Abstract: An effector having a support frame with one or more corrugated struts is presented herein. Corrugation of a strut increases lateral stiffness of the strut and decreases axial bending stiffness of the strut compared to a linear, non-corrugated strut of similar thickness. Geometry of corrugations can be selected to provide conformal contact of the end effector to tissue while maintaining a desired spatial relationship between electrodes of the end effector. The geometry that can be selected can include amplitude of undulations, wavelength of undulations, and placement of a particular geometry within the end effector.

Abstract: An irrigation balloon catheter includes one or more inner balloons inside of an irrigation balloon. The inner balloon(s) can be compliant with a volume that is dynamically adjustable for rapid inflation, rapid deflation, complete deflation, and/or irrigation flow adjustment. An inflator tool can be configured to inflate or deflate the inner balloon to adjust flow from the outer, irrigation balloon to affect temperature at electrodes of the irrigation balloon.

Abstract: Catheters are presented herein having planar end effectors of various configurations, generally providing a two-sided and multi-layered platform for electrodes and sensors. In some examples, the end effector has a support frame (e.g. nitinol) between a pair of flexible circuits. The end effector can also include a polymer (e.g. silicone, LCP, etc.) between the flexible circuits and encapsulating the support frame. This platform facilitates positioning of electrodes on either side (including both sides) of the end effector in a variety of spacings and facilitates ultra-tight electrode spacing and/or a large area electrode. Sensors (ultrasound transducers, navigation coils, etc.) can be layered within the end effector between outer surfaces of the flexible circuits in a variety of configurations.

Abstract: The disclosed technology includes a catheter for electrophysiology applications. The catheter can comprise a shaft extending along a longitudinal axis to a distal end and an end effector coupled to the distal end of the shaft. The end effector can include a plurality of loop members. Each loop member of the plurality of loop members can include a corresponding stress distribution node positioned at a distal portion of the respective loop member and a plurality of electrodes affixed to the plurality of loop members.

Abstract: An end effector having loop members with electrodes thereon and are usable with catheter-based systems to measure or provide electrical signals. The end effector can include three loop members that are non-coplanar when expanded unconstrained that become contiguous to a planar surface when the loop members are deflected against the surface, a mechanical linkage that joins the loop members at a distal vertex of the end effector. The end effector may have a lateral gap length between laterally adjacent electrodes approximately twice that of a longitudinal gap length between longitudinally adjacent electrodes. In some configurations, longitudinal electrode bipole pairs having a gap distance approximately equal to the lateral gap distance may be provided by bypassing every other electrode in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: Planar end effector designs having irrigation are presented. The example end effectors are configured to be affixed to a distal end of a catheter and delivered through vasculature in a collapsed configuration and expand at an intracardiac treatment site to a deployed configuration. In some instances, the end effector can have an electrode array with sufficient density to perform mapping and irrigation for mapping. The end effector can include dedicated irrigation tubes and/or irrigating electrode-carrying spines to irrigate within the electrode array. Flow rate at positions within the electrode array can be controlled in a predetermined manner by varying pore/port size, flow direction, and/or flow path cross-section throughout an irrigation flow path in the end effector.

Abstract: An irrigation balloon catheter includes one or more inner balloons inside of an irrigation balloon. The inner balloon(s) can be compliant with a volume that is dynamically adjustable for rapid inflation, rapid deflation, complete deflation, and/or irrigation flow adjustment. An inflator tool can be configured to inflate or deflate the inner balloon to adjust flow from the outer, irrigation balloon to affect temperature at electrodes of the irrigation balloon.

Abstract: An irrigation balloon catheter includes one or more inner balloons inside of an irrigation balloon. The inner balloon(s) can be compliant with a volume that is dynamically adjustable for rapid inflation, rapid deflation, complete deflation, and/or irrigation flow adjustment.

Abstract: A control handle for a steerable catheter allows for precise manipulation of the distal catheter tip in a target organ or vessel using only one hand. The control handle can have a single articulating knob capable of both linear translation along and rotation about the axis of the handle. These functions of the articulating knob actuate both the expansion and retraction of an expandable member, as well as bi-directional deflection of the distal catheter tip. The articulating knob functions with consistency regardless of the orientation of the handle, with ergonomic movements allowing the user to comfortably keep their attention on the procedure's monitoring equipment. These improvements can lead to safe and more rapid procedure times for procedures such as diagnostics and cardiac ablation.

