Abstract: A method for accessing a blood vessel using a catheter insertion device. The catheter insertion device includes a housing, a needle, a catheter, a guidewire, and a thumbwheel. The thumbwheel is rotatably fastened at a front end of the housing and accessible through an opening in the housing. The guidewire is coupled to the thumbwheel such that an axis of rotation of the thumbwheel is perpendicular to the guidewire and rotation of the thumbwheel advances the guidewire through the lumen of the needle. The method includes preparing the catheter insertion device, inserting a tip of the needle and distal end of the catheter into a blood vessel, advancing the guidewire out of the lumen of the needle into the blood vessel by holding the housing and rotating the thumbwheel, furthering the distal end of the catheter over the guidewire, and removing the needle and the guidewire from the catheter.

Abstract: A method for accessing a blood vessel using a catheter insertion device. The catheter insertion device includes a housing, a needle, a catheter, a guidewire, and a thumbwheel. The thumbwheel is rotatably fastened at a front end of the housing and accessible through an opening in the housing. The guidewire is coupled to the thumbwheel such that an axis of rotation of the thumbwheel is perpendicular to the guidewire and rotation of the thumbwheel advances the guidewire through the lumen of the needle. The method includes preparing the catheter insertion device, inserting a tip of the needle and distal end of the catheter into a blood vessel, advancing the guidewire out of the lumen of the needle into the blood vessel by holding the housing and rotating the thumbwheel, furthering the distal end of the catheter over the guidewire, and removing the needle and the guidewire from the catheter.

Abstract: A method for treating a patient using a catheter insertion device. The catheter insertion device includes a housing, a needle, a catheter, a guidewire, and a thumbwheel. The needle extends through the catheter such that a distal end of the needle extends distal of a distal end of the catheter. The guidewire is coupled to the thumbwheel such that rotation of the thumbwheel advances a distal end of the guidewire through a lumen of the needle. The method includes holding the catheter insertion device, inserting the distal end of the needle and catheter into a blood vessel, rotating the thumbwheel to advance the distal end of the guidewire out of the lumen of the needle into the blood vessel, moving the catheter over the guidewire in the blood vessel, and removing the needle and the guidewire from the catheter.

Abstract: A method for treating a patient using a catheter insertion device. The catheter insertion device includes a housing, a needle, a catheter, a guidewire, and an actuator mechanism. The needle is attached to a needle carrier, the catheter is positioned coaxially around the needle such that a distal end of the needle extends distal of a distal end of the catheter, and the guidewire has a distal end positioned in a lumen of the needle. The method includes holding the catheter insertion device, inserting the distal end of the needle and catheter into a blood vessel, advancing the distal end of the guidewire out of the lumen of the needle into the blood vessel, moving the catheter over the guidewire in the blood vessel, and activating the actuator mechanism to simultaneously retract the distal end of the needle and the distal end of the guidewire into the housing.

Abstract: A method for treating a patient using a catheter insertion device. The catheter insertion device includes a housing, a needle, a catheter, a guidewire, and a thumbwheel. The needle extends through the catheter such that a distal end of the needle extends distal of a distal end of the catheter. The guidewire is coupled to the thumbwheel such that rotation of the thumbwheel advances a distal end of the guidewire through a lumen of the needle. The method includes holding the catheter insertion device, inserting the distal end of the needle and catheter into a blood vessel, rotating the thumbwheel to advance the distal end of the guidewire out of the lumen of the needle into the blood vessel, moving the catheter over the guidewire in the blood vessel, and removing the needle and the guidewire from the catheter.

Abstract: A method for treating a patient using a catheter insertion device. The catheter insertion device includes a housing, a needle, a catheter, a guidewire, and an actuator mechanism. The needle is attached to a needle carrier, the catheter is positioned coaxially around the needle such that a distal end of the needle extends distal of a distal end of the catheter, and the guidewire has a distal end positioned in a lumen of the needle. The method includes holding the catheter insertion device, inserting the distal end of the needle and catheter into a blood vessel, advancing the distal end of the guidewire out of the lumen of the needle into the blood vessel, moving the catheter over the guidewire in the blood vessel, and activating the actuator mechanism to simultaneously retract the distal end of the needle and the distal end of the guidewire into the housing.

Abstract: A tissue ablation system for treating fibrillation in a patient comprises a steerable interventional catheter having an energy source that emits a beam of energy to ablate tissue thereby creating a conduction block for aberrant electrical pathways. The system also includes a handle disposed near a proximal end of the interventional catheter and has an actuation mechanism for steering the interventional catheter. A console allows the system to be controlled and provides power to the system, and a display pod is electrically coupled with the console. The display pod has a display panel to display system information to a user and allows the user to control the system. A catheter pod is releasably coupled with the handle electrically and mechanically, and also electrically coupled with the display pod.

