Abstract: An automatic atherectomy system uses a rotary burr at the tip of a catheter as a sensing device, in order to measure both electrical conductivity and permittivity of surrounding tissue at multiple frequencies. From these parameters it is determined which tissue lies in different directions around the tip. A servo system steers the catheter tip in the direction of the tissue to be removed. In non-atherectomy applications the rotary burr can be replaced with any desired tool and the system can be used to automatically steer the catheter to the desired position. The steering may be done hydraulically, by pressurizing miniature bellows located near the catheter tip.

Abstract: An automatic atherectomy system uses a rotary burr at the tip of a catheter as a sensing device, in order to measure both electrical conductivity and permittivity of surrounding tissue at multiple frequencies. From these parameters it is determined which tissue lies in different directions around the tip. A servo system steers the catheter tip in the direction of the tissue to be removed. In non-atherectomy applications the rotary burr can be replaced with any desired tool and the system can be used to automatically steer the catheter to the desired position. The steering may be done hydraulically, by pressurizing miniature bellows located near the catheter tip.

Abstract: A medical device system comprising a guide catheter and a leaflet fastening applicator, the guide catheter having suitable dimensions for deployment and insertion percutaneously into a human heart in a vicinity of a heart valve, the leaflet fastening applicator having a size allowing insertion through the guide catheter and being capable of holding portions of opposing heart valve leaflets, wherein the fastening applicator comprises a pair of grasping-electrodes adapted for holding and engaging the portions of opposing heart valve leaflets together and for applying energy to fasten the portions, in which heart valve leaflets can be captured and securely fastened, thereby improving coaptation of the leaflets and improving competence of the valve.

Abstract: An automatic atherectomy system uses a rotary burr at the tip of a catheter as a sensing device, in order to measure both electrical conductivity and permittivity of surrounding tissue at multiple frequencies. From these parameters it is determined which tissue lies in different directions around the tip. A servo system steers the catheter tip in the direction of the tissue to be removed. In non-atherectomy applications the rotary burr can be replaced with any desired tool and the system can be used to automatically steer the catheter to the desired position. The steering may be done hydraulically, by pressurizing miniature bellows located near the catheter tip.

Abstract: A medical device system comprising a guide catheter and a leaflet fastening applicator, the guide catheter having suitable dimensions for deployment and insertion percutaneously into a human heart in a vicinity of a heart valve, the leaflet fastening applicator having a size allowing insertion through the guide catheter and being capable of holding portions of opposing heart valve leaflets, wherein the fastening applicator comprises a pair of grasping-electrodes adapted for holding and engaging the portions of opposing heart valve leaflets together and for applying energy to fasten the portions, in which heart valve leaflets can be captured and securely fastened, thereby improving coaptation of the leaflets and improving competence of the valve.

Abstract: An elastic structure is introduced percutaneously into the left ventricle and attached to the walls of the ventricle. Over time the structure bonds firmly to the walls via scar tissue formation. The structure helps the ventricle expand and fill with blood during the diastolic period while having little affect on systolic performance. The structure also strengthens the ventricular walls and limits the effects of congestive heart failure, as the maximum expansion of the support structure is limited by flexible or elastic members.

Abstract: An elastic structure is introduced percutaneously into the left ventricle and attached to the walls of the ventricle. Over time the structure bonds firmly to the walls via scar tissue formation. The structure helps the ventricle expand and fill with blood during the diastolic period while having little affect on systolic performance. The structure also strengthens the ventricular walls and limits the effects of congestive heart failure, as the maximum expansion of the support structure is limited by flexible or elastic members.

Abstract: A device for closing holes in tissue is delivered via a catheter to the inside of a body lumen such as a heart. An elastic barbed clip is expanded, pulled into the tissue and released, pulling the tissue with it. The operation is fully reversible.

Abstract: A device for closing holes in tissue is delivered via a catheter to the inside of a body lumen such as a heart. An elastic barbed clip is expanded, pulled into the tissue and released, pulling the tissue with it. The operation is fully reversible.

Abstract: The invention can selectively heat a diseased area, such as a tumor, in the body while minimizing heating of healthy surrounding tissue. This is done by exposing the undesired tissue to a scanning focused ultrasound beam arriving from different angular directions at different times, all directions passing through the undesired tissue. The system can scan the target area with low power ultrasound, and then activate the higher power over the selected target areas.

