Abstract: Disclosed is a surgical instrument for treating tissue in a surgical procedure. The surgical instrument comprises an end effector, comprising an anvil, and a staple cartridge. The surgical instrument further comprises a drive train operably coupled to the end effector, a motor configured to motivate the drive train based on a default control algorithm to affect a tissue treatment motion of the end effector, and a sensor configured to monitor an independent parameter of the surgical procedure. The independent parameter is independent of the motion of the end effector. The surgical instrument further comprises a control circuit coupled to the motor and the sensor. The control circuit is configured to receive an input from the sensor indicative of the independent parameter, and adjust the default control algorithm based on the independent parameter.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for controlling a tissue-treatment motion by a surgical instrument are disclosed.

Abstract: A prosthesis is provided for treating aneurysms, occlusive disease of vessels and body organs, and arterio-venous fistulas, occurring in single and bifurcated lumens. The prosthesis comprises an expandable coiled sheet portion having a biocompatible graft, either a sheet or tube, affixed thereto along part or all of the circumference of the coiled sheet portion. The prosthesis has a small delivery profile, making it suitable for use in a variety of body vessels. Methods of making and deploying the prosthesis in single and bifurcated lumens are also provided.

Abstract: A deflectable tip catheter that is used in combination with a guidewire for delivery of an ablation element to target areas of a patient's vasculature. The deflectable tip catheter has a handle portion, an elongated shaft and a deflectable tip portion. A guidewire lumen extends through the elongated shaft and deflectable tip portion. A guidewire passes through the guidewire lumen and exits from a port in the distal end of the deflectable tip portion. The deflectable tip of the catheter is deflected by manipulation of the handle portion to direct the advancement of the guidewire as the guidewire is advanced out of the distal port. By using the deflectable tip portion to direct the advancement of the guidewire, the physician's ability to navigate sharp angles is greatly improved. The deflectable tip catheter is particularly suitable for delivering an ablation element to a pulmonary vein or pulmonary vein branch for performing circumferential ultrasound vein ablation to treat atrial fibrillation.

Abstract: A prosthesis is provided for treating aneurysms, occlusive disease of vessels and body organs, and arterio-venous fistulas, occurring in single and bifurcated lumens. The prosthesis comprises an expandable coiled sheet portion having a biocompatible graft, either a sheet or tube, affixed thereto along part or all of the circumference of the coiled sheet portion. The prosthesis has a small delivery profile, making it suitable for use in a variety of body vessels. Methods of making and deploying the prosthesis in single and bifurcated lumens are also provided.

Abstract: This invention is a circumferential ablation device assembly which is adapted to form a circumferential conduction block in a pulmonary vein. The assembly generally comprises a handheld surgical ablation probe having a rigid shaft for insertion through a patient's chest and a circumferential ablation element mounted on the distal end portion of the shaft. The circumferential ablation element is adapted to ablate a circumferential region of tissue along a pulmonary vein wall which circumscribes the pulmonary vein lumen. The circumferential ablation element includes an expandable member for anchoring the distal end portion of the shaft in a body structure and an ultrasound transducer disposed within the expandable member for emitting ultrasonic energy to ablate the tissue in the pulmonary vein.

Abstract: This invention is a circumferential ablation device assembly and method which is adapted to form a circumferential conduction block in a pulmonary vein. The assembly generally comprises a handheld surgical ablation probe having a rigid shaft for insertion through a patient's chest and a circumferential ablation element mounted on the distal end portion of the shaft. The circumferential ablation element is adapted to ablate a circumferential region of tissue along a pulmonary vein wall which circumscribes the pulmonary vein lumen. The circumferential ablation element includes an expandable member for anchoring the distal end portion of the shaft in a body structure and an ultrasound transducer disposed within the expandable member for emitting ultrasonic energy to ablate the tissue in the pulmonary vein.

Abstract: A prosthesis is provided for treating aneurysms, occlusive disease of vessels and body organs, and arterio-venous fistulas, occurring in single and bifurcated lumens. The prosthesis comprises an expandable coiled sheet portion having a biocompatible graft, either a sheet or tube, affixed thereto along part or all of the circumference of the coiled sheet portion. The prosthesis has a small delivery profile, making it suitable for use in a variety of body vessels. Methods of making and deploying the prosthesis in single and bifurcated lumens are also provided.

Abstract: A deflectable tip catheter that is used in combination with a guidewire for delivery of an ablation element to target areas of a patient's vasculature. The deflectable tip catheter has a handle portion, an elongated shaft and a deflectable tip portion. A guidewire lumen extends through the elongated shaft and deflectable tip portion. A guidewire passes through the guidewire lumen and exits from a port in the distal end of the deflectable tip portion. The deflectable tip of the catheter is deflected by manipulation of the handle portion to direct the advancement of the guidewire as the guidewire is advanced out of the distal port. By using the deflectable tip portion to direct the advancement of the guidewire, the physician's ability to navigate sharp angles is greatly improved. The deflectable tip catheter is particularly suitable for delivering an ablation element to a pulmonary vein or pulmonary vein branch for performing circumferential ultrasound vein ablation to treat atrial fibrillation.

Abstract: A prosthesis is provided for treating aneurysms, occlusive disease of vessels and body organs, and arterio-venous fistulas, occurring in single and bifurcated lumens. The prosthesis comprises an expandable coiled sheet portion having a biocompatible graft, either a sheet or tube, affixed thereto along part or all of the circumference of the coiled sheet portion. The prosthesis has a small delivery profile, making it suitable for use in a variety of body vessels. Methods of making and deploying the prosthesis in single and bifurcated lumens are also provided.

