Abstract: An RF ablation system includes an electrode element of elongate form and a cathode pad. A control unit includes a processing unit, a power unit and, optionally, a temperature sensor and/or an impedance sensor. The control unit in one embodiment carries out RF ablation in at least two phases, the first phase at a higher energy level and a second phase, after at least partial retraction of the anode element, at a second lower phase in order to close any remaining lumen within a blood clot formed within the vessel during the first phase. Other embodiments provide for sensing retraction of the anode terminal and effecting RF ablation during and/or after the retraction process in order to create a more effective occlusion barrier.

Abstract: An RF ablation system includes an electrode element of elongate form and a cathode pad. A control unit includes a processing unit, a power unit and, optionally, a temperature sensor and/or an impedance sensor. The control unit in one embodiment carries out RF ablation in at least two phases, the first phase at a higher energy level and a second phase, after at least partial retraction of the anode element, at a second lower phase in order to close any remaining lumen within a blood clot formed within the vessel during the first phase. Other embodiments provide for sensing retraction of the anode terminal and effecting RF ablation during and/or after the retraction process in order to create a more effective occlusion barrier.

Abstract: A detachment mechanism for an introducer assembly is designed to hold a coupling element of an implantable medical device until its desired release within a patient's vessel. The detachment mechanism includes a body portion having first and second gripper arm elements which grip onto the coupling element of the medical device. The gripper arms are naturally biased into a closed position by means of resiliency of the body element. For this purpose, an actuating device or opening element is provided which includes an enlarged head which can be pulled against tapering internal surface of the body portion of the detachment mechanism in order to force the gripper arms open, thereby to release the medical device from the introducer assembly. The detachment mechanism, being naturally in the closed configuration, reliably holds a medical device to the introducer assembly until it is desired to release the latter into the patient's vessel.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a device and methods of use to endoluminally ablate and/or occlude a body vessel using a radiofrequency (“RF”) signal. The device has two conductive elements or electrodes that form an electrical circuit and are operable to create an electrical field. The electrical field ablates the body vessel, forming an occlusion.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a device and methods of use to endoluminally ablate and/or occlude a body vessel using a radiofrequency (“RF”) signal. The device has two conductive elements or electrodes that form various electrical circuits, and the two conductive elements are operable to create an electrical field. The electrical field ablates the body vessel, forming an occlusion.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a device and methods of use to endoluminally ablate and/or occlude a body vessel using a current to perform resistive heating. The device includes a resistive coil, which in some embodiments has a portion with a first, higher average pitch which can be electrified, and a second, lower average pitch, which is not electrified but aids in relieving mechanical stress. The device may have a support, which may be a wire guide, around which the coil is disposed. The device may provide a minimal diameter and flexibility for navigation of tortuous vessels.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a device and methods of use to endoluminally ablate and/or occlude a body vessel using a radiofrequency (“RF”) signal and a current to perform resistive heating. The device may have a RF mode and a resistive mode, and may perform each mode in sequential order until the vessel is fully occluded. The device further comprises a control unit to operate the device in its various modes. The device may be provided in a system including an occlusive element, such as a balloon catheter, to prevent blood flow through the ablation/occlusion site.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a release mechanism, method of manufacturing, and method of releasing a medical device. The mechanism comprises a generally elongate shaft, an actuating member receivable in the elongate shaft, the actuating member having an interlocking position and a releasing position, and at least two opposed arms at a distal end of the elongate shaft, biased to open relative to each other, each arm comprising a gripping portion at a distal end, and at least one interlocking member. The gripping portions of the arms may define a hollow space for holding a device. The interlocking member of each arm is longitudinally spaced from the interlocking member of any other arm and extends circumferentially around the actuating member. The actuating member is longitudinally retractable from the interlocking position to the releasing position to enable the arms to open for releasing a medical device from the gripping portions.

Abstract: An ablation system includes an electrical ablation element of elongate form with an electrically conductive element including a resistive part. A control unit includes a processing unit, a power unit and, optionally, a temperature sensor. The control unit in one embodiment carries out ablation in at least two phases, the first phase at a higher energy level and a second phase, after at least partial retraction of the resistive part, at a second lower phase in order to close any remaining lumen within a blood flow obstruction formed within the vessel during the first phase. Other embodiments provide for sensing retraction of the resistive part and effecting ablation during and/or after the retraction process in order to create a more effective occlusion barrier.

Abstract: The disclosure provides for a delivery apparatus or mechanism and method of use for delivering a medical device to the body of a patient. The apparatus may have an outer catheter independently mobile from an inner sheath and an elongate member. The apparatus further has a gripper attached to the elongate member. The gripper may be manipulated by way of a handle to control the state of the medical device relative to the delivery apparatus. Through use of the handle, the apparatus may be moved from a connected state to a released state to deliver the medical device to a target site in the patient's body.

Abstract: A medical ablation system includes an elongate element to be inserted endoluminally into a patient's vessel and includes at its distal end a pre-heating element and an ablation element. The system provides pre-heating of, for example, blood to a first threshold temperature above body temperature but below ablation temperature; and then a second heating stage provided by the ablation element. Pre-heating reduces the amount of energy required to effect ablation, resulting in more focussed embolization with a higher proportion of energy delivered to the area in a more controlled manner. The arrangement can reduce the amount of damage to surrounding tissues and organs.

