Abstract: A method of regularly supplying the bank with cleaned and disinfected cylinders and for communicating that fact to the bank's customers is described. The method includes cleaning and sanitizing the cylinders and substituting the cleaned and sanitized cylinders for used cylinders that have not recently been cleaned and sanitized.

Abstract: One or more tissue anchors may be delivered first without being coupled to an anchored device. An anchored device may be delivered second, and then coupled to the tissue anchors. This may enhance placement accuracy of tissue anchors, as well as facilitate delivery of tissue anchors. The tissue anchors include anchor couplings configured to be coupled to one or more device couplings of the anchored device.

Abstract: A surgical fastener having a first and a second end for securing at least two surfaces together. The surgical fastener has a first configuration where the fastener is coupled to a restraining device that holds the fastener and a second configuration wherein the fastener is released from said restraining device. The second configuration has a substantially spiral shape and is spring biased along an axis perpendicular to the surfaces that it is securing. The surgical fastener also includes a rib that extends along the longitudinal axis of the fastener.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various devices and methods that can be utilized independently or in conjunction with each other for endoscopic delivery of a wide ranges of medical devices, such as, for example, an endoscopic gastrointestinal bypass sleeve with an attachment cuff. Three primary components of the system include a space-creating device; an expandable fastener system with flower petal-shaped retention elements; and an endoscopic curved needle driver system.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various devices and methods that can be utilized independently or in conjunction with each other for endoscopic delivery of a wide ranges of medical devices, such as, for example, an endoscopic gastrointestinal bypass sleeve with an attachment cuff. Components of the system can include a space-creating device; an expandable fastener system with flower petal-shaped retention elements; and an endoscopic curved needle driver system.

Abstract: The present invention depicts a method and apparatus for treating an aneurysm. The method of treating an aneurysm is to first, insert a flared stent having a lumen into an artery with the flared portion extending into the lumen of the aneurysm, second, insert a bifurcation graft through the lumen of the flared stent and attach the bifurcation graft to the artery; and finally, insert an inner stent into the lumen of the bifurcation graft.

Abstract: A delivery apparatus for delivering a surgical device comprising, a catheter having a distal segment, a proximate segment, and a lumen. The distal segment has a first configuration having a curved shape. A delivery component is then inserted within the lumen of the catheter where the delivery component has a first and a second segment wherein the first segment has rigidity greater than the catheter and the second segment having rigidity less than the catheter. The distal segment of the catheter is bent straight into a second configuration by the first segment of the delivery component that is more rigid than the catheter when that segment is moved along the entire distal end of the catheter. The catheter can then bend into a third configuration that is curved when the delivery component is moved so that a second segment of the delivery component comes into contact with lumen of the distal end of the catheter where the distal end of the catheter is more rigid than the second segment of the delivery component.

Abstract: A surgical fastener having a first and a second end for securing at least two surfaces together. The surgical fastener has a first configuration where the fastener is coupled to a restraining device that holds the fastener and a second configuration wherein the fastener is released from said restraining device. The second configuration has a substantially spiral shape and is spring biased along an axis perpendicular to the surfaces that it is securing. The surgical fastener also includes a rib that extends along the longitudinal axis of the fastener.