Abstract: Systems and methods for navigating a catheter along the epieardial surface of the heart are disclosed. At least some of the embodiments disclosed herein are useful for epieardial ablation, Various embodiments permit ablation of the epieardial surface of the heart using an external ablation catheter in the pericardial space and an internal guide catheter within the heart. Such a configuration allows the clinician to precisely target for ablation specific locations on the cardiac tissue.

Abstract: Various embodiments of devices useful to provide access to the tissues surrounding the heart to facilitate myocardial infarct healing are disclosed herein. In at least one embodiment, a suction/infusion catheter is used to provide localized suction to an area of myocardial infarct. In another embodiment, a system comprising a suction/infusion catheter is used to provide localized suction to an area of myocardial infarct.

Abstract: Devices and methods for controlling blood perfusion pressure. In an exemplary device for controlling blood perfusion pressure within a vessel of the present disclosure, the device comprises an elongated body having a lumen, a proximal end configured for placement in a first area having a first blood pressure, and a distal end configured for placement in a second area having a second blood pressure, partial occluder positioned within the lumen of the elongated body between the proximal end and the distal end, the partial occluder configured so not to fully occlude a blood vessel, wherein the partial occluder is configured to equalize the first blood pressure at the first area with the second blood pressure at the second area.

Abstract: Systems and methods for cryoablation of a tissue. In at least one embodiment of a cryoablation system of the present disclosure, the cryoablation system comprises an expandable stent comprising a proximal end and a distal end, a sidewall defining a lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end, and a cryoablation chamber at the distal end, the expandable stent configured to permit blood flow therethrough, and a cryoablation device comprising at least one coolant tube at least partially positioned within the cryoablation chamber, wherein the at least one coolant tube is operable to produce a cryogenic environment sufficient to ablate at least a portion of a tissue engaged within the cryoablation chamber.

Abstract: Devices and methods for assisting heart function. In at least one embodiment of a device for assisting heart function, the device comprises at least two electromagnetic plates having an inner surface, a cardiac processor electrically coupled to at least one of the at least two electromagnetic plates, a bladder having an inner chamber, the bladder attached to an inner surface of at least one of the at least two electromagnetic plates, a source of gas in communication with the inner chamber of the bladder, and at least one catheter having a proximal end and a distal end and having a lumen therethrough, the at least one catheter defining at least one aperture positioned therethrough at or near the distal end of the at least one catheter and comprising a pericardial balloon coupled to the at least one catheter at or near the distal end of the at least one catheter, the proximal end of the at least one catheter in communication with the inner chamber of the bladder.

Abstract: A system for engaging heart tissue includes an engagement catheter defining a first lumen therethrough and having a suction port at or near a distal end and a vacuum port at or near a proximal end, a delivery catheter defining a delivery catheter lumen therethrough and configured for slidable insertion into the first lumen of the engagement catheter, and an implantable device capable of insertion into the delivery catheter lumen such that at least part of the implantable device extends from a delivery catheter distal end upon implantation into a patient, where the suction port is operable to removably attach to a targeted tissue on an interior wall of a heart of the patient after the engagement catheter has been advanced through a blood vessel and into the heart, thereby forming a reversible seal with the targeted tissue when a vacuum source is operatively coupled to the vacuum port.

Abstract: A device for clamping a tissue, the device having a clamp (100) with at least one magnetic portion. In at least one embodiment, the clamp (100) has two oppositely polarized magnets (102, 104) and a mounting structure (106) for the magnets. In some other embodiments, a clamp has an electromagnetic collar (500) and a power source (300) to provide power to the collar (500) via an electrical connector (302). In at least some embodiments, the clamps (100) may also be electromagnetic.

Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed for the control of blood perfusion pressure within a blood vessel that undergoes arterialization. A cannula is introduced that contains a stenosis that either resorbs or is removed in time, allowing a gradual increase in blood pressure between two blood passages connected at either ends of the cannula. Particular emphasis has been made with the use of the cannula for the vessels in the heart.

Abstract: Systems and methods for localization of a puncture site on an atrial wall relative to a mammalian tissue of interest. In at least one embodiment, such a system includes a bodily access system, having an engagement catheter with an open distal end, a first lumen therethrough, and configured to reversibly attach to a first tissue using suction, a puncture device, configured to fit at least partially within the first lumen, and a scanner configured to identify at least a portion of the bodily access system when positioned within the luminal organ and further configured to identify a distance between a second tissue and a portion of the bodily access system. When such a system is used in connection with a therapeutic procedure, the distance between the second tissue and the portion of the bodily access system is used to facilitate a puncture of the first tissue at a desired location.

