Abstract: Endovascular nerve monitoring devices and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. A nerve monitoring system configured in accordance with a particular embodiment of the present technology can include a shaft having a proximal portion and a distal portion and a nerve monitoring assembly at the distal portion. The shaft is configured to locate the distal portion intravascularly at a treatment site. The nerve monitoring assembly can include a bipolar stimulation electrode array and a bipolar recording electrode array disposed distal to the bipolar stimulation electrode assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for subcutaneous lead guidance includes a flexible guide strap, a navigation catheter and a tunneling tool. The guide strap includes an upper layer having a plurality of retainer formations and a substrate attachable on a patient's skin extending between an incision and a target site. The navigation catheter is coupled to the upper layer via the retainer formations from a first end to a second end of the guide strap. The navigation catheter includes a plurality of position sensors for generating a subcutaneous navigation volume between the incision and the target site when the navigation catheter is coupled to a navigation system. The tunneling tool has a distal portion with a leading end and at least one position sensor on the distal portion for viewing digital representation of the distal portion in relation to the navigation volume on a display coupled to the navigation system.

Abstract: Endovascular nerve monitoring devices and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. A nerve monitoring system configured in accordance with a particular embodiment of the present technology can include a shaft having a proximal portion and a distal portion and a nerve monitoring assembly at the distal portion. The shaft is configured to locate the distal portion intravascularly at a treatment site. The nerve monitoring assembly can include a bipolar stimulation electrode array and a bipolar recording electrode array disposed distal to the bipolar stimulation electrode assembly.

Abstract: Endovascular nerve monitoring devices and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. A nerve monitoring system configured in accordance with a particular embodiment of the present technology can include a shaft having a proximal portion and a distal portion and a nerve monitoring assembly at the distal portion. The shaft is configured to locate the distal portion intravascularly at a treatment site. The nerve monitoring assembly can include a bipolar stimulation electrode array and a bipolar recording electrode array disposed distal to the bipolar stimulation electrode assembly.

Abstract: Cardiac electroporation ablation systems and methods in which pulsed, high voltage energy is delivered to induce electroporation of cells of cardiac tissue followed by cell rupturing. In some embodiments, the delivered energy is biphasic, having a cycle time of not more than 500 microseconds.

Abstract: A method of tracking a medical device in a body includes inserting the medical device into a body and emitting a sonic signal from a transceiver coupled to the medical device. The method further includes receiving an echo of the sonic signal with the transceiver and detecting a location of the medical device in the body based on the received echo.

Abstract: An apparatus for subcutaneous lead guidance includes a flexible guide strap, a navigation catheter and a tunneling tool. The guide strap includes an upper layer having a plurality of retainer formations and a substrate attachable on a patient's skin extending between an incision and a target site. The navigation catheter is coupled to the upper layer via the retainer formations from a first end to a second end of the guide strap. The navigation catheter includes a plurality of position sensors for generating a subcutaneous navigation volume between the incision and the target site when the navigation catheter is coupled to a navigation system. The tunneling tool has a distal portion with a leading end and at least one position sensor on the distal portion for viewing digital representation of the distal portion in relation to the navigation volume on a display coupled to the navigation system.

Abstract: Cardiac electroporation ablation systems and methods in which pulsed, high voltage energy is delivered to induce electroporation of cells of cardiac tissue followed by cell rupturing. In some embodiments, the delivered energy is biphasic, having a cycle time of not more than 500 microseconds.

Abstract: A method of performing a medical procedure is provided. The medical procedure includes stimulation of a patient's heart while stimulating a nerve of the patient in order to modulate the patient's inflammatory process. More particularly, the medical procedure includes pacing the ventricles of the patient's heart while stimulating the vagal nerve of the patient. Systems and devices for performing the medical procedure are also provided.

Abstract: Embodiments of moving a graphic element are disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for injecting biological agents into tissue. Devices are provided having elongate shafts and distal injection heads for transversely driving needles into tissue and injecting medical agents into the tissue through the needles. A longitudinal force directed along the shaft can be translated to a needle driving force transverse to the shaft. Some devices provide controllably variable needle penetration depth. Devices include mechanical needle drivers utilizing four link pantographs, rack and pinions, and drive yokes for driving a first needle bearing body toward a second tissue contacting body. Other devices include inflatable members for driving and retracting needles. Still other devices include magnets for biasing the needles in extended and/or retracted positions. The invention includes minimally invasive methods for epicardially injecting cardiocyte precursor cells into infarct myocardial tissue.

