Ep Technologies, Inc.

Other

Converge Medical, Inc.

Cardiovascular Technologies, Inc.

Advanced Catheter Engineering, Inc.

Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.

Nidus Medical, LLC

Advanced Bypass Technologies, Inc.

Russell A Houser

James G Whayne

Sidney D Fleischman

William Douglas Hare

Russell B Thompson

Tom Bourne

Sid D Fleischman

David K Swanson

David L McGee

Jerome D Jackson

Thomas M Bourne

Patrick M Owens

Stephen R Ramee

Thomas H Campbell

Gloria Alvarez

Michael Idaomi

Vahid Saadat

Stuart D Edwards

John W Gaiser

Thomas F Kordis

Paul L Do

John Bower

Jean C Orth

Sidney Braginsky

Deborah Tolomeo

Daniel J Kasprzyk

Omar M Amirana

Vahid Sadaat

The present invention relates to wound closure devices, devices and systems for delivery, kits and methods therefor. The wound closure devices can achieve wound closure in lieu of compression and can be configured to be quickly deployable by an introducer or from outside the body.

Tissue closure devices, device and systems for delivery, kits and methods therefor

A vascular closure system includes a swellable or bioabsorbable sealing element and a plunger advancement tool. The sealing element and plunger advancement tool is configured to be inserted into the inside of a tubular medical device (such as a vascular introducer sheath, catheter, cannula, trocar, electrode wire, etc.) with the sealing element being advanced distally past the end of the tubular medical device to a desired area within the body (near or at least partially within an arteriotomy, for example) by the plunger. Once in contact with blood (or other fluid) the sealing element may swell, sealing the puncture site. The system may include one of several different features designed to assist the physician to position the sealing element in the desired location. Additional versions of the system described herein can be used for cardiovascular applications where hemostasis (temporary or permanent) is desired. Additionally, the system can be used with simple modifications for any vessel, area on, in or near any vessel, tissue area, tubular structure, duct, organ, hollow body cavity, chamber, tissue wall, or any other structures or tissues, where temporary or permanent sealing, plugging, reduction of flow, reduction of an open space, stabilization or reinforcement is needed. The system is adaptable for use in cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, neurological, reproductive, lymphatic, respiratory, and orthopedic procedures.

Compressible, deformable, or deflectable tissue closure devices and method of manufacture

A tissue closure system can include a deployment instrument and a sealing element. The deployment instrument can be slidably mounted to and guided by a tubular medical device. The deployment instrument can be advanced over the tubular medical device to the desired location. The sealing element can then be advanced off of the end of the tool. The sealing element can include tissue engaging elements that are configured to automatically close upon deployment to bring together tissue. A slidably attached guided skin (or other tissue) cutter can also be used if desired to facilitate entry of the deployment instrument.

Vascular closure devices, systems, and methods of use

A vascular closure system includes a vessel closure device with an electrically conductive component. The vessel closure device is configured to be advanced percutaneously to an opening in a blood vessel and to mechanically draw together sides of the opening or occlude the opening. A power source in electrical contact with the vessel closure device provides power to the vessel closure device to thereby heat tissue in an area near the opening to facilitate the closure or healing of the opening. The vessel closure device may be configured to be advanced to the opening over a tubular medical device. The vessel closure device may include a superelastic or shape memory element. The vessel closure device may be in contact with two conductors from the power source and may be configured to heat tissue via direct resistive element heating. Alternatively, one conductor may be connected to the vessel closure device and a second conductor may be connected to a ground pad on the patient.

Arteriotomy closure devices and techniques

A deflectable component for a motorized vehicle can include a deflectable part formed at least partially from a superelastic and or shape memory material, wherein at least a portion of the deflectable component is moved to a deflected position upon application of a threshold force when moving at or above a predetermined speed, and returning to an undeflected position when moving below the predetermined speed. The deflectable component may comprise a connection link fabricated at least partially from a superelastic and/or shape memory material to tailor the flex point characteristics of a connected surface to a desired response. The deflectable component may improve the performance of motorized vehicles by improving the aerodynamic and fuel efficiency, as well as other beneficial effects.

Motorized vehicles with deflectable components

A surgical instrument is used for temporary use in a medical procedure in a mammalian body. The surgical instrument is configured to be changed between two shapes upon application of one or both of heating and cooling. The instrument includes a first member, a second member having a surface configured to contact tissue, and a means to apply heating or cooling to one or both of the first member and the second member to change the shape between a first shape and a second shape. A surgical instrument also may be configured to be changed between two shapes upon removal of a constraining force. The surgical instrument includes a first member, a second member having a surface configured to contact tissue, and a constraining means to apply a constraining force to one or both of the first member and the second member to cause one or both of the first member and the second member to be in a first constrained shape. The surgical instruments may be used in minimally invasive valve surgery.

Superelastic/shape memory tissue stabilizers and surgical instruments

A catheter is insertable into a vessel within a mammalian body. The catheter includes a tubular body, at least one channel extending along the tubular body, and a central lumen. The tubular body includes an exterior surface, a first end and a second end, and defines a length between the first end and the second end. The channel passes between a first opening and a second opening and includes a slot in the tubular body between the channel and the exterior surface of the tubular body such that a tubular member can be passed between the channel and the exterior surface. The slot extends from the first opening to the second opening and includes a pair of edges. The central lumen extends along the tubular body at least for a portion of the length of the tubular body. The catheter can be used as a rapid exchange catheter, for stent deployment, for drug delivery or therapeutic infusion with or without electroporation, to provide localized heat, to provide ultrasonic visualization and ablation, and to examine for vulnerable plaque. The catheter may have multiple balloons.

