Abstract: An ablation catheter is provided which comprises a steerable catheter including a distal portion and a proximal portion. An ablation electrode is carried by the distal portion, with the ablation electrode having structure defining an interior space and having at least one aperture. A positional sensor is located in the interior space, wherein the proximal portion is connected to a source of cooling liquid which flows out of the aperture. The ablation catheter provides a suitable flow of fluid through the aperture while providing a space or volume sufficiently large for placement of a positional sensor.

Abstract: The invention described here concerns the unique utility of fatty acids and their derivatives to eradicate existing fungal and bacterial infections in plants. Also, described herein are combination treatments whereby fatty acids are used to enhance or augment the activity of fungicides, bactericides, and biological control agents.

Abstract: The invention described here concerns the unique utility of fatty acids and their derivatives to eradicate existing fungal and bacterial infections in plants. Also, described herein are combination treatments whereby fatty acids are used to enhance or augment the activity of fungicides, bactericides, and biological control agents.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) ablation catheter system utilizes a flexible, tubular electrode that is selectively extendable from a distal end of a catheter body. The flexible, tubular electrode creates a continuous linear lesion when a longitudinal side of the electrode is arcuately positioned against an interior wall of the human body and the electrode is energized while a cooling fluid passes through the electrode. The catheter system also includes mechanisms for remotely manipulating and extending the electrode. Preferably, the catheter body include a catheter shaft and a flexible tip section such that the distal end of the catheter is steerable. The invention also includes a method of operating the RF catheter ablation system so as to create arcuate linear lesions.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ablation catheter which controls the temperature and reduces the coagulation of biological fluids on a tip of a catheter, prevents the impedance rise of tissue in contact with the catheter tip, and maximizes the potential energy transfer to the tissue, thereby allowing an increase in the lesion size produced by the ablation. The ablation catheter includes a catheter body. The ablation catheter also includes a tip for monitoring electrical potentials, and applying electrical energy to a biological tissue. A fluid source is positioned at one end of the catheter for supplying a fluid flow through the catheter to the tip means. Passages are positioned within the tip in a variety of manners for directing the fluid flow through the tip means to the exterior surface of the tip to control the temperature and form a protective fluid layer around the tip. Monitoring structure is also positioned within the tip structure for measurement of the electrical potentials in a biological tissue.

Abstract: Laser catheters according to the invention include multiple optical fibers for delivery of laser energy to a pre-determined treatment site in the therapeutic treatment of cardiac tissue. A fixation device fixes the distal end of the catheter to the treatment site. Temperature sensing devices disposed on the fixation device provide a temperature depth profile of the tissue treatment site, which can be used to control the treatment. Multi-piece, single-piece and porous tip catheters are disclosed.

Abstract: Cooled optical connector for alignment and coupling of bundled fibers of an optic cable. Coolant in a liquid or gaseous form is passed through a chamber in which a bundled fiber optic cable and nut portion of a standard optical connector is contained. Coolant in either form moves through the cooled optical connector absorbing thermal energy and cooling the interstitial and exposed fibers and areas and the standard optical connector itself.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) ablation catheter system utilizes a flexible, tubular electrode that is selectively extendable from a distal end of a catheter body. The flexible, tubular electrode creates a continuous linear lesion when a longitudinal side of the electrode is arcuately positioned against an interior wall of the human body and the electrode is energized while a cooling fluid passes through the electrode. The catheter system also includes mechanisms for remotely manipulating and extending the electrode. Preferably, the catheter body include a catheter shaft and a flexible tip section such that the distal end of the catheter is steerable. The invention also includes a method of operating the RF catheter ablation system so as to create arcuate linear lesions.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ablation catheter which controls the temperature and reduces the coagulation of biological fluids on a tip of a catheter, prevents the impedance rise of tissue in contact with the catheter tip, and maximizes the energy transfer to the tissue, thereby allowing an increase in the lesion size produced by the ablation. The ablation catheter includes a tip for applying electrical energy to biological tissue. Passages are positioned within the tip in a variety of manners for directing a fluid flow through the tip to the exterior surface of the tip to control the temperature and form a protective fluid layer around the tip. Monitoring structure is also positioned within the tip for measurement of the electrical potentials in a biological tissue. Ablation electrode structure is also positioned within the tip for application of ablative energy to the biological tissue.

Abstract: The invention relates to a steering system for a catheter tip. The system includes wire members that extend through a catheter wall that are used to pull a distal portion of the catheter tip causing controlled, predetermined bending at the tip. Anchoring members located near the catheter tip connect the distal end of the catheter with wire members. The steering system also contains control members which are located at a proximal portion of the catheter and are used to control the pull on the wire members. Steering enhancement members are also included in the steering system which facilitate the bending of the catheter wall.

