Abstract: The present invention is directed to an anchoring balloon structure for use with catheters. The anchoring balloon structure contains an expandable balloon disposed about a port on a catheter, and a pressure-relief valve for regulating the pressure in the balloon and for providing irrigation to a body lumen. The pressure-relief valve is located external to the expandable balloon. The balloon, when filled with fluid, expands and is engaged in direct contact with the tissue. The increase in pressure caused by the balloon against the tissue causes any additional fluid to migrate into the valve region, whereby excess pressure is released and irrigation is provided to the body lumen.

Abstract: Surgical ablation instruments are disclosed for creating lesions in tissue, including cardiac tissue for treatment of arrhythmias and other diseases. The hand held instruments are especially useful in open chest or port access cardiac surgery for rapid and efficient creation of curvilinear lesions to serve as conduction blocks. Photoablative instruments are disclosed that can achieve rapid and effective photoablation through the use of distributed (e.g., diffuse or defocused) radiant energy.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a balloon catheter having an irrigation sheath. The balloon catheter has a first expandable membrane forming an occluding balloon. A second membrane forms a sheath about the occluding balloon for providing irrigation to a body lumen. Fluid is provided to the occluding balloon to position the catheter and/or occlude the flow of blood. Fluid is then passed through the sheath to irrigate the target site. In one embodiment of the present invention, the sheath has a plurality of fluid releasing pores.

Abstract: Infrared surgical photoablation instruments are disclosed for creating lesions in tissue, including cardiac tissue for treatment of arrhythmias and other diseases. The hand held instruments are especially useful in open chest or port access cardiac surgery for rapid and efficient creation of curvilinear lesions to serve as conduction blocks. Photoablative instruments are disclosed that emit radiation at a wavelength in a range from about 800 nm to about 1000 nm, and preferably emit at a wavelength in a range of about 915 nm to about 980 nm. Radiation at a wavelength of 915 nm or 980 nm is commonly preferred, in some applications, because of the optimal absorption of infrared radiation by cardiac tissue at these wavelengths.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a hand held cardiac ablation instrument and methods for irradiating a target ablation site. The instrument can include at least one light transmitting optical fiber and a light diffusing element to create a circumferential or curvilinear lesion. A handle is provided for manual application. The handle can be substantially coaxial or otherwise aligned with the center of the circumferential housing. Light travelling through the light transmitting optical fiber or fibers is scattered in a circular pattern by the light diffusing element. The light diffusing element can include a scattering medium, a reflective end cap, and a reflective surface diametrically opposed to the target ablation site, that interact to provide a substantially uniform distribution of laser radiation throughout the circular target region.