초록 ▼

A novel system for performing a heart valve annuloplasty. The system involves the use of a plication band. In one embodiment, the annulus of the valve is reduced by constriction of the plication band itself. More particularly, each plication band enters the tissue at two or more points which are spa

A novel system for performing a heart valve annuloplasty. The system involves the use of a plication band. In one embodiment, the annulus of the valve is reduced by constriction of the plication band itself. More particularly, each plication band enters the tissue at two or more points which are spaced from one other by a distance which is dictated by the geometry of the plication band. Subsequent constriction of the plication band causes these points to move toward each other, thereby constricting the tissue trapped between these points and thus reducing the overall circumference of the valve annulus. In a second embodiment, the annulus of the valve is reduced by linking multiple plication bands to one other, using a linkage construct, and then using a shortening of the length of the linkage construct between each plication band so as to gather the tissue between each plication band, whereby to reduce the overall circumference of the valve annulus.

대표청구항 ▼

A novel system for performing a heart valve annuloplasty. The system involves the use of a plication band. In one embodiment, the annulus of the valve is reduced by constriction of the plication band itself. More particularly, each plication band enters the tissue at two or more points which are spa

A novel system for performing a heart valve annuloplasty. The system involves the use of a plication band. In one embodiment, the annulus of the valve is reduced by constriction of the plication band itself. More particularly, each plication band enters the tissue at two or more points which are spaced from one other by a distance which is dictated by the geometry of the plication band. Subsequent constriction of the plication band causes these points to move toward each other, thereby constricting the tissue trapped between these points and thus reducing the overall circumference of the valve annulus. In a second embodiment, the annulus of the valve is reduced by linking multiple plication bands to one other, using a linkage construct, and then using a shortening of the length of the linkage construct between each plication band so as to gather the tissue between each plication band, whereby to reduce the overall circumference of the valve annulus. substantial portion of an internal length of a hollow tubular shaped handpiece; connecting said electrode to an energy source; effectuating a hollow tubular shaped telescopic means for adjusting a length of the electrode; and activating said handpiece to perform at least one of cutting or coagulation using said electrode. ameter defined by the tip. 8. The catheter assembly of claim 6, wherein at least a portion of the tip forms a distally decreasing radius helix. 9. The catheter assembly of claim 6, wherein the tip includes a distal leader section. 10. The catheter assembly of claim 9, wherein the distal leader section is linear. 11. The catheter assembly of claim 6, wherein the ablative energy source is selected from the group consisting of ultrasound, RF energy, microwave energy, laser, cryogenic energy, and thermal energy. 12. A catheter assembly for electrically isolating a vessel from a chamber wall for treatment of cardiac arrhythmia, the catheter assembly comprising: a catheter body including: a proximal portion, an intermediate portion extending from the proximal portion and defining a longitudinal axis, a distal portion extending from the intermediate portion and comprising: an ablation section forming a loop transverse to the longitudinal axis, a tip extending distally from the ablation section, the tip defining a shape different from a shape defined by the ablation section; an ablative energy source associated with the ablation section; wherein upon activation of the energy source, the ablation section ablates a desired lesion pattern. 13. The catheter assembly of claim 12, wherein the shape defined by the tip includes a substantially linear segment. 14. The catheter assembly of claim 12, wherein the shape defined by the ablation section is a uniform diameter loop of greater than one revolution. 15. The catheter assembly of claim 14, wherein the shape defined by the tip includes a substantially linear segment. rials having the decurling device therein.