Abstract: A circuit (10, 110, 210) configured for connecting an electrode (28, 126, 228) to a catheter or sheath is disclosed. The circuit (10, 110, 210) includes a member (12, 112, 212) having a longitudinal axis (14, 214) and configured to extend along at least a portion of the length of the catheter or sheath. The circuit (10, 110, 210) further includes a trace (16, 116, 230) printed on the member (12, 112, 212), where the trace (16, 116, 230) includes at least a longitudinal segment (18, 118) extending generally along at least a portion of the longitudinal axis (14, 214) and a transverse segment (20, 120) extending generally transverse to the longitudinal axis (14, 214). In an embodiment, the circuit further includes a pad (26, 126, 226) integral with and extending from the (10, 110, 210) proximal the transverse segment (20, 120) of the trace (16, 116, 230). A catheter or sheath assembly comprising the circuit (10, 110, 210) and an electrode (28, 126, 228) connected to the circuit (10, 110, 210) is also disclosed.

Abstract: A medical device is provided comprising a shaft comprising a first segment and a second segment. The first segment is configured to buckle upon application of a first critical force. The second segment includes an outer surface and an inner surface and is configured to buckle upon application of a second critical force. The second critical force is lower than the first critical force. The medical device further comprises a coil disposed radially inwardly of the inner surface of the second segment.

Abstract: A magnetically-guided catheter 100 includes a tip positioning magnet in the distal electrode assembly configured to interact with externally applied magnetic fields for magnetically-guided movement. A magnetically-guided mapping catheter 100 includes an electrically-conductive capsule in the form of a casing 146 that includes a distal ablation surface and isolates the positioning magnet from bio-fluids to prevent corrosion. An open irrigation ablation catheter includes an isolated manifold that isolates the positioning magnet from contact with irrigation fluid to prevent corrosion.

Abstract: A distal tip assembly for an elongate medical device having an axis comprises a shaft having a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, a wall, and a central lumen extending axially between said proximal end portion and said distal end portion. The distal tip assembly further comprises a position sensor disposed in an outer sleeve such that the sensor can shift relative to the sleeve. The sleeve is disposed at least in part in the wall and is substantially fixed thereto.

Abstract: Catheter ultrasound systems including a sheath, a handle, a sheath lumen, and an ultrasound catheter disposed within the lumen of the sheath with ultrasound elements capable of visualizing anatomical regions. The handle allowing the ultrasound catheter to rotate with respect to the sheath using a rotation adjustment knob within the handle or alternatively an separate manipulation handle attached to the proximal end of the ultrasound catheter. The sheath, ultrasound catheter, or both may also include one or more electrodes or other location sensor for both orienting the ultrasound element as well as for diagnostic purposes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to steerable access sheath assembly (12). Moreover, the present invention relates to a steerable short sheath access device (10) for use in epicardial procedures. Embodiments of the present invention including shorter steerable access sheaths or introducers (10, 12) may provide epicardial access for various ablation tools and devices for the performance of various ablation procedures or procedures involving alternate energy sources. The steerable access device (10) provides an elongated member (20) having a proximal section (26) and a distal section (28), wherein the deflection of the distal section (28) provides a primary curve including an inner radius (r1) that result in a secondary curve of proximal section (26) having an inner radius (r2, r3), wherein the inner radius of curvature (r1) of the primary curve is less than the inside radius of curvature (r2, r3) of the secondary curve.

Abstract: A catheter is disclosed having a flexible tubing with a proximal end and a distal end. The catheter comprising at least one movable magnet provided within the distal end of the flexible tubing. A control mechanism is operable to selectively activate the at least one movable magnet from the proximal end of the flexible tubing. The at least one movable magnet is responsive to an external magnetic field to position and guide the distal end of the flexible tubing within a body of a patient.

Abstract: An electrode catheter device with indifferent electrode for direct current tissue therapies is disclosed. An example of the catheter device has a flexible tubing with at least one ablation electrode. The catheter device also may also be used with a sheath for introducing the flexible tubing inside a patient's body. An indifferent electrode on the sheath can provide a ground for a direct current (DC) pulse to deliver electrical energy and create an electrical field adjacent a tissue. Various other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A catheter is disclosed having a flexible tubing with a proximal end and a distal end. The catheter comprising at least one movable magnet provided within the distal end of the flexible tubing. A control mechanism is operable to selectively activate the at least one movable magnet from the proximal end of the flexible tubing. The at least one movable magnet is responsive to an external magnetic field to position and guide the distal end of the flexible tubing within a body of a patient.

Abstract: A medical device is provided comprising a shaft comprising a first segment and a second segment. The first segment is configured to buckle upon application of a first critical force. The second segment includes an outer surface and an inner surface and is configured to buckle upon application of a second critical force. The second critical force is lower than the first critical force. The medical device further comprises a coil disposed radially inwardly of the inner surface of the second segment.

