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 pluraluty of solution infusion openings defined and spaced along each pf 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 amd 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 method and apparatus for limiting longitudinal stretch during fixation of a harvested aortic root including valve leaflets and the product produced. The apparatus includes an inflow plug inserted into the inflow section of the aortic root and having an apertured tube or cannula extending through the valve leaflets to an outflow plug inserted into the outflow section of the aortic root. Apertures in the tube are located on either side of the valve leaflets and the tube is coupled to a fluid inlet, preferably located on the outflow plug. The outflow plug is slidable relative to the tube and is provided with an engagement mechanism such as a setscrew for fixing the location of the outflow plug relative to the tube and the inflow plug. After assembly of the aortic root to the apparatus, the fluid inlet is coupled to a source of defined pressure and the root is inflated.

Abstract: An improved stabilizer or retractor or other surgical tool having an elongated distal arm carrying a tissue-contacting mechanism at its distal end and a tensioning mechanism at its proximal end for locking functional components of the tool in a desired position or configuration. The tensioning mechanism is mounted to a turret or other structure attaching the distal arm to a base by means of a shorter, proximally extending flexible arm. The flexible proximal arm allows the tensioning mechanism to be moved relative to the base so that it can be placed more conveniently in the operative field.

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 method and apparatus for temporarily immobilizing a local area of tissue. In particular, the present invention provides a method and apparatus for temporarily immobilizing a local area of heart tissue to thereby permit surgery on a coronary vessel in that area without significant deterioration of the pumping function of the beating heart. The local area of heart tissue is immobilized to a degree sufficient to permit minimally invasive or micro-surgery on that area of the heart. The present invention features a suction device to accomplish the immobilization. The suction device is coupled to a source of negative pressure. The suction device has a series of suction ports on one surface. Suction through the device causes suction to be maintained at the ports. The device further is shaped to conform to the surface of the heart. Thus, when the device is placed on the surface of the heart and suction is created, the suction through the ports engages the surface of the heart.

Abstract: An implantable lead for electrical stimulation of tissue has wire-like extendable members whose tips curl back upon themselves in open tissue spaces to form 2- or 3-dimensional electrodes. The electrodes may be positioned axially or in other directions from the lead body. Traction on the lead body or extendable members allows easy withdrawal as the member tip electrodes uncurl, allowing removal without major surgery. This apparatus and method is useful for minimally invasive insertion of electrodes or electrode arrays, especially through a narrow body lumen or Tuohy needle, providing therapeutic stimulation of nervous tissue, muscle or organs.

Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for performing beating heart surgery, in which a single articulating arm supports multiple suction pods. Once the suction pods are applied to the heart surface, tightening a cable fixes the arm in place. Then, the suction pods may be spread apart from each other to tighten the surface of the cardiac tissue lying between the suction pods. In one embodiment, fixation of the arm as well as the spreading apart of the suction pods may occur concurrently or almost concurrently through the tensioning of a single cable. Additional embodiments of the method, system and its components are shown.

Abstract: A method of performing a medical procedure, such as surgery, is provided. A nerve is stimulated in order to adjust the beating of the heart to a first condition, such as a stopped or slowed condition. The medical procedure is performed on the heart or another organ. The stimulation of the nerve is stopped in order to adjust the beating of the heart to a second condition, such as a beating condition. The heart itself may also be stimulated to a beating condition, such as by pacing. The stimulation of the nerve may be continued in order to allow the medical procedure to be continued. Systems and devices for performing the medical procedure are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for performing surgery on a patient. The surgical apparatus includes an input device, at least one hydraulic amplifier operably attached to the input device, and an actuator operably attached to the hydraulic amplifier. Input to the input device is hydraulically modulated via the hydraulic amplifier to manipulate the actuator. The surgical method includes receiving a mechanical input for an action. The mechanical input is hydraulically modulated. The action is controlled based on the hydraulically modulated input.

Abstract: An annuloplasty system including an annuloplasty prosthesis and a holder for the prosthesis. At least one rigid, downwardly extending penetrating member extends into the prosthesis. Preferably, at least one outwardly extending member extends alongside a lower surface of the prosthesis, preventing the prosthesis from moving downward and off of the penetrating member.

