Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems employ cryolysis of oropharyngeal adipose tissues to selectively remove fat cells from the tissues causing obstructive sleep apnea. In various embodiments, a chilled liquid—e.g., a liquid or air—is applied to the target tissue at a temperature and for a duration sufficient to cause cryolysis.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for therapeutically treating tissue. The devices and methods are suitable for minimally invasive surgery or open surgical procedures. More particularly, methods and devices described herein permit accessing and/or treating areas of tissue with a therapeutic device.

Abstract: A guidewire for a medical device is disclosed. The guidewire includes an elongate body, a proximal connector assembly, a corewire, and a sensor assembly. The body has an annular wall that defines an interior lumen. The proximal connector assembly is coupled to the body and is configured for connection to a medical positioning system. The corewire extends through the lumen. The sensor assembly located on a distal end of the corewire is electrically connected to the proximal connector assembly. The sensor assembly is configured to generate an electrical signal indicative of a position of the sensor assembly in a reference coordinate system defined in the medical positioning system. The body includes a helical cutout extending over a predetermined length of the body. The helical cutout is configured to increase the flexibility over the predetermined length of the body.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods of monitoring blood flow velocity are disclosed herein. For example, one method of monitoring blood flow velocity includes: locating a blood flow velocity sensor near the ostium in the coronary sinus; and sensing towards a portion of the aorta. A second example method includes: locating a blood flow velocity sensor in a vein; and sensing towards an adjacent artery. A third example method includes: locating a blood flow velocity sensor near the tricuspid valve; and sensing towards a tricuspid valve annulus. A fourth example method includes: locating a blood flow velocity sensor right ventricular outflow tract; and sensing towards a portion of the aorta. A fifth example method includes: locating a blood flow velocity sensor in the great cardiac vein; and sensing towards a left anterior descending artery. A sixth example method includes: locating a blood flow velocity sensor in the right atrial appendage; and sensing towards a portion of the aorta.

Abstract: In MR imaging of a body part in the magnetic field of a magnet, an RF signal is applied in a transmit stage to the subject to be imaged such that the subject generates an MR signal in response to the magnetic field and the RF signal applied with the MR signal being acquired in a receive stage using an RF coil where the RF coil is an integral element defined within a supporting element such as a pillow or U-shaped head support carrying the body part or within an article worn or carried by the body part such as a cast, brace, brassiere or vest.

Abstract: Disclose herein is a method of measuring pressures in a coronary sinus. In one embodiment, the method includes: introducing a distal portion of a lead or tool into the coronary sinus, wherein the distal portion includes first and second pressure sensors and at least one selectably expandable member; expanding the at least one expandable member such that the first and second sensors are isolated from each other within the coronary sinus; and taking pressure measurements with the first and second sensors when isolated from each other.

Abstract: Disclose herein is a method of measuring pressures in a coronary sinus. In one embodiment, the method includes: introducing a distal portion of a lead or tool into the coronary sinus, wherein the distal portion includes first and second pressure sensors and at least one selectably expandable member; expanding the at least one expandable member such that the first and second sensors are isolated from each other within the coronary sinus; and taking pressure measurements with the first and second sensors when isolated from each other.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods of monitoring blood flow velocity are disclosed herein. For example, one method of monitoring blood flow velocity includes: locating a blood flow velocity sensor near the ostium in the coronary sinus; and sensing towards a portion of the aorta. A second example method includes: locating a blood flow velocity sensor in a vein; and sensing towards an adjacent artery. A third example method includes: locating a blood flow velocity sensor near the tricuspid valve; and sensing towards a tricuspid valve annulus. A fourth example method includes: locating a blood flow velocity sensor right ventricular outflow tract; and sensing towards a portion of the aorta. A fifth example method includes: locating a blood flow velocity sensor in the great cardiac vein; and sensing towards a left anterior descending artery. A sixth example method includes: locating a blood flow velocity sensor in the right atrial appendage; and sensing towards a portion of the aorta.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a magnetic navigation enabled tool configured for the delivery of an implantable medical lead. The tool includes a tubular body, a sensor and a conductor. The tubular body includes a distal end, a proximal end, an inner layer including an outer circumferential surface, a lumen inward of the inner layer, and an outer layer over the outer circumferential surface of the inner layer. The sensor is on the tubular body near the distal end. The conductor extends from the sensor coil towards the proximal end imbedded in the inner layer.

Abstract: An ablation catheter employing a continuous or nearly continuous flexible electrode arrangement. In one implementation, the flexible electrode include at least one electrode defining a saw tooth pattern. In another implementation, the flexible electrode is arranged in an interlaced pattern. Generally, the flexible electrodes are configured to adapt to the change in shape of the portion of the catheter that the electrode is connected with. Moreover, the flexible electrodes are arranged to provide a continuous or nearly continuous lesion of the target tissue. In some implementations, the flexible electrode may be connected with the catheter in a biased configuration, and as such may assist in changing the shape of a curve in the catheter.

Abstract: Disclose herein is a method of measuring pressures in a coronary sinus. In one embodiment, the method includes: introducing a distal portion of a lead or tool into the coronary sinus, wherein the distal portion includes first and second pressure sensors and at least one selectably expandable member; expanding the at least one expandable member such that the first and second sensors are isolated from each other within the coronary sinus; and taking pressure measurements with the first and second sensors when isolated from each other.

