Abstract: A device and method for ablating tissue is disclosed comprising the steps of acquiring an anatomical image of a patient, correlating the image to the patient, guiding an ablating member within the patient while tracking the position of the ablating member in the patient, positioning the ablating member in a desired position to ablate tissue, emitting ablating energy from the ablating member to form an ablated tissue area and removing the ablating member from the patient.

Abstract: A method for treating a human patient includes emitting ultrasound energy from an ultrasound transducer positioned remotely from target tissue of the patient. The ultrasound transducer is positioned at a desired location relative to the patient and target tissue using location and imaging techniques. The method further includes focusing the ultrasound energy such that one or more focal points are directed to the target tissue of the patient and ablating the target tissue at each focal point. The target tissue is ablated via the focused ultrasound energy without ablating non-target tissue through which the ultrasound energy passes between the ultrasound transducer and the one or more focal points.

Abstract: A device and method for ablating tissue is disclosed comprising the steps of acquiring an anatomical image of a patient, correlating the image to the patient, guiding an ablating member within the patient while tracking the position of the ablating member in the patient, positioning the ablating member in a desired position to ablate tissue, emitting ablating energy from the ablating member to form an ablated tissue area and removing the ablating member from the patient.

Abstract: A method for determining whether a medical device is appropriate for implanting into a cardiovascular conduit of a patient is disclosed comprising imaging a first section of the conduit of the patient into which the medical device is to be implanted during a first expanded state occurring at a first portion of a heart rhythm; reimaging the first section of the conduit of the patient during a first contracted state occurring at a second portion of the heart rhythm; deriving, from the imaging and the reimaging, dimensional characteristics of the first section of the conduit; and determining whether the medical device is appropriate for implantation in the first section of conduit based on the derived dimensional characteristics. The first section of the conduit includes a sizing device providing a selected radial force on the patient.

Abstract: A device and method for ablating tissue is disclosed comprising the steps of acquiring an anatomical image of a patient, correlating the image to the patient, guiding an ablating member within the patient while tracking the position of the ablating member in the patient, positioning the ablating member in a desired position to ablate tissue, emitting ablating energy from the ablating member to form an ablated tissue area and removing the ablating member from the patient.

Abstract: A device and method for ablating tissue is disclosed comprising the steps of acquiring an anatomical image of a patient, correlating the image to the patient, guiding an ablating member within the patient while tracking the position of the ablating member in the patient, positioning the ablating member in a desired position to ablate tissue, emitting ablating energy from the ablating member to form an ablated tissue area and removing the ablating member from the patient.

Abstract: A device and method for ablating tissue is disclosed comprising the steps of acquiring an anatomical image of a patient, correlating the image to the patient, guiding an ablating member within the patient while tracking the position of the ablating member in the patient, positioning the ablating member in a desired position to ablate tissue, emitting ablating energy from the ablating member to form an ablated tissue area and removing the ablating member from the patient.

Abstract: An ablation apparatus including a maneuvering mechanism, a conductive element attached to the apparatus, a sensor attached to the apparatus and an output device in communication with the sensor is provided. The sensor senses vibration during the ablation procedure and sends a signal to the output device to reduce power to the conductive element.

Abstract: Device and method for sub-xiphoid ablation of patient tissue. A sub-xiphoid access clamp has a handle, an elongate neck coupled to the handle and first and second opposing jaws. The first and second opposing jaws have first and second opposing relief segments being generally co-planar and concave with respect to one another to form a void therebetween, and first and second opposing elongate ablation elements positioned along the first and second opposing jaws and distal of the first and second opposing relief segments relative to the handle. The first and second opposing jaws are articulate between a closed position and an open position to admit, at least in part, a second portion of tissue of the patient within the void created by the first and second opposing relief segments while the first portion of tissue is positioned between the first and second ablation elements in the closed position.

Abstract: A method for valve replacement or valve repair is disclosed comprising the steps of acquiring an anatomical image of a patient, correlating the image to the patient, guiding a valve replacement delivery member or a valve repair delivery member within the patient while tracking the position of the delivery member in the patient, positioning the valve replacement member or valve repair member in a desired position to place a valve or repair valve and removing the delivery member from the patient. In one aspect, a method and device are provided that involve imaging a native root using an interoperative technique, then introducing a device that is easily visualized in a chosen imaging modality.

Abstract: A device and method for ablating tissue is disclosed comprising the steps of acquiring an anatomical image of a patient, correlating the image to the patient, guiding an ablating member within the patient while tracking the position of the ablating member in the patient, positioning the ablating member in a desired position to ablate tissue, emitting ablating energy from the ablating member to form an ablated tissue area and removing the ablating member from the patient.

