Abstract: A suture retention device includes a housing having one or more suture slots. The device also includes a plunger with suture slots. The plunger is slidably disposed in a channel in the housing and when the housing suture slots are aligned with the plunger suture slots, a suture filament may be disposed in the slots. When the plunger is actuated so that the housing suture slots are misaligned with the plunger suture slots, the suture filament is captured between the plunger and the housing preventing movement of the suture filament.

Abstract: A suture retention device includes a housing having one or more suture slots. The device also includes a plunger with suture slots. The plunger is slidably disposed in a channel in the housing and when the housing suture slots are aligned with the plunger suture slots, a suture filament may be disposed in the slots. When the plunger is actuated so that the housing suture slots are misaligned with the plunger suture slots, the suture filament is captured between the plunger and the housing preventing movement of the suture filament.

Abstract: A suture retention device includes a housing having one or more suture slots. The device also includes a plunger with suture slots. The plunger is slidably disposed in a channel in the housing and when the housing suture slots are aligned with the plunger suture slots, a suture filament may be disposed in the slots. When the plunger is actuated so that the housing suture slots are misaligned with the plunger suture slots, the suture filament is captured between the plunger and the housing preventing movement of the suture filament.

Abstract: A device for sealing a left atrial appendage includes an anchor element, a sealing element, and a coupling element. The anchor element is configured to anchor the device to tissue in or adjacent the left atrial appendage. The sealing element is configured to seal the left atrial appendage and prevent thrombus from embolizing therefrom. The coupling element joins the anchor element with the sealing element. A delivery catheter may be used to deliver the sealing device.

Abstract: A steerable sheath includes an elongate shaft, a handle, an actuator element on the handle, and a plurality of control wires operably coupled to the elongate shaft and the actuator element. Actuation of the actuator element adjusts a shape of a proximal curve and a distal curve on the elongate shaft.

Abstract: A steerable sheath includes an elongate shaft, a handle, an actuator element on the handle, and a plurality of control wires operably coupled to the elongate shaft and the actuator element. Actuation of the actuator element adjusts a shape of a proximal curve and a distal curve on the elongate shaft.

Abstract: A device for sealing a left atrial appendage includes an anchor element, a sealing element, and a coupling element. The anchor element is configured to anchor the device to tissue in or adjacent the left atrial appendage. The sealing element is configured to seal the left atrial appendage and prevent thrombus from embolizing therefrom. The coupling element joins the anchor element with the sealing element. A delivery catheter may be used to deliver the sealing device.

Abstract: A device for treating tissue has a plurality of conductors that form one or more transmission lines configured to deliver microwave energy to target tissue. In addition to transmission lines, the device also may include an anchor element used to penetrate the target ablation tissue and anchor the device. A system includes the device, a microwave generator, and a coaxial cable. A biocompatible solution may be injected into the target ablation region to alter tissue properties or to facilitate visualization of the ablation region.

Abstract: A steerable sheath includes an elongate shaft, a handle, an actuator element on the handle, and a plurality of control wires operably coupled to the elongate shaft and the actuator element. Actuation of the actuator element adjusts a shape of a proximal curve and a distal curve on the elongate shaft.

Abstract: A device for sealing a left atrial appendage includes an anchor element, a sealing element, and a coupling element. The anchor element is configured to anchor the device to tissue in or adjacent the left atrial appendage. The sealing element is configured to seal the left atrial appendage and prevent thrombus from embolizing therefrom. The coupling element joins the anchor element with the sealing element. A delivery catheter may be used to deliver the sealing device.

Abstract: A device for sealing a left atrial appendage includes an anchor element, a sealing element, and a coupling element. The anchor element is configured to anchor the device to tissue in or adjacent the left atrial appendage. The sealing element is configured to seal the left atrial appendage and prevent thrombus from embolizing therefrom. The coupling element joins the anchor element with the sealing element. A delivery catheter may be used to deliver the sealing device.

Abstract: The disclosure pertains to an intravascular catheter for nerve modulation, comprising an elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end, a balloon having a lumen and a balloon wall, the balloon wall comprising RF permeable sections and non-electrically conductive sections, an electrode disposed within the balloon and extending distally to the furthest distal RF permeable section. The RF permeable sections may comprise a plurality of RF permeable windows, each window having a greater circumferential dimension than an axial dimension. The intravascular system is suited for modulation of renal nerves.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for performing a mapping procedure on body tissue are disclosed. An example mapping device for mapping a tissue surface includes an elongate shaft and an electrode assembly. The electrode assembly includes a plurality of splines and a plurality of electrodes disposed on at least some of the splines. The electrode assembly is capable of moving between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. In the expanded configuration, the electrode assembly may have a generally planar structure.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for performing ablation therapy on body tissue are disclosed. An example ablation device for treating body tissue includes an ionically conductive balloon and a radio-frequency electrode that delivers RF energy into a distal section of the balloon. The balloon can have a composite structure with a non-conductive section and a conductive section. A method for fabricating a semi-permeable ablation balloon using ionizing radiation and an etching process is also disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosure pertains to an intravascular catheter for nerve modulation, comprising an elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end, a balloon having a lumen and a balloon wall, the balloon wall comprising RF permeable sections and non-electrically conductive sections, an electrode disposed within the balloon and extending distally to the furthest distal RF permeable section. The RF permeable sections may comprise a plurality of RF permeable windows, each window having a greater circumferential dimension than an axial dimension. The intravascular system is suited for modulation of renal nerves.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for performing ablation therapy on body tissue are disclosed. An example ablation device for treating body tissue includes an ionically conductive balloon and a radio-frequency electrode that delivers RF energy into a distal section of the balloon. The balloon can have a composite structure with a non-conductive section and a conductive section. The ablation device can have a steering mechanism configured to deflect the balloon.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for performing ablation therapy on body tissue are disclosed. An example ablation device for treating body tissue includes an ionically conductive balloon and a radio-frequency electrode that delivers RF energy into a distal section of the balloon. The balloon is configured to transmit the RF energy in a direction distally towards a leading end of the ablation device. Multiple ablation electrodes on the device can be used for providing lesions of different size or shape.

Abstract: The disclosure pertains to an intravascular catheter for nerve modulation, comprising an elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end, a balloon having a lumen and a balloon wall, the balloon wall comprising RF permeable sections and non-electrically conductive sections, an electrode disposed within the balloon and extending distally to the furthest distal RF permeable section. The RF permeable sections may comprise a plurality of RF permeable windows, each window having a greater circumferential dimension than an axial dimension. The intravascular system is suited for modulation of renal nerves.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for performing ablation therapy on body tissue are disclosed. An example ablation device for treating body tissue includes an ionically conductive balloon and a radio-frequency electrode that delivers RF energy into a distal section of the balloon. The balloon is configured to transmit the RF energy in a direction distally towards a leading end of the ablation device. Multiple ablation electrodes on the device can be used for providing lesions of different size or shape.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) ablation system and methods for using the radio frequency ablation system are disclosed. The RF ablation system may include an elongated member, an RF generator, and a processor. The elongated member may include a distal portion including one or more electrodes and the RF generator may be operatively coupled to one or more of the electrodes. The processor, which may be coupled to one or more of the electrodes, may obtain an output signal from the electrodes and may monitor changes in a frequency spectra of an electrical signal received with the output signal. The processor may determine a level of one or more characteristics that are proportional to an amplitude of the electrical signal, proportional to the frequency of the electrical signal, or proportional to both of the amplitude and the frequency of the electrical signal.