Abstract: The invention provides a deflectable catheter capable of forming many variable radius spiral forms from a single, flexible, distal end section. In one aspect, the catheter employs a variable radius control wire to extend or deform a pre-formed loop structure into a three dimensional spiral-like form or geometry. The ability of a single catheter to create the multitude of shapes and sizes possible allows users to access a greater number of anatomical areas without changing the catheter during a procedure or treatment. In another aspect, the invention encompasses methods of producing deflectable variable radius catheters, where two or more regions of the catheter having common control wires are fused or formed onto one another.

Abstract: An ablation catheter employing one or more manifold arrangements to convey a conductive fluid medium to a target tissue. The manifold includes at least one inlet port in fluid communication with a fluid supply lumen running along at least a portion of the catheter. The inlet port or ports are in fluid communication with a larger outlet port. The outlet ports provide an outlet for the fluid to flow out of the catheter and against the target tissue. As such, the combination of at least the inlet port with the outlet port provides a flow path for fluid within the fluid lumen to flow through the manifold and to outside of the catheter. An electrode is arranged in the flow path of fluid within or adjacent the manifolds. As such, fluid may be energized and conduct ablation energy to the target tissue to ablate the tissue.

Abstract: The present invention is a catheter actuation handle 14 for deflecting a distal end 18 of a tubular catheter body 12, the handle including an auto-locking mechanism, 54. The handle comprises upper and lower grip portions 24a, 24b, an actuator 20, and an auto-locking mechanism, 54. The auto-locking mechanism 54 is adapted to hold a deflected distal end 18 of the catheter 10 in place without input from the operator. When the distal end 18 of the catheter 10 is deflected from its zero position, it typically will seek a return to its zero position, and as a result exerts a force on the actuator 20. The auto-locking mechanism 54 acts by providing a second force that resists this force from the distal end 18 and holds the distal end 18 in place. As a result, the operator does not need to maintain contact with the buttons 22a, 22b to maintain the distal end 18 in a set position once placed there by actuating the actuator 20.

Abstract: An ablation catheter employing one or more manifold arrangements to convey a conductive fluid medium to a target tissue. The manifold includes at least one inlet port in fluid communication with a fluid supply lumen running along at least a portion of the catheter. The inlet port or ports are in fluid communication with a larger outlet port. The outlet ports provide an outlet for the fluid to flow out of the catheter and against the target tissue. As such, the combination of at least the inlet port with the outlet port provides a flow path for fluid within the fluid lumen to flow through the manifold and to outside of the catheter. An electrode is arranged in the flow path of fluid within or adjacent the manifolds. As such, fluid may be energized and conduct ablation energy to the target tissue to ablate the tissue.

Abstract: A catheter employing fluid force to steer and/or shape the catheter. In one particular implementation, the catheter includes at least one actuating lumen operably associated with the shaft of the catheter. The at least one actuating lumen is in fluid communication with a valve or other fluid control means at its proximal end. The at least one actuating lumen extends along the length of the catheter shaft and terminates at some point along the length of the shaft. Upon introduction of fluid into the actuating lumen, the fluid creates a force which causes the catheter to bend. As such, fluid may be used to steer and/or shape the catheter.

Abstract: A catheter employing fluid force to steer and/or shape the catheter. In one particular implementation, the catheter includes at least one actuating lumen operably associated with the shaft of the catheter. The at least one actuating lumen is in fluid communication with a valve or other fluid control means at its proximal end. The at least one actuating lumen extends along the length of the catheter shaft and terminates at some point along the length of the shaft. Upon introduction of fluid into the actuating lumen, the fluid creates a force which causes the catheter to bend. As such, fluid may be used to steer and/or shape the catheter.

Abstract: An ablation catheter having a catheter shaft and a virtual electrode, the virtual electrode comprising portholes through an outer peripheral wall of the catheter shaft and a metal electrode, the catheter being used for treatment of cardiac arrhythmia, for example, atrial fibrillation, by electrically isolating a vessel, such as a pulmonary vein, from a chamber, such as the left atrium. The catheter shaft includes a proximal portion and a distal portion. The distal portion includes an active region, which is either a looped structure transverse to the longitudinal axis of the catheter shaft, or a linear structure that extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the catheter shaft. During use, the active region is directed into contact with, for example, the wall of a pulmonary vein. Upon energization, the virtual electrode creates a continuous lesion on an inner wall of the pulmonary vein, thereby electrically isolating the pulmonary vein from the left atrium.

Abstract: An ablation catheter used for treatment of, for example, atrial fibrillation by electrically isolating a vessel, such as a pulmonary vein, from a chamber, such as the left atrium. The ablation catheter has a virtual electrode and a catheter shaft. The virtual electrode comprises a porous conductor. The catheter shaft includes a proximal portion and a distal portion. The distal portion includes an active region, which is either a looped structure transverse to the longitudinal axis of the catheter shaft, or a linear structure that extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the catheter shaft. During use, the active region is directed into contact with, for example, the wall of a pulmonary vein and, upon energization, the virtual electrode creates a continuous lesion at or near the ostium of the pulmonary vein, thereby electrically isolating the pulmonary vein from the left atrium.

Abstract: A transmyocardial implant establishes a blood flow path through a myocardium between a heart chamber and a lumen of a coronary vessel residing on an exterior of the heart. The implant includes a coronary portion sized to be received within the vessel. A myocardial portion is sized to pass through the myocardium into the heart chamber. A transition portion connects the coronary and myocardial portions for directing blood flow from the myocardial portion to the coronary portion. The coronary portion and the myocardial portion have an open construction for permitting tissue growth across a wall thickness of the coronary portion and the myocardial portion. The myocardial portion includes an agent for controlling a coagulation cascade and platelet formation.