Abstract: A saliva collector comprises a reservoir, a bubble barrier, and a membrane, where the bubble barrier and membrane are arranged in tandem on a flow path from an inlet to an outlet on the reservoir. Air aspirated from a patient's oral cavity enters the reservoir through the inlet, passes through the bubble barrier to remove foam and bubbles, passes through the membrane to remove entrained liquid saliva, and passes out through the outlet.

Abstract: A saliva collector comprises a reservoir, a bubble barrier, and a membrane, where the bubble barrier and membrane are arranged in tandem on a flow path from an inlet to an outlet on the reservoir. Air aspirated from a patient's oral cavity enters the reservoir through the inlet, passes through the bubble barrier to remove foam and bubbles, passes through the membrane to remove entrained liquid saliva, and passes out through the outlet.

Abstract: An oral device for temporary placement in a patient's oral cavity includes a base, a tongue-engaging member and a tongue pocket. Partial vacuums are separately drawn through the tongue-engaging member and the tongue pocket in order to advance and control the position of the tongue in order to clear the patient's airway to reduce sleep apnea or treat other conditions.

Abstract: An ablating device has a cover which holds an interface material such as a gel. The cover contains the interface material during initial placement of the device. The ablating device may also have a removable tip or a membrane filled with fluid. In still another aspect, the ablating device may be submerged in liquid during operation.

Abstract: A saliva collector comprises a reservoir and a flow path from an inlet to an outlet on the reservoir. Air aspirated from the patient's oral cavity passes through an antechamber before reaching the reservoir. The antechamber is shaped to promote the collapse of any bubbles, allowing liquid saliva to drop from the antechamber to the reservoir.

Abstract: An oral device for temporary placement in a patient's oral cavity includes a base, a tongue-engaging member and a tongue pocket. Partial vacuums are separately drawn through the tongue-engaging member and the tongue pocket in order to advance and control the position of the tongue in order to clear the patient's airway to reduce sleep apnea or treat other conditions.

Abstract: A tissue ablation device includes an elongate body having a proximal end and a distal end, an array of ablation elements located at the distal end, and a connector configured to releasably engage the tissue ablation device with at least one medical device. The body is preferably flexible, and may form a wand-type device. The connector may be a magnetic element that magnetically engages the tissue ablation device with the medical device or a hook, for example a plastic hook, that extends outwardly from the array of ablation elements to hook the tissue ablation device to the medical device. The connector may be removably coupled to the ablation elements. The medical device may also be a tissue ablation device, and the connector may engage the two devices such that their respective ablation elements are substantially aligned to form a substantially continuous lesion.

Abstract: A device comprising a housing defining a mixing chamber; means for mixing solution contained in the mixing chamber to generate microbubbles in the solution; a needle array removably attached to the housing and in fluid connection with the mixing chamber, the needle array including at least one needle; and means for adjusting a needle insertion depth of the at least one needle.

Abstract: A device, comprising a housing defining a mixing chamber; means for mixing solution contained in the mixing chamber to generate microbubbles in the solution; a needle array removably attached to the housing and in fluid connection with the mixing chamber, the needle array including at least one needle; and tissue apposition means for pulling the needle array into apposition with tissue.

Abstract: The invention encompasses various introducer devices, typically used in conjunction with another, elongated medical device. The devices of the invention direct a medical device around or toward a desired anatomical feature through a tube having straight and curved regions. In preferred embodiments, the introducers of the invention are used with a device having a preformed shape, such as the sizing introducers used in atrial fibrillation treatments.

Abstract: A kit for use in a lateral thoracotomy procedure includes an introducer having an elongated flexible body. The distal end of the introducer forms at least a partial loop in a relaxed state. A lumen extends through at least a portion of the introducer, and at least one torque imparting receptacle is accessible via the lumen. The kit also includes a torque transfer device having a handle and a shaft fixedly coupled thereto. The shaft may be inserted into the lumen and the at least one receptacle such that, when the user imparts torque to the handle, the shaft transfers the torque to the introducer through the receptacle. The proximal end of the introducer may include a connector that to receive the handle of the torque transfer device or an ablation device. Sizing indicators may be included on the elongated body, preferably near the distal end.

Abstract: A tissue ablation device includes an elongate body having a proximal end and a distal end, an array of ablation elements located at the distal end, and a connector configured to releasably engage the tissue ablation device with at least one medical device. The body is preferably flexible, and may form a wand-type device. The connector may be a magnetic element that magnetically engages the tissue ablation device with the medical device or a hook, for example a plastic hook, that extends outwardly from the array of ablation elements to hook the tissue ablation device to the medical device. The connector may be removably coupled to the ablation elements. The medical device may also be a tissue ablation device, and the connector may engage the two devices such that their respective ablation elements are substantially aligned to form a substantially continuous lesion.