Eclipse Surgical Technologies, Inc.

Angiodynamics, Inc.

Other

Rita Medical Systems, Inc.

Steve A Daniel

Richard L Mueller

Stuart D Harman

Daniel J Balbierz

Bruce J Richardson

Douglas R Murphy-Chutorian

Larry Witham

David Lawson Morris

Robert D Dowling

Kee S Lee

Richard L Mueller, Jr

Jessica Liang

Martha Getaneh

Rob Pearson

Robert Lincoln Lathrop, Iii

A method of controlling ablation volume depth includes providing a treatment apparatus. The apparatus comprises a housing having a proximal and distal end including a tissue contacting surface. The housing defines an interior with an energy delivery device positionable in the interior. The energy delivery device includes at least one electrode with a tissue penetrating distal end and is configured to be advanced from the interior into a target tissue site to define an ablation volume. An advancement device is coupled to the energy delivery device and is configured to advance the at least one electrode. The at least one electrode is advanced to a selected deployment depth beneath a tissue surface while avoiding a critical structure. Energy is delivered from the energy delivery device. An ablation volume is created at a controlled depth below the tissue surface responsive to the deployment depth while minimizing injury to the critical structure.

Tissue surface treatment apparatus and method

A tissue-ablation method and apparatus are disclosed. The apparatus includes a plurality of RF ablation electrodes, and a plurality of sensor elements, each movable from retracted to deployed positions in a tissue to be ablated. A control device in the apparatus is operatively connected to the electrodes for supplying an RF power to the electrodes, to produce tissue ablation that advances from individual-electrode ablation regions to fill a combined-electrode ablation volume. The control device is operatively connected to the sensor elements for determining the extent of ablation in the regions of the sensor elements. The supply of RF power to the electrodes can thus be regulated to control the level and extent of tissue ablation throughout the combined-electrode volume. The electrodes are preferably hollow-needle electrodes through which liquid can be infused into the tissue, also under the control of the control unit, to modulate and optimize tissue ablation.

Tissue ablation apparatus and method

A drug delivery apparatus for dispensing predetermined volumes of drug, drug solution or other substances into an opening, such as a TMR channel in the human heart, or other laser treated area within the human body, the apparatus consisting of a bifurcated needle with a laser inlet for guiding a laser delivery means, such as an optical fiber or fiber bundle, to adjacent a surface of the human heart or other body structure for creating an opening, such as a TMR channel, or other laser treated area thereon. A drug inlet is for receiving the drug and transmitting the drug to the TMR channel or other laser treated area. Optionally, a piercing tip and/or suction device assists in positioning the apparatus adjacent the tissue to be treated. Drug is dispensed by manually or automatically actuating a piston or syringe element. A method of use is also disclosed.

Laser assisted drug delivery

An apparatus for performing transmyocardial revascularization provides a closed-chest formation of a channel in a wall of a heart. An articulating scope in one embodiment includes a flexible distal portion which provides for a coupling of a surface of the heart to the distal portion. The articulating distal portion is coupled to a control member to provide articulation. Movement of the control member causes deflection, including articulation, of the generally flexible working end of the scope. The coupler may be a two way valve to provide both vacuum and flushing solutions. The articulating scope can be supported by a scope holder that is table mounted or mounted to the patient. An access port provides for the introduction of tools and instruments. An adaptor couples the access port with a handle. The handle provides a working channel for the introduction of an energy delivery device.

Minimally invasive apparatus for forming revascularization channels

A TMR energy delivery device is introduced through a first minimally invasive penetration of a patient's chest. Sufficient energy if delivered from the wave guide to the wall of the heart to form a channel through at least a portion of the wall. The device includes a visualization device or camera with a rigid portion and a distal end portion that is flexible, a cup member coupled to a distal end of the flexible distal portion, and a vacuum source coupled to the cup member for providing mechanical stability against the heart wall.

TMR energy delivery system

A heart stabilizer and suture control device for stabilizing the heart and for occluding a preselected portion of coronary artery by developing a downward force on the heart and simultaneously developing an upward force across a coronary artery in a predetermined position. The device has at least two stabilization pads, the stabilization pads each having an operative size and shape, and each having a first end and a second end and a lower contacting surface. The second ends have suture retaining grooves, and the stabilization pad has a suture locking means for securing the distal end of a suture means thereto. The device also comprises a linking member locking the two stabilization pads an operative distance apart. The device has suture means with a proximal end coupled to the linking member and extending from the first end to the suture retaining groove of the second end, the suture means having a distal end which can be locked to the stabilization pad with the suture locking means thereon. The device also has means for rotating the linking member such that when operatively positioned adjacent a coronary artery to be occluded with the suture threaded between the coronary artery and the remaining portion of the heart muscle, rotating the linking member will cause the proximal end of the suture means to be wound onto the linking member and thus tighten the suture between the first end and the second end of each stabilization pad and urge the coronary artery against the contacting surface, thereby causing occlusion of the coronary artery as desired.

Heart stabilizer with controllable stay suture and cutting element

A drug delivery apparatus for dispensing a predetermined amount of one or more drugs into a laser created opening in the human body, the apparatus consisting of a laser delivery means such as an optical fiber or fiber bundle, a drug conduit which transfers the one or more drugs, drug solutions or other substances to the distal end of the laser delivery means, and the laser delivery means disposed essentially coaxially with the drug conduit. Laser delivery means is used to create a TMR channel or other opening in the body. Dispensed drug or other substance travels through the drug conduit and emanates from the drug conduit to be delivered into the TMR channel or other laser created opening. Drug is dispensed by manually or automatically activating an electric motor which actuates a piston element. A method of use is also disclosed.

Growing community of inventors

Fremont, CA, United States of America

Steve A Daniel