Mark Howansky

A system and method for placing surgical implants and having particular application for pelvic floor repair. The system includes an assembly having a guide element with a tissue penetrating tip, a cannula, and a retrieval device having a capture element at its distal end. A channel in the cannula is dimensioned to allow passage therethrough of the guide element, and of the retrieval element when removably coupled with an extension of the surgical implant.

A system for holding surgical fasteners each having a first anchor, a second anchor and a connector extending therebetween upwardly from the first and second anchors, and a method for loading the same into an applicator. The system includes a shuttle having first and second channels dimensioned to slidably receive therein the first and second anchors, and having first and second grooves respectively forming openings into the channels along a portion of a length of the channels. When the first… Show more

A system for holding surgical fasteners each having a first anchor, a second anchor and a connector extending therebetween upwardly from the first and second anchors, and a method for loading the same into an applicator. The system includes a shuttle having first and second channels dimensioned to slidably receive therein the first and second anchors, and having first and second grooves respectively forming openings into the channels along a portion of a length of the channels. When the first and second anchors are received within the first and second channels, the connector of the surgical fastener extends out of the shuttle through the first and second grooves. The system also includes a cartridge having at least a first channel dimensioned to slidably receive the shuttle therein, and having a first projection extending into the first channel. When the shuttle and loaded fastener are received within the cartridge channel, the connector of the surgical fastener abuts the first... Show less

A method for providing at least partial bypass of the heart to supplement the pumping function of the heart to thereby enable the surgeon to perform various surgical procedures thereon includes providing a circulatory assist system having a portable extracorporeal axial flow pump with a pump housing, a rotating pumping member disposed in the pump housing and inlet and outlet cannulated tubes respectively connected to inlet and outlet ports of the pump housing, accessing the patient's left… Show more

A method for providing at least partial bypass of the heart to supplement the pumping function of the heart to thereby enable the surgeon to perform various surgical procedures thereon includes providing a circulatory assist system having a portable extracorporeal axial flow pump with a pump housing, a rotating pumping member disposed in the pump housing and inlet and outlet cannulated tubes respectively connected to inlet and outlet ports of the pump housing, accessing the patient's left atrium of the heart with the inlet cannulated tube, accessing the aorta with the outlet cannulated tube, actuating the rotating pumping member to draw oxygenated blood from the left atrium of the heart through the lumen of the inlet cannulated tube and into the inlet port of the pump housing whereby the pumping member imparts mechanical energy to the oxygenated blood passing through the pump housing and directs the oxygenated blood through the outlet port and through the lumen of the outlet... Show less

A method for providing at least partial bypass of the heart to supplement the pumping function of the heart to thereby enable the surgeon to perform various surgical procedures thereon includes providing a circulatory assist system having a portable extracorporeal axial flow pump with a pump housing, a rotating pumping member disposed in the pump housing and inlet and outlet cannulated tubes respectively connected to inlet and outlet ports of the pump housing, accessing the patient's left… Show more

A method for providing at least partial bypass of the heart to supplement the pumping function of the heart to thereby enable the surgeon to perform various surgical procedures thereon includes providing a circulatory assist system having a portable extracorporeal axial flow pump with a pump housing, a rotating pumping member disposed in the pump housing and inlet and outlet cannulated tubes respectively connected to inlet and outlet ports of the pump housing, accessing the patient's left atrium of the heart with the inlet cannulated tube, accessing the aorta with the outlet cannulated tube, actuating the rotating pumping member to draw oxygenated blood from the left atrium of the heart through the lumen of the inlet cannulated tube and into the inlet port of the pump housing whereby the pumping member imparts mechanical energy to the oxygenated blood passing through the pump housing and directs the oxygenated blood through the outlet port and through the lumen of the outlet... Show less

A ventricular cuff is designed to assist a heart to pump blood by applying uniform pressure to a majority portion of an exterior ventricular surface of the heart. A heart engaging structure is preferably provided for releasably engaging the heart to hold the heart in place relative to the cuff. The ventricular cuff includes an outer shell, an inflatable inner bladder and a fastener assembly. The heart engaging structure and ventricular cuff define an upwardly opening chamber sized for receiving… Show more

A ventricular cuff is designed to assist a heart to pump blood by applying uniform pressure to a majority portion of an exterior ventricular surface of the heart. A heart engaging structure is preferably provided for releasably engaging the heart to hold the heart in place relative to the cuff. The ventricular cuff includes an outer shell, an inflatable inner bladder and a fastener assembly. The heart engaging structure and ventricular cuff define an upwardly opening chamber sized for receiving a heart. The bladder has an opening for communication with a source of fluid under pressure so that the bladder is cyclically inflated and deflated at a predetermined rate to assist the ventricles of the heart to properly contract. Show less

A method for providing at least partial bypass of the heart to supplement the pumping function of the heart to thereby enable the surgeon to perform various surgical procedures thereon includes providing a circulatory assist system having a portable extracorporeal axial flow pump with a pump housing, a rotating pumping member disposed in the pump housing and inlet and outlet cannulated tubes respectively connected to inlet and outlet ports of the pump housing, accessing the patient's left… Show more

