Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for providing forward fluid delivery through an electrosurgical device, while avoiding coring when energy is delivered to the electrosurgical device. The device has a distal face defining an opening, with the distal face including at least one cutting portion and at least one non-cutting portion. An embodiment of the electrosurgical device for puncturing tissue includes an elongate member defining a lumen for fluid; a distal portion including an electrode and the distal face which defines at least one aperture. The portion of the at least one cutting portion defines a leading portion partially surrounding a circumference of the at least one aperture wherein the outer diameter of the at least one of the distal portion of the electrosurgical device or the electrode decreases towards a distal tip of the electrosurgical device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for a guidewire that comprises an elongate member with a proximal and distal portion. The distal portion includes a distal curved portion, ending in a distal tip, and a tapered region that reduces the cross-section from a larger cross-section to a smaller cross-section. The elongate member further includes a plurality of flattened regions positioned at discrete locations along the elongate member. Each of the plurality of flattened regions are separated from one another by an unflattened region whereby when a force is exerted onto the guidewire, the guidewire undergoes bending at the plurality of flattened regions.

Abstract: A needle assembly is configured to be movable into a cavity of a patient having a biological wall. A distal tip section extends from the needle assembly. The distal tip section is configured to form a pass-through hole extending through the biological wall of the patient (as, or while, the needle assembly is urged to move toward the biological wall). The distal tip section is also configured to prevent (at least in part) the removal of a free-floating tissue core from the biological wall as the pass-through hole is formed by the distal tip section.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method of using the same are disclosed for carrying out a transvascular procedure such as a Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt (TIPS) procedure using energy to create a tract between the hepatic vein and the portal vein. The present invention provides a method using a flexible radiofrequency (RF) catheter having a lumen therethrough. The method involves the steps of advancing the flexible RF catheter into a first vessel; advancing a guiding sheath overtop of the flexible RF catheter; steering the guiding sheath to direct a distal tip of the RF catheter towards a second vessel; and, delivering RF energy via the flexible RF catheter, forming a tract from the first vessel and entering the second vessel.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method of using the same are disclosed for carrying out a transvascular procedure such as a Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt (TIPS) procedure using energy to create a tract between the hepatic vein and the portal vein. The present invention provides a flexible puncturing solution to effectively perform a transvascular procedure such as a TIPS procedure while minimizing damage to the liver and surrounding soft tissues or organs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for providing forward fluid delivery through an electrosurgical device, while avoiding coring when energy is delivered to the electrosurgical device. The device has a distal face defining an opening, with the distal face including at least one cutting portion and at least one non-cutting portion. An embodiment of the electrosurgical device for puncturing tissue includes an elongate member defining a lumen for receiving a fluid; a distal face defining at least one aperture; and the distal face including at least one cutting portion and at least one non-cutting portion cooperating to produce an elongated cut in a tissue when electrical energy is delivered to the distal face while avoiding coring of the tissue.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for a catheter having a side-port, through which a device, for example, a wire, may be advanced, and a vestibule in the outer surface of the catheter at the distal edge of the side-port. The vestibule is operable for providing a gap between the catheter body and a distal tip of the device positioned through the side-port whereby the vestibule facilitates advancement of the device 5 through the side-port and through tissue towards a desired trajectory. In examples wherein the device is a wire having a distal tip electrode, energy may be delivered to a tissue adjacent the side-port, while avoiding damage to a wall of the catheter body.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for a catheter having a side-port through which a wire may be advanced. The catheter comprises a catheter body, the catheter body defining at least a primary catheter lumen and at least one side-port in communication with the primary catheter lumen, and a distal portion of the catheter extending distal to the at least one side-port, the side-port being configured to allow travel of a wire or other component therethrough, wherein the distal portion of the catheter is radially collapsible.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for puncturing tissue, comprising a puncture device for puncturing tissue and a supporting member for supporting the puncture device. The puncture device is capable of being insertable within the supporting member and being selectively usable in co-operation therewith during a portion of a procedure for puncturing tissue and wherein the puncture device is usable independently therefrom during another portion of the procedure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for providing forward fluid delivery through an electrosurgical device, while avoiding coring when energy is delivered to the electrosurgical device. The device has a distal face defining an opening, with the distal face including at least one cutting portion and at least one non-cutting portion. An embodiment of the electrosurgical device for puncturing tissue includes an elongate member defining a lumen for fluid; a distal portion including an electrode and the distal face which defines at least one aperture. The portion of the at least one cutting portion defines a leading portion partially surrounding a circumference of the at least one aperture wherein the outer diameter of the at least one of the distal portion of the electrosurgical device or the electrode decreases towards a distal tip of the electrosurgical device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for a catheter having a side-port, through which a device, for example, a wire, may be advanced, and a vestibule in the outer surface of the catheter at the distal edge of the side-port. The vestibule is operable for providing a gap between the catheter body and a distal tip of the device positioned through the side-port whereby the vestibule facilitates advancement of the device 5 through the side-port and through tissue towards a desired trajectory. In examples wherein the device is a wire having a distal tip electrode, energy may be delivered to a tissue adjacent the side-port, while avoiding damage to a wall of the catheter body.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method of using the same are disclosed for carrying out a transvascular procedure such as a Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt (TIPS) procedure using energy to create a tract between the hepatic vein and the portal vein. The present invention provides a flexible puncturing solution to effectively perform a transvascular procedure such as a TIPS procedure while minimizing damage to the liver and surrounding soft tissues or organs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for providing forward fluid delivery through an electrosurgical device, while avoiding coring when energy is delivered to the electrosurgical device. The device has a distal face defining an opening, with the distal face including at least one cutting portion and at least one non-cutting portion. An embodiment of the electrosurgical device for puncturing tissue includes an elongate member defining a lumen for receiving a fluid; a distal face defining at least one aperture; and the distal face including at least one cutting portion and at least one non-cutting portion cooperating to produce an elongated cut in a tissue when electrical energy is delivered to the distal face while avoiding coring of the tissue.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for a catheter having a side-port through which a wire may be advanced. The catheter comprises a catheter body, the catheter body defining at least a primary catheter lumen and at least one side-port in communication with the primary catheter lumen, and a distal portion of the catheter extending distal to the at least one side-port, the side-port being configured to allow travel of a wire or other component therethrough, wherein the distal portion of the catheter is radially collapsible.

Abstract: Parallel transfers of components from donor plates to chip modules can be performed with a single alignment step, after arranging the components to have the correct lateral positions. For example, a dimension of the chip module can be separated to be an integer multiple of a period of the component array on the donor plates.

Abstract: Parallel transfers of components from donor plates to chip modules can be performed with a single alignment step, after arranging the components to have the correct lateral positions. For example, a dimension of the chip module can be separated to be an integer multiple of a period of the component array on the donor plates.