Abstract: A catheter system and method for intracranial infusion of therapeutic substances to a patient. An anchor formed of generally flexible, elastomeric material is used to mount the catheter to the outer surface of the skull of the patient. The anchor has a through hole for receiving the catheter, a channel, extending substantially from the through hole, into which a portion of the catheter may be inserted to retain the portion substantially parallel to the surface of the skull, and at least one flange for engaging the outer surface of the skull. An anchor clip may be provided to engage the anchor adjacent the through hole to further stabilize the catheter.

Abstract: A system and method for creating lesions and assessing their completeness or transmurality. Assessment of transmurality of a lesion is accomplished by monitoring the impedance of the tissue to be ablated. Rather than attempting to detect a desired drop or a desired increase impedance, completeness of a lesion is detected in response to the measured impedance remaining at a stable level for a desired period of time, referred to as an impedance plateau. The mechanism for determining transmurality of lesions adjacent individual electrodes or pairs may be used to deactivate individual electrodes or electrode pairs, when the lesions in tissue adjacent these individual electrodes or electrode pairs are complete, to create an essentially uniform lesion along the line of electrodes or electrode pairs, regardless of differences in tissue thickness adjacent the individual electrodes or electrode pairs.

Abstract: A device for ablating tissue is provided. The device comprises a conductive element with a channel for irrigating fluid formed therein, which is in contact with a non-conductive microporous interface. All or a portion of the interface may be removable. When the interface is removed, a portion of the conductive element is exposed for use in ablating tissue. Methods of using the device and of removing the interface are also provided.

Abstract: A method of performing a medical procedure, such as surgery, is provided. The system comprises a sensor to sense a biological characteristic, such as a chemical, physical or physiological characteristic of a bodily tissue or fluid. The method also comprises a nerve stimulator in communication with the sensor to inhibit beating of a heart when the sensor senses the biological characteristic at a first value; and a cardiac stimulator in communication with the sensor to stimulate beating of the heart when the sensor senses the biological characteristic at a second value.

Abstract: A suction assisted ablation device having a support surface, suction elements disposed adjacent the support surface, at least one electrode and at least one suction conduit is provided. The device may further include fluid openings, which allow fluid to irrigate target tissue and aid in ablation. A method for ablating tissue using suction is also provided.

Abstract: An improved tissue engagement device such as a suction stabilizer or retractor. The stabilizer or retractor is provided with one or more suction pods mounted to the distal end of a flexible arm. The flexible arm is coupled to a base assembly, which attaches the arm to an associated retractor or other structure that is fixedly located relative to the operative site. The base assembly includes a fixed portion, which is coupled to the retractor or other fixed mounting point and a rotatable turret, allowing rotation of the arm relative to the fixed portion of the base assembly. A tensioning mechanism mounted to the turret applies tension to compress the turret around a corresponding pivot mounted to the fixed portion of the base to rotationally lock the turret and to lock the arm in its current configuration.

Abstract: An electrosurgery medical device is enhanced with unique solution-assistance, and comprises, in combination, co-operating device jaws including jaw portions for manipulating tissue, and a plurality of solution infusion openings defined and spaced along each of the jaw portions, for receiving electrolytic solution and infusing the solution onto and into tissue to be manipulated, along said jaw portions. As preferred, the device further comprises at least one, and most preferably, many, longitudinal groove(s) along at least one and most preferably, both, of the jaw portions, with the solution infusion openings located in the groove or grooves. The solution is energized with RF energy and contributes to the functions and beneficial effects of the instrument. The solution exits the openings in the grooves at sufficient flow rates to separate substantially all the operative surfaces of the device from tissue, thereby substantially completely preventing adherence between the operative surfaces and tissue.

