Iotek, Inc.

Mdv Technologies, Inc.

Frederick J Foley

Lorraine E Reeve

James S Sharrow

Thomas G Adelman

Michael F Hoey

Keith Robert Hildebrand

Raymond L Henry

Stephen G Flore

William C Houghton

Martin B Finkelstein

The invention provides techniques for securely engaging an organ, such as a beating heart, with a manipulating device. A bag-like device may be deployed around a substantial volume of the organ and the manipulating device. In one embodiment, the bag-like device may be net-like, including one or more mesh apertures. Once deployed, the bag-like device cooperates with the manipulating device when the organ is manipulated and reduces the risk that the organ will be inadvertently released or dropped.

Organ manipulation assistance during surgical procedure

A device and method for delivering an agent to the uterine cervix make use of a seal member that defines a chamber upon engagement with the cervix. An agent delivery port in fluid communication with the chamber is provided for delivery of the agent to the uterine cervix. A vacuum port in fluid communication with the chamber allows application and retention of vacuum pressure to the chamber. At least a portion of the seal member can be made deformable in response to contact with the outer surface of the uterine cervix and application of vacuum pressure. Upon deformation, the seal member substantially seals the chamber against leakage of the agent. The seal member may include a skirt-like member that promotes adhesion of the seal member to the cervix, and enhances the effectiveness of the seal. The device facilitates vacuum application, cervical fixation, and a resulting barrier against uterine fluid leakage, providing an atraumatic, temporary cervical plug that remains effective while the vacuum is applied. In this manner, the device is capable of improving diagnostic or therapeutic effectiveness while reducing waste and expense. The device and method also can be adapted for introduction of surgical or diagnostic instruments, such as ablation catheters or endoscopes.

Device and method for delivery of agents to the female reproductive tract

Devices and a method are provided to assist a surgeon in ablating conduction paths in tissue, such as a heart. A device can be configured to operate as a template that adheres to the tissue surface, and allows the surgeon to more easily sever the conduction path to form a lesion in a desired location. In particular, the template can be used to guide the surgeon's use of a surgical instrument along a desired ablation path. In some case, the template may incorporate hardware that structurally supports the instrument for travel along the ablation path. A surgical instrument such as an ablation probe, e.g., radio frequency, laser, ultrasonic, microwave, thermal, chemical, mechanical, or cryogenic ablation probe, may be used to sever the conduction paths. Measurements made substantially contemporaneously with the conduction path ablation operation may be used to evaluate whether the desired degree of ablation has been achieved. The device may also incorporate feedback to compare the desired degree of conduction path ablation with the measured degree, and may deactivate the surgical instrument when the desired degree has been achieved. In some cases, the template device can be configured to provide local stabilization of organ tissue, particularly for a moving organ such as a beating heart. In other cases, the template device may provide little or no stabilization, but provide a guide structure for placement of the ablation probe in the same frame of motion as the moving tissue. Also, for some applications, the template device may be arranged to facilitate application of other therapeutic devices, such as diagnostic probes, pacing leads, and drug delivery devices, to the surface of a moving organ.

Surgical devices and methods for use in tissue ablation procedures

Devices and methods of manipulating and stabilizing organ tissue, such as heart tissue. The devices, which are of varying sizes, shapes and conformations, generally include a seal member having a chamber with a wall and a skirt-like member that extends outward from the chamber wall for contact with a surface of an organ. The skirt-like member is substantially compliant and tacky, thereby promoting adhesion with the organ surface. Adherence of the device to the tissue may be enhance by the mechanical or hydraulic application of vacuum pressure. The methods describe steps for manipulating, including moving, lifting, immobilizing, turning and reorienting, organ tissues. Additional methods describe steps for manipulating the heart.

Devices and method for manipulation of organ tissue

Non-gelling polyoxyalkylene compositions, and methods of their use for inhibiting surgical adhesion formation/reformation in mammals are disclosed. The useful non-gelling compositions preferably comprise polyoxyalkylene block copolymer at desired concentrations with or without a therapeutic agent. When used with an incorporated drug, the non-gelling compositions serve as a carrier providing sustained or prolonged release of the therapeutic agent.

Method and non-gelling composition for inhibiting post-surgical adhesions

An apparatus for iontophoretically delivering an agent to a patient having a uterus and a cervix. The apparatus comprises a probe sized to fit within the cervical canal. A cervical cap has an inner surface. The probe projects from the inner surface. A first electrode has a first portion operably connected to the cervical cap and a second portion operably connected to the probe. The first electrode is configured to be electrically connected to a power supply. A second electrode is configured to be electrically connected to the power supply. A reservoir having a first portion operably connected to the cervical cap and a second portion operably connected to the probe.

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Bedford, NH, United States of America

Frederick J Foley