Abstract: Endocardial mapping and ablation system for introduction into a chamber of a heart formed by a wall and having a passage leading thereto. The system is comprised of a catheter probe having a distal extremity. A plurality of electrodes are carried by the distal extremity for mapping the wall of the chamber. An ablation catheter is provided having a distal extremity. The ablation catheter has control capabilities whereby the distal extremity can be bent separately of movement of the catheter probe to come into close proximity to the wall of the heart. The distal extremity of the ablation catheter is provided with capabilities for ablating a portion of the wall of the heart to eliminate an arrythmia in the heart.

Abstract: An endocardial mapping apparatus for mapping the wall of a chamber of the heart having blood therein. The apparatus includes a flexible elongate tubular member having proximal and distal extremities and at least one lumen extending therethrough. A basket assembly is carried by the distal extremity of the flexible elongate tubular member and is movable between contracted and expanded positions. The basket assembly has a plurality of elongate flexible circumferentially spaced-apart arms with joined proximal and distal extremities and a plurality of longitudinally spaced-apart electrodes carried by each arm for engaging the wall of the heart. The arms have spaces therebetween when the basket assembly is in an expanded position. An elongate flexible rotatable member is rotatably coupled to the joined distal extremities and is disposed within the basket assembly. At least one electrode is carried by the rotatable member for engaging the wall of the heart.

Abstract: A catheter probe comprising a flexible elongate tubular member having proximal and distal extremities. An expandable assembly capable of moving from a contracted position to an expanded position is secured to the distal extremity of the flexible elongate tubular member and is formed from at least two elongate members movable between contracted and expanded positions. The elongate members have extremities which are joined so that the elongate members extend at an angle relative to each other to form a vee therebetween. A plurality of longitudinally and radially spaced-apart electrodes are carried by the expandable assembly so that they can be moved into engagement with the wall of the heart when the expandable assembly is expanded into the expanded position. Electrical conductors extend through the elongate tubular member and are connected to the electrodes for performing electrical functions with respect to the electrodes.

Abstract: A catheter for radio frequency ablation with a cooled electrode for use in tissue having a surface comprising an elongate member having proximal and distal extremities. A metal conducting electrode secured to the distal extremity of the elongate member and having a chamber therein. A conductor extends through the elongate member from the proximal to the distal extremity for supplying radio frequency energy to the electrode. The elongate member has a lumen in the distal extremity which is in communication with the chamber. A coolant is disposed in the chamber and in contact with the electrode for dissipating heat created in the electrode by the application of radio frequency energy thereto.

Abstract: A mapping and/or ablation catheter for introduction into a chamber having a wall accessible by a passage leading to the chamber. The catheter includes a flexible elongate member extending along a longitudinal axis and having a distal extremity. An elongate flexible element is provided and has one end secured to the distal extremity of the flexible elongate member and an opposite free end. The elongate flexible element is movable between a first position in which it is adaptable to conform generally to the contour of the passage and a second position in which it has a coil-like configuration. The elongate flexible element serves to form at least one electrode. The elongate flexible element is passed through the passage into the chamber when in the first position and the at least one electrode is moved into engagement with the wall for mapping and/or ablating of the wall when the elongate flexible element is in the second position.

Abstract: A steerable catheter comprising a flexible elongate tubular member having proximal and distal extremities. A handle is secured to the proximal extremity. The tubular member has a lumen extending therethrough. A mandrel is slidably mounted in the lumen and extends into the distal extremity. A pull wire extends through the tubular member for causing bending of the distal extremity with respect to the mandrel disposed therein.

Abstract: A assembly for use in performing a medical procedure within a region in a body of a patient having a vessel therein comprising a multi-port introducer adapted to be inserted into a vessel of the patient. The multi-port introducer includes an elongate body having proximal and distal extremities and has spaced-apart lumens extending from the proximal extremity toward the distal extremity. The elongate tubular body has ports therein at the proximal extremity in communication with the lumens and openings in the distal extremity in communication with the lumens. The elongate tubular body has a length so that it can extend from the exterior of the body to said region in the body. A plurality of catheters is provided. Each of the catheters is slidably disposed in a separate lumen in the multi-port introducer and has a distal extremity adapted to be disposed in the vessel of the patient.

Abstract: A steerable catheter comprising a flexible elongate tubular member having proximal and distal extremity. A handle is secured to the proximal extremity tubular member said a lumen extending therethrough. A mandrel is slidably mounted in the lumen and extends into the distal extremity. A mechanism extends through the tubular member for causing bending of the distal extremity with respect to the mandrel disposed therein.

Abstract: Endocardial mapping and ablation system for introduction into a chamber of a heart formed by a wall and having a passage leading thereto. The system is comprised of a catheter probe having a distal extremity. A plurality of electrodes are carried by the distal extremity for mapping the wall of the chamber. An ablation catheter is provided having a distal extremity. The ablation catheter has control means whereby the distal extremity can be bent separately of movement of the catheter probe to come into close proximity to the wall of the heart. The distal extremity of the ablation catheter is provided with capabilities for ablating a portion of the wall of the heart to eliminate an arrythmia in the heart.

Abstract: An endocardial mapping apparatus for mapping the wall of a chamber of the heart having blood therein. The apparatus includes a flexible elongate tubular member having proximal and distal extremities and at least one lumen extending therethrough. A basket assembly is carried by the distal extremity of the flexible elongate tubular member and is movable between contracted and expanded positions. The basket assembly has a plurality of elongate flexible circumferentially spaced-apart arms with joined proximal and distal extremities and a plurality of longitudinally spaced-apart electrodes carried by each arm for engaging the wall of the heart. The arms have spaces therebetween when the basket assembly is in an expanded position. An elongate flexible rotatable member is rotatably coupled to the joined distal extremities and is disposed within the basket assembly. At least one electrode is carried by the rotatable member for engaging the wall of the heart.

