Abstract: Described here are devices, systems, and methods for closing the left atrial appendage. The methods described here utilize a closure device for closing the left atrial appendage and guides or expandable elements with ablation or abrading elements to ablate or abrade the left atrial appendage. In general, these methods include positioning a balloon at least partially within the atrial appendage, positioning a closure assembly of a closure device around an exterior of the atrial appendage, inflating the balloon, partially closing the closure assembly, ablating the interior tissue of the atrial appendage with the inflated balloon, removing the balloon from the atrial appendage, and closing the atrial appendage with the closure assembly.

Abstract: A novel injectable human amniotic membrane (hAM) matrix to enhance cardiac repair and/or regeneration following myocardial injury (MI) and wound healing has been developed. The invention disclosed herein provides human amniotic membranes isolated from human placenta and engineered to be a thermo-responsible, injectable gel at temperature ranges that fall within body temperature. The ultrasound-guided injection of hAM matrix into a rodent model of myocardial infarction significantly improved cardiac contractility, as measured by ejection fraction (EF), and decreased fibrosis. The disclosure provided herein demonstrates the specific engineering injectable hAM matrices and their efficacy in attenuating degenerative changes in cardiac function following MI, which has broad applications in wound healing and tissue regeneration.

Abstract: Described here are devices, systems, and methods for closing the left atrial appendage. The methods described here utilize a closure device for closing the left atrial appendage and guides or expandable elements with ablation or abrading elements to ablate or abrade the left atrial appendage. In general, these methods include positioning a balloon at least partially within the atrial appendage, positioning a closure assembly of a closure device around an exterior of the atrial appendage, inflating the balloon, partially closing the closure assembly, ablating the interior tissue of the atrial appendage with the inflated balloon, removing the balloon from the atrial appendage, and closing the atrial appendage with the closure assembly.

Abstract: Described here are devices, systems, and methods for closing the left atrial appendage. The methods described here utilize a closure device for closing the left atrial appendage and guides or expandable elements with ablation or abrading elements to ablate or abrade the left atrial appendage. In general, these methods include positioning a balloon at least partially within the atrial appendage, positioning a closure assembly of a closure device around an exterior of the atrial appendage, inflating the balloon, partially closing the closure assembly, ablating the interior tissue of the atrial appendage with the inflated balloon, removing the balloon from the atrial appendage, and closing the atrial appendage with the closure assembly.

Abstract: Described herein are devices, systems, and methods for sensing a physical parameter of an individual. In some embodiments, a physical parameter of an individual comprises an ECG sensed from the individual. In some embodiments, a physical parameter comprises a heart rate of an individual. In some embodiments, a physical parameter comprises a blood pressure of an individual. Generally, devices, systems, and methods described herein for physical parameter measurement include an application specific integrated circuit configured to facilitate effective physical parameter measurement.

Abstract: Described here are devices, systems, and methods for closing the left atrial appendage. The methods described here utilize a closure device for closing the left atrial appendage and guides or expandable elements with ablation or abrading elements to ablate or abrade the left atrial appendage. In general, these methods include positioning a balloon at least partially within the atrial appendage, positioning a closure assembly of a closure device around an exterior of the atrial appendage, inflating the balloon, partially closing the closure assembly, ablating the interior tissue of the atrial appendage with the inflated balloon, removing the balloon from the atrial appendage, and closing the atrial appendage with the closure assembly.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include a catheter, such as an endovascular catheter configured for catheter rotation during a catheterization procedure, e.g., an endovascular catheterization procedure. The catheter includes a first tubular member and a second tubular member surrounding at least a portion of the central portion of the first tubular member, where the first and second tubular members are rotatable with respect to each other. Methods for performing a catheterization and kits that include the catheter are also provided.

Abstract: Described here are devices, systems, and methods for closing the left atrial appendage. The methods described here utilize a closure device for closing the left atrial appendage and guides or expandable elements with ablation or abrading elements to ablate or abrade the left atrial appendage. In general, these methods include positioning a balloon at least partially within the atrial appendage, positioning a closure assembly of a closure device around an exterior of the atrial appendage, inflating the balloon, partially closing the closure assembly, ablating the interior tissue of the atrial appendage with the inflated balloon, removing the balloon from the atrial appendage, and closing the atrial appendage with the closure assembly.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for accessing a region within a patient's body and performing a procedure therein that includes a catheter including a tubular member comprising a proximal end, a distal end sized for introduction into a patient's body, an imaging assembly on the distal end, and a substantially transparent expandable member attached to the tubular member distal end such the imaging assembly is disposed within an interior of the expandable member, the imaging assembly imaging through a surface of the expandable member. The tubular member includes a drainage lumen communicating one or more drainage ports on the tubular member distal end proximal to the balloon for aspirating fluid from the patient's body. The catheter may be used to access a pericardial space and an ablation probe may be introduced through the catheter to treat heart tissue while fluid is infused and/or aspirated via the drainage ports.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for targeting an extracellular matrix derived (EMD) peptide predominantly to an injured tissue, as opposed to an uninjured tissue in vivo. The targeted EMD peptide facilitates the repair and/or regeneration of the injured tissue by providing a surface for cells to attach and grow, thereby facilitating the repair and/or regeneration of the injured tissue.

