Abstract: A catheter sheath comprises a tubular member connected to a catheter handle, the tubular sheath including one or more electrical conductors and one or more electrode rings attached to the tip of the tubular member. The tubular member further includes at least one opening that allows the one or more electrical conductor to be electrically connected to the one or more electrode rings. The electrode ring is slid over the tubular member so as to cover the opening. The tubular member and the electrode ring are subjected to heat treatment by induction heating so that the material of the tubular member melts locally around the electrode ring to form a seal between the tubular member and the electrode ring.

Abstract: A steerable stylet assembly includes a tubular member defining a passage, the tubular member defining a first bend enhancing region. At least one further bend enhancing region is arranged intermediate the first bend enhancing region and a distal end of the tubular member. A first actuator is received in the passage of the tubular member, a distal end of the first actuator being fast with the tubular member at a first termination so that relative axial movement between the tubular member and the first actuator causes deflection at the first enhancing region. A second actuator is received in the passage of the tubular member, a distal end of the second actuator being fast with the tubular member at a second termination so that relative axial movement between the tubular member and the second actuator causes the distal part of the tubular member to be formed into a desired shape. The assembly includes a control mechanism to control relative axial movement between the tubular member and each of the actuators.

Abstract: A catheter sheath comprises a tubular member connected to a catheter handle, the tubular sheath including one or more electrical conductors and one or more electrode rings attached to the tip of the tubular member. The tubular member further includes at least one opening that allows the one or more electrical conductor to be electrically connected to the one or more electrode rings. The electrode ring is slid over the tubular member so as to cover the opening. The tubular member and the electrode ring are subjected to heat treatment by induction heating so that the material of the tubular member melts locally around the electrode ring to form a seal between the tubular member and the electrode ring.

Abstract: A modular catheter includes an elongate tubular member having a proximal end and a closed, distal end. A lumen extends from the proximal end to the distal end and a plurality of electrodes are arranged at, or adjacent, the distal end, conductors for the electrodes being contained within a wall of the tubular member. An elongate shape-imparting mechanism is removably received within the lumen of the tubular member such that a distal end of the shape-imparting mechanism is substantially in register with the distal end of the tubular member. A control device has a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the tubular member and a proximal end of the shape-imparting mechanism being releasably connectable to the distal end of the control device.

Abstract: A catheter steering mechanism includes a tubular member defining a passage. The tubular member has a longitudinally extending cutaway portion defining a bend-enhancing region formed at a predetermined location along a length of the tubular member. An actuator is received in the passage of the tubular member, a distal part of the actuator being fast with a distal part of the tubular member. A restraining arrangement is defined by the tubular member, the restraining arrangement comprising a structure arranged at the bend-enhancing region to retain the actuator substantially within the confines of the tubular member during bending.

Abstract: A modular catheter includes an elongate tubular member having a proximal end and a closed, distal end. A lumen extends from the proximal end to the distal end and a plurality of electrodes are arranged at, or adjacent, the distal end, conductors for the electrodes being contained within a wall of the tubular member. An elongate shape-imparting mechanism is removably received within the lumen of the tubular member such that a distal end of the shape-imparting mechanism is substantially in register with the distal end of the tubular member. A control device has a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the tubular member and a proximal end of the shape-imparting mechanism being releasably connectable to the distal end of the control device.

Abstract: A modular catheter includes an elongate tubular member having a proximal end and a closed, distal end. A lumen extends from the proximal end to the distal end and a plurality of electrodes are arranged at, or adjacent, the distal end, conductors for the electrodes being contained within a wall of the tubular member. An elongate shape-imparting mechanism is removably received within the lumen of the tubular member such that a distal end of the shape-imparting mechanism is substantially in register with the distal end of the tubular member. A control device has a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the tubular member and a proximal end of the shape-imparting mechanism being releasably connectable to the distal end of the control device.

Abstract: A steerable stylet assembly (10) includes a tubular member (12) defining a passage (14), the tubular member (12) defining a first bend enhancing (16). At least one further bend enhancing region (20) is arranged intermediate the first bend enhancing region (16) and the distal end (18) of the tubular member (12). A first actuator (26) is received in the passage (14) of the tubular member (12), a distal end of the first actuator (26) being fast with the tubular member (12) at a first termination (30) so that relative axial movement between the tubular member (12) and the first actuator (26) causes deflection at the first enhancing region (16). A second actuator (24) is received in the passage (14) of the tubular member (12), a distal end of the second actuator (24) being fast with the tubular member (12) at a second termination so that relative axial movement between the tubular member (12) and the second actuator (24) causes the distal part of the tubular member (12) to be formed into a desired shape.

Abstract: A catheter steering mechanism 10 includes a tubular member 12 defining a passage 14. The tubular member 12 has a longitudinally extending, cutaway portion 16 defining a bend-enhancing region formed at a predetermined location along a length of the tubular member 12. An actuator 20 is received in the passage 14 of the tubular member 12, a distal part 22 of the actuator 20 being fast with a distal part of the tubular member 12. A restraining arrangement 24 is defined by the tubular member 12, the restraining arrangement 24 comprising a structure 26 arranged at the bend-enhancing region to retain the actuator 20 substantially within the confines of the tubular member 12 during bending.

Abstract: A modular catheter includes an elongate tubular member (12) having a proximal end (16) and a closed, distal end (14). A lumen (18) extends from the proximal end (16) to the distal end (14) and a plurality of electrodes (20) are arranged at, or adjacent, the distal end (14), conductors (24) for the electrodes being contained within a wall (22) of the tubular member (12). An elongate shape-imparting mechanism (28) is removably received within the lumen (18) of the tubular member (12) such that a distal end (36) of the shape-imparting mechanism (28) is substantially in register with the distal end (14) of the tubular member (12) A control device (40) has a proximal end (46) and a distal end (44), the proximal end (16) of the tubular member (12) and a proximal end of the shape-imparting mechanism (28) being releasably connectable to the distal end (44) of the control device (40).