Abstract: A gastric space filler device for treating obesity in a patient by reducing the stomach volume features at least one inflatable space filler with drag delivery and stimulation features and includes therapeutic devices and anchoring apparatus enabling tracking, visualization and optimized management of inter-balloon connecting sections, drug reservoirs and pumping systems along with related improvements.

Abstract: A method of cutting tissue material of biology origin employs a plotted water-jet or RF cutting system. The cutting system is computer controlled and includes a water-jet or RF cutting means combined with a motion system. The cutting energy is selected so that communication of thermal energy into the segment beyond the edge is minimized to avoid damaging the segment adjacent the edge.

Abstract: The invention discloses a decellularized pericardial tissue via chemical treatment with cholic acid or bile salts as a medical device and process of manufacture.

Abstract: A method of protecting an upper body and a lower body of a patient from high venous pressures comprising implanting a first stented valve at the superior vena cava and a second stented valve at the inferior vena cava, wherein the first and second valves are configured to permit blood flow towards a right atrium of the patient and prevent blood flow in an opposite direction.

Abstract: A composite supported vascular graft comprising Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and/or Platelet Derived Growth Factor (PDGF) for enhanced site-specific angiogenesis and methods thereof are disclosed. At least one VEGF, PDGF or angiogenesis factor is incorporated into the composite vascular graft to facilitate enhanced angiogenesis so as the cells are stimulated to migrate to environments having higher concentration of growth factors and start mitosis.

Abstract: This invention discloses a percutaneous delivered heart valve and delivery means thereof, wherein the percutaneous delivered heart valve is a twistedly foldable heart valve prosthesis comprising a generally cylindrical support element with a diameter, wherein the support element is twistedly foldable to a smaller diameter, a flexible heart valve with a plurality of valvular leaflets releasably attached to said support element, and a receptacle having a plurality of connecting members secured to the cylindrical support element, wherein the receptacle is releasably matched to an expanding element capable of untwisting the receptacle adapted for un-twisting and unfolding said heart valve.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a pulmonary valved conduit that permits inflow diameters greater than about 22 mm while still maintaining the advantages of a naturally-formed biological valved conduit. Specifically, the present invention comprises a valved vascular prosthetic having an inflow conduit comprising a manifold formed from the sealed attachment of at least two venous valvular conduits.

Abstract: A supportless atrioventricular valve intended for attaching to a circumferential valve ring and papillary muscles of a patient comprising a singular flexible membrane of tissue or synthetic biomaterial, wherein a minimally invasive delivery system is provided through a percutaneous intercostal penetration and a penetration at the cardiac wall into a left atrium of the heart.

Abstract: This invention discloses a medical catheter and methods for removing a defective valve from a patient endoluminally. The method may comprise inserting a medical catheter endoluminally to a site of the defective valve; deploying a coupling mechanism of said medical catheter to stabilize and immobilize a free edge of at least one valve leaflet; deploying a cutting mechanism of said medical catheter to cut a valve base of said defective valve; and removing said defective valve from the patient.

Abstract: A percutaneously deliverable heart valve prosthesis and method of delivery, wherein the prosthesis is anchored to a valvular annulus of a patient and used to replace the patient's diseased valve. The prosthesis is supported by a rigid frame that is generally fixed, but capable of being modified between a first collapsed position and a second expanded position. In its first collapsed position, the prosthesis has sufficient flexibility and is of such a low profile that it allows for easy percutaneously delivery. Upon proper delivery, the prosthesis is anchored and modifiable to a generally permanent expanded position sufficiently rigid to resist the strong recoil force exerted by a distorted stenosed valve orifice displaced by the prosthesis.

Abstract: A stentless atrioventricular valve intended for attaching to a circumferential valve ring and papillary muscles of a patient comprising a singular flexible membrane of tissue or synthetic biomaterial, the valve having a sewing ring, an anterior cusp and a posterior cusp, wherein the anterior cusp and said posterior cusp are an integral part of a continuum from the singular membrane without sutured commissure between remote ends of the cusps and wherein texture elements secured at edge portions of the cusps configured to extend the texture elements for connection to papillary muscles in a ventricle cavity when the sewing ring is sutured to an atrioventricular junction of a patient's heart.

