Abstract: An endovascular stent-graft with an extravascular extension is presented including: a stent-graft having an aperture and a vascular graft having an and attached to the aperture and a free end. Methods of using the endovascular stent-graft with an extravascular extension include providing the endovascular stent-graft with an extravascular extension to a target vessel of the patient and using free end to either provide access for a circulatory medical procedure or attaching the free end to another point in the circulatory system to perform a bypass operation or to provide a graft for providing hemodialysis. The methods may be performed noninvasively through incisions in the back of the patient.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing dialysis is described. The apparatus is a patch which provides structural support to a blood vessel, such as vein or fistula. The patch provides a location for puncturing the blood vessel with a needle, either at the puncture site or on the back side to prevent the needle from going through the blood vessel. The patch may also be palpated, allowing health care provider to easily locate a preferred puncture site.

Abstract: An endovascular stent-graft with an extravascular extension is presented including: a stent-graft having an aperture and a vascular graft having an and attached to the aperture and a free end. Methods of using the endovascular stent-graft with an extravascular extension include providing the endovascular stent-graft with an extravascular extension to a target vessel of the patient and using free end to either provide access for a circulatory medical procedure or attaching the free end to another point in the circulatory system to perform a bypass operation or to provide a graft for providing hemodialysis. The methods may be performed noninvasively through incisions in the back of the patient.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing dialysis are described. The apparatus is a patch which provides structural support to a blood vessel, such as vein or fistula. The patch provides a location for puncturing the blood vessel with a needle, either at the puncture site or on the back side to prevent the needle from going through the blood vessel. The patch may also be palpated, allowing health care provider to easily locate a preferred puncture site. The method includes placing the patch on the blood vessel, and using the patch to provide a location for providing dialysis.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing dialysis are described. The apparatus is a patch which provides structural support to a blood vessel, such as vein or fistula. The patch provides a location for puncturing the blood vessel with a needle, either at the puncture site or on the back side to prevent the needle from going through the blood vessel. The patch may also be palpated, allowing health care provider to easily locate a preferred puncture site. The method includes placing the patch on the blood vessel, and using the patch to provide a location for providing dialysis.

Abstract: An arteriovenous (AV) graft is disclosed than includes portions for inserting hemodialysis needles. The AV graft includes two spaced portions that are each adapted for receiving needles. These portions may have a different shape or rigidity than other portions of the AV graft. A care giver may be able to palpate the location of the two spaced portions, thus facilitating hemodialysis by providing the needles to locations on the AV graft adapted to accept the needles. Methods of providing hemodialysis using the AV graft are also described.

Abstract: A surgical suture and method of suturing is described. The surgical suture includes a pair of matched fastening elements connected by a length of suture. The fastening elements have interlocking components, allowing a surgeon to adjust the tightness of the suture. Fastening element holding devices are also provided to guide the use the surgical suture. The method includes placing the fastening elements in the holding devices, threading one or both of the fastening elements through the body of the patient, and securing the surgical suture, and removing the holding devices.

Abstract: A tension-adjusting device for sutures comprising a body through which sutures tend to be knotted at the top of the body with a plurality of flexible legs extending outwardly and downwardly from the body to rest on the body of a patient. In one embodiment, the body of the top half and the bottom half can be rotated with respect to each other to tighten the sutures passing therethrough.

Abstract: A vascular shunt is employed for use in surgical by-pass operations to divert blood flow during an operation from the aorta into a plurality of arteries serving different organs of the body. The vascular shunt is comprised of a hollow, flexible inlet tube with an inlet tip projecting therefrom and turned to form an inlet mouth. The tip is adapted for insertion into an incision surgically formed into the wall of a human aortic artery so that the mouth of the inlet tip is directed upstream into the aorta. A releasable inlet sealing means is connected to the inlet tip to lock blood flow in the aorta downstream beyond the inlet tip. Tubular branches emanate from the inlet tube. Each branch is of a smaller internal cross-sectional area than the inlet tube and is adapted for connection to an artery serving an organ of the human body.