Abstract: A medical device is provided having a means for actuating a pair of opposing jaw members. The jaw members are movable relative to one another from a first position, wherein the jaw members are disposed in a spaced apart relation relative to one another, to a second position, wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. An ablation mechanism is connected to at least one of the jaws members, such that the jaw members are capable of conducting ablation energy through the tissue grasped therebetween.

Abstract: A catheter includes a cryoablation tip with an electrically-driven ablation assembly for heating tissue. The cryoablation tip may be implemented with a cooling chamber through which a controllably injected coolant circulates to lower the tip temperature, and having an RF electrode at its distal end. The RF electrode may be operated to warm cryogenically-cooled tissue, or the coolant may be controlled to conductively cool the tissue in coordination with an RF treatment regimen, allowing greater versatility of operation and enhancing the lesion size, speed or placement of multi-lesion treatment or single lesion re-treatment cycles.

Abstract: A medical device is provided having a means for actuating a pair of opposing jaw members. The jaw members are movable relative to one another from a first position, wherein the jaw members are disposed in a spaced apart relation relative to one another, to a second position, wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. An ablation mechanism is connected to at least one of the jaws members, such that the jaw members are capable of conducting ablation energy through the tissue grasped therebetween.

Abstract: A medical device is provided having a means for actuating a pair of opposing jaw members. The jaw members are movable relative to one another from a first position, wherein the jaw members are disposed in a spaced apart relation relative to one another, to a second position, wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. An ablation mechanism is connected to at least one of the jaws members, such that the jaw members are capable of conducting ablation energy through the tissue grasped therebetween.

Abstract: A catheter includes a cryoablation tip with an ablation assembly for heating tissue. The cryoablation tip may be implemented with a cooling chamber and have an RF electrode at its distal end. The electrode may be operated to warm cryogenically-cooled tissue, or the coolant may be controlled in combination with an RF treatment regimen to enhance the lesion size, speed or placement of multi-lesion or single lesion cycles. In one embodiment a microwave energy source operates to extend beyond the thermal conduction depth, or penetrate the ice ball and be absorbed in tissue beyond an ice boundary, thus extending a dimension of treatment. Also, the cooling and application of RF energy can be controlled to position the ablation region away from the surface contacted by the electrode thereby leaving surface tissue unharmed while ablating at depth or to provide an ablation band of greater uniformity with increasing depth.

Abstract: A medical device is provided having a means for actuating a pair of opposing jaw members. The jaw members are movable relative to one another from a first position, wherein the jaw members are disposed in a spaced apart relation relative to one another, to a second position, wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. An ablation mechanism is connected to at least one of the jaws members, such that the jaw members are capable of conducting ablation energy through the tissue grasped therebetween.

Abstract: A catheter having an extended treatment zone for cooling tissue is provided. The catheter includes an elongate catheter body having a distal tip, and a fluid injection conduit disposed inside the catheter body defining a return lumen therein. The fluid injection conduit further defines two or more injection orifices including a first distal orifice near the distal tip, and a second orifice longitudinally offset along the fluid injection conduit to be less proximate the distal tip than the first orifice. Fluid cryogen flowing through the orifices creates an extended tissue cooling contour about the distal end portion of the catheter. At least one ECG ring electrode is provided about the catheter body near the second orifice. The catheter may thus provide for electrocardiographic mapping of tissue nodes lying transversely between the distal tip and the ECG ring electrode.

Abstract: A tissue ablation system for ablating tissue is presented having independent sensing and ablation capabilities. A sensing wire is positioned distally to the ablation region and passed through the ablation device allowing independent movement. The ablation device can ablate a substantial portion of a circumferential region of tissue. The tissue ablation system comprises an ablation device comprised of an elongated catheter with a proximal region and a distal region and an ablation element located proximate the distal region of the catheter. A sensing device having an elongated body with a proximal portion and a distal portion is adapted to be positioned within a vessel at or near a vessel ostium, wherein the sensing device is adapted to be slidably received within a lumen of the ablation device. The sensing device may be shaped in various configurations.

Abstract: A tissue ablation system for ablating tissue is presented having independent sensing and ablation capabilities. A sensing wire is positioned distally to the ablation region and passed through the ablation device allowing independent movement. The ablation device can ablate a substantial portion of a circumferential region of tissue. The tissue ablation system comprises an ablation device comprised of an elongated catheter with a proximal region and a distal region and an ablation element located proximate the distal region of the catheter. A sensing device having an elongated body with a proximal portion and a distal portion is adapted to be positioned within a vessel at or near a vessel ostium, wherein the sensing device is adapted to be slidably received within a lumen of the ablation device. The sensing device may be shaped in various configurations.

Abstract: A catheter includes a cryoablation tip with an electrically-driven ablation assembly for heating tissue. The cryoablation tip may be implemented with a cooling chamber through which a controllably injected coolant circulates to lower the tip temperature, and having an RF electrode at its distal end. The RF electrode may be operated to warm cryogenically-cooled tissue, or the coolant may be controlled to conductively cool the tissue in coordination with an RF treatment regimen, allowing greater versatility of operation and enhancing the lesion size, speed or placement of multi-lesion treatment or single lesion re-treatment cycles. In one embodiment a microwave energy source operates at a frequency to extend beyond the thermal conduction depth, or to penetrate the cryogenic ice ball and be absorbed in tissue beyond an ice boundary, thus extending the depth and/or width of a single treatment locus.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for communicating over an electrically conductive line having a plurality of power line phases between a first device having a single receiver and plurality of distal devices. The power line phases are adapted to deliver an alternating electrical current. Each of the distal devices are adapted to communicate with the first device over a single phase through a modulated carrier signal at a communication frequency. The apparatus comprises a plurality of unique coupling phases for coupling to a corresponding power line phase adapted to receive a frequency band having the modulated carrier signal from each of the plurality of power line phases and a selective coupling circuit between each of the plurality of coupling phases. The method comprises receiving the modulated carrier signal from each of the plurality of power line phases, attenuating the frequency band from being received by another of said unique coupling phases.

