Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for creating a puncture in a tissue. The assembly includes a puncturing device having a distal tip configured to deliver energy to the tissue, creating the puncture. The puncturing device further includes a marker positioned along the puncturing device. The assembly further includes a dilator which has a lumen extending from a proximal portion to a distal portion and configured to receive the puncturing device. The dilator further comprises a sensor positioned along a length of the dilator. When the marker and the sensor are aligned, energy is delivered to the distal tip of the puncturing device.

Abstract: A system comprising a generator which is capable of supplying energy for puncturing a tissue and an electrical current of known voltage, wherein the electrical current of known voltage can pass through the tissue without damaging the tissue. The system also includes a puncturing device comprising an elongate member. A distal tip of the elongate member comprises an energy delivery device which is configured for delivering the energy for puncturing and two electrodes which are configured for delivering the electrical current of known voltage from one electrode to the other through a material which is in contact with the distal tip. The system further includes a sensor which is capable of detecting a value of the electrical current between the two electrodes. The generator comprises a generator switch for disabling energy delivery tip based on the value of the electric current detected by the sensor.

Abstract: A puncturing device configured to create a puncture in a tissue comprising an elongate member comprising a proximal portion defining a longitudinal axis along the length of the elongate member. The elongate member further comprises a flexible distal portion of the that curves away from the longitudinal axis and a distal tip configured to deliver energy to the tissue. A sensing element placed on the flexible distal portion of the elongate member detects the curvature of the distal portion such that when the flexible distal portion of the elongate member is straightened, energy is delivered to the distal tip and when the flexible distal portion of the elongate member is curved, energy is not delivered to the distal tip.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for a device for creating a puncture in a tissue. The puncturing device comprising an elongate member having a puncturing portion at the distal tip. The puncturing device further includes at least one inflatable feature positioned around the outer circumference and at a distal portion of the elongate member. The puncturing device includes a lumen extending from a proximal end of the elongate member to the inflatable feature. The inflatable feature is in a fluid communication with the lumen and can be inflated to dilate the puncture in the tissue or anchor the puncturing device in a heart structure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for an optimized transseptal procedure for providing left heart access, that reduces the number of devices that are used in order to minimize procedural time, complexity and cost. The apparatus comprises a reshapeable hybrid dilator that comprises the combined functionality of a transseptal sheath and dilator assembly. The hybrid dilator comprises: a dilator shaft defining a lumen for receiving a crossing device therethrough, the dilator shaft comprising a stiffening member and a deflectable portion, being structured to provide support for the crossing device when the crossing device is used to create a puncture in a tissue; and a distal tip having an outer diameter which tapers down to an outer diameter of the crossing device for providing a smooth transition between the crossing device and the distal tip when the crossing device is inserted through the lumen and protrudes beyond the distal tip.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for preventing injury to an esophagus caused by heat or cold being delivered to the left atrium, the method including altering a heat exchange device from an insertable configuration to a heat exchanging configuration which has an inflated generally flattened cross section (e.g. capsule-shaped, elliptical) corresponding with the cross section of the inside of the esophagus such that the esophagus is maintained in its natural shape and location. In some embodiments the heat exchange device has a heat exchanger which is inflated to be in the heat exchanging configuration.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for regulating a temperature of an esophagus when heat or cold is delivered to a left atrium, the method including altering a heat exchange device from an insertable configuration to a heat exchanging configuration which conforms and corresponds with a cross-section of an inside of the esophagus such that the esophagus is maintained in its natural shape and location. In some embodiments the heat exchange device has a heating/cooling balloon which is inflated to be in the heat exchanging configuration. Some alternative embodiments includes altering the configuration of the balloon to conform to or correspond with the cross section of an esophagus by means other than inflation.

Abstract: A gaseous species can be separated from an aqueous donor mixture and absorbed in an aqueous recipient mixture using a membrane separation apparatus while maintaining a large temperature difference (e.g. greater than 30° C.) between the two aqueous mixtures. A composite membrane is employed which comprises a non-porous membrane adjacent a porous membrane. The non-porous membrane is permeable to the gaseous species. The porous membrane has a porosity greater than 50% and is hydrophobic. In one embodiment, the composite membrane is oriented such that the porous membrane faces the aqueous recipient mixture and is impermeable thereto at the recipient mixture pressure. The invention is particularly suitable for separating chlorine dioxide from chlorine dioxide reaction liquor and absorbing in chilled water.

Abstract: An apparatus for targeting a desired target site on a body tissue comprising a wall of a first body cavity of a patient includes a target catheter. The framing member has a longitudinal framing member core defining a central framing member axis. At least one target point is carried by the framing member and is adapted for placement adjacent the desired target site. The framing member comprises a plurality of longitudinally extending multi-segment framing strands.

Abstract: An apparatus for targeting a desired target site on a body tissue comprising a wall of a first body cavity of a patient includes a target catheter. The framing member, when deployed into an expanded condition, has a framing member body which includes a three-dimensionally bulbous portion defining a maximum body footprint in a lateral dimension and has longitudinally spaced proximal and distal body ends which are both longitudinally spaced from the maximum body footprint. The proximal body end is attached to the target catheter. A protrusion has a diameter which is smaller than the maximum body footprint diameter. At least one target point is carried by the framing member and is adapted for placement adjacent the desired target site. At least one target pathway is attached to at least one target point. At least a portion of the target pathway is substantially spaced apart from the framing member body.

