Abstract: A sphincter treatment apparatus includes an elongated member having at least one lumen including an inflation lumen and a basket assembly with first and second arms. The basket assembly is coupled to the elongated member and has deployed and non-deployed configurations. An inflatable member is coupled to the elongated member and positioned in an interior of the basket assembly. The inflatable member has deployed and non-deployed states and is coupled to the inflation lumen. In the deployed state, the inflatable member expands the basket assembly to its deployed configuration. A first energy delivery device is positionable in the first arm and advanceable from the first arm to a selected treatment site. A second energy delivery device is positionable in the second arm and advanceable from the second arm to a selected treatment site.

Abstract: A left atrium ablation catheter (4), including a sheath (8) and a deflectable electrophysiology catheter (10) housed within the sheath, is used to ablate coronary tissue at a target site within the left atrium (LA) of a heart. The electrophysiology catheter has ablation electrodes (24) along the tip (10). The ablation catheter is introduced into the right atrium (RA) through either the superior vena cava (SVC) or the inferior vena cava (IVC). The distal open end of the sheath is guided through a punctured hole in the interatrial septum and into the left atrium. The distal end (20) of the sheath is either precurved or is steerable so the electrode tip can be directed to the coronary target site in the left atrium. The electrode tip is sized and configured to create the desired lesion at the target site without movement of the electrode tip.

Abstract: A left atrium ablation catheter (4), including a sheath (8) and a deflectable electrophysiology catheter (10) housed within the sheath, is used to ablate coronary tissue at a target site within the left atrium (LA) of a heart. The electrophysiology catheter has ablation electrodes (24) along the tip (10). The ablation catheter is introduced into the right atrium (RA) through either the superior vena cava (SVC) or the inferior vena cava (IVC). The distal open end of the sheath is guided through a punctured hole in the interatrial septum and into the left atrium. The distal end (20) of the sheath is either precurved or is steerable so the electrode tip can be directed to the coronary target site in the left atrium. The electrode tip is sized and configured to create the desired lesion at the target site without movement of the electrode tip.

Abstract: A precurved cardiac introducer sheath (4) includes an elongate, hollow body having main and tip portions (24, 22). The tip portion includes first through fifth segments (26, 28, 30, 32, 34). The first, second, and third segments lie in a first plane (36) while the fourth and fifth segments lie in a second plane (38) oriented at a second angle (37) of about .+-.10 to 170.degree. to the first plane. The second segment defines an arc extending along a first, included angle of about 90-110.degree. while the fourth segment defines an arc extending along a third, included angle of about 90-140.degree. . The first, third, and fifth segments are preferably generally straight segments. The precurved introducer sheath is preferably configured to direct the electrophysiology catheter (18) directly at the posterior region (52) of the left atrium (40). The precurved introducer sheath is preferably housed within an outer introducer sheath (46) having a radially deflectable distal end (46), or a fixed distal curve.

Abstract: A stabilized electrophysiology catheter (4) includes a main body portion (16) and a flexible tip portion (18). A plurality of electrodes (24, 26) are positioned along the tip portion. The tip portion includes a main section (20) and a pre-curved, offset, reverse-angle anchor section (22) at its distal end. The anchor section is shaped to engage with and anchor to a coronary opening, typically the coronary sinus opening (48) in the right atrium or a pulmonary vein opening (82) in the left atrium, for stabilized mapping and ablation of the right atrium or the left atrium. A manipulator wire (36) is used to radially deflect the tip portion in a first direction (40). When introduced through the superior vena cava (46), the tip portion forms a generally J-shape. When introduced through the inferior vena cava (54), the tip portion is deflected more than 360.degree..

Abstract: A catheter ablation system including a catheter having a distal segment carrying at least one electrode extending along the segment and having a number of temperature sensors arranged along the distal segment adjacent the electrode, each providing an output indicative of temperature. The catheter is coupled to a power source which provides R-F energy to the electrode and with temperature processing circuitry coupled to the temperature sensors and the power source which controls power output from the power source as a function of the outputs of the temperature sensors. In a preferred embodiment, the temperature processing circuitry includes circuitry for comparing the temperature indicated by the temperature sensors to a known reference sensor and circuitry for disabling subsequent use of an output of one of the sensors if the output from the sensor differs from the referenced temperature by more than a defined value.

Abstract: A deflectable ablation catheter which includes an elongated catheter body with an electrode located along a distal section of the catheter body. The catheter is provided with a deflection wire coupled to the distal end of the catheter body which on longitudinal movement causes deflection of the distal section of the catheter body into a planar curve, and a core wire coupled to a point proximal to the distal section of the catheter body and coupled to the catheter body so that upon application of torque to the wire, the planar curve formed along the distal section is rotated into a second plane. A handle is provided at the proximal end of the catheter and carries controls coupled to the core wire and the deflection wire.