Abstract: A device, system and method for providing tissue and organ restriction. A device is described with respect to restricting gastric capacity while avoiding nutritional deficiencies and other complications. Additionally, a system and method are described for using the device to restrict gastric capacity to perform a non surgical gastric procedure.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for accessing the internal and external tissues of the heart are disclosed. At least some of the embodiments disclosed herein provide access to the external surface of the heart through the pericardial space for localized delivery of leads to the heart tissue. In addition, various disclosed embodiments provide devices, systems, and methods for closing a hole in cardiac tissue.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for accessing tissue, including the internal and external tissues of the heart, are disclosed. At least some of the embodiments disclosed herein provide access to the internal and external tissues of the heart to assist heart function. In at least one embodiment, a suction/infusion catheter is used to deliver gas to a pericardial space surrounding a heart.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for myocardial infarct border zone reinforcement. In at least one embodiment of a suction/infusion catheter for facilitating myocardial infarct border zone reinforcement, the catheter includes one or more apertures defined along a portion of the catheter at or near a distal end of the catheter, a first configuration when the suction/infusion catheter is at least partially extended from a delivery catheter, and a second configuration when the at least one suction/infusion catheter is positioned within the delivery catheter, the second configuration different from the first configuration, wherein the suction/infusion catheter, when introduced into a pericardial space surrounding a heart at or near a myocardial infarct border zone, is operable to inject a glue-like substance through a lumen of the suction/infusion catheter and out from the one or more apertures to deliver the glue-like substance into the pericardial space at or near the myocardial infarct border zone.

Abstract: An engagement catheter for use with a vacuum source for engaging a tissue. An embodiment of the engagement catheter includes a first lumen extending between a proximal end and a distal end, a skirt operatively connected to the distal end, the skirt having a distal end with a circumference larger than the outer circumference of the engagement catheter, a suction port located at or near the distal end of the engagement catheter, the suction port configured to allow the distal end of the skirt to removably engage a surface of a bodily tissue, and a vacuum port located at the proximal end of the engagement catheter and capable of operative connection to a vacuum source, wherein when a vacuum source is operatively attached to the vacuum port, the skirt is capable of forming a reversible seal with the surface of the bodily tissue.

Abstract: A device for clamping a tissue, the device having a clamp (100) with at least one magnetic portion. In at least one embodiment, the clamp (100) has two oppositely polarized magnets (102, 104) and a mounting structure (106) for the magnets. In some other embodiments, a clamp has an electromagnetic collar (500) and a power source (300) to provide power to the collar (500) via an electrical connector (302). In at least some embodiments, the clamps (100) may also be electromagnetic.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for closing an aperture in a bodily tissue. In at least one exemplary embodiment of an aperture closure device of the present disclosure, the aperture closure device comprises an elongated body extending from a proximal end to a distal end, and a closure portion coupled to the elongated body, the closure portion configured to fit within an aperture of a bodily tissue and comprising a material capable of autoexpansion within said aperture.

Abstract: A device, system and method for providing tissue and organ restriction. Embodiments of an implantable magnetic device are described with respect to restricting gastric capacity while avoiding nutritional deficiencies and other complications. Further, a delivery device is described for facilitating the delivery of the magnetic device to a targeted site. Additionally, methods are described for delivering the magnetic devices to a stomach.

Abstract: Implantable devices for providing tissue and/or organ restriction. Embodiments of an implantable magnetic device are described with respect to restricting gastric capacity while avoiding nutritional deficiencies and other complications. In at least one embodiment, the device comprises first and second bars that are biased to magnetically attract each other and engage a portion of tissue therebetween. In at least one embodiment, the device may comprise at least one strap and one or more pins, the pins configured to provide an amount of space between the first and second bars so that the tissue disposed therebetween is not overly compressed.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for accessing tissue in a minimally invasive manner and taking a biopsy tissue sample therefrom are disclosed. At least some of the embodiments disclosed herein enable a tissue sample to be taken from the external surface of the heart in a non-invasive manner. In addition, various disclosed embodiments provide devices, systems and methods for accessing the pericardial space through the interior of the heart and engaging the epicardial surface and removing a tissue sample therefrom for diagnostic purposes through the use of suction.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for removing fluid from a bodily tissue.