Abstract: A differential pressure regulating device is provided for controlling in-vivo pressure in a body, and in particular in a heart. The device may include a shunt being positioned between two or more lumens in a body, to enable fluids to flow between the lumens, and an adjustable flow regulation mechanism being configured to selectively cover an opening of the shunt, to regulate the flow of fluid through the shunt in relation to a pressure difference between the body lumens. In some embodiments a control mechanism coupled to the adjustable flow regulation may be provided, to remotely activate the adjustable flow regulation mechanism.

Abstract: Systems and methods consistent with embodiments of the present invention are provided for determining whether and how to coat a prosthesis prior to surgery. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a method for coating a prosthesis is provided that includes providing information from one or more sources; electronically analyzing the information to generate at least one treatment plan for coating a prosthesis; and instructing a prosthesis coating device to coat the prosthesis based on the treatment plan.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for treating congestive heart failure using a catheter having an inlet end configured for placement in the source of arterial blood such as the aorta, left ventricle or a femoral artery, and an outlet end having at least one conduit configured to be placed in the renal arteries. The catheter includes a lumen through which blood passes from the aorta or left ventricle directly to the renal artery, means for engaging the first conduit with renal artery. The means for engaging also may reduce backflow of blood into the abdominal aorta. The catheter preferably is configured to permit percutaneous, transluminal implantation. Methods of using and implanting the catheter are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and device, which is suitable for use in an operating theater just prior to implantation, for selectively applying a medical coating to an implantable medical device, for example a stent. Disclosed is a device for use with a stent deployed on a catheter balloon. The device is configured to apply a medical coating of a desired thickness to the surface of a stent only. This is done by use of a drop-on-demand ink-jet printing system in association with an optical scanning device. The device is further configured so as to, if necessary, apply a plurality of layered coats, each layered coat being of a different coating material, and if appropriate, different thickness. The section of the housing in which the stent is held during the coating procedure is detachable from the housing base. The detachable housing section may be easily cleaned and re-sterilized or simply disposed of.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and device, which is suitable for use in an operating theater just prior to implantation, for selectively applying a medical coating to an implantable medical device, for example a stent. Disclosed is a device for use with a stent deployed on a catheter balloon. The device is configured to apply a medical coating of a desired thickness to the surface of a stent only. This is done by use of a drop-on-demand ink-jet printing system in association with an optical scanning device. The device is further configured so as to, if necessary, apply a plurality of layered coats, each layered coat being of a different coating material, and if appropriate, different thickness. The section of the housing in which the stent is held during the coating procedure is detachable from the housing base. The detachable housing section may be easily cleaned and re-sterilized or simply disposed of.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and device, which is suitable for use in an operating theater just prior to implantation, for selectively applying a medical coating to an implantable medical device, for example a stent. Disclosed is a device for use with a stent deployed on a catheter balloon. The device is configured to apply a medical coating of a desired thickness to the surface of a stent only. This is done by use of a drop-on-demand ink-jet printing system in association with an optical scanning device. The device is further configured so as to, if necessary, apply a plurality of layered coats, each layered coat being of a different coating material, and if appropriate, different thickness. The section of the housing in which the stent is held during the coating procedure is detachable from the housing base. The detachable housing section may be easily cleaned and re-sterilized or simply disposed of.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and device, which is suitable for use in an operating theater just prior to implantation, for selectively applying a medical coating to an implantable medical device, for example a stent. Disclosed is a device for use with a stent deployed on a catheter balloon. The device is configured to apply a medical coating of a desired thickness to the surface of a stent only. This is done by use of a drop-on-demand inkjet printing system in association with an optical scanning device. The device is further configured so as to, if necessary, apply a plurality of layered coats, each layered coat being of a different coating material, and if appropriate, different thickness. The section of the housing in which the stent is held during the coating procedure is detachable from the housing base. The detachable housing section may be easily cleaned and re-sterilized or simply disposed or simply disposed of.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and device, which is suitable for use in an operating theater just prior to implantation, for selectively applying a medical coating to an implantable medical device, for example a stent. Disclosed is a device for use with a stent deployed on a catheter balloon. The device is configured to apply a medical coating of a desired thickness to the surface of a stent only. This is done by use of a drop-on-demand ink-jet printing system in association with an optical scanning device. The device is further configured so as to, if necessary, apply a plurality of layered coats, each layered coat being of a different coating material, and if appropriate, different thickness. The section of the housing in which the stent is held during the coating procedure is detachable from the housing base. The detachable housing section may be easily cleaned and re-sterilized or simply disposed of.

Abstract: A medical device for applying a cyclic therapeutic action to a subject's foot, the device including a platform with at least three independently actuable inflatable bladders staggered therealong to solely underlie the subject's heel, his plantar arch and his foot's front portion including its metatarsals and its toes, respectively, whereby a travelling compressive wave can be cyclically applied to his foot's underside only.

