Abstract: The invention relates to an ablation catheter which controls the temperature and reduces the coagulation of biological fluids on an electrode of a catheter, prevents the impedance rise of tissue in contact with the electrode, and maximizes the potential energy transfer to the tissue, thereby allowing an increase in the lesion size produced by the ablation. The electrode includes passages positioned to allow saline flow out of an inner cavity of the electrode. This fluid flow is pulsatile to increase turbulence, reducing areas of stagnant flow, and produces a desired cooling effect.

Abstract: An effector includes a tubular body having a proximal end and a distal end. The effector holds a plug or closure at the distal end of the tubular body; an active electrode at the distal end of the body; an insulator on the body; and one or more return electrodes on the insulator.

Abstract: A surgical device that includes a first support member extending along a longitudinal axis; a bladder located on the first support member; a first sealing member located on the bladder; and a second sealing member located on the bladder. The sealing member is located on one side of the longitudinal axis; and the second sealing member is located on another side of the longitudinal axis. The bladder is inflatable, and inflating the bladder changes a position of the first sealing member, the second sealing member, or both relative to the first support member.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to controlling electrical power of an electrotherapeutic signal that is provided to a biological tissue engaged by an electrosurgical instrument during a medical procedure. Electrical power—a product of a voltage difference across and an electrical current conducted by the engaged biological tissue—is controlled according to a therapeutic schedule. The electrotherapeutic schedule can be reduced or terminated in response to a termination criterion being met. In some examples, the termination criterion is a current characteristic, such as, for example, a decrease in current conducted by the engaged biological tissue. In some examples, the termination criterion is a biological tissue resistance characteristic, such as, for example, an increase in the biological tissue resistance that exceeds a predetermined delta resistance value.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to controlling electrical power of an electrotherapeutic signal that is provided to a biological tissue engaged by an electrosurgical instrument during a medical procedure. Electrical power—a product of a voltage difference across and an electrical current conducted by the engaged biological tissue—is controlled according to a therapeutic schedule. The electrotherapeutic schedule can be reduced or terminated in response to a termination criterion being met. In some examples, the termination criterion is a current characteristic, such as, for example, a decrease in current conducted by the engaged biological tissue. In some examples, the termination criterion is a biological tissue resistance characteristic, such as, for example, an increase in the biological tissue resistance that exceeds a predetermined delta resistance value.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to controlling electrical power of an electrotherapeutic signal that is provided to a biological tissue engaged by an electrosurgical instrument during a medical procedure. Electrical power—a product of a voltage difference across and an electrical current conducted by the engaged biological tissue—is controlled according to a therapeutic schedule. The electrotherapeutic schedule can be reduced or terminated in response to a termination criterion being met. In some examples, the termination criterion is a current characteristic, such as, for example, a decrease in current conducted by the engaged biological tissue. In some examples, the termination criterion is a biological tissue resistance characteristic, such as, for example, an increase in the biological tissue resistance that exceeds a predetermined delta resistance value.

Abstract: An electrosurgical device kit includes an elongate first member, an elongate second member disposed adjacent to the first member, the second member being at least movably coupled to the first member, a first electrode head removably attachable to the first member, a second electrode head removably attachable to the first member, and a third electrode head coupled to the second member. The first, second, and third electrode heads are configured to apply a current to a tissue, the first and second electrode heads being non-identical.

Abstract: A delivery device 10 for a collapsible prosthetic heart valve includes a catheter assembly 16 including a shaft 26 around which a compartment 23 is defined, the compartment 23 being adapted to receive the valve in an assembled condition, and a retainer 30 including a pusher 32 and a holder 34 adapted to retain a stent portion 106 of the valve. The catheter assembly 16 also includes a distal sheath 24 adapted to selectively cover and uncover the compartment 23 and the valve, the distal sheath 24 extending around the shaft 26 at least when the distal sheath 24 covers the compartment 23. The pusher 32 includes one or more recesses 40 in a retention edge 33 thereof, each recess 40 being adapted to receive a junction 107 at an end of the stent portion 106 of the valve. The holder 34 includes one or more elongated ribs 50, each rib 50 being adapted to fit into a cell opening 108 of the stent portion 106 of the valve.

Abstract: An instrument includes a hand piece, a pair of jaws, and an actuator. The jaws extend from the hand piece. Each jaw includes a proximal portion and a distal portion. The actuator is in communication with both the hand piece and the pair of jaws. Movement of the actuator causes the jaws to move from an open configuration to a closed configuration. During the move from the open configuration to the closed configuration, the jaws undergo a translational movement followed by a first non-translational movement.

Abstract: A device comprising: (a) one or more markers, some or all of which are expandable rounded members that are expandable from a stored state to an expanded state and when in the expanded state each of the expandable rounded members expand to move into contact with a lumen in an organ; and (b) one or more tissue tags connected to the expandable rounded members or the expandable rounded members being made of a magnetized material; and wherein the expandable rounded members are configured to be located within and deployed from an insertion mechanism into the lumen in the organ.

