Angiotrax, Inc.

Gynecare, Inc.

Ethicon, Gmbh

Vahid Saadat

John H Ream

Eric W Leopold

Joseph M Tartaglia

Peter K Park

Susan Philip

John A Macoviak

James R Kermode

Gail Stevens

Malcolm M Farnsworth

James Kermode

John J McIntyre

Seth A Stabinsky

Methods are provided for collecting and processing autologous biological materials to form autologous angiogenic agents. Apparatus and methods also are provided for performing percutaneous myocardial revascularization wherein an injection needle is disposed in spaced-apart relation to the channel-forming tool, so that a predetermined amount of the autologous angiogenic agent may be injected into the myocardium adjacent to the PMR channel.

Apparatus and methods for performing percutaneous myocardial revascularization and stimulating angiogenesis using autologous materials

Apparatus and methods are provided for forming a channel in an organ or vessel to enhance perfusion therein. The apparatus may include a bioactive agent to stimulate tissue growth and vascularization in tissue adjacent to the channel. The apparatus includes a stent, suitable for percutaneous or intraoperative placement, that includes a tubular member having a plurality of tines, barbs, ribs or other structure to secure the stent at a desired position within tissue.

Methods and apparatus for perfusing tissue and/or stimulating revascularization and tissue growth

An apparatus, system, and method for treating body tissue includes an electrode assembly having a first electrode and a second electrode, with at least the first electrode formed of porous conductive material, such as porous metal. Conductive fluid is delivered to the operating site through the porous metal of the first electrode via a fluid supply conduit. The apparatus may also include a fluid withdrawal conduit. The second electrode may also be formed of porous metal, and may serve as the intake opening for the fluid withdrawal conduit. The electrode assembly may be positioned on a catheter shaft having a distal end, with the first electrode positioned on the catheter shaft distal end. In treating desired tissue at a selected operational site, the electrode assembly is introduced to the site with the first electrode positioned adjacent to the desired tissue. Conductive fluid, such as a saline solution, is delivered to the operational site via the supply conduit. Electrical power is provided across the first electrode and second electrode via a power supply, which may be an RF power supply.

Apparatus and method for treating body tissues

Apparatus and methods for intraoperatively performing surgery to create transmural channels in tissue, for example, as in transmyocardial revascularization, are provided using a device including a mechanical end effector and means for stabilizing the end effector in contact with the tissue. The end effector is adapted to cooperate with a source of suction to evacuate tissue severed during the channel forming process, and may optionally include an electrode for cauterizing the tissue surrounding the channel.

Apparatus and methods for intraoperatively performing surgery

Apparatus and methods for defibrillating a heart in fibrillation are provided using apparatus that forms a plurality of transmural channels in a wall of the heart. The apparatus includes a single-use handpiece having a mechanical cutting head and means for stabilizing the cutting head in contact with the tissue. The handpiece is coupled by a disposable cable to a controller that houses a vacuum pump and mechanisms for driving the cutting head. The cutting head is adapted to cooperate with the vacuum pump to evacuate tissue severed during the channel forming process.

Methods and apparatus for defibrillating a heart refractory to electrical stimuli

Apparatus and methods for percutaneously performing myocardial revascularization are provided using a catheter having an end region that is directable to contact a patient's endocardium at a plurality of positions. A cutting head is disposed within a lumen of the catheter and coupled to a drive tube that rotates and reciprocates the drive shaft. One or more stabilizing elements are disposed on the distal end to retain the catheter in position when the cutting head is actuated. The cutting head and drive tube include a lumen through which severed tissue is aspirated. Mechanisms are provided for controlling the maximum extension of the cutting head beyond a distal endface of the catheter, independent of the degree of tortuosity imposed on the catheter. Mechanisms and methods also are provided for providing the operator with information to assess the desirability of treating a proposed site.

Apparatus for percutaneously performing myocardial revascularization

Apparatus and methods for stimulating revascularization and tissue growth are provided using an apparatus having a directable end region carrying a tissue piercing end effector. The apparatus optionally includes electrodes for depositing RF energy to form a controlled degree of scar tissue formation, means for delivering a controlled amount of a bioactive agent at the treatment site, or both.

