An apparatus includes a component having a shape memory material. The shape memory material has a first shape including a substantially elongate segment. The shape memory material has a second shape including a helix having a first ring and a second ring configured to exert a compressive force on a membrane interleaved between the first ring and the second ring and lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to an axis of the helix, the shape selectable based on an external stimulus.

A tissue electrode assembly includes a membrane configured to form an expandable, conformable body that is deployable in a patient. The assembly further includes a flexible circuit positioned on a surface of the membrane and comprising at least one base substrate layer, at least one insulating layer and at least one planar conducting layer. An electrically-conductive electrode covers at least a portion of the flexible circuit and a portion of the surface of the membrane not covered by the flexible circuit, wherein the electrically-conductive electrode is foldable upon itself with the membrane to a delivery conformation having a diameter suitable for minimally-invasive delivery of the assembly to the patient.

An improved device and method for extended repair and regeneration of muscle tissue. An exemplary device comprises (a) a scaffold comprising an ECM component; (b) a combination of growth factors such as VEGF and IGF; and (c) a population of myogenic cells. Implantation of the device leads to muscle regeneration and repair over an extended period of time.

Electric field delivery and ablation of target tissue regions, including cancerous cells and solid tumors. Methods and systems include delivering an electric field to a target tissue, and may include positioning a first electrode or plurality to at least partially define a first treatment volume in the target tissue; positioning a second electrode or plurality to at least partially define a second treatment volume, the first volume is disposed in the second volume; and establishing a first current flow extending through the first volume and a second current flow extending through the second volume.

The invention relates to medical aids, in particular compression products, such as compression stockings or bandages. Specifically, the invention provides a compression product comprising an elastic component or material that comprises polyurethane polymers and shows a delayed continuous relaxation behaviour. The invention furthermore provides polyurethane polymers containing N-diol having a delayed continuous relaxation behavior and corresponding quaternized polyurethane polymers, a process for producing the polyurethane polymers, a blend with elastane, as well as uses thereof.

A method and apparatus are disclosed for an RF guidewire for applying RF energy to create a channel through a region of tissue within a patient's body. The RF guidewire is configured to have a hydrophilic coating disposed thereon to reduce friction to facilitate traversal through vasculature while maintaining its mechanical, electrical and thermal properties.

A flexible tip electrode for an ablation catheter is disclosed. The catheter includes a catheter body and a hollow elongate tip electrode disposed at a distal end of the catheter body. The electrode includes a sidewall provided with one or more elongate gaps extending therethrough. The one or more elongate gaps providing flexibility in the sidewall for bending movement of the tip electrode relative to a longitudinal axis of the catheter body.

A surgical ablation system employing an ablation probe having a deployable ground plane includes a source of ablation energy and a source of electrosurgical energy, and a switching assembly configured to select between ablation and electrosurgical modes. The probe includes a cannula having a shaft slidably disposed therein. The shaft includes a deployable ground plane electrode assembly and a needle electrode disposed at distal end of the shaft. As the shaft is extended distally from the cannula, the ground plane electrode unfolds, and the needle electrode is exposed. Electrosurgical energy is applied to tissue via the needle electrode to facilitate the insertion thereof into tissue. Ablation energy is applied to tissue via the needle electrode to achieve the desired surgical outcome. The shaft, ground plane electrode and needle electrode are retracted into the cannula, and withdrawn from the surgical site.

Cardiac tissue ablation catheters including an inflatable and flexible toroidal or spherically shaped balloon disposed at a distal region of an elongate member, a flexible circuit carried by an outer surface of the balloon, the flexible circuit including, a plurality of flexible branches conforming to the radially outer surface of the balloon, each of the plurality of flexible branches including a substrate, a conductive trace carried by the substrate, and an ablation electrode carried by the substrate, the ablation electrode in electrical communication with the conductive trace, and an elongate shaft comprising a guidewire lumen extending in the elongate member and extending from a proximal region of the inflatable balloon to distal region of the inflatable balloon and being disposed within the inflatable balloon, wherein a distal region of the elongate shaft is secured directly or indirectly to the distal region of the inflatable balloon.

Polymeric based closed cell foams, such as shape memory polymer foams, contain bubbles. Making these bubbles continuous is called reticulation. Disclosed are embodiments of a device and method to controllably reticulate polymer-based closed cell foams by puncturing the membranes of these polymer-based closed cell foams.