Abstract: A method for manufacturing an implantable lead includes forming an elongated lead body core that defines a longitudinal axis. The elongated lead body core has a plurality of axially extending channels that are circumferentially spaced apart from one another around the elongated lead body core. The method also includes positioning an electrode ring around the elongated lead body core and electrical conductors. The method includes positioning a respective electrical conductor in each of the axially extending channels and positioning a dielectric insulator ring around the elongated lead body core and electrical conductors.

Abstract: A vascular introducer system includes a first vascular introducer having an elongated first deflectable catheter sheath defining a lumen having an interior surface with an inner diameter. A tubular insert having a polygonal cross-section is associated with the interior lumen of the first catheter sheath. The system includes a second vascular introducer having an elongated second deflectable catheter sheath defining an exterior surface with an outer diameter that is less than the inner diameter of the interior surface of the first catheter sheath.

Abstract: A deflectable vascular catheter includes a proximal handle assembly, an elongated sheath extending distally from the proximal handle assembly and including a deflectable distal end portion, an actuation mechanism operatively associated within an interior cavity of the proximal handle assembly for deflecting the distal end portion of the sheath, an anchor ring located at a distal end of the deflectable distal end portion of the sheath, and a pull wire extending from the actuation mechanism to the anchor ring. The pull wire has a non-circular cross-section and is laser welded to an exterior surface of the anchoring ring.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a medical introducer includes placing an introducer sheath onto a mandrel, and overmolding an introducer hub onto a proximal end of the introducer sheath. The introducer sheath has one or more score lines formed on an inner surface and the mandrel has a number of surface protrusions so that when the introducer sheath is positioned on the mandrel, each of the surface protrusions contacts one of the score lines formed on the introducer sheath. The surface protrusions on the mandrel prevent plastic material from the introducer hub from contacting the score lines thereby maintaining the score lines during the overmolding.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a medical introducer includes placing an introducer sheath onto a mandrel, and overmolding an introducer hub onto a proximal end of the introducer sheath. The introducer sheath has one or more score lines formed on an inner surface and the mandrel has a number of surface protrusions so that when the introducer sheath is positioned on the mandrel, each of the surface protrusions contacts one of the score lines formed on the introducer sheath. The surface protrusions on the mandrel prevent plastic material from the introducer hub from contacting the score lines thereby maintaining the score lines during the overmolding.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a medical introducer includes placing an introducer sheath onto a mandrel, and overmolding an introducer hub onto a proximal end of the introducer sheath. The introducer sheath has one or more score lines formed on an inner surface and the mandrel has a number of surface protrusions so that when the introducer sheath is positioned on the mandrel, each of the surface protrusions contacts one of the score lines formed on the introducer sheath. The surface protrusions on the mandrel prevent plastic material from the introducer hub from contacting the score lines thereby maintaining the score lines during the overmolding.

Abstract: A steerable high voltage catheter is disclosed that includes a handle assembly, a shaft extending distally from the handle assembly, an electrode assembly operatively associated with a distal end portion of the shaft for delivering high voltage energy to cardiac tissue, a plurality of conductive wires extending from the handle assembly, through the shaft to the electrode assembly to carry high voltage energy thereto, and a rotatable steering mechanism within the handle assembly that is adapted and configured to deflect the distal end portion of the tubular shaft.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a medical introducer includes placing an introducer sheath onto a mandrel, and overmolding an introducer hub onto a proximal end of the introducer sheath. The introducer sheath has one or more score lines formed on an inner surface and the mandrel has a number of surface protrusions so that when the introducer sheath is positioned on the mandrel, each of the surface protrusions contacts one of the score lines formed on the introducer sheath. The surface protrusions on the mandrel prevent plastic material from the introducer hub from contacting the score lines thereby maintaining the score lines during the overmolding.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an implantable lead including a cuff is disclosed. The method includes partially curing a first silicone electrode cover, embedding electrodes within the first silicone electrode cover, partially curing a second silicone electrode cover, placing the first silicone electrode in a face-to-face relationship with the second silicone electrode cover to form an assembly, forming the assembly into a desired shape against a shim, placing an assembly within a canister to control an outer expansion, and curing the assembly.

