Abstract: Method and apparatus for ablating target tissue adjacent pulmonary veins of a patient. The ablation device can include a lower jaw assembly including a proximal jaw having a proximal electrode and a distal jaw having a distal electrode, and an upper jaw assembly including an upper jaw having an upper electrode. A proximal actuator can be movable between a first position in which the proximal jaw is open and a second position in which the proximal jaw is clamped with respect to the upper jaw. A distal actuator can be movable between a third position in which the distal jaw is open and a fourth position in which the distal jaw is clamped with respect to the upper jaw.

Abstract: Tissue stabilizers including a clamp assembly, a turret assembly, an articulating arm having a tension element extending therethrough, a collet assembly and a head-link assembly are disclosed. Methods of stabilizing tissue are also disclosed.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a system for occluding a left atrial appendage of a patient. Some embodiments of the system can include a ring occluder that can be positioned around the left atrial appendage and a ring applicator to position the ring occluder with respect to the left atrial appendage. One embodiment discloses a method of accessing endocardial surfaces of the heart through the atrial appendage. Additional embodiments of the invention provide a clip occluder that can be positioned around the left atrial appendage. A clip applicator can position the clip occluder with respect to the left atrial appendage.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for ablating target tissue adjacent pulmonary veins of a patient. A clamping ablation tool can include an upper arm having an upper neck, a link assembly, and an upper actuator. The link assembly can include a distal electrode and a proximal electrode. The clamping ablation tool can include a lower arm that mates with the upper arm. The lower arm can include a lower neck, a distal jaw, and a lower actuator. The distal jaw can include a jaw electrode, and the lower actuator can control movement of the distal jaw.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for ablating target tissue adjacent pulmonary veins of a patient. The ablation device can include a lower jaw assembly including a proximal jaw having a proximal electrode and a distal jaw having a distal electrode, and an upper jaw assembly including an upper jaw having an upper electrode. A proximal actuator can be movable between a first position in which the proximal jaw is open and a second position in which the proximal jaw is clamped with respect to the upper jaw. A distal actuator can be movable between a third position in which the distal jaw is open and a fourth position in which the distal jaw is clamped with respect to the upper jaw.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an ablation apparatus for ablating target tissue adjacent pulmonary veins of a patient. The ablation apparatus can include a tube capable of being advanced around the pulmonary veins to form a loop. The tube can receive or include electrodes to ablate target tissue. Some embodiments provide a loop ablation device, which may include a cannula and two or more electrode rods carrying two or more bipolar electrodes. The electrode rods can be advanced through the distal ends toward the proximal ends of the loop and toward the target tissue. The bipolar electrodes can receive energy to ablate the target tissue. The bipolar electrodes may be surrounded by the liquid within the cannula while ablating the target tissue. The loop ablation device can further include a rotating grasping mechanism coupled to the electrode rods.

Abstract: A novel occluder application and clip device for treatment of embolic stroke caused by atrial fibrillation uses multiple sutures in a non directional handle to affix the occlusion device to the applicator and manipulate the occluder from an open and receiving position to a closed and occluding position. The occluder is retained in place by a clamping means related to locks retainers, resilient material or otherwise. An actuator mechanism is used to manipulate the occluder to a locked or occluding position. The applicator with the occluder attached has a low profile and remote manipulations to allow the occluder to be delivered to the clamping location within a patient through a small incision or delivery port such as a trocar cannula or the like.

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.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an ablation apparatus for ablating target tissue adjacent pulmonary veins of a patient. The ablation apparatus can include a tube capable of being advanced around the pulmonary veins to form a loop. The tube can receive or include electrodes to ablate target tissue. Some embodiments provide a loop ablation device, which may include a cannula and two or more electrode rods carrying two or more bipolar electrodes. The electrode rods can be advanced through the distal ends toward the proximal ends of the loop and toward the target tissue. The bipolar electrodes can receive energy to ablate the target tissue. The bipolar electrodes may be surrounded by the liquid within the cannula while ablating the target tissue. The loop ablation device can further include a rotating grasping mechanism coupled to the electrode rods.

