Abstract: An assembly is provided to facilitate the deployment of at least one fastener through tissue, such as stomach tissue. The assembly comprises a fastener deploying device arranged to deploy a fastener through the tissue and a snare arranged to bind the tissue and fastener deploying device together as the fastener deploying device deploys a fastener through the tissue.

Abstract: A fastener for use in fastening tissue layers in a mammalian body comprises a first member, a second member, and a connecting member fixed to each of the first and second members intermediate their ends and extending there between. One of the first and second members has a through channel along its axis arranged to be slidingly received on a tissue piercing deployment wire, and a slit extending between the first and second ends and communicating with the through channel. The connecting member includes an agent comprising a plurality of elongated fibers emanating from and carried by the connecting member that stimulates reaction of the tissue layers.

Abstract: A gastric reduction pouch of a stomach is formed by gathering stomach tissue circumferentially from within the stomach to form a reduced diameter stomach section. A plurality of fasteners are deployed within the gathered stomach tissue to maintain the reduced diameter stomach portion. The gathering step may include folding the stomach tissue to produce a plurality of stomach tissue folds. A device is disclosed that is particularly adapted to permit such gastric reduction of a previously formed gastric reduction pouch.

Abstract: An intraluminal grafting system having a balloon catheter assembly, a capsule catheter assembly and capsule jacket assembly is used for deploying in the vessel of an animal body a bifurcated graft having a plurality of attachment systems. The deployment catheters contain an ipsilateral capsule assembly, a contralateral capsule assembly and a distal capsule assembly, wherein the attachment systems of the bifurcated graft are disposed within the three capsule assemblies. A removable sheath of the capsule jacket assembly covers the bifurcated graft and capsule assemblies to provide a smooth transition along the length of the deployment catheters. The bifurcated graft is comprised of a main tubular member and two tubular legs, having attachment systems with wall engaging members secured to the superior end of the main tubular member and the inferior ends of the tubular legs. An inflatable membrane configured on the balloon catheter is used to firmly implant the attachment systems within the vessel.

Abstract: An apparatus for repairing a vessel using a multicapsule catheter having first, second and third capsules for releasably retaining each terminal end of a bifurcated graft. The method for repairing the vessel includes the steps of performing a surgical technique to gain remote access to the vessel, advancing the multicapsule catheter within the vessel and releasing the bifurcated graft within the vessel to thereby repair the vessel.

Abstract: The present invention embodies an adjustable customized graft for placement within body lumens. The adjustable graft includes longitudinal and lateral pleats that can be individually released to thereby customize the length and lateral profile of the graft. A tubular jacket configured with access holes to the pleats is provided for delivering the adjustable graft within vasculature of the patient.

Abstract: An intraluminal grafting system having a balloon catheter assembly, a capsule catheter assembly and capsule jacket assembly is used for deploying in the vessel of an animal body a bifurcated graft having a plurality of attachment systems. The deployment catheters contain an ipsilateral capsule assembly, a contralateral capsule assembly and a distal capsule assembly, wherein the attachment systems of the bifurcated graft are disposed within the three capsule assemblies. A removable sheath of the capsule jacket assembly covers the bifurcated graft and capsule assemblies to provide a smooth transition along the length of the deployment catheters. The bifurcated graft is comprised of a main tubular member and two tubular legs, having attachment systems with wall engaging members secured to the superior end of the main tubular member and the inferior ends of the tubular legs. An inflatable membrane configured on the balloon catheter is used to firmly implant the attachment systems within the vessel.

Abstract: An intraluminal grafting system having a balloon catheter assembly, a capsule catheter assembly and capsule jacket assembly is used for deploying in the vessel of an animal body a bifurcated graft having a plurality of attachment systems. The deployment catheters contain an ipsilateral capsule assembly, a contralateral capsule assembly and a distal capsule assembly, wherein the attachment systems of the bifurcated graft are disposed within the three capsule assemblies. A removable sheath of the capsule jacket assembly covers the bifurcated graft and capsule assemblies to provide a smooth transition along the length of the deployment catheters. The bifurcated graft is comprised of a main tubular member and two tubular legs, having attachment systems with wall engaging members secured to the superior end of the main tubular member and the inferior ends of the tubular legs. An inflatable membrane configured on the balloon catheter is used to firmly implant the attachment systems within the vessel.

Abstract: An apparatus for repairing a vessel using a multicapsule catheter having first, second and third capsules for releasably retaining each terminal end of a bifurcated graft. The method for repairing the vessel includes the steps of performing a surgical technique to gain remote access to the vessel, advancing the multicapsule catheter within the vessel and releasing the bifurcated graft within the vessel to thereby repair the vessel.

Abstract: The present invention provides an aortic catheter having an upstream occlusion member positioned in the ascending aorta between the coronary arteries and the brachiocephalic artery and a downstream anchoring member positioned in the descending aorta, downstream of the aortic arch. The upstream occlusion member is in the form of a narrow, disk-shaped inflatable balloon. The downstream anchoring member may be a larger inflatable balloon or other anchoring structure that provides sufficient friction to prevent migration of the balloon catheter in the upstream or downstream direction. In addition, an arch perfusion lumen, a corporeal perfusion lumen and a cardioplegia lumen are provided for performing selective perfusion and cardioplegic arrest.

Abstract: Improved apparatus and methods are described for performing endarterectomy remotely via intraluminal techniques. A flexible blade dissector has a curved, diamond-shaped flexible dissecting blade mounted on a catheter shaft. The distal edge of the flexible dissecting blade is configured to form a dissecting edge for separating an atheromatous plaque from the medial layer of an artery wall. The flexible blade dissector may incorporate a steering mechanism to direct the flexible dissecting blade along a preferred path within the arterial wall. The endarterectomy method is performed by making an incision into an artery wall and initiating a plane of separation between an atherosclerotic plaque and the medial layer of the artery wall, inserting the flexible blade dissector into the plane of separation and advancing the flexible dissecting blade to longitudinally extend the plane of separation.

