Abstract: Methods and apparatus of embodiments of the invention are adapted to treat tissue inside a patient's body. Aspects of the invention can be used in a wide variety of applications, but certain embodiments provide minimally invasive alternatives for treating atrial fibrillation by delivering a tissue-damaging agent to selected areas of the heart. One exemplary embodiment of the invention provides a method of treating cardiac arrhythmia. This method includes positioning a distal tissue-contacting portion of a body in surface contact with a tissue surface of cardiac tissue; detecting the surface contact between the tissue-contacting portion and the tissue surface; and thereafter, injecting a tissue-ablating agent into the cardiac tissue through the tissue-contacting portion of the body.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus of embodiments of the invention are adapted to treat tissue inside a patient's body. Aspects of the invention can be used in a wide variety of applications, but certain embodiments provide minimally invasive alternatives for treating atrial fibrillation by delivering a tissue-damaging agent to selected areas of the heart. One exemplary embodiment of the invention provides a method of treating cardiac arrhythmia. This method includes positioning a distal tissue-contacting portion of a body in surface contact with a tissue surface of cardiac tissue; detecting the surface contact between the tissue-contacting portion and the tissue surface; and thereafter, injecting a tissue-ablating agent into the cardiac tissue through the tissue-contacting portion of the body.

Abstract: The invention described herein provides for methods and devices for treating tissues, and in particular, ischemic heart tissue. Preferred devices includes tools integrating both injury and treatment effectors in a single unit. An optional third effector provides an effector for marking locations on a tissue surface that have been visited by the device. Methods are provided in which a target tissue is identified, injury sites are created at known locations, and therapeutic-substance is infused at known locations different than the injury sites.

Abstract: Various methods and devices for treating a patient who has lost, or is at risk of losing cardiac function by cardiac ischemia are disclosed. Treatment includes first imaging a patient's heart, or a portion thereof, to identify underperfused regions of cardiac muscle, and a source of oxygenated blood that is proximate to the underperfused region. Between the underperfused regions and the oxygenated blood source, a target area is selected where thermal or mechanical injury is introduced, and optionally reintroduced, to convert initial capillary blush, resulting from the injury.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating an atherosclerotic target region of a coronary vessel in a patient are disclosed. The method includes delivering to the patient, a photoatherolytic compound, to cause accumulation of the compound in the target region, accessing the target region intraluminally with a guidewire, and advancing over the guidewire, a catheter having (i) a proximal main-body sleeve, (ii) a flexible, non-inflatable, translucent distal-end sleeve joined to the main-body sleeve at a catheter juncture, and (iii) an inner lumen extending through the two sleeves, said advancing being effective to position the catheter's distal-end sleeve within the target region. The guidewire is then removed and replaced by a fiber-optic bundle having a light-diffusing tip, until said tip is positioned adjacent the catheter juncture.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus of embodiments of the invention are adapted to treat tissue inside a patient's body. Aspects of the invention can be used in a wide variety of applications, but certain embodiments provide minimally invasive alternatives for treating atrial fibrillation by delivering a tissue-damaging agent to selected areas of the heart. One exemplary embodiment of the invention provides a method of treating cardiac arrhythmia. This method includes positioning a distal tissue-contacting portion of a body in surface contact with a tissue surface of cardiac tissue; detecting the surface contact between the tissue-contacting portion and the tissue surface; and thereafter, injecting a tissue-ablating agent into the cardiac tissue through the tissue-contacting portion of the body.

Abstract: Various methods and devices for treating a patient who has lost, or is at risk of losing cardiac function by cardiac ischemia are disclosed. Treatment includes first imaging a patient's heart, or a portion thereof, to identify underperfused regions of cardiac muscle, and a source of oxygenated blood that is proximate to the underperfused region. Between the underperfused regions and the oxygenated blood source, a target area is selected where thermal or mechanical injury is introduced, and optionally reintroduced, to convert initial capillary blush, resulting from the injury.

Abstract: An occlusive implant delivery assembly includes a rapid response decoupling or detachment mechanism that does not effect significant migration of the implant during release. The assembly includes an occlusive implant device, such as an embolic coil, a pusher or device to carry the implant to the selected location, and an expandable coupling-decoupling mechanism for releasing the implant at the selected site. The mechanical construction provides rapid release times. In addition, the releasing mechanism generally operates without exerting any significant force on the implant, thereby avoiding any significant displacement of the implant during release.

Abstract: Various methods and devices for treating a patient who has lost, or is at risk of losing cardiac function by cardiac ischemia are disclosed. Treatment includes first imaging a patient's heart, or a portion thereof, to identify underperfused regions of cardiac muscle, and a source of oxygenated blood that is proximate to the underperfused region. Between the underperfused regions and the oxygenated blood source, a target area is selected where thermal or mechanical injury is introduced, and optionally reintroduced, to convert initial capillary blush, resulting from the injury.