Abstract: A catheter system to record and map electrical signals by cardiac tissues before, during, and/or after the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias in a group of patients. The system can include an elongated body; a distal electrode assembly comprising a proximal stem, a plurality of spines emanating from the stem; and a plurality of nonconductive spine covers, each surrounding a respective spine. Each spine can cover one or more tensile members of the respective spine cover. The system can be configured to achieve clinically improved performance and safety of catheter configurations as to accessibility into target areas of a beating heart.

Abstract: A catheter system to record and map electrical signals by cardiac tissues before, during, and/or after the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias in a group of patients. The system can include an elongated body; a distal electrode assembly comprising a proximal stem, a plurality of spines emanating from the stem; and a plurality of nonconductive spine covers, each surrounding a respective spine. Each spine can cover one or more tensile members of the respective spine cover. The system can be configured to achieve clinically improved performance and safety of catheter configurations as to accessibility into target areas of a beating heart.

Abstract: Examples presented herein generally include systems and methods which can contact electrodes to cardiac tissue while sensing electrical potential from fluids near the tissue. The electrodes in contact with the tissue can be carried by an end effector and can be used to sense and/or ablate the tissue they contact. A reference electrode can be insulated by a shaft connected to the end effector so that the reference electrode can sense the electrical potentials from the fluids near the tissue while being prevented, by the shaft geometry, from contacting the cardiac tissue. In some examples, the reference electrode can be tubular, having an inner surface that is configured to contact and sense electrical potentials from the fluids and an electrically insulated outer surface. Configured as such, the reference electrode can serve as an extension of an irrigation tube extending through the shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an end effector having loop members with electrodes thereon and is usable with catheter-based systems to measure or provide electrical signals. The end effector can include three loop members that are non-coplanar when expanded unconstrained that become contiguous to a planar surface when the loop members are deflected against the surface, a mechanical linkage that joins the loop members at a distal vertex of the end effector, electrodes having surface treatment to enhance surface roughness of the electrodes, twisted pair electrode wires, a bonded spine cover, and/or any combination thereof.

Abstract: A catheter system to record and map electrical signals by cardiac tissues before, during, and/or after the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias in a group of patients. The system can include an elongated body; a distal electrode assembly comprising a proximal stem, a plurality of spines emanating from the stem; and a plurality of nonconductive spine covers, each surrounding a respective spine. Each spine can cover one or more tensile members of the respective spine cover. The system can be configured to achieve clinically improved performance and safety of catheter configurations as to accessibility into target areas of a beating heart.

Abstract: A catheter includes a catheter body and a distal tip section that includes an elongated member that extends along a longitudinal axis. An anchor mechanism can be disposed along an outer surface of the elongated member and/or within the elongated member in a first configuration. In a second configuration, the anchor mechanism can be configured to extend radially outward with respect to the longitudinal axis to surround at least a portion of the distal tip section.

Abstract: A catheter system to record and map electrical signals by cardiac tissues before, during, and/or after the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias in a group of patients. The system can include an elongated body; a distal electrode assembly comprising a proximal stem, a plurality of spines emanating from the stem; and a plurality of nonconductive spine covers, each surrounding a respective spine. Each spine can cover one or more tensile members of the respective spine cover. The system can be configured to achieve clinically improved performance and safety of catheter configurations as to accessibility into target areas of a beating heart.

Abstract: A catheter system to record and map electrical signals by cardiac tissues before, during, and/or after the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias in a group of patients. The system can include an elongated body; a distal electrode assembly comprising a proximal stem, a plurality of spines emanating from the stem; and a plurality of nonconductive spine covers, each surrounding a respective spine. Each spine can cover one or more tensile members of the respective spine cover. The system can be configured to achieve clinically improved performance and safety of catheter configurations as to accessibility into target areas of a beating heart.

Abstract: An irrigation balloon catheter includes one or more inner balloons inside of an irrigation balloon. The inner balloon(s) can be compliant with a volume that is dynamically adjustable for rapid inflation, rapid deflation, complete deflation, and/or irrigation flow adjustment.