Intrauterine devices and methods for facilitating deployment thereof using a bumper are disclosed. In one embodiment, an intrauterine device comprises a structure including a first central support member and a deployment mechanism coupled to the first central support member. The intrauterine device further comprises a bumper positioned at a distal end of a second central support member and at a more distal position relative to a distal end of the structure so as to prevent the distal end of the structure from contacting the fundus of the uterus of a patient during deployment of the deployment mechanism. In another embodiment, the intrauterine device comprises a bumper coupled to the deployment mechanism and configured to move from a more distal to a more proximal position relative to a distal end of the structure.

Intrauterine devices and methods for facilitating deployment thereof using a bumper are disclosed. In one embodiment, an intrauterine device comprises a structure including a first central support member and a deployment mechanism coupled to the first central support member. The intrauterine device further comprises a bumper positioned at a distal end of a second central support member and at a more distal position relative to a distal end of the structure so as to prevent the distal end of the structure from contacting the fundus of the uterus of a patient during deployment of the deployment mechanism. In another embodiment, the intrauterine device comprises a bumper coupled to the deployment mechanism and configured to move from a more distal to a more proximal position relative to a distal end of the structure.

A heart treatment device includes a delivery device allowing for simultaneous ablation of the left atrial appendage and delivery of an occluder into the left atrial appendage. The device includes a steerable catheter, an occluder releasably disposed within the catheter, an inflatable balloon coupled to a distal end of the catheter, and an array of electrodes coupled to the balloon. The balloon may be inflated to bring the electrodes into contact with the interior wall of the left atrial appendage. Energy supplied to the electrodes through the catheter ablates the tissue of the left atrial appendage to electrically isolate the left atrial appendage from the heart, and the delivery device deploys the occluder in the left atrial appendage.

An elongated medical assembly includes a first elongated medical device configured to be inserted, at least in part, into the patient, and also configured to be maneuvered proximate to the biological feature. A second elongated medical device is configured to be received, at least in part, in the first elongated medical device, and also configured to be selectively extended, at least in part, from the first elongated medical device toward, and proximate to, the biological feature. A biological-removal device is mounted to the second elongated medical device, and configured to cut a portion of the biological feature after the second elongated medical device has been positioned proximate to the biological feature.

A catheter for ablation including a catheter shaft, a balloon at a distal end of the catheter shaft, and a microporous portion. The balloon is configured to support conductors and electrodes and contain a fluid. The microporous portion is coupled to the balloon to allow the fluid to flow out of the balloon and includes a plurality of apertures configured to prevent large air bubbles from exiting the balloon.

Methods and apparatus are provided for renal neuromodulation using a pulsed electric field to effectuate electroporation or electrofusion. It is expected that renal neuromodulation (e.g., denervation) may, among other things, reduce expansion of an acute myocardial infarction, reduce or prevent the onset of morphological changes that are affiliated with congestive heart failure, and/or be efficacious in the treatment of end stage renal disease. Embodiments of the present invention are configured for percutaneous intravascular delivery of pulsed electric fields to achieve such neuromodulation.

A proto microelectrode from which a micro electrode is formed in situ upon insertion into soft tissue comprises a flexible oblong electrode body of electrically conducting material having a front end and a rear end. The electrode body having a metal or a metal alloy or an electrically conducting form of carbon or an electrically conducting polymer or a combination thereof. A first coat of a water soluble and/or swellable and/or degradable material is disposed on the electrode body and extends along is at least over a distal portion thereof. A second coat of electrically insulating, water insoluble flexible polymer material is disposed on the first coat. The second coat comprises one or more through openings at or near its front end. Also disclosed is a corresponding micro electrode and a method of manufacture.

A method and apparatus for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) are provided. The method includes providing a set of coils that generate multidirectional pulsed electromagnetic fields in the prostate. The apparatus comprises a power source, an intelligent controller and an applicator positioned in proximity to the prostate and generating multidirectional pulsed fields according to instructions from the controller. The electric component of the electromagnetic fields generated by a PEMF interacts with cells, increases the number of A2a receptors on their membranes and thus enhances the anti-inflammatory actions of the adenosine A2aAR pathway.

Methods and apparatus are provided for renal neuromodulation using a pulsed electric field to effectuate electroporation or electrofusion. It is expected that renal neuromodulation (e.g., denervation) may, among other things, reduce expansion of an acute myocardial infarction, reduce or prevent the onset of morphological changes that are affiliated with congestive heart failure, and/or be efficacious in the treatment of end stage renal disease. Embodiments of the present invention are configured for percutaneous intravascular delivery of pulsed electric fields to achieve such neuromodulation.

An electrophysiology catheter is provided. In one embodiment, the catheter includes an elongate, deformable shaft having a proximal end and a distal end and a basket electrode assembly coupled to the distal end of the shaft. The basket electrode assembly has a proximal end and a distal end and is configured to assume a compressed state and an expanded state. The electrode assembly further includes one or more tubular splines having a plurality of electrodes disposed thereon and a plurality of conductors. Each of the plurality of conductors extends through the tubular spline from a corresponding one of the plurality of electrodes to the proximal end of the basket electrode assembly. The tubular splines are configured to assume a non-planar (e.g., a twisted or helical) shape in the expanded state.