Abstract: An electrode includes an electrically conductive member having a first surface oriented to face the skin of a patient when the electrode is placed on the skin of the patient. The electrode further includes a housing member. The electrode further includes an abrasive member configured to abrade the skin of the patient. The electrode further includes an integrated gripping portion configured to allow an operator to grip the gripping portion by hand and abrade the skin by moving the electrode using the gripping portion.

Abstract: An electrophysiology catheter with a distal electrode assembly having covered spine carrying a plurality of microelectrodes. One or more spines have preformed configurations including at least a first portion with a first curvature and a second portion with a second curvature, and may include a linear portion. The linear portion may be between the first and second portions. The linear portion may be distal of the first and second portions. One or more spines have a narrower portion so that different portions of the spine can have different flexibility with a degree of independence in flexibility from adjacent portions.

Abstract: An electrophysiologic catheter with a distal electrode assembly carrying very closely-spaced bipole microelectrodes on a plurality of divergent spines that can flexibly spread over tissue surface area minimized detection of undesirable noise, including far-field signals. Each spine has a flexible microelectrode panel having a substrate, at least one pair of microelectrodes, a trace for each microelectrode, and a soldering pad. Adjacent microelectrodes of a bipole pair are separated by a space gap distance ranging between about 50-300 microns. Each microelectrode may have a width of about 200 or 300 microns.

Abstract: An electrophysiology catheter constructed with assembly and wiring of ring electrodes using spacer rings of electrically-nonconductive material, whose length is predetermined/premeasured, includes a distal section with at least one spine having two electrodes, and a spacer member therebetween, wherein the spacer member configured to provide a separation gap between the two electrodes. The separation gap may span in an axial direction and/or in a circumferential direction. The spacer member may be configured generally as a ring with a center axial opening configured to receive the spine therethrough. The spacer member may include an axial extension providing a first separation gap between a first pair of electrodes in a circumferential direction, and a circumferential providing a second separation gap between a second pair of electrodes in an axial direction.

Abstract: A catheter with basket-shaped electrode assembly with spines configured for hyper-flexing in a predetermined, predictable manner when a compressive force acts on the assembly from either its distal end or its proximal end. At least one spine has at least one region of greater (or hyper) flexibility that allows the electrode assembly to deform, for example, compress, for absorbing and dampening excessive force that may otherwise cause damage or injury to tissue wall in contact with the assembly, without compromising the structure and stiffness of the remaining regions of the spine, including its distal and proximal regions. The one or more regions of greater flexibility in the spine allow the spine to flex into a generally V-shape configuration or a generally U-shape configuration.

Abstract: A catheter adapted or high density mapping and/or ablation of tissue surface has a distal electrode array with offset spine loops, each spine loop having at least a pair of linear portions and a distal portion connecting the pair of linear portions, and one or more electrodes on each linear portion. The linear portions of the plurality of offset spine loops are arranged in-plane a single common plane, and the distal portions of the plurality of offset spine loops are arranged off-plane from the single common plane.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a physiological recording device, or other types of sensors to detect a biopotential, and more particularly, a physiological recording electrode that can be used without skin preparation or the use of electrolytic gels. The invention is further directed to the configurations of structures on the physiological recording electrode's lower surface. The structures having a length, width, and height, which are capable, at least in part, of transmitting an electric potential from the skin which can be measured. The structures may or may not limit the depth of application, and/or anchor the electrode or other device during normal application, and/or allow for uniform application of the electrode or other device over unprepared skin.

Abstract: High-density mapping catheters with an array of mapping electrodes are disclosed. These catheters can be used for diagnosing and treating cardiac arrhythmias, for example. The catheters are adapted to contact tissue and comprise a flexible framework including the electrode array. The array of electrodes may be formed from a plurality of columns of longitudinally-aligned and rows of laterally-aligned electrodes.

Abstract: An electrophysiology catheter with a distal electrode assembly having covered spine carrying a plurality of microelectrodes. The position of the microelectrodes on each spine is staggered relative to microelectrodes on adjacent spines so as to minimize the risk of electrodes on adjacent spines touching each other during use of the catheter. The staggered electrode configuration provides the distal electrode assembly with a greater effective contact surface because the effective concentric electrode arrays is increased or at least doubled.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method, device, and system for improved mapping and/or ablation of a tissue. The device may generally include an elongate body and a distal assembly affixed to the elongate body that includes a treatment electrode having a conductive mapping region and a selectively conductive ablation region that is conductive of high-frequency current and substantially non-conductive of low-frequency current. Alternatively, the device may generally include a treatment electrode having a conductive mapping or ablation region and a region that is coated with an electrically insulated but thermally conductive layer.

Abstract: A catheter adapted for greater mapping resolution and location precision has a basket-shaped, high density electrode assembly for large-area mapping, and an integrated distal tip providing an array of ultra-high density microelectrodes for acute focal mapping. The basket-shaped electrode assembly 18 has a plurality of electrode-carrying spines and the distal tip has a nonmetallic, electrically insulating substrate body with indentations in which microelectrodes are positioned in a manner that the outer surface is generally flush with the outer surface of the substrate body to present a generally smooth, atraumatic distal tip profile.