Abstract: An ablation catheter system, including a guiding/mapping catheter assembly and a laser catheter. The guiding/mapping catheter includes ring electrodes, tip electrodes, a moveable fixation wire, and a central catheter lumen for an ablation catheter. A laser catheter includes an optical fiber for passing laser energy, tip electrodes, an optical fiber port, and thermocouples on the end of hypodermic tubing.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ablation catheter which controls the temperature and reduces the coagulation of biological fluids on a tip of a catheter, prevents the impedance rise of tissue in contact with the catheter tip, and maximizes the potential energy transfer to the tissue, thereby allowing an increase in the lesion size produced by the ablation. The ablation catheter includes a catheter body. The ablation catheter also includes a tip for monitoring electrical potentials, and applying electrical energy to a biological tissue. A fluid source is positioned at one end of the catheter for supplying a fluid flow through the catheter to the tip means. Passages are positioned within the tip in a variety of manners for directing the fluid flow through the tip means to the exterior surface of the tip to control the temperature and form a protective fluid layer around the tip. Monitoring structure is also positioned within the tip structure for measurement of the electrical potentials in a biological tissue.

Abstract: A laser catheter for irradiation of human myocardial tissue containing a movable feedback mechanism for monitoring the damage created by laser irradiation, and which is usable with standard catheters designed for angiography and angioplasty. Means for sensing distal temperature are provided in the form of a plurality of movable thermocouples, along with the ability to cool the fiber optic and distal tip with a flushing solution. Flushing of the area adjacent to the tip is provided for by a fluid which travels the length of the laser catheter.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for mapping of tachyarrhythmia, such as ventricular tachycardia. The apparatus is a mapping catheter which is a polymer member including a plurality of electrodes at a distal end. An upper ring is divided into at least bipolar poles for sensing endocardial potentials. A spaced lower unipolar ring senses intercardic potentials. The process provides for sensing of a QRS signal with the upper bipolar electrodes, and the unipolar ring provides for sensing of the EKG signal. The mapping catheter is of such a size that the mapping catheter can be inserted up and through a hand-held probe to steer and guide the mapping catheter. An interventional catheter will fit within the mapping catheter for ablation of arrhythmogenic sites. One embodiment is a laser delivery catheter which can include a fiber optic cable, a fixation wire, a metal sensing tip and an internal flushing lumen.

Abstract: The invention relates to a steering system for a catheter tip. The system includes wire members that extend through a catheter wall that are used to pull a distal portion of the catheter tip. Anchoring members located near the catheter tip connect the distal end of the catheter with wire members. The steering system also contains control members which are located at a proximal portion of the catheter and are used to control the pull on the wire members. Steering enhancement members are also included in the steering system which facilitate the bending of the catheter wall.

Abstract: The invention described here concerns the unique utility of fatty acids and their derivatives to eradicate existing fungal and bacterial infections in plants. Also, described herein are combination treatments whereby fatty acids are used to enhance or augment the activity of fungicides, bactericides, and biological control agents.

Abstract: A multi-fiber linear array laser catheter for use in irradiation of biological tissue where a circular laser beam is optically transformed to coincide with the cross-section of a linear array of optical fibers. The transformed laser beams are focused onto a linear connector and transmitted through a plurality of parallel optical fibers. Heat is extracted and drawn from the vicinity of the parallel optic fibers by metallic plates acting as heat sinks on opposing sides of the parallel optic fibers.

Abstract: A laser catheter for irradiation of human myocardial tissue containing a fixed feedback mechanism for monitoring the damage created by laser irradiation, and which is usable with standard catheters designed for angiography and angioplasty. Means for sensing distal temperature are provided in the form of a plurality of thermocouples, along with the ability to cool the fiber optic and distal tip with a flushing solution. Flushing of the area adjacent to the tip is provided for by a fluid which travels the length of the laser catheter. A dissolvable tip covering at the distal end facilitates passage of a very sharp point through a guiding catheter or vasculature.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to novel microorganisms useful for the control of unwanted grasses and other weeds. The microorganisms of the subject invention are discovered through a unique process which involves isolating plant pathogens from asymptomatic plants.

Abstract: A Y-connector With a compression gasket for compressing about a guidewire or catheter when inserted into an inner chamber of a Y-connector and compressed by a rim of a large knurled knob. When the large knurled knob is twisted with an inward force, the rim engages the gasket with inward compression, causing the center portion of the gasket to expand inwardly, thereby frictionally engaging against a guidewire or catheter. The inner expansion of the gasket is substantially equal about the inner circumference of the gasket, thereby providing a seal between the guidewire catheter and bodily fluids, such as blood. A guidewire clamp is included at the end of a side arm extending from the Y-connector body.