Abstract: A blood separation system is fully mechanized to collect blood from a patient, separate waste portions of the blood, wash the blood, and redirect the usable portions to a device for reinjecting the usable portions into the patient. The system provides screen displays with detailed setup instructions and instructs the operator at the appropriate times to do certain manual steps. Apparatus for sequestration of platelet rich plasma spins at a high speed sufficient to separate solid cells from the blood sample and then spins at a lower speed for a predetermined time to allow platelets to elute from the solid cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and a method for producing a virtual electrode within or upon a tissue to be treated with radio frequency alternating electric current, such tissues including but not limited to liver, lung, cardiac, prostate, breast, and vascular tissues and neoplasms. An apparatus in accord with the present invention includes a supply of a conductive or electrolytic fluid to be provided to the patient, an alternating current generator, and a processor for creating, maintaining, and controlling the ablation process by the interstitial or surficial delivery of the fluid to a tissue and the delivery of electric power to the tissue via the virtual electrode.

Abstract: A tubular suction tool for accessing an anatomic surface or anatomic space and particularly the pericardium to access pericardial space and the epicardial surface of the heart to implant cardiac leads in a minimally invasive manner are disclosed. The suction tool incorporates a suction pad concave wall defining a suction cavity, a plurality of suction ports arrayed about the concave wall, and a suction lumen, to form a bleb of tissue into the suction cavity when suction is applied. The suction cavity extends along one side of the suction pad, so that the suction pad and suction cavity can be applied tangentially against a tissue site. The suction tool can incorporate light emission and video imaging of tissue adjacent the suction pad. A working lumen terminating in a working lumen port into the suction cavity enables introduction of tools, cardiac leads, and other instruments, cells, drugs or materials into or through the tissue bleb drawn into the suction cavity.

Abstract: A rotatable rotor for separating components contained in a fluid, comprising an annular base having a first annular channel and an annular cover having a second annular channel for holding a flexible doughnut-shaped centrifuge bag therebetween. The cover has one or more radially spaced apart concentric indicator lines for monitoring the separation of the components. When the base and cover are superimposed, the first and second channels define an annular interior chamber having an off-centered figure eight configuration. The base and cover each comprise a grooved column axially centered and extending from the base top surface and the cover bottom surface, respectively. The flexible bag comprises inner and outer tubes extending from the core of the bag and which are seated in the column grooves to ensure that the bag is fixably rotatable with the rotor.

Abstract: The present relates to an autologous bioadhesive sealant composition or fibrin glue prepared by a two-phase method, wherein all of the blood components for the bioadhesive sealant are derived from a patient to whom the bioadhesive sealant will be applied. A platelet rich plasma and a platelet poor plasma are formed by centrifuging a quantity of anticoagulated whole blood that was previously drawn from the patient. In one embodiment, the platelet rich plasma is divided into two portions. In phase one, a compound that reverses the effect of the anticoagulant is added to the first portion and a clot is allowed to form. The clot is then triturated, and the resulting serum containing autologous thrombin is collected. In phase two, the serum obtained from phase one is mixed with the second portion of the platelet rich plasma to form the bioadhesive sealant of the present invention.

Abstract: A flexible, disposable centrifuge bag for receiving and holding a fluid sample, comprising one or more tubes and upper and lower flexible sheets having doughnut shaped configurations. The upper and lower sheets are superimposed and completely sealed together at their outer perimeters to define an outer perimeter of the centrifuge bag. The inner perimeter of the bag defines a central core. The tubes are sandwiched between the upper and lower sheets and extend from the central core of the centrifuge bag. The upper and lower sheets are sealed together at their inner perimeters such that the tubes are sealed between said upper and lower sheets at the inner perimeter. The bag may be used to harvest platelet rich plasma from whole blood in either a batch method or while simultaneously infusing additional aliquots of whole blood into the bag during centrifugation.

Abstract: A system and method of making a lesion on living tissue including providing an electrosurgical system, determining a desired lesion depth, selecting a power setting, and applying electrical energy to the living tissue. The system includes an instrument having an electrode at a distal portion thereof, and a power source having multiple available power settings. The power source is electrically connected to the electrode. The step of applying electrical energy includes energizing the electrode at the selected power setting for a recommended energization time period that is determined by reference to predetermined length of time information and based upon the desired lesion depth and the selected power setting. The system preferably further includes a fluid source for irrigating the electrode at an irrigation rate. In this regard, the predetermined length of time information is generated as a function of irrigation rate.

