Abstract: Medical devices for navigation through anatomy, including guidewires, which may have a core wire, a slotted tubular member, or both. Embodiments may have coils, including non-circular cross-section edge-wound marker coils, extended coil tips, and soldered or glued mesial joint coils. Core wires may have a step, ridge, or taper at the joints to the tubular member, and may be flattened at the distal tip. Radiopaque material may be located inside the tubular member, and the distal tip may be heat treated to make it shapeable. Additional tubular members or coils may be used concentrically or in line and may enhance flexibility, provide radiopacity, reduce friction, or reduce material or manufacturing cost. Tubular members may be chamfered or tapered continuously or incrementally. Slots may be arranged in groups, such as groups of three, and may be equal in depth or unequal in depth to provide a steerable or compressible tip.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to ablation catheter systems configured, for example, to ablate tissue adjacent an ostium of the pulmonary vein in a left atria of a heart. In one embodiment, an ablation catheter system includes a handle including an actuator and a catheter coupled to the handle defining a lumen extending through a length of the catheter, the catheter including a tip portion at a distal end thereof. The ablation catheter system may also include an electrode coupled to the handle with lines extending through the lumen of the catheter, the electrode being configured to be constrained within the tip portion of the catheter and configured to be deployed from the tip portion and self expand to an expanded configuration. With this arrangement, the electrode is configured to self expand to a conical configuration with a tip portion configured to be disposed within the pulmonary vein.

Abstract: A medical system and device for use in delivering RF energy to a tissue opening and a method for determining an RF dose is disclosed. In one embodiment, the medical device includes an electrode or anchor and one or more devices, such as an impedance electrode, RF electrode and/or thermocouple. The electrode or anchor can be deployed from a delivery shaft inside the left atrium, for example, of a heart and substantially conform to the tissue proximate the tissue opening. Tissue characteristics, such as temperature and/or impedance, can be measured, before, during and after application of RF energy to the tissue, by one or more devices to determine an RF dose. After energy is applied to the tissue between the left and right electrodes, the left electrode can be removed from the left atrium by being received back into the delivery shaft and the delivery shaft thereafter removed from the opening.

Abstract: A medical system for treating an internal tissue opening can include a closure device and associated delivery device. The closure device can include a multi-cellular body portion operatively associated with a first anchor and a second anchor. The closure device can be configured to apply lateral force to tissue of the internal tissue opening for tissue approximation. The closure device can have a substantially flat aspect, and have a depth that is substantially greater than the thickness of a majority of the members forming the closure device. The closure device can also include an in-growth material. The delivery device can include an actuating assembly configured to partially deploy the closure device by a first movement, and deploy a second portion of the closure device by a second movement. The delivery device can also include a release assembly to selectively release or disconnect the closure device from the delivery device.

Abstract: Medical devices for navigation through anatomy, including guidewires, which may have a core wire, a slotted tubular member, or both. Embodiments may have coils, including non-circular cross-section edge-wound marker coils, extended coil tips, and soldered or glued mesial joint coils. Core wires may have a step, ridge, or taper at the joints to the tubular member, and may be flattened at the distal tip. Radiopaque material may be located inside the tubular member, and the distal tip may be heat treated to make it shapeable. Additional tubular members or coils may be used concentrically or in line and may enhance flexibility, provide radiopacity, reduce friction, or reduce material or manufacturing cost. Tubular members may be chamfered or tapered continuously or incrementally. Slots may be arranged in groups, such as groups of three, and may be equal in depth or unequal in depth to provide a steerable or compressible tip.

Abstract: A medical device is disclosed that can include a first atrial anchor, a first delivery shaft linked to the first atrial anchor, wherein the first delivery shaft is adapted to move the first atrial anchor, a second atrial anchor, a second delivery shaft linked to the second atrial anchor, wherein the second delivery shaft is adapted to move the second atrial anchor, and a biasing member linking either (i) the first atrial anchor to the first delivery shaft or (ii) the second atrial anchor to the second delivery shaft. The medical device can include an insulation material coupled to one or more of the first or second atrial anchors, or the first or second delivery shaft. A method for treating an internal tissue opening is also disclosed wherein a first and second electrode can be operated between unipolar and bipolar modes to initiate tissue damage, thereby inducing tissue regrowth.

