Abstract: An irrigated ablation catheter includes a shaft and an electrode assembly affixed to a distal end of the shaft. The distal electrode assembly includes a manifold and an ablation electrode affixed together and extending along a center axis. The electrode has a distal irrigation passageway extending therethrough to an opening at a distal tip of the electrode. The opening of the irrigation passageway is offset in distance from the center axis, and allows a thermal sensor such as a thermocouple to be located in a sensor cavity in the electrode on or near the center axis. One variation involves providing a pair of distal irrigation passageways through the electrode where both of the openings of the passageways are offset from the center axis. The thermal sensor in this variation is located in the sensor cavity substantially on the center axis.

Abstract: A method of assembling a prosthetic heart valve includes providing a collapsible and expandable stent having an annulus section and an aortic section. The annulus section has a first diameter in a relaxed condition and a second diameter less than the first diameter in a collapsed condition. A constraint is applied to the stent to constrain the annulus section to a predetermined diameter between the first and second diameters. Applying a cuff and/or a plurality of leaflets to the stent in the constrained condition enables less material to be used. The resultant prosthetic valve is therefore able to be collapsed to a smaller diameter for introduction into a patient.

Abstract: A multipurpose chuck having provisions for gripping the outer diameter of workpieces; alternatively, the inner diameter of workpieces; alternatively gripping parts by a two vise jaw, or in combination with a magnet attraction. The chuck having six radially movable jaws that can be used in combination, or by itself with vise grip jaws, which can be used in combination or by itself with a magnetic workpiece attachment in a single chuck.

Abstract: A catheter includes an elongate shaft, an electrode assembly, a connective stem, a coupler, a first magnetic position sensor, and a second magnetic position sensor. The electrode assembly includes microelectrodes. The connective stem includes a first connective stem member and a second connective stem member. The connective stem defines a first sensor receptacle and a second sensor receptacle in an exterior surface of the connective stem. The coupler is configured for coupling with the connective stem. The first magnetic position sensor is disposed in the first sensor receptacle and elongated along a first sensor longitudinal axis. The second magnetic position sensor disposed in the second sensor receptacle and elongated along a second sensor longitudinal axis that is not parallel to the first sensor longitudinal axis.

Abstract: Medical devices and systems including electrical traces are provided. The medical device includes a sheath body including an inner wall, an outer wall, and a central major lumen extending through the sheath body along a longitudinal axis. The central major lumen is defined by the inner wall. The medical device further includes at least one outer lumen extending through said sheath body, wherein the at least one outer lumen is disposed between the inner wall and the outer wall, at least one electrode coupled to a distal portion of said sheath body, and at least one electrical trace. Each of the at least one electrodes is coupled to at least one electrical trace, and the electrical trace is disposed between the inner wall and the outer wall.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides electroporation systems and methods of preconditioning tissue for electroporation therapy. An electroporation generator includes an electroporation circuit, a preconditioning circuit, and a controller. The electroporation circuit is configured to be coupled to a catheter for delivering the electroporation therapy to target tissue of the patient. The electroporation circuit is further configured to transmit an electroporation signal through the catheter. The preconditioning circuit is configured to be coupled to a preconditioning electrode for stimulating skeletal muscle tissue of the patient. The preconditioning circuit is further configured to transmit a preconditioning signal to the preconditioning electrode.

Abstract: An electroanatomical mapping system can map electrical activation of tissue, and in particular create a slow conduction map, using a plurality of electrophysiology data points, each including local activation timing information, by computing a slow conduction metric for each point using the local activation timing information. The slow conduction metric can be used to classify points as no conduction points, slow conduction points, and normal conduction points, and the results can be graphically expressed, including as an animated representation of an activation wavefront propagating along a three-dimensional anatomical surface model.

Abstract: The present invention resides in one aspect in a device for monitoring luminal esophageal temperatures in a patient. The device includes a probe adapted to be inserted into an esophagus of the patient. The probe extends between a proximal end and a distal end. A first temperature sensor and a second temperature sensor are coupled to the probe. An electrode is also coupled to the probe. The second temperature sensor is displaced from the first temperature sensor along a longitudinal axis of the probe. A controller processes information received by the electrodes and the temperature sensors. The controller generates a live and continuously updating three dimensional anatomic map and three dimensional thermal map of the esophagus based at least in part on the information received from the temperature sensors and the electrodes. The thermal map and the anatomic map are displayed on a video monitor.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to embodiments of an occlusive medical device including a frame and at least one closure coupled to the frame. The frame includes a distal annular flange having a radially outer surface and a radially inner surface, a proximal annular flange having a radially outer surface and a radially inner surface, and a waist portion extending between and connecting the distal annular flange to the proximal annular flange. The radially inner surface of the distal annular flange, the waist member, and the radially inner surface of the proximal annular flange define an unobstructed passageway through the frame. The at least one closure is configured to close the passageway to: (i) provide an occlusive effect, and (ii) enable subsequent access through the passageway.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to embodiments of an occlusive medical device including a frame and at least one closure coupled to the frame. The frame includes a distal annular flange having a radially outer surface and a radially inner surface, a proximal annular flange having a radially outer surface and a radially inner surface, and a waist portion extending between and connecting the distal annular flange to the proximal annular flange. The radially inner surface of the distal annular flange, the waist member, and the radially inner surface of the proximal annular flange define an unobstructed passageway through the frame. The at least one closure is configured to close the passageway to: (i) provide an occlusive effect, and (ii) enable subsequent access through the passageway.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve includes a collapsible and expandable stent having a proximal end, a distal end, an annulus section adjacent the proximal end and an aortic section adjacent the distal end. The heart valve further includes a plurality of commissure features disposed on the stent, and a collapsible and expandable valve assembly, the valve assembly including a plurality of leaflets connected to the plurality of commissure features, each of the plurality of leaflets having a free edge and being configured to have a tension line aligned near the free edge to prevent backflow.

