Abstract:
Apparatus (10) is provided for sealing a vascular puncture tract by forming the autologous plug within the puncture tract, and extruding that plug into the puncture tract. The apparatus of the present invention forms an autologous blood plug by drawing blood into the apparatus from a vessel, mixing a blood congealing agent with the drawn blood, and ejecting a plug formed from the clotted blood within the puncture tract. Also provided are various closure elements (22) to isolate the drawn blood from the vessel during mixture with the blood congealing agent, and to facilitate placement of the apparatus relative to the vessel.
Abstract:
Apparatus and methods for providing distal protection during a medical procedure comprising a vascular filter having a self-expanding, porous foam body that conformably seals against a vessel wall and capture emboli within one or more recesses. The filter is coupled to a distal region of an elongated member, such as a guide wire. Delivery systems for use with filters of the present invention and methods of using the apparatus of the present invention also are provided.
Abstract:
Systems for optimizing anchoring force are described herein. In securing tissue folds, over-compression of the tissue directly underlying the anchors is avoided by utilizing tissue anchors having expandable arms configured to minimize contact area between the anchor and tissue. When the anchor is in its expanded configuration, a load is applied to the anchor until it is optimally configured to accommodate a range of deflections while the anchor itself exerts a substantially constant force against the tissue. Various devices, e.g., stops, spring members, fuses, strain gauges, etc., can be used to indicate when the anchor has been deflected to a predetermined level within the optimal range. Moreover, other factors to affect the anchor characteristics include, e.g., varying the number of arms or struts of the anchor, positioning of the arms, configuration of the arms, the length of the collars, etc.
Abstract:
Apparatus (10) for protecting a patient against embolization during endovascular replacementduring endvascular replacement of the patient's heart valve is provided, the apparatus including a replacement valve (20) configured for endovascular delivery and deployment, and an embolic filter configured for disposal downstream of the replacement valve (20) during deployment of the valve. Apparatus including a delivery catheter having an expandable replacement valve (20) disposed therein, and an embolic filter advanceable along the delivery catheter for diverting emboli released during endovascular deployment of the replacement valve (20) is also provided. Furthermore, methods for protecting a patient against embolization during endovascular replacement of the patient's heart valve are provided, the methods including the steps of endovascularly deploying an embolic filter downstream of the heart valve, and endovascularly deploying the replacement valve.
Abstract:
Apparatus is provided for sealing a vascular puncture by causing a reduction in the circumference of the puncture tract through delivery of a closure agent into tissue surrounding the puncture tract. A resultant inflammatory response and volumetric increase cause the tissue to swell into the puncture tract, thereby sealing it.
Abstract:
Apparatus is provided for sealing a puncture within a vessel or tissue to provide hemostasis, comprising a first disk coupled to either a second disk or a spring, and sealingly engaged to the vessel or tissue surrounding the puncture. At least the first disk is preferably configured to substantially conform to the profile of the vessel or tissue when deployed. In one embodiment, the disks may be released from engagement with the vessel or tissue to reposition the disks after deployment.
Abstract:
Apparatus and methods for providing distal protection during a medical procedure comprising a vascular filter (10) having a self-expanding, porous foam body (12) that conformably seals against a vessel wall and captures emboli within one or more recesses (14). The filter is coupled to a distal region of an elongated member (18), such as a guide wire. Delivery systems for use with filters of the present invention and methods of using the apparatus of the present invention also are provided.