Abstract: Medical methods and devices for treating aortic dissections. A catheter-based cutting device permits cutting a septum of acute or chronic aortic dissections, in a retrograde manner. The catheter includes a base section having a central lumen therethrough and two flexible arms extending from a distal end thereof. The flexible arms can each have a guide wire channel therethrough. With distal ends of the two flexible arms separated, the two arms form a Y-shape with the base section. In one embodiment, with distal ends of the two flexible arms together, the two arms have a longitudinal profile, about a periphery thereof, identical to a longitudinal profile of the base section. A cutting component resides between the two arms. The cutting component can face distally outward between the two arms with the distal ends of the two flexible arms separated.

Abstract: Medical methods and devices for treating aortic dissections. A catheter-based cutting device permits cutting a septum of acute or chronic aortic dissections, in a retrograde manner. The catheter includes a base section having a central lumen therethrough and two flexible arms extending from a distal end thereof. The flexible arms can each have a guide wire channel therethrough. With distal ends of the two flexible arms separated, the two arms form a Y-shape with the base section. In one embodiment, with distal ends of the two flexible arms together, the two arms have a longitudinal profile, about a periphery thereof, identical to a longitudinal profile of the base section. A cutting component resides between the two arms. The cutting component can face distally outward between the two arms with the distal ends of the two flexible arms separated.

Abstract: Medical methods and devices for treating aortic dissections. A catheter-based cutting device permits cutting a septum of acute or chronic aortic dissections, in a retrograde manner. The catheter includes a base section having a central lumen therethrough and two flexible arms extending from a distal end thereof. The flexible arms can each have a guide wire channel therethrough. With distal ends of the two flexible arms separated, the two arms form a Y-shape with the base section. In one embodiment, with distal ends of the two flexible arms together, the two arms have a longitudinal profile, about a periphery thereof, identical to a longitudinal profile of the base section. A cutting component resides between the two arms. The cutting component can face distally outward between the two arms with the distal ends of the two flexible arms separated.

Abstract: Medical methods and devices for treating aortic dissections. A catheter-based cutting device permits cutting a septum of acute or chronic aortic dissections, in a retrograde manner. The catheter includes a base section having a central lumen therethrough and two flexible arms extending from a distal end thereof. The flexible arms can each have a guide wire channel therethrough. With distal ends of the two flexible arms separated, the two arms form a Y-shape with the base section. In one embodiment, with distal ends of the two flexible arms together, the two arms have a longitudinal profile, about a periphery thereof, identical to a longitudinal profile of the base section. A cutting component resides between the two arms. The cutting component can face distally outward between the two arms with the distal ends of the two flexible arms separated.

Abstract: Medical methods and devices for treating aortic dissections. A catheter-based cutting device permits cutting a septum of acute or chronic aortic dissections, in a retrograde manner. The catheter includes a base section having a central lumen therethrough, two flexible arms extending from a distal end thereof, where each arm has a channel therethrough for a passage of a guide wire. With distal ends of the two flexible arms separated, the two arms form a Y-shape with the base section. With distal ends of the two flexible arms together, the two arms have a longitudinal profile, about a periphery thereof, identical to a longitudinal profile of the base section. A non-mechanically actuated cutting component resides between the two arms in a vicinity of the distal end of the base section. The cutting component faces distally outward between the two arms with the distal ends of the two flexible arms separated.

