Abstract: An electrical lead for a catheter includes an elongate member of non-conductive material having a proximal end and a distal end and defining a lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end. The elongate member further includes a tubular member of non-conductive material, a braid of conductive material applied over the tubular member, an intermediate layer of non-conductive material applied over the braid, a plurality of electrical conductors extending from the proximal end to the distal end laid on the intermediate layer, and an outer layer of non-conductive material applied over the electrical conductors to cover the conductors. At least one electrode is arranged on the outer surface of the elongate member in electrical communication with at least one of the plurality of electrical conductors through the outer layer. The braid underlies the at least one electrode but is insulated from the at least one electrode by the intermediate non-conductive layer.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing an electrical lead having one or more electrodes includes providing an elongate member having at least one polymeric region and further having at least one electrical conductor that extends along at least a part of a length of the elongate member and that is contained in a wall of the elongate member. A length of the at least one electrical conductor is accessed at the at least one polymeric region. An electrically conductive adhesive is applied to the length of the at least one electrical conductor that has been accessed.

Abstract: A catheter sheath comprises a tubular member connected to a catheter handle, the tubular sheath including one or more electrical conductors and one or more electrode rings attached to the tip of the tubular member. The tubular member further includes at least one opening that allows the one or more electrical conductor to be electrically connected to the one or more electrode rings. The electrode ring is slid over the tubular member so as to cover the opening. The tubular member and the electrode ring are subjected to heat treatment by induction heating so that the material of the tubular member melts locally around the electrode ring to form a seal between the tubular member and the electrode ring.

Abstract: An ablation catheter includes a control handle and a catheter sheath removably connectable to the control handle, the catheter sheath defining a fluid lumen and having a plurality of perforations proximal the distal end of the catheter sheath. The ablation catheter further includes a shape-imparting element inserted into the fluid lumen of the catheter sheath and removably connectable to the control handle. The shape-imparting element is connectable to an RF energy source so that, in use, the shape-imparting elements act as an electrode charging fluid into the fluid lumen to be expelled through the plurality of perforations on the catheter sheath.

Abstract: A steerable stylet assembly includes a tubular member defining a passage, the tubular member defining a first bend enhancing region. At least one further bend enhancing region is arranged intermediate the first bend enhancing region and a distal end of the tubular member. A first actuator is received in the passage of the tubular member, a distal end of the first actuator being fast with the tubular member at a first termination so that relative axial movement between the tubular member and the first actuator causes deflection at the first enhancing region. A second actuator is received in the passage of the tubular member, a distal end of the second actuator being fast with the tubular member at a second termination so that relative axial movement between the tubular member and the second actuator causes the distal part of the tubular member to be formed into a desired shape. The assembly includes a control mechanism to control relative axial movement between the tubular member and each of the actuators.

Abstract: A sheath adapted for use with a catheter is disclosed comprising an electrical lead having a proximal end and a distal end and a lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end, the electrical lead including a tubular member of non-conductive material. At least a first set of electrical conductors and a second set of electrical conductors extend from the proximal end to the distal end laid on the non-conductive tubular member, and an outer layer of non-conductive material is applied over the electrical conductors to cover the conductors. One or more electrodes are disposed on a distal portion of the sheath. Each electrode is in electrical communication with at least one of the electrical conductors through the outer layer. The first set of electrical conductors is helically wrapped around the lumen and the second set of electrical conductors is helically wrapped around the first set of electrical conductors.

Abstract: A catheter handle includes a handle body having a proximal end and a distal end and a passage extending between the proximal end and the distal end. The handle body comprises a plurality of shell parts that can be separated to access an interior of the handle body. The handle body further includes a connector mounted at the proximal end of the handle body and a strain relief arranged at the distal end, the strain relief and the connector being removably arranged relative to the handle body.

Abstract: A catheter includes a handle, a catheter sheath having at least one conductor within a lumen of the catheter sheath, and a stylet received within the catheter sheath. The catheter sheath is fabricated by providing a tubular member, forming an aperture in a wall of the tubular member at a distal part of the tubular member and inserting a conductor into the lumen of the tubular member. An exposed distal end of the conductor is attached to an electrode, which is then mounted onto an external surface of the tubular member to cover the aperture. The tubular member is then treated by heat to seal the electrode.

Abstract: A catheter assembly includes a catheter handle having a handle body defining a bore and having a proximal part and a distal end. A catheter sheath has a proximal part received in the bore of the handle body, the catheter sheath projecting from the distal end of the catheter handle and the proximal part of the catheter sheath carrying a series of spaced electrically conductive members. Each conductive member is electrically connected to a conductor extending in the catheter sheath from the proximal part towards a distal end of the catheter sheath. A carrier is arranged in the bore of the catheter handle, the carrier carrying a series of spaced electrical contacts with each contact being configured to make electrical contact with one of the electrically conductive members of the catheter sheath.

Abstract: A catheter includes a handle, a catheter sheath and a stylet having a shaped distal part received within the catheter sheath. The catheter further has a shape adjustment mechanism including a stylet carrier displaceably carried by the handle and a shape adjuster in the form of a collar rotatable about the handle. Rotational movement of the shape adjuster imparts a motion to the stylet carrier to adjust the shape of the distal part of the stylet.

