Abstract: Example phototherapy systems, methods of using a phototherapy system, and methods of manufacturing a phototherapy system are described. An example phototherapy system includes a handle and a phototherapy light source. The phototherapy light source is attached to the handle, adapted to emit a light in a therapeutic wavelength, and includes a plasma lamp. The plasma lamp can be disposed between sheets of transparent material, including quartz. The phototherapy light source can be adapted to emit a light in a UVB wavelength between about 300 nanometers and about 320 nanometers and can have an output of between about 15 mW/cm2 and about 21 mW/cm2.

Abstract: Example phototherapy systems, methods of using a phototherapy system, and methods of manufacturing a phototherapy system are described. An example phototherapy system includes a handle and a phototherapy light source. The phototherapy light source is attached to the handle, adapted to emit a light in a therapeutic wavelength, and includes a plasma lamp. The plasma lamp can be disposed between sheets of transparent material, including quartz. The phototherapy light source can be adapted to emit a light in a UVB wavelength between about 300 nanometers and about 320 nanometers and can have an output of between about 15 mW/cm2 and about 21 mW/cm2.

Abstract: An interface component is provided for use in combination with a clamp or compressive tool imparting a compressive force against respective planar contact surfaces of two components being joined at a miter joint. The interface features an elongated member having a projection projecting away from a top surface in a substantially circular path. The curved surface provides a means to redirect the compressive force communicated against said curved surface to the miter joint at a substantially normal angle.

Abstract: Devices and methods provide for ablation of cardiac tissue for treating cardiac arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation. The devices and methods are used to ablate epicardial tissue in the vicinity of the pulmonary veins, and other locations on a heart. Devices generally include at least one tissue contacting member for contacting epicardial tissue and securing the ablation device to the epicardial tissue, and at least one ablation member for ablating the tissue. Various embodiments include features, such as suction apertures, which enable the device to attach to the epicardial surface with sufficient strength to allow the tissue to be stabilized via the device. For example, some embodiments may be used to stabilize a beating heart to enable a beating heart ablation procedure. Many of the devices may be introduced into a patient utilizing minimally invasive introducer devices and the like.

Abstract: An interface component is provided for use in combination with a clamp or compressive tool imparting a compressive force against respective planar contact surfaces of two components being joined at a miter joint. The interface features an elongated member having a projection projecting away from a top surface in a substantially circular path. The curved surface provides a means to redirect the compressive force communicated against said curved surface to the miter joint at a substantially normal angle.

Abstract: A medical probe includes an elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end, an ablative element mounted to the distal end of the elongate member, and a cage assembly mounted to the distal end of the elongate member, the cage assembly at least partially covers the ablative element. A method of treating tissue in a body includes inserting an ablative element in the body, placing the ablative element adjacent the tissue, and maintaining a distance between the ablative element and the tissue using a protective catheter element that circumscribes at least a portion of the ablative element.

Abstract: Devices for insertion into an atrial appendage of stasis reducing components such as mesh members, chemical bonding agents or expandable anchors are disclosed.

Abstract: Low temperature lesion formation apparatus, systems and methods. The apparatus includes a base member and an inflatable element carried by the base member.

Abstract: Clamp based low temperature lesion formation apparatus, systems and methods.

Abstract: An internal indifferent electrode device including a flexible shaft, an energy transmission device adapted to be inserted into the body supported on the shaft, and a connector adapted to mate with the power return connector of a power supply apparatus.

Abstract: A controller, a method of interacting with a computer-implemented program, and a method for modifying controller functionality. In one embodiment of the present invention, a controller includes a first member and a second member movably coupled with the first member, wherein a movement of the second member with respect to the first member is operable to transform the controller from a first configuration to a second configuration. The controller also includes a plurality of input devices coupled with at least one of the first member and the second member. Additionally, a processor is coupled with and operable to change an operation state of the plurality of input devices and available controller functionality upon detecting the transformation from the first to the second configuration.

