Abstract: An irrigation ablation probe comprises a generally rigid probe body and a handle mounted to the proximal end of the probe body. The generally rigid probe body comprises an ablation electrode at its distal end having at least one irrigation opening through which fluid can pass. An infusion tube extends through the probe body for introducing fluid into the ablation electrode. The irrigation ablation probe is useful for treating atrial fibrillation during open heart surgery.

Abstract: An irrigation ablation probe comprises a generally rigid probe body and a handle mounted to the proximal end of the probe body. The generally rigid probe body comprises an ablation electrode at its distal end having at least one irrigation opening through which fluid can pass. An infusion tube extends through the probe body for introducing fluid into the ablation electrode. The irrigation ablation probe is useful for treating atrial fibrillation during open heart surgery.

Abstract: A bidirectional mapping catheter is provided. The catheter comprises an elongated flexible tubular catheter body having an axis and proximal and distal ends. A mapping assembly, which is mounted at the distal end of the tubular body, has a preformed generally circular main region having an outer surface that is generally transverse to the axis of the catheter body. The generally circular main region has proximal and distal ends and carries a plurality of spaced apart electrodes. An electrode lead wire is associated with each electrode. Each electrode lead wire has proximal and distal ends and extends through the catheter body and into the mapping assembly. The distal end of each electrode lead wire is electrically connected to its associated electrode. First and second puller wires are provided. Each puller wire has proximal and distal ends and extends through the tubular catheter body. The distal end of each puller wire is anchored at or near the distal end of the catheter body.

Abstract: An improved basket catheter is provided that is particularly useful for mapping the heart. The catheter comprises an elongated catheter body having proximal and distal ends and at least one lumen therethrough. A basket-shaped electrode assembly is mounted at the distal end of the catheter body. The basket assembly has proximal and distal ends and comprises a plurality of spines connected at their proximal and distal ends. Each spine comprises at least one electrode. The basket assembly has an expanded arrangement wherein the spines bow radially outwardly and a collapsed arrangement wherein the spines are arranged generally along the axis of the catheter body. The catheter further comprises a distal location sensor mounted at or near the distal end of the basket-shaped electrode assembly and a proximal location sensor mounted at or near the proximal end of the basket-shaped electrode assembly.

Abstract: A catheter is provided that has a basket-shaped electrode assembly with an improved mechanism for expanding and contracting the electrode array. The expansion mechanism is designed to permit reproducible reintroduction of the catheter into the heart. The catheter comprises an elongated catheter body having at least one lumen therethrough. A basket-shaped electrode assembly is mounted at the distal end of the catheter body. The basket assembly comprises a plurality of spines connected at their proximal and distal ends, each of which comprises at least one electrode. The basket assembly has an expanded arrangement wherein the spines bow radially outwardly and a collapsed arrangement wherein the spines are arranged generally along the axis of the catheter body. An expander is attached at or near its distal end to the distal ends of the spines and extends through the catheter body. The expander has a proximal end that extends out the proximal end of the catheter body a lumen extending therethrough.

Abstract: A catheter particularly useful for ablation lesions within a tubular region of or near the heart is provided. The catheter comprises an elongated flexible tubular catheter body having an axis and proximal and distal ends. An ablation assembly is mounted at the distal end of the tubular body. The ablation assembly has a preformed generally circular curve having an outer surface and being generally transverse to the axis of the catheter body. The ablation assembly comprises a flexible tubing having proximal and distal ends that carries a tip electrode at its distal end. An electrode lead wire extends through the catheter body and into the ablation assembly and has a distal end connected to the tip electrode. In use the distal end of the catheter is interested into the heart of a patient.

Abstract: A catheter that is particularly useful for mapping tubular regions of the heart, such as the pulmonary vein, is provided. The catheter comprises an elongated tubular catheter body having an outer wall, proximal and distal ends, and at least one lumen extending therethrough. The catheter further includes a mapping assembly, which comprises a tubular structure comprising a generally circular main region generally transverse and distal to the catheter body and having an outer circumference and a generally straight distal region distal to the main region, wherein the tubular structure comprises a non-conductive cover over at least the main region of the mapping assembly. A support member having shape-memory is disposed within at least the main region of the mapping assembly. A plurality of electrode pairs, each comprising two ring electrodes, are carried by the generally circular main region of the mapping assembly.

