Abstract: Tissue-penetrating guidewires with shaped tips, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A patient treatment system in accordance with one embodiment of the disclosure includes a tissue-penetrating guidewire that in turn includes a flexible segment having a distal portion and a proximal portion. The flexible segment is elongated along an elongation axis. A penetrating member is positioned at the distal portion and includes at least one blade segment having a tapered outer peripheral surface and an adjacent generally sharp edge. The blade segment extends to a distal end of the penetrating member to form a generally blunt tip. In operation, the guidewire can be connected to an electrical current source to deliver high frequency current to the penetrating member.

Abstract: Systems and methods for transeptal cardiac procedures are disclosed. A patient treatment device in accordance with a particular embodiment includes an elongated first intravenous guidewire that includes a first branch and a second branch fixably secured relative to the first branch at a first location. The device can further include an elongated second intravenous guidewire that is movable relative to at least one of the first and second branches between a first position in which the first and second branches are releasably secured relative to each other by the second guidewire at a second location, and a second position in which the first and second branches are separated from each other at the second location.

Abstract: Systems and methods for transeptal cardiac procedures are disclosed. A method for treating a patient in accordance with a particular embodiment includes positioning a tissue penetrating guidewire adjacent to a cardiac septum, directing pulses of energy to the guidewire, and advancing the guidewire into and through the septum by moving the guidewire in a distal direction in a series of discrete steps. Individual steps can be of a predetermined distance measured outside the patient's body. The method can further include passing a catheter over the guidewire after the guidewire has passed through the septum.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for transseptal access into the left atrium of a heart. In one embodiment an apparatus for transseptal left atrial access comprised of a catheter adapted for insertion into a vessel and one or more RF devices adapted to be extendable from the distal end of said catheter and configured for the penetration or sealing of septal tissue.

Abstract: The present invention provides for therapeutic treatment methods, devices, and systems for the partial or complete closure or occlusion of a patent foramen ovale (“PFO”). In particular, various methods, devices, and systems for joining or welding tissues, in order to therapeutically close a PFO are described. In yet another aspect of the invention, various methods, devices, and systems for the penetration of the interatrial septum enabling left atrial access are also provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods for transeptal cardiac procedures are disclosed. A patient treatment device in accordance with a particular embodiment includes an elongated intravascular guidewire that includes a first branch and a second branch fixedly secured relative to the first branch at a first location and releasably secured relative to the first branch at a second location. At least one of the first and second branches is movable relative to the other between a first position in which the first and second branches form a closed shape, and a second position in which the first and second branches form an open shape. A controller can be operatively coupled to the first and second branches to control (e.g., in a fixed increment manner or a continuously variable manner) a distance between a portion of the first branch and a portion of the second branch while the first and second branches form the closed shape.

Abstract: Tissue-penetrating guidewires with shaped tips, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A patient treatment system in accordance with one embodiment of the disclosure includes a tissue-penetrating guidewire that in turn includes a flexible segment having a distal portion and a proximal portion. The flexible segment is elongated along an elongation axis. A penetrating member is positioned at the distal portion and includes at least one blade segment having a tapered outer peripheral surface and an adjacent generally sharp edge. The blade segment extends to a distal end of the penetrating member to form a generally blunt tip. In operation, the guidewire can be connected to an electrical current source to deliver high frequency current to the penetrating member.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling patient catheters are disclosed. A system in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a catheter carrying multiple active elements, and a controller connected to the catheter. The controller can include a housing having directional indicators, and multiple control elements coupled to the multiple active elements. Individual control elements can be moveable relative to the housing to control the motion of the active elements, and the multiple control elements can be positioned so that manipulation of the multiple control elements in a first order that is clockwise or counterclockwise as identified by the directional indicators moves the multiple active elements in a first manner, and manipulation of the multiple control elements in a second order opposite the first order moves the multiple active elements in a second manner opposite the first manner.

Abstract: Systems and methods for transeptal cardiac procedures are disclosed. A patient treatment device in accordance with a particular embodiment includes an elongated first intravenous guidewire that includes a first branch and a second branch fixably secured relative to the first branch at a first location. The device can further include an elongated second intravenous guidewire that is movable relative to at least one of the first and second branches between a first position in which the first and second branches are releasably secured relative to each other by the second guidewire at a second location, and a second position in which the first and second branches are separated from each other at the second location.

Abstract: Systems and methods for transeptal cardiac procedures are disclosed. A patient treatment device in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, a working portion toward the distal end, and an electrical energy path coupleable to a source of electrical energy. The device can further include a tissue penetrating member carried by the catheter and an electrode device carried by the working portion of the catheter and movable along the tissue penetrating member. The electrode device can include a collapsible stranded conductive material coupled to the electrical signal path and being changeable between a deployed position and a stowed position. The conductive material can be elongated along a deployment axis when in the stowed position, and can be contracted along the deployment axis and expanded transverse to the deployment axis when in the deployed position.

