Abstract: Systems, device and methods treat target tissue to provide a therapeutic benefit to the patient. A tissue treatment device comprises a tissue treatment element constructed and arranged to treat target tissue, such as duodenal mucosa tissue.

Abstract: A system for treating a patient comprises a delivery device and injectate. The delivery device comprises an elongate shaft with a distal portion and at least one delivery element positioned on the elongate shaft distal portion. The delivery device is constructed and arranged to deliver the injectate through the at least one delivery element and into tissue to create a therapeutic restriction in the gastrointestinal tract. Methods of creating a therapeutic restriction are also provided.

Abstract: A tissue fixation system including a delivery tube and an elongated fastener with a loop at a proximal end and a distal end. A proximal end of an elongated curved needle is attached to the delivery tube. A distal end of the needle is configured to penetrate tissue. The needle includes an open channel sized to receive the elongated fastener with the loop located near the proximal end of the elongated curved needle and the distal end of the elongated fastener located near the distal end of the elongated curved needle. A capture needle is slidably positioned in the delivery tube to slide through the loop in the proximal end of the elongated fastener. The capture needle is configured to grasp the distal end of the elongated fastener and pull the distal end of the elongated fastener through the loop to cinch the elongated fastener.

Abstract: A system for performing a medical procedure on a patient includes an articulating probe assembly and at least one tool. The articulating probe assembly comprises an inner probe comprising multiple articulating inner links, an outer probe surrounding the inner probe and comprising multiple articulating outer links, and at least two working channels that exit a distal portion of the probe assembly. The at least one tool is configured to translate through one of the at least two working channels. A special purpose hardware processor executes a process for controlling the articulating probe assembly.

Abstract: Provided are a localization system and method useful in the acquisition and analysis of cardiac information. The localization system and method can be used with systems that perform cardiac mapping, diagnosis and treatment of cardiac abnormalities, as examples, and in the retrieval, processing, and interpretation of such types of information. The localization system and method use high impedance inputs, improved isolation, and relatively high drive currents for pairs of electrodes used to establish a multi-axis coordinate system. The axes can be rotated and scaled to improve localization.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices, systems, and methods for determining the dipole densities on a cardiac surface using electrodes positioned on a torso of a patient. Electrodes are integrated into a piece of clothing worn by a patient. The clothing serves to fix the position of the electrodes adjacent a patient's torso. Ultrasonic transducers and sensors are used to determine a distance between the epicardial surface and the electrodes and are also used to detect epicardial surface motion as well as epicardial wall thickness.

Abstract: An oral retraction device comprises a tongue depressor blade, an articulation assembly constructed and arranged to articulate the tongue depressor blade with at least three degrees of freedom, and a support element constructed and arranged to provide a stabilizing force to the articulation assembly during articulation of the tongue depressor blade.

Abstract: A medical apparatus for a patient comprises an external system and an implantable system. The external system is configured to transmit one or more transmission signals, each transmission signal comprising at least power or data. The implantable system is configured to receive the one or more transmission signals from the external system, and to deliver stimulation energy to the patient. Methods of delivering stimulation energy are also provided.

Abstract: A medical device for the treatment of one or more sleep apnea disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea in a patient is provided. The device includes a scaffolding element positioned about a distal portion of an elongate shaft. The scaffolding element receives a volume of fluid to expand the scaffolding element to exert a force upon a soft palate and/or base of a tongue of a patient. The scaffolding element provides a helical breathing pathway when inserted into an airway of the patient and transitioned to an expanded state.

Abstract: An injectate delivery device for expanding tissue is provided. The injectate delivery device comprises: at least one fluid delivery tube comprising a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen therebetween; at least one fluid delivery element in fluid communication with the at least one fluid delivery tube lumen; a radially expanding element comprising the at least one fluid delivery element; a supply of vacuum constructed and arranged to cause tissue to tend toward the at least one fluid delivery element; and at least one control constructed and arranged to perform a function. The at least one control can be constructed and arranged to expand the radially expandable element and activate the supply of vacuum. Systems and method of injectate delivery are also provided.

Abstract: An imaging system for use in a patient is provided. The system includes an imaging probe, a rotation assembly, and a retraction assembly. The imaging probe collects image data from a patient site and includes an elongate shaft with a proximal end and a distal portion, with a lumen extending therebetween. A rotatable optical core is positioned within the elongate shaft lumen and an optical assembly is positioned in the elongate shaft distal portion. The optical assembly directs light to tissue at the patient site and collects reflected light from the tissue. The rotation assembly connects to the imaging probe and rotates the optical assembly. The retraction assembly connects to the imaging probe and retracts the optical assembly and the elongate shaft in unison.