Abstract: A catheter includes a cryoablation tip with an electrically-driven ablation assembly for heating tissue. The cryoablation tip may be implemented with a cooling chamber through which a controllably injected coolant circulates to lower the tip temperature, and having an RF electrode at its distal end. The RF electrode may be operated to warm cryogenically-cooled tissue, or the coolant may be controlled to conductively cool the tissue in coordination with an RF treatment regimen, allowing greater versatility of operation and enhancing the lesion size, speed or placement of multi-lesion treatment or single lesion retreatment cycles. In one embodiment a microwave energy source operates at a frequency to extend beyond the thermal conduction depth, or to penetrate the cryogenic ice ball and be absorbed in tissue beyond an ice boundary, thus extending the depth and/or width of a single treatment locus.

Abstract: A catheter includes a cryoablation tip with an electrically-driven ablation assembly for heating tissue. The cryoablation tip may be implemented with a cooling chamber through which a controllably injected coolant circulates to lower the tip temperature, and having an RF electrode at its distal end. The RF electrode may be operated to warm cryogenically-cooled tissue, or the coolant may be controlled to conductively cool the tissue in coordination with an RF treatment regimen, allowing greater versatility of operation and enhancing the lesion size, speed or placement of multi-lesion treatment or single lesion re-treatment cycles. In one embodiment a microwave energy source operates at a frequency to extend beyond the thermal conduction depth, or to penetrate the cryogenic ice ball and be absorbed in tissue beyond an ice boundary, thus extending the depth and/or width of a single treatment locus.

Abstract: A medical device is provided having a means for actuating a pair of opposing jaw members. The jaw members are-movable relative to one another from a first position, wherein the jaw members are disposed in a spaced apart relation relative to one another, to a second position, wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. An ablation mechanism is connected to at least one of the jaws members, such that the jaw members are capable of conducting ablation energy through the tissue grasped therebetween.

Abstract: A medical device is provided having a means for actuating a pair of opposing jaw members. The jaw members are movable relative to one another from a first position, wherein the jaw members are disposed in a spaced apart relation relative to one another, to a second position, wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. An ablation mechanism is connected to at least one of the jaws members, such that the jaw members are capable of conducting ablation energy through the tissue grasped therebetween.

Abstract: A medical device is provided having a means for actuating a pair of opposing jaw members. The jaw members are movable relative to one another from a first position, wherein the jaw members are disposed in a spaced apart relation relative to one another, to a second position, wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. An ablation mechanism is connected to at least one of the jaws members, such that the jaw members are capable of conducting ablation energy through the tissue grasped therebetween.

Abstract: A medical device is provided having a means for actuating a pair of opposing jaw members. The jaw members are movable relative to one another from a first position, wherein the jaw members are disposed in a spaced apart relation relative to one another, to a second position, wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. An ablation mechanism is connected to at least one of the jaws members, such that the jaw members are capable of conducting ablation energy through the tissue grasped therebetween.

Abstract: A multi-piece socket system having a large internal cavity to allow a protrusion of a long rod or other workpiece to extend into the socket. The socket section has at least two pieces: a drive adaptor and a socket. Optionally, one or more extension collars may also be used. When assembled, the socket, extension collar(s) if used, and drive adaptor form a long tubular body into which a rod or other central member may enter while the nut is being driven onto the rod. The drive adaptor, extension collars, and sockets preferably attach together using a plurality of interlocking teeth on the ends of each member. For further stability, a spring biased pin extends from the wall of one member and through a hole in the wall of the mating member. Additional attachments, such as a threaded rod and drill chuck, may also be used.

Abstract: A catheter includes a cryoablation tip with an electrically-driven ablation assembly for heating tissue. The cryoablation tip may be implemented with a cooling chamber through which a controllably injected coolant circulates to lower the tip temperature, and having an RF electrode at its distal end. The RF electrode may be operated to warm cryogenically-cooled tissue, or the coolant may be controlled to conductively cool the tissue in coordination with an RF treatment regimen, allowing greater versatility of operation and enhancing the lesion size, speed or placement of multi-lesion treatment or single lesion re-treatment cycles. In one embodiment a microwave energy source operates at a frequency to extend beyond the thermal conduction depth, or to penetrate the cryogenic ice ball and be absorbed in tissue beyond an ice boundary, thus extending the depth and/or width of a single treatment locus.

Abstract: A tissue ablation system for ablating human tissue wherein sensing and ablation procedures are performed and controlled independently. A sensing wire is positioned distally to the ablation region and is adapted to pass thorough the ablation device such that it may move with or independently of the ablation device without obstructing the surface tissue interface of the ablation energy. The ablation device can ablate a substantial portion of a circumferential region of tissue, for example at or near the location where the pulmonary vein extends from the atrium. The tissue ablation system comprises an ablation device comprised of an elongated catheter with a proximal region and a distal region and an ablation element located proximate the distal region of the catheter.