Abstract: Medical methods and devices for treating aortic dissections. A catheter-based cutting device permits cutting a septum of acute or chronic aortic dissections, in a retrograde manner. The catheter includes a base section having a central lumen therethrough, two flexible arms extending from a distal end thereof, where each arm has a channel therethrough for a passage of a guide wire. With distal ends of the two flexible arms separated, the two arms form a Y-shape with the base section. With distal ends of the two flexible arms together, the two arms have a longitudinal profile, about a periphery thereof, identical to a longitudinal profile of the base section. A non-mechanically actuated cutting component resides between the two arms in a vicinity of the distal end of the base section. The cutting component faces distally outward between the two arms with the distal ends of the two flexible arms separated.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting stroke in an individual, and in particular a sleeping individual. The individual has sensors on a least one hand or wrist for detecting electrical and/or muscular activity. The sensors may be included in or on a glove or bracelet worn by the individual. The absence of electrical and/or muscular activity is indicative of a stroke, and when such absence is detected, an alert is raised. Absence of detecting electrical and/or muscular activity can be detected in only one hand and/or wrist to avoid false alarms from REM sleep which results in the absence of electrical and/or muscular activity in both hands.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for imaging features of a CBD in a patient introduces a fluorescent contrast agent into the CBD. A light source transmits both a visible light and a fluorescent light into a patient's abdominal cavity via the laparoscope. Cameras attached to or integrated into the laparoscope detect visible light images and fluorescent emission light images. The visible light image and fluorescent image signals are processed to combine the fluorescent emission light image signals and visible image signals into a single display signal. The system adjusts the display characteristics, such as color, of the fluorescent emission light image so it contrasts well with the visual light image so the surgeon can easily distinguish between the two images. The display signal is sent to a video monitor where the surgeon views the visible light image and the fluorescent image as a single overlaid image.

Abstract: A system to limit cerebral ischemia occurring as a consequence of aortic valve replacement includes an aortic valve having proximal and distal ends, a sleeve having proximal and distal ends, the proximal end of the sleeve disposed at the distal end of the aortic valve, and a filter attached to the distal end of the sleeve to receive blood and particles passing from the proximal end of the sleeve to the distal end of the sleeve and to separate the particles from the blood. A related method includes introducing a system into a heart of a patient, the system comprising an aortic valve having proximal and distal ends and a sleeve having a proximal end disposed at the distal end of the valve, implanting the valve in an aortic valve annulus, and filtering blood that has passed through the valve into the sleeve.

Abstract: An implantable endograft device having a graded compliance. The endograft contains at least two portions having different compliance values. In some configurations, the endograft has three, a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and a central portion, with the proximal and distal end portions having a higher compliance than the central portion. The difference in compliance can be achieved, for example, by using wire struts of different gauges, varying the spacing of the struts in the different portions, varying the geometry of the struts, using struts of different alloys, or using struts of differing elasticity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for imaging features of a CBD in a patient introduces a fluorescent contrast agent into the CBD. A light source transmits both a visible light and a fluorescent light into a patient's abdominal cavity via the laparoscope. Cameras attached to or integrated into the laparoscope detect visible light images and fluorescent emission light images. The visible light image and fluorescent image signals are processed to combine the fluorescent emission light image signals and visible image signals into a single display signal. The system adjusts the display characteristics, such as color, of the fluorescent emission light image so it contrasts well with the visual light image so the surgeon can easily distinguish between the two images. The display signal is sent to a video monitor where the surgeon views the visible light image and the fluorescent image as a single overlaid image.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for imaging features of a CBD in a patient introduces a fluorescent contrast agent into the CBD. A light source transmits both a visible light and a fluorescent light into a patient's abdominal cavity via the laparoscope. Cameras attached to or integrated into the laparoscope detect visible light images and fluorescent emission light images. The visible light image and fluorescent image signals are processed to combine the fluorescent emission light image signals and visible image signals into a single display signal. The system adjusts the display characteristics, such as color, of the fluorescent emission light image so it contrasts well with the visual light image so the surgeon can easily distinguish between the two images. The display signal is sent to a video monitor where the surgeon views the visible light image and the fluorescent image as a single overlaid image.

Abstract: An intravascular catheter has an outer end portion formed with a discharge orifice. A flexible centering wire supports the outer end portion of the catheter within a blood vessel while a treating agent is delivered into the blood vessel through the discharge orifice. The centering wire, in its natural, free state condition, has a coiled distal end portion. The centering wire is received lengthwise within a channel in the catheter. The centering wire is slidable in the channel from a retracted position to an operative position in which the distal end portion of the wire projects outwardly from the channel through a channel outlet and assumes its natural, coiled condition in contact with the interior wall of the blood vessel to support the outer end portion of the catheter within the blood vessel. The outer end portion of the catheter is centered within the blood vessel, out of contact with the interior wall of the blood vessel.

