DR. MATHEW R WILLIAMS, M.D.
Radiology at 1 Ave, New York, NY

7731715, Jun 8, 2010

Dec 10, 2004

11/009197

Jim Ward - Laguna Niguel CA, US
Mathew R. Williams - New York NY, US

Edwards Lifesciences Corporation - Irvine CA

A61B 18/18

606 49, 606 41, 606 50

Ablation instruments and techniques are disclosed for accessing portions of the heart wall via the coronary sinus. While shielding the major portion of the sinus and/or the circumflex coronary artery from ablative energy, the present invention provides access to the heart wall to treat atrial fibrillation. In particular, the present invention provides instruments and methods for forming transmural lesions in the left atrium, such as the so-called “left isthmus block,” from within the coronary sinus.

2005014, Jul 7, 2005

Dec 17, 2003

10/738017

Mathew Williams - New York NY, US
Jim Ward - Sandy UT, US

A61B017/08

606151000

A device for excluding the inner cavity of the left internal appendage (LAA) from the interior of the left atrium LA may include a pair of compression members spaced apart and defining a closed periphery. The closed periphery has a variable-sized opening therein that can be enlarged to surround the LAA and then closed to compress and exclude the LAA. The closed periphery may be generally rectangular or lenticular, and may be a solid, contiguous periphery or separable at a closure. Inner protrusions or ribs may be provided on the compression members to help anchor the exclusion device in place. Needles may also be provided to pierce the LAA tissue and trap blood clots therein. The device may be non-linear in plan view so as to conform to the shape of the external left atrium. Deployment techniques or structures may be provided that squeeze the LAA in a direction starting adjacent the left atrium and then moving away from the left atrium. This squeezing motion helps prevent extrusion of any thrombus deposit within the LAA cavity into the left atrium.

7957820, Jun 7, 2011

Nov 25, 2008

12/323374

Arthur A. Bertolero - Danville CA, US
Tamer Ibrahim - Pleasant Hill CA, US
Steve Geyster - Milton MA, US
Mathew Williams - New York NY, US

Endoscopic Technologies, Inc. - San Ramon CA

A61N 1/00

607129

Devices and methods provide for ablation of cardiac tissue for treating cardiac arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation. Although the devices and methods are often be used to ablate epicardial tissue in the vicinity of at least one pulmonary vein, various embodiments may be used to ablate other cardiac tissues in other locations on a heart. Devices generally include at least one tissue contacting member for contacting epicardial tissue and securing the ablation device to the epicardial tissue, and at least one ablation member for ablating the tissue. Various embodiments include features, such as suction apertures, which enable the device to attach to the epicardial surface with sufficient strength to allow the tissue to be stabilized via the device. For example, some embodiments may be used to stabilize a beating heart to enable a beating heart ablation procedure. Many of the devices may be introduced into a patient via minimally invasive introducer devices and the like.

2006001, Jan 19, 2006

Jul 20, 2005

11/186149

Arthur Bertolero - Danville CA, US
Tamer Ibrahim - Pleasant Hill CA, US
Steve Geyster - Milton MA, US
Mathew Williams - New York NY, US

A61B 5/042, A61N 1/05

607119000, 600374000

Devices and methods provide for ablation of cardiac tissue for treating cardiac arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation. Although the devices and methods are often be used to ablate epicardial tissue in the vicinity of at least one pulmonary vein, various embodiments may be used to ablate other cardiac tissues in other locations on a heart. Devices generally include at least one tissue contacting member for contacting epicardial tissue and securing the ablation device to the epicardial tissue, and at least one ablation member for ablating the tissue. Various embodiments include features, such as suction apertures, which enable the device to attach to the epicardial surface with sufficient strength to allow the tissue to be stabilized via the device. For example, some embodiments may be used to stabilize a beating heart to enable a beating heart ablation procedure. Many of the devices may be introduced into a patient via minimally invasive introducer devices and the like. Although devices and methods of the invention may be used to ablate epicardial tissue to treat atrial fibrillation, they may also be used in veterinary or research contexts, to treat various heart conditions other than atrial fibrillation and/or to ablate cardiac tissue other than the epicardium.