Abstract: A sizing apparatus and a method for ascertaining a size for a cardiac prosthesis are disclosed. Specifically, the sizing is implemented by positioning a contact member at a patient's heart valve for engagement by one or more viable leaflets of the patient's valve. The size is determined based on the engagement between the contact member and the leaflet (or leaflets) of the patient's valve.

Abstract: A heart valve prosthesis includes a valve member having an inflow end, an outflow end, and a generally cylindrical sidewall portion extending between the inflow end and the outflow end. The valve member includes at least one leaflet moveable relative to the sidewall portion to provide for substantially unidirectional flow of fluid through the valve member. A support of a substantially flexible material positioned is around the sidewall portion. A strip of pliant material is provided around valve member intermediate the inflow end and the outflow end of the valve member in a generally overlying relationship with the support. A covering is provided over a radially outer exposed surface of at least the strip.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for supporting a heart valve at an annulus of an implantation site. The apparatus includes a base portion operative to maintain a circumferential dimension thereof. A plurality of fingers extend axially and radially outwardly from the first end of the support element. A heart valve can be located within the apparatus to provide a prosthesis that can be suturelessly implanted at an annulus of a patient.

Abstract: An apparatus for helping improve operation of a heart valve includes a generally arcuate base and a buttress extending generally from at least a portion of the base. The apparatus can be deformable to facilitate its implantation. When the apparatus is when implanted at an annulus of a heart valve, the buttress thereof cooperates with one or more leaflets of the heart valve to help control blood flow relative to the apparatus and heart valve.

Abstract: An apparatus helps improve operation of a heart valve. The apparatus includes an arcuate base portion having a central axis and a buttress extending from the base portion axially relative to the base portion. The buttress has a first surface and an opposite second surface. The first surface is dimensioned and configured to be engaged by a first leaflet of the heart valve when the apparatus is implanted in the heart valve. The second surface is dimensioned and configured to be engaged by a second leaflet of the heart valve when the apparatus is implanted in the heart valve. The buttress permits flow of blood adjacent both the first surface of the buttress and the second surface of the buttress when the first and second leaflets are not engaging the buttress.

Abstract: A sizing apparatus and a method for ascertaining a size for a cardiac prosthesis are disclosed. Specifically, the sizing is implemented by positioning a contact member at a patient's heart valve for engagement by one or more viable leaflets of the patient's valve. The size is determined based on the engagement between the contact member and the leaflet (or leaflets) of the patient's valve.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for making a calotte-shaped implantable sheath. A sheet of biological tissue is held against a curved tissue-engaging surface while a fixation solution is applied to at least a substantial portion of the tissue. As a result, at least a portion of the tissue is fixed to a shape that substantially conforms to the shape of the tissue-engaging surface.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) maintains a desired distance between two parts (5, 6) of a severed sternum of a patient. The apparatus (10) includes an elongate member (20), such as a plastic or surgical steel plate, and an element (60) for securing the elongate member (20) to each of the two parts (5, 6) of the severed sternum. The elongate member (20) has longitudinal edges (32, 34) dimensioned and configured to space apart the two parts (5, 6) of the severed sternum the desired distance. When implanted, the two parts (5, 6) of the severed sternum engage the longitudinal edges (32, 34) of the elongate member (20) to maintain the desired distance between such parts.

Abstract: A method for making a curved implantable sheath includes placing a sheet of flexible material into engagement with a member having a curved surface having a desired configuration. The sheet and member are placed in a fixation solution so that the sheet assumes the configuration of the surface engaged thereby.

Abstract: An implantable support apparatus cushions between articulating structures, such as bone or other tissue. The apparatus includes a plurality of sheets of a substantially biocompatible tissue, which are connected together to form a laminated stack of the biocompatible tissue. Alternatively, the prosthesis may be formed of a molded protein, which has been cross-linked and substantially detoxified.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) maintains a desired distance between two parts (5, 6) of a severed sternum of a patient. The apparatus (10) includes an elongate member (20), such as a plastic or surgical steel plate, and an element (60) for securing the elongate member (20) to each of the two parts (5, 6) of the severed sternum. The elongate member (20) has longitudinal edges (32, 34) dimensioned and configured to space apart the two parts (5, 6) of the severed sternum the desired distance. When implanted, the two parts (5, 6) of the severed sternum engage the longitudinal edges (32, 34) of the elongate member (20) to maintain the desired distance between such parts.