Abstract: A stent including a helical mesh coil is provided having a substantially rectangular cross-section and a band width equal to at least one-quarter to one-third of the maximum expanded circumference of the stent. The helical mesh has a multiplicity of openings forming a lattice that preferably provides about 60% open space or more. Alternative embodiments of the stent include free ends that preferentially overlap neighboring turns of the coil, and integrally formed barbs that enhance resistance to localized compressive forces. Methods of deploying the helical mesh coil stent also provided.

Abstract: This invention is a circumferential ablation device assembly which is adapted to forming a circumferential conduction block in a pulmonary vein. The assembly includes a circumferential ablation element which is adapted to ablate a circumferential region of tissue along a pulmonary vein wall which circumscribes the pulmonary vein lumen, thereby transecting the electrical conductivity of the pulmonary vein against conduction along its longitudinal axis and into the left atrium. The circumferential ablation element includes an expandable member with a working length that is adjustable from a radially collapsed position to a radially expanded position. An equatorial band circumscribes the outer surface of the working length and is adapted to ablate tissue adjacent thereto when actuated by an ablation actuator.

Abstract: This invention is a circumferential ablation device assembly which is adapted to form a circumferential conduction block in a pulmonary vein. The assembly generally comprises a handheld surgical ablation probe having a rigid shaft for insertion through a patient's chest and a circumferential ablation element mounted on the distal end portion of the shaft. The circumferential ablation element is adapted to ablate a circumferential region of tissue along a pulmonary vein wall which circumscribes the pulmonary vein lumen. The circumferential ablation element includes an expandable member for anchoring the distal end portion of the shaft in a body structure and an ultrasound transducer disposed within the expandable member for emitting ultrasonic energy to ablate the tissue in the pulmonary vein.

Abstract: This invention is a circumferential ablation device assembly which is adapted to forming a circumferential conduction block in a pulmonary vein. The assembly includes a circumferential ablation element which is adapted to ablate a circumferential region of tissue along a pulmonary vein wall which circumscribes the pulmonary vein lumen, thereby transecting the electrical conductivity of the pulmonary vein against conduction along its longitudinal axis and into the left atrium. The circumferential ablation element includes an expandable member with a working length that is adjustable from a radially collapsed position to a radially expanded position. An equatorial band circumscribes the outer surface of the working length and is adapted to ablate tissue adjacent thereto when actuated by an ablation actuator.

Abstract: A prosthesis is provided for treating aneurysms, occlusive disease of vessels and body organs, and arterio-venous fistulas, occurring in single and bifurcated lumens. The prosthesis comprises an expandable coiled sheet portion having a biocompatible graft, either a sheet or tube, affixed thereto along part or all of the circumference of the coiled sheet portion. The prosthesis has a small delivery profile, making it suitable for use in a variety of body vessels. Methods of making and deploying the prosthesis in single and bifurcated lumens are also provided.

Abstract: A stent comprising a helical mesh coil is provided having a substantially rectangular cross-section and a band width equal to at least one-quarter to one-third of the maximum expanded circumference of the stent. The helical mesh has a multiplicity of openings forming a lattice which preferably provides about 60% open space or more. Alternative embodiments of the helical mesh may include specially designed free ends that preferentially overlap neighboring turns of the coil, to ensure that the free ends of the stent do not project into the body lumen, and integrally formed barbs that induce a ratcheting effect that ensures that the stent resists localized compressive forces. Methods of deploying the helical mesh coil stent also provided.

Abstract: A stent-graft delivery system and methods for use are provided for use in treating aneurysms occurring in single and bifurcated lumen hollow-body organs or vessels and for treating arterio-venous fistulas. A graft delivery component provides a clinician with complete control over the location of a graft at any time prior to implantation of stents, even when the graft is deployed from its introducer catheter. The graft delivery component includes a plurality of radially expandable fingers that releasably engage the graft, while the stent delivery component includes a small diameter introducer catheter and permits a wide range of conventional stent designs to be used to permanently fix the graft in position.

Abstract: A prosthesis is provided for treatment of aneurysms, occlusive disease of vessels and body organs, and arterio-venous fistulas, comprising an expandable coiled sheet portion having a biocompatible graft affixed thereto. The graft material, preferably a polytetrafluoroethylene ("PTFE") or polyesther material, is affixed to the coiled sheet portion by sintering, suturing, or bonding using a biocompatible adhesive. The coiled sheet portion comprises a lattice formed from a biocompatible material, and may include one or more rows of locking teeth adjacent one edge of the coiled sheet that interengage openings in an opposing edge of the coiled sheet portion to retain the prosthesis at a desired expanded diameter. The prosthesis has a small delivery profile, making it suitable for use in a variety of body vessels. Methods of making and deploying the prosthesis are also provided.

Abstract: Within a communication system, driving a numerically controlled oscillator with a frequency of a precision frequency oscillator and adjusting the frequency of the numerically controlled oscillator by a calculated number to be equal to that of a frequency signal derived from an external source. The calculated number utilized to adjust the numerically controlled oscillator is then transmitted to each of a number of subunits. Each subunit has another numerically controlled oscillator that is driven by a frequency derived from an internal communication link connecting the subunit to the communication system; and the other numerically controlled oscillator is controlled by the calculated number so that its frequency matches the frequency of the precision oscillator. The frequency of the internal communication link is controlled by the precision oscillator.

Abstract: An extended protective article capable of covering an upper extremity of a wearer from the hand and up to a region near the axilla, and providing protection from fluids from its distal to its proximal ends; the protective article can be formed of a single material or two components of dissimilar materials; a method for constructing the protective article is also provided.