Abstract: A method of repairing a heart valve provides intravascular access for repair of a heart valve through a ventricular trans-septal approach. An external guide catheter can be inserted through a vein of a patient into the right ventricle via the right atrium. An internal guide catheter can be inserted through the external guide and can provide access to the septum for a puncture tool to create an opening through the septum to the left ventricle. The internal guide can then be advanced into the left ventricle and used to guide a deployment catheter that deploys a repair device onto the heart valve.

Abstract: A method of repairing a heart valve provides intravascular access for repair of a heart valve through a ventricular trans-septal approach. An external guide catheter can be inserted through a vein of a patient into the right ventricle via the right atrium. An internal guide catheter can be inserted through the external guide and can provide access to the septum for a puncture tool to create an opening through the septum to the left ventricle. The internal guide can then be advanced into the left ventricle and used to guide a deployment catheter that deploys a repair device onto the heart valve.

Abstract: A method of repairing a heart valve provides intravascular access for repair of a heart valve through a ventricular trans-septal approach. An external guide catheter can be inserted through a vein of a patient into the right ventricle via the right atrium. An internal guide catheter can be inserted through the external guide and can provide access to the septum for a puncture tool to create an opening through the septum to the left ventricle. The internal guide can then be advanced into the left ventricle and used to guide a deployment catheter that deploys a repair device onto the heart valve.

Abstract: A medical lead includes a lead body having at least one conductor extending from a proximal end of the lead body to a distal end of the lead body. The proximal end is adapted to be connected to a pulse generator, and the distal end includes a curved portion. One or more electrodes are operatively connected to the at least one conductor and coupled to the curved portion of the lead body. At least a portion of each of the one or more electrodes includes an arrangement of interconnected, spaced-apart elements that are selectively configured to allow the one or more electrodes to conform to contours of the curved portion during and after implantation of the medical lead.

Abstract: An intracorporeal device includes a shaft having a proximal section including a first elongate member and a distal section including a tubular member and a second elongate member. A proximal region of the tubular member is attached to the distal region of the first elongate member. The second elongate member is disposed within the lumen of the tubular member, and a proximal region of the second elongate member is attached to the proximal region of the elongate tubular member. As such, in some embodiments, the tubular member can function both as a member joining the first and second elongate members, and as a structural element in the distal section of the shaft providing for desired flexibility, torqueability, and/or pushability characteristics.

Abstract: An intracorporeal device includes a helically wound coil having a plurality of windings having an outer perimeter and forming a coil length and a plurality of joining elements disposed on only a portion of the outer perimeter and along the coil length. Each joining element couples two coil windings.

Abstract: Alternative designs, materials and manufacturing methods for guidewires. Some embodiments pertain to a composite guidewire having proximal and distal section, and a connector adapted and configured for permanently joining the proximal section to the distal section. In some embodiments, at least one of the sections is made of a linear-elastic nickel-titanium alloy. Several alternative guidewire tip designs including coiled safety/shaping structures are also disclosed.

Abstract: A medical lead includes a lead body having at least one conductor extending from a proximal end of the lead body to a distal end of the lead body. The proximal end is adapted to be connected to a pulse generator, and the distal end includes a curved portion. One or more electrodes are operatively connected to the at least one conductor and coupled to the curved portion of the lead body. At least a portion of each of the one or more electrodes includes an arrangement of interconnected, spaced-apart elements that are selectively configured to allow the one or more electrodes to conform to contours of the curved portion during and after implantation of the medical lead.

Abstract: An intracorporal device includes a helically wound coil having a plurality of windings forming a coil length and a thermoplastic polymer sleeve circumferentially disposed about a portion of the coil length. A plurality of discrete affixation points are disposed along the coil length. Each discrete affixation point fixes the thermoplastic polymer sleeve to two or more coil windings.

Abstract: An intracorporeal device includes a shaft having a proximal section including a first elongate member and a distal section including a tubular member and a second elongate member. A proximal region of the tubular member is attached to the distal region of the first elongate member. The second elongate member is disposed within the lumen of the tubular member, and a proximal region of the second elongate member is attached to the proximal region of the elongate tubular member. As such, in some embodiments, the tubular member can function both as a member joining the first and second elongate members, and as a structural element in the distal section of the shaft providing for desired flexibility, torqueability, and/or pushability characteristics. The lateral flexibility of the tubular member can be increased by including less material in the tubular member, while maintaining a good degree to torqueability and/or pushability characteristics.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for performing three functions at the tip of a tube. The first function is for suction or irrigation of an area where surgery is being performed. The tubing can have a vacuum attached for sucking solid particles, liquids, gases or smoke from the area adjacent the end of the tubing. The tubing may also be used to pump fluids into the area adjacent the end of the tube to flush the area or apply a treatment. The tubing has an electrical current such that when the tube is applied to blood it will coagulate the blood. The tubing also has a cutting electrode for electrically cutting tissue. The cutting electrode extends out from the lumen of the tube and retracts therein when not in use. Therefore a surgeon has three instruments compactly arranged at his disposal at the distal end of the tube. Since the tube can be made long and thin it is useful when operating in a limited space and can be used in laparascopic or other microsurgeries. The tube is malleable for shaping it for ease of use.

Abstract: An endoscopic bipolar forceps comprises an elongated tubular member dimensioned to fit through the working lumen of an endoscope where the tubular member includes a handle at its proximal end and a pair of end effectors at its distal end and with a lumen extending between them. The end effectors each have a metal tissue cutting and tissue sample capturing and retaining element facing one another and capable of being open and closed by manipulating the handle. Each of the end effectors includes an electrode supported by and insulated from it. A push rod coupling the handle to the end effectors for inducing the pivotal movement thereof also serves as an electrical conductor for applying a first potential to the metal tissue cutting and tissue sample capturing and retaining element. A second conductor extends through the lumen of the tubular member and is electrically connected to the electrodes on each of the end effectors.

