Ep Technologies, Inc.

Atricure, Inc.

Ncontact Surgical, Inc.

Scimed Life Systems, Inc.

Converge Medical, Inc.

Other

Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.

Boston Scientific Corporation

Cayenne Medical, Inc.

Thomas Jefferson University

Bay Innovation Group, LLC

Extensia Medical, Inc.

Ablatrics, Inc.

Advanced Bypass Technologies, Inc.

James G Whayne

David K Swanson

Sidney D Fleischman

Dorin Panescu

Russell B Thompson

David L McGee

Earl Wayne Rogers

Russell A Houser

Patrick M Owens

Daniel A Dupree

Yi Yang

Thomas M Bourne

Thomas F Kordis

Robert R Burnside

Tuan Anh Nguyen

Josef Vincent Koblish

Harm TenHoff

David F Dueiri

Christopher W Sicvol

Thomas R Jenkins

Edward J Snyder

Andy C Kiser

Rebecca Neubert

Sid D Fleischman

Jerome D Jackson

David R Diduch

Nicanor Domingo

Veijo T Suorsa

Kevin L Ohashi

Heber Crockett

John Wright

Rebecca Schlieman

Derek J Harper

Kenneth D Montgomery

Thomas H Campbell

Steven E Levin

Chris Dillon

Michael D Lesh

Suresh Subraya Pai

Alexander Quillin Tilson

Charles S Love

Huy D Phan

Dennis M O'Brien

William N Reining

Arnold J Greenspon

Deborah Tolomeo

Dorin Nmi Panescu

Andrew C Kiser

Earl Whayne Rogers

David W Arnett

Steve S Hsu

Methods and devices described herein facilitate improved treatment of body organs.

Ablation devices and methods of use

Methods and devices described herein facilitate diaphragm entry for posterior access of body organs.

Diaphragm entry for posterior surgical access

Methods for using a surgical device integrating a suction mechanism with a coagulation mechanism for improving lesion creation capabilities. The device comprises an elongate member having an insulative covering attached about means for coagulating soft tissue with at least one diagnostic element coupled to an energy transfer element of the device. Openings through the covering expose regions of the coagulation-causing elements and are coupled to lumens in the elongate member which are routed to a vacuum source and a fluid source to passively transport fluid along the contacted soft tissue surface in order to push the maximum temperature deeper into tissue.

Vacuum coagulation probes

Methods and devices described herein facilitate ablation patterns on the heart within a pericardial sac and without opening or deflating the lungs.

Subxyphoid epicardial ablation

A surgical device integrating a suction mechanism with a coagulation mechanism is provided for improving lesion creation capabilities. The device comprises an elongate member having an insulative covering attached about means for coagulating soft tissue. Openings through the covering expose regions of the coagulation-causing elements and are coupled to lumens in the elongate member which are routed to a vacuum source. A fluid source to passively transport fluid along the contacted soft tissue surface may be provided in order to push the maximum temperature deeper into tissue.

Methods and devices are disclosed herein for therapeutically treating atrial tissue to lessen the effects of mechanical stress on atrial tissue, where reducing mechanical stress in the portion of atrial tissue reduces formation of at least one arrhythmia substrate. In one example, the devices and methods are suitable for minimally invasive surgery. More particularly, methods and devices described herein permit creating an ablation pattern on an organ while reducing excessive trauma to a patient.

Methods to prevent stress remodeling of atrial tissue

An embodiment of the invention includes a surgical device for coagulating soil tissue such as atrial tissue in the treatment of atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, and atrial tachycardia. The surgical device can include at least one elongate member comprising conductive elements adapted to coagulate soft tissue when radiofrequency or direct current energy is transmitted to the conductive elements. Openings through said conductive elements are routed through lumens in the elongate member to a vacuum source to actively engage the soft tissue surface intended to coagulate into intimate contact with the conductive elements to facilitate the coagulation process and ensure the lesions created are consistent, contiguous, and transmural. The embodiments of the invention can also incorporate cooling openings positioned near the conductive elements and coupled with a vacuum source or an injection source to transport fluid though the cooling openings causing the soft tissue surface to cool thus pushing the maximum temperature deeper into tissue. The embodiments of the invention can also incorporate features to tunnel between anatomic structures or dissect around the desired tissue surface to coagulate thereby enabling less invasive positioning of the soft tissue coagulating device and ensuring reliable and consistent heating of the soft tissue.

Vacuum coagulation probe for atrial fibrillation treatment

An embodiment of the invention includes a surgical device for passing suture through soft tissue. The surgical device can include at least one elongate superelastic member having a thickness and having a first resting configuration that defines at least one curve having a first radius of curvature greater than or equal to 3 times the thickness of the superelastic member. The surgical device also can include a thermally formed opening in the superelastic member, the opening adapted to receive at least one strand of suture. Moreover, the surgical device can include a superelastic member adapted to be straightened into a second configuration having a second radius of curvature larger than the first radius of curvature.

Suture passing devices and methods

Methods for using a surgical device integrating a suction mechanism with a coagulation mechanism for improving lesion creation capabilities. The device comprises an elongate member having an insulative covering attached about means for coagulating soft tissue. Openings through the covering expose regions of the coagulation-causing elements and are coupled to lumens in the elongate member which are routed to a vacuum source and a fluid source to passively transport fluid along the contacted soft tissue surface in order to push the maximum temperature deeper into tissue.

Method and devices for coagulation of tissue

Growing community of inventors

Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America

James G Whayne