An apparatus includes a cannula assembly and a sensor assembly. The cannula assembly includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a first lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end. The cannula is formed of a rigid material. The sensor assembly includes a sensor and a communication wire. The sensor is fixed to the cannula assembly. The communication wire is in electrical communication with the sensor. The communication wire extends along a length of the cannula assembly exterior to the first lumen.

A novel catheter-based system which ligates the left atrial appendage (LAA) on the outside of the heart, preferably using a combination of catheters and/or instruments, e.g., a guide catheter positioned inside the left atrial appendage which may assist in locating the left atrial appendage and/or assist in the optimal placement of a ligature on the outside of the appendage, and a ligating catheter and/or instrument outside the heart in the pericardial space to set a ligating element at the neck of the left atrial appendage.

The present invention relates to the diagnosis and treatment of stress urinary incontinence. In one embodiment, the diagnosis and treatment involves the use of a positional feedback catheter. Positional sensors may be embedded in the catheter to provide real-time tracking the position and movement of the catheter.

Described is a system (100) and medical device (200) for the electromagnetic tracking of a medical instrument transported through a medical device, the medical device having a central axis (210), a channel (206) that receives and transports a medical instrument through the medical device, the channel extending to a distal portion (202) of the medical device and being in communication with an opening (216) in the medical device that is not aligned with the central axis, the device having a tracking component (220, 224) that is a plurality of coordinated electromagnetic sensors for generating a virtual axis (222) of travel for the medical instrument, with the virtual axis passing through the opening of the device and being aligned with tool insertion axis (206).

A system and method for the use of magneto-rheological fluids (MRF) and magnetically controlled elastomers (MCE) for use in fluid control and distribution apparatus which are responsive to control by a magnetic field are disclosed.

Implantation imaging techniques are presented herein to provide a surgeon with visual feedback during implantation of an implantable medical device in a recipient. The implantation imaging techniques may include the generation of a magnetic field that induces a voltage at a coil positioned in the recipient. The induced voltage is used to determine the orientation of the coil positioned in the recipient relative to direction of the magnetic field.

In a robot-assisted steerable medical device, such as a catheter, a magnetic connector hub is configured to establish mechanical and magnetic connection between a drive cable and an actuator, or between multiple modules in a single insert-and-twist motion. The connector hub creates a magnetic breakaway feature for automatically decoupling the actuator from the drive cable, while the catheter remains attached. This prevents damage to the catheter/tool and/or patient when an excessive force is applied, and adds a safety element and helps protect the patient. And when the breakaway occurs the system can be automatically reengaged catheter without damage, so that normal operation can resume. Connection can also be broken at any point in the operation based on threshold forces or emergency situations.

Provided is a method and system for delivering a diagnostic agent to a site in the brain of a subject for imaging at least a portion of the brain site on a medical imaging system. The method and system includes a catheter device with associated lumens having diagnostic agent ports for delivering the diagnostic agent (e.g., infusate) through the lumens and advancing the diagnostic agent so as to exit out from the lumens to at least a portion of the brain site and while sealing a portion of the brain site thereby preventing the exited diagnostic agent from travelling proximally beyond the sealing location, and at the same time imaging at least a portion of the brain site during at least a portion of the sealing duration so that the brain site can be visualized on a medical imaging system. The diagnostic agent (infusate) is able to highlight borders and internal patterns of the deep structures of the brain thereby enabling direct targeting. Ultimately this leads to reduced complications, enhanced therapy, and the elimination of the need for awake surgery. The method and system provides the capability heretofore not possible to visualize the small, often indistinct regions, which will greatly improve clinical outcomes with therapeutic interventions.

An apparatus for emitting a field comprising a core, a conductive winding with a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion, where the conductive winding surrounds a portion of the core and is wound about a winding axis, a protrusion for aligning the apparatus where the protrusion is parallel with the winding axis, and a conductive connector extending from the conductive winding, wherein the conductive connector is electrically coupled with the conductive winding at the intermediate portion.

A medical scope attachment device and system includes one or more expandable rings, each having a resilient main body and an inside diameter defining a central opening that corresponds to a dimension of a medical scope. One or more sets of opposing magnetic elements are disposed within each of the rings. The system also includes a ring attachment device having a shelf that is interposed between a pair of opposing electromagnets. The ring attachment device functioning to transition the expandable rings between an expanded and non-expanded state to receive an existing medical scope.