Abstract: The present invention comprises devices, systems and methods for providing an implanted device within a patient's atrium, wherein the implanted device comprises one or more sensors and one or more electrodes associated with the implanted device. The sensors may be used in various embodiments to monitor for arrhythmia, and in some embodiments may map the arrhythmia by detecting, inter alia, flutter and/or defibrillation, and the electrodes may be adapted to respond to any detected arrhythmia with electrostimulation including, inter alia, cardioversion and/or ablation.

Abstract: The present invention comprises devices, systems and methods for providing flow modifier(s) comprising one-way, two-way or flow restrictors in one or more pulmonary veins to modify the blood pressure in a patient's left atrium or left ventricle.

Abstract: An anatomic device delivery and positioning system has a stabilizing guide wire for placement of a catheter or other medical device or material into a vessel or cavity of a tissue or organ within a body of a living subject into which the guide wire is insertable. The guide wire includes an elongated member having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end to extend out of the body and the distal end to extend into the body, the distal end having an expandable portion that expands from a compressed condition when inside of a delivery tube or catheter to an expanded condition when outside of the delivery tube or catheter. A method is also disclosed of performing a percutaneous procedure within a vessel or cavity of a tissue or organ of a subject using the guide wire, particularly but not exclusively involving a heart procedure.

Abstract: A balloon is used for placing stents in bifurcated vessels. The balloon is for expanding a primary balloon-expandable stent, where the balloon includes a tubular balloon having a proximal end and a distal end, the balloon being capable of receiving within its tubular structure a primary guidewire for deployment of the primary stent, the balloon further comprising a side opening closer to the distal end than the proximal end through which a secondary guidewire and a secondary stent may pass.

Abstract: A catheter for use in accessing a left atrium of a living heart within a subject's body by passing from the heart's right atrium to the heart's left atrium through a patent foramen ovale (PFO) in the heart, such as performing a percutaneous procedure for closing the PFO, includes a specialized preformed catheter with curves on the distal portion to be adapted within living anatomy to allow access from a subject's heart's right atrium through the PFO to the left atrium. The catheter facilitates access to the left atrium and the use of devices in procedures within and involving the left atrium, such as PFO closure devices. A method is also provided for using the catheter.

Abstract: A balloon is used for placing stents in bifurcated vessels. The balloon is for expanding a first balloon-expandable stent, where the balloon includes a tubular balloon having a proximal end and a distal end, the balloon being capable of receiving within its tubular structure a guidewire for deployment of the first stent, the balloon further comprising a side opening closer to the distal end than the proximal end though which a second guidewire and a second stent may pass.

Abstract: A specialized catheter is used in a method to place a stent assembly in a bifurcated vessel in an animal body, such as a human. Primary and secondary guidewires are inserted from a location external of the body through the primary vessel, the secondary guidewire being further inserted into a secondary vessel beyond a bifurcation area. The guidewires are inserted into a primary stent and catheter assembly such that the assembly can move along the guidewires to the bifurcation area where the primary stent is expanded. While retaining the secondary guidewire in the vessels, the primary catheter assembly and primary guidewire are removed, the secondary guidewire passing through specialized openings in the primary catheter. Then the secondary stent, mounted on a catheter, is passed through the primary vessel guided by the secondary guidewire, and into the secondary vessel. There, the secondary stent is expanded to form the bifurcated stent assembly in an efficient manner.

Abstract: A catheter for use in accessing a left atrium of a living heart within a subject's body by passing from the heart's right atrium to the heart's left atrium through a patent foramen ovale (PFO) in the heart, such as performing a percutaneous procedure for closing the PFO, includes a specialized preformed catheter with curves on the distal portion to be adapted within living anatomy to allow access from a subject's heart's right atrium through the PFO to the left atrium. The catheter facilitates access to the left atrium and the use of devices in procedures within and involving the left atrium, such as PFO closure devices. A method is also provided for using the catheter.

Abstract: A method for placing a stent assembly in a bifurcated vessel in an animal body, such as a human, includes inserting primary and secondary guidewires from a location external of the body through the primary vessel. The second guidewire is also inserted into the secondary or branch vessel beyond a bifurcation area. The primary and secondary guidewires are then inserted into a primary stent and catheter assembly such that the assembly can move along the guidewires into and through the primary vessel to the bifurcation area where the primary stent is expanded. While retaining the secondary guidewire in the vessels, the remainder of the catheter assembly and primary guidewire are removed. Then the secondary stent, mounted on a catheter, is passed through the primary vessel using the secondary guidewire as a guide, past the bifurcation area and into the secondary vessel. There, the secondary stent is expanded to form the bifurcated stent assembly in an efficient and practical manner.

Abstract: A specialized catheter is used in a method to place a stent assembly in a bifurcated vessel in an animal body, such as a human. Primary and secondary guidewires are inserted from a location external of the body through the primary vessel, the secondary guidewire being further inserted into a secondary vessel beyond a bifurcation area. The guidewires are inserted into a primary stent and catheter assembly such that the assembly can move along the guidewires to the bifurcation area where the primary stent is expanded. While retaining the secondary guidewire in the vessels, the primary catheter assembly and primary guidewire are removed, the secondary guidewire passing through specialized openings in the primary catheter. Then the secondary stent, mounted on a catheter, is passed through the primary vessel guided by the secondary guidewire, and into the secondary vessel. There, the secondary stent is expanded to form the bifurcated stent assembly in an efficient manner.

Abstract: A method for placing a stent assembly in a bifurcated vessel in an animal body, such as a human, includes inserting primary and secondary guidewires from a location external of the body through the primary vessel. The second guidewire is also inserted into the secondary or branch vessel beyond a bifurcation area. The primary and secondary guidewires are then inserted into a primary stent and catheter assembly such that the assembly can move along the guidewires into and through the primary vessel to the bifurcation area where the primary stent is expanded. While retaining the secondary guidewire in the vessels, the remainder of the catheter assembly and primary guidewire are removed. Then the secondary stent, mounted on a catheter, is passed through the primary vessel using the secondary guidewire as a guide, past the bifurcation area and into the secondary vessel. There, the secondary stent is expanded to form the bifurcated stent assembly in an efficient and practical manner.