Abstract: A system for performing multi-tool minimally invasive medical procedures through a single instrument port into a body cavity includes a rigid tube carried by a mount. Cannulas having instrument channels and steerable distal ends extend distally from the rigid tube. During a procedure using the system, the mount is supported by an operating room fixture, and instruments are advanced through the steerable instrument channels. Manipulation of the instrument handles engages actuators positioned on the mount, which steer the distal ends of the cannulas through the action of pull cables. The distal ends of the instruments may thus be steered within the body by the distal ends of the steerable cannulas.

Abstract: Improved methods, systems and apparatuses for extracting devices implanted within the vasculature of a patient are provided, including a method of extracting an intravascular device anchored in a vasculature of a patient, the device including a device body and a lead coupled to the device body, the lead having a distal end including an electrode, the distal end being fixed in a heart of the patient, the method comprising forming an incision in the vasculature, disconnecting the lead from the device body, removing the distal end of the lead from the heart, withdrawing the lead from the patient, disconnecting the device body from an anchor, and withdrawing the device body from the patient via the incision.

Abstract: Calibrating signal processing paths for a plurality of transmission devices by obtaining calibration data for at least one of the signal processing paths for each of the transmission devices and determining a plurality of calibration weights from the calibration data for each of the transmission devices. A calibration variance is calculated between the plurality of calibration weights and it is determined if the calibration variance is below a calibration variance threshold. Additionally, a phase variation and a magnitude variation are calculated from the calibration data for each of the transmission devices and it is determined for each of the transmission devices if the phase variation is below a phase variation threshold and if the magnitude variation is below a magnitude variation threshold.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for stimulating contents of the carotid sheath using an intravascular pulse generator and lead. The lead carries an energy delivery device such as an electrode, which is anchor within the portion of the internal jugular vein that is disposed within the carotid sheath. The energy delivery device is energized to transvenously direct energy to target contents of the carotid sheath external to the internal jugular vein. Such target contents may include nervous system elements associated with the carotid sinus baroreceptors, the carotid sinus nerve and associated nerve branches, and or the vagus nerve and associated nerve branches. The system may be used to control blood pressure and/or to lower heart rate and may be suitable for treatment of hypertension, heart failure, or other conditions.

Abstract: A method for producing an output in response to an interaction with a print element on a sheet is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes placing a sheet comprising a print element on a surface of a base unit. A user can then mark on the sheet in the vicinity of the print element with a marking instrument. An audio output that corresponds to the print element is generated.

Abstract: Calibrating signal processing paths for a plurality of transmission devices by obtaining calibration data for at least one of the signal processing paths for each of the transmission devices and determining a plurality of calibration weights from the calibration data for each of the transmission devices. A calibration variance is calculated between the plurality of calibration weights and it is determined if the calibration variance is below a calibration variance threshold. Additionally, a phase variation and a magnitude variation are calculated from the calibration data for each of the transmission devices with respect to a reference transmission signal obtained from a reference transmission device and it is determined for each of the transmission devices if the phase variation is below a phase variation threshold and if the magnitude variation is below a magnitude variation threshold.

Abstract: A system for performing minimally invasive medical procedures includes an elongate support advanceable into a body cavity. The elongate support supports a frame that carries a pair of tool cannulas, each of which has a lumen for receiving a tool useable to perform a procedure in the body cavity. The frame is expandable to orient the tool cannulas such that they allow the tools to be used in concert to carry out a procedure at a common location in the body cavity.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an adapter for use with a connector assembly. The adapter has a receptacle body and a locking sleeve. The receptacle body is applied to a first portion of the connector assembly, and the locking sleeve is applied to a second portion of the connector assembly. The locking sleeve can be easily disengaged from the receptacle body to remove the second portion or the connector assembly from the first portion.

Abstract: The present application describes a retention device for anchoring a medical device within the vasculature. The device may include expandable member coupled to an intravascular medical device and proportioned for receipt within a vessel. At least a portion of the expandable member is expandable to radially engage a vessel wall and to thereby retain the medical device within the vessel. The system is suitable for a variety of intravascular devices, including but not limited to ICD's, pacemakers, and intravascular drug delivery systems.

Abstract: The present application describes an intravascular implantable pacing and/or defibrillation system. The described system includes a pulse generator that is implantable within a blood vessel and proportioned to blood flow through the blood vessel, and at least one electrode attachable to the pulse generator. During implantation, the pulse generator is introduced into a patient's vasculature, advanced to a desired vessel and anchored in place within the vessel. The electrode or electrodes are placed within the heart or surrounding vessels as needed to deliver electrical pulses to the appropriate location.

