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 section 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 shaft section 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.

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: This invention is directed to an intraluminal catheter, such as a dilatation catheter for angioplasty procedures, having a inner lumen which is adapted to receive a guidewire therein and to deliver inflation liquid to an inflatable member and which is provided with sealing means to prevent the loss of inflation fluid through the guidewire port in the distal end of the catheter. The sealing means is actuated by inflation fluid under pressure which is introduced into the interior of the guidewire receiving inner lumen.