Abstract: A sealed electrode enclosed in separator material is provided for use in a capacitor cell. The separator may either be adhered to the electrode in sheets, or may be formed into a pouch, which is used to enclose the electrode. A method of preparing the electrode sealed with separator is described in which an adhesive is used to secure the pouch to the electrode before sealing it. The prefabricated electrode and separator combination may be used in both coiled capacitor cells and flat capacitor cells that are often used in implantable medical devices. Electrodes prepared in this fashion can be efficiently and reliably aligned within the case of a capacitor cell, and have no exposed electrode surfaces that could lead to short-circuiting within the cell.

Abstract: A device for temporarily sealing an opening in a blood vessel is provided. The device comprises a cutting mechanism for creating an opening in a blood vessel and a seal for sealing the opening in the blood vessel. The seal is delivered through an inner lumen of a tool body coupled to the cutting mechanism. Methods for using the device to construct an anastomosis between two vessels are also provided.

Abstract: A device for temporarily sealing an opening in a blood vessel is provided. The device comprises a cutting mechanism for creating an opening in a blood vessel and a seal for sealing the opening in the blood vessel. The seal is delivered through an inner lumen of a tool body coupled to the cutting mechanism. Methods for using the device to construct an anastomosis between two vessels are also provided.

Abstract: A cardiac electrode assembly includes an electrode lead with a plurality of electrical conductors in a common lead jacket. The electrical conductors include a primary conductor and at least a first secondary conductor. At a proximal end of the lead, the conductors terminate at a connector having a plurality of exposed electrical contacts. The contacts include a primary contact connected to the primary conductor and a secondary contact connected to the secondary conductor. A plurality of cardiac electrodes is mechanically connected to the distal end of the lead. The plurality includes a primary cardiac electrode and at least a secondary cardiac electrode (more preferably, at least two secondary cardiac electrodes) connected to one or more secondary conductors. In still preferred embodiments of the invention, multiple secondary conductors with separate leads in the common jacket are connected to the distal end of the common lead jacket.

Abstract: Implantable medical devices (IMDs) and their various components, including flat electrolytic capacitors for same, and methods of making and using same and providing for outgassing of gases released during capacitor charge and discharge cycles are disclosed. A gas vent and liquid electrolyte barrier into the electrolyte fill tube lumen that is used to fill the interior case chamber with electrolyte and then needs to be closed to prevent leakage of electrolyte. The fill port is shaped to comprise a fill port tube having interior and exterior tube ends and a fill port ferrule intermediate the ends of the fill port tube and comprising a fill port ferrule flange extending transversely to and away from the fill port tube.

Abstract: A capacitor is described. The capacitor includes a case chamber. An electrode stack assembly is disposed within the case chamber. The electrode stack assembly includes a layer. The layer includes an anode subassembly. The anode subassembly comprises at least one anode layer that has an anode edge disposed at a first distance from an interior wall of the case chamber. The layer also includes a capacitor layer. The capacitor layer includes a cathode edge disposed at a second distance from the wall interior. The second distance is greater than the first distance.

Abstract: A sealed electrode enclosed in separator material is provided for use in a capacitor cell. The separator may either be adhered to the electrode in sheets, or may be formed into a pouch, which is used to enclose the electrode. A method of preparing the electrode sealed with separator is described in which an adhesive is used to secure the pouch to the electrode before sealing it. The prefabricated electrode and separator combination may be used in both coiled capacitor cells and flat capacitor cells that are often used in implantable medical devices. Electrodes prepared in this fashion can be efficiently and reliably aligned within the case of a capacitor cell, and have no exposed electrode surfaces that could lead to short-circuiting within the cell.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for treating congestive heart failure by administering a fibrosis-inducing agent to an epicardial surface of the heart in an amount selected to induce the formation of fibrosis on the epicardial surface. The fibrosis-inducing agent may be a drug, metal, abrasive or an electrical stimulation on the epicardial surface.

Abstract: Flat electrolytic capacitors, particularly, for use in implantable medical devices (IMDs), and the methods of fabrication of same are disclosed. The capacitors are formed with an electrode stack assembly comprising a plurality of stacked capacitor layers each comprising an anode sub-assembly of at least one anode layer, a cathode layer and separator layers wherein the anode and cathode layers have differing dimensions that avoid electrical short circuits between peripheral edges of adjacent anode and cathode layers but maximize anode electrode surface area.

Abstract: Flat electrolytic capacitors, particularly, for use in implantable medical devices (IMDs), and the methods of fabrication of same are disclosed. The capacitors are formed with an electrode stack assembly comprising a plurality of stacked capacitor layers each comprising an anode sub-assembly of at least one anode layer, a cathode layer and separator layers wherein the anode and cathode layers have differing dimensions that avoid electrical short circuits between peripheral edges of adjacent anode and cathode layers but maximize anode electrode surface area.

Abstract: A device for temporarily sealing an opening in a blood vessel is provided. The device comprises a cutting mechanism for creating an opening in a blood vessel and a seal for sealing the opening in the blood vessel. The seal is delivered through an inner lumen of a tool body coupled to the cutting mechanism. Methods for using the device to construct an anastomosis between two vessels are also provided.

