Abstract: A bolt stop for use with an intracranial access bolt that assists in preventing penetration of the bolt into the skull, resists accidental rotation and movement of the bolt with in the skull, and facilitates healing of the scalp.

Abstract: A thin-walled, spiral-cut sleeve is placed on a portion of a ventricular catheter that may be moved into the compression fitting (or similar securing mechanism) of a bolt in a patient. The wall of the sleeve is sufficiently thick so as to prevent the compression fitting from collapsing the drainage lumen of the catheter. A spiral cut in the sleeve allows the sleeve to flex axially, reducing torque forces on the bolt.

Abstract: An outflow line is connected to an infusion pump that is programmed to run at a fixed rate. The outflow line has a bypass line that leads from the pump outlet back to the pump inlet. A line downstream of the entrance to the bypass line leads to the patient. The system has two valves. The fluid en route to the patient passes through the first valve. The bypass line passes through the second valve. When one valve is open, the other is closed. The valves' flow states are controlled by a signal from a control instrument. The system allows the pump output to be directed to the patient or to a bypass circuit that returns fluid leaving the pump back to the pump inlet. The system makes it possible to vary the amount of fluid delivered to a patient by an infusion pump set at a constant pumping rate by varying the open and closed state of valves in response to a signal from a patient monitoring instrument.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for efficiently coupling a pressure monitoring device to a pressure transducer. In addition, the present invention reduces or eliminates the likelihood air will be unintentionally injected into the pressure monitoring device while connecting the pressure monitoring device to a pressure transducer. In one embodiment, the present invention includes a pressure monitoring coupler comprising a sealing member and a device body. The sealing member comprises a sealing flange connected to an engagement member. The engagement member includes a first and second O-ring positioned thereon. The device body comprises a pressurizing lumen and an intersecting monitoring lumen in communication with a receiving aperture. During use, a pressure monitoring catheter is inserted into a patient's tissue. The pressure monitoring catheter and a transducer are connected to the device body of the present invention.

Abstract: Devices and related methods of use are provided for improving heart function. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a device includes a ring-like structure configured to be secured to a heart valve; at least one elongate member extending from the ring-like structure, wherein an end of the elongate member is configured to be secured to heart geometry other than a heart valve; and an adjustment mechanism for simultaneously altering a dimension of the ring-like structure and a length of the elongate member.

Abstract: Devices and methods for reshaping a mitral valve annulus are provided. One preferred device is configured for deployment in the right atrium and is shaped to apply a force along the atrial septum. The device causes the atrial septum to deform and push the anterior leaflet of the mitral valve in a posterior direction for reducing mitral valve regurgitation. Another preferred device is deployed in the left ventricular outflow tract at a location adjacent the aortic valve. The device is expandable for urging the anterior leaflet toward the posterior leaflet. Another preferred device comprises a tether configured to be attached to opposing regions of the mitral valve annulus.

Abstract: A system and method for intracranial access is disclosed. In particular, a drill stop is shown providing a way to control the penetration of a drill bit as an access hole into the brain is being formed. Access to a desired location is achieved using a catheter guide device. Also disclosed is a mechanism by which multiple diagnostic and treatment devices can be placed at a desired location in brain tissue without the need for more than one access hole. A drainage catheter is disclosed with a mechanism to allow both drainage and to allow intracranial pressure measurement.

Abstract: A system and method for intracranial access is disclosed. In particular, a drill stop is shown providing a way to control the penetration of a drill bit as an access hole into the brain is being formed. Access to a desired location is achieved using a catheter guide device. Also disclosed is a mechanism by which multiple diagnostic and treatment devices can be placed at a desired location in brain tissue without the need for more than one access hole. A drainage catheter is disclosed with a mechanism to allow both drainage and to allow intracranial pressure measurement.

Abstract: A system for delivering medicaments to tissue including a delivery member and an optical fiber formed together into a unitary structure. The optical fiber has an inlet attached to a laser energy source and an outlet for emitting laser energy. The delivery member has an inlet attached to a medicament source and an outlet for injecting medicament. A handpiece is adapted to receive the ablating and injecting device in a controlled and movable relationship and may include at least one tissue stabilizing member thereon. In use, the distal end of the handpiece is placed against tissue to be ablated. The optical fiber is advanced into the tissue while emitting laser energy thereby ablating the tissue and forming a channel therein. During retraction, medicament may be injected into the channel or into the tissue surrounding the channel.

Abstract: A pressure sensor assembly is disclosed which includes a flaccid tube having two mounting sleeve members that bond the tube to a distal end of a catheter. The catheter includes an aperture located beneath the tube and in communication with an air passage. As the pressure outside the tube changes, the tube moves relative to the catheter body, thereby communicating that pressure change to the sealed air passage within the catheter. This air passage is connected to an external transducer that can measure this pressure change and thereby determine a pressure at the distal end of the pressure catheter.

Abstract: An air management system is described for removing and reintroducing a desired amount of air into an air passage of a pressure measurement catheter. More specifically, the system includes a cylindrical housing, check valves in communication with the housing and an moveable shaft with multiple sealing members along its length. As the shaft is moved within the housing, a piston member causes the residual air in the catheter air passage to be evacuated to a defined negative pressure. Further movement of the shaft causes a piston member to inject a predetermined volume of air into the catheter air passage. In this respect, periodic adjustments of the piston member returns the volume of air in a variable volume chamber to one that is unaffected by residual volume in the chamber and that provides an optimum volume of air to maximize the time the sensor can function accurately between recharging events.