Abstract: A novel nutrient formulation containing tellurium for use in poultry, and a method of feeding it which improves subsequent livability, cumulative feed efficacy or weight gain is disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for perfusing ischemic myocardium are provided using a tubular member having an end region adapted to be disposed in a portion of a patient's venous vasculature. The end region includes a lumen and a valve in communication with the lumen that controls pressure within an occluded portion of the vasculature by venting excess blood at a location proximal of a point of occlusion of the vasculature via the valve. An occlusion element optionally may be provided in the end region that retains the tubular member within the patient's venous vasculature and occludes the flow of blow around the lumen.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for treating congestive heart by actively or passively enhancing perfusion to the renal arteries. A first embodiment comprises a specially configured balloon catheter and extracorporeal pump, wherein the pump operates in a “once-through” fashion or alternating volume displacement mode. In another embodiment the catheter includes a pair of balloons to isolate a region of the aorta, and a third balloon that directs flow into the renal arteries. In still further embodiments, a stent or cuff having a constricted region is deployed in or around the aorta, respectively, to create a backpressure upstream of the stent or cuff. Methods of enhancing renal perfusion also are provided.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for use in intraoperative and percutaneous procedures for supplying long-term retrograde perfusion of the myocardium via one or more conduits disposed between the left ventricle and the coronary venous vasculature. The conduits are of a selected size and number, and portions of the venous vasculature or coronary ostium are partially or completely occluded, to maintain a parameter related to the pressure attained in the venous vasculature to a value less than a predetermined value.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for optimizing revascularizing ischemic tissue, particularly ischemic myocardial tissue. Specifically, there is disclosed a means for retrograde perfusion of angiogenic gene therapy vectors to ischemic tissue, wherein the polypeptide(s) encoded by the gene therapy vectors promote angiogenesis and neovascularization, and are selected from the group consisting of VEGF, ICAM-1, FGF, EGF, nitric acid synthase (NOS), E-selectin, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A medical device for applying a cyclic therapeutic action to a subject's foot, the device including a platform with at least three independently actuable inflatable bladders staggered therealong to solely underlie the subject's heel, his plantar arch and his foot's front portion including its metatarsals and its toes, respectively, whereby a travelling compressive wave can be cyclically applied to his foot's underside only.

Abstract: A medical device for applying a cyclic therapeutic action to a subject's foot, the device including a platform with at least three independently actuable inflatable bladders staggered therealong to solely underlie the subject's heel, his plantar arch and his foot's front portion including its metatarsals and its toes, respectively, whereby a travelling compressive wave can be cyclically applied to his foot's underside only.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for cauterizing predetermined volumes of abnormal biological tissue using a user selectable or adjustable energy applicator including two or more electrodes having electrode parameters configured cause cauterization of predetermined volumes when operated in a bipolar mode. The energy applicators are employed with a control device that couples the energy applicators to a power source and includes circuitry for interrupting activation of the energy applicator when the current between the two or more electrodes decreases more than a predetermined amount from the current sensed upon initial activation of the energy applicator.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for reducing the load on a patient's left ventricle while perfusing ischemic myocardium are provided using a first conduit having an inlet end configured for insertion into the left atrium, left ventricle or aorta coupled to a second conduit having an outlet end configured for insertion into the coronary venous vasculature via the coronary ostium. A motor-driven or hydraulically-actuated pump may be coupled between an outlet end of the first conduit and an inlet end of the second conduit to direct flow between the first and second conduits. Control circuitry is provided for use with the motor-driven pump to control the pump with a user selected duty cycle.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for monitoring cardiac output using bioelectrical impedance techniques in which three orthogonal pairs of sense electrodes are placed in the trachea or esophagus in the vicinity of the aorta, while an excitation current is injected into the intervening tissue mass via a current electrode, so that bioelectrical impedance measurements based on the voltage drop sensed by the sense electrodes reflect voltage changes induced primarily by blood flow dynamics. Methods are provided for computing cardiac output from bioelectrical impedance values using a multi-parameter algorithm derived using stepwise multiple linear regression or other optimization techniques. Apparatus and methods are also provided so that the measured cardiac output may be used to control administration of intravenous fluids or medication to an organism or to optimize a heart rate controlled by a pacemaker.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for supplying retrograde perfusion of chronically ischemic myocardium by forming one or more transmural passageways between a cardiac chamber and the coronary venous vasculature. The placement, size and number of the passageways are selected, and portions of the venous vasculature or coronary ostium optionally partially or completely occluded, to maintain a parameter related to the pressure attained in the venous vasculature to a value less than a predetermined value.