Abstract: An end-side anastomosis system including a fitting comprising: a base for attachment to a graft, said base be configured to form a seal with an opening in a host vessel wall; a leading petal having a cross-section with a radius of curvature approximating a radius of curvature of the host vessel, said leading petal being configured to dilate the host vessel wall opening while advancing said fitting through the opening; and a rear petal, said rear petal being deflectable to be advanced through the host vessel opening.

Abstract: Methods of manufacturing cellulosic structures, e.g., for use in expandable-collapsible electrode assemblies for diagnostic and/or therepeutic electrophysiology devices, are disclosed. One such preferred method includes providing a mandrel having a head portion and a neck portion, the head portion having an outer circumference greater than the neck portion, dipping the mandrel into a cellulosic substance, curing the cellulosic substance, and separating the mandrel from the cured cellulosic substance.

Abstract: An end-side anastomosis system including a fitting comprising: a base for attachment to a graft, said base be configured to form a seal with an opening in a host vessel wall; a leading petal having a cross-section with a radius of curvature approximating a radius of curvature of the host vessel, said leading petal being configured to dilate the host vessel wall opening while advancing said fitting through the opening; and a rear petal, said rear petal being deflectable to be advanced through the host vessel opening.

Abstract: An end-side anastomosis system including a fitting including a base for attachment to a graft, the base be configured to form a seal with an opening in a host vessel wall a leading petal having a cross-section with a radius of curvature approximating a radius of curvature of the host vessel, the leading petal being configured to dilate the host vessel wall opening while advancing the fitting through the opening and a rear petal, the rear petal being deflectable to be advanced through the host vessel opening.

Abstract: Sutureless anastomosis system deployment concepts are disclosed herein. Specifically, anastomosis strain relief devices are disclosed which are disposed, at least partially, over an anastomosis bypass graft just proximal to an attachment site between a host vessel wall and the fitting. The strain relief devices provide additional support to the graft while preventing kinking of the graft, especially when it emanates at acute angles from the anastomosis site. Furthermore, the strain relief provides additional support to the graft during manipulations involved in inserting and attaching ends of the graft. The devices can have a variety of configurations, e.g., helical, zig-zag, etc., depending upon the desired functionality. The strain relief may also be either incorporated into the graft or placed exterior to the graft and bonded. Moreover, integrated fittings or collars may be incorporated into the strain relief to expand its functions.

Abstract: An end-side anastomosis system including a fitting comprising: a base for attachment to a graft, said base be configured to form a seal with an opening in a host vessel wall; a leading petal having a cross-section with a radius of curvature approximating a radius of curvature of the host vessel, said leading petal being configured to dilate the host vessel wall opening while advancing said fitting through the opening; and a rear petal, said rear petal being deflectable to be advanced through the host vessel opening.

Abstract: An end-side anastomosis system including a fitting comprising: a base for attachment to a graft, said base be configured to form a seal with an opening in a host vessel wall; a leading petal having a cross-section with a radius of curvature approximating a radius of curvature of the host vessel, said leading petal being configured to dilate the host vessel wall opening while advancing said fitting through the opening; and a rear petal, said rear petal being deflectable to be advanced through the host vessel opening.

Abstract: Systems and methods for heating or ablating tissue use a porous electrode. The porous electrode comprises a wall having an interior area that contains an electrically conductive element. At least a portion of the wall comprises a porous material sized to block passage of blood cells while passing ions. The systems and methods position the porous electrode in contact with tissue. The systems and methods couple the electrically conductive element to a source of electrical energy. The systems and methods convey a fluid medium containing ions into the interior area to enable ionic transfer of electrical energy from the electrical conducting element through the fluid medium and porous material to ablate tissue. The systems and methods also specify differing electrical resistivities for the porous material based, at least in part, upon achieving differing desired tissue heating or ablation effects.

Abstract: Porous electrode assemblies for tissue heating and ablation systems and methods enable ionic transport of electrical energy to occur substantially free of liquid perfusion.

Abstract: Collapsible electrode assemblies and associated methods employ an array of filaments assembled to form a mesh structure. The mesh structure is adapted to selectively assume an expanded geometry having a first maximum diameter and a collapsed geometry having a second maximum diameter less than the first maximum diameter. Preferably, at least one of the filaments includes an electrically conductive material adapted for coupling to a source of ablation energy for transmitting ablation energy.

Abstract: Electrode structures are formed from flexible, porous, or woven materials. One such structure is made by forming first and second body sections, each including a peripheral edge. The first and second body sections are joined together about their peripheral edges with a seam, thereby forming a composite structure. Another one of such structures is made by forming a body having a three dimensional shape and opposite open ends, and at least partially closing at least one of the opposite ends by forming a seam. Another one of such structures is formed from a sheet of material having peripheral edges. The sheet is placed on the distal end of a fixture, while the peripheral edges of the sheet are gathered about the proximal end of a fixture, thereby imparting to the sheet a desired shape. At least one pleat is formed to secure the gathered peripheral edges together. The seams or pleats are formed by thermal bonding, or ultrasonic welding, or laser welding, or adhesive bonding, or sewing.

