Abstract: A steerable direct myocardial revascularization catheter comprises a catheter body, a tip section and a control handle. The catheter body has an outer wall, proximal and distal ends and at least one lumen extending therethrough. The tip section comprises flexible tubing having proximal and distal ends and at least one lumen therethrough. The proximal end of the tip section is fixedly attached to the distal end of the catheter body. The control handle comprises a first member fixedly attached to the proximal end of the catheter body, a second member being movable relative to the first member, and a first guide tube extending through the control handle from the proximal end to the distal end of the control handle. The first guide tube is fixedly attached to one of the first or second members. The catheter also comprises an optic fiber having a distal end and a proximal end.

Abstract: A method for direct myocardial revascularization by providing a catheter with a catheter body having proximal and distal ends and at least one lumen extending therethrough, a control handle at the proximal end of the catheter body, and a tip section having proximal and distal ends. The tip section is fixedly attached to the distal end of the catheter body. The catheter also comprises an electromagnetic sensor in the distal portion tip section for producing electrical signals indicative of the location of the electromagnetic sensor. The catheter further comprises at least one electrode carried by the tip section for mapping electrical activity of the heart tissue and at least one electrode lead wire electrically connected to the electrode. An optic fiber is provided within the catheter with its distal end being substantially flush with the distal end of the tip section. Manipulation of the control handle results in deflection of the tip section.

Abstract: A steerable direct myocardial revascularization catheter comprises a catheter body, a control handle, a tip section, and a means for deflecting the tip section by manipulation of the control handle. The catheter body has an outer wall, proximal and distal ends, and at least one lumen extending therethrough. The control handle is fixedly attached to the proximal end of the catheter body. The tip section comprises flexible tubing having proximal and distal ends and at least one lumen extending therethrough. The proximal end of the tip section is fixedly attached to the distal end of the catheter body. The catheter also comprises a tip electrode mounted at the distal end of the tip section. The tip electrode has a distal face and an optic fiber lumen therethrough. An electrode lead wire is electrically connected to the tip electrode. The lead wire extends through a lumen in the tip section, through a lumen in the catheter body and into the control handle.

Abstract: A steerable electromagnetic catheter comprises a catheter body, tip section, and control handle. The catheter body has proximal and distal ends and at least one lumen extending therethrough. The control handle is fixedly attached to the proximal end of the catheter body. The tip section comprises tubing having proximal and distal ends and at least one lumen extending therethrough. The proximal end of the tip section is fixedly attached to the distal end of the catheter body. A tip electrode is mounted at the distal end of the tip section and has at least one blind hole extending from its proximal end. The blind hole is in communication with at least one lumen in the tip section. An electromagnetic sensor is mounted in the tip section. The catheter further comprises a means for deflecting the tip section.

Abstract: A catheter comprises a catheter body, a tip section, and a control handle. The catheter body has proximal and distal ends and at least one lumen extending therethrough. The control handle is located at the proximal end of the catheter body. The tip section has proximal and distal ends and at least one lumen therethrough, with the proximal end of the tip section being fixedly attached to the distal end of the catheter body. A tip electrode is fixedly attached at the distal end of the tip section. The tip electrode has a blind hole extending therethrough. A wire, preferably a puller wire, extends and is fixedly attached into the blind hole of the tip electrode. At least two temperature sensors are fixedly attached along the length of the wire within the blind hole.

Abstract: An electrode catheter for cardiac electrophysiology. An elongated body suitable for intravascular insertion surrounds a plurality of electrode lead wires. A composite electrode comprises a plurality of tip electrodes and defines a margin along a proximal edge. Each tip electrode is electrically connected to an associated electrode lead wire and is adjacent to another tip electrode on at least one side along an axis of the elongated body. Each tip electrode is separated from the another tip electrode by insulation. A cup electrode is electrically connected to an associated electrode lead wire and defines a cavity shaped to overlap the margin of the composite electrode. The cup electrode is fixedly secured to the composite electrode and to a distal end of the elongated body and is separated from the composite electrode by insulation.

