Abstract: A clip and method provide for surgically minimizing or eliminating an atrial appendage of the patient using a clip. The curved side spring V-clip includes first and second elongate beams having matching distally curved portions. The clip includes a dual side springs configured to urge the first and the second elongate beams from an open V-shaped position to a parallel closed position. Right-side spring and left-side spring have first and second terminal ends attached to distal sections respectively of the first and the second elongate beams. The right and the left-side springs extend proximally to a respective proximal bend. The V-clip is configured to resist lateral splaying movement of the first and the second elongate beams. by including one or more of a lateral spacing element attached between respective proximal bends of the right and the left-side spring or having springs of different strengths.

Abstract: Ablation systems, components thereof, and related methods are disclosed. An example ablation system may include a first ablation component including a first ablation component end effector configured to be positioned on a first side of a target tissue and a second ablation component including a second ablation component end effector configured to be positioned on a second side of the target tissue. The first ablation component may include a first ablation component permanent magnet that is translationally repositionable between an engaged configuration and a disengaged configuration. The second ablation component may include a second ablation component permanent magnet that is freely rotatable and is configured to rotatably self-orient into a magnetically attractive orientation with the first ablation component permanent magnet.

Abstract: A clip and method provide for surgically minimizing or eliminating an atrial appendage of the patient using a clip. The clip includes first and second elongate beam. The clip includes a dual side spring assembly configured to urge the first and the second elongate beams from an open V-shaped position to a parallel closed position. The dual side spring assembly includes a right-side spring and a left-side spring having first and second terminal ends attached to distal sections respectively of the first and the second elongate beams. The right and the left-side springs extend proximally to a respective proximal bend connected by a lateral element that maintains alignment to resist lateral splaying movement of the first and the second elongate beams.

Abstract: A medical instrument comprising: (a) a first joint comprising a first member and a second member, the first member configured to be repositionable with respect to the second member in a first degree of freedom; (b) a second joint operatively coupled to the first joint, the second joint comprising a third member and a fourth member, the third member configured to be repositionable with respect to the fourth member in a second degree of freedom; (c) a pair of repositionable jaws operatively coupled to the first joint and the second joint; (d) an occlusion clip detachably mounted to the pair of repositionable jaws; and, (e) a controller operatively coupled to the first joint, the second joint, and the pair of repositionable jaws, the controller including a first control configured to direct repositioning of at least one of the first member and the second member, and a second control configured to direct repositioning of at least one of the third member and the fourth member, and a third control configured to dir

Abstract: An example system for applying an occlusion clip to an anatomical structure may include a visualization tool configured to allow visualization of an anatomical structure using a scope; a clip applier configured to apply an occlusion clip on the anatomical structure; an introducer connectable to the clip applier and configured to aid in positioning the clip applier; and a positioner configured to apply at least one of a linear force and a torsional force to at least one of the clip applier and the clip.

Abstract: Exclusion devices for anatomical structures, and related instruments and related methods, are disclosed. An exclusion device may include a first clamping portion, a second clamping portion opposing the first clamping portion, and/or a biocompatible fabric cover at least partially sheathing the first clamping portion and/or the second clamping portion. The cover may be generally tubular and/or may define a relaxed circumference when the first clamping portion and the second clamping portion are in a closed configuration. At least a portion of the cover may be configured to stretch to a stretched circumference of about 2× to about 3× the relaxed circumference when the first clamping portion and the second clamping portion are reconfigured from the closed configuration to an open configuration.

Abstract: An end effector positioning mechanism for a surgical device may include an articulation mechanism including a plurality of tiltable segments disposed generally in a longitudinal row between an elongated shaft of a surgical device and an end effector of the surgical device. Each of the plurality of segments may be generally in the form of a flattened disk. At least one of the segments may include a proximal surface and/or a distal surface that is substantially planar and is oriented substantially orthogonally with respect to a central axis of the articulation mechanism. At least one of the segments may include a proximal surface and/or a distal surface including two transversely oriented, generally planar surfaces that meet along a substantially diametric peak.

Abstract: A surgical clamp including a pair of jaws, which may be used to ablate or create lesions in tissue. In an exemplary embodiment, the jaws are movable between an articulated position in which the jaws are separated and not parallel to one another, an opened position in which the jaws are separated and substantially parallel to one another, and a closed position in which the jaws are adjacent and substantially parallel to one another.

