Abstract: A fixation member of an electrode assembly for an implantable medical device includes a tissue engaging portion extending along a circular path, between a piercing distal tip thereof and a fixed end of the member. The circular path extends around a longitudinal axis of the assembly. A helical structure of the assembly, which includes an electrode surface formed thereon and a piercing distal tip, also extends around the longitudinal axis and is located within a perimeter of the circular path. The tissue engaging portion of the fixation member extends from the distal tip thereof in a direction along the circular path that is the same as that in which the helical structure extends from the distal tip thereof. The electrode assembly may include a pair of the fixation members, wherein each tissue engaging portion may extend approximately one half turn along the circular path.

Abstract: A fixation member of an electrode assembly for an implantable medical device includes a tissue engaging portion extending along a circular path, between a piercing distal tip thereof and a fixed end of the member. The circular path extends around a longitudinal axis of the assembly. A helical structure of the assembly, which includes an electrode surface formed thereon and a piercing distal tip, also extends around the longitudinal axis and is located within a perimeter of the circular path. The tissue engaging portion of the fixation member extends from the distal tip thereof in a direction along the circular path that is the same as that in which the helical structure extends from the distal tip thereof. The electrode assembly may include a pair of the fixation members, wherein each tissue engaging portion may extend approximately one half turn along the circular path.

Abstract: A fixation member of an electrode assembly for an implantable medical device includes a tissue engaging portion extending along a circular path, between a piercing distal tip thereof and a fixed end of the member. The circular path extends around a longitudinal axis of the assembly. A helical structure of the assembly, which includes an electrode surface formed thereon and a piercing distal tip, also extends around the longitudinal axis and is located within a perimeter of the circular path. The tissue engaging portion of the fixation member extends from the distal tip thereof in a direction along the circular path that is the same as that in which the helical structure extends from the distal tip thereof. The electrode assembly may include a pair of the fixation members, wherein each tissue engaging portion may extend approximately one half turn along the circular path.

Abstract: Various fixation techniques for implantable medical device (IMDs) are described. In one example, an assembly comprises an IMD; and a set of active fixation tines attached to the IMD. The active fixation tines in the set are deployable from a spring-loaded position in which distal ends of the active fixation tines point away from the IMD to a hooked position in which the active fixation tines bend back towards the IMD. The active fixation tines are configured to secure the IMD to a patient tissue when deployed while the distal ends of the active fixation tines are positioned adjacent to the patient tissue.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a vessel support system and a method of vessel harvesting. The system can include a cutting device, a catheter adapted to be inserted into a section of the vessel in order to support the vessel as the cutting device is advanced over the vessel, and a cannula adapted to be coupled to the vessel and adapted to receive the catheter as the catheter is inserted into the section of the vessel. The method can include orienting a cutting device coaxially with the cannula and the catheter and advancing the cutting device over the cannula, the catheter, and the section of the vessel in order to core out the section of the vessel and a portion of the surrounding tissue.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for harvesting a vessel section. The system comprises a vessel support member, a handle, and a tubular cutting device. The vessel support member is introduced into the vessel section to be harvested. The tubular cutting device may comprise an outer tubular member or an outer and an inner tubular member. The outer tubular member carries at least one cutting element. The tubular member or members are advanced over the vessel section and vessel support member to core out the vessel section and tissue adjoining the vessel section.

Abstract: A device for temporarily sealing an opening in a blood vessel is provided. The device comprises a cutting mechanism for creating an opening in a blood vessel and a seal for sealing the opening in the blood vessel. The seal is delivered through an inner lumen of a tool body coupled to the cutting mechanism. Methods for using the device to construct an anastomosis between two vessels are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus employed in surgery involving making precise incisions through body vessel walls, particularly coronary arteries. A body vessel cutting instrument comprises an elongated instrument shaft extending between a shaft proximal end adapted to be manipulated outside the patient's body and a shaft distal end and having a shaft axis and first and second cutting blades supported at the shaft distal end. The first cutting blade extends substantially orthogonally or laterally to the shaft axis and has a first cutting edge extending along a trailing side, a cutting tip at the first cutting blade free end, and an atraumatic blunt surface along the leading side. The second cutting blade has a second cutting edge extending along a leading side, whereby the first and second cutting edges face one another and are brought together to slit a vessel wall.

Abstract: Various fixation techniques for implantable medical device (IMDs) are described. In one example, an assembly comprises an IMD; and a set of active fixation tines attached to the IMD. The active fixation tines in the set are deployable from a spring-loaded position in which distal ends of the active fixation tines point away from the IMD to a hooked position in which the active fixation tines bend back towards the IMD. The active fixation tines are configured to secure the IMD to a patient tissue when deployed while the distal ends of the active fixation tines are positioned adjacent to the patient tissue.

Abstract: An assembly includes an implantable medical device (IMD) including a conductive housing, and a fixation element assembly attached to the IMD. The fixation element assembly includes a set of active fixation tines and an insulator to electrically isolate the set of active fixation tines from the conductive housing of the implantable medical device. The active fixation tines in the set are deployable from a spring-loaded position in which distal ends of the active fixation tines point away from the implantable medical device to a hooked position in which the active fixation tines bend back towards the implantable medical device. The active fixation tines are configured to secure the implantable medical device to a patient tissue when deployed while the distal ends of the active fixation tines are positioned adjacent to the patient tissue.

