Abstract: An intracorporeal device is provided for supporting heart function of a patient. The intracorporeal device is configured to be secured across at least two anatomical walls of the heart. The intracorporeal device is configured to be secured to one or more anatomical walls by a connector. The connector is arranged to be positioned across one or more anatomical walls.

Abstract: A method is provided for supporting heart function of a patient. The method comprises the step of securing an intracorporeal device across at least two anatomical walls of the heart, wherein at least one anatomical wall is an intra-cardiac wall and a least one anatomical wall is an extra-cardiac wall.

Abstract: A method of performing denervation with a cooled microwave denervation catheter assembly includes advancing a catheter body over a guide wire in a body lumen of a patient to a treatment location adjacent targeted nerves, with the guide wire being located in an interior lumen of the catheter body, inflating the balloon with cooling fluid to contact a wall of the body lumen of the patient, removing the guide wire from the interior lumen of the catheter body, and inserting a microwave antenna catheter into the interior lumen of the catheter body, so that denervation treatment may be performed by simultaneously circulating cooling fluid in the balloon and supplying power to the microwave antenna, to cause the targeted nerves to be heated to a temperature sufficient to cause thermal damage while the wall of the body lumen is maintained at a temperature where thermal damage does not occur.

Abstract: A method is provided for the transcatheter delivery of an intracorporeal device and includes establishing a device delivery pathway in a patient. The device delivery pathway extends at least from an entry point into the patient to an exit point from the patient. A method is also provided for the transcatheter retrieval of an intracorporeally implanted device and includes establishing a device delivery pathway in a patient, wherein the device delivery pathway extends at least from an entry point into the patient to an exit point from the patient. A delivery device is also provided for the transcatheter delivery of an intracorporeal device through a device delivery pathway in a patient, the delivery device comprising a catheter comprising a radial separation mechanism, or a delivery catheter and detachably coupling with an intracorporeal device.

Abstract: An intracorporeal device for delivery into a patient is provided. The intracorporeal device includes a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end is detachably coupled from the transcatheter delivery device. The device relates to a transcatheter system and corresponding devices and methods of treatment, and is particularly useful for the delivery and implantation into the body of a patient of medical devices, such as mechanical circulatory support devices, but also has a wider variety of applications.

Abstract: A connector is provided for fluid communication between two anatomical compartments through at least one anatomical wall, wherein the connector comprises a neck adapted and configured to be positioned across the anatomical wall(s); primary means for securing the neck across the anatomical wall(s); and secondary means for securing the neck across the anatomical wall(s). A method for coupling two anatomical walls using said connector is also provided.

Abstract: A connector is provided for fluid communication between two anatomical compartments through at least one anatomical wall, wherein the connector comprises a neck adapted and configured to be positioned across the anatomical wall(s); primary means for securing the neck across the anatomical wall(s); and secondary means for securing the neck across the anatomical wall(s). A method for coupling two anatomical walls using said connector is also provided.

Abstract: A transcatheter insertion system is provided for the insertion of an intracorporeal device using an insertion device. The system comprises an outer sheath arranged and configured to form a passageway for the intracorporeal device and/or the insertion device. The outer sheath guides the insertion device. A method of transcatheter insertion with the system is also provided.

Abstract: A method is provided for the transcatheter insertion of an intracorporeal device into a patient, carried out using a transcatheter insertion system comprising an insertion device, the system comprising an outer sheath arranged and configured to form a passageway for the intracorporeal device and/or the insertion device, the outer sheath guiding the insertion device. The method comprises the steps of: (a) puncturing at least one anatomical wall separating anatomical compartments; (b) delivering the intracorporeal device into the patient; and (c) implanting the intracorporeal device through the anatomical wall(s).

Abstract: A system and method for endoscopically forming an anastomosis between two naturally adjacent points in the digestive tract. The system and method utilizes elongate magnetic devices that, when connected across a tissue boundary, necrose tissue until an anastomosis forms and the devices are passed naturally. Despite the elongate shape of the devices, the resulting anastomosis is substantially round. As such, round anastomoses can be formed having increased diameters merely by increasing the lengths of the devices, obviating the need for wider endoscopes.

Abstract: A system and method for endoscopically forming an anastomosis between two naturally adjacent points in the digestive tract. The system and method utilizes elongate magnetic devices that, when connected across a tissue boundary, necrose tissue until an anastomosis forms and the devices are passed naturally. Despite the elongate shape of the devices, the resulting anastomosis is substantially round. As such, round anastomoses can be formed having increased diameters merely by increasing the lengths of the devices, obviating the need for wider endoscopes.

