Abstract: An apparatus for mapping the wall of a chamber of the heart. The apparatus includes a flexible elongate tubular member having proximal and distal extremities and at least one lumen extending therethrough. A plurality of longitudinally and radially spaced-apart electrodes are provided. An expandable device is carried by the distal extremity of the flexible elongate tubular member and is movable between a contracted position and an expanded position. The electrodes are mounted on the expandable device so that when the expandable device is moved to its expanded position in the chamber of the heart the electrodes are moved into engagement with the wall forming the chamber of the heart. Leads for conducting electrical energy are in contact with the electrodes and extend into the flexible elongate tubular member.

Abstract: Endocardial mapping and ablation system for introduction into a chamber of the heart formed by a wall and having a passage leading thereto comprising a catheter probe having a distal extremity adapted to be positioned in the chamber of the heart. The catheter probe is comprised of a plurality of flexible longitudinally extending circumferentially spaced-apart arms adapted to be disposed within the chamber of the heart. Electrodes are carried by the arms and are adapted to be moved into engagement with the wall of the heart. Markers visibly ultrasonically are carried by the arms for encoding the arms so that the one arm can be distinguished from another. An ablation catheter is carried by and is slidably mounted in the catheter probe and has a distal extremity movable into the chamber of the heart while the catheter probe is disposed therein.

Abstract: An endocardial mapping and/or ablation system for introduction into a chamber of a heart formed by a wail by passage through a lumen leading to a chamber in the heart having blood therein having a catheter probe with proximal and distal extremities. The catheter probe includes an elongate flexible tubular member having at least one lumen extending therethrough extending the length thereof and having a distal extremity. A plurality of electrodes are provided. A structure is provided which includes at least one arm having an outer surface carded by the flexible tubular member. The plurality of electrodes are secured to said at least one arm so that they extend solely from said outer surface.

Abstract: Endocardial mapping and/or ablation system for introduction into a chamber of the heart formed by a wall by passage through a lumen leading to the chamber in the heart having blood therein comprising a catheter probe with proximal and distal extremities and having an elongate tubular member with at least one lumen extending therethrough extending the length thereof and with a distal extremity. A plurality of longitudinally and radially spaced apart electrodes are provided. An expandable device is secured to the distal extremity of the flexible elongate tubular member and is movable between a contracted position and an expanded position. The electrodes are mounted on the expandable device whereby when the expandable device is moved to the expanded position in a chamber of the heart the electrodes are moved into engagement with the wall forming the chamber of the heart in which the expandable device is disposed.

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: An apparatus for performing an operation inside a body in the vicinity of a wall therein which 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. A pressure sensor is carried by the distal extremity of the flexible elongate tubular member for sensing the force being applied to the distal extremity in bringing it into engagement with the wall so that the force being applied to the distal extremity can be controlled.

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

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 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 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 proximal and distal extremities. A plurality of longitudinally spaced-apart electrodes are carried by each arm for engaging the wall of the heart. Spacing members coupled to the arms and extending between the arms are provided for establishing a desired substantially uniform circumferential spacing between the arms when the basket assembly is in expanded position in engagement with the wall of the heart. Openings are provided between the arms and the spacing members through which blood can flow.

Abstract: Catheter assembly for use in performing medical procedures in the body of a patient having a vessel therein comprising a multi-port introducer adapted to be inserted into a vessel of the patient and a plurality of catheters disposed in the multi-port introducer and adapted to be disposed in the vessel of the patient.

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: A catheter comprising a flexible elongate tubular member having proximal and distal extremities. A deflection tip is carried by the distal extremity of the flexible elongate member and has a curved deflecting surface. The flexible elongate member has a plurality of lumens therein extending through the distal extremity of the flexible elongate member and opening onto the curved deflecting surface of the deflecting tip. A plurality of arms are slidably mounted in the lumens. Each of the arms has a plurality of electrodes spaced-apart longitudinally thereon. A control mechanism is secured to the proximal extremity of the flexible elongate member and is coupled to the plurality of arms for moving the distal extremities of the arms into engagement with the deflection tip to cause the arms to deflect proximally and outwardly from the deflection tip.

