Abstract: In a method for autologous myocardial implantation treatment, a donor area of a patient containing healthy skeletal muscle is located. Myocyte micro granules are retrieved from the donor area using a retrieval device and either directly implanted into an implantation area of the patient's myocardium, or they are transferred to an implantation device and then implanted. No intervening cell culturing is performed between myocyte micro granule retrieval and implantation. A retrieval device that may be used to retrieve the myocyte micro granules from the donor area includes one or more extraction probes each having a distal tip adapted to be inserted into the skeletal muscle of the donor area. The retrieval device further includes a retrieval system that causes each distal tip to withdraw a myocyte micro granule upon removal thereof from the donor area.

Abstract: A percutaneous epicardial injection apparatus for myocardial repair and treatment includes a catheter having a tubular wall, an interior portion surrounded by the tubular wall, a base end, a distal end, and a central longitudinal axis extending between the catheter base end and the catheter distal end. The catheter distal end has an end face that is formed at an oblique angle relative to the catheter longitudinal axis and adapted to attach to a patient's myocardium using suction. A lumen extends from the catheter base end to the catheter distal end within the catheter interior. The lumen is adapted to slidably support an elongated syringe having a needle tip adapted for movement between a retracted position wherein the needle tip is recessed within the catheter interior to an extended position wherein the needle tip extends from the catheter interior.

Abstract: A cradle apparatus for myocardial repair and treatment includes a cradle having a base end and an open end. A lumen extends to a location which is at or near the cradle's base end. A plurality of spring arms are mounted to the lumen and attached to the open end of the cradle. The spring arms are biased to apply an opening force to the open end of the cradle such that the cradle apparatus can be compacted into a percutaneous or transarterial introducer and then expanded upon emergence from the introducer to engage a ventricular wall of a heart. The cradle is adapted to apply a myocardial repair or treatment material, such as myocyte cells, medicines and like, to a dysfunctional myocardium. A balloon cradle apparatus is also disclosed for myocardial treatment via an endocardial approach.

Abstract: A system and method for exclusion of an aneurysm of an aortic arch region using a graft delivery system capable of maneuvering around an aortic arch, an aortic arch graft, and an occluder system for isolating an aneurysm while occluding one or more corresponding arteries, and with bypass of those arteries being performed using one or more selected bypass grafts. The graft may be branched or branchless. The graft delivery system has a flexible sheath that is manipulated manually with the aid of a guidance system. A hoist delivery system may also be provided. The occluder system may comprise independent occluders with one or more anchor members adjacent to one end. Alternatively, the occluders can be provided as part of the aortic arch graft, either as a built-in singular self-deploying occluder or as built-in multiple occluders. A kit is also provided containing a graft, stents, occluders, and optional delivery system.

Abstract: A prosthetic valve adapted to be inserted into a blood vessel and held in a desired position therein. The valve includes an annular support ring having a longitudinal axis and defining a substantially circular central opening for passage of blood. The support ring has an outer wall that may be formed with a central annular depression. A leaflet is mounted on the support ring for pivotal movement between a closed position wherein the leaflet substantially blocks the central opening and an open position wherein blood is permitted through the opening. The valve is adapted to be inserted into the blood vessel such that the support ring longitudinal axis is substantially coincident with an axis of elongation of said blood vessel and held in such position in suitable fashion, such as by suturing or by way of a tightened cord holding a proximate portion of the blood vessel against the support outer wall if it is formed with an annular depression.

Abstract: A support at the distal end of a bypass vein of either a synthetic material or of a saphenous vein for deployment inside an artery and the like to bypass a blockage in the artery, is described. The bypass vein is secured to a perimeter of the support with at least two protrusions extending from the support. The support and associate bypass vein are deployed inside the artery and then the support is pulled up against the artery wall by strings connected thereto to provide the bypass vein extending from the artery distal to the blockage. The other end of the bypass vein is then secured to artery proximate the occlusion to thereby establish blood flow.

Abstract: A percutaneous epicardial injection apparatus for myocardial repair and treatment includes a catheter having a tubular wall, an interior portion surrounded by the tubular wall, a base end, a distal end, and a central longitudinal axis extending between the catheter base end and the catheter distal end. The catheter distal end has an end face that is formed at an oblique angle relative to the catheter longitudinal axis and adapted to attach to a patient's myocardium using suction. A lumen extends from the catheter base end to the catheter distal end within the catheter interior. The lumen is adapted to slidably support an elongated syringe having a needle tip adapted for movement between a retracted position wherein the needle tip is recessed within the catheter interior to an extended position wherein the needle tip extends from the catheter interior.

Abstract: A prosthetic valve adapted to be inserted into a blood vessel and held in a desired position therein. The valve includes an annular support ring having a longitudinal axis and defining a substantially circular central opening for passage of blood. The support ring has an outer wall that may be formed with a central annular depression. A leaflet is mounted on the support ring for pivotal movement between a closed position wherein the leaflet substantially blocks the central opening and an open position wherein blood is permitted through the opening. The valve is adapted to be inserted into the blood vessel such that the support ring longitudinal axis is substantially coincident with an axis of elongation of said blood vessel and held in such position in suitable fashion, such as by suturing or by way of a tightened cord holding a proximate portion of the blood vessel against the support outer wall if it is formed with an annular depression.

