Abstract: A patch prosthesis includes at least one cusp extending from a length of an associated valve wall. An elongated sheet of biocompatible material is attached to the valve wall, such that a portion of the elongated sheet extends beyond an inflow end of the cusp. A measurement system may be employed to measure the size of a patient's native cusp(s), which measurement may be utilized to select a patch prosthesis having an appropriately sized cusp.

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.

Abstract: An apparatus for helping improve operation of a heart valve includes a generally annular base and a buttress extending generally axially from and inwardly relative to an arc portion of the base. When the apparatus is when implanted at an annulus of a heart valve, the buttress 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 and heart valve.

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 patch prosthesis includes at least one cusp extending from a length of an associated valve wall. An elongated sheet of biocompatible material is attached to the valve wall, such that a portion of the elongated sheet extends beyond an inflow end of the cusp. A measurement system may be employed to measure the size of a patient's native cusp(s), which measurement may be utilized to select a patch prosthesis having an appropriately sized cusp.

Abstract: An annuloplasty prosthesis for supporting an annulus of a heart valve includes a substrate material over which a covering of a biocompatible and biological tissue material is applied. The substrate may be formed of a generally rigid material (e.g., a plastic or metal) in which the substrate has a predetermined shape corresponding to an annulus of the heart valve. Alternatively, the substrate may be formed of flexible material (e.g., a soft cloth or natural tissue), which may be adjusted at implantation to accommodate the size and configuration of annulus.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for making a curved implantable sheath. A sheet of flexible material is urged 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: The present invention provides a method for making a curved implantable sheath. A sheet of flexible material is urged 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: A heart valve prosthesis and method of implanting the prosthesis are disclosed. A valve is mounted within a support apparatus that is deformable between a first condition and a second condition. The prosthesis has a cross-sectional dimension in the second condition that is less than a cross-sectional dimension of the supported valve when in first condition. The prosthesis can be implanted into a patient's heart, such as during a direct vision procedure through a tubular implantation apparatus that maintains the prosthesis in its second condition until discharged from the tubular apparatus.

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.

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: An apparatus and method are disclosed for supporting a heart valve with a flexible girdle. The girdle has an elongated cylindrical sidewall having an axial length at least commensurate with the heart valve. The girdle is disposed around a tubular valve wall of the heart valve being implanted so that the inflow end of the girdle is adjacent the inflow end of the tubular valve wall. The inflow ends of the girdle and heart valve may then be sutured together to implant the valve. The girdle provides support to stabilize the heart valve and inhibit deformation thereof.

Abstract: An implant (10) includes an expandable, flexible membrane (18) mounted over an expandable stent (12), which is releasably affixed to the balloon portion (14) of a catheter (16). The balloon (14) is inflated, thereby enlarging both the stent (12) and the membrane (18). Thereafter, the balloon (14) is deflated and the catheter (16) removed, leaving the stent (12) and membrane (18) in place. The implant (100) may also include an outer stent (106), surrounding a secured membrane (104).

Abstract: A pericardial strip and surgical stapler assembly, and method of use thereof, in which at least one pericardial strip is releasably attached to the jaws of the stapler by passing the outer ends of the stapler through holes in the strip(s). Preferably, the trailing end(s) of the strip(s) are secured to the proximal ends of the jaws by O-ring(s), suture(s) attached to the trailing end of the strip(s), or opening(s) in the strip(s). When the tissue is cut, the O-ring(s), suture(s), or opening(s) are also cut, thus permitting removal of the stapler and allowing at least a portion of the pericardial strips to remain.

Abstract: An extra-anatomic heart valve apparatus, which may be mounted externally to the heart, includes a heart valve positioned within a generally tubular conduit. An elongated outflow conduit extends from the tubular conduit and terminates in an end spaced from the heart valve. A resilient support and/or corrugations may be added to the outflow conduit to help resist compression of the conduit as well as to facilitate bending thereof.

Abstract: A heart valve prosthesis (88; 128) having a plurality of leaflets (18, 20 and 22; 138, 140 and 142). The valve (10; 130) is covered with a sheath (90; 172) of natural tissue. The sheath (90; 172) extends from an inflow end (12; 132) of the valve (10; 130) beyond an outflow end (14; 134) of the valve (12; 132) to define a plurality of lobes (98, 100 and 102; 182, 184 and 186). A substantially flexible annular ring (60; 162) may be positioned between the sheath (90; 172) and the heart valve (10; 132) to provide additional stability.

Abstract: A perfusion cannula for insertion into an artery having a main channel fluidly connected to an intra-aortic portion and in fluid connection with an aortic perfusion line of a cardiopulmonary bypass. The cannula includes a first side port to which an extra-aortic balloon pump may be connected or through which an intra-aortic balloon pump may be inserted. Also, there is a blood pressure port which can be connected to a blood pressure monitoring device without removal of the cannula.

Abstract: A perfusion cannula for insertion into an artery having a main channel fluidly connected to an intra-aortic portion and in fluid connection with an aortic perfusion line of a cardiopulmonary by-pass. The cannula includes a first side port to which an extra-aortic balloon pump may be connected or through which an intra-aortic balloon pump may be inserted. Also, there is a blood pressure port which can be connected to a blood pressure monitoring device without removal of the cannula.

Abstract: A method and device for securing a sternum in closed position comprising a plurality of fastening clamps which are spaced apart along an incision. Each of the fastening clamps is anchored to the sternum on both sides of the incision and has a lower section which is beneath the sternum and an upper section on the upper side of the sternum. A flexible saw is provided beneath the sternum, between the lower sections of the fastening clamps and the lower side of the sternum. The saw extends approximately along the line of the incision, and the sternum is reopened by grasping the ends of the flexible saw and causing it to reciprocate, thus opening the sternum quickly and minimizing morbidity.

Abstract: An improved prosthetic heart valve comprises a support body or stent covered by a layer of biological tissue having only the smooth surfaces thereof presented outwardly. The stent has a cutaway section and a flexible cusp sewn thereto for opening and closing the valve. The valve cusp is made of pericardial tissue which has been doubled over such that the rough side thereof is folded inwardly. A sewing ring is secured around the base of the stent and is made of pericardial or other biological material, so as to increase the likelihood of the sewing ring becoming covered with epithelium. The smooth-surfaced biological construction of the valve is highly durable and reduces the risk of thrombogenic or infection sites.