Abstract: A catheter has single axis sensors mounted directly along a portion of the catheter whose position/location is of interest. The magnetic based, single axis sensors are on a linear or nonlinear single axis sensor (SAS) assembly. The catheter includes a catheter body and a distal 2D or 3D configuration provided by a support member on which at least one, if not at least three single axis sensors, are mounted serially along a length of the support member. The magnetic-based sensor assembly may include at least one coil member wrapped on the support member, wherein the coil member is connected via a joint region to a respective cable member adapted to transmit a signal providing location information from the coil member to a mapping and localization system. The joint region provides strain relief adaptations to the at least one coil member and the respective cable member from detaching.

Abstract: A deflectable device, such as a catheter, is provided that includes a hinge that enhances the ability of the device to deflect or bend within a predetermined plane. The catheter comprises an elongated tubular catheter body having proximal and distal ends and at least one lumen extending therethrough. A distal segment is provided distal to the distal end of the catheter body. A tubular hinge is provided between the distal end of the catheter body and the proximal end of the distal segment. The hinge has an axis and at least one lumen extending therethrough. The tube includes at least one slot, and preferably a plurality of slots, extending part of the way through the hinge generally transverse to the axis of the hinge.

Abstract: A catheter for use in a patient's heart, especially for mapping a tubular region of the heart, has a catheter body, a deflectable intermediate section and a distal a mapping assembly that has a generally circular portion adapted to sit on or in a tubular region of the heart. A control handle of the catheter allows for single-handed manipulation of various control mechanisms that can deflect the intermediate section and contract the mapping assembly by means of a deflection control assembly and a linear control assembly. The deflection control assembly has a deflection arm and a rocker member. The linear control assembly has a linear control member, an inner rotational member and a cam. A pair of puller members are responsive to the deflection control assembly to bi-directionally deflect the intermediate section. A third puller member is responsive to the linear control assembly to contract the generally circular portion of the mapping assembly.

Abstract: Apparatus for tracking an object includes a position transducer, which is adapted to be fixed to the object. The position transducer includes a digital microcontroller, which includes a plurality of output pins, and which is operative to generate an alternating digital output at a selected frequency on at least one of the output pins. At least one transmit antenna is coupled directly to the at least one of the output pins, so that the at least one antenna transmits a magnetic field at the selected frequency responsively to the alternating digital output. A field sensor senses the magnetic field and generates a signal responsively thereto. A processor receives and processes the signal in order to determine coordinates of the position transducer.

Abstract: A bi-directional catheter with nearly double the throw in its catheter tip deflection defines a puller wire travel path having a U-turn a pulley which minimizes the offset angle between the puller wire and the longitudinal axis of the control handle while maximizing the travel distance of that puller wire for any given distance traveled by the pulley drawing the puller wire. In particular, the control handle of the catheter which includes a steering assembly having a lever arm carrying a pair of pulleys for drawing corresponding puller wires to deflect the tip section of the catheter. The pulleys are rotatably mounted on opposing portions of the lever arm such that one pulley is moved distally as the other pulley is moved proximally when the lever arm is rotated.

Abstract: A catheter with ablation and potential sensing capabilities is adapted for outer circumferential contact with an opening of a tubular region and inner circumferential contact within the tubular region. The catheter has a proximal electrode assembly and a distal electrode assembly for ablation of an ostium and potential sensing inside the pulmonary vein so that it is possible to obtain ECG signals inside a pulmonary vein when ablating around the ostium. The distal electrode assembly has an elongated member defining a longitudinal axis and a plurality of spines surrounding the member and converging at their proximal and distal ends, where each spine has at least one electrode and a curvature so that the spine bows radially outwardly from the member.

