Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080208182 | METHOD FOR TISSUE CRYOTHERAPY - A method for performing cryotherapy on a target tissue region in a body includes positioning a first cooling element in a first location in a body adjacent a target tissue region, positioning a second cooling element in a second location in the body adjacent the target tissue region, and cooling the respective first and second cooling elements so as to cool the target tissue region. | 08-28-2008 |
20080314394 | Percutaneous myocardial revascularization - Devices and methods for creating a series of percutaneous myocardial revascularization (PMR) channels in the heart. One method includes forming a pattern of channels in the myocardium leading from healthy tissue to hibernating tissue. Suitable channel patterns include lines and arrays. One method includes anchoring a radiopaque marker to a position in the ventricle wall, then using fluoroscopy repeatedly to guide positioning of a cutting tip in the formation of multiple channels. Another method uses radiopaque material injected into each channel formed, as a marker. Yet another method utilizes an anchorable, rotatable cutting probe for channel formation about an anchor member, where the cutting probe can vary in radial distance from the anchor. Still another method utilizes a multiple wire radio frequency burning probe, for formation of multiple channels simultaneously. Still another method utilizes liquid nitrogen to cause localized tissue death. | 12-25-2008 |
20090018599 | Cardiac Stimulation Using Leadless Electrode Assemblies - An implantable cardiac tissue excitation system includes an implantable pacing controller unit with a pulse generation circuit. The system also includes a lead with a lead body extending between a proximal lead end attachable to the pacing controller unit and a distal lead end configured to be implanted within a heart. A lead conductor extends within the lead body. The system also includes a transmitter assembly located near the distal lead end that is electrically connected to the pulse generation circuit through the lead conductor to wirelessly transmit pacing control information and pacing energy. The system also includes a leadless electrode assembly configured to be implanted within the heart that includes a receiver to receive the wireless transmission, a charge storage unit to store the charge energy, and an electrical stimulation circuit to deliver an electrical stimulus to cardiac tissue using the pacing control information and the charge energy. | 01-15-2009 |
20090088794 | Connective Tissue Closure Device and Method - A device for closing wounds such as openings in blood vessels as well as a method of doing so are disclosed. The device employs a fabric wrapped around an expandable frame both of which are inserted into a blood vessel through an introducer sheath. Once inserted, the expandable frame expands thereby expanding the fabric therewith. The fabric is made from a bioabsorbable material and includes a plurality of microhooks extending therefrom. One suitable material is polylactic acid fiber. Upon retraction of the device, the microhooks engage the adventitia surrounding the blood vessel causing the fabric to remain in position sealing the opening even after the expandable member is retracted and removed as well as the introducer sheath As the fabric is made from a bioabsorbable material, the device can remain in place even after hemostasis is reached and eventually dissolve within the body. | 04-02-2009 |
20090204170 | WIRELESS TISSUE ELECTROSTIMULATION - A wireless electrostimulation system can comprise a wireless energy transmission source, and an implantable cardiovascular wireless electrostimulation node. A receiver circuit comprising an inductive antenna can be configured to capture magnetic energy to generate a tissue electrostimulation. A tissue electrostimulation circuit, coupled to the receiver circuit, can be configured to deliver energy captured by the receiver circuit as a tissue electrostimulation waveform. Delivery of tissue electrostimulation can be initiated by a therapy control unit. | 08-13-2009 |
20090209951 | Treating Internal Body Tissue - Some embodiments of the invention relate to a system for treating tissue internal to a body, such as heart tissue. For example, the system may be used to ablate tissue as a treatment for atrial fibrillation. In certain embodiments, the system is capable of causing scar tissue to form in ostial areas of the atrium rather than inside the pulmonary vein. In such embodiments, the system may include a tissue treatment member that is operable to form an annular area of ablated tissue along the outer portion of the ostium in an area known as the antrum. | 08-20-2009 |