Abstract: A cooled microwave denervation catheter includes a catheter body having at least one fluid passage and an interior lumen therein, a balloon in communication with the at least one fluid passage to receive cooling fluid to inflate the balloon, and a microwave antenna catheter configured to be inserted into the interior lumen of the catheter body. The microwave antenna catheter has a distal end configured to engage a taper of the interior lumen, thereby positioning the microwave antenna in a desired location of the interior lumen.

Abstract: Suction-assisted tissue-engaging devices, systems, and methods are disclosed that can be employed through minimal surgical incisions to engage tissue during a medical procedure through application of suction to the tissue through a suction member applied to the tissue. A shaft is introduced into a body cavity through a first incision, and a suction head is attached to the shaft via a second incision. The suction head is applied against the tissue by manipulation of the shaft and suction is applied to engage the tissue while the medical procedure is performed through the second incision. A system coupled to the shaft and a fixed reference point stabilizes the shaft and suction head. When the medical procedure is completed, suction is discontinued, the suction head is detached from the shaft and withdrawn from the body cavity through the second incision, and the shaft is retracted through the first incision.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a vessel support system and a method of vessel harvesting. The system can include a cutting device, a catheter adapted to be inserted into a section of the vessel in order to support the vessel as the cutting device is advanced over the vessel, and a cannula adapted to be coupled to the vessel and adapted to receive the catheter as the catheter is inserted into the section of the vessel. The method can include orienting a cutting device coaxially with the cannula and the catheter and advancing the cutting device over the cannula, the catheter, and the section of the vessel in order to core out the section of the vessel and a portion of the surrounding tissue.

Abstract: A device for temporarily sealing an opening in a blood vessel is provided. The device comprises a cutting mechanism for creating an opening in a blood vessel and a seal for sealing the opening in the blood vessel. The seal is delivered through an inner lumen of a tool body coupled to the cutting mechanism. Methods for using the device to construct an anastomosis between two vessels are also provided.

Abstract: Suction-assisted tissue-engaging devices, systems, and methods are disclosed that can be employed through minimal surgical incisions to engage tissue during a medical procedure through application of suction to the tissue through a suction member applied to the tissue. A shaft is introduced into a body cavity through a first incision, and a suction head is attached to the shaft via a second incision. The suction head is applied against the tissue by manipulation of the shaft and suction is applied to engage the tissue while the medical procedure is performed through the second incision. A system coupled to the shaft and a fixed reference point stabilizes the shaft and suction head. When the medical procedure is completed, suction is discontinued, the suction head is detached from the shaft and withdrawn from the body cavity through the second incision, and the shaft is retracted through the first incision.

Abstract: A closure device for sealing a patent foramen ovale (PFO) in the heart includes a left atrial anchor adapted to be placed in a left atrium of the heart, a right atrial anchor adapted to be placed in a right atrium of the heart, and a flexible elongate member adapted to extend through the passageway and connect the left and right atrial anchors. A delivery system for delivering the closure device includes a lock push tube for moving a lock along the elongate member and a wire release tube surrounding a wire for controlling movement of the right atrial anchor along the elongate member. The lock push tube and the wire release tube extend in a side-by-side relationship. A handle includes knobs for controlling the lock push tube and the wire. A device for retrieving a mis-deployed closure device includes a shaft portion and an expandable retrieval portion.

Abstract: A system and method for endoscopically forming an anastomosis between two naturally adjacent points in the digestive tract. The system and method utilizes elongate magnetic devices that, when connected across a tissue boundary, necrose tissue until an anastomosis forms and the devices are passed naturally. Despite the elongate shape of the devices, the resulting anastomosis is substantially round. As such, round anastomoses can be formed having increased diameters merely by increasing the lengths of the devices, obviating the need for wider endoscopes.

Abstract: A system and method for endoscopically forming an anastomosis between two naturally adjacent points in the digestive tract. The system and method utilizes elongate magnetic devices that, when connected across a tissue boundary, necrose tissue until an anastomosis forms and the devices are passed naturally. Despite the elongate shape of the devices, the resulting anastomosis is substantially round. As such, round anastomoses can be formed having increased diameters merely by increasing the lengths of the devices, obviating the need for wider endoscopes.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus employed in surgery involving making precise incisions in vessels of the body, particularly cardiac blood vessels in coronary revascularization procedures conducted on the stopped or beating heart are disclosed. Such incisions are created by applying an elongated electrosurgical cutting electrode to the outer surface of the vessel wall in substantially parallel alignment with the body vessel axis, the elongated electrosurgical cutting electrode having a predetermined cutting electrode length exceeding the cutting electrode width. RF energy is applied between the electrosurgical cutting electrode and the ground electrode at an energy level and for a duration sufficient to cut an elongated slit through the vessel wall where the elongated electrosurgical cutting electrode is applied to the surface of the vessel wall.