Abstract: The invention can selectively heat a diseased area or undesired tissue in the body while minimizing heating to the healthy area and surrounding tissue. This is done by exposing the undesired tissue to a scanning focused microwave beam arriving from different directions, all directions passing through the undesired tissue. The invention is particularly useful for heating tissues in which the undesired tissue has reduced blood flow. The undesired area will heat up rapidly while the healthy tissue will be cooled by the blood flow. This is particularly effective for treating emphysema because of the low mass of the lungs and the high blood flow.

Abstract: Miniature implanted muscle, nerve and brain stimulators are powered by inductive coupling to a large coil which is preferably placed under the bed. Preferably the operation of the system is controlled by a programmable timer to operate when the user is resting or asleep. Two coils operated at two different positions can be used simultaneously to avoid spots with no signal. When the system is used to reduce angina pains, the pulsation is synchronized to the cardiac rhythm by picking up the electro-cardiac signals.

Abstract: A medical device system comprising a guide catheter and a leaflet fastening applicator, the guide catheter having suitable dimensions for deployment and insertion percutaneously into a human heart in a vicinity of a heart valve, the leaflet fastening applicator having a size allowing insertion through the guide catheter and being capable of holding portions of opposing heart valve leaflets, wherein the fastening applicator comprises a pair of grasping-electrodes adapted for holding and engaging the portions of opposing heart valve leaflets together and for applying energy to fasten the portions, in which heart valve leaflets can be captured and securely fastened, thereby improving coaptation of the leaflets and improving competence of the valve.

Abstract: A multi lumen catheter is made from a number of thin walled flexible tubes bonded together to form an inner lumen. The inner lumen can withstand vacuum when the outside tubes are pressurized. During insertion the tubes are compressed and collapsed. The tubes expand by the pressure of the pumped fluid. At the point the catheter enters the body the expansion is restricted to a smaller diameter than the rest of the catheter.

Abstract: The lens at the tip of a laparoscopic camera is kept clean by creating a compartment in front of it pressurized by CO2 gas. The gas exits the compartment via a small aperture that also serves as an aperture for the optical system. The escaping gas is vented to the body cavity. Because of the small size of the aperture, even a small gas flow prevents fluids from entering the cavity and soiling the lens.

Abstract: A surgical tool such as a liposuction cannula is equipped with a sensor at the tool tip. The sensor continuously analyzes the type of tissue in contact with the tip based on the electrical properties of the tissue. When encountering a tissue type that should not be disturbed, the action of the surgical tool is stopped automatically. When used for liposuction, the cannula is mechanically decoupled from the handle when the wrong type of tissue is detected thus minimizing the inertia of the part that needs to be stopped.

Abstract: A miniature implanted defibrillator ignites an explosive charge when it senses an erratic heart rhythm. The defibrillator can be delivered percutaneously into the heart or can be implanted in the vicinity of the heart via minimally invasive surgery. The shock created by the exploding charge defibrillates the heart. Single use and multiple use devices are possible. The same principle can be used for a disposable external defibrillators.

Abstract: An article to be inserted into the human body has a superhydrophobic surface. The superhydrophobic surface is coated with a water soluble thin but durable protective coat. One positioned inside the body the coating is rapidly dissolved by the blood or other fluids and exposes the superhydrophobic surface. To coat article the water based coating is mixed with a liquid capable of wetting the superhydrophobic surface but is still dissolvable or at least miscible in the coating. As an example, a glucose or sucrose solution in water is mixed with alcohol and used to coat the surface. After water and alcohol evaporation, a durable protective coat of sugar remains. After the coated article is inserted into the body, the coating is rapidly dissolved and absorbed by the body.

Abstract: The invention controls the break-off point of twisted wires to predictably break at the edge of the tightening tool. This is achieved by slightly weakening the wire at this point, using the pressure of the tightening tool and the shape of the jaw to introduce a controlled weak point. The tool creates uniform and strong twisted wire joints.

Abstract: An artificial valve is delivered percutaneously in the form of a hollow inflatable shell, which is later filled in situ with a suitable elastomer, similar to inflating a balloon. Since the shell is a flexible and mostly hollow balloon, it can be compressed and transported via a relatively small catheter. In order to inflate to the correct shape the hollow shell requires some ties between its walls. These ties are formed from a low density open cell foam or a specialized manufacturing process. The valve can combine elements with different stiffness as well as different materials. A positioning balloon can also be used in the process of placing the valve. The invention is particularly suited for cardiac valves but can be used for other artificial valves.