20090287298 | CARDIAC VALVE, SYSTEM, AND METHOD - A cardiac valve with a support frame having a first end member and a second end member opposing the first end member in a substantially fixed distance relationship, and a cover extending over the support frame to allow for unidirectional flow of a liquid through the valve. | 11-19-2009 |
20090299358 | Cryotreatment Device and Method of Forming Conduction Blocks - Cryotreatment devices and methods of ablating tissue within the body are disclosed. A cryotreatment device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes an elongated member having one or more needle-like ablation tips configured to induce necrosis at a target site within the heart. A cooling fluid such as a cryogen may be injected through a lumen extending into the distal portion of the device. The ablation tips can be configured to pierce and ablate surrounding tissue, blocking electrical stimuli that can cause fibrillations or other arrhythmias of the heart. The device may also include means for controlling the transmural depth at which the ablation tips are inserted into the cardiac tissue. Methods of forming a contiguous line of conduction block in accordance with the present invention are also disclosed. | 12-03-2009 |
20100100173 | VALVE APPARATUS, SYSTEM AND METHOD - A cardiac valve with a first anchor frame and a cover on the first anchor frame for unidirectional flow of a liquid through the valve. | 04-22-2010 |
20100234884 | CLOSURE DEVICE WITH TEXTURED SURFACE - A closure device closes an opening in a body cavity. The closure device includes a closure member that has an external, tissue-engaging surface formed with tissue engaging surface irregularities. An elongate member is disconnectably connected to the closure member. | 09-16-2010 |
20110087204 | CRYOPLASTY DEVICE AND METHOD - A cryoplasty catheter and method for preventing or slowing reclosure of a lesion following angioplasty. The cryoplasty catheter includes a shaft having proximal and distal ends and a dilatation balloon disposed at the distal end. An intake lumen and exhaust lumen are defined by the shaft to deliver coolant to the balloon and to exhaust or drain coolant from the balloon. The method in accordance with the present invention includes cooling a lesion to aid in remodeling the lesion through dilatation and/or freezing a portion of the lesion adjacent the dilatation balloon to kill cells within the lesion to prevent or retard restenosis. | 04-14-2011 |
20110087275 | CONNECTIVE TISSUE CLOSURE DEVICE AND METHOD - A device for closing wounds such as openings in blood vessels as well as a method of doing so are disclosed. The device employs a fabric wrapped around an expandable frame both of which are inserted into a blood vessel through an introducer sheath. Once inserted, the expandable frame expands thereby expanding the fabric therewith. The fabric is made from a bioabsorbable material and includes a plurality of microhooks extending therefrom. One suitable material is polylactic acid fiber. Upon retraction of the device, the microhooks engage the adventitia surrounding the blood vessel causing the fabric to remain in position sealing the opening even after the expandable member is retracted and removed as well as the introducer sheath As the fabric is made from a bioabsorbable material, the device can remain in place even after hemostasis is reached and eventually dissolve within the body. | 04-14-2011 |
20110270331 | COMBINATION HEART ASSIST SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND DEVICES - The various embodiments disclosed herein relate to combination heart assist systems, methods, and devices that include both an electrical therapy device and a mechanical heart assist device. Various operational modes can be implemented using these embodiments, including a synchronized pacing mode, an internal CPR mode, and an internal workout mode. | 11-03-2011 |
20110282272 | CRYOTREATMENT DEVICE AND METHOD - Devices and methods for cooling vessel walls to inhibit restenosis in conjunction with medical procedures such as coronary artery angioplasty. Stenosed vessel walls can be cooled prior to angioplasty, after angioplasty, or both. The invention is believed to inhibit restenosis through cooling to a temperature near freezing, preferably without causing substantial vessel wall cell death. One catheter device includes a distal tube region having coolant delivery holes radially and longitudinally distributed along the distal region. In some devices, holes spray coolant directly onto the vessel walls, with the coolant absorbed into the blood stream. In other embodiments, a balloon or envelope is interposed between the coolant and the vessel walls and the coolant returned out of the catheter through a coolant return lumen. Some direct spray devices include an occlusion device to restrict blood flow past the region being cooled. Pressure, temperature, and ultrasonic probes are included in some cooling catheters. Pressure control valves are included in some devices to regulate balloon interior pressure within acceptable limits. In applications using liquid carbon dioxide as coolant, the balloon interior pressure can be maintained above the triple point of carbon dioxide to inhibit dry ice formation. Some cooling catheters are coiled perfusion catheters supporting longer cooling periods by allowing perfusing blood flow simultaneously with vessel wall cooling. One coiled catheter is biased to assume a coiled shape when unconstrained and can be introduced into the body in a relatively straight shape, having a stiffening wire inserted through the coil strands. | 11-17-2011 |
