Abstract: A guidewire can include a shaft or core wire that has a distal section configured for access to a vascular treatment site and a proximal section configured for intervention at a vascular treatment site. At least a portion of the distal section of the shaft or core wire can have a diameter that is greater than a diameter of the proximal section.

Abstract: A guidewire and methods for making and using the same. The guidewire may include a core wire and a polymer jacket attached to the core wire. The guidewire may be manufactured by advancing the core wire, polymer jacket, and a tooling tube through a heated die assembly so as to heat and compress the polymer jacket onto the core wire. Optionally, the tooling tube may be removed from the jacket after advancing the components through the die assembly.

Abstract: A guidewire having an embedded matrix polymer construction and methods of making and using the same. The guidewire may include a core wire or member having a proximal region and distal region, a jacket disposed over the distal region, and a coil disposed over the jacket. The coil may include a coating and may be embedded within the jacket.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods for making and using the same. An example method for manufacturing a medical device, or one or more components thereof, may include providing a tubular member and laser cutting the tubular member to define an interconnected ribbon coil. An example medical device may include a core member and an interconnected ribbon coil disposed about a portion of the core member.

Abstract: A guidewire and methods for making and using the same. The guidewire may include a core wire and a polymer jacket attached to the core wire. The guidewire may be manufactured by advancing the core wire, polymer jacket, and a tooling tube through a heated die assembly so as to heat and compress the polymer jacket onto the core wire. Optionally, the tooling tube may be removed from the jacket after advancing the components through the die assembly.

Abstract: A guidewire can include a shaft or core wire that has a distal section configured for access to a vascular treatment site and a proximal section configured for intervention at a vascular treatment site. At least a portion of the distal section of the shaft or core wire can have a diameter that is greater than a diameter of the proximal section.

Abstract: Alternative designs, materials and manufacturing methods for guidewires. Some embodiments pertain to a guidewire having a core wire including a proximal section defining a proximal end and a distal section defining a distal end. The proximal section having a uniform diameter extending from adjacent the proximal end to adjacent the distal section. The distal section having a reduced diameter relative to the proximal section. A tubular polymer layer having an textured outer profile configured to enhance the ability of a user to grip the tubular polymer layer is disposed about a portion of the uniform diameter proximal section of the core wire.

Abstract: A medical device and methods of making and using the same. The invention may include a shaft having a proximal region and a distal region. A jacket may be disposed on the proximal region. A reinforcing member or braid may be disposed over at least a portion of the jacket.

Abstract: Intracorporal medical devices and method of making and using the same. The invention includes an intracorporal medical device having a proximal section and a distal section. An articulating member may be disposed adjacent the proximal and distal sections. The articulating member may provide the intracorporal medical device with improved bending characteristics.

Abstract: A device and method for delivering an agent to the uterine cervix make use of a seal member that defines a chamber upon engagement with the cervix. An agent delivery port in fluid communication with the chamber is provided for delivery of the agent to the uterine cervix. A vacuum port in fluid communication with the chamber allows application and retention of vacuum pressure to the chamber. At least a portion of the seal member can be made deformable in response to contact with the outer surface of the uterine cervix and application of vacuum pressure. Upon deformation, the seal member substantially seals the chamber against leakage of the agent. The seal member may include a skirt-like member that promotes adhesion of the seal member to the cervix, and enhances the effectiveness of the seal. The device facilitates vacuum application, cervical fixation, and a resulting barrier against uterine fluid leakage, providing an atraumatic, temporary cervical plug that remains effective while the vacuum is applied.

Abstract: In general, the invention is directed to techniques for lifting and positioning an organ, such as a heart, with two or more manipulating devices. One manipulating device serves as a lifting member, bearing a substantial amount of the weight of the organ, and another manipulating device serves as a positioning member, orienting or stabilizing the organ in a desired position. The manipulating devices, which may be vacuum-assisted, are coupled to one another with an adjustable structural connector, which secures the manipulating devices in a substantially fixed position relative to one another.

Abstract: Methods are provided to assist a surgeon in ablating conduction paths in tissue, such as a heart. In one embodiment, the invention presents a method that includes placing a guide in contact with the tissue to be ablated, applying an ablation probe to the tissue using the guide to assist in control of movement of the ablation probe, measuring the effectiveness of the ablation probe in ablation of the conduction paths, and deactivating the ablation probe when the measured effectiveness meets a desired level. Placement of the guide in contact with the tissue allows the surgeon to more easily sever the conduction path to form a lesion in a desired location.