Abstract: Various methods and devices for treating a patient who has lost, or is at risk of losing cardiac function by cardiac ischemia are disclosed. Treatment includes first imaging a patient's heart, or a portion thereof, to identify underperfused regions of cardiac muscle, and a source of oxygenated blood that is proximate to the underperfused region. Between the underperfused regions and the oxygenated blood source, a target area is selected where thermal or mechanical injury is introduced, and optionally reintroduced, to convert initial capillary blush, resulting from the injury.

Abstract: The present invention provides for the needleless delivery of selected agents to target tissues within a subject body by providing the agents in one or more high-energy jets or streams directed against selected wall or surface regions of such tissues. One general embodiment of the apparatus includes (i) an elongate jacket having (a) proximal and distal ends, (b) a lumen extending between such ends, and (c) a blunt, distal-end face defining one or more outlet ports in fluid communication with the lumen; (ii) an introduction port for feeding such agent(s) into the lumen; and (iii) a pump communicating with a proximal end of the jacket. The pump is operable to generate an increased pressure within the lumen such that an agent introduced therein will be propelled out of the distal outlet port(s), thereby forming respective high-energy, narrow, fluid jets or streams capable of penetrating a selected tissue.

Abstract: Various methods and devices for treating a patient who has lost, or is at risk of losing cardiac function by cardiac ischemia are disclosed. Treatment includes first imaging a patient's heart, or a portion thereof, to identify underperfused regions of cardiac muscle, and a source of oxygenated blood that is proximate to the underperfused region. Between the underperfused regions and the oxygenated blood source, a target area is selected where thermal or mechanical injury is introduced, and optionally reintroduced, to convert initial capillary blush, resulting from the injury.

Abstract: The present invention provides for the needleless delivery of selected agents to target tissues within a subject body by providing the agents in one or more high-energy jets or streams directed against selected wall or surface regions of such tissues. One general embodiment of the apparatus includes (i) an elongate jacket having (a) proximal and distal ends, (b) a lumen extending between such ends, and (c) a blunt, distal-end face defining one or more outlet ports in fluid communication with the lumen; (ii) an introduction port for feeding such agent(s) into the lumen; and (iii) a pump communicating with a proximal end of the jacket. The pump is operable to generate an increased pressure within the lumen such that an agent introduced therein will be propelled out of the distal outlet port(s), thereby forming respective high-energy, narrow, fluid jets or streams capable of penetrating a selected tissue.

Abstract: A solderless sacrificial link between a detachable member which is placed at and is intended to remain at a desired site within the mammalian body and the core wire used to introduce the detachable member. The detachable member device may be one used to create emboli in the vascular system or may be of any other type deliverable into the human body and detached into an ionic aqueous environment, either for later removal or permanent placement.

Abstract: Various methods and devices for treating a patient who has lost, or is at risk of losing cardiac function by cardiac ischemia are disclosed. Treatment includes first imaging a patient's heart, or a portion thereof, to identify underperfused regions of cardiac muscle, and a source of oxygenated blood that is proximate to the underperfused region.

Abstract: A non-deforming deflectable multi-lumen catheter with an outer jacket having a deflectable distal end portion, an eccentric pull wire lumen, coil and shim embedded therein. The deflectable distal portion optionally having one or more transaxial notches in the external surface of the outer jacket. A functional device is disposed within the lumen of an inner tube substantially coaxial with the outer jacket of the catheter. The distal tip of the functional device egressible from the distal tip of the catheter, and upon deflection, automatically aligns with the distal tip of the catheter and functional device.

Abstract: Various methods and devices for treating a patient who has lost, or is at risk of losing cardiac function by cardiac ischemia are disclosed. Treatment includes first imaging a patient's heart, or a portion thereof, to identify underperfused regions of cardiac muscle, and a source of oxygenated blood that is proximate to the underperfused region. Between the underperfused regions and the oxygenated blood source, a target area is selected where thermal or mechanical injury is introduced, and optionally reintroduced, to convert initial capillary blush, resulting from the injury.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus of embodiments of the invention are adapted to treat tissue inside a patient's body. Aspects of the invention can be used in a wide variety of applications, but certain embodiments provide minimally invasive alternatives for treating atrial fibrillation by delivering a tissue-damaging agent to selected areas of the heart. One exemplary embodiment of the invention provides a method of treating cardiac arrhythmia. This method includes positioning a distal tissue-contacting portion of a body in surface contact with a tissue surface of cardiac tissue; detecting the surface contact between the tissue-contacting portion and the tissue surface; and thereafter, injecting a tissue-ablating agent into the cardiac tissue through the tissue-contacting portion of the body.

Abstract: The invention described herein provides for methods and devices for treating tissues, and in particular, ischemic heart tissue. Preferred devices includes tools integrating both injury and treatment effectors in a single unit. An optional third effector provides an effector for marking locations on a tissue surface that have been visited by the device. Methods are provided in which a target tissue is identified, injury sites are created at known locations, and therapeutic-substance is infused at known locations different than the injury sites.

Abstract: This is a solderless sacrificial link between a detachable member which is placed at and is intended to remain at a desired site within the mammalian body and the core wire used to introduce the detachable member. The detachable member device may be one used to create emboli in the vascular system or may be of any other type deliverable into the human body and detached into an ionic aqueous environment, either for later removal or permanent placement.