Endovascular Technologies, Inc.

Femrx, Inc.

Ethicon, Gmbh

David C Dillow

Ronald G Williams

Wesley D Sterman

Dinah B Quiachon

Steven G Baker

Arnold M Escano

Michael D Dake

Jeffrey J Christian

Steve G Baker

George M Savage

A delivery catheter having an inner catheter assembly, an inferior capsule catheter, and a capsule jacket assembly for use in deploying a graft having a compressible and expandable attachment systems in the thoracic region of an aorta. The graft is comprised of a tubular member having superior and inferior ends, each having an attachment system with wall engaging members secured thereto and is crimped along its midsection to resist kinking and elongation. The delivery catheter includes an inferior capsule assembly for releasably retaining the inferior attachment system of the graft and a superior capsule assembly for releasably retaining the superior attachment system of the graft as well as a releasing system for maintaining the attachment systems in a compressed configuration and for facilitating expansion of the attachment systems. The delivery catheter also includes an anti-elongation wire attached to the inner catheter assembly to prevent stretching of the delivery catheter during deployment of the graft within the aorta. Upon removing the attachment systems from the capsule, the releasing system functions to allow the attachment systems to assume their expanded configuration and engage the walls of the aorta. The graft and attachment systems remain in the vessel after the delivery catheter is withdrawn.

Thoracic graft and delivery catheter

Surgical fluid collection devices, systems and methods allow individual containers to be coupled in series using a single inflow port and a single outflow port on each container. Surgical fluids are sealed within a disposable liner in each container. In most embodiments, a one-way valve of the liner seals surgical fluid within the liner to prevent spillage to a surrounding vacuum chamber, and allows flow from the surrounding vacuum chamber into the interior of the liner to equalize pressure across the liner. This arrangement allows the use of flexible, inexpensive liners with large interior volumes, without having to resort to complex pressure equalizing arrangements. A sterilizable polymer receptacle is also provided which can withstand the large pressure forces associated with large fluid collection volumes.

Method and apparatus for collecting surgical fluids

A morcellator for removing large masses of tissues during laparoscopic procedures includes a rotationally fixed, axially movable inner tube disposed within a rotating cutting member. The cutting member is often disposed in the annular space between the inner tube and an outer tube. A laparoscopic grasping instrument is inserted through the lumen and draws the tissue proximally through the morcellator. As the cutting member severs tissue, the tissue is drawn into the fixed lumen of the inner tube. This prevents the cutting member from twisting the severed tissue, thereby preventing any degradation of the surgeon's control. A novel valve is provided to prevent loss of insufflation gas when no instrument traverses the lumen. The inner tube can be translated distally to protect tissues and/or other surgical implements against inadvertent contact with the cutting edge of the cutting member.

Disposable laparoscopic morcellator

A surgical valve prevents loss of insufflation gas (or the like) when no instrument traverses the valve lumen. The valve is suitable for passing surgical implements distally, and for passing enlarged bodies (such as large morcels of severed tissue) proximally. A first set of valve segments angle together along a slit, similar to a duck-bill valve. A second set of valve segments angle outwardly distally, the second segments often having a passage so that distal pressure pushes the first segments together along the slit.

Non-binding surgical valve

A large-diameter expandable sheath for use in introducing a catheter or other medical instrument into a vessel in the body of a patient. The expandable sheath comprises an elongate sheath tube formed of a flexible material which has proximal and distal extremities and a passage extending therethrough of a maximum predetermined diameter. The distal extremity of the elongate sheath tube is folded longitudinally to a smaller folded diameter. The sheath tube may be self-expanding or may be reinforced with a self-expanding wire or expandable stents. A backflow adapter is secured to the proximal extremity of the elongate sheath tube. The backflow adapter has a central opening therein in registration with the passage in the sheath tube. A normally closed primary valve is disposed in the central opening of the backflow adapter and is movable to an open position. A normally open secondary valve, movable to a closed position, may be configured in the backflow adapter proximal the sheath tube and distal the primary valve. The primary and secondary valves when open permit a catheter or other medical instrument to be inserted into the sheath, and when closed form a hemostatic seal about the catheter. A sheath introducer is provided for guiding the distal end of the sheath tube into a vessel and is configured to be positioned within the backflow adapter.

Dual valve reinforced sheath and method

A system is disclosed for locating positions in the vasculature of a human patient for the purpose of rendering treatment or making a diagnosis therein during a catheterization procedure, such as a procedure to implant an intraluminal arterial graft. The system includes a board which rests under the patient during the procedure which has two markers that can be detected under fluoroscopy. The markers can be moved backwards and forwards along a track in the board to pinpoint various locations in the blood vessel of interest, for example, the points of attachment for the ends of an arterial graft. One of the markers also can be pivoted about the track to represent the angle at which a particular blood vessel is disposed in the patient. The markers can be locked into position with brakes for the duration of the procedure.

Radiological marker board with movable indicators

A large-diameter expandable sheath for use in introducing a catheter into a vessel in the body of a patient comprising an elongate sheath tube formed of a flexible material which has proximal and distal extremities and a passage extending therethrough of a maximum predetermined diameter. The distal extremity of the elongate sheath tube is folded longitudinally to a smaller folded diameter. A backflow adapter is secured to the proximal extremity of the elongate sheath tube. The backflow adapter has a central opening therein in registration with the passage in the sheath tube. A valve is disposed in the central opening of the backflow adapter and is movable between open and closed positions. The valve when open permits the catheter to be inserted into the sheath, and when closed serves to form a hemostatic seal about the catheter.

Growing community of inventors

Cupertino, CA, United States of America

David C Dillow