Abstract: A cryogenic probe design is provided containing, for example, an inner coil injection tube with a continuous flow of circulating liquid and an outer jacket enclosing the inner coil injection tube. A transducer may monitor parameters in the region between the inner coil injection tube and the outer jacket. An outer jacket serves to prevent gas leakage. One or more embodiments of a probe design provide continuous flow for example via a continuous and controlled path from inlet to outlet and an expanded thermally transmissive region. Expanding a thermally transmissive region of the cooling zone may be provided, for example, in one or more embodiments of injection tube designs.

Abstract: An elongated catheter device with a distal balloon assembly is adapted for endovascular insertion. Coolant injected through the device may, in different embodiments, directly cool tissue contacting the balloon, or may cool a separate internal chamber. In the first case, the coolant also inflates the balloon, and spent coolant is returned to the handle via a return passage extending through the body of the catheter. Plural balloons may be provided, wherein a secondary outer balloon surrounds a primary inner balloon, the primary balloon being filled with coolant and acting as the cooling chamber, the secondary balloon being coupled to a vacuum return lumen to serve as a robust leak containment device and thermal insulator around the cooling chamber. Various configurations, such as surface modification of the balloon interface, or placement of particles, coatings, or expandable meshes or coils in the balloon interface, may be employed to achieve this function.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for treating heart and vascular tissue with cryotreatment. A medical instrument, such as a catheter is positioned to contact a target region of cardiac tissue such as the epicardial tissue. The instrument or catheter provided includes a cryotreatment element that has thermally-transmissive properties. The cryotreatment element may be a cryochamber for enclosing the flow of a fluid refrigerant therein. The cryotreatment element is disposed at the situs of heart or vascular tissue to be treated, usually by piercing the epicardium sac via an opening in the patient's body. A refrigerant flow within the cryochamber creates endothermic cooling with respect to the targeted heart or vascular tissue, inducing hypothermia and forming iceballs proximate the tissue. The cooling may be reversible and non-permanent, or may be permanent leading to cell death, necrosis, apoptosis and/or surgical excision or ablation of tissue.

Abstract: A medical device is provided having a means for actuating a pair of opposing jaw members. The jaw members are movable relative to one another from a first position, wherein the jaw members are disposed in a spaced apart relation relative to one another, to a second position, wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. An ablation tool is connected to at least one of the jaws members, such that the jaw members are capable of conducting ablation energy through the tissue grasped therebetween.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the likelihood of post operative atrial fibrillation by cooling specific nerves in the heart. In an exemplary method, a semi-rigid probe having a distal portion capable of cooling tissue to temperatures below freezing, is placed on tissue proximate cardiac nerves to temporarily or permanently inhibit signal conduction in the nerves.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for prophylactically treating a vessel region at risk for the development of vulnerable plaque with cryogenic energy. In general, a cryogenic catheter is inserted into the patient's vascular network and manipulated towards a treatment site. The catheter is then activated so as to cool the tissue at the treatment site to a predetermined temperature for a desired amount of time in order to induce the formation of scar tissue, which may include collagen or smooth muscle cell formation. It is understood that a variety of cryogenic catheter configurations can be used to cool the treatment site.

Abstract: An elongated catheter device with a distal balloon assembly is adapted for endovascular insertion. Coolant injected through the device may, in different embodiments, directly cool tissue contacting the balloon, or may cool a separate internal chamber. In the first case, the coolant also inflates the balloon, and spent coolant is returned to the handle via a return passage extending through the body of the catheter. Plural balloons may be provided, wherein a secondary outer balloon surrounds a primary inner balloon, the primary balloon being filled with coolant and acting as the cooling chamber, the secondary balloon being coupled to a vacuum return lumen to serve as a robust leak containment device and thermal insulator around the cooling chamber. Various configurations, such as surface modification of the balloon interface, or placement of particles, coatings, or expandable meshes or coils in the balloon interface, may be employed to achieve this function.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for treating a vascular occlusion and preventing or reducing ischemic consequences of such an obstruction. The medical device of the present invention may include an elongate body defining a proximal end and a distal end, where the elongate body may also define an injection lumen, an exhaust lumen, and a guidewire lumen. A first expandable element may be coupled to the elongate body, where the first expandable element is in fluid communication with the injection lumen and the exhaust lumen. Further, a perfusion path may be disposed within the elongate body, and a sheath may be movably disposed about at least a portion of the elongate body. The medical device may further include a second expandable element disposed about the elongate body, as well as second inflation and exhaust lumens.

Abstract: A medical device is provided having a means for actuating a pair of opposing jaw members. The jaw members are movable relative to one another from a first position, wherein the jaw members are disposed in a spaced apart relation relative to one another, to a second position, wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. An ablation mechanism is connected to at least one of the jaws members, such that the jaw members are capable of conducting ablation energy through the tissue grasped therebetween.

Abstract: A medical device is provided having a means for actuating a pair of opposing jaw members. The jaw members are movable relative to one another from a first position, wherein the jaw members are disposed in a spaced apart relation relative to one another, to a second position, wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. An ablation mechanism is connected to at least one of the jaws members, such that the jaw members are capable of conducting ablation energy through the tissue grasped therebetween.

