Abstract: An apparatus for performing anastomosis between a graft vessel and a target vessel may include a trocar that may create an opening in the target vessel. At least part of the trocar may be expandable to allow an anastomosis device to pass through the distal end thereof. The apparatus may include a holder configured to hold the anastomosis device, and place and deploy the anastomosis device in the opening created by the trocar.

Abstract: A needle is used to mark a tissue area of interest. The needle may have one or more indicators which indicate selected angular orientations relative to the needle. The indicators may also be coupled to anchors which are deployed in the tissue to anchor the needle in the tissue. The needle may be positioned to guide an excisional device to remove tissue.

Abstract: A device for cutting and collecting a specimen from a mass of tissue may include a shaft, an integrated cut and collect assembly coupled to the shaft and an actuator. The shaft may define an opening and may include an outer surface that defines a trough adjacent the opening, the trough defining a ledge portion that is cut out of the shaft. The integrated cut and collect assembly may include an RF cutting portion and a collection portion that includes a flexible membrane, the collection portion being attached to the cutting portion, the integrated cut and collect assembly being configured to assume a retracted position at least partially within the opening such that part of the collection portion is disposed within the trough and in contact with the ledge portion and a selectable expanded position that extends through the opening and away from the shaft.

Abstract: An integrated anastomosis tool both creates an opening in a side wall of a target blood vessel and performs an anastomosis procedure to connect a graft vessel to a side of the target blood vessel with a single integrated tool. The integrated anastomosis tool includes a cutting device, a graft vessel attachment device, an introducer, and a tool body. In each of the embodiments of the anastomosis tool, the advancement paths of a cutting device and a graft vessel attachment device cross, intersect, or align so that both the cutting device and the graft vessel attachment device can be operated by a single tool at the same intended anastomosis site in a sequential manner. The anastomosis procedure can be performed on a pressurized vessel since there is no need to interchange tools during the procedure.

Abstract: An ablating device has a cover which holds an interface material such as a gel. The cover contains the interface material during initial placement of the device. The ablating device may also have a removable tip or a membrane filled with fluid. In still another aspect, the ablating device may be submerged in liquid during operation.

Abstract: A suction sleeve is configured to couple to the shaft of an RF device to evacuate hot gasses, fluids and/or other aspirates. The suction sleeve may be configured to be disposed coaxially around the shaft between the first end of the shaft and the work element (e.g., an RF cutting element) thereof. The suction sleeve defines a suction port and a plurality of openings near the work element, and is configured to enable suction in through the plurality of openings and out through the suction port.

Abstract: A tissue punch for creating a hole in the wall of a target blood vessel for receiving an anastomosis device includes a piercing element for penetrating the tissue and a cutting element for cutting a plug of tissue around the pierced hole. The tissue punch includes a trocar for inserting the piercing element. After punching is complete, the piercing element is removed from the trocar through a side wall of the trocar so that a medical device can be deployed through the trocar lumen. The tissue punch may also include a tissue trap for trapping the plug of tissue.

Abstract: A tissue punch for creating a hole in the wall of a target blood vessel for receiving an anastomosis device includes a piercing element for penetrating the tissue and a cutting element for cutting a plug of tissue around the pierced hole. The tissue punch includes a trocar for inserting the piercing element. After punching is complete, the piercing element is removed from the trocar through a side wall of the trocar so that a medical device can be deployed through the trocar lumen. The tissue punch may also include a tissue trap for trapping the plug of tissue.

Abstract: Devices and methods for collecting or cutting and collecting a specimen from a mass of tissue within a patient. The device may include a specimen collection assembly including a flexible membrane that isolates collected specimen from the surrounding tissue. The collection device may also include structures that draw the collected specimen toward the shaft and/or otherwise ease the insertion and retraction of the device and the collected specimen from the patient through a small incision.

Abstract: Devices and methods for cutting and collecting a specimen from a mass of tissue. The device may include an integrated cut and collect assembly. The integrated cut and collect assembly includes a cutting portion and a collection portion that includes a flexible membrane. The collection portion of the assembly is attached to the cutting portion thereof. The cutting portion is configured to cut the specimen from the mass of tissue and the collection portion is configured to collect the cut specimen and to encapsulate and isolate the cut specimen within the membrane to enable its safe retraction from the mass of tissue.

Abstract: Surgical devices include a selectively cutting and atraumatic distal tip that is configured to assume a first configuration in which cutting surface or surfaces thereof are effective to cut tissue and a second configuration in which the cutting surface or surfaces thereof are ineffective to cut tissue.

Abstract: An ablating device has a cover which holds an interface material such as a gel. The cover contains the interface material during initial placement of the device. The ablating device may also have a removable tip or a membrane filled with fluid. In still another aspect, the ablating device may be submerged in liquid during operation.

Abstract: The invention provides apparatus and methods for mapping conduction pathways and creating lesions in the heart wall for the treatment of atrial fibrillation. The apparatus may include at least one epicardial ablation probe having a plurality of electrodes for creating a lesion. The apparatus and method facilitate the formation of a lesion which electrically isolates the pulmonary veins from the surrounding myocardium.

Abstract: A needle is used to mark a tissue area of interest. The needle may have one or more indicators which indicate selected angular orientations relative to the needle. The indicators may also be coupled to anchors which are deployed in the tissue to anchor the needle in the tissue. The needle may be positioned to guide an excisional device to remove tissue.

Abstract: The invention provides apparatus and methods for mapping conduction pathways and creating lesions in the heart wall for the treatment of atrial fibrillation. The apparatus may include at least one epicardial ablation probe having a plurality of electrodes for creating a lesion. The apparatus and method facilitate the formation of a lesion which electrically isolates the pulmonary veins from the surrounding myocardium.

Abstract: A trocar useful for forming an incision in a target vessel for placement of an anastomosis device which may have an inner flange formed by radial expansion of the device and an outer flange formed by axial compression of the device. The trocar can have a smaller size during formation of the incision and a larger size when retracted over a deployment tool used to deploy the anastomosis device.

Abstract: An ablating device has a cover which holds an interface material such as a gel. The cover contains the interface material during initial placement of the device. The ablating device may also have a removable tip or a membrane filled with fluid. In still another aspect, the ablating device may be submerged in liquid during operation.

Abstract: A steerable, tendon-driven endoscope is described herein. The endoscope has an elongated body with a manually or selectively steerable distal portion and an automatically controlled, segmented proximal portion. The steerable distal portion and the segment of the controllable portion are actuated by at least two tendons. As the endoscope is advanced, the user maneuvers the distal portion, and a motion controller actuates tendons in the segmented proximal portion so that the proximal portion assumes the selected curve of the selectively steerable distal portion. By this method the selected curves are propagated along the endoscope body so that the endoscope largely conforms to the pathway selected. When the endoscope is withdrawn proximally, the selected curves can propagate distally along the endoscope body. This allows the endoscope to negotiate tortuous curves along a desired path through or around and between organs within the body.

Abstract: An ablating device has a cover which holds an interface material such as a gel. The cover contains the interface material during initial placement of the device. The ablating device may also have a removable tip or a membrane filled with fluid. In still another aspect, the ablating device may be submerged in liquid during operation.

Abstract: Devices and methods for collecting or cutting and collecting a specimen from a mass of tissue within a patient. The device may include a specimen collection assembly including a flexible membrane that isolates collected specimen from the surrounding tissue. The collection device may also include structures that draw the collected specimen toward the shaft and/or otherwise ease the insertion and retraction of the device and the collected specimen from the patient through a small incision.