Abstract: A medical graft connector for connecting an end of a tubular graft conduit to a side wall of a patient's existing tubular body conduit via an aperture in the side wall thereof has a first plurality of fingers configured to engage an interior surface of the side wall of the existing conduit. A second plurality of fingers is configured to engage an exterior surface of the side wall of the existing conduit. A third plurality of fingers is received in an interior lumen of the graft conduit, and a fourth plurality of fingers is configured to pierce the graft conduit. The connector is radially deformable between a first size and a second size.

Abstract: A connector for use in providing an anastomotic connection between two tubular body fluid conduits in a patient. The connector is preferably a single, integral, plastically deformable structure that can be cut from a tube. The connector has axial spaced portions that include members that are radially outwardly deflectable from other portions of the connector. The connector is annularly enlargeable so that it can be initially delivered and installed in the patient in a relatively small annular size and then annularly enlarged to provide the completed anastomosis. The radially outwardly deflected members of the first and second portions respectively engage the two body fluid conduits connected at the anastomosis and hold those two conduits together in fluid-tight engagement. Apparatus for use in delivering and deploying a connector is also disclosed.

Abstract: Connector structures are provided for attaching elongated flexible tubular grafts to the body organ tubing of a patient. The connector structures are formed from wire. A first set of connector wires may be disposed around the periphery of one end of an elongated flexible tubular graft. A second set can be disposed around the periphery of the elongated flexible tubular graft spaced sufficiently from the first set of connector wires to define a gap. The portion of body organ tubing to which the elongated flexible tubular graft is to be attached is received in the gap and engaged by the first and second sets of connector wires. The wires may be formed in the shape of loops. If desired, hooks may be provided on the ends of the wires. The wires may be curved to accommodate attachment of the graft to tubular body organ tubing. The wires may also be formed in annular shapes. The connector structures may be formed as stand-along ring-shaped connectors.

Abstract: A fluoroscopically-visible graft structure is provided. The graft structure may be formed from a tubular metal wire mesh coated with an elastomeric material. The graft structure is flexible and distensible like natural body organ tubing and is suitable for repairing or replacing body organ tubing such as vascular tubing (e.g., arteries and veins). A radiopaque filler compound may be provided throughout a substantial portion of the graft structure or throughout the entire graft structure, so that a physician can determine the size and location of the graft structure during implantation of the graft structure in the body of a patient. The radiopacity of the graft structure also allows the physician to monitor status of the graft structure after installation.

Abstract: A catheter with at least one integrated lumen and methods of its manufacture and use are provided. A method of manufacture includes: (1) covering a primary mandrel with a first layer, (2) disposing a second layer on the first layer, wherein the second layer has at least one removable secondary mandrel substantially embedded therein, (3) fusing the first layer to the second layer, (4) removing the secondary mandrel from the second layer to form a secondary lumen, and (5) removing the primary mandrel from the first layer to form a primary lumen. The method may further include forming an inflatable balloon at the surface of the second layer where the secondary lumen forms an opening. Also, auxiliary apparatus, such as snare instruments and bundles of optical fibers, may be inserted through the secondary lumen before or during use of the catheter.

Abstract: Connectors are provided for making connections between tubular conduits in medical procedures such as those involving treatment of a patient's circulatory system. The connectors are variously configured for making end-to-side or end-to-end connections of tubular conduits. One of the tubular conduits may be a graft conduit, which can be artificial conduit, natural conduit, or a combination of both. The connectors for making end-to-side connections can be generally T-shaped or L-shaped. Various portions of the connectors can attach to the inside or outside of the associated conduit, depending on the connector configuration that is selected.