Abstract: An integrated electrode structure can comprise a catheter shaft comprising a proximal end and a distal end, the catheter shaft defining a catheter shaft longitudinal axis. A flexible tip portion can be located adjacent to the distal end of the catheter shaft, the flexible tip portion comprising a flexible framework. A plurality of microelectrodes can be disposed on the flexible framework and can form a flexible array of microelectrodes adapted to conform to tissue. A plurality of conductive traces can be disposed on the flexible framework, each of the plurality of conductive traces can be electrically coupled with a respective one of the plurality of microelectrodes.

Abstract: An apparatus for cooling tissue or a fluid for an elongate medical device comprising an elongate shaft extending along a longitudinal axis and comprising a shaft proximal end and a shaft distal end; a support structure located at the shaft distal end, where the support structure is expandable from a contracted state to an expanded state, and a plurality of thermoelectric elements, wherein the thermoelectric elements are located on the support structure. A medical device comprising a first catheter end shape, a second catheter end shape located distally with respect to the first catheter end shape, a support structure that extends between the first and the second catheter end shape, and a plurality of thermoelectric elements. A system for cooling a tissue or a fluid for an elongate medical device, comprising a plurality of thermoelectric elements, a thermocouple, an electronic control unit (ECU).

Abstract: An electrophysiology catheter includes a catheter body and at least one porous electrode. The porous electrode is formed by forming a substrate of a first more noble metal and forming an alloy on the substrate. The alloy includes a second more noble metal and a less noble metal. The alloy is de-alloyed to form a porous matrix consisting essentially of the second more noble metal. The more noble metals can be gold, copper, and/or platinum, while the less noble metal can be silver, zinc, and/or lead.

Abstract: An integrated electrode structure can comprise a catheter shaft comprising a proximal end and a distal end, the catheter shaft defining a catheter shaft longitudinal axis. A flexible tip portion can be located adjacent to the distal end of the catheter shaft, the flexible tip portion comprising a flexible framework. A plurality of microelectrodes can be disposed on the flexible framework and can form a flexible array of microelectrodes adapted to conform to tissue. A plurality of conductive traces can be disposed on the flexible framework, each of the plurality of conductive traces can be electrically coupled with a respective one of the plurality of microelectrodes.

Abstract: The instant disclosure relates to electrophysiology catheters for tissue ablation within a cardiac muscle. In particular, the instant disclosure relates to an ablation balloon and catheter shaft that deflects to conform to a shape of a target pulmonary vein receiving ablation therapy for a cardiac arrhythmia, for example. The deflection of the catheter shaft enables a lesion line along a circumference of the target pulmonary vein with improved consistency.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a unibody intravascular catheter shaft with benefits which may include a reduced diameter, and independently tunable torquability, flexibility, and pushability characteristics. While various embodiments of the present disclosure may be directed to an entire catheter shaft, various specific embodiments of the present disclosure may be directed to a unibody shaft design, which may be implemented in a portion of a catheter shaft. For example, the unibody shaft design may be advantageously implemented in a proximal shaft portion. Moreover, various embodiments of the present disclosure utilize a modular unibody design, which may be utilized for various catheter shaft applications using an outer polymer layer with variable thickness and durometer to achieve application-specific performance characteristics (e.g., catheter shaft flex).

Abstract: Medical devices and systems comprising electrical traces are provided. The medical device comprises a sheath body (120) comprising an inner wall, an outer wall, and a central major lumen (20) extending through the sheath body (120) along a longitudinal axis. The central major lumen is defined by the inner wall. The medical device further comprises at least one outer lumen (38) extending through said sheath body, wherein the at least one outer lumen (38) is disposed between the inner wall and the outer wall, at least one electrode (14) coupled to a distal portion of said sheath body (120), and at least one electrical trace (44). Each of the at least one electrodes (14) is coupled to at least one electrical trace (44), and the electrical trace (44) is disposed between the inner wall and the outer wall.

Abstract: The instant disclosure relates to electrophysiology catheters for tissue ablation within a cardiac muscle. In particular, the instant disclosure relates to an electrophysiology catheter that conforms to a shape of a pulmonary vein receiving ablation therapy for a cardiac arrhythmia and produces a consistent tissue ablation line along a length and circumference of the pulmonary venous tissue.

Abstract: Aspects of the instant disclosure relate to an electrophysiological catheter system for performing diagnostics and therapies within a cardiac muscle; more specifically, to a wireless force sensor, mounted to an external surface of a catheter shaft, that detects force exerted on a catheter tip and wirelessly transmits a signal indicative of the sensed force to a wireless transceiver in proximity thereto.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides electroporation systems, methods of controlling electroporation systems to limit electroporation arcs through intracardiac catheters, and catheters for electroporation systems. One method of controlling an electroporation system including a direct current (DC) energy source, a return electrode connected to the DC energy source, and a catheter connected to the DC energy source is disclosed. The catheter has a at least one catheter electrode. The method includes positioning the return electrode near a target location within a body and positioning the catheter electrode adjacent the target location within the body. A system impedance is determined with the return electrode positioned near the target location and the catheter electrode positioned within the body. The system impedance is adjusted to a target impedance to arcing from the catheter electrode.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to flexible high-density mapping catheters with a high-density array of mapping electrodes. These mapping catheters may be used to detect electrophysiological characteristics of tissue in contact with the electrodes, and may be used to diagnose cardiac conditions, such as cardiac arrhythmias for example.