Abstract: Described herein is a positioning tool having an elongate portion for carrying a medical implant. Also described is a method of positioning a medical implant using an elongate positioning tool. One form of the method includes positioning a medical implant on a distal portion of an elongate positioning tool, inserting the positioning tool with the implant thereon into a body cavity, manipulating the positioning tool to position the implant into contact with tissue at an attachment location, attaching the implant to surrounding tissue at the attachment location, separating the implant from the positioning tool, and withdrawing the positioning tool from the body. In a preferred embodiment, the position of the implant is visually confirmed using an endoscope before the implant is attached to surrounding tissue. In one embodiment, the implant is a satiation device and the body cavity is the esophagus and/or stomach.

Abstract: Methods of manufacture of endoprostheses comprising one or more photocurable materials are disclosed. The endoprostheses may comprise regions wherein the photocurable materials are selectively disposed about the endoprosthesis and are cured according to desired parameters to achieve varying desired properties. Photolithographic masking material may be selectively disposed about an inflatable balloon and exposed to a radiation emitting catheter.

Abstract: A device for inducing weight loss in a patient includes a tubular prosthesis positionable at the gastro-esophageal junction region, preferably below the z-line. In a method for inducing weight loss, the prosthesis is placed such that an opening at its proximal end receives masticated food from the esophagus, and such that the masticated food passes through the pouch and into the stomach via an opening in its distal end.

Abstract: A retention device for anchoring a medical device within the vasculature is described. The device may include expandable member coupled to an intravascular medical device and proportioned for receipt within a vessel. At least a portion of the expandable member is expandable to radially engage a vessel wall and to thereby retain the medical device within the vessel. The system is suitable for a variety of intravascular devices, including but not limited to ICD's, pacemakers, and intravascular drug delivery systems.

Abstract: A system for performing minimally invasive medical procedures includes an elongate support advanceable into a body cavity. The elongate support supports a frame that carries a pair of tool cannulas, each of which has a lumen for receiving a tool useable to perform a procedure in the body cavity. The frame is expandable using pivotable frame members to orient the tool cannulas such that they allow the tools to be used in concert to carry out a procedure at a common location in the body cavity.

Abstract: A device for inducing weight loss in a patient includes a tubular prosthesis self-expandable from a collapsed position in which the prosthesis has a first diameter to an expanded position in which the prosthesis has a second, larger, diameter. In a method for inducing weight loss, the prosthesis is placed in the collapsed position and inserted into a stomach of a patient. The prosthesis is allowed to self-expand from the collapsed position to the expanded position and into contact with the walls of the stomach, where it induces feelings of satiety and/or inhibits modulation of satiety-controlling factors such as Ghrelin.

Abstract: A woven tubular endoprosthesis comprising means for locking the endoprosthesis in a deployed configuration is disclosed. The means for locking the endoprosthesis may comprise locking protrusions, notches, a chemical bond, a curable bond, or other mechanism. The woven fibers comprising the endoprosthesis may be hollow and comprise circumferentially oriented polymeric chains, and may be filled with a curable material. A method of treatment using an endoprosthesis according to the invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: A medical implant system comprises an implant proportioned for implantation within a blood vessel, a lead coupled to the implant, and an anchor coupled to the lead, the anchor configurable in a radially compressed position so as to be positioned in the blood vessel, and a radially expanded position for engagement with the wall of blood vessel. The anchor functions as an antenna for telemetric communication with an extracorporeal device and/or as a receiver for inductive recharging of secondary cells in the implant using an extracorporeal charging device.

Abstract: Various methods and devices are described for retaining a medical implant within a body cavity. According to one aspect, one or more plications are formed and the medical device is coupled to or seated against the plication(s).

Abstract: An intravascular lead is used to deliver energy for stimulating nervous system targets using energy delivery elements (e.g. electrodes) that are in direct contact with the nervous system targets. The lead may be positioned within the internal jugular vein and the nervous system targets may include the carotid artery/carotid sinus bulb and/or associated baroreceptor afferents, and/or surrounding nervous system targets in the region of the internal jugular vein, such as the carotid sinus nerve and/or associated nerve branches and/or the vagus nerve and/or associated nerve branches. Stimulation energy travels along a conductive bridge that extends from the intravascular lead to the nervous system target, or is relayed from the intravascular lead to another device disposed within or surrounding the target structure.