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 tool 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: The multiple magazine carrier and dispenser for firearms is configured for rapidly dispensing ammunition magazines in a proper orientation to facilitate rapid reloading of a weapon. The multiple magazine carrier may be curved for either left or right hand use or may be uncurved, and carried on a torso and shoulder strap harness, vest, or other garment, as desired. The carrier has a thickness and height only slightly greater than those dimensions of a magazine, but has a length sufficient for the installation of a series of magazines therein in a front to back orientation. A spring and push plate or shoe urge the magazines toward the front of the device, where a dispensing opening is configured to facilitate grasping the first magazine in line in the proper orientation for rapid installation in a weapon carried by the user.

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: Deflection mechanisms are disclosed that are positionable to deflecting portions of a flexible body, such as a catheter, in more than one direction in a single plane, as well as in more than one plane. The invention allows a distal portion of a catheter to be deflected more than 360 degrees to provide a loop.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting plaque proximate an area of a human body is described, the method comprising the steps of moving one or more electrically sensitive sensors substantially near an area where plaque may be present, obtaining electrical signal readings from the sensors, and determining the presence or absence of plaque. The presence or absence of the plaque corresponds to the electrical signal readings. Another aspect of the invention provides a method for inhibiting plaque formation and passivating plaque formed on a lumenal surface of a body lumen. A cooling device is positioned at the lumenal surface at a point proximate to a plaque formation. The lumenal surface is cooled at the point proximate to the plaque formation to inhibit the progression of plaque formation in which the lumenal surface is cooled to a temperature of less than about zero degrees Celsius. As another aspect, a method is provided for reducing the risk of plaque rupture in a vessel.

Abstract: An integrated multiple energy ablation system that allows for a variety of ablation procedures to be performed without the interchanging of catheters. A console is provided that is connected to one or more energy treatment devices such as catheters or probes, via an energy-delivering umbilical system. A processor in the console allows a user to selectively control which type of energy is released into the umbilical system and delivered to the energy treatment devices. Cryogenic fluid, RF energy, microwave or direct current as well as laser energy can be supplied in order to cover a wide range of ablation techniques. The integrated ablation station is designed to be compatible with commercial catheters and allows for sequential or simultaneous ablation and mapping procedures to be performed when a deeper and wider lesion capability and/or a broader temperature ablation spectrum is desired.

Abstract: A method for puncturing a proximal membrane without puncturing a second, distal membrane is provided. The method comprises distally advancing an elongated body through an elongated tubular member to a first position where a distal end of the elongated body is in a first configuration. In the first configuration, the distal end of the elongated body is positioned outside the distal end of the elongated tubular member. The distal end of the elongated body has a distal tip, in this first configuration, that is sufficiently rigid and sharp to puncture the first, proximal membrane. From this first configuration, the distal tip of the elongated body is slightly advanced puncture the first, proximal membrane. After puncturing the first, proximal membrane, the elongated body is advanced through the punctured proximal membrane whereby the distal tip of the elongated body moves into a second configuration.

Abstract: Deflection mechanisms are disclosed that are positionable to deflecting portions of a flexible body, such as a catheter, in more than one direction in a single plane, as well as in more than one plane. The invention allows a distal portion of a catheter to be deflected more than 360 degrees to provide a loop.

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 tool 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: The present invention provides a medical device for guiding an ablation tool onto the surface of tissue. As described herein, the invention includes a device which can be shaped to reach around an organ, bone or tissue structure, and have an optimal configuration for positioning and or orienting the active or distal region of the device based upon the particular anatomy of a patient and the location of the treatment site.

Abstract: An integrated multiple energy ablation system that allows for a variety of ablation procedures to be performed without the interchanging of catheters. A console is provided that is connected to one or more energy treatment devices such as catheters or probes, via an energy-delivering umbilical system. A processor in the console allows a user to selectively control which type of energy is released into the umbilical system and delivered to the energy treatment devices. Cryogenic fluid, RF energy, microwave or direct current as well as laser energy can be supplied in order to cover a wide range of ablation techniques. The integrated ablation station is designed to be compatible with commercial catheters and allows for sequential or simultaneous ablation and mapping procedures to be performed when a deeper and wider lesion capability and/or a broader temperature ablation spectrum is desired.

