Abstract: An ablation catheter system, including a guiding/mapping catheter assembly and a laser catheter. The guiding/mapping catheter includes ring electrodes, tip electrodes, a moveable fixation wire, and a central catheter lumen for an ablation catheter. A laser catheter includes an optical fiber for passing laser energy, tip electrodes, an optical fiber port, and thermocouples on the end of hypodermic tubing.

Abstract: A laser catheter for irradiation of human myocardial tissue containing a movable feedback mechanism for monitoring the damage created by laser irradiation, and which is usable with standard catheters designed for angiography and angioplasty. Means for sensing distal temperature are provided in the form of a plurality of movable thermocouples, along with the ability to cool the fiber optic and distal tip with a flushing solution. Flushing of the area adjacent to the tip is provided for by a fluid which travels the length of the laser catheter.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for mapping of tachyarrhythmia, such as ventricular tachycardia. The apparatus is a mapping catheter which is a polymer member including a plurality of electrodes at a distal end. An upper ring is divided into at least bipolar poles for sensing endocardial potentials. A spaced lower unipolar ring senses intercardic potentials. The process provides for sensing of a QRS signal with the upper bipolar electrodes, and the unipolar ring provides for sensing of the EKG signal. The mapping catheter is of such a size that the mapping catheter can be inserted up and through a hand-held probe to steer and guide the mapping catheter. An interventional catheter will fit within the mapping catheter for ablation of arrhythmogenic sites. One embodiment is a laser delivery catheter which can include a fiber optic cable, a fixation wire, a metal sensing tip and an internal flushing lumen.

Abstract: A multi-fiber linear array laser catheter for use in irradiation of biological tissue where a circular laser beam is optically transformed to coincide with the cross-section of a linear array of optical fibers. The transformed laser beams are focused onto a linear connector and transmitted through a plurality of parallel optical fibers. Heat is extracted and drawn from the vicinity of the parallel optic fibers by metallic plates acting as heat sinks on opposing sides of the parallel optic fibers.

Abstract: A laser catheter for irradiation of human myocardial tissue containing a fixed feedback mechanism for monitoring the damage created by laser irradiation, and which is usable with standard catheters designed for angiography and angioplasty. Means for sensing distal temperature are provided in the form of a plurality of thermocouples, along with the ability to cool the fiber optic and distal tip with a flushing solution. Flushing of the area adjacent to the tip is provided for by a fluid which travels the length of the laser catheter. A dissolvable tip covering at the distal end facilitates passage of a very sharp point through a guiding catheter or vasculature.

Abstract: An inflation system for pressurization and depressurization of a balloon catheter. The inflation system includes a syringe, including a syringe barrel, a plunger with expandable thread, a handle with cam, a syringe end cap, and a digital pressure gauge. The syringe is structured such that part of the syringe barrel has an internal thread which engages the expandable threads of the plunger. In the disengaged mode, the plunger slides freely within the syringe barrel allowing for rapid motion to purge, pressurize, or depressurize the inflation system. Once pressure reaches a predetermined level in the system, the cam on the handle causes the threads to automatically lock against the syringe barrel, and continued pressurization or depressurization is accomplished by the rotation of the plunger handle with respect to the syringe barrel. One advantage of the inflation system is that only one step is necessary for locking the syringe for controlled pressurization and depressurization.

Abstract: An inflation system for pressurization and depressurization of a balloon catheter. The inflation system includes a syringe, including a syringe barrel, a plunger with expandable thread, a handle with cam, a syringe end cap, pressure gauge, flexible tubing, and connectors. The syringe is structured such that part of the syringe barrel has an internal thread which engages the expandable threads of the plunger. In the disengaged mode, the plunger slides freely within the syringe barrel allowing for rapid motion to purge, pressurize, or depressurize the inflation system. Once pressure reaches a predetermined level in the system, the cam on the handle causes the threads to automatically lock against the syringe barrel, and continued pressurization or depressurization is accomplished by the rotation of the plunger handle with respect to the syringe barrel. One advantage of the inflation system is that only one step is necessary for locking the syringe for controlled pressurization and depressurization.

Abstract: A balloon consisting of braided fibers encapsulated between two plastic elastomeric materials affixes to a distal end of a catheter. The braided fibers provide reinforcement to contain pressure and determine the maximum diameter of the balloon on expansion. The elastomeric material provides for fluid containment and collapsing of the balloon after pressurization. An embedded spring in an elastomeric material internal to the catheter provides memory to assist in collapsing the balloon after pressurization. The embedded spring extends from the distal end of the catheter towards the proximal end of the catheter along a substantial length of the catheter. The catheter with the balloon are in a multilumen configuration or in a coaxial configuration. A guidewire passage extends through the elastomeric material with the embedded spring.

Abstract: A balloon consisting of braided fibers encapsulated between two plastic elastomeric materials affixes to a distal end of a catheter. The braided fibers provide reinforcement to contain pressure and determine the maximum diameter of the balloon on expansion. The elastomeric material provides for fluid containment and collapsing of the balloon after pressurization. An embedded spring in an elastomeric material internal to the catheter provides memory to assist in collapsing the balloon after pressurization. The embedded spring extends from the distal end of the catheter towards the proximal end of the catheter along a substantial length of the catheter. The catheter with the balloon are in a multilumen configuration or in a coaxial configuration. A guidewire passage extends through the elastomeric material with the embedded spring.

Abstract: A hemostasis valve gasket for use in an introducer which is integrally formed from an elastomeric material so as to exhibit resiliency and which is designed to close about small diameter objects, such as a guide wire and about larger diameter objects such as a working catheter or guide catheter to prevent air or blood leakage. The gasket includes a proximal cylindrical member, a distal cylindrical member and a central member which is spaced in its center portion from the proximal and distal members by chambers or cavities. One of the proximal or distal cylindrical members has a bore of a relatively small diameter compared to that formed through the other and an angled slit is formed through the central member in general alignment with the bores formed through the outer proximal and distal cylindrical members.