Abstract: Methods and apparatus for and performing a partial or complete discectomy of an intervertebral spinal disc accessed by one or more trans-sacral axial spinal instrumentation/fusion (TASIF) axial bore formed through vertebral bodies in general alignment with a visualized, trans-sacral anterior or posterior axial instrumentation/fusion line (AAIFL or PAIFL) line. A discectomy instrument is introduced through the axial bore, the axial disc opening, and into the nucleus to locate a discectomy instrument cutting head at the distal end of the discectomy instrument shaft within the nucleus. The cutting head is operated by operating means coupled to the instrument body proximal end for extending the cutting head laterally away from the disc opening within the nucleus of the intervertebral spinal disc and for operating the cutting head to form a disc cavity within the annulus extending laterally and away from the disc opening or a disc space wherein the disc cavity extends through at least a portion of the annulus.

Abstract: The present invention provides devices and methods for attachment of an endolumenal gastrointestinal device, such as an artificial stoma device, a gastrointestinal bypass sleeve device or an attachment cuff, within a patient's digestive tract for treatment of obesity.

Abstract: The present invention provides devices and methods for attachment of an endoluminal gastrointestinal device, such as an artificial stoma device, a gastrointestinal bypass sleeve device or an attachment cuff, within a patient's digestive tract for treatment of obesity.

Abstract: Aspects of this invention disclose devices and methods for attachment of a gastrointestinal sleeve. In some embodiments, the attachment device comprises a flexible cuff, a gastrointestinal sleeve interface, and a gastrointestinal sleeve. Some aspects of the invention contemplate the use of T-tags for attachment of the cuff to tissue. In some aspects of the invention, attachment of the sleeve to the cuff is achieved using various fasteners.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for treatment of morbid obesity using minimally invasive techniques. The apparatus includes a system of components that may be used separately or in combination for effectively reducing stomach volume, bypassing a portion of the stomach and/or small intestines, reducing nutrient absorption in the stomach and/or small intestines and/or depositing minimally or undigested food farther than normal into the intestines, thereby stimulating intestinal responses. The components described include an artificial stoma device, a gastric sleeve device, an intestinal sleeve device and a combined gastrointestinal sleeve device.

Abstract: A method of delivering ablation therapy in a heart chamber includes inserting a catheter in the heart chamber. Electrophysiological data in the heart chamber is acquired with the catheter. The position of the catheter is determined using an electromagnetic field source external to the heart chamber, and the location of the acquired electrophysiological data is determined using the position of the catheter. The acquired electrophysiological data is integrated with the location of the acquired electrophysiological data. Information related to the three-dimensional geometry of at least a portion of the heart chamber is received. A continuous three-dimensional color-coded map of the electrophysiological data is created and superimposed on a geometrical representation of the three-dimensional geometry information. The map is then utilized to deliver ablation therapy.

Abstract: A method of acquiring and mapping electrophysiological data in a heart chamber includes inserting a catheter having an electrode into the heart chamber. Electrophysiological data in the heart chamber is acquired with the electrode, and the position of the electrode is determined by using an electromagnetic field source external to the heart chamber. A geometrical representation of at least a portion of the heart chamber is created, and a three-dimensional map of the electrophysiological data is created and superimposed on the geometrical representation.

Abstract: A method of acquiring and mapping physiological data in a heart chamber includes inserting a catheter into the heart chamber. Physiological data in the heart chamber is acquired with the catheter. The position of the catheter is determined, and the location of the acquired physiological data is determined using the position of the catheter. Information related to the three-dimensional geometry of at least a portion of the heart chamber is received, and a three-dimensional map of the physiological data is created and superimposed on a geometrical representation of the three-dimensional geometry information.

Abstract: A method of acquiring and mapping physiological data in a heart chamber includes inserting a catheter having an electrode into the heart chamber. Physiological data in the heart chamber is acquired with the electrode. The position of the electrode is determined, and the location of the acquired physiological data is determined using the position of the electrode. The acquired physiological data is integrated with the location of the acquired physiological data. Information related to the three-dimensional geometry of at least a portion of the heart chamber is received, and a continuous three-dimensional color-coded map of the physiological data is created and superimposed on a geometrical representation of the three-dimensional geometry information. The map is then utilized to deliver ablation therapy.

Abstract: A method of acquiring and mapping physiological data in a heart chamber includes inserting a catheter having an electrode into the heart chamber. Physiological data in the heart chamber is acquired with the electrode, and the position of the electrode is determined. A geometrical representation of at least a portion of the heart chamber is created, and a three-dimensional map of the physiological data is created and superimposed on the geometrical representation.

