Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the treatment of a body cavity or lumen are described where a heated fluid and/or gas may be introduced through a catheter and into treatment area within the body contained between one or more inflatable/expandable members. The catheter may also have optional pressure and temperature sensing elements which may allow for control of the pressure and temperature within the treatment zone and also prevent the pressure from exceeding a pressure of the inflatable/expandable members to thereby contain the treatment area between these inflatable/expandable members. Optionally, a chilled, room temperature, or warmed fluid such as water may then be used to rapidly terminate the treatment session.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the treatment of a body cavity or lumen are described where a heated fluid and/or gas may be introduced through a catheter and into treatment area within the body contained between one or more inflatable/expandable members. The catheter may also have optional pressure and temperature sensing elements which may allow for control of the pressure and temperature within the treatment zone and also prevent the pressure from exceeding a pressure of the inflatable/expandable members to thereby contain the treatment area between these inflatable/expandable members. Optionally, a chilled, room temperature, or warmed fluid such as water may then be used to rapidly terminate the treatment session.

Abstract: A device and method for occluding a patient's ascending aorta, maintaining circulation of oxygenated blood in the patient and delivering cardioplegic fluid to arrest the patient's heart. An aortic occlusion device has an occluding member in the form of a non-inflatable structure which is moved mechanically between collapsed and expanded orientations. The device is introduced into the ascending aorta in its collapsed orientation and is moved to its expanded orientation to occlude the aorta. The aortic occlusion includes a lumen through which blood is delivered to the patient. The lumen may be provided in the aortic occlusion device or in a separate cannula coupled to the device.

Abstract: A clamp for clamping a body structure in a patient. The clamp includes a flexible cable housed within a sheath. The cable and sheath extend between a clamp and a handle. The cable actuator. The cable extends through a sheath which is anchored at the clamp and the actuator for actuating jaws from a proximal end of the clamp. A malleable positioner is provided for positioning the clamp about the body structure.

Abstract: A device and method for occluding a patient's ascending aorta, maintaining circulation of oxygenated blood in the patient and delivering cardioplegic fluid to arrest the patient's heart. An aortic occlusion device has an occluding member in the form of a non-inflatable structure which is moved mechanically between collapsed and expanded orientations. The device is introduced into the ascending aorta in its collapsed orientation and is moved to its expanded orientation to occlude the aorta. The aortic occlusion includes a lumen through which blood is delivered to the patient. The lumen may be provided in the aortic occlusion device or in a separate cannula coupled to the device.

Abstract: A device and method for occluding a patient's ascending aorta, maintaining circulation of oxygenated blood in the patient and delivering cardioplegic fluid to arrest the patient's heart. An aortic occlusion device has an occluding member in the form of a non-inflatable structure which is moved mechanically between collapsed and expanded orientations. The device is introduced into the ascending aorta in its collapsed orientation and is moved to its expanded orientation to occlude the aorta. The aortic occlusion includes a lumen through which blood is delivered to the patient. The lumen may be provided in the aortic occlusion device or in a separate cannula coupled to the device.

Abstract: A clamp for clamping a body structure in a patient. The clamp includes a flexible cable housed within a sheath. The cable and sheath extend between a clamp and a handle. The cable actuator. The cable extends through a sheath which is anchored at the clamp and the actuator for actuating jaws from a proximal end of the clamp. A malleable positioner is provided for positioning the clamp about the body structure.

Abstract: A clamp for clamping a body structure in a patient. The clamp includes a flexible cable housed within a sheath. The cable and sheath extend between a clamp and a handle. The cable actuator. The cable extends through a sheath which is anchored at the clamp and the actuator for actuating jaws from a proximal end of the clamp. A malleable positioner is provided for positioning the clamp about the body structure.

Abstract: Temperature of a subject is continuously monitored using a remote sensor assembly mounted in a subject's ear canal. The remote assembly connects to a display housing which contains the temperature display and supports electronics for responding to the sensed radiation. In one configuration, the major components of the remote assembly include a radiation detector, a plug structure and a flexible extension. The radiation detector has a thermopile and a first temperature sensor in close thermal contact with a thermopile junction. The flexible extension connects the radiation detector with the plug structure. Because the flexible extension bends to the contours of an ear canal, the remote sensor assembly extends well into a subject's ear canal without discomfort. The plug structure is molded to fit securely in the concha region of an ear canal and includes a second temperature sensor which senses the temperature therein.

Abstract: A clamp for clamping a body structure in a patient. The clamp includes a flexible cable housed within a sheath. The cable and sheath extend between a clamp and a handle. The cable actuator. The cable extends through a sheath which is anchored at the clamp and the actuator for actuating jaws from a proximal end of the clamp. A malleable positioner is provided for positioning the clamp about the body structure.

Abstract: Temperature of a subject is continuously monitored using a remote sensor assembly mounted in a subject's ear canal. The remote assembly connects to a display housing which contains the temperature display and supports electronics for responding to the sensed radiation. In one configuration, the major components of the remote assembly include a radiation detector, a plug structure and a flexible extension. The radiation detector has a thermopile and a first temperature sensor in close thermal contact with a thermopile junction. The flexible extension connects the radiation detector with the plug structure. Because the flexible extension bends to the contours of an ear canal, the remote sensor assembly extends well into a subject's ear canal without discomfort. The plug structure is molded to fit securely in the concha region of an ear canal and includes a second temperature sensor which senses the temperature therein.

Abstract: A tissue manipulator is provided which is insertable through an endoscopic tube to enable a surgeon to manipulate tissue inside a body cavity. The tissue manipulator includes an expandable frame comprising a plurality of flexible, interconnected frame members which are adapted to expand laterally outward into a spatula-like platform for engaging the tissue. The platform is selectively expandable into a tulip-shaped configuration and a bulb-shaped configuration to manipulate large body organs such as the liver, lungs or intestines without risk of injury to such organs. The platform is infinitely adjustable in size from its collapsed configuration to its expanded configuration.