splinting of the chamber wall proximal the infarcted region and various other devices and methods including suture and patch techniques.

Abstract: A method of protecting an upper body and a lower body of a patient from high venous pressures comprising implanting a first stented valve at the superior vena cava and a second stented valve at the inferior vena cava, wherein the first and second valves are configured to permit blood flow towards a right atrium of the patient and prevent blood flow in an opposite direction.