Abstract: Devices and methods can be used to deliver thermal therapy to treat tissue. For example, this document provides devices and methods for treating varices, varicosity, other bleeding vessels, polyps, and cancer using microwave-delivered thermal therapy in a minimally invasive fashion. In some embodiment's provided herein, a multidirectional thermal therapy that does not injure surface tissues but causes endothelial injury and coagulation is described. In some implementations, varices are suctioned into a cup that is configured to deliver thermal therapy to the varices, resulting in coagulation.

Abstract: Navigation and tissue capture systems and methods for navigation to and/or capture of selected tissue using the innate electrical activity of the selected tissue and/or other tissue are described. In the context of left atrial appendage closure, the systems and methods can be used to navigate to the left atrial appendage and capture/control the appendage while a closure instrument (suture, clip, ring) is placed over the appendage and tightened down or a closure method (ablation, cryogenic procedures, stapling, etc.) is performed to close the left atrial appendage. The use of innate electrical activity for navigating devices may be used in connection with other tissues and/or areas of the body.

Abstract: Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward apparatuses, systems, and methods for applying ablation therapy to a tissue region. The apparatuses, systems, and methods may include a balloon structure and one or more electrodes arranged on or within the balloon structure and configured to deliver energy to the tissue region.

Abstract: Navigation and tissue capture systems and methods for navigation to and/or capture of selected tissue using the innate electrical activity of the selected tissue and/or other tissue are described. In the context of left atrial appendage closure, the systems and methods can be used to navigate to the left atrial appendage and capture/control the appendage while a closure instrument (suture, clip, ring) is placed over the appendage and tightened down or a closure method (ablation, cryogenic procedures, stapling, etc.) is performed to close the left atrial appendage. The use of innate electrical activity for navigating devices may be used in connection with other tissues and/or areas of the body.

Abstract: Devices and methods can be used for artificial cardiac pacing and/or resynchronization. For example, this document provides improved electrodes for stimulating and sensing electrical activity of the heart, and provides pacing and resynchronization systems incorporating such electrodes. While the devices and methods provided herein are described primarily in the context of pacing, it should be understood that resynchronization can additionally or alternatively be performed in an analogous manner, and that the scope of this disclosure includes such subject matter.

Abstract: Devices and methods can be used to treat heart conditions. Some such devices include endocardial occlusion and ablation devices. For example, such devices can be used for closing and ablating the left atrial appendage to treat atrial fibrillation and to reduce the potential for embolic stroke. In addition, this document provides devices and methods for closing and ablating other body viscera, conduits, valves, and the like.

Abstract: Devices and methods are described for the treatment of heart conditions such as heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, including diastolic heart failure, by performing a pericardial modification procedure. Intraoperative test procedures for assessing the efficacy of the pericardial modification procedure are also described.

Abstract: Navigation and tissue capture systems and methods for navigation to and/or capture of selected tissue using the innate electrical activity of the selected tissue and/or other tissue are described. In the context of left atrial appendage closure, the systems and methods can be used to navigate to the left atrial appendage and capture/control the appendage while a closure instrument (suture, clip, ring) is placed over the appendage and tightened down or a closure method (ablation, cryogenic procedures, stapling, etc.) is performed to close the left atrial appendage. The use of innate electrical activity for navigating devices may be used in connection with other tissues and/or areas of the body.

Abstract: Navigation and tissue capture systems and methods for navigation to and/or capture of selected tissue using the innate electrical activity of the selected tissue and/or other tissue are described. In the context of left atrial appendage closure, the systems and methods can be used to navigate to the left atrial appendage and capture/control the appendage while a closure instrument (suture, clip, ring) is placed over the appendage and tightened down or a closure method (ablation, cryogenic procedures, stapling, etc.) is performed to close the left atrial appendage. The use of innate electrical activity for navigating devices may be used in connection with other tissues and/or areas of the body.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for inducing weight loss using blood flow control are described herein. The apparatus and methods operate by controlling blood flow to the stomach and/or small bowel.

