Abstract: An improved catheter system and methods for ablating cardiac tissues via a steerable ablation catheter having a liquid-permeable shaft, a liquid-permeable electrode, or a distal opening at its tip section with fluid infusion and irrigation for ablating intracardiac tissues by applying radiofrequency energy along with irrigated fluid in a pulmonary vein resulting in a controlled lesion for treating focal atrial fibrillation.

Abstract: An improved catheter system having an electrode means at its tip section capable of delivering a long continuous linear lesion in tissues of a patient. A catheter system suitable for radiofrequency ablation of cardiac tissues comprising an electrode means mounted on the distal tip section of the catheter shaft, the electrode means having a wire and a plurality of ring electrodes, the wire having a wire core section, a wire distal end and a wire proximal end, wherein a first ring electrode is secured to the wire distal end and a second ring electrode is secured to the wire proximal end. The catheter system also comprises an external RF current generator, wherein a RF current is delivered to the electrode means.

Abstract: An improved lead extraction system using a retractable inner catheter having an electrode means comprising memory-shaped Nitinol sheet members and a RF current generator to raise the temperature to above the transitional shape-change temperature of the Nitinol with a sharp cutting edge. The lead extraction system is useful for the extraction and the removal of unwanted lead by a minimal invasive procedure. In another embodiment, fluid infusion and irrigation means at its distal tip section and an electrode means for loosening the target scar tissue by applying radiofrequency energy and cooled fluid to the said electrode and its contacted tissue.

Abstract: A catheter system comprising a delivery catheter and an inner catheter, wherein the inner catheter is deployable and has a plurality of electrodes on the lattices of a trellis fixture. During a deployed state, the trellis fixture is fully extended to have a series of electrodes on a two-dimensional plane for mapping and/or ablation purposes.

Abstract: A cardiovascular catheter probe system suitable for electrophysiology mapping and radiofrequency ablation of cardiac tissue comprises a plurality of catheter shafts having a proximal end, a distal handle, and a lumen extending therebetween, wherein a distal portion of the shaft is deflectable and inflatable; the wavy soft distal section is inflatable to conform intimately to the irregular intracardiac tissue surface, wherein conducting electrodes are secured on the hills of said inflatable wavy soft shaft.

Abstract: A method for positioning an electrode catheter system having safety means at its distal section within a heart chamber comprises percutaneously introducing the distal end of a catheter through an artery or vein to the heart chamber. Once the catheter tip is at the desired location, the connector of the handle at the proximal end is connected to an EKG monitor. And the electrical signal from the electrodes on the distal section can be transmitted to the exterior EKG monitor for cardiac mapping. Alternately, the radio frequency current can be supplied to one or more of the electrodes on the distal section once an intimate contact with a tissue is achieved using the catheter of this invention.

Abstract: A catheter system suitable for electrophysiology mapping and radiofrequency ablation of cardiac tissue comprises a catheter shaft having a distal end, a proximal handle, and at least a lumen extending therebetween, wherein a distal section of the shaft is either a fixed curve type or a deflectable type; and safety means being provided to maintain the integrity of the catheter by holding the long tip electrode in place, wherein the safety means is a long tip electrode with an extended flexible stem having at least one open groove or slot on the stem.

Abstract: The method for using a catheter system suitable for electrophysiology mapping and radiofrequency ablation of cardiac tissue comprises a catheter shaft having a distal end, a proximal handle, and at least one lumen extending therebetween, wherein a distal section of the shaft is either a fixed curve type or a deflectable type; and a safety means provided to maintain the integrity of the catheter, by anchoring the tip electrode in place. In one embodiment, the safety means is a tip electrode with safety anchoring pins. In another embodiment, the safety means is a long tip electrode with an extended flexible stem having at least one open slot or groove or groove on the stem.

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

Abstract: A catheter probe and methods for contrast media delivering comprising localized contrast media irrigation means for providing contrast media to the distal tip section, wherein the contrast media irrigation means is externally connected to a contrast media supply source; and shaft opening means for venting the contrast media out of the shaft distal end at an angle in relation to an axial reference line for optimal x-ray imaging, wherein the shaft opening means is connected to and in communication with a conduit of the contrast media irrigation means, and wherein the shaft opening means comprises at least one opening at an angle in relation to an axial reference line.

