Abstract: A method to constrain a heart including the steps of: injecting a biopolymer into a pericardial space of the heart; inducing intramolecular or intermolecular interactions in the biopolymer in the pericardial space to modify physical properties of the biopolymer in the pericardial space, and constraining the heart with the modified biopolymer in the pericardial space.

Abstract: Devices and methods for cutting and collecting a specimen from a mass of tissue. The device may include an integrated cut and collect assembly. The integrated cut and collect assembly includes a cutting portion and a collection portion that includes a flexible membrane. The collection portion of the assembly is attached to the cutting portion thereof. The cutting portion is configured to cut the specimen from the mass of tissue and the collection portion is configured to collect the cut specimen and to encapsulate and isolate the cut specimen within the membrane to enable its safe retraction from the mass of tissue.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to tissue removal devices and methods. A tubular element having an open distal end is advanced into tissue so that tissue enters the tubular element. The tissue which entered the tubular element is cut to separate the tissue from the surrounding tissue. The tissue is then transported proximally by the cutting element or a separate transport element.

Abstract: Devices and methods for collecting or cutting and collecting a specimen from a mass of tissue within a patient. The device may include a specimen collection assembly including a flexible membrane that isolates collected specimen from the surrounding tissue. The collection device may also include structures that draw the collected specimen toward the shaft and/or otherwise ease the insertion and retraction of the device and the collected specimen from the patient through a small incision.

Abstract: The device is used to remove tissue from a patient and to also place a marker in the patient. The device has an opening through which tissue enters the device. The tissue which enters the opening is cut and the tissue is removed. The device may be used a number of times to remove a number of tissue masses. The device also includes a marker which the user may release in the patient at the desired time.

Abstract: A system has been developed for injecting a biodegradable pericardial constraint including: a biodegradable viscoelastic substance (BES); an external injection container for the BES; a cannula having a distal section adapted to be inserted into a pericardial sac of a mammalian heart and a proximal section connectable to the external injection container; wherein BES from the injection container is injected into the pericardial sac through the cannula.

Abstract: The present short-term post surgical cavity treatment device includes a first portion including an inflatable balloon at the distal end of the device and a second portion coupled to the first portion that defines at least an inflation lumen and a treatment lumen. The second portion may be configured such that the inflation lumen enables inflation of the inflatable balloon. An inflation port may be coupled to the inflation lumen to enable introduction of a fluid or gas into the inflatable balloon. The second portion of the present device may be configured such that the treatment lumen enables various short-term cavity treatments, therapies and methods within the cavity in conjunction with the inflatable balloon. The balloon may be configured so as to inflate in a predetermined shape. This predetermined shape may be configured so as to substantially match the shape of the cavity within the tissue.

Abstract: An excisional biopsy system includes a tubular member that has a proximal end and a distal end in which one or more windows are defined. A first removable probe has a proximal portion that includes a cutting tool extender and a distal portion that includes a cutting tool. The first removable probe may be configured to fit at least partially within the tubular member to enable the cutting tool to selectively bow out of and to retract within one of the windows when the cutting tool extender is activated. A second removable probe has a proximal section that includes a tissue collection device extender and a distal section that includes a tissue collection device. The second removable probe may also be configured to fit at least partially within the tubular member to enable the tissue collection device to extend out of and to retract within one of the windows when the tissue collection device extender is activated. A third removable probe may also be provided.

Abstract: A method of marking an orientation of a cut specimen of tissue prior to excision thereof from a body includes steps of disposing a tissue-marking probe in the body adjacent the cut specimen, the tissue-marking probe including a tissue-marking tool configured to selectively mark the cut specimen. A surface of the cut specimen is then marked with the tissue-marking tool such that the orientation of the cut specimen within the body is discernable after the cut specimen is excised from the body. The tissue-marking tool may be configured to selectively bow out of and back into a window defined near a distal tip of the probe and the marking step may include a step of selectively bowing the tissue-marking tool out of the window and following the surface of the cut specimen while rotating the probe. The tissue-marking tool may include an RF cutting tool and the marking step may include a step of coagulating or cauterizing a selected portion of the surface of the cut specimen with the RF cutting tool.

Abstract: A post-biopsy cavity treatment implant includes a radiopaque element, a core portion and a shell portion. The core portion is coupled to the radiopaque element, and includes a first porous matrix defining a first controlled pore architecture. The shell portion is coupled to the core portion and includes a second porous matrix defining a second controlled pore architecture that is different from the first controlled pore architecture.

Abstract: An embodiment of a post-biopsy cavity treatment implant includes a first portion including a first porous matrix defining a first controlled pore architecture or crosslinking density, and a second portion coupled to the first portion. The second portion includes a second porous matrix that defines a second controlled pore architecture or a second crosslinking density that is different from the first controlled pore architecture or the first crosslinking density, causing the second portion to swell in a different manner than the first portion when the implant is placed in an aqueous environment.