Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating an aneurysm in a vessel that isolates a volume around the aneurysm, evacuates that volume and heats the aneurysmal wall. A catheter includes one or more inflatable balloons for defining the isolated volume and occluding and preventing any blood flow through the volume. Suction applied through the catheter to the isolated volume withdraws any blood in the isolated volume and displaces the tissue for contact with a thermal source that heats the aneurysmal wall. When the treatment is completed, the balloons are deflated and the catheter is removed from the vessel.

Abstract: An integrated catheter assembly for enabling diverse in situ therapies includes a catheter with an irrigation fluid lumen, a distal tip portion that acts as a hemostat and a needle for injection therapy that extends through the catheter lumen and a lumen in the distal tip portion. A needle hub structure carries the catheter and provides a sealing entrance for a needle that can be displaced between extended and retracted positions. The needle and electrodes are electrically isolated. The apparatus provides a physician the options of irrigating tissue, cauterizing tissue or injecting tissue without the need for removing the apparatus from the working channel of an endoscope.

Abstract: A method and device for intracorporeal knot tying. The device comprises an elongated, tubular member formed of a shape memory material for carrying a suture thread through an internal passage. A distal end of the tube is formed with a bight. An outer sheath supports the remaining length of the tube. When a knot is to be formed, a free end of the suture is pulled through the preformed bight. The tube and sheath then move relative to each other to straighten the bight and throw off a knot in the suture thread for subsequent tightening.