An organ lengthening device comprising a spring-like structure, wherein the surface of the device is covered with micron-size anchors such as hooks, studs or wires made from a biodegradable polymer. The anchors are configured to engage the surface of the organ so that the device will be anchored to the organ. The device, which is inserted into the organ in a compressed position, gradually lengthens over time, thereby lengthening the organ, wherein the anchors are configured to degrade away and eventually allow the device to become disengaged from the organ.

A medical device includes a handle, an elongate shaft extending distally from the handle, the elongate shaft configured to extend through a mouth of a patient and into an upper esophageal pouch of the patient, the elongate shaft having a distal end configured to engage the upper esophageal pouch, and a force absorbing member permitting the elongate shaft to translate axially relative to the handle. The force absorbing member is configured to exert a force along the elongate shaft to apply the force to the upper esophageal pouch. Another medical device includes a tubular member configured to extend through the mouth and into the upper esophageal pouch, a shaft extending distally from the tubular member, and an inflatable member fixedly attached to a distal end of the shaft. The inflatable member is configured to apply a force to the upper esophageal pouch in an inflated configuration.

The present invention is directed to systems, devices and methods for trans-septally delivering carbon dioxide through a minimally invasive catheter to create a gaseous pocket or emphysema between the posterior wall of the left atrium and the esophagus during cardiac ablation of the left atrium. This pocket of gas expanded tissue serves to thermally insulate and separate the esophagus from the left atrium during ablation to prevent the formation of an atrial-esophageal fistula. The system comprises a control system to precisely deliver the gas to a desired location through a needle-based catheter assembly.

A tissue expander having an integrated drain includes an outer shell having an opening and one or more drainage holes. An injection port is disposed in the opening of the shell and forms a fluid-tight seal with the shell. The injection port includes a needle guard having a needle guard base with a top surface, and a barrier membrane that overlies the top surface of the needle guard base. The barrier membrane defines an inflation chamber located between the top surface of the needle guard base and a bottom surface of the barrier membrane, and a drainage chamber overlying a top surface of the barrier membrane. The tissue expander includes one or more inflation ports that are in fluid communication with the inflation chamber for inflating and deflating the outer shell with a first fluid. A drainage conduit is in fluid communication with and extends between the drainage chamber and the one or more drainage holes for draining a second fluid from outside the shell.

Systems, methods and devices for delivering stimulating energy with a lead having a directional electrode are disclosed. The lead includes a directional electrode having an electrically active portion configured to emanate stimulating energy from an exposed portion of the directional electrode. The lead also has an electrically insulating portion around at least part of the circumference of the lead. The electrically insulating portion is configured to insulate surrounding muscle and/or tissue from the stimulating energy when the lead is implanted in the patient.

The present invention is directed to systems, devices and methods for trans-septally delivering carbon dioxide through a minimally invasive catheter to create a gaseous pocket or emphysema between the posterior wall of the left atrium and the esophagus during cardiac ablation of the left atrium. This pocket of gas expanded tissue serves to thermally insulate and separate the esophagus from the left atrium during ablation to prevent the formation of an atrial-esophageal fistula. The system comprises a control system to precisely deliver the gas to a desired location through a needle-based catheter assembly.

Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to devices for inserting expandable balloons into an implantation site of a patient. Such devices may include a base (326) having a longitudinal axis and defining a cavity (322); an expandable balloon (330) disposed within the cavity in a collapsed configuration; and a flexible lumen (310) extending proximally from the balloon to a pump (302), the flexible lumen fluidly connecting the balloon to the pump. The base may include a projection extending distally, parallel to the longitudinal axis, wherein at least a portion of the balloon is coupled to the projection. Further, for example, the device may include a cover (324) coupled to the base and movable relative to the base to selectively cover and expose the cavity to deploy the balloon.

The purpose of the present invention is to inhibit and prevent the formation of adhesions, i.e., bonds between a wound and its surrounding tissues or between organs that are originally separated.

The anti-adhesion material of the present invention is characterized in that at least a part of the anti-adhesion material is made of a non-biodegradable material and a contact angle of a surface to water is less than 7 degrees or more than 90 degrees.

An instrument for stretching the skin comprising an elongate, dimensionally stable guide with at last two modules that are disposed on said guide and comprise anchoring means for securing to the skin, wherein at least one of said modules can be moved on the guide in the longitudinal direction thereof, and a non-return device allows movement thereof in a movement direction and blocks movement thereof in the opposite, reverse direction, said non-return device being able to be inverted in terms of the movement direction and the reverse direction.

A method is disclosed for preparing a soft tissue site, and augmenting the soft tissue site, such as the breast(s), scar, depression, or other defect, of a subject through use of devices that exert a distractive force on the breast(s) and grafting of autologous fat tissue such as domes and sealing rims for surrounding each of the soft tissue site and a regulated pump. The method for preparing the soft tissue site, and enhancing fat graft results, entails application of the distracting force to the targeted soft tissue site at least intermittently for some period of time and preferably several weeks prior to the graft procedure. A rotated aspect of the invention includes following the preparation steps by transfer of fat from other areas of the subject to the subject's soft tissue site, and then reapplication of the distractive force to the soft tissue site that received the autologous fat graft. Alternatively, fat from genetically related sources may be used, and the fat may be further processed prior to injection. Substantial soft tissue augmentation, high rates of graft survival and negligible graft necrosis (data demonstrating 80% survival and only 20% necrosis is presented) or calcification result from the practice of these methods.