Abstract: A medical device is disclosed that can include a first atrial anchor, a first delivery shaft linked to the first atrial anchor, wherein the first delivery shaft is adapted to move the first atrial anchor, a second atrial anchor, a second delivery shaft linked to the second atrial anchor, wherein the second delivery shaft is adapted to move the second atrial anchor, and a biasing member linking either (i) the first atrial anchor to the first delivery shaft or (ii) the second atrial anchor to the second delivery shaft. The medical device can include an insulation material coupled to one or more of the first or second atrial anchors, or the first or second delivery shaft. A method for treating an internal tissue opening is also disclosed wherein a first and second electrode can be operated between unipolar and bipolar modes to initiate tissue damage, thereby inducing tissue regrowth.

Abstract: A medical device for use in delivering RF energy to a tissue opening is disclosed. In one embodiment, the medical device comprises a compliant electrode. The compliant electrode can include a shape memory material, such as NITINOL, to facilitate the electrode having at least one relaxed orientation. The electrode can be deployed from a delivery shaft inside the left atrium, for example, of a heart through the delivery shaft. The electrode can be configured to substantially conform to the tissue proximate the tissue opening. After energy is applied to the tissue between the left and right electrodes, the left electrode can be removed from the left atrium by being received back into the delivery shaft and the delivery shaft thereafter removed from the opening.

Abstract: A medical device for guiding through anatomy, such as a catheter or guidewire, with a tubular body that has been slotted to enhance bending flexibility, and a polymer liner with an anti-collapsing structure, and a method of making a medical device with a kink-resistant corrugated tubular member and an anti-collapsing structure. Anti collapsing structures may be helical or annular, and may be wire, such as ribbon wire, grooves in the liner, corrugations, or a braid. Liners may be bonded to the anti-collapsing structure, or may have two layers, with the anti-collapsing structure between the layers. Corrugations may be formed between sections of the anti-collapsing ‘structure with heat, pressure, stretching, compression, a mold, or a combination thereof, and may extend inward or outward. Shape or wall thickness may vary along the length to provide a varying bending stiffness. Slots may be formed in groups of two, three, or more, and adjacent groups may be rotated about the axis forming a helical pattern.

Abstract: Medical devices for navigation through anatomy, including guidewires, which may have a core wire, a slotted tubular member, or both. Embodiments may have coils, including non-circular cross-section edge-wound marker coils, extended coil tips, and soldered or glued mesial joint coils. Core wires may have a step, ridge, or taper at the joints to the tubular member, and may be flattened at the distal tip. Radiopaque material may be located inside the tubular member, and the distal tip may be heat treated to make it shapeable. Additional tubular members or coils may be used concentrically or in line and may end in depth radunequal in depth opacity, reduce friction, or reduce material or manufacturing cod in groups, such as groups of three, and may be equally spaced around the axis or offset to provide a steerable or compressible tip.

Abstract: A medical device, system and method for modifying a left atrial appendage (“LAA”). The medical device system includes a tether anchored within the LAA and one or more tissue growth members or occluders configured to be slid over the tether and lodged within the LAA. With this arrangement, a physician may close-off the LAA with a selective number of tissue growth members to meet the varying LAA sizes as determined from imaging information while conducting the procedure.

Abstract: Devices, methods and systems are provided for occluding an opening within the tissue of a body, such as a left atrial appendage. In one embodiment, a system for use in occluding an opening in the tissue of a body includes a handle, a catheter coupled with the handle and a medical device disposed within a lumen of the catheter. The medical device includes an anchor system having a plurality of anchor segments coupled with an anchor hub. The medical device further includes an occluder system having a plurality of occluder segments coupled with an occluder hub. A first actuator is configured to displace the occluder hub independent of, and relative to, the anchor hub to deploy the occluder system from a refracted state to an expanded state while the anchor system remains in a retracted state.