Abstract: A balloon dilatation catheter having heating elements raise the temperature of the working surface of the balloon while the balloon is being inflated during an angioplasty procedure. In one embodiment, the balloon is provided with a thin electrically conductive layer in heat transfer relationship therewith preferably on the interior surface of the balloon. Electrical power at radio frequencies is preferred and a coaxial cable is employed to deliver such power to a conductive layer for heating the balloon. In another embodiment, the ballon itself is formed of electrically conductive material. A perfusion lumen may be provided through the balloon with one or more proximal inlet ports and one or more distal discharge ports in fluid communication with the lumen to allow blood to pass through the balloon when it is inflated during angioplasty procedures. This faciltiates the flow of oxygenated blood distally of the catheter when the balloon is inflated thus allowing for extended balloon inflations, e.g.

Abstract: A balloon dilatation catheter having means to raise the temperature of the working surface of the balloon while the balloon is being inflated during an angioplasty procedure. In one embodiment, the balloon is provided with a thin electrically conductive layer in heat transfer relationship therewith preferably on the interior surface of the balloon. Electrical power at radio frequencies is preferred and a coaxial cable is employed to deliver such power to a conductive layer for heating the balloon. In another embodiment, the balloon itself is formed of electrically conductive material. A perfusion lumen may be provided through the balloon with one or more proximal inlet ports and one or more distal discharge ports in fluid communication with the lumen to allow blood to pass through the balloon when it is inflated during angioplasty procedures. This facilitates the flow of oxygenated blood distally of the catheter when the balloon is inflated thus allowing for extended balloon inflations, e.g.

Abstract: Tandem balloon dilatation catheter assembly having a flexible elongate member with proximal and distal ends. The flexible elongate member is provided with at least first and second lumens extending therethrough. First and second balloons are carried by the distal extremity of the flexible elongate member and are spaced apart longitudinally thereof. The first balloon has a diameter which is less than the diameter of the second balloon. The first balloon is disposed distally of the second balloon. Communication is established between the interior of the first balloon and the first lumen and between the interior of the second balloon and the second lumen.

Abstract: A steerable dilatation catheter which is particularly adapted for angioplasty procedures having a concentric construction of thin-walled inner and outer tubular members of high strength plastic, such as polyimide, which provide diametric rigidity but longitudinal flexibility. At least the distal portion of the inner and outer tubular members which will extend out of the guiding catheter during angioplasty procedures have wall thicknesses of less than 0.002 inch, preferably less than 0.0015 inch. An elongated core member is adapted to freely rotate within the inner tubular member but is prevented from any significant axial movement therein.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a guiding member for vascular catheters, particularly dilatation catheters for angioplasty procedures having a deflectable tip. The guiding member generally includes an elongated core wire having a tapered distal portion, a coil encasing at least part of the tapered distal portion of a core wire. The coil has an expanded section, and a reference member disposed therein which is secured to the coil proximally and distally of the expanded coil section. The core wire is secured to the coil at a location distally of the expanded section but proximally to the distal tip of the coil. Relative axial movement between the core wire and the coil causes expansion or contraction of the expanded coil section which results in tip deflection.

Abstract: Proximal manifold and adapter device for use with a catheter having first and second lumens. A manifold having a plurality of arms is provided. One of the arms has a passage therein in communication with the first lumen. Another of the arms is in communication with the second lumen. An interconnector connects said first and second arms for establishing communication between the same. The innerconnector means includes a housing having an inlet port and a valve for establishing communication between the inlet port and the side arms.

Abstract: An injection molding apparatus includes an injector portion which includes a plurality of mold cavity modules each having a plurality of cavities cooled by fluid flowing through a plurality of cooling channels which communicates with a common coolant manifold. Each mold cavity module is supplied with molten plastic material by a separate manifold which consists of an elongated shell having an exterior surface defining at least one inlet sprue communicating with a source of plastic and a plurality of outlet gates each communicating with a cavity of the mold module, a tubular heating element positioned within the shell for heating the interior portion of the shell, and a plurality of runners extending from the inlet sprue to the outlet gates and spiral about the heating rod so that molten plastic material may flow from the inlet sprue through the runners to the outlet gates and receive heat energy from the heating rod.

Abstract: A link for coupling a plurality of injection mold manifolds has expansion and compression compensating slots for absorbing movement of the manifolds as they are heated and cooled.