Abstract: A method of autogenous cell patch cardio myoplasty using noninvasive thoracoscopy is disclosed. A patient's greater omentum is separated from its point of attachment to either the greater curvature of the stomach or the transverse colon. All open blood vessels in the greater omentum are ligated to permanently arrest bleeding. The greater omentum is introduced into the left pleural cavity through an opening in the diaphragm. Muscle grafts are removed from skeletal muscle tissue of the patient and an opening is formed in the pericardium to expose an area of damaged myocardium. Following attachment of the skeletal muscle grafts to either the greater omentum or the damaged myocardium area, preferably using an advanced muscle graft implantation system, the greater omentum is wrapped around the heart and attached thereto in order to reinforce the muscle grafts and enrich them with blood flow from the greater omentum.

Abstract: A cradle apparatus for myocardial repair and treatment includes a cradle having a base end and an open end. A lumen extends to a location which is at or near the cradle's base end. A plurality of spring arms are mounted to the lumen and attached to the open end of the cradle. The spring arms are biased to apply an opening force to the open end of the cradle such that the cradle apparatus can be compacted into a percutaneous or transarterial introducer and then expanded upon emergence from the introducer to engage a ventricular wall of a heart. The cradle is adapted to apply a myocardial repair or treatment material, such as myocyte cells, medicines and like, to a dysfunctional myocardium. A balloon cradle apparatus is also disclosed for myocardial treatment via an endocardial approach.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for deploying and endoluminal prosthesis. The apparatus includes a flexible compressible push rod that allows the catheter to be easily maneuvered through tortuous vessels while providing sufficient deployment force.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for deploying and endoluminal prosthesis. The apparatus includes a flexible compressible push rod that allows the catheter to be easily maneuvered through tortuous vessels while providing sufficient deployment force.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for enhancing a solid food product with a supplement formulated to enhance the taste, color, nutritional value, vitamin content or medicinal properties of the food product. The food product, which could be a vegetable, fruit or bread product, is treated with a liquid food extract supplement using either a spraying device containing a supplement in liquid form, or by injection with a supplement following optional heating to soften the interior of the food product to a consistency that permits supplement injection and disbursal therein, or by immersing the food product in a supplement and applying pressure.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for engrafting a blood vessel are disclosed. The apparatus includes a tubular graft having radially compressible annular spring portions for biasing proximal and distal ends of the graft into conforming fixed engagement with an interior surface of the vessel, with bifurcated and adjustable length embodiments being disclosed. Apparatus for deploying the graft includes an insertion catheter having a nitinol core wire, a controllable tip balloon-at a remote end thereof for dilation and occlusion of the vessel, and a controllable graft balloon in the vicinity of the tip balloon for fixedly seating the spring portions into conformance with the interior surface of the vessel. A spool apparatus for adjusting or removing an improperly placed graft, and a micro-emboli filter tube, are usable with the deployment apparatus. A method of percutaneously implanting a graft, including a single-entry method for percutaneously implanting a bifurcated graft, are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention describes an inflatable intraluminal vascular stent which incorporates fine conduits of synthetic material in a meshwork like structure forming a tubular vascular prosthesis. The conduits provide for inflating and deflating the meshwork structure to deploy the stent, adjust its supporting force and for repositioning or removing the stent, if needed. Accordingly, the present invention includes a method for repairing a treatment zone in a vasculature and the like by positioning the inflatable intraluminal vascular stent bridging the treatment zone. Following insertion of the stent into the vasculature spanning the treatment zone, the meshwork structure is inflated to expand the stent against the vasculature wall. Importantly, the inflation pressure is controllable to regulate the supporting force of the stent as it conforms to the shape of the vasculature.

Abstract: A novel surgical procedure directed to improvement of the diaphramatic muscle function is described. This is accomplished by isolation of the latissimus dorsi muscle and relocation to the plural cavity. The latissimus dorsi muscle is then sutured to the diaphragm followed by synchronous stimulation with the patient's respiration.

Abstract: A patch that is deployed inside an artery and the like to close a puncture in the artery, is described. The patch includes an enclosing support having a sheet of microporous material secured to a perimeter thereof and at least two protrusions extending from the support. The patch is deployed inside the artery and then pulled up against the artery wall by strings connected to the patch to thereby seal the puncture.

Abstract: A method for positioning a graft within a vasculature is described. The method comprises positioning a guide wire extending from an entry opening past a treatment zone to an exit opening. The guide wire has an attachment portion that is connected to a first string extending from a distal end of the graft. The guide wire is manipulated to move the string through the vasculature until the first string extends out the exit opening with a second string connected to the proximal end of the graft extending out the entry opening. The first string is disconnected from the guide wire and the first and second strings are manipulated to position the graft at the treatment zone.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for engrafting a blood vessel comprising a thin walled graft assembly with radio opaque marker, a guide wire, a guided cartheter with proximal side openings, and a set of open end stylets. The method and apparatus provides for transarterial guidance and deployment of a graft assembly for non-surgical exclusion of aortic aneurysms. The method and apparatus provides for guiding a graft assembly over the aortic arch to the ascending aorta and for guiding a graft assembly in the thoracoabdominal arterial tree.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of a stented graft having predetermined and sized lateral openings for the treatment of arterial disease at or around the intersection of multiple arteries, thereby ensuring blood flow through such arteries to collateral organs. In particular, the lateral opening of a main stent supporting a main artery has a collar with either at least two detents or inlets spaced about the annular extent thereof. The main collar mates with a collateral collar provided at the proximal end of the collateral stent having the other of at least two detents or inlets spaced about the annular extent thereof at intervals coincident with the inlets or detents on the main collar to mate and lock the main stent to the collateral stent supporting a collateral artery.