Abstract: A catheter for use in radiofrequency ablation of the myocardium of the heart of a patient having a flexible elongate member with at least one lumen extending therethrough and having proximal and distal extremities. A needle-like electrode formed of a conducting material is mounted on the distal extremity of the flexible elongate member. A conductor extends through the lumen and is connected to the electrode. Radiofrequency energy is supplied to to said conductor and to the electrode to cause ablation of the myocardium.

Abstract: Endocardial mapping and/or ablation system for introduction into a chamber of the heart formed by a wall by passage through a lumen leading to the chamber in the heart having blood therein comprising a catheter probe with proximal and distal extremities and having an elongate tubular member with at least one lumen extending therethrough extending the length thereof and with a distal extremity. A plurality of longitudinally and radially spaced apart electrodes are provided. An expandable device is secured to the distal extremity of the flexible elongate tubular member and is movable between a contracted position and an expanded position. The electrodes are mounted on the expandable device whereby when the expandable device is moved to the expanded position in a chamber of the heart the electrodes are moved into engagement with the wall forming the chamber of the heart in which the expandable device is disposed.

Abstract: An endocardial catheter for mapping and/or ablation for use in a chamber of a heart defined by a wall comprising a flexible elongate tubular member having proximal and distal extremities. A basket assembly is mounted on the distal extremity of the flexible elongate member. The basket assembly is movable between expanded and contracted positions. The basket assembly has electrodes carried thereby which are adapted to be moved into engagement with the wall of the heart. A push-pull element is provided having proximal and distal extremities extending longitudinally of the tubular member and extending beyond the distal extremity of the tubular member and movable axially of the tubular member. The basket assembly has proximal and distal extremities. The proximal extremity of the basket assembly is secured to the distal extremity of the tubular member. The distal extremity of the basket assembly is secured to the distal extremity of the push-pull element.

Abstract: Endocardial mapping and/or ablation system for introduction into a chamber of the heart formed by a wall by passage through a lumen leading to the chamber in the heart having blood therein comprising a catheter probe with proximal and distal extremities and having an elongate tubular member with at least one lumen extending therethrough extending the length thereof and with a distal extremity. A plurality of longitudinally and radially spaced apart electrodes are provided. An expandable device is secured to the distal extremity of the flexible elongate tubular member and is movable between a contracted position and an expanded position. The electrodes are mounted on the expandable device whereby when the expandable device is moved to the expanded position in a chamber of the heart the electrodes are moved into engagement with the wall forming the chamber of the heart in which the expandable device is disposed.

Abstract: Catheter with a retractable cannula for delivering a plurality of chemicals comprising a flexible elongate member having a centrally disposed lumen and a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart lumens including first and second fluid passage lumens Flexible elongate member has proximal and distal extremities. An actuator member is slidably mounted in the centrally disposed lumen. Springs are disposed within the centrally disposed lumen and engage the actuator member for moving the actuator member between extended and retracted positions. A tool having a distal extremity is carried by the actuator member and has a flow passage therein extending through the distal extremity of the tool. First and second fittings are secured to the proximal extremity of the flexible elongate member and having passages therein in communication with the first and second fluid passage lumens in the flexible elongate element.

Abstract: Endocardial mapping and/or ablation system for introduction into a chamber of the heart formed by a wall by passage through a lumen leading to the chamber in the heart having blood therein comprising a catheter probe with proximal and distal extremities and having an elongate tubular member with at least one lumen extending therethrough extending the length thereof and with a distal extremity. A plurality of longitudinally and radially spaced apart electrodes are provided. An expandable device is secured to the distal extremity of the flexible elongate tubular member and is movable between a contracted position and an expanded position. The electrodes are mounted on the expandable device whereby when the expandable device is moved to the expanded position in a chamber of the heart the electrodes are moved into engagement with the wall forming the chamber of the heart in which the expandable device is disposed.

Abstract: Endocardial mapping and/or ablation system for introduction into a chamber of the heart formed by a wall by passage through a lumen leading to the chamber in the heart having blood therein comprising a catheter probe with proximal and distal extremities adn having an elongate tubular member with at least one lumen extending therethrough extending the length thereof and with a distal extremity. A plurality of longitudinally and radially spaced apart electrodes are provided. An expandable device is secured to the distal extemity of the flexible elongate tubular member and is movable between a contracted position and an expanded position. The electrodes are mounted on the expandable device whereby when the expandable device is moved to the expanded position in a chamber of the heart and electrodes are moved into engagement with the wall forming the chamber of the heart in which the expandable device is disposed.