Abstract: An electroporation apparatus has an electroporation probe terminals for linking with electrodes. A foam is injected at the treatment site to displace blood rather than mixing with it, increasing the contact time of a higher concentration of active agent with the tissue and thus resulting in greater efficacy. With foam solutions, a lower concentration of agent can be used to obtain the same therapeutic effect as in their liquid counterpart, reducing the prevalence of side effects associated with higher concentrations. A foam solution compared to an equivalent liquid solution enables more efficient cell electroporation particularly where bipolar pulses have been employed by mitigating an increase in tissue conductivity as would normally be observed with a comparable liquid solution. A more efficient cell permeabilisation would result in better results where electroporation is being delivered alone or as a tool to aid in the uptake of molecules into the cell.

Abstract: An electroporation apparatus has an electroporation probe terminals for linking with electrodes. A foam is injected at the treatment site to displace blood rather than mixing with it, increasing the contact time of a higher concentration of active agent with the tissue and thus resulting in greater efficacy. With foam solutions, a lower concentration of agent can be used to obtain the same therapeutic effect as in their liquid counterpart, reducing the prevalence of side effects associated with higher concentrations. A foam solution compared to an equivalent liquid solution enables more efficient cell electroporation particularly where bipolar pulses have been employed by mitigating an increase in tissue conductivity as would normally be observed with a comparable liquid solution. A more efficient cell permeabilization would result in better results where electroporation is being delivered alone or as a tool to aid in the uptake of molecules into the cell.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to devices and methods for diagnosis and treatment of biological tissue in which the tissue is accessed by a catheter through a working channel of an endoscope and in which the degree of extension of a distal tip of the catheter beyond a distal tip of the endoscope is controlled.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to the field of medical devices. In particular, the present disclosure relates to devices and methods to guide delivery devices and instruments. Exemplary instrument guides, including for endoscopes as delivery devices for cryogen delivery catheters and to guide cryogen decompression tubes as instruments, and methods for use of such instrument guides for use in body lumens at treatment sites, are disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to the field of medical devices. In particular, the present disclosure relates to devices and methods to guide delivery devices and instruments. Exemplary instrument guides, including for endoscopes as delivery devices for cryogen delivery catheters and to guide cryogen decompression tubes as instruments, and methods for use of such instrument guides for use in body lumens at treatment sites, are disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to the field of medical devices and, in particular, the present disclosure relates to methods and devices to enhance radial spray from a catheter, such as devices with flow distribution elements for a radial spray catheter, including for radial cryospray catheters.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to devices and methods for treating cardiac tissue, including percutaneous closure of cardiac openings such as a patent foramen ovale (PFO) and obliteration of the cardiac cul-de-sacs. The invention includes a device having at least one elongated member. The elongated member has a first material and a second material interwoven with at least a portion of the first material. The second material is capable of transferring energy to tissue in need of treatment.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to devices and methods for diagnosis and treatment of biological tissue in which the tissue is accessed by a catheter through a working channel of an endoscope and in which the degree of extension of a distal tip of the catheter beyond a distal tip of the endoscope is controlled.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to devices and methods for treating cardiac tissue, including percutaneous closure of cardiac openings such as a patent foramen ovale (PFO) and obliteration of the cardiac cul-de-sacs. The invention includes a device having at least one elongated member. The elongated member has a first material and a second material interwoven with at least a portion of the first material. The second material is capable of transferring energy to tissue in need of treatment.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to devices and methods for treating cardiac tissue, including percutaneous closure of cardiac openings such as a patent foramen ovale (PFO) and obliteration of the cardiac cul-de-sacs. The invention includes a device having at least one elongated member. The elongated member has a first material and a second material interwoven with at least a portion of the first material. The second material is capable of transferring energy to tissue in need of treatment.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for occluding or closing a patent foramen ovale of a patient (PFO). The invention includes a catheter carrying an energy delivery element. The catheter introduces the energy delivery element into the patent foramen ovale of a patient's heart. Once appropriately positioned, the energy delivery element applies energy, such as radiofrequency energy, to the tissues surrounding the patent foramen ovale. The application of energy causes the tissues to join together, occluding the patent foramen ovale. The energy delivery element may be removable or permanently implanted in the patent foramen ovale.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for occluding or closing a patent foramen ovale of a patient (PFO). The invention includes a catheter carrying an energy delivery element. The catheter introduces the energy delivery element into the patent foramen ovale of a patient's heart. Once appropriately positioned, the energy delivery element applies energy, such as radiofrequency energy, to the tissues surrounding the patent foramen ovale. The application of energy causes the tissues to join together, occluding the patent foramen ovale. The energy delivery element may be removable or permanently implanted in the patent foramen ovale.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for occluding or closing a patent foramen ovale of a patient (PFO). The invention includes a catheter carrying an energy delivery element. The catheter introduces the energy delivery element into the patent foramen ovale of a patient's heart. Once appropriately positioned, the energy delivery element applies energy, such as radiofrequency energy, to the tissues surrounding the patent foramen ovale. The application of energy causes the tissues to join together, occluding the patent foramen ovale. The energy delivery element may be removable or permanently implanted in the patent foramen ovale.