Abstract: An intravascular catheter system for cardiac mapping is disclosed which includes a housing having opposed proximal and distal portions, an elongated catheter shaft operatively associated with the distal portion of the housing, an elongated electrical conduit operatively associated with the proximal portion of the housing and an elongated irrigation conduit operatively associated with the proximal portion of the housing, wherein an irrigated basket assembly is operatively associated with a distal end portion of the catheter shaft and it includes a plurality of circumferentially arranged electrically insulated tubular splines each having a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart mapping electrodes thereon.

Abstract: A catheter assembly can include an elongated catheter having opposed proximal and distal end portions and having an axial lumen extending therethrough, the axial lumen configured to accommodate electrical wires. The assembly can include a distal electrode array configured to have a basket shape in a deployed position and configured to collapse in a collapsed position, the distal electrode array configured to extend from the distal end portion of the elongated catheter in the deployed position and to be selectively contained within the axial lumen or other sheath in the collapsed position.

Abstract: A medical device including an elongated tubular body having opposed proximal and distal end portions and defining a longitudinal axis, the elongated tubular body including an interior lumen extending therethrough, wherein an inner surface of the interior lumen includes at least one longitudinal depression formed therein, configured to provide pressure relief to accommodate movement of a medical device passing through the interior lumen.

Abstract: A deflectable guiding catheter that includes a proximal handle assembly, an elongated catheter shaft extending distally from the proximal handle assembly and including a deflectable distal end portion, a drive mechanism within the proximal handle assembly for steering the deflectable distal end portion of the catheter shaft, an anchor ring positioned adjacent a distal end of the catheter shaft, an elongated pull wire extending from the drive mechanism and connected to the anchor ring, a braided sleeve extending from a proximal end of the catheter shaft to a proximal end of the anchor ring, and a containment ring positioned over a distal end portion of the braided sleeve at the proximal end of the anchor ring.

Abstract: A deflectable catheter is disclosed that includes a proximal handle, an elongated catheter shaft extending distally from the proximal handle and including a deflectable distal end portion, a drive mechanism associated with the proximal handle for deflecting the distal end portion of the catheter shaft between a first position where the distal end portion of the catheter shaft is aligned with an axis of the catheter shaft and a second position where the distal end portion of the catheter shaft is deflected angularly away from the axis of the catheter shaft, and indicator means associated with the drive mechanism for providing a visual indication of the position of the drive mechanism, which corresponds to a degree of curved deflection of the deflectable distal end portion of the catheter shaft.

Abstract: A deflectable vascular catheter is disclosed which includes a proximal handle assembly, an elongated sheath extending distally from the proximal handle assembly and including a deflectable distal end portion, an actuation mechanism operatively associated within an interior cavity of the proximal handle assembly for deflecting the distal end portion of the sheath, an anchor ring located at a distal end of the deflectable distal end portion of the sheath, and a pull wire extending from the actuation mechanism to the anchor ring, wherein the pull wire has a non-circular cross-section and is laser welded to an exterior surface of the anchoring ring.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an implantable lead includes forming an elongated lead body core that defines a longitudinal axis. The elongated lead body core has a plurality of axially extending channels that are circumferentially spaced apart from one another around the elongated lead body core. The method also includes positioning an electrode ring around the elongated lead body core and electrical conductors. The method includes positioning a respective electrical conductor in each of the axially extending channels and positioning a dielectric insulator ring around the elongated lead body core and electrical conductors.

Abstract: A catheter is disclosed for performing ultraviolet light therapy in a pulmonary system of a patient, which includes a catheter body having opposed proximal and distal end portions, a handle assembly operatively associated with the proximal end portion of the catheter body, an illumination assembly operatively associated with the distal end portion of the catheter body and including an LED light source for generating UVC radiation, wherein the illumination assembly includes a coupler connecting the LED light source with the distal end portion of the catheter body, and an elongated braided sleeve disposed within the catheter body, wherein the coupler is adapted to transfer heat from the illumination assembly to the braided sleeve, such that the braided sleeve serves as a heat sink for the illumination assembly.

Abstract: A vascular introducer is disclosed that includes a proximal housing defining an axial passageway, a body portion extending distally from the proximal housing and defining an axial bore in communication with the axial passageway of the proximal housing, and an elongated tubular sheath extending distally from the axial bore of the body portion and defining a central lumen, wherein the axial bore of the body portion and the central lumen of the tubular sheath are adapted and configured to transition between a first inner diameter and a second inner diameter in response to introduction of a dilator having an outer diameter that is greater than the first inner diameter of the axial bore of the body portion and the central lumen of the tubular sheath.