Abstract: An apparatus includes a body assembly, a shaft, and at least one tip member. The shaft extends distally from the body assembly and includes a distal end. The at least one tip member is secured at the distal end of the shaft. The at least one tip member and the distal end of the shaft are sized and configured to fit within a chamber of a heart of a human subject. The at least one tip member includes an atraumatic distal tip and an exterior dilation surface adjacent to the atraumatic distal tip. The atraumatic hollow distal tip may present an angled profile to minimize risk of coring tissue and is configured to deliver electrical energy to tissue for forming an opening through the tissue. The exterior dilation surface is configured to enlarge the opening formed by the atraumatic distal tip.

Abstract: A transseptal puncture system and method uses a guiding instrument, and an atraumatic puncture instrument longitudinally movable therein, with a first electrode configured for ablation and a second electrode electrically insulated from the first electrode. An impedance monitoring module is configured to measure at least an impedance at the second electrode, and an electrical generator is configured to selectively apply electrical energy to the first electrode based at least in part on the measured impedance at the second electrode. Moreover, impedance measurements at the first and second electrodes are used to determine relative positions of the instruments in the approach, contact, ablation and puncture of the septum.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a shaft assembly and a distal endoscope cap. A flexible distal portion of the shaft assembly is laterally deflectable relative to a rigid proximal portion of the shaft assembly. The shaft assembly defines a working channel sized and configured to enable advancement of a working element. The distal endoscope cap is configured to attach to the distal end of the shaft assembly. The distal endoscope cap has an outer diameter that is larger than the outer diameter of the flexible distal portion. The distal endoscope cap includes a body having at least one coupling member for attaching the distal endoscope cap to the distal end of the shaft assembly, at least one image sensor secured to the body for visualizing an anatomical structure, and at least one illuminating element secured to the body for illuminating a field of view of the at least one image sensor.

Abstract: An occlusive device for occluding a target area can include an elongate member having opposing first and second side edges extending longitudinally along the member and a member width. The member can have a collapsed configuration in which the first and second side edges are curled toward each other about a longitudinal axis of the member. Further the member can have an expanded configuration in which the member form a series of loops and the first and second side edges uncurl to be spaced apart from each other.

Abstract: An occlusive device for occluding a target area can include an elongate member having opposing first and second side edges extending longitudinally along the member and a member width. The member can have a collapsed configuration in which the first and second side edges are curled toward each other about a longitudinal axis of the member. Further the member can have an expanded configuration in which the member form a series of loops and the first and second side edges uncurl to be spaced apart from each other.

Abstract: An occlusive device for occluding a target area can include an elongate member having opposing first and second side edges extending longitudinally along the member and a member width. The member can have a collapsed configuration in which the first and second side edges are curled toward each other about a longitudinal axis of the member. Further the member can have an expanded configuration in which the member form a series of loops and the first and second side edges uncurl to be spaced apart from each other.

Abstract: An occlusive device for occluding a target area can include an elongate member having opposing first and second side edges extending longitudinally along the member and a member width. The member can have a collapsed configuration in which the first and second side edges are curled toward each other about a longitudinal axis of the member. Further the member can have an expanded configuration in which the member form a series of loops and the first and second side edges uncurl to be spaced apart from each other.

Abstract: An occlusive device for occluding a target area can include an elongate member having opposing first and second side edges extending longitudinally along the member and a member width. The member can have a collapsed configuration in which the first and second side edges are curled toward each other about a longitudinal axis of the member. Further the member can have an expanded configuration in which the member form a series of loops and the first and second side edges uncurl to be spaced apart from each other.

Abstract: An occlusive device for occluding a target area can include an elongate member having opposing first and second side edges extending longitudinally along the member and a member width. The member can have a collapsed configuration in which the first and second side edges are curled toward each other about a longitudinal axis of the member. Further the member can have an expanded configuration in which the member form a series of loops and the first and second side edges uncurl to be spaced apart from each other.

Abstract: There is provided an inductive coupler. The inductive coupler includes (a) a housing having an aperture that extends lengthwise through the housing, a gap that extends lengthwise along a side of the housing, and a flexible region that enables the gap to be opened or closed, wherein the gap, when opened, permits the inductive coupler to be installed on a conductor by having the conductor routed through the aperture. The inductive coupler also includes (b) a magnetic core; and (c) a winding wound around a portion of the magnetic core. The magnetic core and the winding are secured to the housing such that a position of the magnetic core and a position of the winding are maintained relative to one another. The inductive coupler, when installed on the conductor, couples a signal between the conductor and the winding via the magnetic core.