Abstract: A method of using an occlusion clamp, the method comprising: (a) repositioning a tongs so that tissue interposes the tongs, the tongs comprising a first longitudinal segment operatively coupled proximally to a second longitudinal segment, the tongs including a first spring exerting a proximal bias tending to direct a proximal portion of each of the first and second longitudinal segments toward one another, where each of the first and second longitudinal segments includes a distal free end; (b) repositioning a second spring distally along each of the first and second longitudinal segments to exert a bias tending to direct a distal portion of each of the first and second longitudinal segments toward one another, where repositioning of the tongs so that tissue interposes the tongs precedes repositioning the second spring distally along each of the first and second longitudinal segments.

Abstract: An occlusion device including a first clamping portion and a second clamping portion operatively coupled to one another via a U-shaped urging member, a fabric cover circumscribing the first clamping portion, the second clamping portion, and the U-shaped urging member, the fabric cover including an attachment wing extending away from at least one of the first clamping portion and the second clamping portion, the attachment wing including a through orifice.

Abstract: A clamp having at least first and second elongate clamping portions adapted to be placed on opposite sides of the hollow anatomical structure. The first and second elongate clamping portions respectively include ends coupled together with respective resilient urging members configured to urge at least one of the first and second elongate clamping portions toward the other of the first and second elongate clamping portions from an open position into a clamping position to occlude the hollow anatomical structure. The clamp includes tissue ingrowth structure on the clamping portions.

Abstract: Various methods of treating a heart of a patient having a cardiac arrhythmia are disclosed. The method can comprise dissecting tissue at an inferior aspect of a right inferior pulmonary vein of the patient to create an oblique sinus defect, dissecting tissue to open a space between a superior vena cava and a left atrium, and dissecting tissue to open a space across a transverse sinus between a pulmonary artery and a roof of the left atrium. The method can further comprise passing a catheter through an oblique sinus defect underneath the heart and beyond a left ventricle and passing a first flexible guiding device across the transverse sinus and under the superior vena cava and the pulmonary artery.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices for pericardial access to the heart, including direct access to the left atrium. In certain embodiments, the device may comprise a device and/or an atrial appendage (AA) portal having a configuration such that the distal end of the device and/or the portal can access an atrial appendage while the proximal end of the device and/or portal can extend to outside of the subject. The devices and methods may also include a pericardial portal for emplacement of the device and/or the AA portal. Also, methods for using such devices and/or AA portals and pericardial portals to perform surgery on the heart, and systems (e.g., kits) comprising these devices and/or portals in combination with other therapeutic devices are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and devices described herein facilitate improved treatment of body organs.

Abstract: A pulsed field ablation effector comprising: (a) an electrode including an electrode surface for delivering electric current to anatomical tissue, and a deformable insulator selectively covering the electrode surface, the deformable insulator configured to deform when contacted by the anatomical tissue to expose the electrode surface. Also disclosed are methods and devices for carrying out electroporation and other forms of ablation concomitant with electroporation.

Abstract: A cryogenic probe, comprising: (a) a handle, (b) a shaft disposed distally on the handle, the shaft comprising a generally rigid proximal portion and a generally malleable distal portion, and (c) an active tip disposed distally on the shaft, where the shaft comprises a supply conduit configured to supply a cryogenic fluid to the active tip, an exhaust conduit configured to exhaust spent cryogenic fluid from the active tip, and a vacuum insulating layer disposed around the supply conduit and the exhaust conduit.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for therapeutically treating tissue. The devices and methods are suitable for minimally invasive surgery or open surgical procedures. More particularly, methods and devices described herein permit treating large areas of tissue with a therapeutic device. In some variations, the method and devices allow for large area treatment without having to reposition the device. The methods and devices described herein discuss the treatment of cardiac tissue for purposes of illustration.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for therapeutically treating tissue. The devices and methods are suitable for minimally invasive surgery or open surgical procedures. More particularly, methods and devices described herein permit accessing and/or treating areas of tissue with a therapeutic device.

Abstract: Methods and devices described herein facilitate diaphragm entry for posterior access of body organs.

Abstract: Ablation systems, components thereof, and related methods are disclosed. An example ablation system may include a first ablation component including a first ablation component end effector configured to be positioned on a first side of a target tissue and a second ablation component including a second ablation component end effector configured to be positioned on a second side of the target tissue. The first ablation component may include a first ablation component permanent magnet that is translationally repositionable between an engaged configuration and a disengaged configuration. The second ablation component may include a second ablation component permanent magnet that is freely rotatable and is configured to rotatably self-orient into a magnetically attractive orientation with the first ablation component permanent magnet.