Abstract: Systems for anastomosing a first hollow tissue structure to a second hollow tissue structure are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, such a system comprises at least one tissue securing member adapted to secure the first and second hollow tissue structures together, and a device for applying the tissue securing member to the tissue structures. The tissue securing member is preferably configured to pass through only one of the tissue structures, and is movable from a first configuration to a second configuration which results in a compressive force being applied to the tissue structures. The systems are particularly useful for performing anastomosis of blood vessels in heart surgery.

Abstract: Systems for anastomosing a first hollow tissue structure to a second hollow tissue structure are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, such a system comprises at least one tissue securing member adapted to secure the first and second hollow tissue structures together, and a device for applying the tissue securing member to the tissue structures. The tissue securing member is preferably configured to pass through only one of the tissue structures, and is movable from a first configuration to a second configuration which results in a compressive force being applied to the tissue structures. The systems are particularly useful for performing anastomosis of blood vessels in heart surgery.

Abstract: A method of treatment of congestive heart failure comprises the steps of introducing an aortic occlusion catheter through a patient's peripheral artery, the aortic occlusion catheter having an occluding member movable from a collapsed position to an expanded position; positioning the occluding member in the patient's ascending aorta; moving the occluding member from the collapsed shape to the expanded shape after the positioning step; introducing cardioplegic fluid into the patient's coronary blood vessels to arrest the patient's heart; maintaining circulation of oxygenated blood through the patient's arterial system; and reshaping an outer wall of the patient's heart while the heart is arrested so as to reduce the transverse dimension of the left ventricle.

Abstract: A cassette for controlling the flow of IV fluid from a patient to a source. The cassette preferably includes, along the fluid passage through the cassette, first and second membrane-based valves on either side of a pressure-conduction chamber, and a stopcock-type valve. The stopcock valve is preferably located downstream of the second membrane-based valve, which is preferably located downstream of the pressure-conduction chamber. The stopcock control valve preferably has two rigid cylindrical members with complementary surfaces, wherein one member includes a tapered groove defined on its complementary surface. The two complementary surfaces define a space therebetween, instead of having an interference fit, and a resilient sealing member is disposed in this space.