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.

Abstract: A catheter-based system for operating a RF ablation generator comprising a RF splitter for delivering RF energy to a plurality of electrodes; a low-pass filter located between the RF splitter and an external EKG monitor for displaying real-time signal to said EKG monitor; and a software program having temperature data input from a plurality of temperature sensors and signal output capability, wherein the software program sends out signals to the RF splitter being adapted to control the RF energy output to each electrode.

Abstract: A catheter-based method for coronary sinus mapping, pacing, and ablation, wherein a flexible electrode catheter, having a tip electrode with suspension structure, is pre-shaped to snugly fit into the coronary sinus, so that the tip electrode is positioned into the sinus; the distal section is deflected to expose a predetermined plurality of electrodes; and RF energy is then applied to the coronary sinus tissue through the electrodes to cause activation mapping, and/or ablation.

Abstract: An improved ablation catheter with at least one multiple-needle electrode can be used in ablating the arrhythmogenic region instead of an arrhythmogenic point of a patient. This catheter is particularly useful for treating the patient with atrial fibrillation (AFib) indications. A catheter suitable for radiofrequency ablation of cardiac tissues comprises a delivery catheter and an inner catheter having a distal section, a distal end, a proximal end and at least one lumen extending therebetween. The ablation catheter has a temperature sensor and a close-loop temperature control. The steerable catheter having at least one multiple-needle electrode is inserted into the chambers of the heart to create a plurality of deep, large, and contiguous lesions by applying radiofrequency energy to said electrode.

Abstract: A method for operating a steerable ablation catheter having at least one multiple-needle electrode at the tip section of an inner catheter within a heart chamber, wherein the ablation catheter including at least one multiple-needle electrode is inserted into a chamber of the heart to create a plurality of deep, large, and contiguous lesions by applying radiofrequency energy and cooled fluid to the electrode.

Abstract: An electrode catheter system suitable for electrophysiology mapping and/or radiofrequency ablation of cardiac tissue comprises a catheter shaft having a distal end, a proximal handle, and at least a lumen extending therebetween, wherein a distal section of the shaft is either a fixed curve or deflectable; and safety restricting means at the very distal end of the catheter shaft being provided to maintain the integrity of the catheter by holding the tip electrode in place from thermal cycling effect.

Abstract: An improved ablation catheter having a distal tip section made of flexible porous plastic material for fluid infusion and irrigation at its electrode comprises a catheter shaft having a distal section and at least one lumen extending therebetween, wherein the catheter is inserted into the chambers of the heart to create deep and large lesions by applying radiofrequency energy along with irrigated fluid to the electrode.

Abstract: An electrophysiology catheter suitable for radiofrequency ablation of cardiac tissues comprises a proximal section, a catheter shaft section and a distal section whereby a distal loop electrode having a temperature sensor and a close-loop temperature control. A conducting wire extends through the lumen and is connected to the loop electrode. The steerable catheter having a loop electrode is inserted into the chambers of the heart to create a continuous, non-linear lesion by supplying radiofrequency energy to said conducting wire.

Abstract: An improved catheter system, having at least one rollable electrode at its tip section, can be used in ablating the arrhythmogenic point of a patient. A catheter suitable for radiofrequency ablation of cardiac tissues comprises a catheter shaft having a distal section, a distal end, a proximal end, and at least one lumen extending therebetween, wherein at least a rollable electrode is disposed at the tip section of the said catheter. In one embodiment, the ablation catheter has a temperature sensor and a close-loop temperature control mechanism. In another embodiment, the ablation catheter has fluid infusion and irrigation means at its distal tip section for creating a deep and large lesion by applying radiofrequency energy and cooled fluid to the said electrode.

Abstract: A catheter system having a tip with fixation means for use in treatment of tissues, such as ablating tumors in a natural body conduit or cavity by applying RF energy through the tip, 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, and delivers therapeutic RF energy to the target tissue for improved tissue treatment.