Abstract: Apparatus for forming an anastomosis between first and second body lumen wall sections, the apparatus having a coil implant (10) which has an elongate tubular member (16) made of shape memory material, the elongate member being self-expanding from a stretched-out stowed configuration for introduction into the body, to an implantation configuration in which a first portion (12) of the elongate member forms at least a first loop (20) of the coil and a second portion (14) of the elongate member forms at least a second loop (22) of the coil, the elongate member having at least one interior cavity, the coil implant further having a plurality of magnets (24) carried by the first and second portions of the elongate member, each magnet of the plurality being at least partly accommodated within the at least one interior cavity of the elongate member, the magnets arranged such that the first loop is magnetically attracted to the second loop for creating a magnetic compression anastomosis in tissue trapped between the f

Abstract: Apparatus for use in forming a restriction in an organ of the gastrointestinal tract, optionally a stomach, the apparatus configured to be insertable into the interior of the organ, the apparatus comprising at least two, optionally at least three, optionally all of: an engagement device (20) for engaging and manipulating organ wall tissue, to displace the tissue, optionally by pulling and/or folding and/or rolling the tissue; a scarring device (30) for scarring tissue, optionally displaced tissue; a device for delivering a spacer (40) and/or separator to tissue of the organ wall, optionally to displaced and/or engaged tissue, and/or tissue within operative range of the scarring device; a fixing device for inserting one or more tissue fixings optionally at a scarred zone of tissue.

Abstract: The invention relates to an anchor (14) for an implant (20) for use in the gastro-intestinal tract. The anchor (14) comprises a tissue contact portion (16) with a bedding region (16a). The bedding region (16a) is configured to at least partly integrate into, or to promote integration into, a wall of the gastro-intestinal tract.

Abstract: An implant for use in creating a magnetic compression anastomosis in a patient, the implant having a first low-profile configuration for insertion within a patient, and being deployable to a second operative configuration for use in creating an anastomosis, the implant comprising at least one supple polymer body (20, 20?) and a plurality of magnetic elements (30) embedded at least partly within the polymer body, the polymer body being pliable to permit the polymer body to transition between a first state in the first configuration of the implant, and a second state in the second configuration of the implant. Plural polymer bodies may be coupled by a connecting element (24).

Abstract: The invention is directed to a delivery device (10) for introducing and/or deploying an implant (12, 107) within the gastro-intestinal tract. The implant may be a bypass sleeve. The delivery device comprises a shaft assembly (24) with a longitudinal axis (L) and has an atraumatic tip component (26, 102) arranged at a distal end of the shaft assembly (24).

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for forming a plication (64) in a wall of internal tissue of a patient. The apparatus (10) comprises an elongated instrument (11) for insertion into a patient close to the tissue wall, optionally through a natural body opening. The apparatus (10) comprises one or more of (a) a traction device (20) configured to engage tissue of the wall and to pull on tissue of the wall to create a protrusion of wall tissue; (b) a ligating device (30) configured to at least partially circumscribe the or a protrusion in tissue of the wall to form the plication (64) in the tissue wall; (c) a fixation device (40) for fixing the plication (64) in the tissue wall.

Abstract: A bypass tube (14) has a distal end for placement into the small intestine of a patient and a proximal end for placement near or at the pylorus. The tube comprising a pyloric anchor (16) including a gastric anchor (22) for anchoring the proximal end of the tube with respect to the pylorus to prevent distal migration. The gastric anchor comprises a tubular balloon (24) and a self-expanding structure (22a, 22b) for biasing a radially inner wall and/or a radially outer wall of the tubular balloon outwardly towards its enlarged form. The self-expanding structure comprises a first zone comprising an annular hub or collar (22a) with a first resistance to inward collapsing, and a second zone comprising a plurality of independently deflectable beams or limbs (22b) extending from the first zone, and having a smaller second resistance to inward collapsing. Also described are a pyloric anchor that twists around its axis when expanding, and a non-helical reinforcement of the flexible tube in the small intestine.

Abstract: A tubular electrospun graft implant is provided distinguishing an electrospun tubular layer which has a longitudinal axis and an outer surface. Polymer layers of an electrospun sheet have been rolled over the outer surface of the electrospun tubular layer and around the longitudinal axis of the electrospun tubular layer. A polymer layer electrospun is further distinguished over the rolled polymer layers of the electrospun sheet. Also provided is a tubular graft implant having layers of an electrospun polymer sheet rolled around a longitudinal axis defining the inner diameter of the tubular graft implant. These layers of the electrospun polymer sheet are moving independent from each other when the tubular graft implant is bending. Compared to regular spun graft, higher burst pressure is achieved, and crushing zones have been created between the layers to reduce the bending stiffness and facilitate bending with superior kink resistance.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming an anastomosis between first and second body lumen wall sections, the apparatus comprising a coil implant (10) comprising an elongate tubular member (16) made of shape memory material, the elongate member being self-expanding from a stretched-out stowed configuration for introduction into the body, to an implantation configuration in which a first portion (12) of the elongate member forms at least a first loop (20) of the coil and a second portion (14) of the elongate member forms at least a second loop (22) of the coil, the elongate member comprising at least one interior cavity, the coil implant further comprising a plurality of magnets (24) carried by the first and second portions of the elongate member, each magnet of the plurality being at least partly accommodated within the at least one interior cavity of the elongate member, the magnets arranged such that the first loop is magnetically attracted to the second loop for creating a magnetic compression anastomosis in tissue trapped