Abstract: A catheter is provided that includes multiple passages within a catheter body. These passages are arranged in a way so as to maximize the usable space within the catheter body. More specifically, multiple tubes are positioned within a central lumen of the catheter. Both the tubes and the central lumen are used as passages for various functionality of the catheter, such as communication of air or fluids. By sharing the free space within the central lumen of the catheter, the flow area of this passage is maximized as compared with simply using an extruded lumen for each passage. Hence, the catheter can allow the addition of more passages than similarly sized prior art catheters.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for efficiently coupling a pressure monitoring device to a pressure transducer. In addition, the present invention reduces or eliminates the likelihood air will be unintentionally injected into the pressure monitoring device while connecting the pressure monitoring device to a pressure transducer. In one embodiment, the present invention includes a pressure monitoring coupler comprising a sealing member and a device body. The sealing member comprises a sealing flange connected to an engagement member. The engagement member includes a first and second O-ring positioned thereon. The device body comprises a pressurizing lumen and an intersecting monitoring lumen in communication with a receiving aperture. During use, a pressure monitoring catheter is inserted into a patient's tissue. The pressure monitoring catheter and a transducer are connected to the device body of the present invention.

Abstract: Devices and methods for reshaping a mitral valve annulus are provided. One device according to the invention is configured for deployment in the right atrium and is shaped to apply a force along the atrial septum. The device causes the atrial septum to deform and push the anterior leaflet of the mitral valve in a posterior direction for reducing mitral valve regurgitation. Another embodiment of a device is deployed in the left ventricular outflow tract at a location adjacent the aortic valve. The device may be expandable for urging the anterior leaflet toward the posterior leaflet. Another embodiment of the device includes a first anchor, a second anchor, and a bridge, with the bridge having sufficient length to reach from the coronary sinus to the right atrium and/or superior or inferior vena cava. In a further embodiment a device includes a middle anchor positioned on the bridge between the distal and proximal anchors.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for efficiently coupling a pressure monitoring device to a pressure transducer. In addition, the present invention reduces or eliminates the likelihood air will be unintentionally injected into the pressure monitoring device while connecting the pressure monitoring device to a pressure transducer. In one embodiment, the present invention includes a pressure monitoring coupler comprising a sealing member and a device body. The sealing member comprises a sealing flange connected to an engagement member. The engagement member includes a first and second O-ring positioned thereon. The device body comprises a pressurizing lumen and an intersecting monitoring lumen in communication with a receiving aperture. During use, a pressure monitoring catheter is inserted into a patient's tissue. The pressure monitoring catheter and a transducer are connected to the device body of the present invention.

Abstract: Devices and methods for reshaping a mitral valve annulus are provided. One preferred device is configured for deployment in the right atrium and is shaped to apply a force along the atrial septum. The device causes the atrial septum to deform and push the anterior leaflet of the mitral valve in a posterior direction for reducing mitral valve regurgitation. Another preferred device is deployed in the left ventricular outflow tract at a location adjacent the aortic valve. The device is expandable for urging the anterior leaflet toward the posterior leaflet. Another preferred device comprises a tether configured to be attached to opposing regions of the mitral valve annulus.

Abstract: A threaded device such as a self-tapping screw or bolt, particularly for use in medical applications, provides a low-torque design that prevents a steady increase in the amount of torque necessary to drive the device into material as the device progresses. The design includes a thread that has a proximal section with a reduced diameter, thereby reducing the overall contact area between the thread and the material.

Abstract: A multiple lumen access device for use in providing a single entry port into the human body for selectively introducing medical implements therethrough and for providing simultaneous auxiliary access into the body. The multiple lumen access device includes a multi-lumen sheath which may have an outer tube and structure defining a device lumen located therein. The inner structure may be an inner wall or inner tube. The outer tube and inner structure are located so as to define at least one auxiliary lumen. Some embodiments include flexible inner walls which can be flexed between relaxed and expanded/contracted positions wherein the relative cross-sectional areas of the device lumen and auxiliary lumens are varied. The access device further includes a valve which provides sealing of the device lumen. The valve may be provided in a lumen junction housing or separate from the housing either permanently or removably connected with the device lumen.

Abstract: A system and method for intracranial access is disclosed. In particular, a drill stop is shown providing a way to control the penetration of a drill bit as an access hole into the brain is being formed. Access to a desired location is achieved using a catheter guide device. Also disclosed is a mechanism by which multiple diagnostic and treatment devices can be placed at a desired location in brain tissue without the need for more than one access hole. A drainage catheter is disclosed with a mechanism to allow both drainage and to allow intracranial pressure measurement.

Abstract: A multiple lumen access device for use in providing a single entry port into the human body for selectively introducing medical implements therethrough and for providing simultaneous auxiliary access into the body. The multiple lumen access device includes a multi-lumen sheath which may have an outer tube and structure defining a device lumen located therein. The inner structure may be an inner wall or inner tube. The outer tube and inner structure are located so as to define at least one auxiliary lumen. Some embodiments include flexible inner walls which can be flexed between relaxed and expanded/contracted positions wherein the relative cross-sectional areas of the device lumen and auxiliary lumens are varied. The access device further includes a valve which provides sealing of the device lumen. The valve may be provided in a lumen junction housing or separate from the housing either permanently or removably connected with the device lumen.