Abstract: An irrigated ablation catheter includes a shaft and an electrode assembly affixed to a distal end of the shaft. The distal electrode assembly includes a manifold and an ablation electrode affixed together and extending along a center axis. The electrode has a distal irrigation passageway extending therethrough to an opening at a distal tip of the electrode. The opening of the irrigation passageway is offset in distance from the center axis, and allows a thermal sensor such as a thermocouple to be located in a sensor cavity in the electrode on or near the center axis. One variation involves providing a pair of distal irrigation passageways through the electrode where both of the openings of the passageways are offset from the center axis. The thermal sensor in this variation is located in the sensor cavity substantially on the center axis.

Abstract: An effector includes a tubular body having a proximal end and a distal end. The effector includes a plug or closure at the distal end of the tubular body; an active electrode at the distal end of the body; an insulator on the body; and one or more return electrodes on the insulator. The body dissipates heat generated by the one or more return electrodes from the distal end of the body to the proximal end of the body.

Abstract: A surgical device comprising: (a) a first jaw having a face; (b) a second jaw having a face that is substantially adjacent the face of the first jaw when the first jaw and the second jaw are in a closed position; (c) a pivot connecting the first jaw and the second jaw together so that the first jaw and second jaw are movable between an open position and the closed position; (d) one or more fluid passageways extending between the first jaw, the second jaw, or both and a region outside of the surgical device so that fluid passes through the first jaw, the second jaw, or both; and (e) a valve connected to the first jaw, the second jaw, or both, the one or more fluid passageways extending through the valve so that when the first jaw and the second jaw are in the open position the valve is open and fluid can extend through the one or more fluid passageways and when the first jaw and the second jaw are in the closed position the valve is closed and fluid is prevented from flowing through the one or more fluid passa

Abstract: An irrigated ablation catheter includes a shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and an irrigation lumen therein. The catheter further includes an electrode assembly coupled to the distal end of the shaft. The electrode assembly includes an ablation electrode and a manifold. The manifold is coupled to each of the distal end of the shaft and the proximal end of the electrode. At least a portion of the manifold is constructed of a flexible material to allow the electrode assembly to deflect. The manifold includes a body, an inner cavity within the body configured for fluid communication with the irrigation lumen, and an irrigation port also within the body and configured for fluid communication with the inner cavity. The irrigation port extends from the inner cavity to the outer surface of the body, and is configured to allow for an irrigating fluid to be distributed from the manifold.

Abstract: An electrosurgical device kit includes an elongate first member, an elongate second member disposed adjacent to the first member, the second member being at least movably coupled to the first member, a first electrode head removably attachable to the first member, a second electrode head removably attachable to the first member, and a third electrode head coupled to the second member. The first, second, and third electrode heads are configured to apply a current to a tissue, the first and second electrode heads being non-identical.

Abstract: An irrigated ablation catheter includes a shaft and an electrode assembly affixed to a distal end of the shaft. The distal electrode assembly includes a manifold and an ablation electrode affixed together and extending along a center axis. The electrode has a distal irrigation passageway extending therethrough to an opening at a distal tip of the electrode. The opening of the irrigation passageway is offset in distance from the center axis, and allows a thermal sensor such as a thermocouple to be located in a sensor cavity in the electrode on or near the center axis. One variation involves providing a pair of distal irrigation passageways through the electrode where both of the openings of the passageways are offset from the center axis. The thermal sensor in this variation is located in the sensor cavity substantially on the center axis.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to multiple piece irrigated ablation electrode assemblies wherein the irrigation channels are insulated or separated from at least one temperature sensing mechanism within the distal portion of the electrode assembly. The present invention further pertains to methods for improved assembly and accurate measurement and control of the electrode temperatures while effectively irrigating the device and target areas.

Abstract: A delivery device for a collapsible heart valve includes an operating handle and a catheter assembly. The operating handle includes a frame defining a movement space therein, a carriage assembly moveable in a longitudinal direction within the movement space, and a coupler having locked and unlocked conditions, the coupler being operatively connected to the carriage assembly for movement therewith. The catheter assembly includes a shaft around which a valve-receiving compartment is defined, the shaft being operatively connected to one of the frame or the carriage assembly, and a distal sheath operatively connected to the carriage assembly for movement therewith between a closed condition adapted to maintain the valve in the compartment and an open condition adapted to fully deploy the valve.

Abstract: A delivery device may generally include a support member, a distal sheath, an outer shaft and a straightening member. The support member is adapted to hold a prosthetic heart valve. The distal sheath is slidable relative to the support member between a first position in which the distal sheath is adapted to maintain the prosthetic heart valve in a collapsed condition, and a second position in which the distal sheath is adapted to expose the prosthetic heart valve. The outer shaft is connected to the distal sheath and has a curved portion. The straightening member is slidable on the outer shaft between a proximal position in which the straightening member does not cover the curved portion of the outer shaft, and a distal position in which the straightening member covers and substantially straightens at least a portion of the curved portion of the outer shaft.

Abstract: A jaw assembly that includes a first jaw and a second jaw. The first jaw includes a first outer jaw member having an effecting surface; a first inner jaw member having an effecting surface; and an element connecting the first outer jaw member and the first inner jaw member. The first inner jaw member is moveable relative to the first outer jaw member. The effecting surface of the first outer jaw member is proud of the effecting surface of the first inner jaw member in a direction of the second jaw.