Abstract: A method of preparing a filter for delivery into a body vessel. The filter includes a hub disposed along a longitudinal axis and a plurality of anchor members extending from the hub. Each anchor member includes either a cranial extension or a caudal extension at a distal end thereof. At least one anchor member distal end may be spaced from the hub at each of a first, second, and third distance along the longitudinal axis. The filter also includes a plurality of locator members extending from the hub, the locator members alternatingly interposed between the anchor members.

Abstract: A proximally trimmable catheter is disclosed. In one embodiment, the catheter includes a multi-lumen catheter tube, one or more extension tubes, and a hub for fluidly connecting the two. In a first unlocked state, the hub is axially slidable along the catheter tube. The hub includes tube pins that are in fluid communication with the extension tubes. A cutting member is positioned to longitudinally cut the catheter tube during axial sliding of the hub along the catheter tube such that distal portions of the tube pins remain disposed within the lumens of the catheter tube. When positioned as desired, the hub is locked into a second locked state and is no longer axially slidable along the catheter tube. The tube pins are fluidly sealed within the lumens of the catheter tube as to establish fluid communication between the extension tubes and the lumens via the tube pins.

Abstract: The system and methods of the invention gauge the amount or quality of the contact between body tissue and one or more electrodes supported on a catheter. In further aspects, the invention concerns methods for controlling power delivery to particular electrodes on a catheter in response to tissue contact data derived from that electrode or other electrodes during the ablation procedure. The invention monitors and processes information concerning the number of pulses of pulsed radio-frequency energy that are delivered during an ablation procedure. The amount or quality of tissue contact is gauged by comparing the number of pulses delivered to a particular electrode during the interval to either the number of pulses delivered to at least one other electrode of the plural electrodes or data derived during the ablation procedure.