Abstract: A method of acquiring and mapping electrophysiological data in a heart chamber includes inserting a catheter into the heart chamber. Electrophysiological data in the heart chamber is acquired with the catheter. The position of the catheter is determined by using an electromagnetic field source external to the heart chamber, and the location of the acquired electrophysiological data is determined using the position of the catheter. Information related to the three-dimensional geometry of at least a portion of the heart chamber is received, and a continuous three-dimensional color-coded map of the electrophysiological data is created and superimposed on a geometrical representation of the three-dimensional geometry information.

Abstract: A method of representing the geometry of at least a portion of a human heart chamber includes positioning a catheter in a heart chamber. The position of the catheter in the heart chamber is determined. The catheter is re-positioned and the position is re-determined a plurality of times to determine the geometry of at least a portion of the heart chamber. A three-dimensional, anatomical representation of at least a portion of the heart chamber is then created.

Abstract: The present invention provides devices and methods for attachment of an endoluminal gastrointestinal device, such as an artificial stoma device, a gastrointestinal bypass sleeve device or an attachment cuff, within a patient's digestive tract for treatment of obesity.

Abstract: A computer software program is described that maps the electrical activity of a patient's heart. The software program utilizes inputs from electrodes contained within a heart chamber. Inputs from the electrodes cause the program to calculate the heart chamber volume, and then to determine the position of the electrodes within the heart chamber. The program then utilizes inputs from the electrodes to calculate the three-dimensional volumetric electrical field distribution of said heart chamber. This calculation is accomplished using a spherical harmonic series expression. Finally, the computer program displays the electrical field distribution of the heart chamber.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for treatment of morbid obesity using minimally invasive techniques. The apparatus includes a system of components that may be used separately or in combination for effectively reducing stomach volume, bypassing a portion of the stomach and/or small intestines, reducing nutrient absorption in the stomach and/or small intestines and/or depositing minimally or undigested food farther than normal into the intestines, thereby stimulating intestinal responses. The components described include an artificial stoma device, a gastric sleeve device, an intestinal sleeve device and a combined gastrointestinal sleeve device.

Abstract: A mapping catheter is positioned in a heart chamber, and active electrode sites are activated to impose an electric field within the chamber. The blood volume and wall motion modulates the electric field, which is detected by passive electrode sites on the preferred catheter. Electrophysiology measurements, as well as geometry measurements, are taken from the passive electrodes and used to display a map of intrinsic heart activity.

Abstract: The present invention provides devices and methods for attachment of an implanted device, such as an artificial stoma device, a gastrointestinal sleeve device or an attachment cuff, within a patient's digestive tract for treatment of obesity. Special surgical fasteners provide a lasting and durable attachment to the gastrointestinal tissue without causing excessive pressure that could result in tissue erosion and detachment of the implanted device. Fastener delivery devices that facilitate peroral placement and deployment of fasteners and secondary devices are also provided. Also described are implantable devices and attachment means that avoid causing excessive pressure within the tissue by having compliance that is compatible with the gastrointestinal tissues where it is attached.

Abstract: A computer software program is described that maps the electrical activity of a patient's heart. The software program utilizes inputs from electrodes contained within a heart chamber. Inputs from the electrodes cause the program to calculate the heart chamber volume, and then to determine the position of the electrodes within the heart chamber. The program then utilizes inputs from the electrodes to calculate the three-dimensional volumetric electrical field distribution of said heart chamber. This calculation is accomplished using a spherical harmonic series expression. Finally, the computer program displays the electrical field distribution of the heart chamber.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for treatment of morbid obesity using minimally invasive techniques. The apparatus includes a system of components that may be used separately or in combination for effectively reducing stomach volume, bypassing a portion of the stomach and/or small intestines, reducing nutrient absorption in the stomach and/or small intestines and/or depositing minimally or undigested food farther than normal into the intestines, thereby stimulating intestinal responses. The components described include an artificial stoma device, a gastric sleeve device, an intestinal sleeve device, a combined gastrointestinal sleeve device and permanent and detachable attachment systems. Also described are devices for delivering and deploying the components of the system.

Abstract: A system for mapping electrical activity of a patient's heart. The system includes a set of electrodes spaced from the heart wall and a set of electrodes in contact with the heart wall. Voltage measurements from the electrodes are used to generate three-dimensional and two-dimensional maps of the electrical activity of the heart.