Abstract: An anastomosis is performed using a flexible mounting structure mounted on the outside of at least one vessel. Fasteners extend through the vessel and are bent towards the incision to attach the flexible mounting structure to the vessel in a manner that controls the edge of the vessel adjacent to the incision. The mounting structures are oriented on each vessel so fasteners on one mounting structure interdigitate with fasteners on the other mounting structure at the location of contact between the vessels when the two vessels are brought together. This creates two complementary sinusoidal-shaped vessel edges with peaks of one edge being accommodated in the valleys of the other edge. The peak-to-valley orientation forms a sinusoidal-shaped joint which is leak free. The fasteners are spaced so proper pressure is applied to the tissue to promote healing without leaking. Furthermore, the fasteners are sized and shaped to properly engage the tissue and bend in a desired manner.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for repairing damaged tendons or ligaments. Various repair apparatus include an elongate tensile member and a pair of anchor structures connected for movement along the tensile member on either side of a repair site, such as a tear or laceration. The anchor structures may take many forms, and may include barbed, helical, and crimp-type anchors. In the preferred embodiments, at least one anchor structure is movable along the elongate tensile member to assist with adjusting a tendon segment to an appropriate repair position and the anchor structure or structures are then lockable onto the elongate tensile member to assist with affixing the tendon at the repair position. The invention further provides tendon-to-bone repair apparatus and methods employing similar concepts. Tendon retrieval devices of the invention include helical members for rotating into a tendon end and subsequently moving the tendon to an appropriate operating position.

Abstract: Wire fasteners having legs with lengths that can be one hundred times the width of the fastener are used to secure items, such as prosthesis valves to a patient during minimally invasive surgery. The fasteners are manipulated into position and then are immobilized by means of the legs thereof for tensioning, cutting and forming in situ. The fasteners are manipulated, tensioned and formed from the leg end of the fasteners. Tools for initially placing the fasteners and for immobilizing, tensioning, cutting and bending the fastener legs are disclosed. Once the fasteners are initially placed, the prosthesis is placed on the long legs of the placed fasteners and is guided into position on the legs. Once the prosthesis is in position, the legs of the fasteners are immobilized, tensioned, cut and bent into staple-like shapes to secure the prosthesis to the patient. A method for carrying out the procedure using the long fastener is also disclosed.

Abstract: Wire fasteners having legs with lengths that can be one hundred times the width of the fastener are used to secure items, such as prosthesis valves to a patient during minimally invasive surgery. The fasteners are manipulated into position and then are immobilized by the legs thereof for tensioning, cutting and forming in situ. The fasteners are manipulated, tensioned and formed from the leg end of the fasteners. Tools for initially placing the fasteners and for immobilizing, tensioning, cutting and bending the fastener legs are disclosed. Once the fasteners are initially placed, the prosthesis is placed on the long legs of the placed fasteners and is guided into position on the legs. Once the prosthesis is in position, the legs of the fasteners are immobilized, tensioned, cut and bent into staple-like shapes to secure the prosthesis to the patient. A method for carrying out the procedure using the long fastener is also disclosed.

Abstract: A heart valve can be replaced using minimally invasive methods which include a sutureless sewing cuff that and a fastener delivery tool that holds the cuff against the patient's tissue while delivering fasteners, two at a time to attach the cuff to the tissue from the inside out. The tool stores a plurality of fasteners. Drawstrings are operated from outside the patient's body and cinch the sewing cuff to the valve body. The cuff is releasably mounted on the tool and the tool holds the cuff against tissue and drives the fastener through the cuff and the tissue before folding over the legs of the fastener whereby secure securement between the cuff and the tissue is assured. At least two rows of staggered fasteners are formed whereby fasteners are located continuously throughout the entire circumference of the cuff. A minimally invasive surgical method is disclosed, and a method and tool are disclosed for repairing abdominal aortic aneurysms in a minimally invasive manner.

Abstract: Wire fasteners having legs with lengths that can be one hundred times the width of the fastener are used to secure items, such as prosthesis valves to a patient during minimally invasive surgery. The fasteners are manipulated into position and then are immobilized by means of the legs thereof for tensioning, cutting and forming in situ. The fasteners are manipulated, tensioned and formed from the leg end of the fasteners. Tools for initially placing the fasteners and for immobilizing, tensioning, cutting and bending the fastener legs are disclosed. Once the fasteners are initially placed, the prosthesis is placed on the long legs of the placed fasteners and is guided into position on the legs. Once the prosthesis is in position, the legs of the fasteners are immobilized, tensioned, cut and bent into staple-like shapes to secure the prosthesis to the patient. A method for carrying out the procedure using the long fastener is also disclosed.