Abstract: RF ablation system includes a catheter having a lumen therein and a first electrode. Second electrode is disposed around the catheter proximate the distal end of the catheter and spaced from the first electrode by an insulating spacer which may be a part of the catheter or a sleeve on the first electrode. The first electrode is able to slide in and out of the catheter to vary the exposed length of the first electrode and as a result to alter the energy density at the first electrode in order to exhibit different heating effects. Control unit controls current through the electrodes and also the exposed length of the first electrode. The second electrode has a surface area at least twice that of the first electrode. Consequently, negligible heat is generated at the second electrode and therefore no blood clotting or other ablation material is formed over the catheter.

Abstract: A balloon catheter includes a balloon having a plurality of layers. The inner layer acts as a support layer to the outer layer. Embedded within the outer layer is a plurality of particles or pellets which in one embodiment provide roughening of the outer surface of the balloon. The particles or pellets, particularly in conjunction with an inner support layer, ensure maintenance of the roughened outer surface of the balloon during inflation of the balloon. In another embodiment, the particles or pellets may be radiopaque and/or echogenic with or without creating surface roughening of the balloon.

Abstract: RF ablation apparatus includes an anode electrode assembly including an anode terminal housed within a catheter. The catheter includes a distal end wall which is disposed in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal dimension of the catheter. The anode electrode is slidably received within the cathode and can be extended out beyond the distal end of the catheter to provide at least a first terminal for an ablation circuit. The distal end wall is sized and shaped to hold a thrombus formed on the anode electrode so that the anode electrode can be withdrawn from within the thrombus formation and into the catheter, without the thrombus formation being pulled with the anode terminal. The outer surface of the catheter, or at least at the distal end thereof, is made of an insulating or non-conducting material, such that a thrombus does not form over the catheter.

Abstract: A detachment mechanism for an introducer assembly is designed to hold a coupling element of an implantable medical device until its desired release within a patient's vessel. The detachment mechanism includes a body portion having first and second gripper arm elements which grip onto the coupling element of the medical device. The gripper arms are naturally biased into a closed position by means of resiliency of the body element. For this purpose, an actuating device or opening element is provided which includes an enlarged head which can be pulled against tapering internal surface of the body portion of the detachment mechanism in order to force the gripper arms open, thereby to release the medical device from the introducer assembly. The detachment mechanism, being naturally in the closed configuration, reliably holds a medical device to the introducer assembly until it is desired to release the latter into the patient's vessel.

Abstract: An RF ablation system includes an electrode element of elongate form and a cathode pad. A control unit includes a processing unit, a power unit and, optionally, a temperature sensor and/or an impedance sensor. The control unit in one embodiment carries out RF ablation in at least two phases, the first phase at a higher energy level and a second phase, after at least partial retraction of the anode element, at a second lower phase in order to close any remaining lumen within a blood clot formed within the vessel during the first phase. Other embodiments provide for sensing retraction of the anode terminal and effecting RF ablation during and/or after the retraction process in order to create a more effective occlusion barrier.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a release mechanism, method of manufacturing, and method of releasing a medical device. The mechanism comprises a generally elongate shaft, an actuating member receivable in the elongate shaft, the actuating member having an interlocking position and a releasing position, and at least two opposed arms at a distal end of the elongate shaft, biased to open relative to each other, each arm comprising a gripping portion at a distal end, and at least one interlocking member. The gripping portions of the arms may define a hollow space for holding a device. The interlocking member of each arm is longitudinally spaced from the interlocking member of any other arm and extends circumferentially around the actuating member. The actuating member is longitudinally retractable from the interlocking position to the releasing position to enable the arms to open for releasing a medical device from the gripping portions.

Abstract: A valvuloplasty balloon assembly includes a balloon (50) provided with end shoulders (64, 66) preferably integral with end cones (54, 56) of the balloon (50). The end shoulders (64, 66) provide a substantially perpendicular stop shoulder (68) at either end of the cylindrical portion (52) of the balloon (50). The restraining shoulders (64, 66) act to hold the balloon (50) within a valve (16) of a heart (10), for instance. This prevents unwanted slippage of the balloon (50) during a valvuloplasty procedure and thus prevents possible damage caused as a result of such slippage.

Abstract: A balloon catheter includes a balloon having a plurality of layers. The inner layer acts as a support layer to the outer layer. Embedded within the outer layer is a plurality of particles or pellets which in one embodiment provide roughening of the outer surface of the balloon. The particles or pellets, particularly in conjunction with an inner support layer, ensure maintenance of the roughened outer surface of the balloon during inflation of the balloon. In another embodiment, the particles or pellets may be radiopaque and/or echogenic with or without creating surface roughening of the balloon.

Abstract: A medical balloon of a balloon catheter has at least first and second layers in which the second, outer, layer is made of a material having a lower melting or softening temperature than the inner layer. The outer layer is provided with texturing or roughening on its outer surface, thereby to provide a textured roughened medical balloon. The inner layer supports the outer layer and in particular the texture or roughening of the outer surface of the outer layer. This support prevents or substantially reduces any flattening of any texture or roughening on the outside surface of the balloon when inflated.