Abstract: In certain examples, aspects are directed to an ablation tool or other procedure-specific tool to treat or assess biological tissue (e.g., ablate cardiac tissue) having a first tissue side and a second, opposite tissue side at which a magnetic-draw element is to be located. In a specific example, a first magnetic element is associated with or coupled to a catheter tool having an expandable portion to transition from a first state towards a second state for providing an expanded girth, so that the expandable portion surrounds the first magnetic element and moves the procedure-specific tool, in part by the first magnetic element moving via magnetic attraction. While the first magnetic element and the magnetic-draw element align on either side of the biological tissue, the procedure-specific tool may be used for the procedure.

Abstract: In specific examples, aspects are directed towards an inner lumen which is at least partially moveable and/or slidable relative an outer lumen. The inner lumen is allowed to extend outside the outer lumen while the outer lumen remains stationary in a relative position to or outside the target tissue site. The inner lumen may then use a gas or liquid to cause a decrease in temperature as it expands with a sudden drop in pressure. This cools the target tissue sufficiently to cryoablate portions of the tissue at various depth.

Abstract: Various aspects of the instant disclosure are directed to imaging tissue. As may be implemented in accordance with one or more embodiments, aspects of the present disclosure are directed to apparatuses and methods involving the following. A light source includes an array of light emitters that illuminate a tissue region of a heart wall with light at different wavelength ranges. A light collector collects multispectral images including respective images collected at each of the different wavelength ranges at which the tissue region is illuminated. A catheter positions the light source and light collector proximate the tissue region of the heart wall for respectively illuminating the tissue region and collecting the multispectral images. A display circuit collects and displays one or more images depicting a condition of the health of heart wall tissue, based on the respective images collected at the different ones of the wavelength ranges.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present disclosure are directed toward devices, methods and systems for controlling depolarization in cardiac cells. One such device includes one or more circuits that are configured and arranged to generate an electrical stimulus at a high frequency. The circuit is configured to provide electrical stimulus over a period of time sufficient to depolarize the cardiac cells. An electrode arrangement is configured and arranged to deliver the high frequency electrical stimulus to cardiac cells and depolarize the cardiac cells.

Abstract: Various aspects of the instant disclosure are directed to imaging tissue. As may be implemented in accordance with one or more embodiments, aspects of the present disclosure are directed to apparatuses and methods involving the following. A light source includes an array of light emitters that illuminate a tissue region of a heart wall with light at different wavelength ranges. A light collector collects multispectral images including respective images collected at each of the different wavelength ranges at which the tissue region is illuminated. A catheter positions the light source and light collector proximate the tissue region of the heart wall for respectively illuminating the tissue region and collecting the multispectral images. A display circuit collects and displays one or more images depicting a condition of the health of heart wall tissue, based on the respective images collected at the different ones of the wavelength ranges.

Abstract: A transmural ablation device is provided to achieve endocardial and epicardial ablation at the same site but directed from the inner and outer surfaces of the heart to create a transmural lesion. By ablating from both sides of the heart tissue, it is possible to increase the depth of the lesion created and to increase the likelihood of a transmural lesion. Embodiments pertain to techniques to align the endocardial and epicardial ablation elements and techniques to position and move the endocardial and epicardial ablation elements along a predefined linear, curvilinear, or circular path. The ability to bring the epicardial and endocardial elements more closely or firmly with the underlying tissue is important in creating optimal lesions. Magnetic force attracts the epicardial and endocardial elements.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present disclosure are directed toward devices, methods and systems for controlling depolarization in cardiac cells. One such device includes one or more circuits that are configured and arranged to generate an electrical stimulus at a high frequency. The circuit is configured to provide electrical stimulus over a period of time sufficient to depolarize the cardiac cells. An electrode arrangement is configured and arranged to deliver the high frequency electrical stimulus to cardiac cells and depolarize the cardiac cells.

Abstract: A method is provided that includes providing a monitoring apparatus including one or more modules within a target cavity or lumen of a body. The one or more modules are provided within the target cavity or lumen in a first state in which the monitoring apparatus is configured to remain within the target cavity or lumen. The method further includes monitoring physiological conditions of the body using one or more sensors within the one or more modules, and providing the one or more modules in a second state in which the monitoring apparatus is configured to exit the target cavity or lumen.

Abstract: A transmural ablation device is provided to achieve endocardial and epicardial ablation at the same site but directed from the inner and outer surfaces of the heart to create a transmural lesion. By ablating from both sides of the heart tissue, it is possible to increase the depth of the lesion created and to increase the likelihood of a transmural lesion. Embodiments pertain to techniques to align the endocardial and epicardial ablation elements and techniques to position and move the endocardial and epicardial ablation elements along a predefined linear, curvilinear, or circular path. The ability to bring the epicardial and endocardial elements more closely or firmly with the underlying tissue is important in creating optimal lesions. Magnetic force attracts the epicardial and endocardial elements.

