摘要:
A balloon arterial cannula and methods for filtering blood. The devices generally include a mesh for filtering blood flowing within a blood vessel, particularly within an artery such as the aorta, a structure adapted to open and close the mesh within the blood vessel, a means to actuate the structure, and a balloon occluder which typically includes a flexible material enclosing a chamber. The methods generally include the steps of introducing a mesh into a blood vessel to capture embolic material, adjusting the mesh, if necessary, during the course of filtration, inflating the balloon occluder to occlude the vessel upstream of the mesh, and thereafter deflating the balloon occluder and removing the mesh and the captured foreign matter from the blood vessel. Additionally, visualization techniques are used to ensure effective filtration.
摘要:
Apparatus and methods for optimizing anchoring force are described herein. In securing tissue folds, over-compression of the tissue directly underlying the anchors is avoided by utilizing tissue anchors having expandable arms configured to minimize contact area between the anchor and tissue. When the anchor is in its expanded configuration, a load is applied to the anchor until it is optimally configured to accommodate a range of deflections while the anchor itself exerts a substantially constant force against the tissue. Various devices, e.g., stops, spring members, fuses, strain gauges, etc., can be used to indicate when the anchor has been deflected to a predetermined level within the optimal range. Moreover, other factors to affect the anchor characteristics include, e.g., varying the number of arms or struts of the anchor, positioning of the arms, configuration of the arms, the length of the collars, etc.
摘要:
An ablation catheter system for capturing and removing necrotic tissue and thrombi generated during an ablative procedure is disclosed. The catheter typically includes an elongate member, a filtration assembly disposed within the distal region, and an ablation instrument at the distal end. Alternatively, the ablation instrument is carried on the distal end of an ablation catheter, which is disposed within a lumen of the catheter system. The catheter may further include an aspiration port and lumen. Methods of using the devices in preventing distal embolization during ablative procedures are disclosed.
摘要:
Tissue anchors include a flat, broad, and large contact surface for engagement with a portion of tissue. Several embodiments of composite tissue anchors include a support element and an overlay element. Tissue anchor assemblies include two or more tissue anchors, a connector, and a cinching mechanism. In some embodiments, the tissue anchors included in the tissue anchor assemblies are of different types, sizes, and/or shapes.
摘要:
Apparatus and methods for endoluminal advancement are described herein. A shape-lockable tissue anchoring assembly generally has an elongate body, a handle assembly, and an anchoring assembly positioned at or proximal to a distal tip of the elongate body. A distal portion of the elongate body may optionally be steerable or curvable. The anchoring assembly may include various expandable or projecting anchoring features to contact and retain tissue relative to the elongate body such that pleated tissue is temporarily immobile relative to the elongate body. This anchoring can be actuated simultaneously with or independently from shape-locking of elongate body. The anchoring assembly can be actuated simultaneously with the shape-locking of the elongate body. Alternatively, the steerable distal portion of the elongate body can be angled against the pleated tissue to retain it while the endoscope is advanced relative to the pleated tissue.
摘要:
Apparatus and methods are provided for controlling pressurization of a body cavity by controlling the rate and magnitude of pressurization during insufflation and/or exsufflation. In one variation, a pump may be used to either draw suction or to pressurize a body cavity. The pump may be connected to a controller that controls one or more regulators and/or valves for regulating pressurization. The controller preferably is programmable to allow a medical practitioner to input and/or rapidly alter desired pressurization parameters. In another variation, one or more pumps may be provided to simultaneously and independently control pressurization of multiple body cavities, such as a patient's stomach and peritoneal cavity.
摘要:
Apparatus and methods are provided for mapping out endoluminal gastrointestinal surgery, including endoluminal gastric reduction. Mapping is achieved by locally marking the interior of the gastrointestinal lumen at specified locations. In a first embodiment, the surgical map comprises localized RF scarring or mucosal ablation. In an alternative embodiment, the map comprises pegs. In another alternative embodiment, the map comprises dye and/or spheres injected into at least the submucosa. As a still further alternative, the map may comprise the shaft of an endoluminal surgical tool having specified dimensions and/or color-coding, etc. In another alternative embodiment, the map may be formed from surgical mesh. In one preferred embodiment, placement of the map is accurately achieved by approximating the interior of the stomach with an endoluminal support via suction ports and/or via an inflatable member disposed along the support. Methods of using apparatus of the present invention are provided.
摘要:
Apparatus and methods are provided for creating and regulating a gastric stoma by intraluminally reducing or partitioning a local cross-sectional area of the stomach, thereby inducing weight loss in obese patients. Various embodiments of stomas in accordance with the present invention are provided, as well as various regulation mechanisms for controlling or adjusting the size of the stoma.
摘要:
Methods and apparatus for the endoluminal revision of previously performed obesity procedures which have failed are described. One or more endoluminal instruments may be advanced per-orally into the previously formed failed pouch where a number of different procedures can be performed. One or more tissue folds can be formed and secured to reduce the size of the pouch, or the stoma connecting the pouch to the intestinal tract can be reduced in size using endoluminally deployed tissue anchors. These procedures can be performed entirely from within the pouch lumen or upon the exterior surface of the pouch via transgastric entry of the instruments into the peritoneal cavity of a patient. Alternatively, the interior tissue within the pouch can be injured or sclerosed to shrink the pouch lumen. In another alterative, a length of the Roux limb can be shortened endoluminally to create a malabsorptive region.
摘要:
Apparatus and methods for conveying or transmitting force or energy to a medical end effector coupled to a flexible or rigid shaft are described herein. One variation of such apparatus may be used to manipulate tissue and create a tissue fold and may generally comprise an elongate tubular member having an end effector disposed thereon. The end effector may comprise a tissue engagement member adapted to engage tissue, a first stabilizing member and a second stabilizing member positioned at the tubular member distal end, and a launch tube adapted to pivot about the first stabilizing member. Elements of the end effector may be actuable via various force transmission elements and/or mechanisms. Such force transmission elements preferably are integrated into and/or are actuable via a handle. The force transmission mechanisms may be utilized to actuate and/or transmit force to alternative medical end effectors coupled to flexible or rigid shafts.