Abstract: Disclosed is an ambulatory system for monitoring one or more physiological parameters in a body lumen, such as the esophagus. The system includes an implantable probe having a sensor for the physiological parameter and a transmitter for transmitting data to an external receiver. The probe may be used for monitoring any of various physiological parameters, including pH, temperature, and pressure, within the esophagus or other body lumens. Methods and deployment catheters are also disclosed.

Abstract: Implants comprising electrically-responsive hydrogel are described. Systems to provide electricity to induce response in hydrogel-containing implants are described. Methods for utilizing said system and methods for utilizing said hydrogel-containing implants are described.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for monitoring the breath chemistry of a patient's breath using a specially designed self-condensing sensor module mounted in a mask, nasal cannula, headband with boom apparatus, or similar device for directing the patients' breath towards the self-condensing sensor. Monitoring of a patient's breath pH provided by the miniaturized self-condensing pH sensor provides for real-time monitoring of patient airway pH values. The specially designed self-condensing sensor module incorporates a data transfer means, e.g. direct wiring or by providing a transmitter with an antenna for wireless transferring of the pH data to a processing receiver. The self-condensing pH sensor comprises a multi-tubular design with the outer tubular member housing a silver chloride reference element, an ion conducting path, and an antimony sensor plug isolated in an inner tubular member that is co-linearly or coaxially configured with the outer tubular member.

Abstract: Annuloplasty rings are employed to treat heart valve defects, such as regurgitation. Synching the heart tissue to the ring restores the valve opening to its approximate original size and operating efficiency. Adjustable annuloplasty rings allow for a proper degree of synching both during open heart surgery and over the patient's lifetime. A subcutaneous port may be coupled to an adjustable annuloplasty ring such that an external activation energy generator can be used to heat the adjustable annuloplasty ring and thereby adjust the size of the annuloplasty ring.

Abstract: A grip assembly for an embolic delivery device is described, where said grip assembly includes an integral wiping system utilizing one or more wipers. The grip assembly is constructed and arranged to allow an embolic delivery device to be inserted into the grip quickly and easily, without shifting undue attention away from the patient to the device. The wiper or wipers prevent any fluids or debris that may be present on a proximal end of the embolic delivery device from entering the interior of the grip assembly, thereby preserving a clean environment for making solid electrical connections between contacts in the grip assembly and corresponding contacts on the embolic delivery device.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods are provided for repairing heart valves through percutaneous transcatheter delivery and fixation of annuloplasty rings to heart valves. An annuloplasty ring includes an outer hollow member including a plurality of segments. Adjacent segments cooperate with one another to change the outer hollow member from an elongate insertion geometry to an annular operable geometry. The annuloplasty ring also includes an internal anchor member located at least partially within the outer hollow member. The internal anchor member includes a plurality of anchors configured to attach the annuloplasty ring to tissue of a heart valve annulus. The internal anchor member is configured to move the plurality of anchors with respect to a plurality of windows in the outer hollow member to selectively deploy the plurality of anchors through the respective windows.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods are provided for repairing heart valves through percutaneous transcatheter delivery and fixation of annuloplasty rings to heart valves. An annuloplasty ring includes an outer hollow member including a plurality of segments. Adjacent segments cooperate with one another to change the outer hollow member from an elongate insertion geometry to an annular operable geometry. The annuloplasty ring also includes an internal anchor member located at least partially within the outer hollow member. The internal anchor member includes a plurality of anchors configured to attach the annuloplasty ring to tissue of a heart valve annulus. The internal anchor member is configured to move the plurality of anchors with respect to a plurality of windows in the outer hollow member to selectively deploy the plurality of anchors through the respective windows.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ambulatory system for monitoring one or more physiological parameters in a body lumen, such as the esophagus. The system includes an implantable probe having a sensor for the physiological parameter and a transmitter for transmitting data to an external receiver. The probe may be used for monitoring any of various physiological parameters, including pH, temperature, and pressure, within the esophagus or other body lumens. Methods and deployment catheters are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a means of combining and configuring specific hydrophilic and dielectric materials in such a way as to allow an antimony/reference electrode pH sensor to be packaged and stored dry yet become fully hydrated to an activated state after exposure to aqueous liquids. The sensor is packaged and stored dry to maintain component stability and minimize component degradation. When the user removes the sensor from the package and the sensor tip is submerged in a hydration (ion conduction) media or solution, the hydrophilic coating along with the impregnated reference wick, absorb the fluid to create an electrolytic gel inside the reference wick, which activates the pH sensor.

Abstract: Annuloplasty rings are employed to treat heart valve defects, such as regurgitation. Synching the heart tissue to the ring restores the valve opening to its approximate original size and operating efficiency. Adjustable annuloplasty rings allow for a proper degree of synching both during open heart surgery and over the patient's lifetime. A subcutaneous port may be coupled to an adjustable annuloplasty ring such that an external activation energy generator can be used to heat the adjustable annuloplasty ring and thereby adjust the size of the annuloplasty ring.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods are provided for repairing heart valves through percutaneous transcatheter delivery and fixation of annuloplasty rings to heart valves. An annuloplasty ring includes an outer hollow member including a plurality of segments. Adjacent segments cooperate with one another to change the outer hollow member from an elongate insertion geometry to an annular operable geometry. The annuloplasty ring also includes an internal anchor member located at least partially within the outer hollow member. The internal anchor member includes a plurality of anchors configured to attach the annuloplasty ring to tissue of a heart valve annulus. The internal anchor member is configured to move the plurality of anchors with respect to a plurality of windows in the outer hollow member to selectively deploy the plurality of anchors through the respective windows.