Rapid exchange catheter with stent deployment, therapeutic infusion, and lesion sampling features

Apparatus and methods are provided for thermally and/or mechanically treating tissue, such as valvular structures, to reconfigure or shrink the tissue in a controlled manner. The apparatus comprises a catheter in communication with an end effector which induces a temperature rise in an annulus of tissue surrounding the leaflets of a valve or in the chordae tendineae sufficient to cause shrinkage, thereby causing the valves to close more tightly. Mechanical clips can also be implanted over the valve either alone or after the thermal treatment. The clips are delivered by a catheter and may be configured to traverse directly over the valve itself or to lie partially over the periphery of the valve to prevent obstruction of the valve channel. The clips can be coated with drugs or a radiopaque coating. The catheter can also incorporate sensors or energy delivery devices, e.g., transducers, on its distal end.

Apparatus and methods for treating tissue

A coupler is configured to connect a first tubular vessel to an aperture in a second tubular vessel. The coupler includes one or more radially extending members and a substantially nonmetallic tubular member. The substantially nonmetallic tubular member include an outer wall, an inner wall defining a lumen having an open distal end and an open proximal end, and a circumferential ridge encircling the outer wall, the radially extending members extending from the distal end of the tubular member. A method of fabricating a coupler the method including fabricating radially extending members; placing the radially extending members within a mold; injecting a material into the mold; allowing the material to cure to form the coupler; and removing the coupler from the mold. The coupler includes a tubular member having an outer wall, an inner wall defining a lumen having an open distal end and an open proximal end, and a circumferential ridge encircling the outer wall. The radially extending members extend from the distal end of the tubular member.

Vascular couplers, techniques, methods, and accessories

The invention is directed to a method of fabricating an artificial limb. The method includes the steps of: cutting one or more superelastic materials to a desired length, forming the superelastic material into a desired resting configuration of an artificial limb using a fixture that includes the desired resting configuration, heating the superelastic material to between 300 degrees Celsius and 750 degrees Celsius, cooling the superelastic material, and removing the superelastic material from the fixture.

Method of fabricating, artificial limbs incorporating superelastic supports

A tissue cutting device includes a catheter with a window at its distal tip for admitting tissue into a catheter compartment. A cylindrical cartridge in the compartment has a cutting edge that supports an electrically conductive cutting element, e.g. a band or wire. The cutting element and adjacent tissue can be heated to a selected temperature by generating an electrical current through the cutting element. The catheter is maneuverable to position its distal end near the tissue to be cut. The catheter incorporates a dilatation balloon or other feature to urge the catheter against the tissue, so that at least part of the tissue may enter the compartment through the window. Then, the cartridge is manipulated from the catheter's proximal end to move the cutting edge across the window, cutting the tissue. According to alternative embodiments, the cartridge is either rotated or moved axially relative to the catheter and, in either event may be capable of closing the catheter window when the cut is complete. Further alternatives involve either placing an indifferent electrode on the patient and providing an RF signal via a single conductor to the cutting element for ohmic heating, or providing an RF (or a DC) current through the cutting element and two separate conductors for direct resistive heating of the cutting element.

Tissue heating device and RF heating method with tissue attachment feature

A bypass graft incorporates fixation mechanisms at its opposite ends, for securing these ends to different locations along a blood vessel, or alternatively to different locations wherein one of the locations is a different vessel or an organ defining a cavity. Mechanical fixation features such as collets or grommets can be employed, enhanced by delivery of an electrical current sufficient to heat surrounding tissue to form a thermal bond. A graft deployment system includes a tissue dilator and a needle for perforating tissue, mounted coaxially within the dilator. Intralumenal systems further include a catheter for containing the dilator.

Percutaneous bypass graft and securing system

An arterial closure system includes an arterial closure device ('ACD') and a deployment tool. The arterial closure device includes a first member forming an enlargement around the circumference of the arterial closure device and being configured to be received against an outer surface of a vessel, a connecting member having a smaller outer diameter than the first member, extending from the first member, and being configured to be positioned within an arteriotomy of a vessel, and a longitudinal channel configured to receive a tube and passing between the first member and the connecting member. The deployment tool includes a handle, a contacting section, and an extension that extends between the handle and the contacting section. The contacting section is designed to mate with the arterial closure device to advance the arterial closure device over the tube and deploy the arterial closure device within the vessel.

A stent apparatus and its use is provided comprising a substantially tubular member with an inside surface and an outside surface; and a securing element for securing the tubular member to the exterior of a body lumen. The method for implanting the stent to the exterior of a body lumen comprises providing for an exterior stent, inserting the stent around a desired location on the exterior of the lumen, and providing for controlled expansion of the lumen such that it contacts the stent sufficiently to secure it to the lumen.

Exterior stent and its use

Percutaneous transmyocardial revascularizaton systems are disclosed for creating thin, linear incisions through the endocardium and partially into the myocardium. The systems mitigate the deficiencies of current approaches that position a distal tip channeling mechanism against the endocardial surface. The systems position a catheter body lengthwise along the endocardial surface and incorporate a cutting mechanism movable radially relative to the catheter body to create one or more elongate thin, linear incisions along one or more windows through the catheter body. Flexible support strands are used to urge each window into intimate contact with the endocardial surface. Each cutting element is adapted to protrude radially outward from the catheter body to contact tissue adjacent each window. The cutting mechanism incorporates a mechanical cutting element or an electrode designed to transmit direct current or radiofrequency energy into tissue to simultaneously cut and coagulate tissue. The catheter also can infuse a therapeutic agent directly into the incisions to encourage angiogenesis. The catheter also cuts thin, linear incisions capable of ablating arrhythmia substrates by disrupting electrical propagation through the affected myocardium.

Growing community of inventors

Livermore, CA, United States of America

Russell A Houser