Abstract: Obesity treatment apparatus and methods are described herein involving gastric recycling of food are described herein. In one or more embodiments, the gastric recycling apparatus keeps returning chyme to the stomach increasing satiety signals and delaying hunger signals associated with an empty stomach. It may also may slow the emptying of the stomach as the caloric load in the stomach delays emptying and/or limit absorption of food within the small intestine by delivering at least a portion of food passing through the small intestine back into the stomach.

Abstract: Some embodiments of a medical instrument can be configured to reduce the formation of coagulum by delivering a negative charge bias to conductive surfaces that interface with blood or bodily tissue during a medical procedure. The application of the negative charge at the instrument-blood interface can reduce the fibrinogen deposition and the formation of coagulum because fibrinogen molecules in general are negatively charged at neutral pH levels. In addition, some embodiments of the instrument may be configured to irrigate the instrument-blood interface with RGD/ClfA peptides, a bicarbonate solution (or other high pH solution), or both to further repel the fibrinogen and thereby inhibit the formation of coagulum. Accordingly, some embodiments of the medical instrument can substantially reduce the risks of thromboembolism during particular medical procedures.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided that can enhance the efficacy of medical treatments that cause hemodynamic effects. For example, this document provides devices and methods for enhancing the efficacy of medical treatments such as renal denervation and embolic protection procedures.

Abstract: Systems and methods for epicardial pacing are provided. For example, this document provides epicardial pacing using a percutaneously delivered bifurcated pacing lead that has multiple electrodes that are directionally insulated to prevent extracardiac stimulation, including prevention of phrenic stimulation. In addition, the devices, systems, and methods provided can be used for ablation, defibrillation, and/or defibrillation in combination with pacing.

Abstract: This document provides devices and methods for the treatment of heart conditions, hypertension, and other medical disorders. For example, this document provides devices and methods for treating atrial fibrillation by performing thoracic vein ablation procedures, including pulmonary vein myocardium ablation. In some embodiments, the ablation is performed in coordination with the delivery a pharmacological agent that can abate the formation of tissue stenosis or neointimal hyperplasia caused by the ablation.

Abstract: A multi-vector patient electrode system and method of use are disclosed.

Abstract: A multi-vector patient contact interface and method of use are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and device for modulating the autonomic nervous system adjacent a pericardial space to treat cardiac arrhythmia includes a treatment source arranged to supply a treatment medium, a catheter having an end sized for insertion into the pericardial space, a medium delivery assembly having a distal end arranged to be positioned by the catheter into the pericardium, with the distal end of the delivery assembly comprising a delivery tip arranged to extend away from the distal end of the catheter into the pericardial space. A connector operatively couples the delivery tip of the medium delivery assembly to the treatment source, and the delivery tip of the medium delivery assembly including a plurality of delivery points for delivering the treatment medium at a plurality of treatment areas within the pericardial space. The device performs modulation or ablation of the autonomic nervous system at selected treatment areas within the pericardium.

Abstract: This document describes, among other things, a computer-implemented method that includes accessing, by a computer system, electrogram data for a patient, wherein the electrogram data is obtained using one or more leads that sense physiological electrical activity of the patient. The computer system can identify one or more waveform features from the electrogram data, and one or more correlations between values of the one or more waveform features and analyte levels. One or more estimated analyte levels in the patient are determined based on 1) the one or more waveform features identified from the electrogram data and 2) the one or more correlations. The computer system can output information related to the one or more estimated analyte levels.

Abstract: Some embodiments of a mapping device may be capable of passing through cerebral veins and other cerebrovascular spaces to provide electrophysiological mapping of the brain. These embodiments of the device may also be capable of providing, simultaneously or separately, ablation energy or other treatments to targeted brain tissue. In such circumstances, a user may be enabled to analyze an electrophysiological map of a patient's brain and, at the same time or within a short time period before or after the mapping process, may be enabled to apply ablation energy for treatment of a central nervous system disorder. Such treatment may be accomplished without the use of invasive surgery in which the brain is accessed through an opening in the patient's cranium.