20110301705 | Cardiac Valve, System, and Method - A cardiac valve with a support frame having a first end member and a second end member opposing the first end member in a substantially fixed distance relationship, and a cover extending over the support frame to allow for unidirectional flow of a liquid through the valve. | 12-08-2011 |
20120022513 | CRYOTREATMENT DEVICES AND METHODS OF FORMING CONDUCTION BLOCKS - Cryotreatment devices and methods of ablating tissue within the body are disclosed. A cryotreatment device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes an elongated member having one or more needle-like ablation tips configured to induce necrosis at a target site within the heart. A cooling fluid such as a cryogen may be injected through a lumen extending into the distal portion of the device. The ablation tips can be configured to pierce and ablate surrounding tissue, blocking electrical stimuli that can cause fibrillations or other arrhythmias of the heart. The device may also include means for controlling the transmural depth at which the ablation tips are inserted into the cardiac tissue. Methods of forming a contiguous line of conduction block in accordance with the present invention are also disclosed. | 01-26-2012 |
20130238064 | CRYOTREATMENT DEVICE AND METHOD - Devices and methods for cooling vessel walls to inhibit restenosis in conjunction with medical procedures such as coronary artery angioplasty. One catheter device includes a distal tube region having coolant delivery holes radially and longitudinally distributed along the distal region. In some devices, holes spray coolant directly onto the vessel walls. In other embodiments, a balloon or envelope is interposed between the coolant and the vessel walls and the coolant returned out of the catheter through a coolant return lumen. Some direct spray devices include an occlusion device to restrict blood flow past the region being cooled. Pressure, temperature, and ultrasonic probes are included in some cooling catheters. Some cooling catheters are coiled perfusion catheters supporting longer cooling periods by allowing perfusing blood flow simultaneously with vessel wall cooling. | 09-12-2013 |
20130310629 | Methods, Systems, and Devices Relating to Wireless Power Transfer - The various embodiments disclosed herein relate to transcutaneous energy transfer systems comprising an internal coil positioned within a cavity of a patient and an external coil inductively coupled to the internal coil. The systems can be coupled to any implantable medical devices, such as, for example, a heart assist device. | 11-21-2013 |
20140012344 | LEADLESS CARDIAC STIMULATION SYSTEMS - Various configurations of systems that employ leadless electrodes to provide pacing therapy are provided. In one example, a system that provides multiple sites for pacing of myocardium of a heart includes wireless pacing electrodes that are implantable at sites proximate the myocardium using a percutaneous, transluminal, catheter delivery system. Each of the electrodes contains a source of electrical energy for pacing the myocardium and is adapted to receive electromagnetic energy from a source outside the myocardium. The system also includes a source adapted for placement outside the myocardium and that uses locally measured electrocardiograms to synchronize pacing of the heart by sending electromagnetic commands to the electrodes to pace the myocardium surrounding the electrodes. Also disclosed is various configurations of such systems, wireless electrode assemblies, and delivery catheters for delivering and implanting the electrode assemblies. | 01-09-2014 |
20140039591 | CARDIAC STIMULATION SYSTEM - Some embodiments of pacing systems employ wireless electrode assemblies to provide pacing therapy. The wireless electrode assemblies may wirelessly receive energy via an inductive coupling so as to provide electrical stimulation to the surrounding heart tissue. In certain embodiments, the wireless electrode assembly may include one or more biased tines that shift from a first position to a second position to secure the wireless electrode assembly into the inner wall of the heart chamber. | 02-06-2014 |
