Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a medical device can comprise an elongate outer sheath that extends along a sheath longitudinal axis and defines a central lumen extending therethrough, the elongate outer sheath can comprise a proximal sheath portion and a distal sheath portion. A first guidewire can comprise a first guidewire end and a second guidewire end, the first guidewire can extend from the first and second guidewire ends through the central lumen and can form a distal looped portion. An occlusion device can be disposed at a distal end of an elongate flexible shaft. The elongate flexible shaft can extend from the proximal sheath portion through the central lumen. The occlusion device can include a guide lumen through which the first guide wire passes.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a medical device can comprise an elongate outer sheath that extends along a sheath longitudinal axis and defines a central lumen extending therethrough, the elongate outer sheath can comprise a proximal sheath portion and a distal sheath portion. A first guidewire can comprise a first guidewire end and a second guidewire end, the first guidewire can extend from the first and second guidewire ends through the central lumen and can form a distal looped portion. An occlusion device can be disposed at a distal end of an elongate flexible shaft. The elongate flexible shaft can extend from the proximal sheath portion through the central lumen. The occlusion device can include a guide lumen through which the first guide wire passes.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a medical device can comprise an elongate outer sheath that extends along a sheath longitudinal axis and defines a central lumen extending therethrough, the elongate outer sheath can comprise a proximal sheath portion and a distal sheath portion. A first guidewire can comprise a first guidewire end and a second guidewire end, the first guidewire can extend from the first and second guidewire ends through the central lumen and can form a distal looped portion. An occlusion device can be disposed at a distal end of an elongate flexible shaft. The elongate flexible shaft can extend from the proximal sheath portion through the central lumen. The occlusion device can include a guide lumen through which the first guide wire passes.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a medical device can comprise an elongate outer sheath that extends along a sheath longitudinal axis and defines a central lumen extending therethrough, the elongate outer sheath can comprise a proximal sheath portion and a distal sheath portion. A first guidewire can comprise a first guidewire end and a second guidewire end, the first guidewire can extend from the first and second guidewire ends through the central lumen and can form a distal looped portion. An occlusion device can be disposed at a distal end of an elongate flexible shaft. The elongate flexible shaft can extend from the proximal sheath portion through the central lumen. The occlusion device can include a guide lumen through which the first guide wire passes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmural ablation using an instrument containing two electrodes or cryogenic probes. A clamping force is exerted on the two electrodes or probes such that the tissue of the hollow organ is clamped therebetween. Bipolar RF energy is then applied between the two electrodes, or the probes are cryogenically cooled, thus ablating the tissue therebetween. The method provides for ablating cardiac tissue of a patient utilizing a sub-xyphoid approach and identifying cardiac tissue prior to ablation.

Abstract: A surgical device has an integral first tip having pair of electrodes configured to ablate tissue using electric energy. A second tip has a pair of electrodes configured to provide pacing signals to a heart and/or to sense electrical signals passing through heart tissue. The second tip is configured to snap onto the first tip, such that the same device may be used for ablation, pacing, and sensing. Alternatively, the second tip may be integral with the device and the first tip configured to snap onto the second tip. Alternatively, a single integral tip of the surgical device may be used for ablation, pacing, and sensing. Such a multipurpose tip may comprise a plurality of electrode pairs or an array of electrodes. A user interface on the device or elsewhere may be operable to provide selectable modes for selectively varying properties of signals communicated to the electrodes.

Abstract: A surgical ablation device. A pair of electrodes, each electrode having a surface area for contacting tissue. A pair of heat sinks each in thermal communication with an electrode, the heat sinks having a volume such that the ratio of surface area of the electrode to volume of the heat sink is less than about 3 in2/in3. The electrodes may be slender and parallel. When the electrodes are energized with bi-polar electric energy and placed in contact with the tissue surface, the tissue is heated and ablated such that the maximum tissue temperature occurs below the tissue surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for creating transmural ablations in heart tissue which, for example, may include two or more electrodes adapted to be connected to opposite poles of a bipolar RF generator so as to energize the electrodes to ablate cardiac tissue between the electrodes. A first electrode may be inserted into cardiac tissue at a first location and a second electrode may be inserted into cardiac tissue at a second location which is spaced from the first location. At least one of the electrodes may be adapted to provide a sufficiently low current density in the vicinity of the electrode to avoid substantial tissue desiccation when energized. Alternatively, the apparatus may include at least one bipolar ablation electrode which comprises an elongated conductive member of spiral shape having a pitch sufficiently small to provide sufficient surface area to avoid substantial desiccation of tissue when energized by a bipolar RF generator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for ablation of a layer of tissue is achieved by providing first and second bodies on opposed sides of the tissue. The first body includes a first ablation member and a source of magnetic force adjacent one side of the tissue. The second body includes a second ablation member and a magnetically attractive element responsive to the magnetic force adjacent the other side of the tissue. The magnetic attraction between the source and the attractive element is adapted to align the first and second bodies in opposed relationship on the opposed sides of the tissue. One of the first and second bodies may include at least one expandible member for controlling the magnetic attraction between the bodies.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmural ablation using an instrument containing two electrodes or cryogenic probes. A clamping force is exerted on the two electrodes or probes such that the tissue of the hollow organ is clamped therebetween. Bipolar RF energy is then applied between the two electrodes, or the probes are cryogenically cooled, thus ablating the tissue therebetween. The method provides for ablating cardiac tissue of a patient utilizing a sub-xyphoid approach and identifying cardiac tissue prior to ablation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmural ablation includes using an instrument comprising first and second jaws which each includes an ablation member. A clamping force is exerted on the two ablation members such that the tissue of the hollow organ is clamped therebetween. At least one of the first and second jaws further includes at least one EKG monitoring sensor on a tip of the associated jaw. The EKG sensor is spaced distally from its associated ablation member for contacting cardiac tissue. The EKG sensor is adapted to be connected to an EKG monitor, so that when cardiac tissue is grasped between the first and second grasping jaws, the EKG sensor contacts the cardiac tissue and transmits the signals generated by the tissue to the EKG monitor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmural ablation using an instrument containing two electrodes or cryogenic probes. A clamping force is exerted on the two electrodes or probes such that the tissue of the hollow organ is clamped therebetween. Bipolar RF energy is then applied between the two electrodes, or the probes are cryogenically cooled, thus ablating the tissue therebetween. The method provides for ablating cardiac tissue of a patient utilizing a sub-xyphoid approach and identifying cardiac tissue prior to ablation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmural ablation using an instrument containing two electrodes or cryogenic probes. A clamping force is exerted on the two electrodes or probes such that the tissue of the hollow organ is clamped therebetween. Bipolar RF energy is then applied between the two electrodes, or the probes are cryogenically cooled, thus ablating the tissue therebetween. A monitoring device measures a suitable parameter, such as impedance or temperature, and indicates when the tissue between the electrodes has been fully ablated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmural ablation using an instrument containing first and second jaw member and at least one of the jaw members having an ablation member. A clamping force is exerted on the jaw members such that the tissue of the hollow organ is clamped therebetween. An ablation energy source is then applied thus ablating the tissue between the jaw members. A monitoring device measures a suitable parameter, such as impedance or temperature, and indicates when the tissue has been fully ablated.