Abstract: A flexible plumbing assembly for use in a trailer with an extensible cabin having rigid plumbing that can be moved between a retracted position wherein the extensible cabin is substantially inside the trailer and an extended position wherein the extensible cabin is substantially outside the trailer. The flexible plumbing assembly comprising a flexible hose connecting the trailer rigid plumbing to the cabin rigid plumbing, a sliding guide for horizontally moving the connection of the flexible hose to the cabin rigid plumbing at a constant elevation relative to the cabin floor as the cabin rigid plumbing moves with the cabin between the extended and retracted positions, and hose guide for ensuring that material in the flexible hose moves in the proper direction as the cabin moves between the extended and retracted positions.

Abstract: A flexible plumbing assembly is provided for use in a trailer with an extensible cabin having rigid plumbing that can be moved between a retracted position wherein the extensible cabin is substantially inside the trailer and an extended position wherein the extensible cabin is substantially outside the trailer. The flexible plumbing assembly comprises a flexible hose connecting the trailer rigid plumbing to the cabin rigid plumbing, a sliding guide for horizontally moving the connection of the flexible hose to the cabin rigid plumbing at a constant elevation relative to the cabin floor as the cabin rigid plumbing moves with the cabin between the extended and retracted positions, and a hose guide for ensuring that material in the flexible hose moves in the proper direction as the cabin moves between the extended and retracted positions.

Abstract: A flexible plumbing assembly for use in a trailer with an extensible cabin having rigid plumbing that can be moved between a retracted position wherein the extensible cabin is substantially inside the trailer and an extended position wherein the extensible cabin is substantially outside the trailer. The flexible plumbing assembly comprising a flexible hose connecting the trailer rigid plumbing to the cabin rigid plumbing, a sliding arrangement for horizontally moving the connection of the flexible hose to the cabin rigid plumbing at a constant elevation relative to the cabin floor as the cabin rigid plumbing moves with the cabin between the extended and retracted positions, and a hose guiding arrangement for ensuring that material in the flexible hose moves in the proper direction as the cabin moves between the extended and retracted positions.

Abstract: A preparing of a self-supporting or free-standing three-dimensional unitary structural body by a method including generating successively a plurality of cross-sectional layers of the body, one layer top of the other and with the layers joined together to form the body and with the generating of a cross-sectional layer comprising placing a plurality of drops of a liquid composition, containing a first reactant, in a pattern of discrete drops making up the cross-sectional layer and subsequently placing a plurality of discrete drops of other liquid composition, containing another reactant, in contact with the placed drops ion the pattern so that the first reactant and the other reactant react to provide a solid.

Abstract: An asynchronous data channel for a disk drive reads fields of data synchronized at a bit frequency which are separated by adjustment regions having two different patterns of control signals. Each pattern repeats at a different submultiple of the bit frequency. The channel derives two clock signals at the two submultiple frequencies, and produces a synchronizing signal related to the phase coincidence of the two clock signals. The synch signal indicates the start of the dam field. The channel can also produce the control-signal patterns and write them to a disk.

Abstract: A dust mop having a frame handle and mop yarn attached to at least one side of the frame. The frame having an integral handle socket attached to the frame by the tongue. The tongue is sufficiently flexible to flex under user pressure to keep the mop yarn in contact with the surface to be dusted and to remain substantially in a horizontal position when raised above the floor.

Abstract: A sponge mop head is provided which protects a scrub strip during wringing operations by the use of a composite curved wringer plate assembly which envelops the scrub strip while allowing the mopping solution to be expelled from the sponge. In addition, a turn lock system is provided on the sponge mop head for conveniently removing and replacing a sponge mop refill cartridge.

Abstract: Prosthetic bone implants are fabricated to approximately replicate a patient's original bone. Medical computer aided imaging techniques are applied to generate a data base representing the size and shape of the original bone in a three dimensional coordinate system. The implantable replica is fabricated using the data base and free form manufacturing to sequentially solidify adjoining, cross-sectional intervals of a fluid material. Appropriate fluid materials include ceramic particles which may be selectively bonded by sintering or bonding with a polymer, and a monomer which is polymerized at selected regions by an incident laser beam.

Abstract: Apparatus for changing the direction of movement of cylindrical bodies which are moving over a support surface in a first path by forming an opening in the support surface and mounting a diversion gate for reciprocal movement between first and second locations so that, when the diversion gate is at the first location, the cylindrical bodies will continue to move in the first path, but when the diversion gate is at the second location, the cylindrical bodies will be diverted from movement in a second path.