20140066914 | CRYOTREATMENT DEVICES AND METHODS OF FORMING CONDUCTION BLOCKS - Cryotreatment devices and methods of ablating tissue within the body are disclosed. A cryotreatment device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes an elongated member having one or more needle-like ablation tips configured to induce necrosis at a target site within the heart. A cooling fluid such as a cryogen may be injected through a lumen extending into the distal portion of the device. The ablation tips can be configured to pierce and ablate surrounding tissue, blocking electrical stimuli that can cause fibrillations or other arrhythmias of the heart. The device may also include means for controlling the transmural depth at which the ablation tips are inserted into the cardiac tissue. Methods of forming a contiguous line of conduction block in accordance with the present invention are also disclosed. | 03-06-2014 |
20140135865 | Cardiac Stimulation Using Intravascularly-Deliverable Electrode Assemblies - A seed assembly for delivery to an interior of a heart includes an electrical stimulation circuit for delivering an electrical stimulus to cardiac tissue. A first electrode assembly is mechanically and electrically coupled to the seed assembly via a micro lead the first electrode assembly configured to deliver the electrical stimulus generated by the electrical stimulation circuit to the cardiac tissue. The seed assembly and the first electrode assembly are sized and shaped to fit entirely within the heart. | 05-15-2014 |
20140148639 | Combination Heart Assist Systems, Methods, and Devices - The various embodiments disclosed herein relate to combination heart assist systems, methods, and devices that include both an electrical therapy device and a mechanical heart assist device. Various operational modes can be implemented using these embodiments, including a synchronized pacing mode, an internal CPR mode, and an internal workout mode. | 05-29-2014 |
20140155950 | LEADLESS CARDIAC STIMULATION SYSTEMS - Various configurations of systems that employ leadless electrodes to provide pacing therapy are provided. In one example, a system that provides multiple sites for pacing of myocardium of a heart includes wireless pacing electrodes that are implantable at sites proximate the myocardium using a percutaneous, transluminal, catheter delivery system. Each of the electrodes contains a source of electrical energy for pacing the myocardium and is adapted to receive electromagnetic energy from a source outside the myocardium. The system also includes a source adapted for placement outside the myocardium and that uses locally measured electrocardiograms to synchronize pacing of the heart by sending electromagnetic commands to the electrodes to pace the myocardium surrounding the electrodes. Also disclosed is various configurations of such systems, wireless electrode assemblies, and delivery catheters for delivering and implanting the electrode assemblies. | 06-05-2014 |
20140236172 | WIRELESS TISSUE ELECTROSTIMULATION - A wireless electrostimulation system can comprise a wireless energy transmission source, and an implantable cardiovascular wireless electrostimulation node. A receiver circuit comprising an inductive antenna can be configured to capture magnetic energy to generate a tissue electrostimulation. A tissue electrostimulation circuit, coupled to the receiver circuit, can be configured to deliver energy captured by the receiver circuit as a tissue electrostimulation waveform. Delivery of tissue electrostimulation can be initiated by a therapy control unit. | 08-21-2014 |
20150018904 | CRYOTREATMENT DEVICE AND METHOD - Devices and methods for cooling vessel walls to inhibit restenosis in conjunction with medical procedures such as coronary artery angioplasty. One catheter device includes a distal tube region having coolant delivery holes radially and longitudinally distributed along the distal region. In some devices, holes spray coolant directly onto the vessel walls. In other embodiments, a balloon or envelope is interposed between the coolant and the vessel walls and the coolant returned out of the catheter through a coolant return lumen. Some direct spray devices include an occlusion device to restrict blood flow past the region being cooled. Pressure, temperature, and ultrasonic probes are included in some cooling catheters. Some cooling catheters are coiled perfusion catheters supporting longer cooling periods by allowing perfusing blood flow simultaneously with vessel wall cooling. | 01-15-2015 |
20150088252 | CARDIAC VALVE, SYSTEM AND METHOD - A cardiac valve with a support frame having a first end member and a second end member opposing the first end member in a substantially fixed distance relationship, and a cover extending over the support frame to allow for unidirectional flow of a liquid through the valve. | 03-26-2015 |