Abstract: A catheter having an internal advancing mechanism that can advance stiffening wires or other devices, has a catheter with a catheter body, a tip section distal the catheter body, a device extending through at least the catheter body, and a control handle proximal the catheter body, where the control handle has an advancing mechanism with a threaded member, an adjustment member, and a guided member to which the device is connected, and the advancing mechanism is configured to advance and retract the device along the catheter body as controlled by a user. Each of the threaded member and the adjustment member has a generally cylindrical configuration. The threaded member has an outer surface configured with a helical guide channel. The adjustment member is configured to guide the guided member to move within the helical guide channel to advance and retract the device. The adjustment member can be rotatable over the threaded member by the user to control advancement and retraction of the device.

Abstract: A system for measuring real-time tissue reflection spectral characteristics during ablation includes a catheter for collecting light reflected from tissue undergoing ablation, a detection component for separating constituent wavelengths of the collected light, a quantification apparatus for generating measured light intensity data of the collected light, and a processor for analyzing the data in relation to time. A method for monitoring formation of steam pop during ablation includes delivering light to tissue, delivering ablative energy to the tissue, measuring the reflectance spectral intensity of the tissue, and observing whether the measured reflectance spectral intensity (MRSI) initially increases in a specified time period followed by a decrease at a specified rate. If the MRSI does not decrease, delivery of ablation energy continues.

Abstract: A catheter is adapted to ablate tissue and provide lesion qualitative information on a real time basis, having an ablation tip section with a generally omni-directional light diffusion chamber with one openings to allow light energy in the chamber to radiate the tissue and return to the chamber. The chamber is irrigated at a positive pressure differential to continuously flush the opening with fluid. The light energy returning to the chamber from the tissue conveys a tissue parameter, including without limitation, lesion formation, depth of penetration of lesion, cross-sectional area of lesion, formation of char during ablation, recognition of char during ablation, recognition of char from non-charred tissue, formation of coagulum around the ablation site, differentiation of coagulated from non-coagulated blood, differentiation of ablated from healthy tissue, tissue proximity, and recognition of steam formation in the tissue for prevention of steam pop.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bi-directional catheter with nearly double the throw in its catheter tip deflection. In particular, the travel path of each the puller wire includes a U-turn or doubling-back around a pulley which minimizes the offset angle between the puller wire and the longitudinal axis of the control handle while maximizing the travel distance of that puller wire for any given distance traveled by the pulley drawing the puller wire. In one embodiment, the catheter has an elongated catheter body, a catheter tip section with first and second diametrically-opposed off-axis lumens, and a control handle which includes a steering assembly having a lever structure carrying a pair of pulleys for simultaneously drawing and releasing corresponding puller wires to deflect the tip section of the catheter.

Abstract: A medical device has a distal member with a configuration that can be changed by means of a control handle with a control assembly employing a rotational cam, a shaft, and a pulley, where the rotational cam is rotationally mounted on a portion of the control handle for rotation by a user. The rotational cam operates on the shaft to move it proximally or distally depending on the direction of rotation which in turn rotates the pulley to draw or release a puller wire to change the configuration of the distal member of the medical device. The shaft is oriented along a diameter of the control handle. The shaft has two ends which extends through two axial guide slots in the portion of the control handle to sit two opposing helical tracks formed on inner surface of the rotational cam. The guide slots are parallel with the longitudinal axis of the control handle and therefore maintain the shaft's diametrical orientation as the rotational cam is rotated to move the shaft proximally or distally.

Abstract: A system is used for robotically controlling movement of a human-controllable catheter, wherein the catheter has at least one position sensor for generating or receiving signals used for determining six dimensions of location and orientation information. The system uses a robotic control mechanism and a computer for driving the robotic control mechanism to (i) translationally move the catheter distal end in a vicinity of a target, (ii) deflect the distal end of the catheter, and (iii) rotate the catheter. The computer determines roll of the catheter using six dimensions of location and orientation information based on signals generated or received from the at least one position sensor.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system, a method and a catheter that provide improved ablation capabilities and improved energy efficiency by selectively energizing catheter electrodes on the basis of impedance measurements. In particular, the invention is directed to the selective energization of catheter radial electrodes that together with a tip electrode form a generally continuous tissue contact surface, wherein the selection is made on the basis of impedance measurement as an indication of the amount of tissue contact of each radial electrode.