A method for providing at least partial bypass of the heart to supplement the pumping function of the heart to thereby enable the surgeon to perform various surgical procedures thereon includes providing a circulatory assist system having a portable extracorporeal axial flow pump with a pump housing, a rotating pumping member disposed in the pump housing and inlet and outlet cannulated tubes respectively connected to inlet and outlet ports of the pump housing, accessing the patient's left atrium of the heart with the inlet cannulated tube, accessing the aorta with the outlet cannulated tube, actuating the rotating pumping member to draw oxygenated blood from the left atrium of the heart through the lumen of the inlet cannulated tube and into the inlet port of the pump housing whereby the pumping member imparts mechanical energy to the oxygenated blood passing through the pump housing and directs the oxygenated blood through the outlet port and through the lumen of the outlet... Show less

In one aspect, a method is provided herein of preparing a drug delivery device, the drug delivery device having a body with at least one fluid duct being open along a first face of the body, the at least one fluid duct for conveying drug from at least one reservoir to a needle configured for injection into a patient, the method including: providing a barrier across the first face of the body to at least cover the at least one fluid duct, wherein the barrier is ultraviolet transmissive; and… Show more

In one aspect, a method is provided herein of preparing a drug delivery device, the drug delivery device having a body with at least one fluid duct being open along a first face of the body, the at least one fluid duct for conveying drug from at least one reservoir to a needle configured for injection into a patient, the method including: providing a barrier across the first face of the body to at least cover the at least one fluid duct, wherein the barrier is ultraviolet transmissive; and, exposing the first face of the body to ultraviolet radiation so as to allow the ultraviolet radiation to pass through the barrier and decontaminate the at least one fluid duct. Show less

In one aspect, a drug delivery device is provided herein including: a monolithic body having a plurality of fluid ducts and at least one outlet duct formed therein; a plurality of drug cartridges attached to the body, the drug cartridges each including a reservoir for accommodating at least one drug wherein, the plurality of fluid ducts is arranged to convey the drugs from the drug cartridges to the at least one outlet duct; and, a needle support spaced from the body, the needle support… Show more

In one aspect, a drug delivery device is provided herein including: a monolithic body having a plurality of fluid ducts and at least one outlet duct formed therein; a plurality of drug cartridges attached to the body, the drug cartridges each including a reservoir for accommodating at least one drug wherein, the plurality of fluid ducts is arranged to convey the drugs from the drug cartridges to the at least one outlet duct; and, a needle support spaced from the body, the needle support including a needle configured for insertion into a patient for drug delivery, the needle support including adhesive for releasable securement to a patient, wherein, the needle support is connected to the body by a flexible tether through which passes at least one fluid passageway formed to convey drug from the at least one outlet duct to the needle. Show less

Various embodiments are disclosed herein related to fluidic connections for modules useable in combinatorial drug delivery devices. The fluidic connections allow for variable flow paths to be defined for serially-connected, and base-tray mounted, modules.

A valving arrangement is provided herein for regulating fluidics of modules useable in a combinatorial drug delivery device. The valving includes a slidable piston valve, adjustable to selectively seal an outlet path from a drug vial and a sealing port, in parallel to a vent, for selectively sealing an inlet path to the drug vial. Advantageously, the subject invention allows for applied negative pressure to adjust the valving to allow flow between serially-connected modules forming a drug… Show more

A valving arrangement is provided herein for regulating fluidics of modules useable in a combinatorial drug delivery device. The valving includes a slidable piston valve, adjustable to selectively seal an outlet path from a drug vial and a sealing port, in parallel to a vent, for selectively sealing an inlet path to the drug vial. Advantageously, the subject invention allows for applied negative pressure to adjust the valving to allow flow between serially-connected modules forming a drug delivery device. Show less

In one aspect, a drug delivery device is provided for delivering drug from a plurality of drug cartridges. The drug delivery device includes: a cylindrical cassette configured to accommodate the plurality of drug cartridges; a reversibly advanceable plunger; and, an indexer for incrementally rotating the cassette to align the plurality of drug cartridges individually with the plunger. The indexer includes first and second shafts with cooperating elements which cause incremental rotation of the… Show more

In one aspect, a drug delivery device is provided for delivering drug from a plurality of drug cartridges. The drug delivery device includes: a cylindrical cassette configured to accommodate the plurality of drug cartridges; a reversibly advanceable plunger; and, an indexer for incrementally rotating the cassette to align the plurality of drug cartridges individually with the plunger. The indexer includes first and second shafts with cooperating elements which cause incremental rotation of the first shaft, relative to the second shaft, upon the second shaft engaging the first shaft. Show less

A combinatorial drug delivery device is provided for delivering a predetermined selection of drug components, each of the drug components being contained in a drug vial. The device includes a plurality of modules, wherein each of the modules includes: a body having an interior volume formed to accommodate a drug vial; a cannula protruding into the interior volume, the cannula terminating at a free end, first and second openings being formed in the free end with first and second lumens extending… Show more

A combinatorial drug delivery device is provided for delivering a predetermined selection of drug components, each of the drug components being contained in a drug vial. The device includes a plurality of modules, wherein each of the modules includes: a body having an interior volume formed to accommodate a drug vial; a cannula protruding into the interior volume, the cannula terminating at a free end, first and second openings being formed in the free end with first and second lumens extending therefrom and through the cannula; a socket located on an exterior portion of the body; a first passageway extending between, and in communication with, the socket and the first lumen; a boss protruding from an exterior portion of the body; and, a second passageway extending from, and in communication with the second lumen, the second passageway extending through the boss to terminate at an exit opening formed therein. Show less