Combined dissecting, cauterizing, and stapling device

A medical device for simultaneously cutting tissue with a heating element, cauterizing the tissue with sealing elements, and stapling the tissue together. The heating elements comprise bipolar RF electrodes.

Method of performing anastomosis

A method for anastomosing a first vessel to a second vessel may include connecting an end of the first vessel to the side of the second vessel and creating an opening in the wall of the second vessel from within the lumen of the second vessel, where that opening allows fluid communication between the lumen of the first vessel and the lumen of the second vessel.

Method and apparatus for indicating an encountered obstacle during insertion of a medical device

A technique for detecting and indicating an internal anatomical obstacle encountered during insertion of a medical device into the body of a patient, comprising an elongated member such as a tube, catheter, guidewire, or other device, having a location indicating element, such as a permanent magnet, flexibly coupled to its distal end, and an external detector that tracks and displays the location and orientation of the location indicating element. The flexible coupling has sufficient stiffness to maintain the orientation of the location indicating element against the forces from both gravity and flowing blood within a patient's vasculature, but allows the location indicating element to change orientation if it encounters an obstacle during insertion. The medical caregiver monitors the detector's display and determines encounters with obstacles by observing changes in the orientation of the location indicating element.

Minimally invasive valve replacement system

Methods and systems for minimally invasive replacement of a valve. The system includes a collapsible valve and anchoring structure, devices and methods for expanding the valve anchoring structure, adhesive means to seal the valve to the surrounding tissue, a catheter-based valve sizing and delivery system, native valve removal means, and a temporary valve and filter assembly to facilitate removal of debris material. The valve assembly comprises a valve and anchoring structure for the valve, dimensioned to fit substantially within the valve sinus.

Mitral valve prosthesis

The present invention relates to a mitral valve prosthesis comprising flexible leaflet-like elements with curved coapting surfaces and means for maintaining continuity of the valve when inserted into the mitral annulus, which mimics the continuity between the papillary muscles, the chordae tendineae, the mitral valve leaflets and the mitral annulus of a natural valve. The present invention also relates to a method of fitting such a prosthesis to heart of a patient.

Multipurpose sensor port

A sensor port is adapted to connect to either a sensor or a data source. A reader is configured to identify which of the sensor and the data source is connected to the sensor port. A data path is configured to communicate an analog signal associated with the sensor and digital data associated with the data source to a signal processor according to the identification made by the reader.

Wireless virtual campus escort system

A user selects a route between a starting point and a destination. A mobile handset monitors the user's progress along the route by monitoring the location and movement of the handset and, optionally, sensor data, and by comparing this information to rules that define permitted or prohibited locations or movements or threshold sensor values. The handset uses one or more positioning systems, such as GPS, to ascertain its location. A server provides the handset with information to correct errors in the location information. If a rule fires, possibly indicating that the user is in danger, the handset attempts to ascertain the user's wellbeing, warns the user to return to the prescribed route and begins sending the handset's location to a server, which displays the information to a dispatcher who dispatches safety or security personnel to the user's location. The handset and servers communicate via any available wireless channel(s).

Sublimation bed employing carrier gas guidance structures

Preferred embodiments of the present invention provides a sublimation system employing guidance structures including certain preferred embodiments having a high surface area support medium onto which a solid source material for vapor reactant is coated. Preferably, a guidance structure is configured to facilitate the repeated saturation of the carrier gas with the solid source for a vapor reactant. Methods of saturating a carrier gas using guidance structures are also provided.

Minimally invasive valve replacement system

Methods and systems for minimally invasive replacement of a valve. The system includes a collapsible valve and anchoring structure, devices and methods for expanding the valve anchoring structure, adhesive means to seal the valve to the surrounding tissue, a catheter-based valve sizing and delivery system, native valve removal means, and a temporary valve and filter assembly to facilitate removal of debris material. The valve assembly comprises a valve and anchoring structure for the valve, dimensioned to fit substantially within the valve sinus.

Minimally invasive valve replacement system

Methods and systems for minimally invasive replacement of a valve. The system includes a collapsible valve and anchoring structure, devices and methods for expanding the valve anchoring structure, adhesive means to seal the valve to the surrounding tissue, a catheter-based valve sizing and delivery system, native valve removal means, and a temporary valve and filter assembly to facilitate removal of debris material. The valve assembly comprises a valve and anchoring structure for the valve, dimensioned to fit substantially within the valve sinus.