Abstract: Devices and a method are provided to assist a surgeon in ablating conduction paths in tissue, such as a heart. A device can be configured to operate as a template that adheres to the tissue surface, and allows the surgeon to more easily sever the conduction path to form a lesion in a desired location. In particular, the template can be used to guide the surgeon's use of a surgical instrument along a desired ablation path. In some case, the template may incorporate hardware that structurally supports the instrument for travel along the ablation path. A surgical instrument such as an ablation probe, e.g., radio frequency, laser, ultrasonic, microwave, thermal, chemical, mechanical, or cryogenic ablation probe, may be used to sever the conduction paths. Measurements made substantially contemporaneously with the conduction path ablation operation may be used to evaluate whether the desired degree of ablation has been achieved.

Abstract: Devices and methods of manipulating and stabilizing organ tissue, such as heart tissue. The devices, which are of varying sizes, shapes and conformations, generally include a seal member having a chamber with a wall and a skirt-like member that extends outward from the chamber wall for contact with a surface of an organ. The skirt-like member is substantially compliant and tacky, thereby promoting adhesion with the organ surface. Adherence of the device to the tissue may be enhance by the mechanical or hydraulic application of vacuum pressure. The methods describe steps for manipulating, including moving, lifting, immobilizing, turning and reorienting, organ tissues. Additional methods describe steps for manipulating the heart.

Abstract: The invention provides techniques for holding a moving organ, such as a beating heart. A manipulation device that holds the organ includes an outer shell and an inner shell. Vacuum pressure applied to the outer shell draws the organ into the inner shell. The vacuum pressure is communicated to the inner shell chamber via one or more apertures in the inner shell. The inner shell may have a structure and a texture that enhances the hold on the organ, and the manipulation device may also include a skirt-like member to improve the seal between the manipulation device and the organ.

Abstract: Devices and methods of manipulating and stabilizing organ tissue, such as heart tissue. The devices, which are of varying sizes, shapes and conformations, generally include a seal member having a chamber with a wall and a skirt-like member that extends outward from the chamber wall for contact with a surface of an organ. The skirt-like member is substantially compliant and tacky, thereby promoting adhesion with the organ surface. Adherence of the device to the tissue may be enhance by the mechanical or hydraulic application of vacuum pressure. The methods describe steps for manipulating, including moving, lifting, immobilizing, turning and reorienting, organ tissues. Additional methods describe steps for manipulating the heart.

Abstract: Devices and a method are provided to assist a surgeon in ablating conduction paths in tissue, such as a heart. A device can be configured to operate as a template that adheres to the tissue surface, and allows the surgeon to more easily sever the conduction path to form a lesion in a desired location. In particular, the template can be used to guide the surgeon's use of a surgical instrument along a desired ablation path. In some case, the template may incorporate hardware that structurally supports the instrument for travel along the ablation path. A surgical instrument such as an ablation probe, e.g., radio frequency, laser, ultrasonic, microwave, thermal, chemical, mechanical, or cryogenic ablation probe, may be used to sever the conduction paths. Measurements made substantially contemporaneously with the conduction path ablation operation may be used to evaluate whether the desired degree of ablation has been achieved.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for use in applying UV light to a blood vessel wall following the performance of a balloon angioplasty procedure. It comprises an elongated optical fiber whose outside diameter permits it to be inserted into the lumen of a guidewire that is used to position the angioplasty balloon at the site of the lesion to be treated. The guidewire is provided with a light port and a suitable reflector is provided for causing UV light transmitted through the optical fiber to be radiated in a radial direction through the light port in the guidewire to thereby irradiate the vessel wall with UV energy that has been found effective in retarding growth of smooth muscle cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides a guidewire which incorporates an optical fiber and associated diagnostic apparatus for diagnosing tissue in vivo. Use of the present invention provides for diagnosis of tissue and tailoring of the therapeutic portion of the procedure to the tissue or condition identified by the guidewire and associated diagnostic apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention provides a guidewire which incorporates an optical fiber and associated diagnostic apparatus for diagnosing tissue in vivo. Use of the present invention provides for diagnosis of tissue and tailoring of the therapeutic portion of the procedure to the tissue or condition identified by the guidewire and associated diagnostic apparatus.