Abstract: A sealed electrode enclosed in separator material is provided for use in a capacitor cell. The separator may either be adhered to the electrode in sheets, or may be formed into a pouch, which is used to enclose the electrode. A method of preparing the electrode sealed with separator is described in which an adhesive is used to secure the pouch to the electrode before sealing it. The prefabricated electrode and separator combination may be used in both coiled capacitor cells and flat capacitor cells that are often used in implantable medical devices. Electrodes prepared in this fashion can be efficiently and reliably aligned within the case of a capacitor cell, and have no exposed electrode surfaces that could lead to short-circuiting within the cell.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for treating congestive heart failure. The method includes relieving wall stress on a diseased heart by an amount to decrease a rate of myocardial cell loss. Further, the method includes pharmacologically encouraging a myocardial cell gain. Cell gain may be encouraged by cell replication, cell recruitment or inhibition of cell death. Further embodiments of the method include a passive cardiac constraint selected to reduce wall stress on the heart. An apparatus of the present invention includes a passive cardiac constraint and a pharmacological agent to encourage cell gain.

Abstract: Flat electrolytic capacitors, particularly, for use in implantable medical devices (IMDs), and the methods of fabrication of same are disclosed. The capacitors are formed with an electrode stack assembly comprising a plurality of stacked capacitor layers each comprising an anode sub-assembly of at least one anode layer, a cathode layer and separator layers wherein the anode and cathode layers have differing dimensions that avoid electrical short circuits between peripheral edges of adjacent anode and cathode layers but maximize anode electrode surface area.

Abstract: A tubular suction tool for accessing an anatomic surface or anatomic space and particularly the pericardium to access pericardial space and the epicardial surface of the heart to implant cardiac leads in a minimally invasive manner are disclosed. The suction tool incorporates a suction pad concave wall defining a suction cavity, a plurality of suction ports arrayed about the concave wall, and a suction lumen, to form a bleb of tissue into the suction cavity when suction is applied. The suction cavity extends along one side of the suction pad, so that the suction pad and suction cavity can be applied tangentially against a tissue site. The suction tool can incorporate light emission and video imaging of tissue adjacent the suction pad. A working lumen terminating in a working lumen port into the suction cavity enables introduction of tools, cardiac leads, and other instruments, cells, drugs or materials into or through the tissue bleb drawn into the suction cavity.

Abstract: A device for holding a surgical suture including a base, a guide body, a cam body, a bearing member, and a spring member. The base has a top side, a front edge, and a back edge. The guide body projects from the top side of the base and defines a guide face having an entrance side and an exit side. The entrance side is adjacent the front edge and the exit side is adjacent the back edge. The cam body is pivotally mounted to the top side and forms a toothed surface positioned to selectively secure a surgical suture against the guide face. The spring member is positioned between the cam body and the bearing member, biasing the toothed surface toward the guide face.

Abstract: Flat electrolytic capacitors, particularly, for use in implantable medical devices (IMDs), and the methods of fabrication of same are disclosed. The capacitors are formed with an electrode stack assembly comprising a plurality of stacked capacitor layers each comprising an anode sub-assembly of at least one anode layer, a cathode layer and separator layers wherein the anode and cathode layers have differing dimensions that avoid electrical short circuits between peripheral edges of adjacent anode and cathode layers but maximize anode electrode surface area.

Abstract: A tubular suction tool for accessing an anatomic surface or anatomic space and particularly the pericardium to access pericardial space and the epicardial surface of the heart to implant cardiac leads in a minimally invasive manner are disclosed. The suction tool incorporates a suction pad concave wall defining a suction cavity, a plurality of suction ports arrayed about the concave wall, and a suction lumen, to form a bleb of tissue into the suction cavity when suction is applied. The suction cavity extends along one side of the suction pad, so that the suction pad and suction cavity can be applied tangentially against a tissue site. The suction tool can incorporate light emission and video imaging of tissue adjacent the suction pad. A working lumen terminating in a working lumen port into the suction cavity enables introduction of tools, cardiac leads, and other instruments, cells, drugs or materials into or through the tissue bleb drawn into the suction cavity.

Abstract: This invention provides an organ positioning device and method that employs suction to hold organ tissue to the device. The device allows the organ, for example, heart to be positioned in a desired orientation but otherwise allowing movement of the heart as the heart beats. The device is designed to be relatively atraumatic to heart tissue. Generally, the device comprises a resiliently flexible suction head having a plurality of legs that flex to conform to the surface of the heart. The suction head has vacuum passageways in fluid communication with the legs to apply suction between the legs and the surface of the heart.

Abstract: This invention provides an organ positioning device and method that employs suction to hold organ tissue to the device. The device allows the organ, for example, heart to be positioned in a desired orientation but otherwise allowing movement of the heart as the heart beats. The device is designed to be relatively atraumatic to heart tissue. Generally, the device comprises a resiliently flexible suction head having a plurality of legs that flex to conform to the surface of the heart. The suction head has vacuum passageways in fluid communication with the legs to apply suction between the legs and the surface of the heart.