Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for using a tissue scaffold to facilitate healing of an anastomosis. One embodiment provides a tissue scaffold for placement at an anastomotic site within a body lumen comprising a radially expandable scaffold structure having lateral and mid portions, at least one retention element coupled to each lateral portion and a barrier layer. The retention element engages a luminal wall when the scaffold structure is expanded to retain the structure and exert a compressive force on the anastomosis. The mid portion has a greater radial stiffness than the lateral portions such that when the structure is expanded, the lateral portions engage tissue prior to the mid portion. The barrier layer is configured to engage a luminal wall when the structure is expanded to provide a fluidic seal at the anastomosis. The barrier layer may also include releasable biological agents to promote anastomotic healing.

A surgical instrument for bonding body tissue includes a shank and first and second tool elements which are movable relative to each other and include a respective electrode. The electrodes define a minimum distance from each other, are opposed to each other and face each other in an approximating position of the tool elements. The first tool element is arranged or formed at the distal end of the shank, so that a mechanical load of anastomoses of body tissue parts produced by current flow is minimized when removing the surgical instrument. The second tool element is adapted to be brought from an operating position, in which it can be brought into the approximating position, into a removing position, in which a peripheral withdrawing line defined by the electrode of the second tool element is shorter than a peripheral approximating line defined by the electrode in the approximating position.

Described here are devices, systems, and methods for forming a fistula between two blood vessels. The systems may comprise a first catheter including a housing and an electrode having a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end is fixed relative to the housing and the distal end is longitudinally slidable within the housing.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure include an apparatus comprising a clip which includes a first side including a first ring configured to pass over an end of a first vessel, the first ring configured to engage the first side with the first vessel, and a second side coupled to the first side, the second side including a second ring configured to pass over an end of a second vessel, the second ring being configured to engage the second side with the second vessel. The first and second sides, when in a closed position, are configured to maintain the first and second vessels in substantially end-to-end contact.

Systems for forming a fistula between two blood vessels are provided. In embodiments, the system may include a catheter having a housing and a treatment portion coupled to the housing. The treatment portion may include a thermoelectric generator comprising an exposed surface exposed outside of the housing and a concealed surface opposite and electrically connected to the exposed surface. The thermoelectric generator may be configured to produce a temperature differential between the exposed surface and the concealed surface when an electric current is applied to one of the exposed surface and the concealed surface thereby producing the temperature differential between the exposed surface and the concealed surface such that the exposed surface is heated to a temperature greater than the concealed surface to weld the two blood vessels together.

An ultrasound-detectable marker, ultrasound system, and methods for monitoring vascular flow and patency is disclosed. The ultrasound-detectable marker comprises one or more resorbable polymers, one or more non-resorbable polymers, one or more non-polymeric materials, or any combinations thereof. The ultrasound-detectable marker is adapted for placement underneath, adjacent to, or above one or more vessels at a postoperative site, such as a vascular anastomosis site. Further, the ultrasound imaging system includes certain user guiding software and/or health analysis software for use with the ultrasound-detectable marker.

Various systems, devices, and methods for endovascular implants and placement thereof are disclosed. The implants include a proximal implant segment, a distal implant segment, connector struts connecting the proximal implant segment to the distal implant segment, and a side opening between the proximal implant segment and the distal implant segment. The implants can be used to create an arteriovenous fistula or connect one vessel of the body to another by placement of the proximal implant segment and the distal implant segment within the vessels to be connected. The implants can include one or more anchors for securing the implant in place with respect to the vessels of the body it is connecting. The implants can also include a continuous strut or ring at a distal edge of the proximal implant segment. Also disclosed are methods for percutaneous placement of the implants, and a device for percutaneous delivery.

A vascular graft suitable for implantation, and more particular to a vascular graft having an expandable outflow region for restoring patency of the graft after implantation into a body lumen.

A catheter (1) and vein repair method that enables vein repair surgeries without any bleeding and without hindering blood flow in veins through bypassing the blood flow in the vein to be operated and by preventing any diseases arisen due to stop of blood flow of the organ fed by the associated vein and that sustains blood flow by means of vein bypass in the course of vascular surgeries implemented for surgical processes related to veins in human body and that comprises one balloon (3) on each point close to its both ends, protective layer (4) positioned on the balloons (3); second path (5) enabling deflation inflation of the balloons (3), having monolithic pipe shape adhered to the first path (2) side by side, whose one open end terminates within the balloon (3); check valve apparatus (7) that is monolithic with back end of the second path (5) and provides substances such as air and liquid with the injector for inflation deflation of the balloon (3); protective segment (6) surrounding externally the first path (2) and second path (5), thus preventing their blockage when compressed, that may have various lengths from back end of the balloon (3) to the backside of the catheter (1), that is monolithic along with the first path (2) and the second path (5); cover (8) that prevents the catheter apparatus (1) going out of the vein or its movement, that is located on body side of the catheter apparatus (1), positioned on back of the balloon (3), that can be moved over the catheter apparatus (1) as it is wider than body of the catheter apparatus (1), that has flexible structure having both ends open, that can have the shape of funnel or circle or ellipsis or different shapes; clamping apparatus (9) used to fix the cover on its relevant location; at least one third path (10) in the shape of pipe with both ends open, whose one end is positioned within first path (2), other end is located out of first path (2) and used to draw the liquid or air; connection apparatus (11) that is integrated with outer back end of third path (10) and that enables connection with the external injector and the catheters.

Devices and methods for reconnecting or supporting torn, damaged or weak tissue are disclosed. The disclosed embodiments can be used on long slender tissue such as ligaments, tendons, nerves, vessels, intestines, muscles, bones, appendages and any other elongate tissue within the body, of both humans and other animals. The devices can wrap around elongate tissue and is capable of supporting the tissue or keeping two severed ends in close proximity to one another. The devices can be used in addition to or in lieu of sutures. The devices can function similar to a Chinese Finger Trap and are capable of decreasing in diameter upon extension, thus constricting upon the tissue. The multiple coils of the devices can make sufficient surface contact on the ligament or tendon, using friction to keep the device in place, while also allowing access for diffusion of oxygen and nutrients.