Abstract: An apparatus for targeting a desired target site on a body tissue comprising a wall of a first body cavity of a patient includes a target catheter. A framing member has a collapsed condition and an expanded condition. The framing member has a framing member body which includes a bulbous portion defining a maximum body footprint having proximal and distal body ends which are both longitudinally spaced from the maximum body footprint. The framing member is comprised of a plurality of framing member beams. At least three framing member beam arrays of framing member beams are arranged in non-overlapping longitudinal sequence to form at least a portion of the framing member. The framing member beams that make up the framing member substantially each have a width-to-thickness fractional ratio in the range of 0.6-3.0.

Abstract: Fluoride ions can be removed from an aqueous stream to desirable levels (e.g. less than 1 ppm) using two precipitation reactions in series. In this method, calcium chloride and a phosphate salt are added to form a first precipitate and then a carbonate salt is added to form a second precipitate. However under certain circumstances, the conventional stoichiometries employed have been found to remove insufficient fluoride. Instead, sufficient fluoride can be removed by employing unconventional stoichiometries, specifically excessive calcium chloride or deficient carbonate salt.

Abstract: An apparatus for targeting a desired target site on a body tissue comprising a wall of a first body cavity of a patient includes a target catheter. A framing member has a collapsed condition and an expanded condition. The framing member has a framing member body which includes a bulbous portion defining a maximum body footprint having proximal and distal body ends which are both longitudinally spaced from the maximum body footprint. The framing member is comprised of a plurality of framing member beams. At least three framing member beam arrays of framing member beams are arranged in non-overlapping longitudinal sequence to form at least a portion of the framing member. The framing member beams that make up the framing member substantially each have a width-to-thickness fractional ratio in the range of 0.6-3.0.

Abstract: An apparatus for targeting a desired target site on a body tissue comprising a wall of a first body cavity of a patient includes a target catheter. The framing member, when deployed into an expanded condition, has a framing member body which includes a three-dimensionally bulbous portion defining a maximum body footprint in a lateral dimension and has longitudinally spaced proximal and distal body ends which are both longitudinally spaced from the maximum body footprint. The proximal body end is attached to the target catheter. A protrusion has a diameter which is smaller than the maximum body footprint diameter. At least one target point is carried by the framing member and is adapted for placement adjacent the desired target site. At least one target pathway is attached to at least one target point. At least a portion of the target pathway is substantially spaced apart from the framing member body.

Abstract: An apparatus for targeting a desired target site on a body tissue comprising a wall of a first body cavity of a patient includes a target catheter. The framing member has a longitudinal framing member core defining a central framing member axis. At least one target point is carried by the framing member and is adapted for placement adjacent the desired target site. The framing member comprises a plurality of longitudinally extending multi-segment framing strands.

Abstract: A gaseous species can be separated from an aqueous donor mixture and absorbed in an aqueous recipient mixture using a membrane separation apparatus while maintaining a large temperature difference (e.g. greater than 30° C.) between the two aqueous mixtures. A composite membrane is employed which comprises a non-porous membrane adjacent a porous membrane. The non-porous membrane is permeable to the gaseous species. The porous membrane has a porosity greater than 50% and is hydrophobic. In one embodiment, the composite membrane is oriented such that the porous membrane faces the aqueous recipient mixture and is impermeable thereto at the recipient mixture pressure. The invention is particularly suitable for separating chlorine dioxide from chlorine dioxide reaction liquor and absorbing in chilled water.

Abstract: An apparatus for targeting a desired target site on a body tissue comprising a wall of a first body cavity of a patient includes a target catheter. The framing member has a longitudinal framing member core defining a central framing member axis. At least one target point is carried by the framing member and is adapted for placement adjacent the desired target site. The framing member comprises a plurality of longitudinally extending multi-segment framing strands.

Abstract: An apparatus for targeting a desired target site on a body tissue comprising a wall of a first body cavity of a patient includes a target catheter. A framing member has a collapsed condition and an expanded condition. The framing member has a framing member body which includes a bulbous portion defining a maximum body footprint having proximal and distal body ends which are both longitudinally spaced from the maximum body footprint. The framing member is comprised of a plurality of framing member beams. At least three framing member beam arrays of framing member beams are arranged in non-overlapping longitudinal sequence to form at least a portion of the framing member. The framing member beams that make up the framing member substantially each have a width-to-thickness fractional ratio in the range of 0.6-3.0.

Abstract: An apparatus for targeting a desired target site on a body tissue comprising a wall of a first body cavity of a patient includes a target catheter. The framing member, when deployed into an expanded condition, has a framing member body which includes a three-dimensionally bulbous portion defining a maximum body footprint in a lateral dimension and has longitudinally spaced proximal and distal body ends which are both longitudinally spaced from the maximum body footprint. The proximal body end is attached to the target catheter. A protrusion has a diameter which is smaller than the maximum body footprint diameter. At least one target point is carried by the framing member and is adapted for placement adjacent the desired target site. At least one target pathway is attached to at least one target point. At least a portion of the target pathway is substantially spaced apart from the framing member body.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method of depositing a catalytic layer comprising at least one metal selected from the group consisting of noble metals, semi-noble metals, alloys thereof, and combinations thereof in sub-micron features formed on a substrate. Examples of noble metals include palladium and platinum. Examples of semi-noble metals include cobalt, nickel, and tungsten. The catalytic layer may be deposited by electroless deposition, electroplating, or chemical vapor deposition. In one embodiment, the catalytic layer may be deposited in the feature to act as a barrier layer to a subsequently deposited conductive material. In another embodiment, the catalytic layer may be deposited over a barrier layer. In yet another embodiment, the catalytic layer may be deposited over a seed layer deposited over the barrier layer to act as a “patch” of any discontinuities in the seed layer. Once the catalytic layer has been deposited, a conductive material, such as copper, may be deposited over the catalytic layer.