Abstract: Described herein are various methods and devices for delivering cryoablative therapy. One such device includes a cryoablation chamber and a volume displacement chamber. In use, the volume displacement chamber can be expanded to occupy a non-therapeutic volume.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatus related to radio frequency (RF) ablation catheters. The present subject matter provides a method for forming an ablation catheter having a balloon at a distal end of the catheter. The method includes applying a band of conductive material to an outer surface of the balloon. The band of conductive material is adapted to provide one or more electrodes for radio frequency ablation therapy. A distal end of a lead is connected to the band of conductive material. The balloon is inverted, so that the inverted balloon includes the band of conductive material on an inside surface. According to various embodiments, the balloon includes a semi-permeable or hydro-able membrane.

Abstract: A catheter shaft having a helically wound elongate tubular member is disclosed. The catheter shaft may include a tubular member formed from helically wrapped length of material. The length of material may be wrapped to define a plurality of turns. At least some of the turns may be wrapped in an overlapping fashion such that at least a portion of a first edge of a turn overlaps at least of portion of a second edge of a turn of a previous turn defining an overlap distance.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatus related to radio frequency (RF) ablation catheters. The present subject matter provides an ablation catheter system including a catheter body with a distal tip, and a thermocouple component at the distal tip. The thermocouple component is adapted to sense temperature of bodily fluid and/or tissue. The system includes a non-conductive insert configured to physically separate and thermally insulate the thermocouple component from the catheter body. Various embodiments include an open-irrigated ablation catheter system, the system further including at least one fluid chamber and a plurality of irrigation ports within the catheter body, where the plurality of irrigation ports enable fluid to exit from the at least one fluid chamber. The non-conductive insert is further configured to physically separate and thermally insulate the thermocouple component from the plurality of fluid flow channels and irrigation ports.

Abstract: A cryotherapy system includes a cryotherapy catheter having an inflatable balloon portion and a pressure regulator. The inflatable balloon portion includes an outer balloon and an inner balloon within the outer balloon. The inner balloon is configured to receive during a cryotherapy procedure a cryogenic agent for extracting heat from body tissue at a desired location. The inflatable balloon portion is at a distal end of the cryotherapy catheter. The pressure regulator is adapted to maintain a positive pressure between the inner balloon and the outer balloon during a cryotherapy procedure.

Abstract: An apparatus including an elongate body having a lumen extending therethrough and a steering wire associated with the distal portion of the elongate body.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a catheter device sized and shaped for vascular access that has an elongate body extending between a proximal end and a distal end. Further, the elongate body has at least one inner lumen configured to receive a fluid. The catheter also has an ablation electrode configured to provide ablative energy, wherein the electrode is located distally along the elongate body and includes a passageway fluidly connected to the lumen of the elongate body. Also, the catheter has a sensor configured to provide a signal representative of temperature, and an insulating chamber extending at least partially about the ablation electrode and configured to at least partially insulate the sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus including an elongate body having a lumen extending therethrough and a steering wire, having a distal portion defining a non-circular cross-section, associated with the distal portion of the elongate body.

Abstract: An apparatus including an elongate body having a lumen extending therethrough and a steering wire, having a distal portion defining a non-circular cross-section, associated with the distal portion of the elongate body.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for performing cryogenic ablation of tissue and adjusting the size and/or location of a cryogenic cooling region. A cooling assembly may include tubes for dispensing and exhausting a coolant or refrigerant. One or both of the tubes may be moved, e.g., slidably adjusted, in order to adjust the location or size of a cryogenic ablation region. The cooling assembly may be integrated into cryogenic ablation devices including a cryogenic balloon device that includes an inner inflatable balloon and another balloon that is at least partially wrapped around the inner balloon and carries refrigerant for performing cryo-ablation. Electrodes permit electrical mapping of tissue before or after cryo-ablation to verify success of the procedure.

Abstract: Described herein are various methods and devices for delivering cryoablative therapy. One such device includes a cryoablation chamber and a volume displacement chamber. In use, the volume displacement chamber can be expanded to occupy a non-therapeutic volume.

Abstract: Described herein are various methods and devices for delivering cryoablative therapy. Various ablative patterns can be produced by the devices, including, linear ablation patterns. One exemplary device includes a cryoablation chamber and a volume displacement chamber. In use, the volume displacement chamber can be expanded to support the cryoablation chamber.

Abstract: A medical device for use by an operator to perform a medical procedure in a body includes a handle to be held by the operator, a shaft attached to the handle and an actuating assembly to control functions associated with the medical procedure. The shaft includes an operative distal portion to perform a medical procedure in the body. The medical device may be part of an ablation catheter system that is programmed to correlate one or more functions with the actuation of the actuating assembly. Multiple actuating assemblies may be provided. Each actuating assembly may be a button. Other types of actuating assemblies may also be used, such as switches or a trackball. The actuating assembly may also be provided on a sleeve that may be selectively attached to the handle of the catheter or the physician operating the catheter, for example.

Abstract: An apparatus including an elongate body having a lumen extending therethrough and a steering wire associated with the distal portion of the elongate body.

Abstract: An apparatus including an elongate body having a lumen extending therethrough and a steering wire, having a distal portion defining a non-circular cross-section, associated with the distal portion of the elongate body.

Abstract: A medical device for use by an operator to perform a medical procedure in a body includes a handle to be held by the operator, a shaft attached to the handle and an actuating assembly to control functions associated with the medical procedure. The shaft includes an operative distal portion to perform a medical procedure in the body. The medical device may be part of an ablation catheter system that is programmed to correlate one or more functions with the actuation of the actuating assembly. Multiple actuating assemblies may be provided. Each actuating assembly may be a button. Other types of actuating assemblies may also be used, such as switches or a trackball. The actuating assembly may also be provided on a sleeve that may be selectively attached to the handle of the catheter or the physician operating the catheter, for example.

Abstract: An apparatus including an elongate body having a lumen extending therethrough and a steering wire, having a distal portion defining a non-circular cross-section, associated with the distal portion of the elongate body.

Abstract: A tip assembly that can be varied in length and/or shape is coupled to an elongated sheath to form a medical probe, such as a catheter or surgical probe. For example, the medical probe can be an electrophysiology (EP) catheter that that can be used to map the electrical activity of target tissue and ablate the target tissue when medically indicated. In one embodiment, the tip assembly has a tip and a sleeve configured such that the tip can be longitudinally extended and retracted in response to longitudinal forces applied by an actuator. In another embodiment, the tip extends and retracts, on threads, relative to the sleeve in response to rotational forces applied by an actuator. In still another embodiment, the tip assembly has a distal tip, a proximal section and an expandable-compressible assembly between the tip and proximal section.

Abstract: An apparatus having a support structure, a plurality of longitudinally spaced conductive regions, and an actuation device including at least one electrical contact located within the support structure and movable between respective positions where the one electrical contact is in electrical connection with one of the spaced conductive regions.

Abstract: A tip assembly that can be varied in length and/or shape is coupled to an elongated sheath to form a medical probe, such as a catheter or surgical probe. For example, the medical probe can be an electrophysiology (EP) catheter that that can be used to map the electrical activity of target tissue and ablate the target tissue when medically indicated. In one embodiment, the tip assembly has a tip and a sleeve configured such that the tip can be longitudinally extended and retracted in response to longitudinal forces applied by an actuator. In another embodiment, the tip extends and retracts, on threads, relative to the sleeve in response to rotational forces applied by an actuator. In still another embodiment, the tip assembly has a distal tip, a proximal section and an expandable-compressible assembly between the tip and proximal section.