Correx, Inc.

John W Brown

James S Gammie

Joseph L Smith, Jr

Richard M Beane

James Alan Crunkleton

The invention relates to an apparatus and method for forming a hole in a wall of a hollow organ. The applicator includes a hole forming element for forming a hole in the wall of the organ, a positioning means for positioning the hole forming element, and a retractor element. In addition, the applicator includes a sequencing means for coordinating the relative movement of the retractor element and the hole forming element in a sequential manner to thereby carry out a procedure for forming a hole in the wall of the hollow organ. The sequencing means may further include a safety latch element operatively coupled to the retracting means and the hole forming element. The safety latch of the invention keeps prevents damage to the internal surface of the organ during the formation of the hole.

Apparatus and method for forming a hole in a hollow organ

The invention provides an applicator for forming a hole in a wall of a hollow organ and for connecting a hemostatic connection assembly to the hollow organ, wherein, when the hole is formed in the wall of the hollow organ, a first fluid seal exists between the hemostatic connection assembly and the wall of the hollow organ and a second fluid seal exists between the hemostatic connection assembly and the applicator, thereby minimizing fluid loss from the hollow organ. The invention further provides a hemostatic connection assembly for connecting an inlet conduit to a hollow organ, the hemostatic connection assembly comprising a organ wall connection portion, a cuff portion, an extension portion, and a seal ring portion, wherein, during the process of connecting the inlet conduit to the hollow organ, a first fluid seal exists between the organ wall connection portion and the wall of the hollow organ, and a second fluid seal exists between the hemostatic connection assembly and the inlet conduit, thereby minimizing fluid loss from the hollow organ. A method is also disclosed in which the applicator and hemostatic connection assemblies of the invention are used to connect an inlet conduit to a hollow organ.

Applicator, assembly, and method for connecting an inlet conduit to a hollow organ

The present invention provides a system and method for forming a side branch on a hollow vessel, such as the aorta. The side branch is preferably adapted to be connected to a connector conduit, but any other suitable use is also acceptable. The system comprises a graft including a side branch portion, and an applicator comprising a hole forming element adapted to form a hole in the wall of the vessel and an insertion element adapted to be inserted through the wall of the vessel, the insertion element comprising a retraction element adapted to enter into engagement with the graft. The hole forming element may comprise a cutting element adapted to cut a hole in the wall of the vessel, and a positioning element adapted to hold the position of the applicator relative to the vessel. The system further comprises a graft protection element adapted to prevent the graft from being damaged by the cutting element. In this case, the clamping element and the graft protection element may be the same element, for example, an expansion element, which may be expandable from an unexpanded state to fully expanded state and to a partially expanded state. The expansion element may be a balloon, which may be in the shape of a circular toroid, and may include a tension member that restricts the dimensions of the balloon. In addition, the expansion element may be an umbrella mechanism.

Apparatus and method for connecting a conduit to a hollow vessel

An apparatus and method for connecting a first conduit to the heart without the need for cardiopulmonary bypass. The first conduit may then be attached to a second conduit that has a prosthetic device interposed. The second conduit may then be connected to the aorta. The prosthetic device may be a prosthetic valve or a pump, for example. The apparatus of the present invention includes an implantable connector with first conduit component, a retractor expansion component, a coring component, and a pushing component. The retractor expansion component is slide-ably coupled to the coring component. The retractor expansion component serves to seat against and separate the inside apical wall of the left ventricle so that the coring component may cut cleanly through the myocardium to form a tissue plug without leaving any hanging attachments to the inside walls. By remaining seated against the inside wall, the retractor expansion component follows the tissue plug into the coring component. The surgeon applies force and rotary motion to the pushing component sufficient to cut the tissue plug and implant the prosthetic component.

Apparatus and method for connecting a conduit to a hollow organ

An apparatus and method for connecting a first conduit to the heart without the need for cardiopulmonary bypass. The first conduit may then be attached to a second conduit that has a prosthetic device interposed. The second conduit may be connected to the aorta prior to the first conduit being attached to the heart. The prosthetic device may be a prosthetic valve or a pump, for example. The apparatus of the present invention includes an implantable connector with first conduit component, a retractor expansion component, a coring component, and a pushing component. The retractor expansion component is slideably coupled to the coring component. The retractor expansion component serves to seat against and separate the inside apical wall of the left ventricle so that the coring component may cut cleanly through the myocardium to form a tissue plug without leaving any hanging attachments to the inside walls. By remaining seated against the inside wall, the retractor expansion component follows the tissue plug into the coring component. The surgeon applies force and rotary motion to the pushing component sufficient to cut the tissue plug and implant the prosthetic component.

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Indianapolis, IN, United States of America

John W Brown