Abstract: A device and method for ablating tissue is disclosed comprising the steps of acquiring an anatomical image of a patient, correlating the image to the patient, guiding an ablating member within the patient while tracking the position of the ablating member in the patient, positioning the ablating member in a desired position to ablate tissue, emitting ablating energy from the ablating member to form an ablated tissue area and removing the ablating member from the patient.

Abstract: A novel occluder application and clip device for treatment of embolic stroke caused by atrial fibrillation uses multiple sutures in a non directional handle to affix the occlusion device to the applicator and manipulate the occluder from an open and receiving position to a closed and occluding position. The occluder is retained in place by a clamping means related to locks retainers, resilient material or otherwise. An actuator mechanism is used to manipulate the occluder to a locked or occluding position. The applicator with the occluder attached has a low profile and remote manipulations to allow the occluder to be delivered to the clamping location within a patient through a small incision or delivery port such as a trocar cannula or the like.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for ablating target tissue including a non-linear area of tissue in the left atrium of a patient. The method can include selecting an ablation apparatus having an ablator with a tissue engagement section, penetrating a chest cavity of the patient, and identifying the target tissue. The method can also include positioning the ablation apparatus adjacent to the target tissue so that the tissue engagement section can transfer ablation energy to the target tissue. The method can further include energizing the tissue engagement section with ablation energy in order to create a footprint on the non-linear area of tissue in the left atrium and to reduce an overall mass of excitable tissue in the left atrium.

Abstract: An ablation catheter assembly includes an elongate catheter body having a proximal portion, a distal portion and a lumen therethrough. A helical structure associated with the catheter distal portion carries a plurality of independently operable electrodes and is transformable between a low-profile configuration wherein a straightening element is positioned in the lumen and an expanded configuration wherein the straightening element is at least partially retracted from the spiral structure. When the helical structure is in the expanded configuration, a laterally offset tip portion extends distally therefrom.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for ablating target tissue including a non-linear area of tissue in the left atrium of a patient. The method can include selecting an ablation apparatus having an ablator with a tissue engagement section, penetrating a chest cavity of the patient, and identifying the target tissue. The method can also include positioning the ablation apparatus adjacent to the target tissue so that the tissue engagement section can transfer ablation energy to the target tissue. The method can further include energizing the tissue engagement section with ablation energy in order to create a footprint on the non-linear area of tissue in the left atrium and to reduce an overall mass of excitable tissue in the left atrium.

Abstract: A method for valve replacement or valve repair is disclosed comprising the steps of acquiring an anatomical image of a patient, correlating the image to the patient, guiding a valve replacement delivery member or a valve repair delivery member within the patient while tracking the position of the delivery member in the patient, positioning the valve replacement member or valve repair member in a desired position to place a valve or repair valve and removing the delivery member from the patient. In one aspect, a method and device are provided that involve imaging a native root using an interoperative technique, then introducing a device that is easily visualized in a chosen imaging modality.

Abstract: Device and method for sub-xiphoid ablation of patient tissue. A sub-xiphoid access clamp has a handle, an elongate neck coupled to the handle and first and second opposing jaws. The first and second opposing jaws have first and second opposing relief segments being generally co-planar and concave with respect to one another to form a void therebetween, and first and second opposing elongate ablation elements positioned along the first and second opposing jaws and distal of the first and second opposing relief segments relative to the handle. The first and second opposing jaws are articulate between a closed position and an open position to admit, at least in part, a second portion of tissue of the patient within the void created by the first and second opposing relief segments while the first portion of tissue is positioned between the first and second ablation elements in the closed position.

Abstract: Device and method for sub-xiphoid ablation of patient tissue. A sub-xiphoid access clamp has a handle, an elongate neck coupled to the handle and first and second opposing jaws. The first and second opposing jaws have first and second opposing relief segments being generally co-planar and concave with respect to one another to form a void therebetween, and first and second opposing elongate ablation elements positioned along the first and second opposing jaws and distal of the first and second opposing relief segments relative to the handle. The first and second opposing jaws are articulate between a closed position and an open position to admit, at least in part, a second portion of tissue of the patient within the void created by the first and second opposing relief segments while the first portion of tissue is positioned between the first and second ablation elements in the closed position.

Abstract: The invention provides a system for occluding a left atrial appendage of a patient. The system can include a ring occluder that can be positioned around the left atrial appendage and a ring applicator to position the ring occluder with respect to the left atrial appendage. The system can also provide a tissue-grasping tool that is separable from the ring applicator tool.