Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide systems, apparatus, device and methods for sealing a puncture in a tissue wall. According to one aspect, the system includes at least one supporting element for insertion into or placement on at least a portion of a tissue wall proximate a puncture to prevent expansion of the puncture; and a closing element adapted for at least partial insertion into the tissue wall and shaped to compress at least a portion of a tissue wall in an inward direction to close the tissue puncture when inserted at least partially into the tissue wall.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide systems, apparatus, device and methods for sealing a puncture in a tissue wall. According to one aspect, the system includes at least one supporting element for insertion into or placement on at least a portion of a tissue wall proximate a puncture to prevent expansion of the puncture; and a closing element adapted for at least partial insertion into the tissue wall and shaped to compress at least a portion of a tissue wall in an inward direction to close the tissue puncture when inserted at least partially into the tissue wall.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide systems, apparatus, device and methods for sealing a puncture in a tissue wall. According to one aspect, the system includes at least one supporting element for insertion into or placement on at least a portion of a tissue wall proximate a puncture to prevent expansion of the puncture; and a closing element adapted for at least partial insertion into the tissue wall and shaped to compress at least a portion of a tissue wall in an inward direction to close the tissue puncture when inserted at least partially into the tissue wall.

Abstract: Methods, systems and devices for effectively and safely accessing and verifying a target site within a vessel or body cavity undergoing a catheter-based procedure or treatment. The present invention further includes the accurate delivery an instrument, an implantable device and/or materials to the target site. The present invention is particularly useful for transvenously assessing the suitability of a target site within the coronary vasculature for placement of a pacing electrode and transvenously placing the pacing electrode at the target site.

Abstract: Methods and devices for modulating heart valve function are provided. In the subject methods, a heart valve is first in structurally modified. Blood flow through the structurally modified heart valve is then monitored, and the heart is paced in response to the monitored blood flow. Also provided are devices, systems and kits that find use in practicing the subject methods. The subject methods find use in a variety of applications.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide systems, apparatus, device and methods for sealing a puncture in a tissue wall. According to one aspect, the system includes at least one supporting element for insertion into or placement on at least a portion of a tissue wall proximate a puncture to prevent expansion of the puncture; and a closing element adapted for at least partial insertion into the tissue wall and shaped to compress at least a portion of a tissue wall in an inward direction to close the tissue puncture when inserted at least partially into the tissue wall.

Abstract: Methods and devices for modulating heart valve function are provided. In the subject methods, a heart valve is first in structurally modified. Blood flow through the structurally modified heart valve is then monitored, and the heart is paced in response to the monitored blood flow. Also provided are devices, systems and kits that find use in practicing the subject methods. The subject methods find use in a variety of applications.

Abstract: Methods and devices for selectively removing an agent from a physiological site, e.g., a physiological efferent fluid collection site, are provided. Aspects of the invention include fluid removal (e.g., aspiration) devices having a fluid removal element and a flow modulator positioned at a distal end of the fluid removal element. The flow modulator is configured to converge intersecting fluid flow paths into the fluid removal element. Also provided are systems and kits for performing the subject methods. The subject invention finds use in a variety of different applications, including the selective removal of both therapeutic and diagnostic agents from a variety of different physiological sites.

Abstract: Methods and devices for introduction of an agent to a vascular physiological site are provided. Aspects of the methods include employing an agent delivery device and an aspiration device to introduce and remove agent from a vascular site in a manner sufficient to minimize agent loss. Also provided are systems and kits for performing the subject methods. The subject invention finds use in a variety of different applications.

Abstract: Methods, systems and devices for establishing communication between organs and/or tissue lumens. The devices include catheters having magnetized distal ends which are configured to magnetically couple to each other such that a coaxial alignment is established between two or more catheters. The systems include two or more the subject catheters. The methods include use of the catheters and magnetically coupling them to establish a continuous passageway between them.

Abstract: Methods, systems and devices for effectively and safely accessing and verifying a target site within a vessel or body cavity undergoing a catheter-based procedure or treatment. The present invention further includes the accurate delivery an instrument, an implantable device and/or materials to the target site. The present invention is particularly useful for transvenously assessing the suitability of a target site within the coronary vasculature for placement of a pacing electrode and transvenously placing the pacing electrode at the target site.