Abstract: Described here are devices, systems, and methods for closing the left atrial appendage. The methods described here utilize a closure device for closing the left atrial appendage and guides or expandable elements with ablation or abrading elements to ablate or abrade the left atrial appendage. In general, these methods include positioning a balloon at least partially within the atrial appendage, positioning a closure assembly of a closure device around an exterior of the atrial appendage, inflating the balloon, partially closing the closure assembly, ablating the interior tissue of the atrial appendage with the inflated balloon, removing the balloon from the atrial appendage, and closing the atrial appendage with the closure assembly.

Abstract: This invention provides compositions of matter, articles of manufacture and methods for delivering and/or affixing a stem cell to a target tissue. This invention also provides related nucleic acids, vectors, cells, methods of production, and kits.

Abstract: Provided are compositions for repairing an injured tissue. The composition includes carboxymethylcellulose conjugated to an extracellular matrix derived peptide, and a methylcellulose. Also provided are kits and methods for using the subject compositions.

Abstract: Cardiomyopathy may be treated by distributing space-occupying agent within the myocardium in a pattern about one or more chambers of the heart, such that the space-modifying agent integrates into and thickens at least part of the cardiac wall about the chamber so as globally to reduce wall stress and stabilize or even reduce chamber size. Some patterns also cause a beneficial global reshaping of the chamber. These changes occur quickly and are sustainable, and have a rapid and sustainable therapeutic effect on cardiac function. Over time the relief of wall stress reduces oxygen consumption and promotes healing. Moreover, various long-term therapeutic effects may be realized depending on the properties of the space-occupying agent, including combinations with other therapeutic materials. Specific cardiac conditions treatable by these systems and methods include, for example, dilated cardiomyopathy (with or without overt aneurismal formations), congestive heart failure, and ventricular arrhythmias.

Abstract: This invention provides compositions of matter, articles of manufacture and methods for delivering and/or affixing a stem cell to a target tissue. This invention also provides related nucleic acids, vectors, cells, methods of production, and kits.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for targeting an extracellular matrix derived (EMD) peptide predominantly to an injured tissue, as opposed to an uninjured tissue in vivo. The targeted EMD peptide facilitates the repair and/or regeneration of the injured tissue by providing a surface for cells to attach and grow, thereby facilitating the repair and/or regeneration of the injured tissue.

Abstract: Cardiomyopathy may be treated by distributing space-occupying agent within the myocardium in a pattern about one or more chambers of the heart, such that the space-modifying agent integrates into and thickens at least part of the cardiac wall about the chamber so as globally to reduce wall stress and stabilize or even reduce chamber size. Some patterns also cause a beneficial global reshaping of the chamber. These changes occur quickly and are sustainable, and have a rapid and sustainable therapeutic effect on cardiac function. Over time the relief of wall stress reduces oxygen consumption and promotes healing. Moreover, various long-term therapeutic effects may be realized depending on the properties of the space-occupying agent, including combinations with other therapeutic materials. Specific cardiac conditions treatable by these systems and methods include, for example, dilated cardiomyopathy (with or without overt aneurismal formations), congestive heart failure, and ventricular arrhythmias.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for accessing a region within a patient's body and performing a procedure therein that includes a catheter including a tubular member comprising a proximal end, a distal end sized for introduction into a patient's body, an imaging assembly on the distal end, and a substantially transparent expandable member attached to the tubular member distal end such the imaging assembly is disposed within an interior of the expandable member, the imaging assembly imaging through a surface of the expandable member. The tubular member includes a drainage lumen communicating one or more drainage ports on the tubular member distal end proximal to the balloon for aspirating fluid from the patient's body. The catheter may be used to access a pericardial space and an ablation probe may be introduced through the catheter to treat heart tissue while fluid is infused and/or aspirated via the drainage ports.

Abstract: This invention provides compositions of matter, articles of manufacture and methods for delivering and/or affixing a stem cell to a target tissue. This invention also provides related nucleic acids, vectors, cells, methods of production, and kits.

Abstract: Cardiomyopathy may be treated by distributing space-occupying agent within the myocardium in a pattern about one or more chambers of the heart, such that the space-modifying agent integrates into and thickens at least part of the cardiac wall about the chamber so as globally to reduce wall stress and stabilize or even reduce chamber size. Some patterns also cause a beneficial global reshaping of the chamber. These changes occur quickly and are sustainable, and have a rapid and sustainable therapeutic effect on cardiac function. Over time the relief of wall stress reduces oxygen consumption and promotes healing. Moreover, various long-term therapeutic effects may be realized depending on the properties of the space-occupying agent, including combinations with other therapeutic materials. These techniques may also be used to treat localized conditions, whether or not they have progressed to cardiomyopathy.