Abstract: An instrument including an elongated shaft and a non-conductive handle is disclosed. The shaft defines a proximal section and a distal section. The distal section forms an electrically conductive tip. Further, the shaft is adapted to be transitionable from a straight state to a first bent state. The shaft is capable of independently maintaining the distinct shapes associated with the straight state and the first bent state. The handle is rigidly coupled to the proximal section of the shaft. The instrument is useful for epicardial pacing and/or mapping of the heart for temporary pacing on a beating heart, for optimizing the placement of ventricular leads for the treatment of patients with congestive heart failure and ventricular dysynchrony and/or for use in surgical ablation procedures.

Abstract: Methods and devices for forming a lesion in a target tissue having a cavity within a first RF electrode and a second RF electrode can be coupled to opposite poles of an RF current source. The second electrode can be inserted into the tissue cavity and expanded to contact the target tissue from within. The first electrode can be externally disposed against the target tissue while applying RF current between the first and second electrodes to ablate the target tissue. Some methods are directed to ablating tribiculated atrial wall tissue to treat atrial fibrillation. The second electrode can contact the tribiculated tissue directly from within to provide a direct path between the two electrodes. In some methods, the second electrode is inserted through an incision made to remove an atrial appendage. The methods can provide deeper, narrower lesions relative to those made using remote, indifferent electrodes.

Abstract: An arterial line blood filter for use in extracorporeal blood circuits during heart bypass surgery has, among other components, a housing with a cap portion, a base portion, and a generally cylindrical wall portion. The blood filter has a filter element disposed within the housing. An inlet is positioned at an upward angle with respect to the housing and includes an opening in the generally cylindrical wall portion in fluid communication with the inlet chamber. In some embodiments the position of the inlet limits the pressure drop and prime volume of the filter. According to one embodiment, the cap portion has an upwardly sloping inner surface and there is a vent in the cap portion. The inner surface of the cap portion can have a projection proximate the vent configured to limit immobilization of gaseous microemboli within the inlet chamber.

Abstract: Methods and devices for forming a lesion in a target tissue having a cavity within. A first RF electrode and a second RF electrode can be coupled to opposite poles of an RF current source. The second electrode can be inserted into the tissue cavity and expanded to contact the target tissue from within. The first electrode can be externally disposed against the target tissue while applying RF current between the first and second electrodes to ablate the target tissue. Some methods are directed to ablating tribiculated atrial wall tissue to treat atrial fibrillation. The second electrode can contact the tribiculated tissue directly from within to provide a direct path between the two electrodes. In some methods, the second electrode is inserted through an incision made to remove an atrial appendage. The methods can provide deeper, narrower lesions relative to those made using remote, indifferent electrodes.

Abstract: A surgical connection apparatus including a plurality of delivery assemblies, a housing assembly, and a drive mechanism. The delivery assemblies each include an outer member, an inner member, and optionally a retention member. The inner member is disposed within the outer member, terminates at a distal tip and forms an internal passage that is open at a window. The delivery assemblies releasably retain a self-closing clip. The housing assembly maintains the delivery assemblies in a generally circular arrangement. The drive mechanism operates to transition the delivery assembly in releasing a self-closing clip from the corresponding delivery assembly. With this construction, a plurality of self-closing clips can be simultaneously deployed in a manner effectuating, for example, an end-to-side anastomosis.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a vessel tensioning handle and method of placing tension on a section of a vessel being harvested. The handle can include a housing, a bobbin assembly, a vessel tensioning tape, and a tensioning device member. The tensioning device member can be coupled to a cannula that is coupled to the vessel. The method can include using the vessel tensioning tape to place tension on the section of the vessel as the cutting device is advanced over the vessel.

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: 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: Tissue stabilizers including a clamp assembly, a turret assembly, an articulating arm having a tension element extending therethrough, a collet assembly and a head-link assembly are disclosed. Methods of stabilizing tissue are also disclosed.

Abstract: A hemostat-type device for ablative treatment of tissue, particularly for treatment of atrial fibrillation, is constructed with features that provide easy and effective treatment. A swiveling head assembly can allow the jaws to be adjusted in pitch and roll. Malleable jaws can permit curved lesion shapes. A locking detent can secure the jaws in a closed position during the procedure. An illuminated indicator provides confirmation that the device is operating. A fluid delivery system simplifies irrigated ablation procedures.