Abstract: A device for supporting the outlet end portion of an intravascular catheter within a blood vessel while a treating agent is delivered into the blood stream through an orifice at the tip. The device comprises a frame having a plurality of radially outwardly projecting frame elements in the form of elongated wire struts extending lengthwise of the catheter. Each wire strut has a generally V-shaped radially outwardly projecting mid-portion, with the apex of the V-shaped mid-portion adapted to rest on the wall of the blood vessel. The distal ends of the wire struts are affixed to the catheter. The proximal ends are longitudinally sidable in grooves in the catheter. The grooves are long enough to accommodate the wire struts when flattened somewhat to pass through narrower blood vessels or when flattened completely for storage in a tube shelter.

Abstract: A pressure sock for the ambulatory treatment of venous ulcers about the ankle and lower portion of the leg of a patient. The sock has a lamina provided with a network of spaced apart, interconnected chambers which can be inflated by the introduction of fluid to exert pressure on the foot and lower leg. The sock has and an inner lining of a relatively soft, non-allergenic material and a non-distensible outer jacket.

Abstract: A vascular patch for closing an incision in a blood vessel includes a base layer of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) having an outer coating of an elastomeric, biocompatible material such as polyurethane to minimize suture hole bleeding. Suture guidelines are formed upon the ablumenal side of the PTFE base layer prior to application of the elastomeric coating to facilitate proper and consistent placement of sutures. A colorant is added to the elastomeric coating to identify the ablumenal side of the vascular patch. The vascular patch is made by mounting an expanded PTFE tube upon a mandrel and applying a water based PTFE ink as a helical stripe about the outer surface of the PTFE tube to form the suture guidelines. The striped PTFE tube is then dip-coated or spray-coated with the elastomeric coating to which the colorant has been added. The PTFE tube is slit to form a flat sheet from which vascular patches are cut.

Abstract: A vascular patch for closing an incision in a blood vessel includes a base layer of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) having an outer coating of an elastomeric, biocompatible material such as polyurethane to minimize suture hole bleeding. Suture guidelines are formed upon the ablumenal side of the PFTE base layer prior to application of the elastomeric coating to facilitate proper and consistent placement of sutures. A colorant is added to the elastomeric coating to identify the ablumenal side of the vascular patch. The vascular patch is made by mounting an expanded PTFE tube upon a mandrel and applying a water based PFTE ink as a helical stripe about the outer surface of the PTFE tube to form the suture guidelines. The striped PTFE tube is then dip-coated or spray-coated with the elastomeric coating to which the colorant has been added. The PTFE tube is slit to form a flat sheet from which vascular patches are cut.

Abstract: An isothermic protective boot designed particularly for patients with arterial disease. The boot has a complete inner lining and outer cover of a soft, non-allergenic material, a double layer of a soft, flexible, compressible isothermic protective material between the outer cover and inner lining, and a body of flexible, compressible weight-bearing material at the back of the boot in a position to extend along the heel cord and lower aspect of the calf of the patient's leg.

Abstract: An intravascular device having a chamber for containing transplanted cells. The device is adapted to be implanted in a wall of a blood vessel with a porous chamber-forming wall of the chamber providing an interface between the cells in the chamber and the blood in the vessel. The chamber-forming wall has a pore size permitting continuous diffusion of hormonal components therethrough but blocking the diffusion of cells. The device may also be implanted between an artery and a vein in a wall of each so as to act as a sieve between the artery and vein subject to the differential pressure therebetween. A method is also disclosed for employing the device to introduce hormonal components into the blood stream.

Abstract: An isothermic protective boot designed particularly for patients with arterial disease. The boot has a complete inner lining and outer cover of a soft, non-allergenic material, a double layer of a soft, flexible, compressible isothermic protective material between the outer cover and inner lining, and a body of flexible, compressible weight-bearing material at the back of the boot in a position to extend along the heel cord and lower aspect of the calf of the patient's leg.