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Methods and systems for minimally invasive replacement of a valve. The system includes a collapsible valve and anchoring structure, devices and methods for expanding the valve anchoring structure, adhesive means to seal the valve to the surrounding tissue, a catheter-based valve sizing and delivery system, native valve removal means, and a temporary valve and filter assembly to facilitate removal of debris material. The valve assembly comprises a valve and anchoring structure for the valve, dimensioned to fit substantially within the valve sinus.

A method for conducting a purchasing agreement for goods and services between a consumer and a merchant through a trusted a third party and using a wireless network includes generating, by the consumer, a first view of the agreement and transmitting the first view of the agreement to the third party, generating, independently by the merchant, a second view of the agreement and transmitting the second view of the agreement to the third party, and receiving, by the third party the consumer view of the agreement and the merchant view of the agreement, verifying identities of the merchant and the consumer and that the details of the independently generated views of the agreements are consistent and taking action to execute the purchasing agreement if the conditions are satisfied. The third party includes a Secure Transaction Server.

A transaction apparatus (10) includes a multifunction card (12) and a portable terminal (14). The multifunction card includes a programmable memory (18) and a magnetic stripe (16) thereon. The programmable memory on the card is used to store indicia corresponding to account data which is input to the memory by reading with the terminal magnetic stripe data from a plurality of conventional magnetic stripe cards. The programmable memory further includes data representative of cash value as well as instructions, prompt messages and icons presented in conducting transactions. A user is enabled to operate the apparatus to select one of the accounts stored in memory, and to write account data corresponding to the selected account to the magnetic stripe of the card. The user is also enabled to use the apparatus to enter visible indicia such as bar codes and to selectively reproduce the bar codes on the display of the apparatus. The apparatus is also selectively operative to transfer funds between accounts of the user and data representative of cash value stored on the card.

A qualifying connection for an instrument attaches to a source of electrosurgery energy and to the instrument and has first and second parts coupled to the instrument and the source, respectively. Optical couplings on the connection transmit invisible energy to identify the instrument and are proximate on the first and second parts. A light modifier on the first part is proximal to the second part for modification of radiation in the infrared wavelengths so infrared transmitters encode signals and non-contact coded proximity detectors on the second part are the coupled detectors. Mechanical attachments include conjugating male and female portions which physically extend between the parts and matingly engage. An identifying circuit couples to the second part and responds to invisible light optically communicated across the couplings for verifying the type of instrument connected by the cable to the source. A method of using the connection has steps including juxtaposing and conjugating the parts with attachments and couplings for transmitting invisible optical energy to identify the instrument. The method includes modifying the invisible optical energy with geographically disposed proximate couplings of the parts when the attachments engage and the couplings are proximate. Passing and assessing signals of the modified energy are transmitted through the connection and to an identifying circuit in the source.

A system and method for efficient delivery of radio frequency (RF) energy includes a backplane. At least a single channel card is removably coupled to the backplane for controlling the amount of RF power delivered through a single channel via an electrical coupling to at least one ablation electrode or a catheter. The at least one channel card provides a gradual increase in RF power calculated in real-time during an initial ramp-up phase, and to limit the delivery of RF power through the electrical coupling based on a received temperature of cardiac tissue in contact with the at least one ablation electrode, thereby reducing the likelihood coagulum formation.

A method and apparatus for delivering a device to a given location within a heart, the method and apparatus being adapted for:passing a first catheter through the left atrium of the heart, through the mitral valve and into the left ventricle, and passing a second catheter through the aorta toward the heart, one or the other of the first catheter and the second catheter, with the device attached thereto, forming a device-carrying assembly for engagement with the remaining catheter;causing the device-carrying assembly and the remaining catheter to engage one another so as to form a connection therebetween; andretracting one of the device-carrying assembly and the remaining catheter in a direction opposite to the other of the device-carrying assembly and the remaining catheter so as to position the device relative to the given location within the heart.

A system for heat ablation of tissue in a patient comprises a plurality of electrodes operatively connected to a source of radiofrequency energy and configured to apply RF energy to tissue at a patient site, a plurality of RF current restricting circuits, each circuit coupled between one of the plurality of electrodes and the source of radiofrequency energy, and configured to restrict RF energy to the electrode when the current restricting circuit is enabled and not restrict RF energy to flow to the electrode when the current restricting circuit is disabled, at least one return electrode adapted to contact the patient and configured to return RF energy to the RF source; and a switching mechanism configured to selectively enable each of the plurality of RF current restricting circuits, in one of a sequential and non sequential fashion, wherein the switching mechanism is isolated from each of the current restricting circuits.