Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of systems, devices, components and methods for re-positioning or displacing a patient's esophagus a safe distance away from the patient's heart during an atrial ablation surgical procedure. An esophageal displacement catheter is disclosed that is configured to reposition a patient's esophagus 20 mm or more away from an ablation location in the patient's heart. A distendable section of the catheter is configured such that portions of a first pulling member extend sufficiently far away from joints located in the distendable section when the first pulling member is in a retracted position to permit the distendable section to assume a deployed and distended configuration. At least one flexible deformable or distendable member, sheath or covering is configured to be disposed over and cover the portions of the first pulling member extending away from the joints when the distendable section is the deployed and distended configuration.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of systems, devices, components and methods for re-positioning or displacing a patient's esophagus a safe distance away from the patient's heart during an atrial ablation surgical procedure. An esophageal displacement catheter is disclosed that is configured to reposition a patient's esophagus 20 mm or more away from the ablation location in the patient's heart. A distendable section of the catheter is configured such that portions of a first pulling member extend sufficiently far away from joints located in the distendable section when the first pulling member is in a retracted position to permit the distendable section to assume a deployed and distended configuration. At least one flexible deformable or distendable member, sheath or covering is configured to be disposed over and cover the portions of the first pulling member extending away from the joints when the distendable section is the deployed and distended configuration.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of systems, devices, components and methods for re-positioning or displacing a patient's esophagus a safe distance away from the patient's heart during an atrial ablation surgical procedure. An esophageal displacement catheter is disclosed that is configured to reposition a patient's esophagus 20 mm or more away from the ablation location in the patient's heart. The catheter is easy to use, and according to some embodiments may be configured to transmit torque on substantially a 1:1 basis between its proximal and distal ends if a distendable section of the catheter needs to be re-positioned in the patient's esophagus.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of systems, devices, components and methods for re-positioning or displacing a patient's esophagus a safe distance away from the patient's heart during an atrial ablation surgical procedure. An esophageal displacement catheter is disclosed that is configured to reposition a patient's esophagus 20 mm or more away from the ablation location in the patient's heart. The catheter is easy to use, and according to some embodiments may be configured to transmit torque on substantially a 1:1 basis between its proximal and distal ends if a distendable section of the catheter needs to be re-positioned in the patient's esophagus.

Abstract: Provided are bone conducting hearing devices having a normal force that secures the device to a user. A removable adhesive anchor secures an external component of the bone conducting hearing device to the user and provides reliable connecting that is comfortable, such as by a substantially uniform force generation over the contact area between the device and the user. Because the adhesive anchor is removable, a user can readily and reliably remove the device or connect the device, as desired. Also provide are methods of connecting any of the bone conducting hearing devices provided herein to a user, including the mastoid process of the user.

Abstract: Provided are bone conducting hearing devices having a normal force that secures the device to a user. A removable adhesive anchor secures an external component of the bone conducting hearing device to the user and provides reliable connecting that is comfortable, such as by a substantially uniform force generation over the contact area between the device and the user. Because the adhesive anchor is removable, a user can readily and reliably remove the device or connect the device, as desired. Also provide are methods of connecting any of the bone conducting hearing devices provided herein to a user, including the mastoid process of the user.

Abstract: A tube which circumferentially distends from its initial circumference upon the application of a circumferentially distending force such as applied by an internal pressure, and which exhibits minimal recoil following the removal of the circumferentially distending force. The tube preferably has a second circumference larger than the initial circumference which remains substantially unchanged by further increasing force once it has been achieved. Because of the distensible circumference and minimal recoil of the tube, the tube is useful as a liner for pipes and vessels and particularly for pipes and vessels having irregular internal surfaces to which the tube can smoothly conform. The tube is preferably made from porous PTFE with thin walls, in which form it is particularly useful as a liner for both living and prosthetic blood vessels and to line anastomoses between living and prosthetic blood vessels.