(*) Notice: This patent issued on a continued pros-WO 96/17644 6/1996 (WO). ecution
application filed under 37 CFR WO 96/21489 7/1996 (WO). 1.53 (d), and is subject to the …

0001) 1. Field of the Invention 0002 The present invention relates generally to medical
methods and apparatus. More particularly, the present inven tion relates to a method and …

BACKGROUND Before the development of less invasive approaches, the principal mode of
treatment for occluded arteries was bypass Surgery and, in the case of occlusions in the …

US PATENT DOCUMENTS 5,843,169 A 12/1998 Taheri 5,848,969 A 12/1998 Panescu et al.
4,053,979 A 10/1977 Tuthill et al. 5,849,035 A* 12/1998 Pathak et al................. 128/898 …

US7846088B2 - Instruments and methods for accessing an anatomic space - Google Patents
US7846088B2 - Instruments and methods for accessing an anatomic space - Google Patents …

4,699,147 A 10, 1987 Chison et al. 5,904,711 A 5/1999 Flom et al. fh 1 5,916,163 A 6/1999
Panescu et al. 4,770,187 A 9/1988 Lash et al. 5,919,207 A 7/1999 Taheri 4,787,369 A 1 …

Devices and methods are provided for diagnosing and repairing mitral valve defects Such
as mitral valve regurgi tation. According to an exemplary method, mitral valve function is …

(57) ABSTRACT A method and kit for accessing the pericardial space take advantage of the
fact that the right auricle is a thin-Walled, loW-pressure structure Which can be readily …

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates
generally to catheters and more particularly to catheter apparatus for treating severe or total …

The present invention provides a minimally invasive approach for surgery on portions of the
heart and great vessels located between a point approximately three centi meters above …