Abstract: A catheter for radio frequent ablation of tissue which includes a flexible elongate member having proximal and distal extremities. The flexible elongate member is provided with a lumen in the distal extremity. A metal conducting electrode is secured to the distal extremity of the elongate member and has first and second extremities. The electrode is provided with a chamber therein which is in communication with the lumen. A conductor extends through the elongate member from the proximal to distal extremities for supplying radio frequency energy to the electrode. Coolant is disposed in the chamber and in contact with the electrode for dissipating heat created in the electrode by the application of radio frequency energy thereto. A sleeve made from an electrically insulating material extends over at least the first extremity of the electrode.

Abstract: Steerable catheter having an adjustable bend location comprising a flexible elongate tubular member having proximal and distal extremities. A plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart flexible elements are disposed in the distal extremity for causing bending of the distal extremity of the flexible elongate member. A bend positioner is disposed at the distal extremity of the flexible elongate member for selecting the location in the distal extremity of the flexible elongate tubular member where bending is to occur to thereby adjust the length of the flexible elongate member which extends beyond the bend.

Abstract: A device compressing a flexible elongate member having proximal and distal extremities and having a plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart elements having a characteristic disposed in the distal extremity. A control mechanism is secured to the proximal extremity of the flexible elongate member. The control mechanism has a housing adapted to be grasped by a human hand. A first control member is slidably mounted in the housing. A second control member is rotatably mounted in the housing. The first and second control members are accessible to the fingers of the human hand grasping the housing. Electrical circuitry couples the first and second control members to the elements whereby when the first and second control members are moved, the distal extremity of the flexible elongate member is moved in accordance with the positioning of the first and second control members.

Abstract: The mapping and/or ablation catheter for use in ablating the tissue in the wall forming a chamber in the heart comprising a flexible elongate tubular member having proximal and distal extremities, end cap formed of a conductive material mounted on the distal extremity of the flexible elongate tubular member, a fixation means carried by the end cap for engaging the wall of the heart and for retaining the end cap in a predetermined position on the wall of the heart during beating of the heart, said fixation means being movable between tissue engaging and disengaging positions. The means carried by the proximal extremity of the flexible elongate tubular member for moving the fixation means between the engaging and disengaging positions.

Abstract: A steerable catheter comprising a flexible elongate tubular member having proximal and distal extremities. A handle is secured to the proximal extremity. The tubular member has a lumen extending therethrough. A mandrel is slidably mounted in the lumen and extends into the distal extremity. A pull wire extends through the tubular member for causing bending of the distal extremity with respect to the mandrel disposed therein.

Abstract: Apparatus for mapping a wall of a heart forming a chamber in the heart comprising a guiding catheter having a lumen extending therethrough and a mapping catheter having a shaft that is slidably mounted in the lumen of the guiding catheter. A basket assembly is provided and is comprised of a plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart longitudinally extending arms having proximal and distal extremities. The proximal extremities of the arms are secured to the distal extremity of the shaft of the mapping catheter. Each of the arms includes a member formed of a material having a recoverable strain in excess of 1% and has an outwardly bowed shape memory. At least one electrode is provided on each of the arms. Conductors connected to the electrodes are carried by the arms.

Abstract: A flexible elongate strip assembly comprising at least one strip having a length and a plurality of longitudinally spaced-apart electrode structures carried by the strip. Each electrode structure is formed with a layer of an insulating material having substantially planar spaced-apart parallel outer and inner surfaces. Each layer of an insulating material is provided with a layer of a conductive material adhered to the inner surface and an opening extending between the outer and inner surfaces to expose at least a portion of the layer of a conductive material on the outer surface. A plurality of spaced-apart generally parallel traces are carried by the strip and extend longitudinally along the length thereof. Conductive elements are provided for connecting the traces to the layers of a conductive material. The exposed portion of the layer of a conductive material serves as a conductive surface for the electrode structure.

Abstract: A reusable medical device for performing an operation on a body. The device includes a flexible elongate member having proximal and distal extremities. The distal extremity is adapted to be inserted into the body for performing the operation therein and the proximal extremity is adapted to be disposed outside the body. At least one sensor for sensing a parameter relating to each use of the medical device and generating an electrical signal with respect to each use is provided. At least one memory device is carried by the proximal extremity for recording information relating to the use of the medical device to aid in determining whether the medical device is within warranty.

Abstract: A catheter for radio frequency ablation with a cooled electrode for use in tissue having a surface comprising an elongate member having proximal and distal extremities. A metal conducting electrode secured to the distal extremity of the elongate member and having a chamber therein. A conductor extends through the elongate member from the proximal to the distal extremity for supplying radio frequency energy to the electrode. The elongate member has a lumen in the distal extremity which is in communication with the chamber. A coolant is disposed in the chamber and in contact with the electrode for dissipating heat created in the electrode by the application of radio frequency energy thereto.

Abstract: An endocardial mapping catheter .?.for locating the ectopic focus of an abnormally functioning heart includes an actuator assembly and an elongated hollow support sheath which extends from the actuator assembly. A plurality of electrical probes are slidingly disposed for independent movement through the sheath, and each probe is attached to the actuator assembly for individual manipulation. A guide is mounted on the end of the sheath opposite the actuator assembly, at the distal end of the sheath, to radially deploy each electrical probe along a separate favorable trajectory as the probe is manipulated to move distally through the sheath. In operation, the probes are initially retracted into the sheath as the guide is positioned inside the left ventricle of the heart. Once the guide is positioned as desired, all of the probes are individually deployed until they have each made contact with the endocardium of the left ventricle.