Abstract: An injectate delivery device for expanding tissue is provided. The injectate delivery device comprises: at least one fluid delivery tube comprising a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen therebetween; at least one fluid delivery element in fluid communication with the at least one fluid delivery tube lumen; a radially expanding element comprising the at least one fluid delivery element; a supply of vacuum constructed and arranged to cause tissue to tend toward the at least one fluid delivery element; and at least one control constructed and arranged to perform a function. The at least one control can be constructed and arranged to expand the radially expandable element and activate the supply of vacuum. Systems and method of injectate delivery are also provided.

Abstract: A shunt rivet for implantation in the aorta and inferior vena cava to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and a method of treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Abstract: A system for performing a medical procedure on a patient includes an articulating probe assembly. At least one tool is configured to translate through one of the at least two working channels of the probe assembly. A camera device includes a shaft comprising an articulating distal portion with a distal end and a camera assembly positioned on the distal end of the shaft. The system is configured to articulate the shaft distal portion to position the camera distal assembly outside of the probe assembly.

Abstract: A device for ablating target tissue of a patient with electrical energy is provided. An elongate shaft includes a proximal portion and a distal portion, and a radially expandable element is attached to the distal portion. An ablation element for delivering electrical energy to target tissue is mounted to the radially expandable element. The device can be constructed and arranged to ablate the duodenal mucosa of a patient while avoiding damage to the duodenal adventitial tissue. Systems and methods of treating target tissue are also provided.

Abstract: Systems for characterizing tissue comprise: a tissue probe comprising a plurality of probe electrodes; a signal generator, a controller, and a user interface. The signal generator is in communication with the probe electrodes for delivering a drive signal to at least one probe electrode. The controller receives a recorded signal from one or more probe electrodes, the recorded signal resulting from delivery of the drive signal through tissue proximate the plurality of probe electrodes. The controller is configured to determine patient-to-patient differences when the tissue probe is proximate a known type of patient tissue and/or bodily fluid, and it produces tissue characterization information based on the recorded signal and the patient-to-patient differences. The user interface provides the tissue characterization information to an operator of the system. Methods of characterizing tissue are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices, systems, and methods for providing access to a patient. The patient access device comprises a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen therethrough. The patient access device further comprises a hollow shaft, an input port and a liquid supply port. At least a portion of the lumen passes through the shaft. The input port is coupled to the lumen, and the lumen and the input port are constructed and arranged to receive an elongate probe. The liquid supply port is in fluid communication with the lumen. The patient access is constructed and arranged to reduce gas from exiting the distal end while a portion of the elongate probe is positioned in the patient access device.

Abstract: A tubular tissue graft device is provided comprising a tubular member and a restrictive fiber matrix of a bioerodible polymer about a circumference of the tubular tissue. The matrix may be electrospun onto the tubular tissue. In one embodiment, the tubular tissue is from a vein, such as a saphenous vein, useful as an arterial graft, for example and without limitation, in a coronary artery bypass procedure. Also provided is method of preparing a tubular graft comprising depositing a fiber matrix of a bioerodible polymer about a perimeter of a tubular tissue to produce a tubular tissue graft device. A cardiac bypass method comprising bypassing a coronary artery with a tubular tissue graft device comprising a vein and a restrictive fiber matrix of a bioerodible polymer about a circumference of the vein also is provided.

Abstract: The present teachings provide a medical system for delivering and deploying a medical implant, and the method of using thereof. Specifically, one aspect of the present teachings provides a medical system having an implant with an engagement loop, and a delivery system having an engagement wire and an interface. During implant delivery, the engagement wire engages the engagement loop of the implant. The engagement wire further interacts with the interface in order to prevent unintended disengagement of the engagement loop from the engagement wire. Certain embodiment of the present teaching also includes an implant release control mechanism fixedly attaching to a proximal end of the engagement wire. During implant delivery, the implant release control mechanism attaches the proximal end of the delivery system. During implant deployment, the implant release control mechanism detaches the proximal end of the delivery system.

Abstract: A system includes an articulating probe, a surgical tool, and a controller. The controller is constructed and arranged to manipulate at least one of the articulating probe and the surgical tool. The system further includes a human interface device (HID) configured to generate a first control signal and a second control signal. The articulating probe is manipulated in response to the first control signal and the surgical tool is manipulated in response to the second control signal.