Abstract: A cardiac catheter employed for minimally invasive cardiac diagnostic electrophysiology and/or cardiac ablation procedures. The catheter of this invention comprises of an elongated cylindrical and electrically non conductive main exterior tube with plurality of surface electrodes disposed on its distal portion, and a handle on its proximal end. The distal portion of this catheter can be curved and the assumed curvature can be retained by a single action on manual actuator of the catheter handle. In one embodiment of this invention an electromechanical drive system is incorporated into the catheter handle for formation of curvatures at the distal portion of the catheter. In a further embodiment an electrical heating element is incorporated within the distal electrode of the catheter for ablation procedures. In another embodiment of this invention a readily removable and disposable blood contacting segment is provided.

Abstract: A cardiac catheter employed for minimally invasive cardiac diagnostic electrophysiology and/or cardiac ablation procedures. The catheter of this invention comprises of an elongated cylindrical and electrically non conductive main exterior tube with plurality of surface electrodes disposed on its distal portion, and a handle on its proximal end. The distal portion of this catheter can be curved and the assumed curvature can be retained by a single action on manual actuator of the catheter handle. In one embodiment of this invention an electromechanical drive system is incorporated into the catheter handle for formation of curvatures at the distal portion of the catheter. In a further embodiment an electrical heating element is incorporated within the distal electrode of the catheter for ablation procedures. In another embodiment of this invention a readily removable and disposable blood contacting segment is provided.

Abstract: A continuity/leakage tester for cardiac catheter probes of the type having plural spaced surface electrodes thereon. The apparatus includes a block having an open ended blind bores provided therein sized for receiving catheters of different diameters. A port is provided in the bore or bores adjacent the opened end and a spring loaded electrical contact provided therein which is grounded. Four plural bores are provided in the block, a common electrical conductor bar extends transversely across the ports which are formed at a common longitudinal station on each of the bores. The catheter is inserted in the bore and as each surface electrode contacts the spring biased electrode in the bore, a continuity test may be performed by an ohm meter connected to the probe lead for that particular surface electrode. As each subsequent surface electrode on the probe enters the bore, its corresponding electrical lead may be switched to the ohm meter for continuity testing of that electrode.