Abstract: A steerable catheter comprises a catheter body, a control handle, and a tip section. The catheter body comprises an outer wall having proximal and distal ends and at least one lumen extending therethrough. The control handle is situated at the proximal end of the catheter body. The tip section comprises a flexible tubing having proximal and distal ends and at least one off axis lumen. The catheter also comprises a spacer at the junction of the catheter body and tip section. The spacer is made of a material more flexible than the catheter body but less flexible than the flexible tubing of the tip section. The spacer is fixedly situated between the proximal end of the tip section and the distal end of the catheter body. The catheter further comprises a compression coil and a puller wire. The compression coil extends through a lumen in the catheter body and into an off axis lumen in the tip section.

Abstract: A multi-electrode ablation catheter comprises a plurality of thick-walled gold alloy electrodes mounted on the tip section of an elongated electrophysiology catheter. Each electrode is electrically connected to a switching unit by leads comprising paired copper and constantan wires. The switching unit is electrically connected to an RF generator, a temperature monitor and an ECG monitor. The switching unit enables an operator to switch between a first mode for monitoring ECG and a second mode for delivering RF energy for tissue ablation to a selected electrode and monitoring the temperature of that electrode. The copper wire of the lead delivers RF energy and the copper wire and constantan wire combine to form a thermocouple for temperature monitoring.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrophysiology catheter (an electrode catheter) having an electromagnetic sensor designed internally into the tip portion. The catheter is a size 7 French or 8 French of metal braided construction with preferably three lumens. The catheter has a deflectable tip utilizing an offset lumen with a puller wire, a non compressible coil in the body section and a compressible Teflon sheath in the tip section. The coil is glued to the catheter shaft at both ends of the coil but does not run through the deflectable section, thus deflection of the puller wire which deflects the tip to the coil, keeps the body from compressing and deflecting. The puller wire is soldered to a tip electrode and runs to a control handle. The electromagnetic sensor is mounted internally in the catheter tip by a combination of a hole drilled in the three lumen tip and a hollow bridging that covers the electromagnetic sensor and connects the tip electrode to the catheter shaft.

Abstract: An electrode catheter for cardiac electrophysiology. An elongated body suitable for intravascular insertion surrounds a plurality of electrode lead wires. A composite electrode comprises a plurality of tip electrodes and defines a margin along a proximal edge. Each tip electrode is electrically connected to an associated electrode lead wire and is adjacent to another tip electrode on at least one side along an axis of the elongated body. Each tip electrode is separated from the another tip electrode by insulation. A cup electrode is electrically connected to an associated electrode lead wire and defines a cavity shaped to overlap the margin of the composite electrode. The cup electrode is fixedly secured to the composite electrode and to a distal end of the elongated body and is separated from the composite electrode by insulation.

Abstract: A deflectable tip catheter includes an elongated catheter body, a tip section carrying electrodes at the distal end of the catheter body and a control handle at the proximal end of the catheter body. The catheter body has a central lumen and the tip section has a pair of off axis lumens in communication with the central lumen of the catheter body. A compression coil is disposed in the central lumen of the catheter body and is fixedly attached at its proximal and distal ends to the proximal and distal ends of the catheter body by means of glue joints. A tunnel, formed by a short piece of tubing, is provided through each glue joint. A puller wire extends from the control handle, through the compression coil and into one off axis lumen of the tip section and is attached at is distal end to the wall of the tip section.

Abstract: An electrophysiological mapping device includes an outer catheter, an inner catheter slidable within the outer catheter, and an electronic activation and recording device for electrically activating electrodes on the inner catheter and/or recording electric signals received by the electrodes. The distal end of the inner catheter comprises a plurality of arms that carry electrodes. The arms bow outwardly upon extension of the inner catheter from the outer catheter to form a three-dimensional shape. Each arm has a spine of a superelastic material. Each spine is semicircular in section, and is disposed within a portion of a flexible sheath, the electrode lead wires being disposed in the rest of the sheath. The electrodes are formed from the ends of the insulated electrode lead wires which pass through the sheath, are wrapped around the sheath and then stripped of their insulation.