Abstract: A surgical scissors instrument having disposed at its distal end two bipolar electrode structures which function to coagulate tissue immediately prior to its being severed by scissor action. The instrument comprises a first scissors blade having a distal end and a second scissors blade having a distal end, wherein at least one of the blades is pivotable in relation to the other blade. A first electrically insulated bipolar electrode structure is disposed longitudinally distally from the distal end of the first scissors blade, and a second electrically insulated bipolar electrode structure is disposed longitudinally distally from the distal end of the second scissors blade. The instrument thereby permits a physician to precisely apply electrical energy only at the distal end of the scissor's blades, and to thereafter immediately cut coagulated tissue situated immediately forward of the blade members.

Abstract: A bipolar biopsy device comprising two biopsy tissue collecting receptacles wherein at least one biopsy tissue collecting receptacle is pivotable in relation to the other and wherein each biopsy tissue collecting receptacle supports an electrode portion thereon to which current can flow and a cutting edge that is electrically insulated from the electrode portion. The electrode portion coagulates the tissue surrounding the cutting portion. The cut tissue sample is retained within the receptacles so that it maybe removed for biopsy purposes. Preferably, each biopsy receptacle is individually pivotable in relation to the other and the device is dimensioned to have utility in endoscopic or similar procedures.

Abstract: A bipolar biopsy device comprising two biopsy tissue collecting receptacles wherein at least one biopsy tissue collecting receptacle is pivotable in relation to the other and wherein each biopsy tissue collecting receptacle supports an electrode portion thereon to which current can flow and a cutting edge that is electrically insulated from the electrode portion. The electrode portion coagulates the tissue surrounding the cutting portion. The cut tissue sample is retained within the receptacles so that it maybe removed for biopsy purposes. Preferably, each biopsy receptacle is individually pivotable in relation to the other and the device is dimensioned to have utility in endoscopic or similar procedures.

Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical scissors for use in open or endoscopic surgery has a pair of opposed metal blade members pivotally joined to one another and to the distal end of the scissors itself by a rivet. Each of the blade members comprises a cutting blade having an electrode on the non-shearing surface. An intermediate insulative coating is disposed between each cutting blade and its associated electrode coating. The cutting blade is preferably fabricated from metal such as stainless steel and the electrode coating comprises metal traces deposited thereon through a mask to yield a desired pattern extending along but separated from the blade's cutting edge. Cutting is performed, steel-on-steel, without causing a short circuit between the blades which themselves may function as one of the bipolar electrodes.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument for the removal of tissue polyps and the like is disclosed. It features a bipolar pair of conductive electrodes for the cutting of tissue in which at least one electrode is moveable in relation to the other. These electrodes are mounted relative to an insulating plug, which is secured at the distal end of a tubular member. Pressure exerted on a thumb loop shifts the position of one electrode relative to the other. Upon application of RF voltage, the distance at which the electrodes are placed controls the amount of arcing which will occur between electrodes, when placed within a proper range. The electrodes are supplied with power from a standard RF energy source, controlled from a foot or hand switch. The insulating plug may further include metal traces disposed on the peripheral surface. When energized, these traces function as a bipolar pair of electrodes for effecting electrocoagulation of tissue and blood.

Abstract: A bipolar biopsy device for removing tissue samples for biopsy purposes or other purposes. The bipolar biopsy device has an elongated flexible end and a lumen extending therebetween. A cutting head is mounted on the distal end and has a hollow fixed member containing an electrode having an electrical surface thereon and a hollow cup-shaped moveable relative to the fixed member. The electrode surfaces are electrically connected to an outside voltage source. A handle is affixed to the proximal end and a core wire is affixed to the handle which extends through the lumen and is affixed to the movable hollow cup-shaped member. The core wire manipulated by way of the handle facilitates the movement of the movable cup-shaped member. Tissue samples are obtained by positioning the electrode surfaces close to each other about the tissue sample. An arc is created to break tissue down by applying a voltage to the 2 electrode surfaces.

Abstract: A bipolar sphincterotomy for use in endoscopic retrograde sphincterotomy procedures includes an elongated, flexible, plastic tube having either a single or a double lumen extending between its distal and proximal ends. At least one, but preferably two, aperture(s) is formed through the wall of the plastic tubular member a predetermined distance proximal of the distal end of the plastic tubular member. A pair of conductive wires extend through the lumen from the proximal end and exit the lumen through the aperture(s). The distal ends of pair of wires are mechanically joined to the tube so that the portions of the wires extending exteriorly of the lumen are in parallel, spaced relation with a predetermined gap therebetween. The exposed portions of the wires comprise a bipolar pair of electrodes.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument having a protective, extendable and retractable sheath or sleeve is disclosed. The sheath is disposed around and coaligned with an elongated cylindrical rod, from which extends at least one electrode. A conductor extending from the electrode is joined to a conventional power supply cord for connection to a source of RF voltage. Power supply is regulated using either a convention hand or foot switch. The sheath protects the distal electrode(s) as the instrument is inserted through a laparoscopic trocar or endoscope. It also provides an effective extension of an irrigation/aspiration lumen which extends along the length of the cylindrical rod. The proximal end of the irrigation/aspiration lumen is joined to a supply tube which either may be connected to a fluid reservoir for irrigation or to a collection reservoir for aspiration of fluids. Alternative embodiments feature alternative mechanisms for extending the sheath.