Abstract: Described here are devices for closing one or more tissues, and handles for controlling these devices. Generally, the devices described here comprise a snare loop assembly, wherein the snare loop assembly comprises a snare loop and a suture loop, and a handle for controlling the snare loop assembly. In some variations the snare loop assembly may comprise a retention member that may releasably connect the suture loop to the snare loop. In other variations the devices comprise one or more force-reducing suture locks to help prevent the suture loop from inadvertently disengaging from the snare loop assembly. In still other variations, the excess-suture management features. The handles described here may be configured to remove excess suture from a suture loop, and may also be configured to release the suture loop from the snare loop assembly.

Abstract: Medical devices and related methods, and, more specifically, cryogenic surgical systems and related methods are disclosed. Some example cryogenic surgical systems may include a cryosurgical control unit configured to cool a cryosurgical probe to a temperature colder than a temperature at which flow of cryogenic fluid to the probe is stopped. Some example tank level indicating systems may utilize the pressure of the fluid in the tank and a temperature of the exterior wall of the tank to indicate liquid level.

Abstract: Delivery devices configured to deliver therapeutic and visualization devices to a surgical site are disclosed. An example delivery device may include a proximally disposed handle; a shaft extending distally from the handle, the shaft including a therapeutic device lumen configured to deliver a working end of a therapeutic device therethrough, a first portion of the shaft being steerable; and a space-making element disposed proximate a distal end portion of the shaft and configured to separate biological tissues to create or expand a working space. At least a portion of the space-making element may be reconfigurable between a retracted configuration and an expanded configuration.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention encompass systems and methods to prevent complications from atrial fibrillation by preventing or reducing the likelihood of blood flow out of the left atrial appendage, to eliminate a possible source of aberrant electrical circuits, or both. Accordingly, techniques are provided for delivering ligature loops or closure means to the left atrial appendage, and to other anatomical structures of a patient which may be desirable in other surgical procedures.

Abstract: Methods and devices described herein facilitate improved access of locations within the body.

Abstract: A laparoscopic device comprising: (a) a housing operatively coupled to a first control and a second control; (b) an end effector operatively coupled to the first control, the end effector comprising a first component and a second component selectively repositionable with respect to one another within an X-Y plane, the end effector also including a third component selectively repositionable with respect to the second component within an Y-Z plane; (c) a laparoscopic conduit extending between the housing and the end effector; and, (d) an occlusion clip deployment device operatively coupled to the end effector and the second control.

Abstract: An ablation system and method provides for cooperatively transdermally ablating cardiac tissue by cooperating epicardial and endocardial components. The ablation system includes a first ablation component configured to be positioned on a first side of a target tissue. The first ablation component includes a first ablation element and a first magnetic element. The ablation system includes a second ablation component configured to be positioned on a second side of a target tissue. The second side is opposite the first side. The second ablation component includes a second ablation element and a second magnetic element. The first magnetic element and the second magnetic element are configured to cooperate to facilitate positioning at least one of the first ablation component and the second component on the target tissue. The first ablation element and the second ablation element are configured to cooperate to create a lesion in the target tissue.

Abstract: An electrosurgical system comprising an electrosurgical device, including a first electrode, a second electrode, and an intermediate electrical element, where the first electrode, the second electrode, and the intermediate electrical element are configured to electrically communicate with a target tissue, and where the intermediate electrical element interposes the first electrode and the second electrode, the system also including a resistive voltage divider electrically connected to a first input conductor and a second input conductor, the resistive voltage divider comprising a first resistor and a second resistor, where the first resistor and the second resistor are electrically connected in series between the first input conductor and the second input conductor, and where the first electrode is configured to electrically connect to the first input connector, the second electrode is configured to electrically connect to the second input connector, and the at least one intermediate electrode is configured t

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 clip comprising: (a) a spring; (b) a first runner including a first open top and a first open end adjacent the first open top, the first runner including a first interior camming surface partially delineating a first interior cavity that is open by way of the first open top and the first open end; (c) a second runner including a second open top and a second open end adjacent the second open top, the second runner including a second interior camming surface partially delineating a second interior cavity that is open by way of the second open top and the second open end, where the spring is configured to be coupled to the first runner and the second runner, where the first interior cavity is configured to receive a first portion of the spring, where the second interior cavity is configured to receive a second portion of the spring, where the first camming surface is configured to engage a first cam of the spring, and where the second camming surface is configured to engage a second cam of the sprin

