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 catheter handle includes a handle body. A steering control mechanism is displaceably carried on the handle body. An electrode sheath carrier is carried on the handle body, the electrode sheath carrier being displaceable at least relative to the steering control mechanism.

Abstract: A steering mechanism for a catheter includes a tubular member defining a passage. The tubular member has a longitudinally extending, bend-enhancing portion formed at a predetermined region of the tubular member. An actuator is received in the passage of the tubular member, with the distal part of the actuator being fastened to a distal part of the tubular member.

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 deflectable stylet for a catheter includes an elongate deflectable member with a bend-enhancing region defined at a distal part of the deflectable member. An actuator has a distal end. 1 fast with a distal end of the deflectable member, relative displacement between the actuator and the deflectable member causing deflection of the distal part of the deflectable member at the bend-enhancing region. A control member is displaceably arranged relative to the deflectable member, the control member interacting with the bend-enhancing region of the deflectable member for controlling the extent of deflection of the distal part of the deflectable member.

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.

Abstract: A catheter includes a catheter sheath, and a handle. The handle includes an electrical connector its proximal end for connecting the catheter to standard electrical devices such as a typical monitoring device. The catheter handle houses an electrical connector assembly. The electrical connector assembly includes a first connector member to which electrical conductors of a catheter sheath are connected and a second connector member, which is further connected to the connector integrated at the proximal end of the catheter handle. The first connector member is received in a socket of the second connector member in a clip-in manner.

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 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 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 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 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: 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: 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 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 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 modular catheter includes an elongate tubular member having a proximal end and a closed, distal end. A lumen extends from the proximal end to the distal end and a plurality of electrodes are arranged at, or adjacent, the distal end, conductors for the electrodes being contained within a wall of the tubular member. An elongate shape-imparting mechanism is removably received within the lumen of the tubular member such that a distal end of the shape-imparting mechanism is substantially in register with the distal end of the tubular member. A control device has a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the tubular member and a proximal end of the shape-imparting mechanism being releasably connectable to the distal end of the control device.

Abstract: A catheter steering mechanism includes a tubular member defining a passage. The tubular member has a longitudinally extending cutaway portion defining a bend-enhancing region formed at a predetermined location along a length of the tubular member. An actuator is received in the passage of the tubular member, a distal part of the actuator being fast with a distal part of the tubular member. A restraining arrangement is defined by the tubular member, the restraining arrangement comprising a structure arranged at the bend-enhancing region to retain the actuator substantially within the confines of the tubular member during bending.

Abstract: A modular catheter includes an elongate tubular member having a proximal end and a closed, distal end. A lumen extends from the proximal end to the distal end and a plurality of electrodes are arranged at, or adjacent, the distal end, conductors for the electrodes being contained within a wall of the tubular member. An elongate shape-imparting mechanism is removably received within the lumen of the tubular member such that a distal end of the shape-imparting mechanism is substantially in register with the distal end of the tubular member. A control device has a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the tubular member and a proximal end of the shape-imparting mechanism being releasably connectable to the distal end of the control device.