An apparatus for mechanically manipulating hollow organs within the body of a subject, or an organ manipulation apparatus, includes a manipulation section. The manipulation section may include a substantially two-dimensional element, which may have a width that exceeds a distance across a portion of the interior of a hollow organ within which the manipulation section is to be positioned. The manipulation section is configured to manipulate at least a portion of a hollow organ from within, which may modify at least one of a shape, orientation, or location of at least part of the hollow organ. Methods for manipulating hollow organs are also disclosed, as are operating techniques, such as left atrial ablation, in which the shapes, orientations, and/or locations of hollow organs are manipulated to move the hollow organs away from the site of the medical procedure, reducing the potential for damage to the hollow organs.

A method and system are disclosed for opening a workspace inside a lumen of a living creature are disclosed. Anchors may be affixed to opposite ends of the workspace. An extender may be distance anchors apart while they are affixed to the walls of the workspace. Distancing the anchors may unfold and/or stretch the lumen in the region of the workspace.

A spinal treatment method and device are provided. The treatment method includes a catheter introduction step of inserting a balloon catheter into a treatment site between nerves extending from a spine, while being bifurcated, and a lesion area that compresses the nerves; and a treatment step of dilating a balloon, on which anti-inflammatory agent is disposed, of the balloon catheter at the treatment site, and applying the anti-inflammatory agent to the treatment site.

Methods for closing a left atrial appendage rely on introducing a closure tool from a location beneath the rib cage, over an epicardial surface, and to the exterior of the left atrial appendage. The closure device may then be used to close the left atrial appendage, preferably at its base, by any one of a variety of techniques. One specific technique uses graspers and a closing loop. Methods may include advancing a closure tool adjacent to the left atrial appendage using a sub-xiphoid approach and closing the left atrial appendage using the closure tool. Methods may also include advancing a loop adjacent to the left atrial appendage using a sub-xiphoid approach and closing the left atrial appendage using the loop.

Devices, systems, and methods to generate a bypass lumen in connection with a chronic total occlusion procedure. An exemplary method comprises introducing at least part of a first elongated body into a lumen of an artery so that a distal tip of the first elongated body is positioned on a first side of an occlusion within the lumen of the artery; inserting the distal tip of the first elongated body into a wall of the artery in between a tunica media and a tunica intima of the artery; advancing the distal tip of the first elongated body in between the tunica media and the tunica intima; and further advancing the distal tip of the first elongated body back into the lumen of the artery to generate a bypass lumen and so that the distal tip is positioned on an opposite second side of the occlusion within the lumen.

A surgical probe and a method for forming and enlarging an access opening through a psoas muscle to provide for minimally invasive lateral approach for surgical access to a lumber intervertebral disc. A distal end portion of the probe is equipped with an electrode useful for confirming proper location of the probe and includes an inflatable dilator body for enlarging an access opening through tissue adjacent to a spinal column. The probe includes a cannula through which a K wire can be extended to anchor the probe to a patient.

An integrated clot evacuation device having visualization for use in neurosurgical applications, particularly for the evacuation of clots formed as a result of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH). The device may further include an integrated camera and light for visualizing the interior of the brain and the clot itself. Further, the device is configured to evacuate clots through aspiration and irrigation.

Disclosed are access devices that can be used to safely guide instruments, such as EP ablation catheters, to a therapy site such one within the pericardial space of the heart. The access devices include integrated visualization, illumination, stabilization, and safety features in a single platform that can, for example, more safely and efficiently identify and ablate several ventricular tachycardia (VT) locations on the left ventricle of the heart.

Endovascular valve formation systems with imaging capabilities and associated devices and methods are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a valve formation and imaging system can include, for example, (i) a valve formation device configured to access a vessel wall and dissect a portion of the vessel wall to form an autologous valve leaflet and (ii) an imaging device configured to image the vessel wall and components of the valve formation device during a valve formation procedure. In some embodiments, the imaging device is integrated into a distal end portion of the valve formation device. In some embodiments, the imaging device is a separate catheter device positionally coupled to the valve formation device and/or components thereof.

A balloon dissector assembly includes a balloon dissector having an elongate shaft, a handle disposed on a proximal portion of the elongate shaft, and a dissection balloon supported on a distal portion of the elongate shaft. The dissection balloon includes a substantially cylindrical shape having a deflated condition in which the dissection balloon includes a first diameter between the proximal and distal ends, an inflated condition in which the dissection balloon includes a second diameter between the proximal and distal ends, and a plurality of intermediate conditions in which the balloon transitions from the deflated condition to the inflated condition progressively from the proximal end to the distal end.