Abstract: A strip for use with a surgical stapler facilitates sealing tissue of a patient, such as the lungs, stomach, etc. The strip includes retaining elements near opposed ends of the strip for connecting to associated parts of a surgical stapler device. An aperture also extends through the strip at a location intermediate its opposed ends for receiving an alignment feature of the surgical stapler. In another aspect, a second elongated strip having retaining elements near opposed ends thereof may be utilized in conjunction with the strip and a surgical stapler to seal the patient's tissue. In addition, the strips may be connected together by a bridge of material to facilitate selection and use of appropriate strips.

Abstract: An apparatus for helping improve operation of a heart valve includes a generally arcuate base and a buttress extending generally from at least a portion of the base. The apparatus can be deformable to facilitate its implantation. When the apparatus is when implanted at an annulus of a heart valve, the buttress thereof cooperates with one or more leaflets of the heart valve to help control blood flow relative to the apparatus and heart valve.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for covering a heart valve prosthesis with biological tissue, such as pericardium. In one aspect, the prosthesis includes a stent that is covered with a fabric material. A heart valve is mounted within the stent, such as by sutures securing the heart valve to the fabric covering. One or more sheets of biological tissue are applied to the stented prosthesis so as to cover exposed areas of the fabric material.

Abstract: A valvular prosthesis and method of using the prosthesis are disclosed. A valve apparatus is located within a stent apparatus, such that the prosthesis is deformable between a first condition and a second condition, in which the prosthesis has a reduced cross-sectional dimension relative to the first condition, whereby implantation of the prosthesis is facilitated when in the second condition.

Abstract: An implantable support apparatus includes a sheet of a flexible biocompatible material having apertures formed through end portions thereof to provide suture holes. A plurality of relatively larger apertures are formed through an intermediate portion of the sheet located between the end portions of the sheet to promote adhesion and improve integration of the apparatus into a patient's body. Threading mechanisms having elongated tubular projections are inserted into the apparatus at the end portions to facilitate threading sutures through such apertures.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for covering a mechanical heart valve with biological tissue to provide a biomechanical heart valve prosthesis. The prosthesis includes a mechanical heart valve having a moveable portion mounted within a generally annular support that permits substantially unidirectional flow of blood therethrough. One or more sheets of a biological tissue material are applied around the support heart valve to provide a sewing ring that includes the biological tissue material.

Abstract: A system according to the present invention helps to reduce consumption of food by a patient. In one aspect, the system includes a banding apparatus which may be applied to around part of a patient's stomach to reduce that part to a reduced diameter. Another aspect provides wrapping apparatus that may extend from the banding apparatus and around an upper pouch of the stomach to inhibit expansion of the upper pouch beyond a predetermined volume. The wrapping apparatus further may be anchored relative to part of the patient's body to mitigate diaphragmatic hernia.

Abstract: A method of implanting a heart valve prosthesis is disclosed. A valve is mounted within a support apparatus that is deformable between an expanded and a reduced cross-sectional condition. The prosthesis can be implanted into a patient's heart, such as during a direct vision procedure through a generally tubular implantation apparatus that maintains the prosthesis in its reduced cross-sectional condition until discharged from the tubular apparatus at a desired implantation site.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping improve operation of a heart valve includes a generally annular base (12) and a buttress (20) extending generally axially from and inwardly relative to an arc portion of the base (12). When the apparatus (10) is when implanted at an annulus of a heart valve, the buttress (20) thereof provides a surface with which a leaflet of the heart valve may move into and out of engagement for helping control blood flow relative to the apparatus (10) and heart valve.