Abstract: A method of characterizing responses from a plurality of chemical sensors to detect a chemical agent without interference or false alarms from other chemical present, comprising providing a plurality of different sensors, building a library of known responds of each of the plurality of different sensors to the chemical agent, and using a continuous inference network to model the plurality of different sensors based on the library of known response and relationship between the response of the plurality of different sensors and the chemical agent.

Abstract: Devices and methods provide for ablation of cardiac tissue for treating cardiac arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation. The devices and methods are used to ablate epicardial tissue in the vicinity of the pulmonary veins, and other locations on a heart. Devices generally include at least one tissue contacting member for contacting epicardial tissue and securing the ablation device to the epicardial tissue, and at least one ablation member for ablating the tissue. Various embodiments include features, such as suction apertures, which enable the device to attach to the epicardial surface with sufficient strength to allow the tissue to be stabilized via the device. For example, some embodiments may be used to stabilize a beating heart to enable a beating heart ablation procedure. Many of the devices may be introduced into a patient utilizing minimally invasive introducer devices and the like.

Abstract: Probe based low temperature lesion formation apparatus, systems and methods include, in one embodiment, a surgical probe having a relatively short shaft (e.g., between 3-12 cm) defining a distal portion and a proximal portion, an inflatable cryogenic element, defining an exterior surface, associated with the distal portion of the shaft; and at least one temperature sensor on the exterior of the inflatable cryogenic element. In another embodiment, a method of forming a lesion in a tissue structure includes the steps of positioning an inflatable cryogenic element on the tissue structure with a temperature sensor between a portion of the inflatable cryogenic element and a portion of the tissue surface, supplying cryogenic fluid to the inflatable cryogenic element, maintaining pressure within the inflatable cryogenic element below about 100 mm Hg, and measuring tissue temperature with the temperature sensor.

Abstract: A system for breaking down complex problems and evaluating by common continuous inference network (CINET) agents, includes a hierarchical script and a plurality of relational electronic documents wherein each electronic document includes: (a) a plurality of information input elements comprising data and confidences; (b) a fuzzy logic transfer function element; and (c) an output element.

Abstract: Devices and methods provide for ablation of cardiac tissue for treating cardiac arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation. Although the devices and methods are often be used to ablate epicardial tissue in the vicinity of at least one pulmonary vein, various embodiments may be used to ablate other cardiac tissues in other locations on a heart. Devices generally include at least one tissue contacting member for contacting epicardial tissue and securing the ablation device to the epicardial tissue, and at least one ablation member for ablating the tissue. Various embodiments include features, such as suction apertures, which enable the device to attach to the epicardial surface with sufficient strength to allow the tissue to be stabilized via the device. For example, some embodiments may be used to stabilize a beating heart to enable a beating heart ablation procedure. Many of the devices may be introduced into a patient via minimally invasive introducer devices and the like.

Abstract: The present invention provides multi-functional medical catheters, systems and methods for their use. In one particular embodiment, a medical catheter (100) includes a flexible elongate body (105) having a proximal end (110) and a distal end (120). A plurality of spaced apart electrodes (130-136) are operably attached to the flexible body near the distal end. At least some of the electrodes are adapted for mapping a tissue and, in some embodiments, at least one of the electrodes is adapted for ablating a desired portion of the tissue. The catheter includes a plurality of tissue orientation detectors (140-146) disposed between at least some of the electrodes. In this manner, the medical catheter is capable of tissue mapping, tissue imaging, tissue orientation, and/or tissue treatment functions.

Abstract: A probe that may be used to create circumferential lesions in body tissue and, in some implementations, may also be used to perform mapping functions.

Abstract: Selection of servo signals for peak detection of timing based servo tracks of magnetic tape for lateral positioning of heads relative to the magnetic tape. Servo signals from magneto-resistive servo read head(s) reading a magnetic tape are digitized by analog to digital converter(s); digital peak measurement apparatus is configured to sense the digital converter(s), and provide positive peak values and negative peak values of the digitized servo signals; and control apparatus is configured to determine the greater of the provided positive peak values or negative peak values, and select servo signals having the greater values for a servo channel. Servo apparatus is configured to respond to the selected servo signals to control the lateral positioning of the servo read head(s).