Abstract: Systems and methods for transeptal cardiac procedures are disclosed. A method for treating a patient in accordance with a particular embodiment includes positioning a tissue penetrating guidewire adjacent to a cardiac septum, directing pulses of energy to the guidewire, and advancing the guidewire into and through the septum by moving the guidewire in a distal direction in a series of discrete steps. Individual steps can be of a predetermined distance measured outside the patient's body. The method can further include passing a catheter over the guidewire after the guidewire has passed through the septum.

Abstract: Systems and methods for transeptal cardiac procedures are disclosed. A patient treatment system in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a catheter, a tissue penetration device carried by and deployable from the catheter, an energy delivery device carried by an deployable from the catheter, a backstop surface carried by the catheter, and a flexible, resilient tissue compression device. The tissue compression device can be coupled between the energy delivery device and the catheter and can be changeable between a first configuration in which the energy delivery device applies a first force to the backstop surface via intervening tissue, and a second configuration in which the energy delivery device applies no force or a second force less than the first force into the backstop surface via intervening tissue.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating cardiac tissue are disclosed. A method in accordance with one embodiment of the invention is directed to treating cardiac tissue that includes a primum, a secundum adjacent to the primum, and a patent foramen ovale (PFO). The method can include shrinking the primum at a first location spaced apart from the PFO, and at least partially sealing the PFO by applying energy at a second location at least closer to the PFO than the first location. A variety of techniques, including vacuum, mechanical, chemical, RF energy and ultrasound can be used to shrink the primum. In at least some embodiments, shrinking the primum can be performed independently of whether a PFO is also sealed, for example, if the patient receiving the treatment does not have a PFO.

Abstract: The present invention provides for therapeutic treatment methods, devices, and systems for the partial or complete closure or occlusion of a patent foramen ovale (“PFO”). In particular, various methods, devices, and systems for joining or welding tissues, in order to therapeutically close a PFO are described. In yet another aspect of the invention, various methods, devices, and systems for the penetration of the interatrial septum enabling left atrial access are also provided.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for transseptal access into the left atrium of a heart. In one embodiment an apparatus for transseptal left atrial access comprised of a catheter adapted for insertion into a vessel and one or more RF devices adapted to be extendable from the distal end of said catheter and configured for the penetration or sealing of septal tissue.

Abstract: The present invention provides for therapeutic treatment methods, devices, and systems for the partial or complete closure or occlusion of a patent foramen ovale (“PFO”). In particular, various methods, devices, and systems for joining or welding tissues, in order to therapeutically close a PFO are described. In yet another aspect of the invention, various methods, devices, and systems for the penetration of the interatrial septum enabling left atrial access are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and systems for securing tissues, e.g., cardiovascular tissues, are disclosed. A method in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes inserting a portion of a catheter into an opening between a first portion of cardiovascular tissue and a second portion of cardiovascular tissue. The method can further include drawing the first and second portions of the cardiovascular tissue into contact with each other by drawing a vacuum in a region adjacent to the first and second portions of cardiovascular tissue via the catheter while the catheter is positioned between the first and second portions. The tissue portions can be fused by heating the tissue from within the opening, e.g., via radio frequency energy. This technique, and associated catheter system, can be used to close a patent foramen ovale or other openings in cardiovascular tissue.

Abstract: Systems and methods for directing valves that control a vacuum applied to a patient are disclosed. A method in accordance with one embodiment includes receiving a first input to apply vacuum to an orifice of a device positioned within a patient, and in response to the first input, automatically directing a first valve coupled between the orifice and a vacuum source to move from a closed state to an open state. The method can further include receiving a second input to cease applying the vacuum to the orifice, and in response to the second input, automatically directing the first valve to move from the open state to the closed state, automatically directing a second valve coupled between the orifice and atmospheric pressure to move from a closed state to an open state, and automatically directing the second valve to move back from the open state to the closed state.

Abstract: Systems and methods for securing cardiovascular tissue, including via asymmetric inflatable members, are disclosed. A device in accordance with one embodiment includes a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, with a working portion positioned toward the distal end and being elongated along a terminal axis. An energy transmitter and an inflatable member are positioned at the working portion, with the inflatable member being inflatable under fluid pressure from a generally collapsed configuration to an inflated configuration. In the inflated configuration, the inflatable member can be asymmetric relative to the terminal axis.

Abstract: Systems and methods for applying vacuum to a patient, including a disposable liquid collection unit, are disclosed. A system in accordance with one embodiment includes a valve unit having at least one actuator that is changeable between a first configuration and a second configuration. The valve unit can have a first receiving portion with a first registration feature. The system can further include a disposable collection unit removably carried by the valve unit and including a liquid collection vessel and an interface unit carried by the liquid collection vessel. The interface unit can have a second receiving portion with a second registration feature positioned to be removably engaged with the first registration feature. The interface unit can carry a conduit that is coupleable to a patient device and that is positioned to be acted upon by the actuator, with the conduit generally closed when the actuator has the first configuration, and generally open when the actuator has the second configuration.