Abstract: A method of promoting blood vessel growth includes the steps of providing a cryocatheter having a thermally transmission region; placing the cryocatheter proximate an area of tissue to be treated; cooling the thermally transmissive region of the cryocatheter proximate the area of tissue to a temperature sufficient to injure the area of tissue; allowing the area of tissue to warm; and removing the cryocatheter from the area of tissue. Prior, during or after the cooling step, the area of tissue can be mechanically traumatized, and drugs can be injected into the tissue.

Abstract: A cryocatheter for treatment of tissue has a tip adapted to provide a signal indicative of the quality and/or orientation of the tip contact with surrounding tissue. In one embodiment, a signal conductor extends through the catheter to the tip and connects to a thermally and electrically conductive shell or cap that applies an RF current to the region of tissue contacted by the tip. The tissue impedance path between the signal lead and a surface electrode mounted on the patient's skin is monitored to develop a quantitative measure of tissue contact at the distal tip, which is preferably displayed on the screen of a catheter monitoring console. In yet a further embodiment, the catheter is provided with a split tip having temperature monitoring sensors, such as thermistors, mounted on opposed halves of the tip so as to sense temperature on two sides of the catheter axis.

Abstract: An online system using a computer network for accepting applications for the appointment of an agent by an insurance carrier. The system interacts with the agent, a general agent contracting with the agent and licensing staff of the insurance carrier. In one implementation, the system is adapted to perform at least the following steps: receiving an appointment application for the appointment of an agent by an insurance carrier via the computer network, the appointment application including agent data, a state the agent is seeking an appointment, and a product the agent wishes to solicit; transmitting a request for additional information about the agent from an external database via the computer network; and receiving the additional information from the external database via the computer network. By way of example, the additional information may be license information and/or securities registration information for the agent.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting plaque proximate an area of a human body is described, the method comprising the steps of moving one or more electrically sensitive sensors substantially near an area where plaque may be present, obtaining electrical signal readings from the sensors, and determining the presence or absence of plaque. The presence or absence of the plaque corresponds to the electrical signal readings. Another aspect of the invention provides a method for inhibiting plaque formation and passivating plaque formed on a lumenal surface of a body lumen. A cooling device is positioned at the lumenal surface at a point proximate to a plaque formation. The lumenal surface is cooled at the point proximate to the plaque formation to inhibit the progression of plaque formation in which the lumenal surface is cooled to a temperature of less than about zero degrees Celsius. As another aspect, a method is provided for reducing the risk of plaque rupture in a vessel.

Abstract: A medical device for cryotreatment of bodily regions is disclosed. The device comprises an inflatable support structure coupled to the distal end portion of a catheter shaft, the support structure being further enveloped by an expandable membrane to define an expansion chamber between the support structure and the membrane. An inflation lumen is coupled to the support structure to inject an inert, insulating fluid in the support structure, thereby expanding the support structure and the expandable membrane, wherein the resultant expansion chamber formed therebetween is substantially conical in shape. Refrigerant is injected into the expansion chamber, thereby creating localized cooling of tissues adjacent to the expansion chamber, the cooling region being substantially conical in shape.

Abstract: A method of promoting blood vessel growth includes the steps of providing a cryocatheter having a thermally transmission region; placing the cryocatheter proximate an area of tissue to be treated; cooling the thermally transmissive region of the cryocatheter proximate the area of tissue to a temperature sufficient to injure the area of tissue; allowing the area of tissue to warm; and removing the cryocatheter from the area of tissue. Prior, during or after the cooling step, the area of tissue can be mechanically traumatized, and drugs can be injected into the tissue.

Abstract: Deflection mechanisms are disclosed that are positionable to deflecting portions of a flexible body, such as a catheter, in more than one direction in a single plane, as well as in more than one plane. The invention allows a distal portion of a catheter to be deflected more than 360 degrees to provide a loop.