Abstract: A medical device is provided having a means for actuating a pair of opposing jaw members. The jaw members are-movable relative to one another from a first position, wherein the jaw members are disposed in a spaced apart relation relative to one another, to a second position, wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. An ablation mechanism is connected to at least one of the jaws members, such that the jaw members are capable of conducting ablation energy through the tissue grasped therebetween.

Abstract: A medical device is provided having a means for actuating a pair of opposing jaw members. The jaw members are movable relative to one another from a first position, wherein the jaw members are disposed in a spaced apart relation relative to one another, to a second position, wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. An ablation mechanism is connected to at least one of the jaws members, such that the jaw members are capable of conducting ablation energy through the tissue grasped therebetween.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for treating heart and vascular tissue with cryotreatment. A medical instrument, such as a catheter is positioned to contact a target region of cardiac tissue such as the epicardial tissue. The instrument or catheter provided includes a cryotreatment element that has thermally-transmissive properties. The cryotreatment element may be a cryochamber for enclosing the flow of a fluid refrigerant therein. The cryotreatment element is disposed at the situs of heart or vascular tissue to be treated, usually by piercing the epicardium sac via an opening in the patient's body. A refrigerant flow within the cryochamber creates endothermic cooling with respect to the targeted heart or vascular tissue, inducing hypothermia and forming iceballs proximate the tissue. The cooling may be reversible and non-permanent, or may be permanent leading to cell death, necrosis, apoptosis and/or surgical excision or ablation of tissue.

Abstract: A medical device is provided having a means for actuating a pair of opposing jaw members. The jaw members are movable relative to one another from a first position, wherein the jaw members are disposed in a spaced apart relation relative to one another, to a second position, wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. An ablation tool is connected to at least one of the jaws members, such that the jaw members are capable of conducting ablation energy through the tissue grasped therebetween.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for cooling a limited portion of a body organ by placing a cooling device into a blood vessel within a target organ; and activating the cooling device to cool tissue proximate the cooling device to a temperature below +34 degrees Centigrade. The blood vessel can be a vein or an artery and the cooling device can be a fixed diameter catheter or it can include a balloon. More particularly, the method of cooling can provide a method for treating injured ischemic and infarcted tissue by placing a device capable of passage through the vasculature into a target organ, wherein the device is capable of providing sufficient thermal exchange at a working region thereof to cool adjacent tissue; and activating the device to cool adjacent tissue to a temperature in the range of 0 degrees Centigrade to +36 degrees Centigrade.

Abstract: An elongated catheter device with a distal balloon assembly is adapted for endovascular insertion. Coolant injected through the device may, in different embodiments, directly cool tissue contacting the balloon, or may cool a separate internal chamber. In the first case, the coolant also inflates the balloon, and spent coolant is returned to the handle via a return passage extending through the body of the catheter. Plural balloons may be provided, wherein a secondary outer balloon surrounds a primary inner balloon, the primary balloon being filled with coolant and acting as the cooling chamber, the secondary balloon being coupled to a vacuum return lumen to serve as a robust leak containment device and thermal insulator around the cooling chamber. Various configurations, such as surface modification of the balloon interface, or placement of particles, coatings, or expandable meshes or coils in the balloon interface, may be employed to achieve this function.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the likelihood of post operative atrial fibrillation by cooling specific nerves in the heart. In an exemplary method, a semi-rigid probe having a distal portion capable of cooling tissue to temperatures below freezing, is placed on tissue proximate cardiac nerves to temporarily or permanently inhibit signal conduction in the nerves.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for treating an aneurysm or vascular defect by cooling a target tissue region of the aneurysm or vascular defect to a temperature below body temperature for a preselected time period. The method entails thickening, strengthening, or increasing the density of a blood vessel wall by cooling the blood vessel wall with a cryogenically cooled device. The method also includes irradiating the inner wall of a blood vessel around an aneurysm or vascular defect with various forms of energy to delay or halt aneurysm or vascular defect formation. An energy-emitting element is disposed on the distal end portion of a catheter device to be disposed proximate the aneurysm. Various forms of energy, including visible light energy, laser light energy, ultrasound, microwave and radiofrequency sources may be used to irradiate and treat the aneurysm.

Abstract: A cryosurgical system including a housing having a front portion and a rear portion. The front portion and rear portion are connectable to support a fluid supply. A control unit attached to the front portion, and has a regulator assembly connecting the fluid supply to the control unit. A medical device is connected to the control unit, the medical device including a handle, a shaft, and a thermally-transmissive region. The handle, the shaft, and the thermally-transmissive region defining a fluid pathway through the handle, shaft, and thermally-transmissive region. The shaft is malleable to retain a first shape until manipulated to a second shape.

Abstract: A medical device is provided having a means for actuating a pair of opposing jaw members. The jaw members are movable relative to one another from a first position, wherein the jaw members are disposed in a spaced apart relation relative to one another, to a second position, wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. An ablation tool is connected to at least one of the jaws members, such that the jaw members are capable of conducting ablation energy through the tissue grasped therebetween.