Abstract: An ablation catheter includes a control handle and a catheter sheath removably connectable to the control handle, the catheter sheath defining a fluid lumen and having a plurality of perforations proximal the distal end of the catheter sheath. The ablation catheter further includes a shape-imparting element inserted into the fluid lumen of the catheter sheath and removably connectable to the control handle. The shape-imparting element is connectable to an RF energy source so that, in use, the shape-imparting elements act as an electrode charging fluid into the fluid lumen to be expelled through the plurality of perforations on the catheter sheath.

Abstract: A catheter includes a handle, a catheter sheath and a stylet received within a lumen of the catheter sheath. A carrier arrangement projects from the distal end of the handle, the carrier arrangement mounting the catheter sheath and at least part of the deflection stylet. The catheter handle includes an adjustment unit having a gear mechanism that controls at least one of the deflection of the distal part of the stylet and the extent of deflection of the distal part of the stylet.

Abstract: A catheter sheath for an irrigation catheter comprises an elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end and defining a lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end. At least one electrode is arranged on the elongate member. A plurality of elongate elements are contained in the elongate member, the elongate elements comprising at least one electrical conductor and at least one element of a non-conductive material arranged adjacent the at least one electrical conductor to form at least one non-conductive region associated with the elongate member. At least one passage extends through a wall of the elongate member to intersect the non-conductive region and to be in communication with the lumen of the elongate member. The at least one passage has an outlet opening in, or adjacent, the at least one electrode.

Abstract: A catheter includes a handle, a catheter sheath and a stylet having a shaped distal part received within the catheter sheath. The catheter includes a catheter shape release mechanism comprising the catheter handle and an elongate catheter sheath carrier. The catheter sheath carrier is slidable between a first position in which the shaped distal part of the stylet lies in register with the distal part of the catheter sheath to impart that shape to the catheter sheath and a second position in which the shaped distal part of the stylet is located proximally of the distal part of the catheter sheath. The catheter shape release mechanism enables retraction of the handle and the stylet while keeping the catheter sheath in place in case the catheter snags on tissue when in use.

Abstract: An irrigation catheter includes a handle, a catheter sheath with at least one ablation electrode proximal the distal end of the catheter sheath and a stylet for deflecting the distal end of the catheter sheath. The ablation electrode includes at least one irrigation opening in it. The irrigation catheter further includes a fluid-carrying formation formed on the catheter sheath under the ablation electrode. The fluid-carrying formation is in fluid communication with the irrigation lumen of the catheter sheath so that fluid is conveyed from the irrigation lumen to the irrigation opening.

Abstract: A catheter handle assembly includes a holder having a proximal end and a distal end. An electrode sheath carrier is arranged at the distal end of the holder. A shape imparting element carrier is removably mountable to the proximal end of the holder, the shape imparting element carrier having at least one mounting formation for mounting at least a part of a shape imparting element. A slide is displaceably arranged in the holder with a distal end of the slide mounting the electrode sheath carrier and a proximal end of the slide terminating in proximity to the shape imparting element carrier.

Abstract: A shape-imparting mechanism for a catheter that includes an elongate element dimensioned to fit within a lumen of an electrode sheath of a catheter. An insertion facilitating arrangement is carried at a distal end of the elongate element for facilitating insertion of the distal end of the elongate element into the lumen of the electrode sheath of the catheter.

Abstract: A modular catheter comprises a tubular sheath module having one or more electrodes attached to the distal end of the tubular sheath and an elongate shape-imparting mechanism module. The shape-imparting mechanism module is removably received within a lumen defined by the tubular member. The tubular sheath module and the shape-imparting mechanism module are releasably connectable to a handle module. The handle comprises a plurality of wall members defining a cavity housing one or more modules releasably connected to the handle and accessible by at least partially separating the wall members. The tubular sheath, the shape-imparting mechanism module and the handle are replaceable independently and can be sterilized for subsequent use.

Abstract: A catheter sheath comprises a tubular member connected to a catheter handle, the tubular sheath including one or more electrical conductors and one or more electrode rings attached to the tip of the tubular member. The tubular member further includes at least one opening that allows the one or more electrical conductor to be electrically connected to the one or more electrode rings. The electrode ring is slid over the tubular member so as to cover the opening. The tubular member and the electrode ring are subjected to heat treatment by induction heating so that the material of the tubular member melts locally around the electrode ring to form a seal between the tubular member and the electrode ring.

Abstract: A catheter includes a handle, a catheter sheath having at least one conductor within a lumen of the catheter sheath, and a stylet received within the catheter sheath. The catheter sheath is fabricated by providing a tubular member, forming an aperture in the wall of the tubular member at the distal part of the tubular member and inserting a conductor into the lumen of the tubular member. The exposed distal end of the conductor is attached to an electrode, which is then mounted onto an external surface of the tubular member to cover the aperture. The tubular member is then treated by heat to seal the electrode.