Abstract: System and method for extracting an implantable medical device. An implantable medical device has a fixation member operatively coupled to the housing having an engaged state configured to engage tissue of a patient, the medical device being magnetically attractable. A catheter has a lumen and a distal portion configured for insertion in proximity of the implantable medical device. A magnetic element is configured to pass through the lumen of the catheter and to magnetically engage the implantable medical device when inserted toward the distal portion of the catheter.

Abstract: System and method for implanting an implantable medical device. A catheter has a lumen and a distal portion configured for insertion in proximity of tissue of a patient. An implantable medical device has a fixation member operatively coupled to the housing having an unengaged state when in the lumen of the catheter and an engaged state configured to engage tissue of a patient when outside of the lumen of the catheter, the medical device being magnetically attractable. A magnetic element is configured to magnetically engage the implantable medical device and to pass through the lumen of the catheter.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus employed in surgery involving making precise incisions in vessels of the body, particularly cardiac blood vessels in coronary revascularization procedures conducted on the stopped or beating heart are disclosed. Such incisions are created by applying an elongated electrosurgical cutting electrode to the outer surface of the vessel wall in substantially parallel alignment with the body vessel axis, the elongated electrosurgical cutting electrode having a predetermined cutting electrode length exceeding the cutting electrode width. RF energy is applied between the electrosurgical cutting electrode and the ground electrode at an energy level and for a duration sufficient to cut an elongated slit through the vessel wall where the elongated electrosurgical cutting electrode is applied to the surface of the vessel wall.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a cutting device and method of vessel harvesting. The cutting device can include at least one tubular member, a cutting element, and a centering member. The cutting device can include at least one tubular member with a flexible section and a cutting element. The method of vessel harvesting can include spacing a cutting element of the cutting device from the vessel as the cutting element is advanced over the vessel.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for harvesting a vessel section. The system comprises an endoscope, at least one harvesting tool, and an elongated instrument comprising a shaft and a housing. The shaft includes a viewable region along a length of the shaft and a lumen to slidably receive the endoscope. The housing is releasably engaged with the shaft and includes an elongated opening to provide a working area adjacent to a vessel for the harvesting tool. The method includes making an incision at a point corresponding to the proximal end of the vessel section to be harvested. A shaft is inserted through the incision and adjacent to the vessel section. A housing is slidably engaged with the inserted shaft. Harvesting operations are performed in a working area defined by sidewalls of the housing. The harvesting operations are visually monitored through the shaft.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for harvesting a vessel section. The system includes an endoscope, at least one harvesting tool, and an elongated instrument including a shaft and a housing. The shaft includes a viewable region along a length of the shaft and a lumen to slidably receive the endoscope. The housing is releasably engaged with the shaft and includes an elongated opening to provide a working area adjacent to a vessel for the harvesting tool. The method includes making an incision at a point corresponding to the proximal end of the vessel section to be harvested. A shaft is inserted through the incision and adjacent to the vessel section. A housing is slidably engaged with the inserted shaft. Harvesting operations are performed in a working area defined by sidewalls of the housing. The harvesting operations are visually monitored through the shaft.

Abstract: A device for temporarily sealing an opening in a blood vessel is provided. The device comprises a cutting mechanism for creating an opening in a blood vessel and a seal for sealing the opening in the blood vessel. The seal is delivered through an inner lumen of a tool body coupled to the cutting mechanism. Methods for using the device to construct an anastomosis between two vessels are also provided.

Abstract: The current invention discloses a method for treating infracted/ischemic injury to a myocardium by injecting a substance into the myocardium. The injected substance helps to prevent negative adaptive remodeling by providing mechanical reinforcement or mechanical reinforcement combined with biological therapy. A number of substances for injection are disclosed, including multi component substances such as platelet gel, and other substances. The substances disclosed may contain additives to augment/enhance the desired effects of the injection. The invention also discloses devices used to inject the substances. The devices can include means for ensuring needles do not penetrate beyond a desired depth into the myocardium. The devices can also include needles having multiple lumens such that the components of the platelet gel will be combined at the injection site and begin polymerization in the myocardium.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a vessel support system and a method of vessel harvesting. The system can include a cutting device, a catheter adapted to be inserted into a section of the vessel in order to support the vessel as the cutting device is advanced over the vessel, and a cannula adapted to be coupled to the vessel and adapted to receive the catheter as the catheter is inserted into the section of the vessel. The method can include orienting a cutting device coaxially with the cannula and the catheter and advancing the cutting device over the cannula, the catheter, and the section of the vessel in order to core out the section of the vessel and a portion of the surrounding tissue.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a cutting device and method of vessel harvesting. The cutting device can include at least one tubular member, a cutting element, and a centering member. The cutting device can include at least one tubular member with a flexible section and a cutting element. The method of vessel harvesting can include spacing a cutting element of the cutting device from the vessel as the cutting element is advanced over the vessel.