Abstract: A wearable electrocardiography monitoring ensemble is provided. A first receptacle is defined in a wearable garment by two horizontal bands placed across the wearable garment. A second receptacle is defined by two further horizontal bands positioned across the wearable garment under the first receptacle. A first electrode assembly is positioned within the first receptacle and includes a backing with an electrical connection having an electrode on one end of the electrical connection and terminated at the other end of the electrical connection to connect with a monitor recorder. A second electrode assembly is positioned within the second receptacle and includes a backing with an electrical connection having an electrode on one end of the electrical connection and terminated at the other end of the electrical connection to connect with a further monitor recorder, wherein the first and second electrodes are aligned longitudinally in the wearable garment.

Abstract: A device, system, and method for mapping myocardial tissue, such as epicardial tissue on the right ventricle. A system for mapping myocardial tissue may include a mapping device having a distal portion that includes a distal assembly sized and configured to be positioned within the pericardial space. The distal assembly may include an expandable shell, at least one inflatable or expandable element within the expandable shell, and a mapping electrode assembly. Inflation or expansion of the at least one inflatable or expandable element, and therefore expansion of the expandable shell, within the pericardial space may provide sufficient force of the mapping electrodes against the myocardial tissue being mapped. The system may also include a delivery sheath with a retention element for controllably retracting the device within the sheath during delivery and removal of the device from the pericardial space.

Abstract: A flexible catheter includes an elongated body, and a sensor. The elongated body has proximal and distal end portions and defines a working channel therethrough. The sensor is disposed in the distal end portion of the elongated body and is adapted for detecting the position of a distal end of the elongated body within the anatomy of a patient. The sensor is formed from a wire that forms a first layer of wraps about the distal end portion of the elongated body and that includes first and second leads that form a twisted pair proximal to the first layer of wraps. The twisted pair of the first and second leads extends to the proximal end portion of the elongated body.

Abstract: An electrophysiology catheter is provided. In one embodiment, the catheter includes an elongate, deformable shaft having a proximal end and a distal end and a basket electrode assembly coupled to the distal end of the shaft. The basket electrode assembly has a proximal end and a distal end and is configured to assume a compressed state and an expanded state. The electrode assembly further includes one or more tubular splines having a plurality of electrodes disposed thereon and a plurality of conductors. Each of the plurality of conductors extends through the tubular spline from a corresponding one of the plurality of electrodes to the proximal end of the basket electrode assembly. The tubular splines are configured to assume a non-planar (e.g., a twisted or helical) shape in the expanded state.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a catheter having a multi-electrode assembly with a high electrode density. The multi-electrode assembly may be a basket-shaped electrode assembly or a brush-shaped electrode assembly each having a plurality of spines. Each spine includes a flexible wire core of a shape memory material. The flexible wires may have variable cross-section s to control the movement and stiffness of the spines.

Abstract: A catheter includes a tip electrode with a shell and a support member to provide a plenum chamber. The support member is formed with a U-shaped passage for a safety line to wrap around and secure the support member (with the shell affixed thereto) to the catheter. Additional passages are formed in the support member to accommodate components such as irrigation tubing, lead wires and a thermocouple wire pair. A method of manufacture provides distal installation and/or anchoring of the safety line, lead wire and thermocouple wire pair in the support member prior to sealing the support member and mounting the shell.

Abstract: A catheter has a multifunctional “virtual” tip electrode with a porous substrate and a multitude of surface microelectrodes. The surface microelectrodes are in close proximity to each other and in a variety of configurations so as to sense tissue for highly localized intracardiac signal detection, and high density local electrograms and mapping. The porous substrate allows for flow of conductive fluid for ablating tissue. The surface microelectrodes can be formed via a metallization process that allows for any shape or size and close proximity, and the fluid “weeping” from the porous substrate provides more uniform irrigation in the form of a thin layer of saline. The delivery of RF power to the catheter tip is based on the principle of “virtual electrode,” where the conductive saline flowing through the porous tip acts as the electrical connection between the tip electrode and the heart surface.

Abstract: An electrophysiology catheter having an electrode sleeve mounted on a distal section, the electrode sleeve comprising an electrically-nonconductive band and a plurality of discrete electrodes, the band extending circumferentially around the distal section, each discrete electrode occupying a different radial position around the band. The catheter includes a plurality of lead wires extending through the elongated body and the deflection section, and into the distal section, each lead wire passing through a respective aperture formed in the sidewall of the tubing of the distal section, each wire being connected at its distal end to a respective discrete electrode.

Abstract: An electrophysiology catheter with a distal electrode assembly having covered spine carrying a plurality of microelectrodes. The spines have nonconductive covers that are reinforced with tensile members, e.g., wires or fibers, that extend (or have portions that extend) longitudinally so as to minimize any elongation of the covers and the microelectrodes carried thereon. The tensile members may also have a length greater than the length of the spines so the proximal portions extend proximally from the spines, through the catheter and at least into the control handle for actuation by an operator for deflecting and moving the spines, like “fingers.