 Compression sleeve |
| The present invention suggests a novel compression sleeve having overlapping inflatable pressure ... |
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| Multiple mode photonic stimulation device |
| OF THE INVENTION Referring to FIG. 1, the schematic block diagram of the inventive stimulating ... |
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| Magnetic mattress pad |
| A magnetic mattress pad providing magnetotherapy while a person rests or sleeps is disclosed herein.... |
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| Methods of and apparatus for treating vascular defects |
| The present invention provides improved methods and related devices for treating vascular defects. A... |
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| Catheter system with push rod for advancement of balloon along guidewire |
| This invention resides in a balloon-tipped catheter system for angioplasty procedures which permits ... |
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| Catheter with expandable wire mesh tip |
| Accordingly, a catheter featuring a novel means of lumen expansion at its distal end has been ... |
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| Vascular dilatation device and method |
| I claim: 1. A vascular dilatation device for enlarging a flow passage in an obstruction in a vessel ... |
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| Balloon/delivery catheter assembly with adjustable balloon positioning |
| This invention is a catheter assembly in which a balloon of a balloon catheter is variably ... |
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| Portable drive system for artificial heart |
| What is claimed is: 1. A portable artificial-heart drive system, comprising: a blood pump to cause ... |
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| Cardioplegia balloon cannula |
| FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of a cardioplegia occluder 1 for delivering cardioplegia to the aorta ... |
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Device for treatment of atrioventricular valve regurgitation
| Details |
Inventors: Loeb, Marvin P.; Crawford, L. Dean; Graham, Randy P.;
Assignee: Trimedyne, Inc. (Irvine, CA)
Primary Examiner: Dvorak; Linda C. M.
Assistant Examiner: Roane; Aaron
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Olson & Hierl, Ltd.
A catheter device suitable for shrinking chordae tendineae of the human heart is provided having an energy conduit and a positioning device that facilitates the delivery of thermal energy, including coherent (laser) or non-coherent light, RF, microwave or ultrasound energy, to a predetermined region of the chordae tendineae or other collagen-containing tissue, such as the female urethra or the esophagus near the sphincter. The device comprises a tubular catheter containing an energy conduit, such as a fiber optic cable, adapted for delivering thermal energy to the tissue. The tubular catheter also contain a stabilizing device, disposed at its distal end, such as an asymmetrically shaped balloon or a retractable flexible metal hook. With the distal end of the catheter device positioned within a human heart, application of thermal energy to the chordae tendineae results in a shrinkage of the chordae, providing a treatment for primary mitral valve regurgitation. |
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION A catheter device suitable for shrinking chordae tendineae of the human heart is provided with an energy conduit (e.
g.
, an optical fiber, electrical conducting cable, or other similar energy transmitting device) and a positioner device that facilitates the delivery of thermal energy to a predetermined region of the chordae tendineae.
In a preferred embodiment, a catheter containing an optical fiber, having a distal end portion encompassing a directional energy emitting device within an asymmetrically-shaped balloon, positions the energy conduit and directionally delivers energy to tissues.
The asymmetric shape of the balloon allows an operator to precisely determine the orientation of the device within the tissue using ultrasound or x-ray imaging, for example.
The distal end of the catheter is closed and has a blunt shape.
The distal end portion of the catheter within the balloon contains an aperture that admits inflation fluid into the balloon, and directs the energy emission from optical fiber through only one portion of the asymmetric balloon.
Thus, by imaging the inflated balloon within the tissue, the operator can determine the direction of laser energy emission.
In another embodiment of the present invention a fiber optic cable or other thermal energy delivery device is contained within a tubular sheath that is open at its distal end, such that laser or other thermal energy can be emitted by the cable through the distal opening of the sheath.
Also present within the sheath is a flexible metal positioner and stabilizer rod, having a hook-shaped distal end portion and a blunt, atraumatic distal end.
The blunt end of the flexible metal positioner and stabilizer rod can be in the form of a ball or other similar form, which will tend to slide off, rather than penetrate tissue when the end of the rod comes into contact with the tissue.
The hooked distal end portion of the rod is helicoid, i.
e.
, having a configuration that approximates that of a helical coil.
The length of the distal end portion is approximately 3 to 6 times the radius of curvature of the coil, i
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Heart Surgery 
