Abstract: A lumen extension member is provided for a catheter having a catheter body and an elongate electrode coupled to the catheter body. The elongate electrode defines an electrode lumen extending therethrough. The lumen extension member is positioned within the electrode lumen and is coupled to the catheter body. The lumen extension member includes a tubular member including a sidewall and at least one opening that extends through the sidewall.

Abstract: A catheter maps an electrical conduction pattern in an annular region of a heart. The catheter has a tubular shaft that has a pre-shaped curved distal section adjacent the distal end thereof, and at least one lumen extending between the distal end and the proximal end of the shaft, with a plurality of electrodes disposed on the distal section. A handle is attached to the proximal end of the shaft, with a steering mechanism provided at the handle for adjusting the curvature of the distal section, and a deflection mechanism provided at the handle for deflecting the distal section. The electrodes are positioned in a parallel plane separate from the shaft when the distal section is undeflected.

Abstract: A catheter includes a flexible tubing having a proximal end and a distal end. The catheter also includes an electrode assembly attached to the distal end of the flexible tubing and having a first magnet therein. The electrode assembly further includes an electrically conductive tip electrode and an electrically nonconductive coupler which is connected between the tip electrode and the distal end of the flexible tubing. The coupler and the tip electrode are coupled by an interlocking connection. The catheter also includes a second magnet spaced from the electrode assembly along a longitudinal axis of the tubing. The first magnet and the second magnet are responsive to an external magnetic field to selectively position and guide the electrode assembly within a body of a patient.

Abstract: A catheter for ablating body tissue of the interior regions of the heart includes a handle assembly, a shaft, and a distal tip section coupled to the distal end of the shaft. The distal tip section has a non-compliant and non-porous cap that has a tubular wall that defines a bore, and an ablation element that is housed inside the bore and spaced apart from the wall of the cap.

Abstract: A flexible catheter shaft with a balloon on the distal section suitable for inserting into a body of a patient comprising a deflectable, high torque transmission assembly of a slit tubular element that has either a plurality of rows of slits with anchors or at least one continuously spiraling slit on said slit tubular element and has sufficient bending and torque properties ensuring that a substantial fraction of the bending, rotational and displacement forces provided along said flexible catheter shaft are translated to bending, rotational and displacement forces at a distal end of said flexible catheter shaft, facilitating the placement of the catheter distal section and using the balloon for blocking the vessel ostium and injecting contrast medium through an open distal tip.

Abstract: A catheter for sensing electrical events about a selected annulus region of the heart and for treating tissue in the selected annulus region has a handle assembly, and a shaft having a proximal end coupled to the handle assembly. The catheter also has a mapping element provided adjacent its distal end, and an ablation element positioned spaced apart along the shaft from the mapping element. The mapping element is first positioned at the desired treatment location in the selected annulus region and the desired treatment location is mapped. The ablation element is then positioned at the desired treatment location by moving the mapping element away from the desired treatment location, and the desired treatment location is ablated.

Abstract: A catheter for sensing electrical events about a selected annulus region of the heart and for treating tissue in the selected annulus region has a handle assembly, and a shaft having a proximal end coupled to the handle assembly. The catheter also has a mapping element provided adjacent its distal end, and an ablation element positioned spaced apart along the shaft from the mapping element. The mapping element is first positioned at the desired treatment location in the selected annulus region and the desired treatment location is mapped. The ablation element is then positioned at the desired treatment location by moving the mapping element away from the desired treatment location, and the desired treatment location is ablated.

Abstract: A flexible catheter shaft suitable for inserting into a body of a patient comprising a deflectable, high torque transmission assembly of a slit tubular element that has either a plurality of rows of slits with anchors or at least one continuously spiraling slit on said slit tubular element and has sufficient bending and torque properties ensuring that a substantial fraction of the bending, rotational and displacement forces provided along said flexible catheter shaft are translated to bending, rotational and displacement forces at a distal end of said flexible catheter shaft.

Abstract: A catheter-based method for coronary sinus mapping, pacing, and ablation, wherein a distal tip portion having longitudinally stretchable/compressible capability is pre-shaped to snugly fit into the coronary sinus with resilience and trauma-free manner, so that the distal tip portion is positioned in the sinus; the distal tip portion is deflected to expose a plurality of electrodes; and RF energy is then applied to the coronary sinus tissue through the electrodes to cause pacing, mapping, and/or ablation.

Abstract: An improved guiding catheter system having inflated balloon at its tip section, wherein the inflated balloon having a plurality of electrodes is heated to a predetermined temperature as an ablation means for delivering the thermal energy to a tissue by deploying the balloon to contact the tissue to cause a circular ablation lesion, the plurality of electrodes using RE energy as a heat source for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation indications.

