Abstract: A process for the mapping and/or ablation of locations within the right ventricle associated with the right ventricular outflow tract for the treatment of ventricular tachycardia by use of ablation and/or mapping catheters guided by guiding introducers. Also disclosed are shapes for the guiding introducer to be used for the ablation and/or mapping of areas within the right ventricle associated with the right ventricular outflow tract for the treatment of ventricular tachycardia.

Abstract: A guiding introducer system for use in the treatment of arrhythmia associated with the left ventricle from the ventricular side comprising an inner guiding introducer and an outer guiding introducer wherein the inner guiding introducer is comprised of a first and second section and the outer guiding introducer is comprised of a first and second sections. The guiding introducer system is for use in sensing, pacing, and ablating procedures in the left ventricle.

Abstract: Disclosed are shapes for guiding introducers to be used for the ablation and/or mapping of the discrete tracks within the left and right atrium.

Abstract: A guiding introducer for use with an endomyocardial biopsy forceps is disclosed. The guiding introducer is precurved to assist in the support and placement of biopsy forceps or a bioptome in the correct location within the heart for biopsy procedures, preferably the right ventricle.

Abstract: A process for the treatment of cardiac arrhythmia by use of ablation and/or mapping procedures comprising ablating discrete ablation tracks within the heart by use of a guiding introducer containing openings with an ablation catheter. Also disclosed is the shape and structure of the guiding introducer containing openings to be used for the ablation procedure.

Abstract: A guiding introducer system for use in the left atrium comprised of an inner guiding introducer and an outer guiding introducer wherein the inner guiding introducer is comprised of a first and second section and the outer guiding introducer is comprised of a first and second sections. The guiding introducer system is for use in sensing, pacing, and ablating procedures within the left atrium of the human heart.

Abstract: A catheter for insertion in the ostium of the coronary sinus in the right atrium comprised of a main reinforced portion, an intermediate zone portion and a soft tip portion wherein a portion of the catheter is curved in a double curve, wherein the first curve is a first longitudinal curve, wherein the second curve is a second longitudinal curve, wherein the second longitudinal curve is curved in approximately the same direction as the first longitudinal curve and wherein the first and second longitudinal curves are generally coplanar.

Abstract: A process for the treatment of ventricular tachycardia in the left ventricle using a retrograde approach by use of ablation and/or mapping catheters guided by precurved guiding introducers. Also disclosed are predetermined shapes for the guiding introducers to be used for the treatment of ventricular tachycardia in the left ventricle using a retrograde approach.

Abstract: A guiding introducer for use in the left atrium comprised of a first, second and third section wherein the first section is a generally elongated straight section wherein merged with the distal end of the first section is a second section which is curved in a compound curve, first curving upward in a first longitudinal curve and simultaneously curving to the right in a second longitudinal curve, wherein the second section merges with the third section wherein said third section is a third longitudinal curve wherein the plane of the third section is angled upward at an angle of approximately 25 to about 60 degrees from the plane of the first section and wherein substantially all of the third section is coplanar.

Abstract: A process for the treatment of atrial arrhythmia by use of ablation and/or mapping procedures comprising ablating discrete ablation tracks within the left and right atrium of the heart by use of precurved left and right atrium guiding introducers, including preferably a guiding introducer system for use in the left atrium comprising an inner and an outer guiding introducer. Also disclosed are shapes for the guiding introducers and the guiding introducer system to be used for the ablation and/or mapping of the discrete tracks within the left and right atrium.

Abstract: A catheter for mapping and ablating cardiac tissue comprising an elongated catheter body with proximal and distal ends and an electrode comprising an electrode conductor and a helical electrode comprising a series of turns which is secured to the catheter body near its distal end, wherein at least a portion of the circumference of the turns of the helical electrode portion is uncoated. Also disclosed is a process for ablating human tissue wherein a helical electrode secured to a catheter body near its distal end is utilized for an ablating procedure.

Abstract: A process for the treatment of ectopic atrial tachycardia by use of ablation and/or mapping procedures comprising ablating discrete locations within the right atrium of the heart by use of an ablation catheter and a precurved guiding introducer. Also disclosed is a shape for the guiding introducer to be used for the ablation and/or mapping of the discrete locations within the right atrium for the treatment of ectopic atrial tachycardia.

Abstract: A catheter for insertion in the ostium of the coronary sinus in the right atrium comprised of a main reinforced portion, an intermediate zone portion and a soft tip portion, wherein a portion of the catheter is curved in a compound curve formed by a first and second curve, wherein the second curve may be curved in the same direction as the first curve or out of a plane formed by the first curve.

Abstract: A process for the mapping and/or ablation of accessory pathways around the mitral valve using a retrograde approach by use of ablation and/or mapping catheters guided by precurved guiding introducers. Also disclosed are shapes for the guiding introducers to be used for the ablation and/or mapping of the accessory pathways around the mitral valve using a retrograde approach.

Abstract: A process for the treatment of atrial arrhythmia by use of ablation and/or mapping procedures comprising ablating discrete ablation tracks within the left and right atrium of the heart by use of precurved left and right atrium guiding introducers. Also disclosed are shapes for the guiding introducers to be used for the ablation and/or mapping of the discrete tracks within the left and right atrium.

Abstract: A guiding introducer system for use in the left atrium comprised of an inner guiding introducer and an outer guiding introducer wherein the inner guiding introducer is comprised of a first and second section and the outer guiding introducer is comprised of a first and second sections. The guiding introducer system is for use in sensing, pacing, and ablating procedures within the left atrium of the human heart.

Abstract: A catheter for insertion in the ostium of the coronary sinus in the right atrium comprised of a main reinforced portion, an intermediate zone portion and a soft tip portion wherein a portion of the catheter is curved in a double curve, wherein the first curve is a first longitudinal curve, wherein the second curve is a second longitudinal curve, wherein the second longitudinal curve is curved in approximately the same direction as the first longitudinal curve and wherein the first and second longitudinal curves are generally coplanar.

Abstract: A guiding introducer for in the left atrium comprised of a first, second and third section wherein the first section is a generally elongated straight section wherein merged with the distal end of the first section is a second section which is curved in a compound curve, first curving upward in a first longitudinal curve and simultaneously curving to the right in a second longitudinal curve, wherein the second section merges with the third section wherein said third section is a third longitudinal curve wherein the plane of the third section is angled upward at an angle of approximately 25 to about 60 degrees from the plane of the first section and wherein substantially all of the third section is coplanar.

Abstract: A guiding introducer for use in the right atrium comprised of a first, second and third section wherein the first section is a generally elongated straight section wherein merged with the distal end of the first section is a second section which is curved upward in a longitudinal curve wherein the distal end of the second section is merged with the third section. The guiding introducer is for use in sensing, pacing and ablating procedures in the right atrium of the human heart.

Abstract: A catheter for insertion in the ostium of the coronary sinus in the right atrium comprised of a main reinforced portion, an intermediate zone portion and a soft tip portion wherein a portion of the catheter is curved in a double curve, wherein the first curve is a first longitudinal curve, wherein the second curve is a second longitudinal curve, wherein the second longitudinal curve is curved in approximately the same direction as the first longitudinal curve and wherein the first and second longitudinal curves are generally coplanar.