Abstract: Apparatus comprising a stent (1) expandable from a non-deployed configuration (2) for delivery to a target site for an anastomosis, and a deployed configuration for forming a temporary stented-anastomosis (201) with a through-channel (5). Magnetic attraction between first and second portions (11, 12) around the through-channel (5) induces formation of a permanent, magnetic compression anastomosis (202) to biologically supplant the temporary stented-anastomosis (201). The apparatus may especially suitable for use in the digestive system, optionally in the gastrointestinal tract.

Abstract: A medical device for an anastomosis is provided. The medical device distinguishes an inner tubular layer, an outer tubular layer, and a support element defining a longitudinal axis. It further distinguishes two or more independent C-rings distributed and positioned at an acute orientation angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the support element at one end of the support element. The support element and the two or more C-rings are embedded in between the inner and the outer tubular layers. The types of applications one could envision are e.g. a proximal anastomosis, distal anastomosis, or side-to-side anastomoses, in a customized pre-fabricated graft. Embodiments of the invention could also be incorporated into an anastomotic connector device design. Embodiments of the invention could further be envisioned as vascular grafts applications such as Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG), dialysis access grafts and peripheral vascular applications.

Abstract: Graft devices are provided addressing a long need for off-the-shelf small diameter replacement vessels to overcome the drawbacks of currently available alternatives. As they are available off-the-shelf, the graft devices do not require additional surgery to harvest it such as for a vein graft. A porous nature of the graft devices enables restoration process, which results in new natural and patient-own tissue, in contrast to currently existing vascular prosthesis that can never fully heal. A built-in graft support device over-comes the limited kink-resistance that is typical for these kinds of (electro-spun) porous devices. A zigzag pattern with alternating laminating and non-laminating areas enables the incorporation of the graft support device without the need for additional suturing or connecting the inner and outer layer for good lamination, while maintaining adequate kinkresistance.

Abstract: A medical device for an anastomosis is provided. The medical device distinguishes an inner tubular layer, an outer tubular layer, and a support element defining a longitudinal axis. It further distinguishes two or more independent C-rings distributed and positioned at an acute orientation angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the support element at one end of the support element. The support element and the two or more C-rings are embedded in between the inner and the outer tubular layers. The types of applications one could envision are e.g. a proximal anastomosis, distal anastomosis, or side-to-side anastomoses, in a customized pre-fabricated graft. Embodiments of the invention could also be incorporated into an anastomotic connector device design. Embodiments of the invention could further be envisioned as vascular grafts applications such as Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG), dialysis access grafts and peripheral vascular applications.

Abstract: Multi-layered engineered designs are provided for heart valve leaflets. The multiple layer designs have significantly improved mobility of the leaflets, without reduced durability, compared to an ordinary single-layer design. In addition, a folded double layer design also showed highly reduced the risk of fraying.

Abstract: A medical implant is provided that has a first and a second electrospun component with the same type of biodegradable electrospun polymers. In one example, the second electrospun component is separately manufactured from the first electrospun component. Furthermore, the implant is structured such that the first electrospun component and the second electrospun component are assembled or joint together by the same type biodegradable electrospun polymers as in the first electrospun component and the second electrospun component. The assembled implant is a porous, biodegradable medical implant capable of being replaced by naturally ingrown tissue over time upon implantation. Advantages are the avoidance of sutures and the problems associated with the use of sutures, capability of ETR, avoidance of the need for extra materials, allowance for more precise and reproducible assembled structures for which the process could be automated.

Abstract: A medical device for an anastomosis is provided. The medical device distinguishes an inner tubular layer, an outer tubular layer, and a support element defining a longitudinal axis. It further distinguishes two or more independent C-rings distributed and positioned at an acute orientation angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the support element at one end of the support element. The support element and the two or more C-rings are embedded in between the inner and the outer tubular layers. The types of applications one could envision are e.g. a proximal anastomosis, distal anastomosis, or side-to-side anastomoses, in a customized pre-fabricated graft. Embodiments of the invention could also be incorporated into an anastomotic connector device design. Embodiments of the invention could further be envisioned as vascular grafts applications such as Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG), dialysis access grafts and peripheral vascular applications.