Other

Ventritex, Inc.

Hancock Laboratories Incorporated

Albert K Chin

Thomas B Kinney

James C Finn, Iii

George D Hermann

Thomas A Howell

Peter M Wilson

Eric Steven Fain

David B Willis

Benjamin D Pless

M Elizabeth Bush

Warren D Hancock

Joe Feehan

This invention is an improved tissue localizing device for fixedly yet removably marking a volume of tissue containing a suspect region for excision. This invention also encompasses methods for deployment of the localizing device and its excision along with the marked tissue volume. At least one locator element is deployed into tissue and assumes a predetermined curvilinear shape to define a tissue border containing a suspect tissue region along a path. The locator element path preferably encompasses the distalmost portion of the tissue volume without penetrating that volume. Multiple locator elements may be deployed to further define the tissue volume along additional paths defining the tissue volume border that do not penetrate the volume. Other localization wire embodiments of the invention are disclosed in which the tissue volume may be penetrated by a portion of the device. Polar and tangential deployment configurations as well as a locator element that may be cold-formed by a die in the distal portion of the deployment tube into a permanent arcuate shape are also disclosed.

Device for accurately marking tissue

An electrode system is provided for an implantable cardiac defibrillator. The electrode system includes a first endocardial lead having at least one electrode and a second epicardial or extrapericardial lead with an electrode that has a flexible configuration such that it is able to be straightened or compressed into an introducer but will expand when released from the introducer to provide a substantially larger surface area simulating the surface area of a patch electrode.

Implantable defibrillation electrode system

In a dilatation catheter and constant pressure syringe, a pressurized compressible medium is used to maintain pressure on a non-compressible medium. Pressure is applied to a compressible medium in a first chamber, in turn applying pressure to a non-compressible medium in a second chamber. The use of appropriate quantities of each medium produces a nearly constant pressure as the incompressible medium is ejected from the syringe.

Dilatation catheter and constant pressure syringe and method of using

A method and apparatus for implanting an automatic implantable defibrillator without the need for major surgery is disclosed. Preconfigured electrodes are straightened by the use of a stylet or by the surrounding catheter and inserted into the intrapericardial space through catheters. The catheters may be removed or may be left in place and attached to the pericardium or surrounding tissue to hold the electrodes in place.

Method for implanting automatic implantable defibrillator

An implantable defibrillation electrode of a shape requiring minimal incision in the body is disclosed. The electrode has a flexible insulated guide and terminates in a preconfigured flexible distal portion with an exposed conductive element. The electrode may be straightened, as for example by insertion of a stylet into the body of the electrode, for ease of insertion into the body.

Implantable defibrillation electrode

Replaceable cohesive-adhesive pads are provided for vessel occluding devices of both the tie-on and jaw-clamp types. When applied to an anatomical vessel the pads act collectively with the fibrous surface of the vessel to produce an adherence relationship therewith. The pads are shown secured in place through either sleeve-like connections, or button-headed connector which snap into secure engagement with undercut recesses.

Cohesive-adhesive atraumatic clamp

A catheter is provided with a lumen which extends along most of the length of the catheter and then curves outwardly to terminate in a port for the passage of guide wires and catheters through the lumen into branch arteries.

Deflector guiding catheter

A cutter for the in-situ cutting of valves within a vein. The cutter comprises a catheter having cutter fingers extending from its open distal end in an annular pattern. A sheath is selectively extensible over the fingers to shield them from inadvertent contact with the vein being treated. A fiberoptic viewer extends through the catheter to view through its open distal end.

Vein valve cutting method

A helical balloon is attached to the distal end of a catheter to serve when inflated as a therapeutic tool for the removal of blood clots and as a diagnostic tool for physical measurements and the application of treatment and other materials.

Catheter with corkscrew-like balloon

Vein valve cutter apparatus

A calibrator oval for the internal gauging of the lumen of a stenotic segment of artery is provided with an elongated carrier having a controllable variable flexibility.

Flexible calibrator

An annular knife is pulled through an occluded artery. The knife is attached to a tangential wire which extends through a guidance catheter emplaced along the boundary line of occlusion and undiseased artery.

Endarterectomy method and apparatus

A vessel occluding instrument for facilitating the surgical treatment of an anatomical vessel. The instrument comprises an elongated body member having top and bottom surfaces, opposed sides, and first and second opposed ends; a length of resilient tape extending from adjacent the first opposed end of the body member; a securing device positioned adjacent the second opposed end for releasably holding the resilient tape; and a resilient pad secured to the bottom surface of the body member, the resilient pad comprising a cohesive-adhesive covering sheet for releasing securing the pad to the vessel, whereby the sheet and the vessel collectively produce an adherence relationship therebetween.

Vessel occluding instrument

A catheter is provided with a self-retracting inflatable section by forming the section of an inner non-elastic balloon and an outer elastic balloon, the latter being effective to collapse the former when the former is deflated. Further lateral retraction of the inflatable section is effected by axial twisting.

Self-retracting dilatation catheter

A balloon catheter of the linear eversion type is provided with a sealed through lumen which will pass guide wires and other objects without disturbing the sealed nature of the balloon system.

Growing community of inventors

Palo Alto, CA, United States of America

Albert K Chin