Abstract: A coronary sinus catheter includes a distal electrode portion with optimally-spaced and sized ring electrodes and a proximal electrode portion with at least one optimally-spaced and sized larger surface electrode. The catheter has all or some of the following features. First, at least one ring electrode of the distal electrode portion includes a first diameter less than a second diameter of at least one, more proximally disposed, ring electrode of the distal electrode portion. Second, at least one ring electrode of the distal electrode portion includes a first width less than a second width of at least one, more proximally disposed, ring electrode of the distal electrode portion. Third, the distal electrode portion includes at least two ring electrodes and the proximal shock electrode includes at least two larger surface coil electrodes. Fourth, the catheter further includes a collapsible section, adjacent the proximal electrode portion, to facilitate positioning of the catheter within the right atrium.

Abstract: A coronary sinus guiding introducer utilized to introduce medical devices, such as electrode leads, into the coronary sinus of a human heart. This guiding introducer contains a precurved distal portion, which curves through an arc of about 50 to 150 degrees. Preferably, the distal portion contains a pair of generally coplanar curves, wherein the arc of the first curve is from about 20 to about 60 degrees and the arc of the second curve is from about 30 to about 90 degrees and wherein the second curve is generally coplanar with the first curve. In an alternative embodiment, the second curve curves out of a plane formed by the first curve from about 15 to about 90 degrees. In addition, preferably the guiding introducer is splittable. Also disclosed is a process for introducing medical devices through the lumen of the precurved, coronary sinus guiding introducer.

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: An ablation catheter is disclosed having proximal and distal ends and an external surface, a lumen contained within the catheter body, a plurality of openings in the surface of the catheter, wherein the openings are in communication with the lumen, one or more electrodes secured within the catheter within the lumen and a source for conductive media to be introduced into the lumen to contact the electrode. The ablation catheter also may contain a conductive media flow control system which controls the flow of the conductive media through the openings in the surface of the catheter.

Abstract: A hemostasis cannula unit including a valve housing, a cap, and a hemostasis valve, wherein the hemostasis valve includes a proximal valve gasket and a distal valve gasket compressed against the valve gasket by the valve housing, wherein the proximal valve gasket is the same shape as the distal valve gasket.

Abstract: A coronary sinus catheter includes a distal electrode portion with optimally-spaced and sized ring electrodes and a proximal electrode portion with at least one optimally-spaced and sized larger surface electrode. The catheter has all or some of the following features. First, at least one ring electrode of the distal electrode portion includes a first diameter less than a second diameter of at least one, more proximally disposed, ring electrode of the distal electrode portion. Second, at least one ring electrode of the distal electrode portion includes a first width less than a second width of at least one, more proximally disposed, ring electrode of the distal electrode portion. Third, the distal electrode portion includes at least two ring electrodes and the proximal shock electrode includes at least two larger surface coil electrodes. Fourth, the catheter further includes a collapsible section, adjacent the proximal electrode portion, to facilitate positioning of the catheter within the right atrium.

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.

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 disclosed are medical devices used for formation of the circumferential ablation lesions in vessels associated with the heart.

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 coronary sinus guiding introducer utilized to introduce medical devices, such as electrode leads, into the coronary sinus of a human heart. This guiding introducer contains a precurved distal portion, which curves through an arc of about 50 to 150 degrees. Preferably, the distal portion contains a pair of generally coplanar curves, wherein the arc of the first curve is from about 20 to about 60 degrees and the arc of the second curve is from about 30 to about 90 degrees and wherein the second curve is generally coplanar with the first curve. In an alternative embodiment, the second curve curves out of a plane formed by the first curve from about 15 to about 90 degrees. In addition, preferably the guiding introducer is splittable. Also disclosed is a process for introducing medical devices through the lumen of the precurved, coronary sinus guiding introducer.

Abstract: An ablation catheter is disclosed having proximal and distal ends and an external surface, a lumen contained within the catheter body, a plurality of openings in the surface of the catheter, wherein the openings are in communication with the lumen, one or more electrodes secured within the catheter within the lumen and a source for conductive media to be introduced into the lumen to contact the electrode. The ablation catheter also may contain a conductive media flow control system which controls the flow of the conductive media through the openings in the surface of the catheter.

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: A process for the treatment of atrial arrhythmia by use of ablation procedures including 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.

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 disclosed are medical devices used for formation of the circumferential ablation lesions in vessels associated with the heart.

Abstract: A coronary sinus catheter includes a distal electrode portion with optimally-spaced and sized ring electrodes and a proximal electrode portion with at least one optimally-spaced and sized larger surface electrode. The catheter has all or some of the following features. First, at least one ring electrode of the distal electrode portion includes a first diameter less than a second diameter of at least one, more proximally disposed, ring electrode of the distal electrode portion. Second, at least one ring electrode of the distal electrode portion includes a first width less than a second width of at least one, more proximally disposed, ring electrode of the distal electrode portion. Third, the distal electrode portion includes at least two ring electrodes and the proximal shock electrode includes at least two larger surface coil electrodes. Fourth, the catheter further includes a collapsible section, adjacent the proximal electrode portion, to facilitate positioning of the catheter within the right atrium.

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 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: A one-piece hemostasis valve located within a longitudinally extended housing, with the valve comprising an extended sealing neck having a passageway therethrough, communicating with a sealing chamber having opposing sealing exit lips and preferably support shoulders on the outside of the valve adjacent to the sealing neck to provide support for the valve. The passageway of the extended sealing neck contains narrowed and broadened portions to prevent blood loss when receiving a guidewire and catheter inserted through the passageway of the sealing neck.

Abstract: An ablation catheter of the present invention includes a means for limiting a current and temperature at a target tissue site. The ablation catheter includes a tip electrode at its distal end, and a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) device between the distal end and a proximal end of the catheter. Both the PTC device and electrode are electrically connected via a conductor extending within the catheter.

Abstract: An ablation system for ablating cardiac tissue within a chamber of the human heart including a guiding introducer system, a rail, one end of which is contained within the guiding introducer system, and an ablation catheter system which is supported by the guiding introducer system. The guiding introducer system may be a single or multiple guiding introducers. The ablation system may include a slotted sheath which passes over the rail which supports the ablation catheter. A process is disclosed for ablation of cardiac tissue to form a linear lesion utilizing a rail catheter ablation and mapping system which includes a guiding introducer, a rail and an ablation catheter system advanced over the rail.