Abstract: The present invention relates to a system adapted to position an ablation catheter at a location where a pulmonary vein extends from an atrium. The system includes a deflection device and a sheath and optionally uses a guidewire. An ablation catheter is disclosed for use with the positioning system, wherein the deflection device and the sheath cooperate so as to facilitate positioning of the catheter at the location.

Abstract: A medical device assembly and method provides an ultrasound transducer mounted onto a catheter shaft. The ultrasound transducer is mounted such that there is a radial separation between the transducer and the underlying catheter shaft. The transducer is mounted on support structures which do not bridge the gap between the transducer and delivery member. The location of the support structures provides for an “airbacked” transducer that is very efficient and prevents heat build-up in the materials in contact therewith.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an anchor device comprising an elongated tubular body having an expandable member disposed on its distal end portion. The invention also relates to a system adapted to position and anchor the distal end of an ablation device at a location where a pulmonary vein extends from the atrium.

Abstract: A tissue ablation catheter for forming a lesion along a substantially circumferential region of tissue is described. The catheter includes one or more sensors for monitoring the temperature of the tissue being ablated. The temperature sensors are mounted on the interior or exterior of an expandable member that is affixed to a shaft of the catheter.

Abstract: A medical device assembly and method provides an ultrasound transducer mounted onto a catheter shaft. The ultrasound transducer is mounted such that there is a radial separation between the transducer and the underlying catheter shaft. The transducer is mounted on support structures which do not bridge the gap between the transducer and delivery member. The location of the support structures provides for an “airbacked” transducer that is very efficient and prevents heat build-up in the materials in contact therewith.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an anchor device comprising an elongated tubular body having an expandable member disposed on its distal end portion. The invention also relates to a system adapted to position and anchor the distal end of an ablation device at a location where a pulmonary vein extends from the atrium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system adapted to position an ablation catheter at a location where a pulmonary vein extends from an atrium. The system optimally comprises a deflectable guidewire and a sheath. An ablation catheter is disclosed for use with the positioning system, wherein the deflectable guidewire and the sheath cooperate so as to facilitate positioning of the catheter at the location.

Abstract: A tissue ablation catheter for forming a lesion along a substantially circumferential region of tissue is described. The catheter includes one or more sensors for monitoring the temperature of the tissue being ablated. The temperature sensors are mounted on the interior or exterior of an expandable member that is affixed to a shaft of the catheter.

Abstract: A tissue ablation device assembly ablates a region of tissue in a body of a patient. The tissue ablation device assembly comprises an elongated body having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. A tubular porous membrane having a porous wall with an inner surface that defines an inner space is located along the distal end portion of the elongated body. An ablation element is disposed over the porous membrane, with the ablation element having a fixed position with respect to the porous membrane. A fluid passageway extending through the elongated body and communicates with the inner space. The fluid passageway is adapted to be fluidly coupled to a pressurizeable fluid source for delivering a volume of pressurized fluid from the fluid source to the inner space. The porous membrane allows at least a substantial portion of the volume of pressurized fluid to pass through the porous wall for enhancing ablative coupling between the electrode and the region of tissue.

Abstract: A tissue ablation device assembly ablates a region of tissue of a body space wall of a patient. In a tissue ablation device assembly, an ablation member is disposed on the distal end portion of an elongated body. The ablation member includes an ablation element and at least one conductor coupled to the ablation element. A porous membrane covers the ablation element and defines an inner space between the ablation element and an inner surface of the porous membrane. A pressurizable fluid passageway extends between a fluid port on the proximal end portion of the elongated body and the inner space within the porous membrane. Fluid can pass from the fluid port, through the pressurizable fluid passageway, to the inner space. The porous membrane allows a volume of pressurized fluid to pass through the porous membrane to an exterior of the ablation member so as to irrigate the ablation element.

Abstract: This invention relates to a surgical device and method. More particularly, it relates to a tissue ablation device assembly and method using a circumferential ablation member in combination with a position monitoring assembly in order to position the circumferential ablation member along a circumferential region of tissue at a location where a pulmonary vein extends from a left atrium.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for attaching a sensor to an inflatable balloon. The method involves bonding the sensor to the balloon with an adhesive while the balloon is in an expanded state and then collapsing the balloon after the adhesive has at least partially cured. The method reduces the possibility of a failure of the bond between the sensor and the balloon. The method is particularly useful in the construction of a tissue ablation catheter for forming a lesion along a substantially circumferential region of tissue wherein a sensor is used for monitoring the temperature of the tissue being ablated.