Abstract: A method of and a system for treatment of atrial tachyarrhythmias. The system includes a set of hemostats having elongated opposing jaws carrying mechanisms for applying ablation energy along the jaws. The jaws having straight and curved configurations selected to allow arrangement of the jaws of along opposite sides of walls of a patient's atrium. Treatment is accomplished by applying of ablation energy to the walls of a patient's artria to create lines of lesion corresponding generally to incisions employed in a Maze type procedure.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for regulating vacuum applied to surgical suction devices allowing the use of a single vacuum regulator and associated canister to provide vacuum to two suction devices, such as a suction stabilizer and a suction retractor. Vacuum controllers may be placed in the vacuum lines provided to each of two or more suction devices, or may be placed only in the vacuum line of the suction device believed most likely to detach during the procedure. Each vacuum controller is provided with a primary vacuum line, coupling its associated suction device to the output of the vacuum regulator and a pilot passage, also coupling the suction device to the vacuum regulator. The controller closes a valve in the main vacuum line in response to loss of vacuum attachment, which valve remains closed until attachment is reestablished. Closure of the valve results in substantial or complete blockage of the main vacuum line.

Abstract: An annuloplasty band comprising a sheath, and a generally arcuate stiffening element disposed within the sheath. The stiffening element extends from a first end to a second end, and preferably includes eyelets at its first and second ends adapted to receive sutures to secure the annuloplasty band to a valve annulus. The annuloplasty band preferably has a low profile (e.g., a thickness less than 3 mm). In embodiments intended for mitral valve repair, the eyelets are particularly adapted to receive sutures to secure the annuloplasty band to the antero-lateral trigone and postero-medial trigone. A holder and sizer device useful with the annuloplasty band are also provided.

Abstract: A tubular access sleeve and suction tool for accessing an anatomic surface or anatomic space and particularly the pericardium to access pericardial space and the epicardial surface of the heart in a minimally invasive manner are disclosed. A suction tool trunk extending through a suction tool lumen of the sleeve is coupled to suction pads at the ends elongated support arms. The suction pads can be retracted into a sleeve working lumen during advancement of the access sleeve through a passage and deployed from the tubular access sleeve lumen and disposed against the an outer tissue layer. Suction can be applied through suction tool lumens to suction ports of the suction pads that fix to the outer tissue layer so as to tension the outer tissue layer and/or pull the outer tissue layer away from an inner tissue layer so that the anatomic space can be accessed by instruments introduced through the working lumen to penetrate the outer tissue layer.

Abstract: An electro-stimulation device includes a pair of electrodes for connection to at least one location in the body that affects or regulates the heartbeat. The electro-stimulation device both electrically arrests the heartbeat and stimulates the heartbeat. A pair of electrodes are provided for connection to at least one location in the body that affects or regulates the heartbeat. The pair of electrodes may be connected to an intravenous catheter for transvenous stimulation of the appropriate nerve. A first switch is connected between a power supply and the electrodes for selectively supplying current from the power supply to the electrodes to augment any natural stimuli to the heart and thereby stop the heart from beating. A second switch is connected between the power supply and the electrodes for selectively supplying current from the power supply to the electrodes to provide an artificial stimulus to initiate heartbeating.

Abstract: An electro-stimulation device includes a pair of electrodes for connection to at least one location in the body that affects or regulates the heartbeat. The electro-stimulation device both electrically arrests the heartbeat and stimulates the heartbeat. A pair of electrodes are provided for connection to at least one location in the body that affects or regulates the heartbeat. The pair of electrodes may be connected to an intravenous catheter for transvenous stimulation of the appropriate nerve. A first switch is connected between a power supply and the electrodes for selectively supplying current from the power supply to the electrodes to augment any natural stimuli to the heart and thereby stop the heart from beating. A second switch is connected between the power supply and the electrodes for selectively supplying current from the power supply to the electrodes to provide an artificial stimulus to initiate heartbeating.