Abstract: An atrial appendage closure device is provided that includes an insertion rod having a first end and a second end. An occluding member having an outer surface and an inner surface is connected to the first end of the insertion rod. The occluding member is moveable between a retracted position and a deployed position such that, in the deployed position, the occluding member is configured to provide a seal between a left atrial appendage and a left atrium of a heart. An anchoring member is further connected to the insertion rod and is configured to slide along the insertion rod to secure the device to a wall of a left atrial appendage. Methods for occluding a left atrial appendage that make use of the closure devices are also provided.

Abstract: An atrial appendage closure device is provided that includes an occluding portion having a distal surface and a proximal surface opposite the distal surface, the occluding portion being moveable between a retracted position and a deployed position such that, in the deployed position, the occluding portion is configured to provide a seal between a left atrial appendage and a left atrium of a heart. An anchoring portion is operably connected to the occluding member with the anchoring portion being moveable between a retracted position and a deployed position. Methods for occluding a left atrial appendage that make use of the closure devices are also provided.

Abstract: An atrial appendage closure device is provided that includes an insertion rod having a first end and a second end. An occluding member having an outer surface and an inner surface is connected to the first end of the insertion rod. The occluding member is moveable between a retracted position and a deployed position such that, in the deployed position, the occluding member is configured to provide a seal between a left atrial appendage and a left atrium of a heart. An anchoring member is further connected to the insertion rod and is configured to slide along the insertion rod to secure the device to a wall of a left atrial appendage. Methods for occluding a left atrial appendage that make use of the closure devices are also provided.

Abstract: An atrial appendage closure device is provided that includes an insertion rod having a first end and a second end. An occluding member having an outer surface and an inner surface is connected to the first end of the insertion rod. The occluding member is moveable between a retracted position and a deployed position such that, in the deployed position, the occluding member is configured to provide a seal between a left atrial appendage and a left atrium of a heart. An anchoring member is further connected to the insertion rod and is configured to slide along the insertion rod to secure the device to a wall of a left atrial appendage. Methods for occluding a left atrial appendage that make use of the closure devices are also provided.

Abstract: An atrial appendage closure device is provided that includes an occluding portion having a distal surface and a proximal surface opposite the distal surface, the occluding portion being moveable between a retracted position and a deployed position such that, in the deployed position, the occluding portion is configured to provide a seal between a left atrial appendage and a left atrium of a heart. An anchoring portion is operably connected to the occluding member with the anchoring portion being moveable between a retracted position and a deployed position. Methods for occluding a left atrial appendage that make use of the closure devices are also provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing cavopulmonary support to a subject are provided that include and make use of a first inflatable extravascular cuff configured to be placed around a superior vena cava in the subject and a second inflatable extravascular cuff configured to be placed around an inferior vena cava in the subject. The system further includes a pump that is operably connected to both the first inflatable extravascular cuff and the second inflatable extravascular cuff, as well as a controller that is in communication with the pump. The controller receives one or more user-defined parameters and, in response to the user-defined parameters, independently controls the inflation and deflation of the first inflatable extravascular cuff and the second inflatable extravascular cuff to provide cavopulmonary support.

Abstract: An atrial appendage closure device is provided that includes an insertion rod having a first end and a second end. An occluding member having an outer surface and an inner surface is connected to the first end of the insertion rod. The occluding member is moveable between a retracted position and a deployed position such that, in the deployed position, the occluding member is configured to provide a seal between a left atrial appendage and a left atrium of a heart. An anchoring member is further connected to the insertion rod and is configured to slide along the insertion rod to secure the device to a wall of a left atrial appendage. Methods for occluding a left atrial appendage that make use of the closure devices are also provided.

Abstract: A system for providing cardiac support to a patient and for promoting myocardial repair and recovery, comprises a device for connecting to a vasculature of the patient and a control module. The device includes a pump, defining a blood-receiving volume, and a cannula, in fluid communication with the blood-receiving volume, for anatomizing to the vasculature of the patient such that the blood-receiving volume may receive blood from and return blood to the vasculature of the patient through the cannula. The control module is for controlling the device and includes a means for establishing user-defined parameters, and a means for operating the pump of the device, which is in communication with the means for establishing user-defined parameters such that the operation of the pump is in response to the established user-defined parameters.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for calibrating the pressure readings obtained by catheter tip pressure transducers. The apparatus includes a Plexiglas vessel covered by a closure containing eight catheter ports through which the transducers are introduced into the vessel. The vessel is filled with saline solution that has been warmed to body temperature. The transducer ends of the catheters are inserted through airtight hemostatic control valves into the vessel through the catheter ports. Plexiglas guide tubes are used to guide the transducers into the saline solution at predetermined distances below the surface of the saline solution. The distances are used to calculate the hydrostatic pressures exerted upon the transducers by the saline solution. Known pressures are applied to the transducers through an airtight pressure port in the closure. Calculated hydrostatic pressures are added to the known pressures to provide calibration pressures for comparison with monitored pressure readings.

Abstract: A tilting apparatus for supporting and restraining a non-human primate animal while conducting research. The tilting apparatus is provided with a table for supporting the animal reclining face down thereon. The table is supported by support means for rotation about a first axis between a horizontal position and a head-down position and about a second axis between the head-down position and a head-up position. Locking means are provided for releasably locking the table in a selected horizontal, head-down or head-up positions. Suitable restraining means are provided which are intersecurable between the animal and the table and function to support and restrain the animal. The animal, while remaining restrained to the tilting apparatus, has free range of motion to feed itself from a water and feeding station. The water and feeding station is supported by an accessory pole. A waste collection system is provided which is connected to the table and which functions for collecting animal waste.