Abstract: Methods and apparatus for clamping tissue layers and occluding hollow anatomical structures are disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for occluding hollow body structures, such as blood vessels, and for attaching tissue layers together by providing implantable elements on opposite sides of the structure or tissue layers and drawing the implants together to occlude the body structure and/or bring the tissue layers together. The implants are deliverable in a low profile configuration and self-expand to an enlarged configuration. The implantable elements are delivered by transfixing the body structure, then releasing the implants on opposite sides of the body structure and drawing the implants together to effect an occlusion or attachment. The implants are configured to apply oppositely directed forces to opposite surfaces of the tissue layers at alternate, circumferentially spaced locations and may constrain the tissue in a serpentine pattern or in a direct clamping pattern. The implants grip the tissue in a manner that defines a pressure zone about the transfixion aperture that prevents leakage from the aperture.

Abstract: One-piece tissue fasteners are provided for securing two or more tissue layers to each other. Delivery devices are described by which a tandem array of such fasteners can be delivered and deployed to secure tissue layers in a number of locations without requiring removal or reloading of the removal tool.

Abstract: The present invention provides devices and methods for using occlusion devices to exclude an atrial appendage. The invention can be employed during open surgery or thoracoscopy. The invention generally involves placing a row of occlusion clamps at the edge of the left atrial appendage (LAA) to cut off flow from the rest of the heart. The LAA can be simply excluded with the occluders, or it can be subsequently resected.

Abstract: Flow control elements can be injectably delivered through a needle (e.g., a fine hypodermic needle) or other tube and deployed into a blood vessel, percutaneously or laparoscopically, to effect the directional blood flow within the vessel. The valve (or other blood flow or occlusion control element) is delivered from outside the blood vessel directly to the chosen site within the blood vessel. The flow control elements are minimally invasive, reducing pain, discomfort and risk to the patient, while reducing the time the procedure takes to perform. In addition, the accuracy of deployment of the valve or other flow control element can be very precisely controlled.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for delivering multiple occluders laparoscopically, percutaneously, and for open surgical procedures. Occluders can be delivered in a minimally invasive procedure to a hollow structure such as a blood vessel. The device allows occlusion without requiring catheterization or extraction of the needle from the body between occluder deployments. An occluder delivery device similar to a syringe is provided that injects occluders directly to the region of interest. The device can hold several occluders at a time, so that multiple occluders can be delivered to a desired location or to multiple nearby locations with only a single injection of the delivery needle.

Abstract: A system for occluding a hollow structure, the system comprising: a plurality of occluders; and an applicator for storing the plurality of occluders and serially delivering the occluders so as to occlude the hollow structure.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to ion mobility based systems, methods and devices for analyzing samples and, more particularly, to sample pre-separation and amplification.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to systems, methods and devices for analyzing samples and, more particularly, to systems using a mass analyzer in combination with a differential mobility spectrometer to enhance the analysis process of constituents of a sample.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling flow through a body lumen, the apparatus comprising: an injectable flow control device for disposition within the body lumen, the injectable flow control device comprising: a resilient frame for seating against the inside wall of the body lumen and compressible for disposition within a tube for delivery through the side wall of the body lumen to the interior of the body lumen, the resilient frame having an opening therein; and a flow restrictor in contact with the resilient frame for restricting flow through the opening of the resilient frame.

Abstract: A ion mobility-based analyzer system including a first ion mobility-based filter for passing selected ions through a time-varying field where the time-varying field being compensated by an adjustable compensation setting. The analyzer also includes a second ion mobility-based filter for receiving a first portion of ions from the first ion mobility-based filter. The second ion mobility-based filter includes a voltage gradient for separating ions of the first portion of ions where the ions have associated retention times based on their times of flight through the voltage gradient. The second ion mobility-based filter includes a detector for detecting the ions at their retention times. The analyzer system further includes a display that displays the detected ions in a plot relating the retention times of the ions in the second ion mobility-based filter with compensation settings of the first ion mobility-based filter.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to systems, methods and devices for analyzing samples and, more particularly, to systems using a differential mobility spectrometer in combination with a mass analyzer to enhance the analysis process of constituents of a sample.

Abstract: A pre-filter assembly including a differential mobility spectrometer (DMS) that is configured to be in-line with a mass spectrometer (MS) such that the MS continuously receives carrier flow from the DMS when the DMS filtering fields are removed.

Abstract: An ion-based analyzer including a non-radioactive ion source, an ion generation chamber for generating ions, a sample ionization chamber and a controller for employing ion flow control, an ion-based filter, and a detector for analyzing a sample.

Abstract: A ion mobility-based analyzer system including a first ion mobility-based filter for passing selected ions through a time-varying field where the time-varying field being compensated by an adjustable compensation setting. The analyzer also includes a second ion mobility-based filter for receiving a first portion of ions from the first ion mobility-based filter. The second ion mobility-based filter includes a voltage gradient for separating ions of the first portion of ions where the ions have associated retention times based on their times of flight through the voltage gradient. The second ion mobility-based filter includes a detector for detecting the ions at their retention times. The analyzer system further includes a display that displays the detected ions in a plot relating the retention times of the ions in the second ion mobility-based filter with compensation settings of the first ion mobility-based filter.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to systems, methods and devices for analyzing samples and, more particularly, to systems using a differential mobility spectrometer in combination with a mass analyzer to enhance the analysis process of constituents of a sample.

Abstract: A sample analysis apparatus and system including an ion inlet, an ion detector and an ion focusing assembly for converging a plurality of ion streams from the ion inlet into at least one focused ion stream.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to ion mobility based systems, methods and devices for analyzing samples and, more particularly, to sample pre-separation and amplification.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to ion mobility based systems, methods and devices for analyzing samples and, more particularly, to sample pre-separation and amplification.

Abstract: A pre-filter assembly including a differential mobility spectrometer (DMS) that is configured to be in-line with a mass spectrometer (MS) such that the MS continuously receives carrier flow from the DMS when the DMS filtering fields are removed.