Abstract: A deflectable medical device incorporates a strut that is configured to reduce or eliminate axial shortening of the deflectable portion of the medical device, for example, the deflectable distal end portion of a catheter or access sheath. The strut may is coaxially disposed in the medical device in the section that is contemplated to undergo the repeated deflection. The strut provides improved column strength and axial restoration. The strut may be stent-like device, an elongate device having opposing ends coupled by a connecting lattice involving a plurality of helical connecting elements or a tube having a plurality of circumferentially-extending slots arranged in longitudinally-extending rows.

Abstract: An exemplary basket catheter includes an outer tubing housing an inner fluid delivery tubing having at least one fluid delivery port. A plurality of splines are each connected at a proximal end of the splines to the outer tubing and at a distal end of the splines to the inner fluid delivery tubing. The inner fluid delivery tubing is operable to be moved in a first direction to expand the splines; and in a second direction to collapse the splines. A porous membrane is provided over at least a portion of the inner fluid delivery tubing. A seal is provided at a proximal end of the porous membrane between the porous membrane and the outer tubing and between the porous membrane and the inner fluid delivery tubing, the seal configured for irrigating between the plurality of splines of the basket catheter while preventing fluid ingress into the outer tubing.

Abstract: A distal tip assembly for an elongate medical device having an axis comprises a shaft having a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, a wall, and a central lumen extending axially between said proximal end portion and said distal end portion. The distal tip assembly further comprises a position sensor disposed in an outer sleeve such that the sensor can shift relative to the sleeve. The sleeve is disposed at least in part in the wall and is substantially fixed thereto.

Abstract: A magnetically-guided catheter 100 includes a tip positioning magnet in the distal electrode assembly configured to interact with externally applied magnetic fields for magnetically-guided movement. A magnetically-guided mapping catheter 100 includes an electrically-conductive capsule in the form of a casing 146 that includes a distal ablation surface and isolates the positioning magnet from bio-fluids to prevent corrosion. An open irrigation ablation catheter includes an isolated manifold that isolates the positioning magnet from contact with irrigation fluid to prevent corrosion.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a surgical catheter is provided. The catheter may comprise one or more hydrophobic barrier layers made from an ethylene-pertfluoroethylenepropylene (“EFEP”) copolymer. Additionally, the catheter may comprise another polymer layer made from a reactive polar polymer. In at least one embodiment, the reactive polar polymer may be a modified-poly(ether block amide) (“PEBA”) copolymer, such as an amine-terminated PEBA. Moreover, in various embodiments, a composition is provided that may comprise a reactive polar polymer bonded to an EFEP copolymer.

Abstract: Medical devices, methods of manufacturing medical devices, and systems comprising medical devices are provided. The device comprises a shaft having a major lumen sized to receive a second medical device and an electrode mounted thereon. The shaft includes an inner liner and outer layer. The method of manufacture includes forming a shaft by forming an inner liner and an outer layer by covering the inner liner with a polymeric material. The method further includes mounting an electrode onto the shaft of the device, and then heating and cooling the shaft. The system comprises a medical device having a shaft and an electrode mounted thereon. The shaft has a major lumen sized to receive another device. The system further comprises an electronic control unit configured to receive signals from the electrode and to determine a position of the electrode and/or monitor electrophysiological data.

Abstract: Medical devices and systems comprising medical devices are provided. The device comprises a shaft having a major lumen sized to receive a second medical device and an electroanatomical system imaging element mounted thereon. The shaft includes an inner liner and outer layer. The system comprises a medical device having a shaft and an electroanatomical system imaging element mounted thereon. The shaft has a major lumen sized to receive another device. The system further comprises an electroanatomical navigation system configured to receive signals from the electroanatomical system imaging element and to determine a position of the electroanatomical system imaging element and/or monitor electrophysiological data.

Abstract: The present invention relates to steerable access sheath assembly including at least one electrode. Moreover, the present invention relates to a steerable sheath access device for use in cardiovascular procedures. Embodiments of the present invention including steerable access sheaths or introducers may provide cardiovascular access for various ablation tools and devices for the performance of various ablation procedures or procedures involving alternate energy sources.

Abstract: A magnetically-guided catheter includes a tip positioning magnet in the distal electrode assembly configured to interact with externally applied magnetic fields for magnetically-guided movement. A magnetically-guided mapping catheter includes an electrically-conductive capsule in the form of a casing that includes a distal ablation surface and isolates the positioning magnet from bio-fluids to prevent corrosion. An open irrigation ablation catheter includes an isolated manifold that isolates the positioning magnet from contact with irrigation fluid to prevent corrosion.

Abstract: A catheter is disclosed having a flexible tubing with a proximal end and a distal end. The catheter comprising at least one movable magnet provided within the distal end of the flexible tubing. A control mechanism is operable to selectively activate the at least one movable magnet from the proximal end of the flexible tubing. The at least one movable magnet is responsive to an external magnetic field to position and guide the distal end of the flexible tubing within a body of a patient.