9308results about "Dilators" patented technology

The invention is a transgastric method for the endoscopic partial fundoplication for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The method makes use of an articulated endoscope, which is introduced through the mouth and esophagus into the stomach of the patient. A cutting tool is introduced through the working channel of the endoscope to cut a hole in the wall of the stomach. The endoscope is pushed through the hole and a grabbing tool is introduced through the working channel and used to grab the tissue at a location on the outer surface of the stomach and move the grabbed tissue close to the esophagus. The grabbed tissue is then stapled to the esophagus using a stapling device that is an integral part of the endoscope. If desired, after stapling the endoscope can be rotated one or more times and the procedure repeated. After the selected portions of the stomach wall have been attached to the esophagus, the endoscope is withdrawn from the body of the patient and the hole in the stomach wall is closed, preferably by means of a dedicated endoscopic stapling device especially designed for the task of closing holes in tissue.

Implantable devices and methods for delivering drugs and other substances to locations within the body of a human or animal subject to treat or diagnose sinusitis and a variety of other disorders. The invention includes implantable substance delivery devices that comprise reservoirs and barriers that control the rate at which substances pass out of the reservoirs. The delivery devices may be advanced into the body using guidewires, catheters, ports, introducers and other access apparatus. In some embodiments the delivery devices may be loaded with one or more desired substance before their introduction into the body. In other embodiments the delivery devices are loaded and / or reloaded with a desired substance after the delivery device has been introduced into the body.

Methods and devices described herein facilitate improved access of locations within the body by providing a variety of dissection modes on a single access device.

The present invention discloses devices and methods for performing intravascular procedures with out cardiac bypass. The devices include various embodiments of temporary filter devices, temporary valves, and prosthetic valves.The temporary filter devices have one or more cannulae which provide access for surgical tools for effecting repair of the cardiac valves. A cannula may have filters of various configurations encircling the distal region of the cannula, which prevent embolitic material from entering the coronary arteries and aorta.The temporary valve devices may also have one or more cannulae which guide the insertion of the valve into the aorta. The valve devices expand in the aorta to occupy the entire flow path of the vessel. In one embodiment, the temporary valve is a disc of flexible, porous, material that acts to filter blood passing therethrough. A set of valve leaflets extend peripherally from the disc. These leaflets can alternately collapse to prevent blood flow through the valve and extend to permit flow.The prosthetic valves include valve fixation devices which secure the prosthetic valve to the wall of the vessel. In one embodiment, the prosthetic valves have at least one substantially rigid strut, at least two expandable fixation rings located about the circumference of the base of the apex of the valve, and one or more commissures and leaflets. The prosthetic valves are introduced into the vascular system a compressed state, advanced to the site of implantation, expanded and secured to the vessel wall.