Abstract: An ablation catheter having a catheter shaft and a virtual electrode, the virtual electrode comprising portholes through an outer peripheral wall of the catheter shaft and a metal electrode, the catheter being used for treatment of cardiac arrhythmia, for example, atrial fibrillation, by electrically isolating a vessel, such as a pulmonary vein, from a chamber, such as the left atrium. The catheter shaft includes a proximal portion and a distal portion. The distal portion includes an active region, which is either a looped structure transverse to the longitudinal axis of the catheter shaft, or a linear structure that extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the catheter shaft. During use, the active region is directed into contact with, for example, the wall of a pulmonary vein. Upon energization, the virtual electrode creates a continuous lesion on an inner wall of the pulmonary vein, thereby electrically isolating the pulmonary vein from the left atrium.

Abstract: An ablation catheter used for treatment of, for example, atrial fibrillation by electrically isolating a vessel, such as a pulmonary vein, from a chamber, such as the left atrium. The ablation catheter has a virtual electrode and a catheter shaft. The virtual electrode comprises a porous conductor. The catheter shaft includes a proximal portion and a distal portion. The distal portion includes an active region, which is either a looped structure transverse to the longitudinal axis of the catheter shaft, or a linear structure that extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the catheter shaft. During use, the active region is directed into contact with, for example, the wall of a pulmonary vein and, upon energization, the virtual electrode creates a continuous lesion at or near the ostium of the pulmonary vein, thereby electrically isolating the pulmonary vein from the left atrium.

Abstract: A suture device and method according to the present invention involves positioning a body of the suture device inside a sheath and extending the body through a vessel wall. The sheath, in one embodiment, is a sheath through which a medical procedure has been performed and which has remained positioned within an opening in the vessel. First and second cannulae, in the form of sharpened needles, are inserted through the vessel wall and through adjacent subcutaneous tissue on opposite sides of the vessel wall opening. A snare or loop is carried by the first needle on a first side of the vessel opening. A suture is carried by the second needle on a second side of the vessel opening. The snare is deployed inside the vessel so that it assumes an opened, pre-oriented, three-dimensional configuration. The suture is then extended into the vessel and positioned inside of the open area formed by the snare or loop.

Abstract: A linear lesion ablation catheter includes a conductive ablating portion having a predetermined resistivity profile for ablating tissue in a generally even temperature profile. In one embodiment, the conductive ablating portion is disposed on a distal portion of an elongate flexible member and has a resistance that increases exponentially along its length from a center of the ablating portion to a non-infinite value at opposite ends of the ablating portion. The ablating portion is adapted to produce a generally even temperature profile along a length of its surface when the ablating portion is in contact with a target tissue within a patient's body. In one example, the conductive ablating portion comprises a plurality of electrically connected conductive regions which extend from the center to the opposite ends of the ablating portion.

Abstract: A splittable occlusion balloon sheath includes a splittable sheath onto which an occlusion balloon has been secured near the distal end of the splittable sheath. A splittable hemostasis valve or a partitioned hemostasis valve system may also be secured within or to the splittable occlusion balloon sheath. This splittable occlusion balloon sheath is utilized to introduce a medical device, such as electrode leads, into the coronary sinus of the human heart. A dilator may also be used with the splittable occlusion balloon sheath for introduction of the medical devices. The splittable occlusion balloon sheath and/or the dilator may be precurved with a particular shape to assist in the introduction of the splittable occlusion balloon sheath and/or dilator into the coronary sinus. Also disclosed is a process of use of the splittable occlusion balloon system within the coronary sinus.

Abstract: A remotely bi-directional deflectable electrophysiology/ablation catheter of the type intended for placing into an interior passage of the heart is disclosed. The distal end of this elongated tubular catheter has a pair of tension/compression members each with a flattened end portion connected to the distal electrode and extending through the catheter casing and attached to a user moveable actuator for effecting the tension/compression thereon for remotely curling the distal end of the catheter. Spaced ring electrodes are provided adjacent the distal electrode. A permanent bend is pre-formed in the casing and tension/compression members adjacent the ring electrodes about an axis perpendicular to the elongated tension/compression members.

Abstract: A remotely deflectable electrophysiology/ablation catheter of the type intended for placing into an interior passage of the heart is disclosed. The distal end of this elongated tubular catheter has a pair of tension/compression members each with a flattened end portion connected to the distal electrode and extending through the catheter casing and attached to a user moveable actuator for effecting the tension/compression thereon for remotely curling the distal end of the catheter. Spaced ring electrodes are provided adjacent the distal electrode. A permanent bend is pre-formed in the casing and tension/compression members adjacent the ring electrodes about an axis perpendicular to the elongated tension/compression members.

Abstract: A process for the treatment of atrial arrhythmia by use of ablation procedures comprising circumferential ablation of vessels, particularly pulmonary veins, associated with the left atrium of the heart. Also medical devices for such process including a pair of balloons secured to a catheter with one balloon located within the other balloon and an ablation catheter located within one of the balloons, which devices are used for the formation of a circumferential ablation lesion in the pulmonary vein.