Abstract: A catheter having an improved electrode that minimizes irritation to the heart tissue and counters the occurrence of foreign body reactions is provided. The catheter comprises an elongated, flexible catheter body having proximal and distal ends and at least one lumen extending therethrough. At least one electrode, such as a tip electrode or ring electrode, is mounted on the distal end of the catheter body, wherein the electrode comprises a base material having an outer surface and a hydrogel layer applied over at least a portion of the outer surface of the base material. Preferably a drug or other therapeutic agent is incorporated into the hydrogel layer.

Abstract: The ablation catheter is comprised of a guiding catheter and an inner catheter. The guiding catheter is comprised of a shaft section which is attached to an articulating section at its distal end and a first handle at its proximal end. The inner catheter is comprised of an elongated central shaft, an electrode assembly attached to the distal end of the central shaft, and a second handle attached to the proximal end of the central shaft. The electrode assembly is comprised of a flexible plastic catheter tube having an outer surface, a porous tip electrode, and at least one linear electrode carried on the outer surface of the catheter tube. The electrode assembly is articulated to better align the electrode assembly to the generally arcuate shape of the inner chambers of the heart.

Abstract: A catheter that is particularly useful for mapping tubular regions of the heart, such as the pulmonary vein, is provided. The catheter comprises an elongated tubular catheter body having an outer wall, proximal and distal ends, and at least one lumen extending therethrough. The catheter further includes a mapping assembly, which comprises a tubular structure comprising a continuous generally circular main region generally transverse and distal to the catheter body and having an outer circumference. The tubular structure comprises a non-conductive cover over at least the main region of the mapping assembly. A plurality of electrode pairs, each comprising two ring electrodes, are carried by the generally circular main region of the mapping assembly.

Abstract: An injection catheter is provided. The catheter comprises a catheter body comprising a flexible tubing having proximal and distal ends and at least one needle passage extending therethrough. The needle passage has a proximal region having a proximal diameter and a distal region having a distal diameter less than the proximal diameter. A needle control handle is provided at the proximal end of the catheter body. An injection needle extends through the catheter body and needle control handle and has a proximal end within the needle control handle and a distal end within the needle passage. The injection needle is longitudinally slidable within the catheter body so that its distal end can extend beyond the distal end of the catheter body. A needle stop is mounted on a portion of the injection needle that is positioned within the proximal region of the needle passage.

Abstract: A catheter particularly useful for ablation lesions within a tubular region of or near the heart is provided. The catheter comprises an elongated flexible tubular catheter body having an axis and proximal and distal ends. An ablation assembly is mounted at the distal end of the tubular body. The ablation assembly has a preformed generally circular curve having an outer surface and being generally transverse to the axis of the catheter body. The ablation assembly comprises a flexible tubing having proximal and distal ends that carries a tip electrode at its distal end. An electrode lead wire extends through the catheter body and into the ablation assembly and has a distal end connected to the tip electrode. In use the distal end of the catheter is interested into the heart of a patient.

Abstract: A method for measuring electrical activity within a tubular region of or near the heart, such as the pulmonary vein, is provided. The method comprises inserting into the heart a distal end of a catheter comprising an elongated tubular catheter body having an outer wall, proximal and distal ends, and at least one lumen extending therethrough. The catheter further includes a mapping assembly comprising a tubular structure having a continuous generally circular main region generally transverse and distal to the catheter body and having an outer circumference. The tubular structure has at least one electrode carried by the generally circular main region of the mapping assembly. The outer circumference of the generally circular main region is contacted with the inner circumference of the tubular region. The electrical activity within the tubular region is mapped with the at least one electrode along the generally circular main region.