Abstract: A medical device assembly and method provides an ultrasound transducer mounted onto a catheter shaft. The ultrasound transducer is mounted such that there is a radial separation between the transducer and the underlying catheter shaft. The transducer is mounted on support structures which do not bridge the gap between the transducer and delivery member. The location of the support structures provides for an “airbacked” transducer that is very efficient and prevents heat build-up in the materials in contact therewith.

Abstract: An intravascular device for the formation of linear lesions which has particular utility in the treatment of atrial fibrillation and flutter. The intravascular device has an outer delivery member with a distal section which has an elongated opening and a support element coextending with the opening. An EP device having a plurality of electrodes on its distal section is slidably disposed within the inner lumen of the delivery member but it is secured by its distal end within the distal extremity of the delivery member at least while in operation. In this manner an axial force in the proximal direction on the proximal extremity of the EP device, which extends out of the patient during the procedure, will cause the distal shaft section of the EP device to arch outwardly out of and away from the distal section of the delivery shaft along an inner side of the curved distal section and engage the surface of the patient's heart chamber.

Abstract: An intravascular device for the formation of linear lesions which has particular utility in the treatment of atrial fibrillation and flutter. The intravascular device has an outer delivery member with a distal section which has an elongated opening and a support element coextending with the opening. An EP device having a plurality of electrodes on its distal section is slidably disposed within the inner lumen of the delivery member but it is secured by its distal end within the distal extremity of the delivery member at least while in operation. In this manner an axial force in the proximal direction on the proximal extremity of the EP device, which extends out of the patient during the procedure, will cause the distal shaft section of the EP device to arch outwardly out of and away from the distal section of the delivery shaft along an inner side of the curved distal section and engage the surface of the patient's heart chamber.

Abstract: A low profile intravascular electrophysiology (EP) device for the formation of linear lesions which has particular utility in the treatment of atrial fibrillation and flutter. The EP device of the invention has an elongated shaft with a proximal section, a distal section, and a plurality of at least partially exposed electrodes disposed on an outer surface of the distal section. The electrodes are spaced along a length of the distal section with at least one temperature sensor located between adjacent electrodes. High frequency, e.g. RF, electrical energy delivered to the electrodes on the distal shaft section of the EP device will form a linear lesion which terminates the fibrillation or flutter.

Abstract: An intravascular device for the formation of linear lesions which has particular utility in the treatment of atrial fibrillation and flutter. The intravascular device has an outer delivery sheath with a distal section which has an elongated opening and a support member coextending with the opening. An EP device having a plurality of electrodes on its distal portion is slidably disposed within the inner lumen of the delivery sheath but it is secured by its distal end within the distal extremity of the delivery sheath at least while in operation. In this manner an axial force in the distal direction on the proximal extremity of the EP device, which extends out of the patient during the procedure, will cause the distal portion of the EP device to arch outwardly out of and away from the distal section of the delivery shaft and engage the surface of the patient's heart chamber. High frequency, e.g.

Abstract: An over-the-wire electrophysiology catheter which has an emitting electrode on the distal tip electrically connected to a source of high frequency electrical energy. The intravascular device is configured to be advanced through a patient's cardiac veins or coronary arteries and preferably is also provided with sensing electrodes for detecting electrical activity of the patient's heart from within a blood vessel of the heart. The device forms large lesions in tissue adjacent to the blood vessel in which the device is located without significantly damaging the blood vessel to effectively terminate signals causing arrhythmia.

Abstract: An over-the-wire electrophysiology catheter which has an emitting electrode on the distal tip electrically connected to a source of high frequency electrical energy. The intravascular device is configured to be advanced through a patient's cardiac veins or coronary arteries and preferably is also provided with sensing electrodes for detecting electrical activity of the patient's heart from within a blood vessel of the heart. The device forms large lesions in tissue adjacent to the blood vessel in which the device is located without significantly damaging the blood vessel to effectively terminate signals causing arrhythmia.

Abstract: An electrophysiology catheter assembly having a deflection mechanism rotatably disposed within an inner lumen of the catheter so that deflection of the deflection mechanism within the inner lumen results in a deflection of the distal portion of the catheter. Rotation of the deflection mechanism within the inner lumen of the catheter allows universal deflection of the distal portion of the catheter about its longitudinal axis. The deflection mechanism may be first rotated and then deflected or it may be first deflected and then rotated in a deflected condition. The catheter shaft does not need to be rotated to change the shape of its distal portion.