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: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to flexible high-density mapping catheters with a planar array of high-density mapping electrodes near a distal tip portion. 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 medical device is configured for diagnosis or treatment of a tissue within a body. The medical device comprises an elongate member and a position sensor. The elongate member is configured to be received within the body, and has a lumen extending between a proximal end and a distal end. The position sensor is disposed within the lumen proximate the distal end of the deformable member. The position sensor comprises a coil wound to form a central passage and configured to generate a current flow when subject to a magnetic field, and a high-permeability antenna having at least a portion disposed outside the central passage to concentrate the magnetic field into the coil and increase the current flow.

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: Method and devices for delivering pulsed RF ablation energy to enable the creation of lesions in tissue are disclosed. The delivery of RF energy is controlled such that the generator power setting remains sufficiently high to form adequate lesions while mitigating against overheating of tissue. An ablation catheter tip having high-thermal-sensitivity comprises a thermally-insulative ablation tip insert supporting at least one temperature sensor and encapsulated, or essentially encapsulated, by a conductive shell. A system for delivering pulsed RF energy to a catheter during catheter ablation comprises an RF generator and a pulse control box operatively connected to the generator and configured to control delivery of pulsatile RF energy to an ablation catheter comprising at least one temperature sensor mounted in its tip. Also disclose is a method of controlling the temperature of an ablation catheter tip while creating a desired lesion using pulsatile delivery of RF energy.

Abstract: A medical device has a catheter with a proximal portion, a distal portion, a shaft and an expandable member located at the distal portion. The expandable member is constructed and arranged for expanding the outer diameter of the catheter from a contracted state to an expanded state. A removable sleeve is positioned around the entire length of the expandable member. The sleeve has a first end and a second end, and an inner diameter that increases over the entire length of the sleeve.

Abstract: A balloon catheter is provided having an expandable distal portion and balloon protector means comprising a first removable sleeve having a variable inner diameter to ease sliding the first sleeve over the balloon, and an optional second removable (outer) sleeve positioned over the inner sleeve, the second (outer) sleeve having a constrictive relationship with the first (inner) sleeve, said first and second sleeves being removed prior to use of the catheter.

Abstract: A protective sleeve for a balloon dilatation catheter includes an elongate tubular member having a neck portion and a slit extending along the entire length of the tubular member from a proximal end to a distal end thereof, wherein a distal portion of the tubular member is flared from the neck portion to the distal end of the tubular member to define an enlarged funnel-like opening.

Abstract: A balloon catheter is provided having an expandable distal portion and balloon protector comprising a first removable sleeve, and an optional second removable (outer) sleeve positioned over the inner sleeve, the second (outer) sleeve having a constrictive relationship with the first (inner) sleeve, said first and second sleeves being removed prior to use of the catheter. The first sleeve may have a variable inner diameter.

Abstract: A balloon catheter is provided having an expandable distal portion and balloon protector means comprising a first removable sleeve having a variable inner diameter to ease sliding the first sleeve over the balloon, and an optional second removable (outer) sleeve positioned over the inner sleeve, the second (outer) sleeve having a constrictive relationship with the first (inner) sleeve, said first and second sleeves being removed prior to use of the catheter.

Abstract: A balloon catheter is provided having an expandable distal portion and balloon protector means comprising a first removable sleeve having a variable inner diameter to ease sliding the first sleeve over the balloon, and an optional second removable (outer) sleeve positioned over the inner sleeve, the second (outer) sleeve having a constrictive relationship with the first (inner) sleeve, said first and second sleeves being removed prior to use of the catheter.

Abstract: A hub assembly for a catheter tube having a lumen therethrough. The hub assembly includes a hub portion having a proximal end and a distal end, and an integral connector disposed at the proximal end. A lumen is defined through the hub portion extending from the proximal end to the distal end. The strain relief includes a proximal end and a distal end is disposed at the distal end of the hub portion. The proximal end of the strain relief can be integrally connected to the distal end of the hub portion. The strain relief is preferably more flexible than the hub portion. The strain relief defines a passage configured to receive the catheter such that a lumen through the hub portion is in fluid communication with the catheter tube lumen.

Abstract: A hub assembly for a catheter tube having a lumen therethrough. The hub assembly includes a hub portion having a proximal end and a distal end, and an integral connector disposed at the proximal end. A lumen is defined through the hub portion extending from the proximal end to the distal end. The strain relief includes a proximal end and a distal end is disposed at the distal end of the hub portion. The proximal end of the strain relief can be integrally connected to the distal end of the hub portion. The strain relief is preferably more flexible than the hub portion. The strain relief defines a passage configured to receive the catheter such that a lumen through the hub portion is in fluid communication with the catheter tube lumen.

Abstract: Medical tubing having a wall formed of multiple strands bonded together. One method for making the tubing utilizes multiple spools containing polymeric strands disposed about a central mandrel, with the strands aligned with and disposed evenly about the mandrel, with both mandrel and strands entering a die or other bonding device. Adjacent strands are bonded together to form a tube wall, the tube preferably having at least one lumen therethrough. Adjacent strands are lightly bonded in some embodiments and highly bonded in others. Bonding can be accomplished using heat, solvent welding, or adhesive. The strands making up the tube wall can be formed of materials differing between strands. One use of the tubing is for constructing angioplasty catheters.

Abstract: A balloon catheter is provided having an expandable distal portion and balloon protector means comprising a first removable sleeve having a variable inner diameter to ease sliding the first sleeve over the balloon, and an optional second removable (outer) sleeve positioned over the inner sleeve, the second (outer) sleeve having a constrictive relationship with the first (inner) sleeve, said first and second sleeves being removed prior to use of the catheter.

Abstract: A balloon catheter is provided having an expandable distal portion and balloon protector means comprising a first removable sleeve having a variable inner diameter to ease sliding the first sleeve over the balloon, and an optional second removable (outer) sleeve positioned over the inner sleeve, the second (outer) sleeve having a constrictive relationship with the first (inner) sleeve, said first and second sleeves being removed prior to use of the catheter.

Abstract: A balloon catheter is provided having an expandable distal portion and balloon protector means comprising a first removable sleeve having a variable inner diameter to ease sliding the first sleeve over the balloon, and an optional second removable (outer) sleeve positioned over the inner sleeve, the second (outer) sleeve having a constrictive relationship with the first (inner) sleeve, said first and second sleeves being removed prior to use of the catheter.

Abstract: A balloon catheter is provided having an expandable distal portion and balloon protector means comprising a first removable sleeve having a variable inner diameter to ease sliding the first sleeve over the balloon, and an optional second removable (outer) sleeve positioned over the inner sleeve, the second (outer) sleeve having a constrictive relationship with the first (inner) sleeve, said first and second sleeves being removed prior to use of the catheter.