Abstract: A side-to-end vascular anastomosis stapling apparatus that includes a stapling tool (10), a staple forming tool (11) and a staple (12). The stapling tool (10) includes a sleeve (13), a core unit (14), a mandrel (16) and a trigger unit (17). The core unit (14) includes a plurality of fingers (26) that can be selectively urged outwardly by interaction with the mandrel (16) to grip the staple (12). The staple (12) has a plurality of vessel and interior wall engaging members (43) and a plurality of exterior wall engaging members (44).

Abstract: A method of using a staple for joining first and second blood vessels. A staple having an open center is provided to staple the two vessels together. One end of the first blood vessel is placed through the staple and then pierced by an end of the staple. An opening in the side of the second blood vessel is formed and the pierced end of the first blood vessel is inserted into the hole. A second end of the staple is then deflectively bent and pierces the outer wall of the second vessel to staple the two vessels together.

Abstract: A side-to-end vascular anastomosis stapling apparatus that includes a stapling tool (10), a staple forming tool (11) and a staple (12). The stapling tool (10) includes a sleeve (13), a core unit (14), a mandrel (16) and a trigger unit (17). The core unit (14) includes a plurality of fingers (26) that can be selectively urged outwardly by interaction with the mandrel (16) to grip the staple (12). The staple (12) has a plurality of vessel and interior wall engaging members (43) and a plurality of exterior wall engaging members (44).

Abstract: In a prosthetic heart valve having a free floating, rotatable, pivotable disk occluder for blocking a flow of fluid therethrough, an improvement comprising the provision of a disk occluder (12) having a substantially convex distal surface (39) and a substantially planar proximal surface (38) having a concentrically disposed well (42) formed therein. A proximal positioned control unit (21) and a distal positioned control unit (22) are provided for cooperative interaction with the disk occluder (12) to support the disk occluder (12) in the occlude and non-occlude mode and to provide a pivot guide for transition between the occlude to non-occlude mode and for the transition between the non-occlude to the occlude mode.

Abstract: A storage unit for use in storing a prosthetic heart valve in conjunction with a plurality of heart valve orifice measurement gauges that includes separate container units (11 and 12), which container units can be selectively connected and disconnected by a connecting unit (13). Opening units (14) are provided for each container unit (11 and 12) to allow access to secondary container units (16) contained therein. The secondary container units contain separately the prosthetic heart valve and heart valve orifice measurement gauges under sterile conditions. Object indicia (18) are provided on the container units (11 and 12) to indicate the contents and size of the heart valve stored within the storage unit. Substantially opaque package unit envelops the first and second container units (11 and 12), though a window unit (21) is provided to allow visual observation of the object indicia (18).

Abstract: An improved check valve which is particularly adapted for surgical implantation in the heart as a substitute for a natural heart valve. In one embodiment, the prosthetic valve (10) comprises a circular base (40) on which a pair of semiconical leaflets (42) are supported for pivotal movement between open and closed positions by T-shaped arms (60) and pin and slot connections. In a second embodiment (80), the semiconical leaflets (42') are supported and constrained for pivotal movement between open and closed positions by C-shaped arms (82) engaging apertures (84) and notches (86) on the leaflets. In the preferred construction, at least one of the leaflets (42, 42') can also translate for ease of operation.

Abstract: Vascular graft of synthetic material including a tubular member having a braided inner layer and a compliant outer covering layer where the braided layer includes a plurality of interwoven groups of filaments. The filaments can be constructed either of metal or of plastic. The compliant outer covering can be either a sleeve of processed biologic material such as collagen, processed plastic, liquid deposition of biologic material or plastic, or a combination of biologic and plastic materials. The inflow and outflow orifices of the tubular member are at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the graft and are reinforced either by tacking of the filaments to adjoining filaments or by tacking an endless single-strand filament rim to the orifice in addition to reinforcement by the outer covering material. Also, the synthetic vascular graft can have an orifice braided and woven into the tubular member parallel to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: Heart valve for implantation as a surgical prosthesis including a valve housing having an orifice ring and three pairs of structural short and long projections extending inwardly and centrally within the plane of the orifice ring. A like plurality of leaflet occluders pivot between closed and open positions providing for uniform hemodynamic flow of blood through the heart valve. Each of the leaflet occluders is substantially one-third of a circle and includes on a proximal surface side having inner and outer pivot sockets of oval concentricity. The pivot sockets of each leaflet occluder freely engage about short and long projections extending inwardly from the valve ring and substantially equally spaced within three sectors of the valve orifice. The short and long projections also function as closed position stops and open position stops during symmetrical and synchronous movement of the leaflet occluders.

Abstract: Anastomotic fitting for coronary artery bypass graft surgery having an assembly of components including a flanged tube having a longitudinal hole running therethrough and projections extending outwardly therefrom, an aortic wall attachment ring having a plurality of dual-tined anchors positioned about spacers on a closed ring, a graft fixation collaring having two component parts and having recessed circumferential grooves for accepting springs, ligatures, or split-ring clamps. At surgical implantation, all components of the anastomotic fitting engage together forming an integral anastomotic fitting where the flange of the flanged tube engages against an inside wall of an aorta, the tines engage the aortic wall from the outside wall of the aorta, and a saphenous vein or vascular graft engages between the tube and the graft fixation collar.