Abstract: A steerable introducer has a proximal end and a distal end, and includes a steerable sheath having a proximal end and a distal end. The steerable sheath includes an outer layer extending from the proximal end to the distal end of the steerable sheath, and an inner liner disposed within the outer layer and extending from the proximal end to the distal end of the steerable sheath. A first pair of pull wires is disposed between the inner liner and the outer layer, and extends from the proximal end to the distal end of the steerable sheath. A second pair of pull wires is disposed between the inner liner and the outer layer and extends from the proximal end to the distal end of the steerable sheath.

Abstract: A medical device includes a body and at least one electrode disposed thereon. The electrode includes a metallic substrate, such as a platinum group metal, an alloy of platinum group metals, or gold. The surface of the substrate is modified in a manner that increases its effective surface area without inducing bulk heating. For example, the surface of the substrate can be laser textured and/or coated, such as with titanium nitride or iridium oxide.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a high capacity medical device connector utilizing flexible circuits. The use of flexible circuits allows for increased channel capacity for use with future designs and capabilities of medical devices. The assembly may include pre-mounted electrical components. The connector may be designed to connect two flexible circuits. The connector may also be designed to connect a flexible circuit with existing technology, such as a pin-to-socket connector.

Abstract: A modular multi-electrode structure for use with an electrophysiology device includes a plurality of interconnected, non-conductive, tubular substrates. Each non-conductive, tubular substrate includes an outer surface and a conductor disposed on the outer surface, as well as at least one signal conductor extending along a length of the interconnected plurality of non-conductive tubular substrates. The conductor disposed on the outer surface of each non-conductive tubular substrate is in electrical communication with the at least one signal conductor. In some embodiments, the plurality of non-conductive tubular substrates includes a plurality of non-conductive polymeric substrates. In alternative embodiments, the plurality of non-conductive tubular substrates includes a plurality of non-conductive, unitary molded cylinders.

Abstract: A partially-masked electrode includes a conductive material and an insulated coating having an outer surface. The insulated coating defines a contoured opening that exposes or reveals an area of the conductive material, wherein the contoured opening has an upper perimeter at the outer surface of the insulated coating. When the upper perimeter of the insulated surface coating is placed in contact with a tissue of interest, wherein the tissue of interest is proximate a blood pool, the insulated coating creates a seal between the blood pool and the contoured opening so that no blood in the blood pool can contact the conductive material. This seal reduces or eliminates the reception of far field effects in the blood pool by the electrode, making it easier to locate and diagnose unhealthy tissue.

Abstract: A medical device comprising a first shaping element, a second shaping element located distally with respect to the first shaping element, a support structure that extends between the first and the second shaping elements, where each of the first and the second shaping elements are transversely oriented with respect to a longitudinal axis that extends through a center of each shaping element, and a plurality of interactive elements. An apparatus for an elongate medical device comprising a flexible planar substrate, a support structure, and a plurality of interactive elements. A helical medical device comprising a first planar substrate, wherein the first planar substrate has a helical shape and a second planar substrate coupled with the first planar substrate, wherein the second planar substrate includes a plurality of interactive elements.

Abstract: A medical device comprising an elongate shaft extending along a longitudinal axis and comprising a shaft proximal end and a shaft distal end, an interlaced support structure located at the shaft distal end, wherein the interlaced support structure is expandable from a contracted state to an expanded state with respect to the longitudinal axis, and a plurality of interactive elements, wherein the plurality of interactive elements are coupled with the interlaced support structure. An apparatus for coupling with an elongate medical device comprising an interlaced support structure configured to be coupled with a distal end of the elongate medical device, wherein the interlaced support structure is expandable from a contracted state to an expanded state, and a distal end, while in the expanded state, is narrower than a proximal end, and a plurality of interactive elements, wherein the plurality of interactive elements are coupled with the interlaced support structure.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides electroporation systems and methods of preconditioning tissue for electroporation therapy. An electroporation generator includes an electroporation circuit, a preconditioning circuit, and a controller. The electroporation circuit is configured to be coupled to a catheter for delivering the electroporation therapy to target tissue of the patient. The electroporation circuit is further configured to transmit an electroporation signal through the catheter. The preconditioning circuit is configured to be coupled to a preconditioning electrode for stimulating skeletal muscle tissue of the patient. The preconditioning circuit is further configured to transmit a preconditioning signal to the preconditioning electrode.

Abstract: An medical device, comprising an elongate shaft extending along a shaft longitudinal axis and comprising a shaft proximal portion and a shaft distal portion that is sized and configured for insertion into a body. An active magnetic position sensor can be disposed within the shaft distal portion.