Abstract: An implantable valved stent for a patient's heart is formed by a stent supporting a cloth structure. The valved stent includes an upper mounting portion and a lower valved portion. The upper mounting portion has an upper side and a lower side supporting a plurality of hooks extending downwardly from the lower side whereby the implantable valved stent is mounted to the heart when heart tissue is captured between the hooks and the lower side. The lower valved portion extends downwardly from the upper mounting portion and includes a check valve that allows downward flow of the blood and checks upward flow of blood.

Abstract: An implantable valved stent for a patient's heart is formed by a stent supporting a cloth structure. The valved stent includes an upper mounting portion and a lower valved portion. The upper mounting portion has an upper side and a lower side supporting a plurality of hooks extending downwardly from the lower side whereby the implantable valved stent is mounted to the heart when heart tissue is captured between the hooks and the lower side. The lower valved portion extends downwardly from the upper mounting portion and includes a check valve that allows downward flow of the blood and checks upward flow of blood.

Abstract: A pusher-occlusive coil delivery assembly 10 that is advanced through a microcatheter 40 to the desired vascular site within a patient. The delivery assembly 10 includes a pushwire 12 which interlocks with the occlusive coil 11 which can be manipulated to detach the occlusive coil 11. When the assembly 10 is positioned at the site, the pushwire 12 is advanced to allow the interlock joint 14, 15 to move out of the delivery sleeve 13 to uncouple the pushwire 12 and the occlusive coil 11.

Abstract: A pusher-occlusive coil delivery assembly 10 that is advanced through a microcatheter 40 to the desired vascular site within a patient. The delivery assembly 10 includes a pushwire 12 which interlocks with the occlusive coil 11 which can be manipulated to detach the occlusive coil 11. When the assembly 10 is positioned at the site, the pushwire 12 is advanced to allow the interlock joint 14, 15 to move out of the delivery sleeve 13 to uncouple the pushwire 12 and the occlusive coil 11.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for bonding a pair of tubular members are disclosed. First and second end portions of the tubular members are gripped for rotation about their axis. The tubular members are axially rotated and a laser beam is directed radially toward the tubular members to bond them together.

Abstract: The present invention includes a medical device for use to assist stem cell and/or stem cell derivatives in repopulating, repairing and/or replacing the heart tissue in a failing heart muscle, in order to restore the heart's ability to pump blood. The medical device is made of biocompatible materials. The specific design of the device will facilitate the stem cells coated in the device to repopulate heart muscles inside the heart. Stem cells are attached to the coated device, proliferated and/or differentiated on the device in a bioreactor before implantation. The device also contains bioactive components that diminish rejection by the host's immune system. The device may be directly implanted into the failing heart muscle area to assist stem cells to repair failing heart muscles via surgical and/or percutaneous catheter based procedures.