Abstract: Anastomotic fitting for coronary artery bypass graft surgery having an assembly of four components including a cylindrical tube having at least one ringflange locking indentation in an inflow end and a plurality of locking ring grooves in an outflow end, a ringflange having a central aperture and pluralities of long and short spikes, the long spikes engaging in the locking indentation, with a graft engaged therebetween, a fixation ring having a central aperture and a plurality of spikes positioned about the aperture, and a locking ring having an aperture with a plurality of locking ring ridges for engagement with the locking ring grooves. At surgical implantation an aortic wall having a hole therein engages between the ringflange and the fixation ring and is held in position by the spikes of the fixation ring, and the four components engage together forming an integral anastomotic fitting.

Abstract: Heart valve including an annular valve body having an inner wall defining a blood flow passage, a guide strut including an integral pivot surface extending radially inward of the valve body and a disc occluder having a central aperture engaged over the disc guide strut, a disc stop extending radially inward of the valve body opposite the guide strut, and pivot projections extending radially inward of the valve body and equally spaced from the guide strut whereby the disc pivots between occluding and non-occluding surfaces in response to downstream blood pressure gradients across the disc.

Abstract: Heart valve including a valve body having a non-circular exterior periphery and a blood flow passage orifice through the valve body having a periphery substantially geometrically similar to the exterior periphery. A rigid occluder having a periphery slightly smaller than the internal periphery of the blood flow passage, pivots within the confines of the blood flow passage. The valve body can assume an oval, egg, kidney, or the like geometrical shape and pivots on an axis parallel or removed from the major axis of the non-circular heart valve body. The occluder pivots about pivot closed pivots and pivot open pivots, guide struts, or a T-shaped pivot post between occluding and non-occluding positions. Stop surfaces all retain the occluder in the occluding position and non-occluding position in the heart valve orifice.

Abstract: A sizing gauge for determining the proper size of heart valve for implantation in a natural heart valve orifice. The sizing gauge includes a handle which can be gripped by a surgeon, a sizing ring having a smooth outer surface and a hollow interior, and connecting struts connecting the sizing ring and the handle. The connecting struts is so constructed and arranged as to afford direct visual observation by the surgeon of heart tissue beyond the sizing ring when the latter is inserted in a heart orifice. Outer surfaces of the connecting struts diverge forwardly for connection to the sizing ring and merge with the outer surface of the sizing ring to permit the latter to be eased outwardly through the natural heart valve orifice.

Abstract: An implantable heart valve including a suturing ring within which the body of the valve may be rotatably positioned following surgical implantation. The suturing ring is held to the valve body by binding means, such as an annular band or series of cord wraps. In one embodiment, the binding means may be heat-relaxed after the suturing ring has been bound to the valve body, thereby facilitating rotation of the valve body in the suturing ring. Slip ring means may be interposed between the suturing ring and the valve body to facilitate rotation. The slip ring means may be shaped to permit the binding means to hold the suturing ring tightly at its edges to the valve body to prevent the suturing ring from separating from the valve body at their mutually adjacent edges. The slip ring means may comprise a single ring or a pair of concentric slip rings having a mutual low-friction interface.

Abstract: An annular sewing member mounted on the base of a heart valve and attached to heart tissue with sutures. The sewing member has spaced outwardly directed flanges connected with a body forming a central annular outwardly open groove adapted to accommodate heart tissue after the natural heart valve has been removed. The flanges are relatively thin and contain an internal core of cured plastic, as Silastic. The flanges can be fabric without an internal core. A heat shrunk collar or sleeve surrounded with cord retains the suturing member in movable assembled relation with the base of the heart valve to permit angular orientation of the valving member of the valve. Stitches extend through one of the sewing member flanges and the heart tissue attaching the sewing member to the heart tissue. The knots of the stitches are located under the second flange, thereby protecting the knots and minimizing clots. The flange without knots form a smooth surface with a thin endothelium tissue layer.

Abstract: A heart valve having a base with a passage and a free-floating pivoting disc for controlling the flow of blood through the passage. Inwardly directed proximal and distal pivots control the pivoting movement of the disc. The pivots are offset from the diameter of the disc so that the disc pivots between its open and closed positions between its center and an outer peripheral edge of the disc. The disc is held in free-floating assembled relation with the pivots and base with a curved retaining rod having a curved end projected through a central hole in the disc. In one form of the valve a permanent magnet in the disc assists the closing of the disc in response to a drop in the pressure of blood moving through the valve passage. A suture collar surrounds and is mounted on the outer portions of the base. A low friction sleeve interposed between the base and the collar permits rotation of the valve relative to the suturing collar after the collar has been attached to the heart tissue.

Abstract: A heart valve having a base with a passage and a free-floating pivoting disc for controlling the flow of blood through the passage. Inwardly directed proximal and distal pivots control the pivoting movement of the disc. The pivots are offset from the diameter of the disc so that the disc pivots between its open and closed positions between its center and an outer peripheral edge of the disc. The disc is held in free-floating assembled relation with the pivots and base with a curved retaining rod having a curved end projected through a central hole in the disc. In one form of the valve a permanent magnet in the disc assists the closing of the disc in response to a drop in the pressure of blood moving through the valve passage. A suture collar surrounds and is mounted on the outer portions of the base. A low friction sleeve interposed between the base and the collar permits rotation of the valve relative to the suturing collar after the collar has been attached to the heart tissue.