Abstract: A catheter for cardiac mapping includes a tubular catheter shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen, the lumen being optionally closed at the distal end. The catheter further includes a plurality of flexible arms which can bow outwardly to form a three-dimensional shape, such as a basket shape. These arms have distal and proximal ends, optionally have a semi-circular cross-sectional shape, and are connected at their proximal ends to the distal end of the catheter shaft. Each arm carries at least one electrode, an electrode lead wire electrically connected to each electrode carried on the arm, and a tubular sheath surrounding the lead wires. The catheter further includes a distal fitting fixing the distal ends of the arms together and a puller wire extending through the lumen.

Abstract: An electrophysiological mapping device includes an outer catheter, an inner catheter slidable within the outer catheter, and an electronic activation and recording device for electrically activating electrodes on the inner catheter and/or recording electric signals received by the electrodes. The distal end of the inner catheter comprises a plurality of arms that carry electrodes. The arms bow outwardly upon extension of the inner catheter from the outer catheter to form a three-dimensional shape. Each arm has a spine of a superelastic material. Each spine is semicircular in section, and is disposed within a portion of a flexible sheath, the electrode lead wires being disposed in the rest of the sheath. The electrodes are formed from the ends of the insulated electrode lead wires which pass through the sheath, are wrapped around the sheath and then stripped of their insulation.

Abstract: An electrode catheter for mapping right sided supra-ventricular accessory electrical pathways comprises an elongated tubular catheter body and a tip portion which comprises a compound curve. The compound curve has a first bend and a second bend which forms a generally circular curve. The plane of the generally circular curve lies transverse to and preferably at an angle of about 30.degree. to the axis of the catheter body. The generally circular curve portion of the tip portion carries a plurality of electrodes. A puller wire extends through the catheter body and into the tip portion, the distal end of the puller wire being fixedly attached to the distal end of the tip portion. A handle is provided at the proximal end of the catheter for controlling longitudinal movement of the puller wire relative to the catheter body.

Abstract: A cardiovascular catheter comprises an elongated catheter body having a flexible plastic wall reinforced with at least two concentrically spaced-apart braided stainless steel meshes. The catheter exhibits high resistance to buckling and torsional stiffness to allow precise rotational control of the catheter tip.

Abstract: A steerable catheter comprises an elongated catheter body and a tip portion. First and second lumens extend through the catheter body and tip portion. The first lumen is open at the distal end of the catheter. The second lumen is off-axis. A tightly wound coil spring is disposed in the second lumen and extends the length of the catheter body. The coil spring is fixed at the ends of the catheter body. A puller wire is slidably disposed within the coil spring, its distal end extending into and fixed at the distal end of the tip portion. The proximal end of the puller wire is attached to a control handle. Manipulation of the control handle results in deflection of the tip portion without deflection of the catheter body.

Abstract: A cardiovascular electrode catheter for use in arrhythmia ablation procedures has a dumbbell-shaped large-tip electrode having an annular recess or indentation. The annular recess divides the electrode into a ball-shaped distal portion and a generally cylindrical proximal portion. Both the distal and proximal portions of the electrode have a diameter substantially the same as that of the catheter body. The recess enables the electrode to grip the mitral or tricuspid annulus or the atrial or ventricular myocardial wall to improve ablation procedures.

Abstract: An electrophysiological mapping device includes an outer catheter, an inner catheter slidable within the outer catheter, and an electronic activation and recording device for electrically activating electrodes on the inner catheter and/or recording electric signals received by the electrodes. The distal end of the inner catheter comprises a plurality of arms that carry electrodes. The arms bow outwardly upon extension of the inner catheter from the outer catheter to form a three-dimensional shape. Each arm has a spine of a superelastic material. Each spine is semi-circular in section, and is disposed within a portion of a flexible sheath, the electrode lead wires being disposed in the rest of the sheath. The electrodes are formed from the ends of the insulated electrode lead wires which pass through the sheath, are wrapped around the sheath and then stripped of their insulation.