Abstract: An instrument including an elongated shaft and a non-conductive handle is disclosed. The shaft defines a proximal section and a distal section. The distal section forms an electrically conductive tip. Further, the shaft is adapted to be transitionable from a straight state to a first bent state. The shaft is capable of independently maintaining the distinct shapes associated with the straight state and the first bent state. The handle is rigidly coupled to the proximal section of the shaft. The instrument is useful for epicardial pacing and/or mapping of the heart for temporary pacing on a beating heart, for optimizing the placement of ventricular leads for the treatment of patients with congestive heart failure and ventricular dysynchrony and/or for use in surgical ablation procedures.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for harvesting a vessel section. The system comprises a vessel support member, a handle, and a tubular cutting device. The vessel support member is introduced into the vessel section to be harvested. The tubular cutting device may comprise an outer tubular member or an outer and an inner tubular member. The outer tubular member carries at least one cutting element. The tubular member or members are advanced over the vessel section and vessel support member to core out the vessel section and tissue adjoining the vessel section.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method determines whether a first input is directed at a first interface element defined in a hierarchical structure and a second input is directed at a second interface element defined in the hierarchical structure.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices are provided for rotating selected ones of a plurality of user interfaces on a display without rotating unselected ones of the plurality of user interfaces.

Abstract: In one implementation, a method includes utilizing characteristic data corresponding to an object and determined using symbology on the object to perform one or more interactive tasks.

Abstract: The current invention discloses a method for treating infracted/ischemic injury to a myocardium by injecting a substance into the myocardium. The injected substance helps to prevent negative adaptive remodeling by providing mechanical reinforcement or mechanical reinforcement combined with biological therapy. A number of substances for injection are disclosed, including multi component substances such as platelet gel, and other substances. The substances disclosed may contain additives to augment/enhance the desired effects of the injection. The invention also discloses devices used to inject the substances. The devices can include means for ensuring needles do not penetrate beyond a desired depth into the myocardium. The devices can also include needles having multiple lumens such that the components of the platelet gel will be combined at the injection site and begin polymerization in the myocardium.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods for accessing an anatomical space of the body and particularly for penetrating the epicardium to access pericardial space and the epicardial surface of the heart in a minimally invasive manner employing suction are disclosed. The distal end of a tubular access sleeve having a sleeve wall surrounding a sleeve access lumen and extending between a sleeve proximal end and a sleeve distal end having a plurality of suction ports arrayed around the sleeve access lumen distal end opening is applied against an outer tissue layer. Suction is applied through the plurality of suction ports to a plurality of portions of the outer tissue layer. A perforation instrument is introduced through the sleeve access lumen to perforate the outer tissue layer to form an access perforation into the anatomic space while the applied suction stabilizes the outer tissue layer, whereby further treatment drugs and devices can be introduced into the anatomic space.

Abstract: A tubular suction tool for accessing an anatomic surface or anatomic space and particularly the pericardium to access pericardial space and the epicardial surface of the heart to implant cardiac leads in a minimally invasive manner are disclosed. The suction tool incorporates a suction pad concave wall defining a suction cavity, a plurality of suction ports arrayed about the concave wall, and a suction lumen, to form a bleb of tissue into the suction cavity when suction is applied. The suction cavity extends along one side of the suction pad, so that the suction pad and suction cavity can be applied tangentially against a tissue site. The suction tool can incorporate light emission and video imaging of tissue adjacent the suction pad. A working lumen terminating in a working lumen port into the suction cavity enables introduction of tools, cardiac leads, and other instruments, cells, drugs or materials into or through the tissue bleb drawn into the suction cavity.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for injecting biological agents into tissue. Devices are provided having elongate shafts and distal injection heads for driving needles into tissue and injecting medical agents into the tissue through the needles. A longitudinal force directed along the shaft can be translated to a needle driving force. Some devices provide controllably variable needle penetration depth. Devices include mechanical needle drivers utilizing four link pantographs, rack and pinions, and drive yokes for driving a first needle bearing body toward a second tissue contacting body. Other devices include inflatable members for driving and retracting needles. Still other devices include magnets for biasing the needles in extended and/or retracted positions. The invention includes minimally invasive methods for epicardially injecting cardiocyte precursor cells into infarct myocardial tissue.