Disclosed herein are systems, devices, and methods for treating heart failure. In some variations, a catheter for forming an anastomosis in a heart may comprise a first catheter comprising an electrode. A second catheter may be slidably disposed within the first catheter. The second catheter may comprise a barb and a dilator comprising a mating surface configured to engage the electrode.

Described herein is a method and system for gap detection in ablation lines. Microelectrodes are implemented at a distal tip of a catheter to provide localized gap detection along an ablation line. A pacing protocol is used to sequence through each of the microelectrode pairs for a tissue location. If living tissue is present, the pacing signal travels through the living tissue to pulse the heart. An operator will see a capture signal and know that there is a gap in the ablation line. The ablation electrode is then used to ablate the tissue in the gap. Pacing and ablation are therefore performed at the same place without the need to switch between instruments and/or catheters. In an implementation, a force sensor can automate the pacing protocol by determining which microelectrode pair is contacting the tissue. Moreover, signaling between microelectrode pairs can determine contact between the catheter and the tissue.

A dilator tool for use with a robotic surgical system is disclosed. In some embodiments, the dilator comprises a set of elongate members with an atraumatic form. The elongate members are individually controlled to manipulate tissue and push tissue away from a working channel. The operation to create a working channel may reduce the risk of tissue injury over traditional methods using a scalpel.

Devices and methods for tissue treatment produce a mechanical stimulation therapy and electromagnetic field therapy. The mechanical stimulation therapy provides stimulation of blood circulation and stimulates treated cells. The electromagnetic field enables thermal treatment of tissue. Combination of both therapies improves soft tissue treatment, mainly connective tissue in the skin area and fat reduction.

A knee gap tensioning apparatus includes: a tensioner-balancer, including: a baseplate; a top plate; and a linkage operable to move the top plate relative to the bottom plate between retracted and extended positions in response to application of an actuating force, the linkage including: a first toggle linkage, including: a lower link having a first end pivotally connected to the baseplate; an upper link having a first end pivotally connected to the top plate, wherein second ends of the first and second links are pivotally connected to each other; a second toggle linkage, including: a lower link having a first end pivotally connected to the baseplate; an upper link having a first end pivotally connected to the top plate, wherein second ends of the first and second links are pivotally connected to each other; and a connector linkage interconnecting the first and second toggle linkages.

The present invention features an all-in-one system for vascular access and closure. In particular, this invention features systems and methods for forming holes in blood vessels and rapidly closing these vessel holes using an all-in-one system. For example, an arterial access and closure port system is disclosed herein to provide fail-safe percutaneous entry and exit into any artery, particularly useful for high flow and high pressure arteries such as the carotid artery. The present invention is a single system that forms and closes vascular holes and can be used for percutaneous arterial access with interventional radiology, interventional cardiology, neuro-intervention, endovascular surgery, and endovascular neurosurgery.

A surgical instrument that limits the amount of force that a user can apply to the jaws of a surgical instrument by decoupling the handle lever from the drive shaft if the handle lever is moved beyond the closed position. A handle lever and a secondary lever are interconnected by a spring that can decouples the handle lever from the secondary lever when too much force is used. The handle lever and the secondary lever may be interconnected by a link pivotally interconnected both the first lever and the second lever, or the handle lever and the secondary lever may be mounted to a common pivot point. In the former, the spring is configured to bias the handle lever and the secondary lever together, and in the latter the spring is configured to bias the handle lever and the secondary lever apart.

An orthopedic system to monitor a parameter related to the muscular-skeletal system is disclosed. The orthopedic system includes electronic circuitry, at least one sensor, and a computer to receive measurement data in real-time. The orthopedic system comprises a first plurality of shims of a first type, a second plurality of a second type, a measurement module, and the computer. The measurement module houses the electronic circuitry and at least one sensor. The measurement module is adapted to be used with the first plurality of shims and the second plurality of shims. The measurement module has a medial surface that differs from a lateral surface by shape, size, or contour.

The invention provides a tip that permits therapeutic electromagnetic energy systems to deliver multiple beams of overlapping, partially overlapping, and non-overlapping electromagnetic energy in the treatment of tissue disorders and conditions. The tip finds use with laser systems, intense pulsed light systems, LED systems, radiofrequency systems, and microwave systems.

An apparatus includes a current source, an electronic circuit and a circuit board. The current source is configured to flow an electrical current having a selected frequency between a pair of electrodes coupled to a medical probe. The electronic circuit is configured to measure a single-ended voltage relative to ground that is formed on at least one of the electrodes in the pair in response to the electrical current, and, based on the measured voltage, to assess physical contact between the at least one of the electrodes and tissue. The circuit board includes the current source and the electronic circuit, and includes a layout that produces, at the selected frequency, a predefined capacitance between the current source and ground, thus forming a reference for measurement of the single-ended voltage.