Abstract: The invention is directed to a device and method for minimally invasive access to the pericardial space of a human or animal patient. The disclosed pericardial access device includes a penetrating body axially mobile within the lumen of a guide tube. The distal end of the guide tube includes a shoulder to buttress pericardial tissue drawn into the guide tube by a suction force applied to the guide tube lumen. The penetrating body is subsequently distally advanced within the guide tube to access the pericardium.

Abstract: A mold box for producing a plurality of masonry units with a roughened texture side face, the mold box including a plurality of side walls defining a mold cavity open at its top and bottom, adapted to receive masonry fill material by way of its open top, and to discharge molded fill material in the form of a molded masonry unit of predetermined height by way of its open bottom; and a division member spanning between two of the side walls to define two subcavities in the mold box, the division member comprising a grate.

Abstract: A mold box for producing a plurality of masonry units with a roughened texture side face, the mold box including a plurality of side walls defining a mold cavity open at its top and bottom, adapted to receive masonry fill material by way of its open top, and to discharge molded fill material in the form of a molded masonry unit of predetermined height by way of its open bottom; and a division member spanning between two of the side walls to define two subcavities in the mold box, the division member comprising a grate.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a device and method for minimally invasive access to the pericardial space of a human or animal patient. The disclosed pericardial access device includes a penetrating body axially mobile within the lumen of a guide tube. The distal end of the guide tube includes a shoulder to buttress pericardial tissue drawn into the guide tube by a suction force applied to the guide tube lumen. The penetrating body is subsequently distally advanced within the guide tube to access the pericardium.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a device and method for minimally invasive access to the pericardial space of a human or animal patient. The disclosed pericardial access device includes a penetrating body axially mobile within the lumen of a guide tube. The distal end of the guide tube includes a shoulder to buttress pericardial tissue drawn into the guide tube by a suction force applied to the guide tube lumen. The penetrating body is subsequently distally advanced within the guide tube to access the pericardium.

Abstract: A mold box for producing a plurality of masonry units with a roughened texture side face, the mold box including a plurality of side walls defining a mold cavity open at its top and bottom, adapted to receive masonry fill material by way of its open top, and to discharge molded fill material in the form of a molded masonry unit of predetermined height by way of its open bottom; and a division member spanning between two of the side walls to define two subcavities in the mold box, the division member comprising a grate.

Abstract: Methods and devices for diagnosis and treatment of cardiac conditions through the pericardial space are disclosed which are particularly suited for performing minimally invasive procedures from the surface of the heart including electrophysiology mapping and ablation, drug delivery, restenosis prevention, stent placement, etc. Some embodiments of a device disclosed herein can also be used advantageously to perform a medical procedure in a selected lumen of a patient's body.

Abstract: A mold box for producing a plurality of masonry units with a roughened texture side face, the mold box including a plurality of side walls defining a mold cavity open at its top and bottom, adapted to receive masonry fill material by way of its open top, and to discharge molded fill material in the form of a molded masonry unit of predetermined height by way of its open bottom; and a division member spanning between two of the side walls to define two subcavities in the mold box, the division member comprising a grate.

Abstract: A method for treating the heart and associated vessels and tissues, by controlling the temperature of the pericardial space and/or introducing therapeutic agents, drugs or the like thereto, includes providing a fluid, liquid(s), gas(es) or mixtures thereof, with or without therapeutic agents, drugs or the like, and heating and/or cooling, this fluid. At a time proximate to the heating and/or cooling of the fluid, the pericardial space is accessed by pericardiocentesis, such that the pericardium is punctured and the pericardial space is instrumentized at a location, and in particular, a location where treatment is desired. The heated and/or cooled fluid is then delivered to the pericardial space. At a time after delivery, the fluid is withdrawn from the pericardium, through either the same catheter, or through another catheter at different point along the pericardium, that was also instrumentized (catheterized) by standard pericardiocentesis procedures.

Abstract: A mold box for producing a plurality of masonry units with a roughened texture side face, the mold box including a plurality of side walls defining a mold cavity open at its top and bottom, adapted to receive masonry fill material by way of its open top, and to discharge molded fill material in the form of a molded masonry unit of predetermined height by way of its open bottom; and a division member spanning between two of the side walls to define two subcavities in the mold box, the division member comprising a grate.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a device and method for minimally invasive access to the pericardial space of a human or animal patient. The disclosed pericardial access device includes a penetrating body axially mobile within the lumen of a guide tube. The guide tube includes a deflecting mechanism for deflecting the distal end of the penetrating body. In use, a patient's pericardium is contacted with the distal end of the guide tube and suction is applied to form a pericardial bleb. The penetrating body is axially mobilized distally within the lumen of the guide tube until the deflecting mechanism deflects the penetrating body to cause the penetrating end of the penetrating body to enter the bleb of pericardial tissue at an angle oblique to the longitudinal axis of the guide tube.