Abstract: A method of assembling a prosthetic heart valve includes providing a collapsible and expandable stent having an annulus section and an aortic section. The annulus section has a first diameter in a relaxed condition and a second diameter less than the first diameter in a collapsed condition. A constraint is applied to the stent to constrain the annulus section to a predetermined diameter between the first and second diameters. Applying a cuff and/or a plurality of leaflets to the stent in the constrained condition enables less material to be used. The resultant prosthetic valve is therefore able to be collapsed to a smaller diameter for introduction into a patient.

Abstract: Examples of the disclosure relate to example systems and methods for operating a see-through display for a vehicle. An example system includes a video camera positioned to capture video related to a vehicle structure that blocks a view of the driver. The system also includes a see-through display disposed inside the vehicle between the vehicle structure and the driver. The system also includes a processor configured to identify a closest object within a field of view of the video camera, determine a distance to the closest object, and process the captured video based, at least in part, on the distance to determine a portion of the captured video to be displayed on the see-through display. The processor renders the portion of the captured video to create a see-through effect relative to the vehicle structure.

Abstract: Described herein is a medical device including a medical device including a device body and a plurality of extensions. The device body includes a first side, a second side, and a plurality of expandable cells. The plurality of expandable cells have a proximal edge and a distal edge. The plurality of expandable cells extends laterally between and connects the first and second sides. The plurality of extensions extend longitudinally from each of the first and second sides. A first plurality of extensions extend proximally from a proximal end of each side to beyond the proximal edge and a second plurality of extensions extend distally from a distal end of each side to beyond the distal edge. The first and second pluralities of extensions have coiled ends.

Abstract: Multi-electrode ablation systems, methods, and controllers are described. In one example, a method of beginning an ablation procedure using a multi-electrode ablation system is described. The method includes selectively coupling the output of a power supply to a first electrode of a plurality of electrodes to increase a temperature at the first electrode to a first temperature set-point and limit a rate of increase of the temperature at the first electrode to a predetermined first rate.

Abstract: Flexible high-density mapping catheter tips and flexible ablation catheter tips with onboard high-density mapping electrodes are disclosed. These tips can be used for diagnosing and treating cardiac arrhythmias. The flexible, distal tips are adapted to conform to tissue and comprise a plurality of microelectrodes mounted to permit relative movement among at least some of the microelectrodes. The flexible tip portions may comprise a flexible framework forming a flexible array of microelectrodes (for example, a planar or cylindrical array) adapted to conform to tissue and constructed at least in part from nonconductive material in some embodiments. The flexible array of microelectrodes may be formed from a plurality of rows of longitudinally-aligned microelectrodes. The flexible array may further comprise, for example, a plurality of electrode-carrying arms or electrode-carrier bands. Multiple flexible frameworks may be present on a single device.

Abstract: A connection device for a deflectable medical device, such as a catheter, comprises an elongate planarity wire having a proximal end and a distal end, an elongate activation wire having a proximal end a distal end, a passage and an interface. The passage extends through the planarity wire near the distal end of the planarity wire. The distal end of the activation wire extends through the passage. The interface is between the passage and the activation wire, and may comprise one or more of the following: a hook and bore interface, a detent interface, a mechanical interface, or a metallurgical interface.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an improved vascular occlusion device for occlusion of a passageway, cavity, or the like. According to one embodiment, a medical device for occluding a left atrial appendage is provided. The medical device includes a first portion having at least one plane of occlusion that is configured to be positioned outside of the left atrial appendage, and a second portion having at least one plane of occlusion that is configured to be at least partially positioned within a cavity defined by the left atrial appendage.

Abstract: A system and method for assessing contact between a medical device and tissue may comprise an electronic control unit (ECU) configured to be coupled to a medical device, the medical device comprising a first electrode and a second electrode. The ECU may be further configured to select the first electrode as an electrical source and the second electrode as an electrical sink, to cause an electrical signal to be driven between the source and sink, to detect respective electric potentials on the first electrode and the second electrode while the electrical signal is driven, and to determine an impedance respective of one of the first electrode and the second electrode according to both of the respective electric potentials.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a means of holding, securing, or self-locking an actuating mechanism, such as a plunger-type or slide-type actuating mechanism, on a medical device having a deflected distal region using pinch points without the need for a secondary restraining or locking mechanism within the medical device. The present disclosure also provides a means to reduce the force experienced by a user during the deflection of a medical device such that use fatigue is lessened or eliminated. Various embodiments of the present disclosure are set forth herein.