Abstract: A method for preventing a restenosis within a vessel wall requires a medicament be delivered at predetermined locations into the vessel wall and allowed to subsequently disperse in a predetermined pattern. To deliver the medicament, a catheter with an expanding member is advanced into the vasculature of a patient until the expanding member is located as desired. The expanding member is then expanded to force dispensers into the vessel wall to the proper depth. A medicament is then pumped through the dispensers to create a plurality of equally spaced, localized medicinal deliveries which subsequently disperse to medicate an annulus shaped volume within the vessel wall.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the treatment of various ailments associated with the prostate gland, including benign prostate hypertrophy (BPH), cancer and chronic inflammatory diseases. The present invention describes, inter alia, devices, methods and therapeutic agents for the treatment of prostatic ailments.

Abstract: A method for preventing a restenosis within a vessel wall requires a medicament be delivered at predetermined locations into the vessel wall and allowed to subsequently disperse in a predetermined pattern. To deliver the medicament, a catheter with an expanding member is advanced into the vasculature of a patient until the expanding member is located as desired. The expanding member is then expanded to force dispensers into the vessel wall to the proper depth. A medicament is then pumped through the dispensers to create a plurality of equally spaced, localized medicinal deliveries which subsequently disperse to medicate an annulus shaped volume within the vessel wall.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the treatment of various ailments associated with the prostate gland, including benign prostate hypertrophy (BPH), cancer and chronic inflammatory diseases. The present invention describes, inter alia, devices, methods and therapeutic agents for the treatment of prostatic ailments.

Abstract: The present invention, which addresses the needs described above, resides in an apparatus and method for coupling vascular apertures to a blood supply vessel in a manner that minimizes the time and operator dependent inconsistency in performing vascular anastomoses. In the coronary setting, this concept is fast and can be applied to both conventional and minimally invasive operative techniques. In the preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to an apparatus and method for facilitating end-to-side vascular anastomoses procedure, whereby the present invention acts as a coupling apparatus between a first, blood supplying hollow organ, e.g. the LIMA, radial artery, or a saphenous vein and the side wall of second hollow organ, typically one of the major coronary arteries, such as the left coronary artery (LCA), right coronary artery (RCA) or the circumflex (CX).

Abstract: A method for preventing a restenosis within a vessel wall requires a medicament be delivered at predetermined locations into the vessel wall and allowed to subsequently disperse in a predetermined pattern. To deliver the medicament, a catheter with an expanding member is advanced into the vasculature of a patient until the expanding member is located as desired. The expanding member is then expanded to force dispensers into the vessel wall to the proper depth. A medicament is then pumped through the dispensers to create a plurality of equally spaced, localized medicinal deliveries which subsequently disperse to medicate an annulus shaped volume within the vessel wall.

Abstract: A method for preventing a restenosis within a vessel wall requires a medicament be delivered at predetermined locations into the vessel wall and allowed to subsequently disperse in a predetermined pattern. To deliver the medicament, a catheter with an expanding member is advanced into the vasculature of a patient until the expanding member is located as desired. The expanding member is then expanded to force dispensers into the vessel wall to the proper depth. A medicament is then pumped through the dispensers to create a plurality of equally spaced, localized medicinal deliveries which subsequently disperse to medicate an annulus shaped volume within the vessel wall.

Abstract: The present invention, which addresses the needs described above, resides in an apparatus and method for coupling vascular apertures to a blood supply vessel in a manner that minimizes the time and operator dependent inconsistency in performing vascular anastomoses. In the coronary setting, this concept is fast and can be applied to both conventional and minimally invasive operative techniques.

Abstract: A method for preventing a restenosis within a vessel wall requires a medicament be delivered at predetermined locations into the vessel wall and allowed to subsequently disperse in a predetermined pattern. To deliver the medicament, a catheter with an expanding member is advanced into the vasculature of a patient until the expanding member is located as desired. The expanding member is then expanded to force dispensers into the vessel wall to the proper depth. A medicament is then pumped through the dispensers to create a plurality of equally spaced, localized medicinal deliveries which subsequently disperse to medicate an annulus shaped volume within the vessel wall.

Abstract: A method and device for injecting fluid into a treatment area of a vessel wall is provided herein. A first version of the device includes an inflatable balloon mounted on a catheter and a plurality of dispensers extending outwardly and moving with the balloon. At least one fluid passageway connects each injector in fluid communication with a fluid source. During use of the device, the balloon is first positioned in a vessel proximate the treatment area. Next, the balloon is inflated to embed the dispensers into the vessel wall. Subsequently, the fluid from the fluid source is introduced into the fluid passageway and through the dispensers into the treatment area. A second version of the device includes a plurality of flexible tubes mounted between a multi-lumen catheter and a grommet. A push-pull wire is connected to the grommet and passed through a lumen of the multi-lumen catheter. The dispensers are mounted on each of the flexible tubes. During use, the device is first positioned in a vessel.

Abstract: A segment of an artery to be used, for example, in aorto-coronary bypass surgery, is dissected and isolated by making an incision to sever the artery at one of the ends of the segment to be removed. Suturing means are employed to inhibit the flow of blood through the vessel segment. An interrupted collar/handle assembly is inserted at the incision and passed over the blood vessel so the segment is positioned within the luminal area of the collar. The collar has an inside diameter slightly larger than the outside diameter of the blood vessel to be isolated and has at least one cutting blade at its leading end. The collar is advanced over the blood vessel while the cutting edge is energized to sever tissue from the vessel and to cauterize ends of the severed branches, until the leading end of the collar reaches the desired length of segment, by which another incision is made to isolate the blood vessel.

