Abstract: Described embodiments include an apparatus that includes an expandable structure, configured for insertion into a body of a subject, and a plurality of conducting elements coupled to the expandable structure. Each of the conducting elements comprises a respective coil and has an insulated portion that is electrically insulated from tissue of the subject, and an uninsulated portion configured to exchange signals with the tissue, while in contact with the tissue. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Described embodiments include an apparatus that includes an expandable structure, configured for insertion into a body of a subject, and a plurality of conducting elements coupled to the expandable structure. Each of the conducting elements comprises a respective coil and has an insulated portion that is electrically insulated from tissue of the subject, and an uninsulated portion configured to exchange signals with the tissue, while in contact with the tissue. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: An electrophysiology catheter includes an elongated support member with shape-memory as a first composite component and an elongated outer tubing as a second composite component, the support member defining a longitudinal axis of the catheter, the support member including a distal portion with a plurality of single-axis sensors, and the elongated outer tubing generally coextensive with the elongated support member, the tubing including a side wall surrounding a lumen through which the support member extends and joins with the outer tubing to form a catheter, the tubing including conductive wires embedded in the side wall and ring electrodes on an outer surface of the side wall, each ring electrode in conductive contact with a respective conductive wire.

Abstract: A catheter configured to guide and support a balloon catheter for use in and around a pulmonary vein and its ostium, has an elongated shaft and a distal assembly, the elongated shaft including a proximal portion with a first flexibility and a distal portion including a second flexibility greater than the first flexibility, the distal assembly including an elbow portion and a generally circular portion generally transverse to the longitudinal axis, the generally circular portion including a third flexibility greater than the second flexibility. Single axis location sensors and sensing ring electrodes are carried on the generally circular portion.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems, devices and methods for trans-septally delivering carbon dioxide through a minimally invasive catheter to create a gaseous pocket or emphysema between the posterior wall of the left atrium and the esophagus during cardiac ablation of the left atrium. This pocket of gas expanded tissue serves to thermally insulate and separate the esophagus from the left atrium during ablation to prevent esophageal damage and the formation of an atrial-esophageal fistula. The system comprises a control system to precisely deliver the gas to a desired location through a needle-based catheter assembly.

Abstract: A device for restraining a guide wire includes a base having a recessed formation configured to receive a portion of the guide wire, and a flexible lid configured to fit on the base. The lid has a main sheet portion covering the portion of the guide wire and a plurality of fingers separated by gaps and extending downwardly from a peripheral edge of the main sheet portion to surround the base. Sandwiched between the lid and base, the guide wire extends through gaps between the finger members. Constructed of sheet material, the lid is flexibly movable between a closed configuration wherein the fingers are flexed inwardly engaging the base, and an open configuration wherein the fingers are flexed outwardly releasing the base.

Abstract: A device for restraining a guide wire includes a base having a recessed formation configured to receive a portion of the guide wire, and a flexible lid configured to fit on the base. The lid has a main sheet portion covering the portion of the guide wire and a plurality of fingers separated by gaps and extending downwardly from a peripheral edge of the main sheet portion to surround the base. Sandwiched between the lid and base, the guide wire extends through gaps between the finger members. Constructed of sheet material, the lid is flexibly movable between a closed configuration wherein the fingers are flexed inwardly engaging the base, and an open configuration wherein the fingers are flexed outwardly releasing the base.

Abstract: Described embodiments include an apparatus that includes an expandable structure, configured for insertion into a body of a subject, and a plurality of conducting elements coupled to the expandable structure. Each of the conducting elements comprises a respective coil and has an insulated portion that is electrically insulated from tissue of the subject, and an uninsulated portion configured to exchange signals with the tissue, while in contact with the tissue. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Described embodiments include a catheter, which includes a plurality of splines at a distal end of the catheter, and a plurality of helical conducting elements disposed on the splines. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A catheter with ablation and potential sensing capabilities is adapted for outer circumferential contact with an opening of a tubular region and inner circumferential contact within the tubular region. The catheter has a proximal electrode assembly and a distal electrode assembly for ablation of an ostium and potential sensing inside the pulmonary vein so that it is possible to obtain ECG signals inside a pulmonary vein when ablating around the ostium. The distal electrode assembly has an elongated member defining a longitudinal axis and a plurality of spines surrounding the member and converging at their proximal and distal ends, where each spine has at least one electrode and a curvature so that the spine bows radially outwardly from the member.

Abstract: Apparatus, consisting of a catheter having a distal end and a predefined outer diameter. The apparatus also has a plurality of elastic filaments, each filament having at least one electrode fixed thereto and having two ends fixed within the catheter distal end to hold the filament as a loop. The loop intertwines with one or more other loops of the other filaments so that the plurality of the filaments forms an open lattice, which expands when uncompressed to a lattice diameter at least 5 times greater than the outer diameter of the catheter.

Abstract: A device for restraining a guide wire includes a base having a recessed formation configured to receive a portion of the guide wire, and a flexible lid configured to fit on the base. The lid has a main sheet portion covering the portion of the guide wire and a plurality of fingers separated by gaps and extending downwardly from a peripheral edge of the main sheet portion to surround the base. Sandwiched between the lid and base, the guide wire extends through gaps between the finger members. Constructed of sheet material, the lid is flexibly movable between a closed configuration wherein the fingers are flexed inwardly engaging the base, and an open configuration wherein the fingers are flexed outwardly releasing the base.

Abstract: A catheter with ablation and potential sensing capabilities is adapted for outer circumferential contact with an opening of a tubular region and inner circumferential contact within the tubular region. The catheter has a proximal electrode assembly and a distal electrode assembly for ablation of an ostium and potential sensing inside the pulmonary vein so that it is possible to obtain ECG signals inside a pulmonary vein when ablating around the ostium. The distal electrode assembly has an elongated member defining a longitudinal axis and a plurality of spines surrounding the member and converging at their proximal and distal ends, where each spine has at least one electrode and a curvature so that the spine bows radially outwardly from the member.

Abstract: A catheter with ablation and potential sensing capabilities is adapted for outer circumferential contact with an opening of a tubular region and inner circumferential contact within the tubular region. The catheter has a proximal electrode assembly and a distal electrode assembly for ablation of an ostium and potential sensing inside the pulmonary vein so that it is possible to obtain ECG signals inside a pulmonary vein when ablating around the ostium. The distal electrode assembly has an elongated member defining a longitudinal axis and a plurality of spines surrounding the member and converging at their proximal and distal ends, where each spine has at least one electrode and a curvature so that the spine bows radially outwardly from the member.

Abstract: A catheter with ablation and potential sensing capabilities is adapted for outer circumferential contact with an opening of a tubular region and inner circumferential contact within the tubular region. The catheter has a proximal electrode assembly and a distal electrode assembly for ablation of an ostium and potential sensing inside the pulmonary vein so that it is possible to obtain ECG signals inside a pulmonary vein when ablating around the ostium. The distal electrode assembly has an elongated member defining a longitudinal axis and a plurality of spines surrounding the member and converging at their proximal and distal ends, where each spine has at least one electrode and a curvature so that the spine bows radially outwardly from the member.