Abstract: A device (30) for controlling a flow of emboli (48) in an aorta (36) of a patient. The device includes an ultrasonic transducer (44), which is configured to transmit an ultrasonic beam (52) into the aorta in a vicinity of a great origin of a neck vessel (38). A driver circuit (58) is coupled to drive the ultrasonic transducer to generate the ultrasonic beam at a frequency and power level sufficient to divert at least a target fraction of the emboli of a given type and size away from the neck vessel.

Abstract: Ultrasonic devices for preventing microbubbles and/or microparticles from reaching the brain during a PCI or cardiovascular surgery. Devices 27 and 77 are designed for implantation in the chest cavity and operate in combination with needle vents or other vent systems for removing diverted microbubbles. Systems 77 and 83 are designed for noninvasive employment. Devices 57 and 87 are particularly designed to prevent microbubbles from reaching the great origins of the carotid arteries and/or for diverting bubbles that might reach the vicinity and otherwise pass through. Improved devices 11 and 94 separate microbubbles from a flowing bloodstream and produce a cleansed stream.

Abstract: Ultrasonic devices for preventing microbubbles and/or microparticles from reaching the brain during a PCI, or cardiovascular surgery. Devices 27 and 77 are designed for implantation in the chest cavity and operate in combination with needle vents or other vent systems for removing diverted microbubbles. Systems 77 and 83 are designed for noninvasive employment. Devices 57 and 87 are particularly designed to prevent microbubbles from reaching the great origins of the carotid arteries and/or for diverting bubbles that might reach the vicinity and otherwise pass through. Improved devices 11 and 94 separate microbubbles from a flowing bloodstream and produce a cleansed stream.

Abstract: Methods for reconfiguring an atrioventricular heart valve that may use systems comprising a partial or complete annuloplasty rings proportioned to reconfigure a heart valve that has become in some way incompetent, a pair of trigonal sutures or implantable anchors, and a plurality of staples which may have pairs of legs that are sized and shaped for association with the ring at spaced locations along its length. These systems permit relative axial movement between the staples and the ring, whereby a patient's heart valve can be reconfigured in a manner that does not deter subtle shifting of the native valve components. Shape-memory alloy material staples may have legs with free ends that interlock following implantation. Annuloplasty rings may be complete or partial and may be fenestrated. One alternative method routes a flexible wire, preferably of shape-memory material, through the bights of pre-implanted staples.

Abstract: Ultrasonic devices for preventing microbubbles and/or microparticles from reaching the brain during a PCI, such as cardiovascular surgery. Devices 27 and 77 are designed for implantation in the chest cavity and operate in combination with needle vents or other vent systems for removing diverted microbubbles. Systems 77 and 83 are designed for noninvasive employment. Devices 57 and 87 are particularly designed to prevent microbubbles from reaching the great origins of the carotid arteries and/or for diverting bubbles that might reach the vicinity and otherwise pass through. Improved devices 11 and 94 separate microbubbles from a flowing bloodstream and produce a cleansed stream.

Abstract: Radially expandable intraluminal stents suitable for providing interior support within a human blood vessel are disclosed. A material used to construct the stent is formed into diamond cells. Each of the diamond cells has arms of equal length. Diamond cells are interconnected to other diamond cells by legs or to pairs of smaller cells which have a common vertex and four arms of equal length. Needle-like prongs are attached to the diamond cells at their vertex to function as attachment means for a biological membrane.

Abstract: Radially expandable intraluminal stents (11) suitable for providing interior support within a human blood vessel are disclosed. A material (33′) used to construct the stent (11) is formed into diamond cells (35). The diamond cells (35) each have arms (37) of equal length. Diamond cells (35) are interconnected to other diamond cells (25) by legs (39, 39a) or to pairs of smaller cells (41) which have a common vertex and four arms (43) of equal length. Needle-like prongs (51, 53) are attached to the diamond cells (35) at their vertex to function as attachment means for a biological membrane (57′).

Abstract: A suture ring assembly for a prosthetic heart valve is provided which includes a suture ring body, suture ring flange, and an interior engagement surface that are formed as a unitary structure composed of pyrocarbon material or the like. The suture ring flange extends radially outward from said suture ring body and may be of an arcuate or straight design. Moreover, the suture ring flange has a plurality of pre-fabricated holes extending axially therethrough and is particularly designed for securing the assembly to the residual heart tissue. The suture ring interior engagement surface is proportioned to surround the exterior surface of the valve body such that it can rotate relative to the heart valve body. The suture ring assembly and the valve body are specifically designed to axially engage each other so as to prevent disengagement in either axial direction.

Abstract: Check valves for fluid flow, particularly for use as replacement heart valves, employ annular valve bodies with hinge arrangements which support one or more occluders for movement between open and closed orientations. Illustrated are single occluder and tri-leaflet valves in which each occluder is pivotally mounted by pegs of oval cross-section that protrude from opposite lateral surfaces and are received in sockets formed in the interior surface of an annular valve body. One valve is constructed with a unique shape for advantageous employment in the mitral or tricuspid position. The inflow surface of each occluder is formed with a convex surface region, preferably of cycloidal shape, at a downstream location preferably adjacent the downstream edge and spaced a substantial distance from the pivot axis. Upon initial reverse flow of blood, a low pressure region forms which creates a suction effect causing immediate initiation of pivoting movement of the occluder toward the center of the flow passageway.

Abstract: A punch for opening passages between two compartments comprises an outer hollow tube and an inner needle tube. The outer hollow tube has a sharp distal edge constituting a circular knife. The needle tube is provided with screw actuating member at a proximal end thereof and a bevelled tip at a distal end thereof. A screw mechanism is located upon a distal end of the needle tube, and the screw mechanism is connected to a cutting disc. The mechanism is screw-actuated by the actuating member. The punch is particularly suitable in cardiac surgery and cardiology as a cardiac catheter and in opening the inter-atrial septum of babies.

Abstract: A central flow prosthetic cardiac valve for disposition in the heart and the aorta for controlling the pulsatile flow of blood into and from the heart, having a plurality of valve flaps for positive opening and closing of the valve during pulsatile flow of the blood.