Abstract: An occlusion clip comprising: (a) a spring; (b) a first runner including a first open top and a first open end adjacent the first open top, the first runner including a first interior camming surface partially delineating a first interior cavity that is open by way of the first open top and the first open end; (c) a second runner including a second open top and a second open end adjacent the second open top, the second runner including a second interior camming surface partially delineating a second interior cavity that is open by way of the second open top and the second open end, where the spring is configured to be coupled to the first runner and the second runner, where the first interior cavity is configured to receive a first portion of the spring, where the second interior cavity is configured to receive a second portion of the spring, where the first camming surface is configured to engage a first cam of the spring, and where the second camming surface is configured to engage a second cam of the sprin

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: Tissue stabilizing devices and methods for stabilizing, and optionally closing, a target tissue, such as the left atrial appendage, generally include an elongate body with a first lumen and a second lumen, a suction tip coupled to the elongate body, and an injection tip coupled to the elongate body proximal of the suction tip. The suction tip may define a suction aperture and the suction aperture may be in fluid communication with the first lumen to apply suction to the target tissue. The injection tip may be in fluid communication with the second lumen to dispense a contrast fluid.

Abstract: A clip applier and method provide for surgically minimizing or eliminating a tissue appendage of the patient using an occlusion clip. An end effector of the clip applier has first and second channels that respectively receive/engage first and second elongate beams of the clip. The clip includes strand(s) that forms a loop through the first and the second elongate beams. Terminal segments of the strand(s) extend proximally through a clip setting mechanism of the occlusion clip. An opening between first and second elongate beams of the occlusion clip are positioned around a tissue appendage. A closure mechanism of the clip applier is actuated to proximally draw the terminal segments of the strand(s) to close the occlusion clip and to close the end effector. A release mechanism of the occlusion clip is actuated, allowing the end effector to open away from the occlusion clip in a clamped state.

Abstract: Delivery devices configured to deliver therapeutic and visualization devices to a surgical site are disclosed. An example delivery device may include a proximally disposed handle; a shaft extending distally from the handle, the shaft including a therapeutic device lumen configured to deliver a working end of a therapeutic device therethrough, a first portion of the shaft being steerable; and a space-making element disposed proximate a distal end portion of the shaft and configured to separate biological tissues to create or expand a working space. At least a portion of the space-making element may be reconfigurable between a retracted configuration and an expanded configuration.

Abstract: A surgical space maker device has a flexible member comprising an expandable space-making frame where at least a first frame member and a second frame member of the space-making frame are axially advanceable relative to each other.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are devices and methods for a reusable clip sizing tool to select a clip for use with a left atrial appendage. The clip can comprise a handle portion having a proximal end and a distal end, a base portion distal to the handle portion, a plurality of indicator markers on the base portion, wherein the plurality of indicator markers comprise numbers corresponding to a size of a left atrial appendage when a distal end of the base portion is aligned with the left atrial appendage. The plurality of indicator markers can comprise alternating contrast levels. The handle portion and the base portion can comprise a malleable material.

Abstract: Described here are devices for closing one or more tissues, and handles for controlling these devices. Generally, the devices described here comprise a snare loop assembly, wherein the snare loop assembly comprises a snare and a suture loop, and a handle for controlling the snare loop assembly. In some variations the snare loop assembly may comprise a retention member that may releasably connect the suture loop to the snare. In other variations the devices comprise one or more force-reducing suture locks to help prevent the suture loop from inadvertently disengaging from the snare loop assembly. In still other variations, the excess-suture management features. The handles described here may be configured to remove excess suture from a suture loop, and may also be configured to release the suture loop from the snare loop assembly.

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 having a hood member with a plurality of channels located therein for applying a vacuum and cooling the areas of tissue as energy is delivered through electrodes located adjacent to or in the hood member.

Abstract: High-voltage pulses ablation systems and methods are used to ablate tissue and form lesions. A variety of different electrophysiology devices, such as catheters, surgical probes, and clamps, may be used to position one or more electrodes at a target location. Electrodes can be connected to power supply lines and, in some instances, the power to the electrodes can be controlled on an electrode-by-electrode basis. High-voltage pulse sequences provide a total amount of heating that is typically less than that which is observed with thermally-based radiofrequency energy ablation protocols.