Abstract: An improved catheter system having intravascular ultrasound locating capabilities comprising a locator catheter and an ultrasound receiver catheter resulting in an effective electrophysiology procedure without undesired side effects of using a conventional x-ray imaging system. Said catheter system comprising a locator catheter, a reference catheter and a data acquisition computer; the locator catheter comprises at least one electrode at its distal tip section and an ultrasound crystal secured on the catheter shaft proximal to the distal end.

Abstract: An improved catheter system having ultrasound locating and ablation capabilities comprising a locator catheter and an ultrasound receiver catheter, the locator catheter consisting of a catheter shaft having an ultrasound crystal secured on the catheter shaft; and a reference catheter comprising three or more ultrasound crystal beacons which have pre-determined locations with reference to an external locating calibration system, wherein said ultrasound beacons can emit and receive ultrasound signals, and the crystals used in ultrasound imaging means can also be used for ultrasound ablation by connecting to an external ultrasound ablative energy generator.

Abstract: An ablation catheter comprising a delivery catheter and an inner insert having a retractable tip section, wherein a deployable two-piece electrode means is mounted on the retractable tip section and wherein the second piece of the two-piece electrode means is in a circular shape which plane is essentially perpendicular to the delivery catheter, adapted for delivering RF ablative energy to the electrode means.

Abstract: A flexible catheter shaft suitable for inserting into a body of a patient comprising a high torque transmission assembly of a slit tubular element that has either a plurality of slits or at least one continuously spiraling slit on said slit tubular element and has sufficient torque properties ensuring that a substantial fraction of the rotational and displacement forces provided along said flexible catheter shaft are translated to rotational and displacement forces at a distal end of said flexible catheter shaft.

Abstract: A catheter system having a tip section with fixation means for use in treatment of tissues, such as mapping pulmonary veins or ablating tumors in a natural body conduit or cavity by applying RF energy, wherein the catheter system passes through a natural body opening to reach the target tissue, wherein the catheter system stays at a desired position via its fixation means having needle-like attachments, and delivers therapeutic RF energy to the target tissue for improved tissue treatment.

Abstract: An improved lead extraction system using an ultrasonic transducer with a sharp cutting edge that is useful for the extraction and the removal of unwanted lead by a minimal invasive procedure is described. A lead extraction system suitable for ultrasonic ablation of scar tissues surrounding the implanted lead is comprised of an outer catheter sheath and an inner catheter shaft having a distal end, a proximal end and at least one lumen extending therebetween, wherein an optional locking stylet is provided. In one embodiment, the lead extraction system has a fluid infusion and irrigation means at its distal tip section and an ultrasonic transducer for loosening the target scar tissue by applying ultrasonic energy and cooled fluid to the said transducer and its contacted tissue.

Abstract: An improved catheter system having a movable bipolar electrode pair means enclosed within an inflatable balloon capable of treating a tissue of a patient. In one embodiment, a catheter suitable for radiofrequency ablation of cardiac tissues comprises an electrode means having a first movable electrode positioned at an elongated open groove and a second electrode to form a bipolar electrode pair, wherein the electrode means is mounted at a shaft distal tip section and is completely enclosed within the inflatable balloon. RF energy is delivered to the first electrode through a first electrical conducting means, transmitted from the first electrode to the second electrode, and returned from the second electrode to said generator means through a second electrical conducting means for generating heat uniformly inside the inflatable balloon.

Abstract: An improved catheter system having a rollable electrode at its tip section capable of treating a tissue of a patient. A catheter suitable for radiofrequency ablation of cardiac tissues comprises a catheter shaft having a distal section with an open groove, a distal end, a proximal end and at least one lumen extending therebetween, wherein a rollable electrode secured onto a moving wire is disposed at the tip section of the said catheter to treat the tissue. In one embodiment, the rollable electrode is moved forward and/or backward while the RF energy is delivered through the rollable electrode to the tissue, creating a true linear lesion without dragging the catheter.

Abstract: An improved catheter system having ultrasound locating capabilities comprising a locator catheter and an ultrasound receiver catheter resulting in an effective electrophysiology procedure without undesired side effects of using a conventional x-ray imaging system. Said catheter system comprising a locator catheter consisted of at least one electrode and an ultrasound crystal secured on the locator catheter; and a reference catheter comprising three or more ultrasound crystal beacons which have pre-determined locations with reference to an external locating calibration system, wherein said external locating calibration system constantly calibrates the coordinates of the beacons on the reference catheter, having at least one ultrasound beacon is movable/controllable by a beacon deployment means.

Abstract: A steerable ablation catheter system suitable for radiofrequency ablation of intracardiac tissue comprises two parts: a disposable catheter shaft with a deflectable tip at the distal end of the shaft; and a handle with steering mechanisms, wherein the two parts are engaged and disengaged through a pair of the quick coupling and locking connecting units.