Abstract: This invention discloses a percutaneously deliverable heart valve and methods of implantation thereof comprising a valve implantation system to be placed at a body channel of a patient comprising a flexible tissue valve with a plurality of valvular leaflets, each of the leaflets having an in-flow edge, an out-flow edge, and side edges, the plurality of leaflets being sewn together at least a potion of their side edges to form an annulus at about the in-flow edge and a plurality of commissure tissues; an annulus base support secured to the annulus, wherein the annulus base support is collapsible and expandable, and commissural fixation means for securing each of the plurality of commissure tissues onto a wall of the body channel.

Abstract: A method and devices for differentiating in a given area of tissue a tumorous tissue from a normal tissue, the method comprising measuring a plurality of tissue impedance over a range of tissue temperatures and comparing the measured tissue impedance with reference tissue impedance of the normal tissue adapted for tissue differentiation. The management of tissue temperatures may be accomplished with a probe arrangement comprising two elements of different electromotive potential conductively connected at a probe junction, and passing an electrical current through the elements to reduce or raise a temperature of the probe junction in accordance with the Peltier effect.

Abstract: A method of protecting an upper body and a lower body of a patient from high venous pressures comprising implanting a first stented valve at the superior vena cava and a second stented valve at the inferior vena cava, wherein the first and second valves are configured to permit blood flow towards a right atrium of the patient and prevent blood flow in an opposite direction.

Abstract: A method of protecting an upper and a lower body of a patient from high venous pressures comprising: providing an elongate valve stent, wherein the stent comprises a first stent member with a first tissue valve secured to a first support structure being disposed at a first end of the stent and a second stent member with a second tissue valve secured to a second support structure being disposed at an opposite second end of the stent, wherein both support structures are collapsibly expandable, the second end being connected to the first end with at least one elongate connecting member; passing the elongate valve stent through a blood vessel with the first and second support structures in a collapsed position; and securing the first support structure to an inferior vena cava and the second support structure to a superior vena cava with both support structures in an expanded shape.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for differentiating in a given area of tissue a tumorous tissue from a normal tissue, the method comprising measuring a plurality of tissue impedance over a range of tissue temperatures and comparing the measured tissue impedance with reference tissue impedance of the normal tissue adapted for tissue differentiation. The management of tissue temperatures may be accomplished with a probe arrangement comprising two elements of different electromotive potential conductively connected at a probe junction, and passing an electrical current through the elements to reduce or raise a temperature of the probe junction in accordance with the Peltier effect.

Abstract: An expandable annular ring for implantation in a valvular annulus and its percutaneous use thereof comprises a plurality of stenting elements made of a first shape-memory material having a first shape-transition temperature, wherein the first shape-memory material expands to a preshape when the first shape-memory material is heated to above the first shape-transition temperature; and a plurality of anchoring elements made of a second shape-memory material having a second shape-transition temperature that is higher than the first shape-transition temperature, wherein the second shape-memory material expands to the second preshape when the second shape-memory material is heated to above the second shape-transition temperature.

Abstract: An improved prosthetic mitral valve is provided having advantageous hemodynamic performance, nonthrombogenicity, and durability. The valve includes a valve body having an inflow annulus and an outflow annulus. Commissural attachment locations are disposed adjacent the outflow annulus. An anterior leaflet and a posterior leaflet of the valve are shaped differently from one another. The inflow annulus preferably is scalloped so as to have a saddle-shaped periphery having a pair of relatively high portions separated by a pair of relatively low portions. The anterior high portion preferably is vertically higher than the posterior high portion.

Abstract: The current invention discloses a catheter and a method for delivering a stentless bloprosthesis in a body channel, the method comprising percutaneously introducing a catheter into the body channel, wherein the catheter contains said stentless bloprosthesis at a retracted state; and disengaging said stentless bioprosthesis out of a distal opening of the catheter by a pulling mechanism associated with the catheter structure.

Abstract: This invention discloses a miniclip apparatus for releasably stabilizing a leaflet onto an aortic artery wall during aortic valve implantation comprising a clip base having a first clip member consisting of a plurality of first prongs and an opposite second clip member consisting of a plurality of second prongs, wherein the first prongs and the second prongs are sized and configured for releasably clipping and stabilizing the leaflet in conjunction with the aortic artery wall; and an actuator assembly operable using one hand located at the clip base, wherein the first clip member moves away from the second clip member when the actuator assembly is activated.