Abstract: A medical system for treating an internal tissue opening can include a closure device and associated delivery device. The closure device can include a body portion operatively associated with a first anchor and a second anchor. The body portion can include a plurality of segments defining a multi-cellular structure. The closure device can be configured to apply lateral force to tissue of the internal tissue opening to bring tissue together. The closure device can have a substantially flat aspect, and have a depth thickness that is substantially greater than the thickness or width of a majority of the members forming the closure device to reduce out of plane bending. The closure device can also include a member adapted to induce tissue growth.

Abstract: Devices, methods and systems are provided for occluding an opening within the tissue of a body, such as a left atrial appendage. In one embodiment, a system for use in occluding an opening in the tissue of a body includes a handle, a catheter coupled with the handle and a medical device disposed within a lumen of the catheter. The medical device includes an anchor system having a plurality of anchor segments coupled with an anchor hub. The medical device further includes an occluder system having a plurality of occluder segments coupled with an occluder hub. A first actuator is configured to displace the occluder hub independent of, and relative to, the anchor hub to deploy the occluder system from a refracted state to an expanded state while the anchor system remains in a retracted state.

Abstract: Devices, methods and systems are provided for occluding an opening within the tissue of a body, such as a left atrial appendage. In one embodiment, a system for use in occluding an opening in the tissue of a body includes a handle, a catheter coupled with the handle and a medical device disposed within a lumen of the catheter. The medical device includes an anchor system having a plurality of anchor segments coupled with an anchor hub. The medical device further includes an occluder system having a plurality of occluder segments coupled with an occluder hub. A first actuator is configured to displace the occluder hub independent of, and relative to, the anchor hub to deploy the occluder system from a refracted state to an expanded state while the anchor system remains in a retracted state.

Abstract: Devices, methods and systems are provided for occluding an opening within the tissue of a body, such as a left atrial appendage. In one embodiment, a system for use in occluding an opening in the tissue of a body includes a handle, a catheter coupled with the handle and a medical device disposed within a lumen of the catheter. The medical device includes an anchor system having a plurality of anchor segments coupled with an anchor hub. The medical device further includes an occluder system having a plurality of occluder segments coupled with an occluder hub. A first actuator is configured to displace the occluder hub independent of, and relative to, the anchor hub to deploy the occluder system from a refracted state to an expanded state while the anchor system remains in a retracted state.

Abstract: A medical device for use in delivering RF energy to a tissue opening is disclosed. In one embodiment, the medical device comprises a compliant electrode. The compliant electrode can include a shape memory material, such as NITINOL, to facilitate the electrode having at least one relaxed orientation. The electrode can be deployed from a delivery shaft inside the left atrium, for example, of a heart through the delivery shaft. The electrode can be configured to substantially conform to the tissue proximate the tissue opening. After energy is applied to the tissue between the left and right electrodes, the left electrode can be removed from the left atrium by being received back into the delivery shaft and the delivery shaft thereafter removed from the opening.

Abstract: A medical device and system for modifying a left atrial appendage (“LAA”), as well as related methods, are provided. In accordance with one embodiment, a medical device includes a plurality of discrete frame segments coupled with at least one ring member to form a frame structure. Each discrete frame segment includes an expanding leg, a collapsing leg and a hub extension. A tissue growth member is coupled with the plurality of discrete frame segments to define a substantially convex surface and a substantially concave surface.

Abstract: Stent delivery catheters adapted to provide both flexibility and strength are disclosed. Such stent delivery catheters may have outer shafts adapted for tensile strength and inner shafts adapted for compressive strength. In some instances, at least one of the outer shaft and/or the inner shaft may include a micromachined portion.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to various embodiments of medical devices and methods for occluding a fallopian tube for contraception and permanent sterilization. In one embodiment, the medical device includes an outer member, an inner member and a tissue growth member. The outer member includes an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein the inner surface defines a bore in the outer member. The inner member is configured to be positioned within the bore of the outer member. The tissue growth member is attached to the outer surface of the outer member and is configured to induce tissue growth thereto. With this arrangement, the medical device can be implanted within the fallopian tube and serve as a permanent occluding device therein. If desired, the medical device can be partially removed from the fallopian tube to restore the ability for conception.