Abstract: A device and system for automating catheter needle injection has a first actuator that extends a needle past the distal end of the catheter, a second actuator that depresses a plunger to deliver injectate through the needle and an agitator assembly to agitate the injectate before it enters the needle. The device and system may also include a force sensor coupled to the plunger to sense pressure to detect occlusion, and an optical sensor to sense movement of the second actuator.

Abstract: A bi-directional catheter with nearly double the throw in its catheter tip deflection defines a puller wire travel path having a U-turn a pulley which minimizes the offset angle between the puller wire and the longitudinal axis of the control handle while maximizing the travel distance of that puller wire for any given distance traveled by the pulley drawing the puller wire. In particular, the control handle of the catheter which includes a steering assembly having a lever arm carrying a pair of pulleys for drawing corresponding puller wires to deflect the tip section of the catheter. The pulleys are rotatably mounted on opposing portions of the lever arm such that one pulley is moved distally as the other pulley is moved proximally when the lever arm is rotated.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system for process control has two operating modes: normal mode and active procedure mode, with automatic transition between them. In normal mode, the operating system, firewall and anti-virus are fully operational. When entering a time-critical phase of a process, a process control application signals the operating system and utilities, whereupon transition to active procedure mode automatically occurs, in which access by the system services and by other applications to the resources of the computer is selectively limited in favor of the process control application. Upon completion of the procedure, the system automatically returns to normal mode.

Abstract: A method for treating atrial fibrillation in an atrium of a heart includes (a) acquiring an image or map of the atrium; (b) displaying the image or map of the atrium; (c) marking at least one feature on the image or map; (d) calculating dimensions of the at least one feature; (e) identifying one or more points on or within the atrium for treatment as part of a treatment plan; (f) determining paths to the one or more points on or within the atrium for treatment; (g) simulating insertion of a sheath into the atrium; (h) simulating insertion of a medical device through the sheath and into the atrium; (i) verifying that the one or more points on or within the atrium can be accessed for treatment; (j) computing an overall surface area of the atrium; (k) calculating an estimated area not treated in the atrium based on the treatment plan; (l) assessing whether macro-reentrant circuits can exist in the estimated area not treated in the atrium; (m) repeating steps (e)-(l) in the event step (l) indicates that macro-ree

Abstract: A catheter having an internal advancing mechanism that can advance stiffening wires or other devices, has a catheter with a catheter body, a tip section distal the catheter body, a device extending through at least the catheter body, and a control handle proximal the catheter body, where the control handle has an advancing mechanism with a threaded member, an adjustment member, and a guided member to which the device is connected, and the advancing mechanism is configured to advance and retract the device along the catheter body as controlled by a user. Each of the threaded member and the adjustment member has a generally cylindrical configuration. The threaded member has an outer surface configured with a helical guide channel. The adjustment member is configured to guide the guided member to move within the helical guide channel to advance and retract the device. The adjustment member can be rotatable over the threaded member by the user to control advancement and retraction of the device.

Abstract: A catheter comprises a catheter body with an ablation assembly at its distal end. The ablation assembly has a preformed generally circular curve generally transverse to the axis of the catheter body, and comprises a flexible tubing that carries a tip electrode at its distal end. In use, the generally circular curve contacts the inner circumference of a tubular region of a patient's heart so that the tip electrode contacts tissue along the inner circumference. After ablating the tissue at this first position, the ablation assembly can be rotated so that the tip electrode contacts tissue at a second position along the inner circumference. After ablating the tissue at the second position, the procedure can be repeated to form a lesion of the desired length.

Abstract: A deflectable catheter includes a catheter body, an intermediate section, a tip electrode and a control handle for deflecting the catheter by manipulation of a puller element that is made of a high modulus fiber material and extends through the catheter body and the intermediate section. The proximal end of the puller element is housed in the control handle and the distal end of the puller element is in a wrapped configuration and engages with a distal tip member or the intermediate section.