Apparatus and methods for stimulating revascularization and/or tissue

Apparatus and methods for percutaneously performing myocardial revascularization are provided using a catheter having an end region that is directable to contact a patient's endocardium at a plurality of positions. A cutting head is disposed within a lumen of the catheter and coupled to a drive tube that rotates and reciprocates the drive shaft. One or more stabilizing elements are disposed on the distal end to retain the catheter in position when the cutting head is actuated. The cutting head and drive tube include a lumen through which severed tissue is aspirated. Mechanisms and methods are provided for providing the operator with information to assess the desirability of treating a proposed site. Mechanisms also are provided for controlling the maximum extension of the cutting head beyond a distal endface of the catheter, independent of the degree of tortuosity imposed on the catheter.

An apparatus for detecting leaks in a fluid-filled device used to treat a patient's tissue includes an catheter having an expandable device defining a fluid reservoir about the distal end of the catheter. An internal electrode is in electrical contact with a conductive fluid within the fluid reservoir. A grounding electrode is outside of the fluid reservoir, in electrical contact with the patient's tissue. Voltage is supplied to the internal electrode and the grounding electrode. Where a leak occurs in the expandable device, conductive fluid will contact the patient's tissue, thus creating an electrical current path between the internal electrode and the grounding electrode. This so-called 'leak current' is used to generate a leak alarm signal.

Apparatus and method for leak detection in a fluid-filled balloon useful

An apparatus, system, and method for treating body tissue includes an electrode assembly having a first electrode and a second electrode, with at least the first electrode formed of a foam-like material. Conductive fluid is delivered to the operating site, which may involve injecting the conductive fluid through the porous foam-like material of the first electrode via a fluid supply conduit. The apparatus may also include a fluid withdrawal conduit. The second electrode may also be formed of a foam-like material. The electrode assembly may be positioned on a catheter shaft having a distal end, with the first electrode positioned on the catheter shaft distal end. In treating desired tissue at a selected operational site, the electrode assembly is introduced to the site with one or more of the first electrodes positioned adjacent to the desired tissue. Conductive fluid, such as a saline solution, is delivered to the operational site via the supply conduit. Electrical power is provided across the first electrode and second electrode via a power supply, which may be an RF power supply.

Apparatus and method for treatment of body tissues

Apparatus and methods for performing surgery within an organ or vessel are provided. A catheter is provided having a longitudinal axis and an end region carrying an end effector, the end region movable to a series of positions along the longitudinal axis and with an selectable orientation relative to the longitudinal axis. The catheter includes elements for stabilizing the end region of the apparatus within an organ or vessel, and for counteracting reaction forces developed during actuation of the end effector.

Apparatus having stabilization members for percutaneously performing

Apparatus for performing transmyocardial revascularization

Apparatus and methods for intraoperatively performing surgery to create transmural channels in tissue, for example, as in transmyocardial revascularization, are provided using apparatus having an end region containing a mechanical cutting head and means for articulating the end-region to access hard-to-reach portions of the anatomy. The handpiece is coupled by a disposable cable to a controller that houses a vacuum pump and mechanisms for driving the cutting head. The cutting head is adapted to cooperate with the vacuum pump to evacuate tissue severed during the channel forming process.

Cutting apparatus having articulable tip

Apparatus for thermal coagulation having an improved circulation assembly and heating assembly. The apparatus includes a balloon catheter secured to and in fluid communication with a handle for inserting the apparatus into a human uterus. A distensible bladder is secured to the distal end of the catheter and encloses a heating assembly having a tubular core configured with a spiral groove which retains a heating filament. An impeller having at least two blades is positioned distal of the heating assembly and includes a cable having a distal end secured to the impeller. The impeller cable is partially disposed in the handle, in the elongate tubular member and in the core of the heating element, such that axial rotation of said cable rotates the blades of said impeller. During use of the apparatus, the distensible bladder is inflated with a fluid to a desired pressure and rotation of the impeller blades is initiated. The inflation fluid within the distensible bladder is heated to a desired temperature, which is maintained for a desired time interval. The inflation fluid within the distensible bladder is allowed to cool and rotation of the impeller blades is terminated. Thereafter, the inflation fluid is removed from the balloon catheter to deflate the distensible bladder.

Heated balloon having rotary fluid impeller

Apparatus and methods for intraoperatively performing surgery to create transmural channels in tissue, for example, as in transmyocardial revascularization, are provided using apparatus including a single-use handpiece having a mechanical cutting head and means for stabilizing the cutting head in contact with the tissue. The handpiece is coupled by a disposable cable to a controller that houses a vacuum pump and mechanisms for driving the cutting head. The cutting head is adapted to cooperate with the vacuum pump to evacuate tissue severed during the channel forming process.

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Redwood Shores, CA, United States of America

Vahid Saadat