Abstract: An antenna assembly has an energy propagating region that is encapsulated in a material having a high dielectric constant for minimizing the loss of energy while having a high thermal conductivity for dissipating conductive heat patterns about the energy propagating region.

Abstract: Systems and methods for heating or ablating body tissue place in contact with tissue an electrode, which includes an exterior wall peripherally surrounding an interior area. A lumen conveys a medium containing ions into the interior area. At least a portion of the exterior wall of the electrode comprises a porous material sized to pass ions contained in the medium. The systems and methods transmit electrical ablation energy to the medium for ionic transport through the porous material to tissue. The systems and methods sense temperature proximal to where the electrode contacts tissue. The systems and methods control transmission of electrical ablation energy to the medium based, at least in part, upon the temperature sensed.

Abstract: Systems and methods reduce the effective volume of an atrial appendage by deploying first and second devices into the atrium. The first device carries a first element to affect positioning of the tissue surface in a repositioned orientation. The second device carries a second element to affix the tissue surface in the repositioned orientation affected by the first device. In one embodiment, the first device carries a loop structure having a perimeter. The second device is deployed within the perimeter of said loop structure. The systems and methods attach the second device to an interior surface of an atrial appendage, and pull the atrial appendage through said loop structure to cause inversion thereof.

Abstract: Enhanced electrical connections for electrodes are provided. In one implementation, an electrode body comprises a first electrically nonconductive layer and a second electrically nonconductive layer overlying at least a portion of the first layer. An intermediate region is formed between the first and second layers. An electrically conductive pathway extends within the intermediate region. An formed opening extends to the intermediate region, exposing a part of the electrically conductive pathway. An electrically conductive material is deposited on the second layer so that a part of the electrically conductive material passes through the opening to establish electrical contact between the electrically conductive material and the electrically conductive pathway.

Abstract: Collapsible electrode assemblies and associated methods employing a structure having an axis and a distal end. The structure comprises a wall peripherally enclosing an interior. The structure is adapted to selectively assume an expanded geometry having a first maximum diameter about the axis and a collapsed geometry having a second maximum diameter about the axis less than the first maximum diameter. An electrically conductive material is carried by the wall, forming an electrode region adapted to conform to both the normally expanded geometry and the collapsed geometry of the structure. In one implementation, a flexing element in the interior of the structure bends within the interior along the axis of the structure to displace the distal end relative to the axis. In another implementation, a stilette element within the interior of the structure imparts axial force upon the distal end along the axis of the structure, thereby axially elongating or shortening the structure.

Abstract: A porous electrode assembly for tissue heating and ablation systems and methods includes a wall having an exterior peripherally surrounding an interior area. The assembly includes a lumen to convey a medium containing ions into the interior area. An element couples the medium within the interior area to a source of electrical energy. According to the invention, the wall includes at least two spaced apart zones. Each zone comprises a porous material sized to pass ions contained in the medium, to thereby enable ionic transport of electrical energy from the source through the medium and porous material to the exterior of the wall. In a preferred embodiment, the at least two zones are spaced apart by a third zone comprising a material that blocks passage of ions contained in the medium.

Abstract: Systems and methods for heating or ablating body tissue use a porous electrode structure in which the porous section of the structure occupies more of the distal region of the structure than the proximal region. In a preferred embodiment, at least 1/3rd of the proximal region of the structure is free of pores. The porous section can be either ultraporous or microporous.

Abstract: Systems and methiods for heating or ablating tissue use a multifunctional electrode assembly. The electrode assembly includes a wall comprising an electrically conductive material peripherally surrounding an interior area. The wall has an interior surface facing the interior area and an oppositely facing exterior surface. A first element operatively associated with the exterior surface of the wall is adapted to carry out a first predetermined electrical transmitting or sensing function affecting body tissue. A second element operatively associated with the interior surface of the wall is adapted to carry out, independent of the first element, a second predetermined electrical transmitting or sensing function affecting body tissue different than the first predetermined electrical function.

Abstract: Tissue heating and ablation systems and methods use a porous electrode assembly with an electrically conductive surface. The electrode assembly includes an exterior peripherally surrounding an interior area. At least a portion of the wall comprises an electrically conductive material. A lumen conveys a medium containing ions into the interior area. According to the invention, at least a portion of the wall also comprising a porous material sized to pass ions contained in the medium. In a preferred embodiment, the electrode assembly further includes an element coupling the electrically conductive material to a source of electrical energy to transmit electrical energy. In this preferred embodiment, the electrically conductive material is also porous to pass ions contained in the medium. The assembly also preferably includes a conductive element coupling the medium within the interior area to a source of electrical energy to enable ionic transport of electrical energy by the medium through the porous material.