Abstract: An implantable pump having a bulkhead, a reservoir structure attached to the bulkhead and upper and lower cases attached to the bulkhead by a single outer seal as well as a method of making such a pump is disclosed. The reservoir structure forms a reservoir that contains fluid drug or other medicaments. The upper and lower cases are attached to the bulkhead by first connecting either the upper or lower case directly to the bulkhead. Then, the lower or upper case not attached to the bulkhead is attached to the upper or lower case that had been previously attached to the bulkhead.

Abstract: A method of performing a medical procedure, such as surgery, is provided. A nerve is stimulated in order to adjust the beating of the heart to a first condition, such as a stopped or slowed condition. The medical procedure is performed on the heart or another organ. The stimulation of the nerve is stopped in order to adjust the beating of the heart to a second condition, such as a beating condition. The heart itself may also be stimulated to a beating condition, such as by pacing. The stimulation of the nerve may be continued in order to allow the medical procedure to be continued. Systems and devices for performing the medical procedure are also provided.

Abstract: A device for monitoring temperature generated by an ablation apparatus on organic tissue is provided. The device comprises a temperature sensing pad; and an output device to receive and display a representation of a lesion found on the ablated organic tissue. Ablation systems incorporating the device and methods of using the device are also provided.

Abstract: A bioprosthesis sealing film strip is attached to a surgical stapler by passing a jaw of the stapler through openings formed in the ends of the strip. Following stapling the strip is released by making a cut from the opening to the edge of the strip. Alternatively, one end of the strip may be releasably secured to pins formed on the jaw.

Abstract: An ablation system and a method of its use. The system includes a first elongated ablation component carrying a longitudinally extending mechanism for delivery of ablation energy along its length, and a second elongated ablation component movable relative to the first ablation component. The first and second components are provided with a mechanism mounted to and extending along the first and second components for magnetically attracting the first and second components toward one another along the length of the first mechanism for delivery of ablation energy. Preferably, the second elongated ablation component also carries a longitudinally extending mechanism for delivery of ablation energy along its length.

Abstract: A method of performing a medical procedure, such as surgery, is provided. The spinal cord is stimulated in order to control at least one physiological function. The medical procedure is performed and stimulation of the spinal cord is stopped.

Abstract: A method and device for testing a sample of fresh whole blood. In particular the present invention provides a method and device for testing a sample of fresh whole blood to determine whether a patient would benefit from the administration of a blood factor (such as AT III.

Abstract: This invention provides an organ positioning device and method that employs suction to hold organ tissue to the device. The device allows the organ, for example, heart to be positioned in a desired orientation but otherwise allowing movement of the heart as the heart beats. The device is designed to be relatively atraumatic to heart tissue. Generally, the device comprises a resiliently flexible suction head having a plurality of legs that flex to conform to the surface of the heart. The suction head has vacuum passageways in fluid communication with the legs to apply suction between the legs and the surface of the heart.

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 depolarization signal amplitude in a local electrogram taken using electrodes located adjacent the tissue to be ablated. Following onset of application of ablation energy to heart tissue, the amplitude of a local electrogram measured with electrodes located adjacent tissue to be ablated first gradually drops and then stabilizes, indicating that the tissue being monitored has ceased making any contribution to the sensed electrogram. The amplitude drop and/or the following amplitude plateau may be used alone or together as indicators of transmurality. Detection of a rapid drop in amplitude may be employed as an indicator that the ablation process is proceeding too quickly and may be employed to trigger a reduction in the power of applied ablation energy.

Abstract: A method and system for ablating tissue to provide a desired set of lesions. The system includes an ablation apparatus having an elongated shapeable section carrying a mechanism such as an electrode for applying ablation energy along the shapeable section. The shapeable section includes a member of shape memory material having a memorized configuration. The shapeable section is shaped manually or using fixtures to display a configuration corresponding to one of the desired lesions and is then employed to create the desired lesion. Thereafter the shapeable section is heated to cause it to resume its memorized configuration. Shaping, heating and ablating to create lesions are continued as necessary provide the desired set of lesions. In some embodiments of the invention, heating may be accomplished using heating elements built into the shapeable section.