Abstract: A catheter insertion device includes a housing, a needle, a catheter, a guidewire, and an actuator mechanism including a biasing member. The needle is attached to a needle carrier having a proximal end disposed in the housing, the needle having an insertion position and a retraction position with respect to the housing. The catheter is positioned coaxially around the needle. The guidewire has a distal end positioned in a lumen of the needle in a withdrawn position, the guidewire being translatable to an advanced position in which the distal end extends distally from a tip of the needle. The guidewire may include a distal end with a coiled configuration. Actuating the actuator mechanism releases the biasing member to simultaneously translate the needle and the guidewire, the needle from the insertion position to the retraction position, and the guidewire from the advanced position to the withdrawn position.

Abstract: A catheter insertion device includes a housing, a needle, a catheter, a guidewire, and an actuator mechanism including a biasing member. The needle is attached to a needle carrier having a proximal end disposed in the housing, the needle having an insertion position and a retraction position with respect to the housing. The catheter is positioned coaxially around the needle. The guidewire has a distal end positioned in a lumen of the needle in a withdrawn position, the guidewire being translatable to an advanced position in which the distal end extends distally from a tip of the needle. The guidewire may include a distal end with a coiled configuration. Actuating the actuator mechanism releases the biasing member to simultaneously translate the needle and the guidewire, the needle from the insertion position to the retraction position, and the guidewire from the advanced position to the withdrawn position.

Abstract: An intravenous catheter insertion device and method of use are described. The insertion device coordinates movement of an access needle, a coaxial intravenous catheter and a flexible safety guidewire. A vein is punctured with the access needle, then an actuation member on the insertion device is used to advance the safety guidewire into the vein. The safety guidewire allows the access needle and the intravenous catheter to be safely advanced into the vein. Then, the actuation member is actuated to simultaneously withdraw the access needle and the safety guidewire, leaving only the intravenous catheter in the vein. The intravenous catheter is then disconnected from the insertion device and connected to a source of intravenous fluid, medication, etc.

Abstract: Methods and endovascular catheters for assessing, and treating patients having sympathetically mediated disease, involving augmented peripheral chemoreflex and heightened sympathetic tone by reducing chemosensor input to the nervous system via transmural carotid body ablation.

Abstract: A tissue ablation system for treating fibrillation in a patient comprises a steerable interventional catheter having an energy source that emits a beam of energy to ablate tissue thereby creating a conduction block for aberrant electrical pathways. The system also includes a handle disposed near a proximal end of the interventional catheter and has an actuation mechanism for steering the interventional catheter. A console allows the system to be controlled and provides power to the system, and a display pod is electrically coupled with the console. The display pod has a display panel to display system information to a user and allows the user to control the system. A catheter pod is releasably coupled with the handle electrically and mechanically, and also electrically coupled with the display pod.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for implantation into the walls of an organ such as the stomach. Deformable or inflatable anchors with a connector between are used to pull the walls of the organ together, or to implant devices in the wall of the organ. Also disclosed are surgical instruments useful in practicing the disclosed methods.

Abstract: A tissue ablation system for treating fibrillation in a patient comprises a steerable interventional catheter having an energy source that emits a beam of energy to ablate tissue thereby creating a conduction block for aberrant electrical pathways. The system also includes a handle disposed near a proximal end of the interventional catheter and has an actuation mechanism for steering the interventional catheter. A console allows the system to be controlled and provides power to the system, and a display pod is electrically coupled with the console. The display pod has a display panel to display system information to a user and allows the user to control the system. A catheter pod is releasably coupled with the handle electrically and mechanically, and also electrically coupled with the display pod.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for implantation into the walls of an organ such as the stomach. Deformable or inflatable anchors with a connector between are used to pull the walls of the organ together, or to implant devices in the wall of the organ. Also disclosed are surgical instruments useful in practicing the disclosed methods.

Abstract: An intravenous catheter insertion device and method of use are described. The insertion device coordinates movement of an access needle, a coaxial intravenous catheter and a flexible safety guidewire. A vein is punctured with the access needle, then an actuation member on the insertion device is used to advance the safety guidewire into the vein. The safety guidewire allows the access needle and the intravenous catheter to be safely advanced into the vein. Then, the actuation member is actuated to simultaneously withdraw the access needle and the safety guidewire, leaving only the intravenous catheter in the vein. The intravenous catheter is then disconnected from the insertion device and connected to a source of intravenous fluid, medication, etc.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for implantation into the walls of an organ such as the stomach. Deformable or inflatable anchors with a connector between are used to pull the walls of the organ together, or to implant devices in the wall of the organ. Also disclosed are surgical instruments useful in practicing the disclosed methods.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for implantation into the walls of an organ such as the stomach. Deformable or inflatable anchors with a connector between are used to pull the walls of the organ together, or to implant devices in the wall of the organ. Also disclosed are surgical instruments useful in practicing the disclosed methods.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for implantation into the walls of an organ such as the stomach. Deformable or inflatable anchors with a connector between are used to pull the walls of the organ together, or to implant devices in the wall of the organ. Also disclosed are surgical instruments useful in practicing the disclosed methods.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for implantation into the walls of an organ such as the stomach. Deformable or inflatable anchors with a connector between are used to pull the walls of the organ together, or to implant devices in the wall of the organ. Also disclosed are surgical instruments useful in practicing the disclosed methods.