Abstract: Techniques for discrimination of heart rhythms in cardiac rhythm management devices include determining a current covariance matrix of multiple electrograms measuring each current heart beat, determining a distance measure between the current covariance matrix and a predetermined covariance matrix of the multiple electrograms measuring at least one different heart beat; and determining whether the heart beat represents ventricular tachycardia based on the distance measure.

Abstract: The system of the preferred embodiments includes a first rotational element, a second rotational element, and a therapeutic source coupled to the rotational elements. The system permits simultaneous attachment to and movement around a surface of tissue, preferably during an ablation procedure (either during lesion creation or between lesion creation events), or during any other suitable procedure. The therapeutic source functions to translate along the path of tissue and deliver therapy as the first and second rotational elements rotate and roll along the path of tissue. The therapeutic source preferably delivers contiguous doses of therapy along the path of tissue. The system is preferably designed for delivering therapy to tissue and, more specifically, for delivering therapy to cardiac tissue. The system, however, may be alternatively used in any suitable environment and for any suitable reason.

Abstract: A method is provided that includes providing a monitoring apparatus including one or more modules within a target cavity or lumen of a body. The one or more modules are provided within the target cavity or lumen in a first state in which the monitoring apparatus is configured to remain within the target cavity or lumen. The method further includes monitoring physiological conditions of the body using one or more sensors within the one or more modules, and providing the one or more modules in a second state in which the monitoring apparatus is configured to exit the target cavity or lumen.

Abstract: The system of the preferred embodiments includes a first rotational element, a second rotational element, and a therapeutic source coupled to the rotational elements. The system permits simultaneous attachment to and movement around a surface of tissue, preferably during an ablation procedure (either during lesion creation or between lesion creation events), or during any other suitable procedure. The therapeutic source functions to translate along the path of tissue and deliver therapy as the first and second rotational elements rotate and roll along the path of tissue. The therapeutic source preferably delivers contiguous doses of therapy along the path of tissue. The system is preferably designed for delivering therapy to tissue and, more specifically, for delivering therapy to cardiac tissue. The system, however, may be alternatively used in any suitable environment and for any suitable reason.

Abstract: A system and a computed implemented methodology is disclosed for processing electrical signals recorded from the heart and, more particularly, for objectively deriving sub-components and comparing signals and their sub-components.

Abstract: A medical device, and related method, use epicardial ablators and detectors for intraoperative epicardial approaches to ablation therapy of cardiac conduction pathways. An epicardial gripper is sized to grasp the cardiac circumference or smaller structures on the epicardial surface of the heart. Ablators are disposed on the arms of the gripper for epicardial ablation of cardiac conduction tissue. In another embodiment of the invention, an electrode system includes a flexible, adjustable probe forming a loop for epicardial ablation. Ablators are provided on one or multiple surfaces of the probe for epicardial ablation of cardiac conduction tissue. In yet another embodiment of the invention, an endocardial ablator detection system provides an indicator adjacent an ablator on an endocardial catheter, and a detector on an epicardial probe.

Abstract: Computer implemented methods and associated systems are disclosed for processing electrical signals recorded from the heart and, more particularly, for objectively deriving sub-components and comparing signals and their sub-components.

Abstract: A method of lubricating a moving surface is herein described wherein the lubricant composition contains a fatty acid, a neutralization agent, a pH buffer, and a carrier. Also described are compositions in both concentrate and dilute form. The compositions may also comprise additional functional ingredients.

Abstract: Computer implemented methods and associated systems are disclosed for processing electrical signals recorded from the heart and, more particularly, for objectively deriving sub-components and comparing signals and their sub-components.

Abstract: A method of treating cardiac arrhythmia, including guiding a distal end portion of a catheter, the distal end portion having a distal tip and accommodating an elongated configuration of ablation electrodes, from the inferior vena cava into the right atrium of a human heart, guiding the distal end portion from the right atrium into the right ventricle of the heart, deflecting the distal tip into a hook configuration, pulling the catheter towards the inferior vena cava until the hook configuration engages the tricuspid annulus of the heart and the configuration of electrodes engages the isthmus of tissue between the tricuspid annulus and the inferior vena cava of the heart, and activating the configuration of electrodes to produce a substantially continuous lesion on the isthmus of tissue.

Abstract: A medical device, and related method, use epicardial ablators and detectors for intraoperative epicardial approaches to ablation therapy of cardiac conduction pathways. An epicardial gripper is sized to grasp the cardiac circumference or smaller structures on the epicardial surface of the heart. Ablators are disposed on the arms of the gripper for epicardial ablation of cardiac conduction tissue. In another embodiment of the invention, an electrode system includes a flexible, adjustable probe forming a loop for epicardial ablation. Ablators are provided on one or multiple surfaces of the probe for epicardial ablation of cardiac conduction tissue. In yet another embodiment of the invention, an endocardial ablator detection system provides an indicator adjacent an ablator on an endocardial catheter, and a detector on an epicardial probe.