Abstract: A method is provided for mapping electrical activity within a tubular region of or near the heart having a inner circumference, such as a pulmonary vein. The method comprises inserting into the heart a distal end of a mapping catheter. The mapping catheter comprises an elongated tubular catheter body having an outer wall, proximal and distal ends, and at least one lumen extending therethrough. The catheter includes a mapping assembly comprising a tubular structure comprising a pre-formed generally circular main region generally transverse and distal to the catheter body and having an outer circumference. The tubular structure comprises a non-conductive cover over at least the main region of the mapping assembly. A plurality of electrode pairs, each comprising two ring electrodes, are carried by the generally circular main region of the mapping assembly.

Abstract: An injection catheter is provided. The injection catheter comprises a catheter body comprising a flexible tubing having proximal and distal ends and at least one lumen therethrough. A needle control handle is provided at the proximal end of the catheter body. The needle control handle comprises an outer body having a piston chamber therein, a piston slidably mounted within the piston chamber; and a compression spring in the piston chamber between the outer body and the piston. An injection needle extends through the catheter body and at least a portion of the needle control handle. The injection needle has a proximal end attached to one of the outer body and the piston and a distal end within the catheter body.

Abstract: A mapping catheter comprises a catheter body and a mapping assembly. The catheter body has an outer wall, proximal and distal ends, and at least one lumen extending therethrough. The mapping assembly comprises a generally straight proximal region attached to the catheter body, a generally circular main region distal the proximal region having an outer circumference, and a generally straight distal region distal the main region. The mapping assembly also comprises a support member having shape-memory, a non-conductive covering over the support member, and a plurality of electrodes on the non-conductive covering along the generally circular main region.

Abstract: An injection catheter is provided. The catheter comprises a catheter body comprising a flexible tubing having proximal and distal ends and at least one lumen therethrough. A tip section comprising a flexible tubing is mounted at the distal end of the catheter body. The tip section has a needle passage extending therethough. The needle passage has a proximal region having a proximal diameter and a distal region having a distal diameter less than the proximal diameter. A needle control handle is provided at the proximal end of the catheter body. An injection needle extends through the tip section, catheter body, and needle control handle and has a proximal end attached to the needle control handle and a distal end within the needle passage. The injection needle is longitudinally slidable so that its distal end can extend beyond the distal end of the tip section upon suitable manipulation of the needle control handle.

Abstract: An injection catheter is provided. The catheter comprises a catheter body comprising a flexible tubing having proximal and distal ends and at least one lumen therethrough. The catheter further comprises a tip section comprising a flexible tubing having proximal and distal ends, wherein the proximal end of the tip section is mounted at the distal end of the catheter body. A needle control handle is provided at the proximal end of the catheter body. An injection needle comprising elongated tubing extends through the tip section, catheter body, and needle control handle. The injection needle has a proximal end attached to the needle control handle, a distal region within the tip section, and an open distal end. The injection needle is longitudinally slidable within the tip section so that its distal region can extend beyond the distal end of the tip section upon suitable manipulation of the needle control handle.

Abstract: An injection catheter is provided. The catheter comprises a catheter body comprising a flexible tubing having proximal and distal ends and at least one lumen therethrough. The catheter further comprises a tip section comprising a flexible tubing having proximal and distal ends, wherein the proximal end of the tip section is mounted at the distal end of the catheter body. A needle control handle is provided at the proximal end of the catheter body. An injection needle comprising elongated tubing extends through the tip section, catheter body, and needle control handle. The injection needle has a proximal end attached to the needle control handle, a distal region within the tip section, and an open distal end. The injection needle is longitudinally slidable within the tip section so that its distal region can extend beyond the distal end of the tip section upon suitable manipulation of the needle control handle. The distal region of the injection needle has at least one fluid port along its length.

Abstract: A steerable irrigated tip catheter is provided. The catheter includes a catheter body, a control handle at the proximal end of the catheter body, and a tip section at the distal end of the catheter body. The tip section comprises a segment of flexible tubing with a tip electrode fixedly attached to its distal end. The tip electrode has a fluid passage in fluid communication with a lumen in the tip section. The fluid passage comprises at least one transverse passage or is formed by interconnecting pores of the tip electrode. An infusion tube extends through the catheter body and tip section and is anchored at its distal end in the proximal end of the fluid passage in the tip electrode. In use, fluid can flow through the infusion tube, into the fluid passage in the tip electrode and through the tip electrode to the outer surface of the tip electrode.