Abstract: A method and device for injecting fluid into a treatment area of a vessel wall is provided herein. A first version of the device includes an inflatable balloon mounted on a catheter and a plurality of dispensers extending outwardly and moving with the balloon. At least one fluid passageway connects each injector in fluid communication with a fluid source. During use of the device, the balloon is first positioned in a vessel proximate the treatment area. Next, the balloon is inflated to embed the dispensers into the vessel wall. Subsequently, the fluid from the fluid source is introduced into the fluid passageway and through the dispensers into the treatment area. A second version of the device includes a plurality of flexible tubes mounted between a multi-lumen catheter and a grommet. A push-pull wire is connected to the grommet and passed through a lumen of the multi-lumen catheter. The dispensers are mounted on each of the flexible tubes. During use, the device is first positioned in a vessel.

Abstract: A method and devices are provided for performing end-to-side anastomoses between the severed end of a first hollow organ and the side-wall of a second hollow organ utilizing transluminal approach with endoscopic assistance, wherein the first and second hollow organs can be secured utilizing a biocompatible glue, clips or by suturing. In an alternative embodiment, the method utilizes a modified cutter catheter which is introduced into the first hollow organ in combination with a receiver catheter which is introduced into the second hollow organ. The distal end of the receiver catheter includes a receiver cavity and a selectively activatable magnetic material.

Abstract: A method and device for injecting fluid into a treatment area of a vessel wall is provided herein. A first version of the device includes an inflatable balloon mounted on a catheter and a plurality of injectors extending outwardly and moving with the balloon. At least one fluid passageway connects each injector in fluid communication with a fluid source. During use of the device, the balloon is first positioned in a vessel proximate the treatment area. Next, the balloon is inflated to embed the injectors into the vessel wall. Subsequently, the fluid from the fluid source is introduced into the fluid passageway and through the injectors into the treatment area. A second version of the device includes a plurality of flexible tubes mounted between a multi-lumen catheter and a grommet. A push-pull wire is connected to the grommet and passed through a lumen of the multi-lumen catheter. The injectors are mounted on each of the flexible tubes. During use, the device is first positioned in a vessel.

Abstract: A balloon activated force concentrator for use in cooperation with an inflatable angioplasty balloon includes at least one elongated flexible panel, an elongated cutting blade mounted on the outside surface of the elongated flexible panel, and an elastic circular band attached to each end of the elongated flexible panel for securing the elongated flexible panel to an angioplasty balloon. Use of this balloon activated force concentrator requires mounting the device on an inflatable angioplasty balloon by inserting the distal end of the angioplasty balloon through one of the circular bands. The balloon activated force concentrator is then advanced over the balloon until the second circular band reaches the distal end of the balloon. At that point, the elasticity of the circular bands straddle the balloon to retain the activated force concentrator securely against the outer surface of the angioplasty balloon.

Abstract: A device for injecting medication into a vessel wall includes an inflatable balloon mounted on a catheter. Additionally, a tubular sleeve surrounds the balloon to create an infusion chamber between the sleeve and the balloon, and a plurality of injectors are mounted on the sleeve in fluid communication with the infusion chamber. During use of the device, the balloon is first positioned in a vessel and then inflated to embed the injectors into the vessel wall. Next, a fluid medicament is introduced into the infusion chamber for further infusion from the chamber and through the injectors into the vessel wall.

Abstract: A method and devices are provided for performing end-to-side anastomoses between the severed end of a first hollow organ and the side-wall of a second hollow organ utilizing transluminal approach with endoscopic assistance. In particular, the method utilizes a catheter, having a selectively operable cutter, which is introduced into the first hollow organ until the distal end of the catheter is substantially adjacent to the severed end of the first hollow organ. The severed end of the first hollow organ is positioned in proximity to the site for anastomoses on the side wall of the second hollow organ and the severed end is secured in sealing engagement with the side-wall, thereby defining a region of securement on the side wall of the second hollow organ.

Abstract: A device for injecting medication into a vessel wall includes an inflatable balloon mounted on a catheter. Additionally, a plurality of tubular fluid passageways are longitudinally mounted on the balloon, and a plurality of injectors are mounted on each tubular passageway and in fluid communication therewith. During use of the device, the balloon is first positioned in a vessel. The balloon is then inflated to embed the injectors into the vessel wall. Next, a fluid medicament is introduced through each of the fluid passageways for further infusion through the passageways and through the injectors into the vessel wall.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for dilation or recanalization of a diseased vessel by use of a balloon catheter with cutting edges to make longitudinal cuts in the vessel wall is described. The diameter of the vessel is increased without the subsequent secondary cellular proliferation or restenosis in the vessel caused by conventional angioplasty methods.

Abstract: A stenotic dilitation device includes a plurality of elongated atherotomes with cutters embedded in a substrate mounted on the outer surface of a flexible balloon along predetermined crease lines. The atherotomes are aligned along the longitudinal axis of the catheter. The ends of the balloon are attached to a hollow catheter tube over fluid ports in the catheter which establish fluid communication between the catheter and the internal chamber of the balloon. Fluid flow into and out of the chamber will inflate and deflate the balloon. When the balloon is deflated, retraction of the atherotomes toward the longitudinal axis of the catheter causes the creases and lines to form flaps of the balloon membrane material between adjacent atherotomes. In such deflated configuration, the flaps, rather than the cutters of the atherotomes, contact the vessel wall as the device is manipulated into position adjacent a stenotic site.