Abstract: This invention relates to medical devices for manipulating medical implants such as, for example, stents, distal protection filters, and septal occluders in a patient's body, and the methods of use thereof. Generally, a medical device of the invention includes a sleeve and an expandable component joined to the sleeve which transitions between a collapsed configuration and a deployed configuration for capturing a medical implant in a patient's body.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting a suture. In one embodiment the suture cutting apparatus includes a distal cutting end and a proximal control end. The apparatus also includes a first tube defining a lumen, and a second tube located and movable within the lumen of the first tube. The second tube defines a lumen and includes a lever arm pivotably attached at the distal cutting end of the apparatus. The lever arm has a cutting edge that is held away from the longitudinal axis of the second tube when the lever arm is located within the first tube, and is biased toward the longitudinal axis of second tube when the lever arm is outside of the first tube.

Abstract: A medical delivery system for delivering or retrieving a medical implant. In one embodiment, the medical delivery system includes a tube having a lumen; an implant; and a suture releasably joined to the implant, the suture comprising a first end, a second end, and a releasable knot, wherein tension applied to the first end of the suture collapses at least a portion of the implant for introduction into the tubular lumen and tension applied to the second end of the suture releases the implant.

Abstract: An expandable sheath accommodates a medical device that is being removed from a body with a larger diameter than the sheath. The same sheath may be used to reposition a device, such as an implant for repairing a patent foramen ovale (PFO), within the body to an alternative delivery site. The sheath has one or more perforations on its distal end that permit the distal end portion to expand radially. The sheath may be used to deliver a medical device, surgical instrument, or biological sample.

Abstract: Devices and techniques for modifying and maintaining a configuration of an occlusion device for the closure of physical anomalies, such as an atrial septal defect, a patent foramen ovale (PFO), and other septal and vascular defects are described. The devices and techniques relate particularly to, but are not limited to, modifying and maintaining a configuration of a PFO occluder made from a polymer tube. The proximal portion of a catch member may be provided with one or more protrusions, or arms, or bump or other raised element for securing the occluder in a partial or fully deployed configuration, either temporarily or permanently.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for delivering a therapeutic agent into tissue in combination with an implant device (2). Preferably the therapeutic substance is contained within a pellet form (14) that is deliverable into the interior of the device (2) after it has been implanted. In a preferred embodiment the implant device (2) comprises a flexible coiled spring body, the coils (4) of which have the proper diameter and spacing to contain the pellet (14) within the interior of the device (2) to contact the therapeutic agent. In treatment of ischemic tissue such as that of the myocardium of the heart, the mechanical irritation of the tissue caused by the implanted device (2) can help to provide an angiogenic effect. Additionally, the cavity (18) provided by the interior of the device (2) permits blood to pool around the pellet (14) and mix with the therapeutic agent. Several delivery systems have provided for delivering the implant and pellet (14) sequentially or simultaneously.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to devices and methods for treating cardiac tissue, including percutaneous closure of cardiac openings such as a patent foramen ovale (PFO) and obliteration of the cardiac cul-de-sacs. The invention includes a device having at least one elongated member. The elongated member has a first material and a second material interwoven with at least a portion of the first material. The second material is capable of transferring energy to tissue in need of treatment.