Abstract: A delivery catheter having an inner catheter assembly, an inferior capsule catheter, and a capsule jacket assembly for use in deploying a graft having a compressible and expandable attachment systems in the thoracic region of an aorta. The graft is comprised of a tubular member having superior and inferior ends, each having an attachment system with wall engaging members secured thereto and is crimped along its midsection to resist kinking and elongation. The delivery catheter includes an inferior capsule assembly for releasably retaining the inferior attachment system of the graft and a superior capsule assembly for releasably retaining the superior attachment system of the graft as well as a releasing system for maintaining the attachment systems in a compressed configuration and for facilitating expansion of the attachment systems.

Abstract: An intraluminal grafting system having a balloon catheter assembly, a capsule catheter assembly and capsule jacket assembly is used for deploying in the vessel of an animal body a bifurcated graft having a plurality of attachment systems. The deployment catheters contain an ipsilateral capsule assembly, a contralateral capsule assembly and a distal capsule assembly, wherein the attachment systems of the bifurcated graft are disposed within the three capsule assemblies. A removable sheath of the capsule jacket assembly covers the bifurcated graft and capsule assemblies to provide a smooth transition along the length of the deployment catheters. The bifurcated graft is comprised of a main tubular member and two tubular legs, having attachment systems with wall engaging members secured to the superior end of the main tubular member and the inferior ends of the tubular legs. An inflatable membrane configured on the balloon catheter is used to firmly implant the attachment systems within the vessel.

Abstract: A delivery catheter having an inner catheter assembly, an inferior capsule catheter, and a capsule jacket assembly for use in deploying a graft having a compressible and expandable attachment systems in the thoracic region of an aorta. The graft is comprised of a tubular member having superior and inferior ends, each having an attachment system with wall engaging members secured thereto and is crimped along its midsection to resist kinking and elongation. The delivery catheter includes an inferior capsule assembly for releasably retaining the inferior attachment system of the graft and a superior capsule assembly for releasably retaining the superior attachment system of the graft as well as a releasing system for maintaining the attachment systems in a compressed configuration and for facilitating expansion of the attachment systems.

Abstract: An intraluminal grafting system having a balloon catheter assembly, a capsule catheter assembly and capsule jacket assembly is used for deploying in the vessel of an animal body a bifurcated graft having a plurality of attachment systems. The deployment catheters contain an ipsilateral capsule assembly, a contralateral capsule assembly and a distal capsule assembly, wherein the attachment systems of the bifurcated graft are disposed within the three capsule assemblies. A removable sheath of the capsule jacket assembly covers the bifurcated graft and capsule assemblies to provide a smooth transition along the length of the deployment catheters. The bifurcated graft is comprised of a main tubular member and two tubular legs, having attachment systems with wall engaging members secured to the superior end of the main tubular member and the inferior ends of the tubular legs. An inflatable membrane configured on the balloon catheter is used to firmly implant the attachment systems within the vessel.

Abstract: A support assembly for a crutch user comprising a seat element, an element to suspend the seat from the crutches, and a seat urging means to urge the seat towards the user. The seat urging means may releasably attach the seat to the crutch or to the user. The seat urging means optionally helps stabilize the seat during entry and exit. The seat urging means may disengage at a predetermined position. Alternatively, the seat urging means may release at a predetermined force. The seat urging means may be adjustable for location of pull, or direction of pull, or amount of pull. A support assembly for a crutch user comprising a seat element, an element to suspend the seat from the crutches, and an element to stabilize the seat for easier entry and exit.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for repairing a vessel at a bifurcation using a multicapsule catheter having first, second and third capsules for releasably retaining each terminal end of a bifurcated graft. The method for repairing the vessel includes the steps of performing a surgical technique to gain remote access to the vessel, advancing the multicapsule catheter within the vessel and releasing the bifurcated graft within the vessel to thereby repair the vessel.

Abstract: The present invention provides an aortic catheter having an upstream occlusion member positioned in the ascending aorta between the coronary arteries and the brachiocephalic artery and a downstream anchoring member positioned in the descending aorta, downstream of the aortic arch. The upstream occlusion member may be an inflatable balloon or a selectively deployable external catheter valve. The downstream anchoring member may be a larger inflatable balloon or other anchoring structure that provides sufficient friction to prevent migration of the balloon catheter in the upstream or downstream direction. In addition, an arch perfusion lumen, a corporeal perfusion lumen and a cardioplegia lumen are provided for performing selective perfusion and cardioplegic arrest.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for repairing a vessel at a bifurcation using a multicapsule catheter having first, second and third capsules for releasably retaining each terminal end of a bifurcated graft. The method for repairing the vessel includes the steps of performing a surgical technique to gain remote access to the vessel, advancing the multicapsule catheter within the vessel and releasing the bifurcated graft within the vessel to thereby repair the vessel.

Abstract: An improved intraluminal grafting system incorporating novel structural features for enhancing the effective and efficient deployment of a bifurcated prosthesis having a plurality of attachment systems, in the vessel of an animal body, the system including a balloon catheter assembly, an ipsilateral capsule catheter assembly, distal and contralateral capsule assemblies and means interacting therewith, and a capsule jacket assembly. The capsule assemblies include an ipsilateral capsule assembly, a contralateral capsule assembly and a distal capsule assembly, wherein the attachment systems of the bifurcated prosthesis are disposed within the three capsule assemblies. The capsule jacket assembly includes a removable sheath that covers the bifurcated prosthesis and capsule assemblies to provide a smooth transition along the length of the deployment catheters.