Abstract: Methods and devices for modulating heart valve function are provided. In the subject methods, a heart valve is first in structurally modified. Blood flow through the structurally modified heart valve is then monitored, and the heart is paced in response to the monitored blood flow. Also provided are devices, systems and kits that find use in practicing the subject methods. The subject methods find use in a variety of applications.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention include methods and devices for selectively removing an agent from a physiological efferent fluid collection site are provided. In certain embodiments, an aspiration device is employed to selectively remove the target agent from the site, e.g., by removing fluid from the target site primarily when the target agent is at least predicted to be, e.g., anticipated and/or known to be, present in the site. Embodiments of the invention also include systems and kits for performing the subject methods. The subject invention finds use in a variety of different applications, including the selective removal of both therapeutic and diagnostic agents from a variety of different physiological sites.

Abstract: Methods and devices for selectively removing an agent from a physiological site, e.g., a physiological efferent fluid collection site, are provided. Aspects of the invention include fluid removal (e.g., aspiration) devices having a fluid removal element and a flow modulator positioned at a distal end of the fluid removal element. The flow modulator is configured to converge intersecting fluid flow paths into the fluid removal element. Also provided are systems and kits for performing the subject methods. The subject invention finds use in a variety of different applications, including the selective removal of both therapeutic and diagnostic agents from a variety of different physiological sites.

Abstract: Methods, systems and devices for establishing communication between organs and/or tissue lumens. The devices include catheters having magnetized distal ends which are configured to magnetically couple to each other such that a coaxial alignment is established between two or more catheters. The systems include two or more the subject catheters. The methods include use of the catheters and magnetically coupling them to establish a continuous passageway between them.

Abstract: Methods and devices for selectively removing an agent from a physiological efferent fluid collection site are provided. A feature of the invention is that a non-occlusive aspiration device is employed to selectively remove the target agent from the site only when the target agent is present in the site. Also provided are systems and kits for performing the subject methods. The subject invention finds use in a variety of different applications, including the selective removal of both therapeutic and diagnostic agents from a variety of different physiological sites.

Abstract: Methods and devices for selectively removing an agent from a physiological efferent fluid collection site are provided. A feature of the invention is that a non-occlusive aspiration device is employed to selectively remove the target agent from the site only when the target agent is present in the site. Also provided are systems and kits for performing the subject methods. The subject invention finds use in a variety of different applications, including the selective removal of both therapeutic and diagnostic agents from a variety of different physiological sites.

Abstract: Methods and devices for selectively removing an agent from a physiological efferent fluid collection site are provided. A feature of the invention is that a non-occlusive aspiration device is employed to selectively remove the target agent from the site only when the target agent is present in the site. Also provided are systems and kits for performing the subject methods. The subject invention finds use in a variety of different applications, including the selective removal of both therapeutic and diagnostic agents from a variety of different physiological sites.

Abstract: Methods are provided for locally administering an agent to a host. Specifically, the subject methods provide for the local administration of an agent to an interstitial space of a host. In the subject methods, an agent is retroinfused into a vessel of a host, typically a vein, under conditions sufficient for the agent to enter an interstitial space of the host proximal to the vessel location into which the agent is retroinfused. In practicing the subject methods, the agent is administered to the host in combination with the production of vascular stress at the site of administration, where the vascular tissue stress is sufficient to provide for transport of the agent from the vascular site of deposition into the target interstitial space. In a preferred embodiment, the agent is retroinfused at a pressure sufficient to provide for mechanical stress on the vessel proximal to the target interstitial space. Also provided are kits for use in practicing the subject methods.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging apparatus for measuring the curvature of a vessel consisting of a distal transducer mounted on a transducer supporting device. A resilient deformable material is attached to the transducer supporting device and allows the angular orientation of the transducer to change based on the local vessel curvature. The ultrasound imaging apparatus emits ultrasound radiation from multiple pulsed electronic signals as the apparatus is moved through a vessel or sheath catheter at a known velocity. The distal transducer receives the scattered ultrasound radiation and differences in the phase shifts of the scattered ultrasound radiation are analyzed to detect or measure curvature.