Abstract: A percutaneous magnetic catheter may be used to position one or more magnetic components near a magnetically driven prosthesis in a patient's heart in order to adjust the magnetically driven prosthesis. In certain embodiments, the one or more magnetic components are rotatable. Rotation of the one or more magnetic components cause variations in a magnetic field. Variations in the magnetic field may be utilized to adjust the size or shape of a magnetically driven prosthesis. In this way, a magnetically driven prosthesis may be adjusted after a patient has recovered from a surgery in which the magnetically driven prosthesis was implanted. Further, a magnetically driven prosthesis may be adjusted based upon progression of a heart condition.

Abstract: A reversibly adjustable heart harness is configured to surround at least a portion of a heart and to provide a compressive force to the heart during at least a portion of a cardiac cycle. The heart harness includes a plurality of wires forming a mesh structure, and one or more tensioning motors connected to the mesh structure. The one or more tensioning motors are configured to selectively increase or reduce tension in the mesh structure to readjust the compressive force provided that the heart harness provides to the heart.

Abstract: A system for treating a cardiac valve includes an adjustable annuloplasty ring configured to attach to or near a cardiac valve annulus. The system also includes a suture comprising a first end coupled to the annuloplasty ring. A second end of the suture is configured to be anchored to a papillary muscle. Selectively adjusting the annuloplasty ring adjusts a tension of the suture to reposition the papillary muscle.

Abstract: Systems and methods to adjust an adjustable medical device that is implanted subcutaneously within the body of a patient. The adjustable medical device is coupled to an adjustment mechanism configured to, when powered, effect a desired adjustment to the adjustable medical device. The adjustment mechanism is electrically coupled to a receiving coil configured to resonate at a desired frequency such that an electric current induced in the receiving coil powers the adjustment mechanism. An induction activation system is configured to utilize magnetic resonance to wirelessly activate the adjustable medical device assembly, from outside the patient's body, through a skin barrier of the patient. The induction activation system comprises a power source and a delivery coil. The power source creates an alternating electrical signal.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to active drug eluting angioplasty balloon which utilizes ultrasonic energy to facilitate the release of the bioactive drug thereby avoids many of the drawbacks of prior art drug eluting devices.

Abstract: The present invention is a system for monitoring a patient's breath chemistry comprising a plurality of components, including a self-condensing pH sensor distally mounted on a catheter, a transmitter with hydration sensing circuitry for the pH sensor, and, a processing receiver/data recorder. The specifically designed self-condensing pH sensor located on the distal end of the catheter is designed to be inserted into the patient's airway. Monitoring of a patient's breath pH is accomplished by using the miniaturized self-condensing pH sensor, providing for real-time monitoring of patient airway pH values.

Abstract: Systems and methods treat a heart valve using a magnetically adjustable annuloplasty ring attached to or near a cardiac valve annulus. A changing magnetic field may be used to selectively increase or decrease a circumference of, or otherwise modify the shape of, the implanted annuloplasty ring. The adjustable annuloplasty ring includes a tubular body member, one or more adjustable members, and an internal magnet within the tubular body member. The tubular body member and the one or more adjustable members form a ring shape. The internal magnet is configured to rotate in response to a rotating external magnetic field. The internal magnet is coupled to the one or more adjustable members to change a dimension of the ring shape as the internal magnet rotates. A system for treating a heart valve may include an external adjustment device having one or more external magnets to generate the rotating external magnetic field.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a means of combining and configuring specific hydrophilic and dielectric materials in such a way as to allow an antimony/reference electrode pH sensor to be packaged and stored dry yet become fully hydrated to an activated state after exposure to aqueous liquids. The sensor is packaged and stored dry to maintain component stability and minimize component degradation. When the user removes the sensor from the package and the sensor tip is submerged in a hydration (ion conduction) media or solution, the hydrophilic coating along with the impregnated reference wick, absorb the fluid to create an electrolytic gel inside the reference wick, which activates the pH sensor.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for monitoring, diagnosing, and treating certain medical conditions, such as asthma, gastroesophageal reflux or laryngopharyngeal reflux. The system includes a mask apparatus or sensor module fitted with a pH sensor and thermocouple, a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device, a processing receiver, and a therapeutic nebulizer/atomizer/humidifier device. The mask apparatus, CPAP device and therapeutic nebulizer/atomizer/humidifier device are connected by a pneumatic means. The pH sensor and the thermocouple are in electrical communication with the processing receiver that controls, through an electronic means, the CPAP device and therapeutic nebulizer/atomizer/humidifier device. The electrical communications can be in the form of a plurality of wires or employ wireless means.