Abstract: A preformed catheter set for production of linear ablation lines in the left and right atrium for treatment of atrial fibrillation includes at least a first catheter including a pre-shaped distal segment having a distal linear ablation antenna and a U-shaped curve portion proximal to the distal linear ablation antenna.

Abstract: A sensor interface assembly is used with a blood pressure measurement device to determine blood pressure of an underlying artery. The sensor interface assembly includes a base unit, a sensing unit and means for detachably connecting the sensing unit to the base unit. The base unit is pivotally attached to the blood pressure measurement device. The sensing unit includes sensing means for sensing blood pressure of each pulse as each pulse travels beneath the sensing means. The means for detachably connecting mechanically and electrically couple the sensing unit to the base unit.

Abstract: A non-invasive blood pressure measurement device is used for determining blood pressure of an artery. The device comprises a housing unit, a base unit and a sensing unit. The base unit is pivotally connected to the housing unit and comprises electrical circuitry, a flexible ring, and a receptacle. The sensing unit comprises a pressure transducer for sensing pulses of the underlying artery, the transducer having a sensing surface, a flexible diaphragm having an active portion for transmitting blood pressure pulses of the underlying artery, interface means coupled between the sensing surface of the transducer and the flexible diaphragm for transmitting the blood pressure pulses within the underlying artery from the flexible diaphragm to the sensing surface of the transducer, a compressible ring, and connection means for detachably connecting the sensing unit to the receptacle of the base unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining cardiac time intervals that can measure physiological data noninvasively. Arterial pulse values are measured either invasively or noninvasively, from which left ventricular waveform data is generated. Systolic and diastolic time intervals are derived based on the left ventricular waveform data.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for calculating blood pressure of an artery having a pulse. The method includes applying a varying pressure to the artery. Pressure waveforms are sensed to produce pressure waveform data. Waveform parameters are derived from the sensed pressure waveform data. Blood pressure is then determined using the derived parameters.

Abstract: A non-invasive blood pressure measurement device is used for determining blood pressure of an artery. The device comprises a housing unit, a base unit and a sensing unit. The base unit is pivotally connected to the housing unit and comprises electrical circuitry, a flexible ring, and a receptacle. The sensing unit comprises a pressure transducer for sensing pulses of the underlying artery, the transducer having a sensing surface, a flexible diaphragm having an active portion for transmitting blood pressure pulses of the underlying artery, interface means coupled between the sensing surface of the transducer and the flexible diaphragm for transmitting the blood pressure pulses within the underlying artery from the flexible diaphragm to the sensing surface of the transducer, a compressible ring, and connection means for detachably connecting the sensing unit to the receptacle of the base unit.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for calculating blood pressure of an artery having a pulse. The method includes applying a varying pressure to the artery. Pressure waveforms are sensed to produce pressure waveform data. Waveform parameters are derived from the sensed pressure waveform data. Blood pressure is then determined using the derived parameters.

Abstract: A RF catheter system includes a catheter with a proximal portion, a distal portion having a distal end and a lumen extending from the proximal portion to the distal portion. Inner and outer coaxially aligned conductors extend within the catheter and are coaxial with the lumen. A deflectable catheter guide is disposed within the catheter lumen and extends proximally within the catheter lumen and terminates distally of the distal end of the catheter to define a biological ablation pathway. A radio-frequency antenna is disposed at the distal portion of the catheter and is in electrical communication with the inner and outer coaxially aligned conductors. The radio-frequency antenna is adaptable to receive and transmit radio-frequency energy for ablating biological tissue along the ablation pathway.

Abstract: A device for sensing blood pressure of an underlying artery of a patient includes a housing having a sensing region and a pivot region. The sensing region is pivotable about the pivot region in response to a hold down pressure applied at the sensing region by a user. The device includes a sensor interface assembly that is supported by the sensing region. The sensor interface assembly includes a sensing surface suited for engaging tissue adjacent the artery for sensing pressure from the artery. A wrist connection holds the housing adjacent the patient's wrist.

Abstract: A storage device for storing a plurality of portable medical devices includes a plurality of bays for receiving and storing the plurality of portable medical devices. Each portable medical device includes an electrical connector. Each bay includes a first electrical connector. The first electrical connector of each bay is configured to interface with the electrical connector of one of the portable medical devices. A second electrical connector is configured to be coupled to a computer. A battery charger is coupled to at least one of the first electrical connectors of a bay for charging a battery of one of the portable medical devices. A switch is coupled to the first electrical connector of each bay and coupled to the second electrical connector for selectively coupling each bay to the computer for data transfer between the bay and the computer.

Abstract: An arterial line emulator interfaces a non-invasive blood pressure monitor with an invasive blood pressure monitor. The emulator receives pressure waveform signals from the non-invasive blood pressure monitor, and receives a transducer excitation voltage from the invasive blood pressure monitor. The emulator converts the pressure waveform signal from the non-invasive blood pressure monitor into an analog signal which is scaled as a function of the excitation voltage. The scaled analog pressure signal is supplied as an input to the invasive blood pressure monitor, and emulates the signal which would be received from a catheter-based blood pressure transducer.

Abstract: A hand-held non-invasive blood pressure measurement device allows a varying pressure to be applied to an artery while pressure waveforms are sensed to produce pressure waveform data. Waveform parameters are derived from the sensed pressure waveform data. Blood pressure is then determined using the derived parameters. The user is guided or prompted to apply the varying pressure through audible and visual feedback.

Abstract: A non-invasive blood pressure sensor includes a first fluid filled sensing chamber having a diaphragm. A first transducer is fluidly coupled to the first sensing chamber to sense fluid pressure within the first chamber. A flexible body conformable wall surrounds the sensing chamber. The wall applies force to the artery while preventing pressure in a direction generally parallel to the artery from being applied to the sensing chamber. The flexible body conformable wall includes a second fluid filled chamber. A second transducer fluidly coupled to the second chamber senses fluid pressure within the second chamber. As varying pressure is applied to the artery pressure waveforms are sensed by the first transducer. Using output signals of the first and second transducers, the sensed pressure waveform data is analyzed to derive waveform parameters from which blood pressure values are derived. The effects of motion artifacts are reduced by the use of signals from both the first and second transducers.

Abstract: The present invention is an improvement to a non-invasive blood pressure sensing device and method. The present invention is an improvement that includes a transducer with an associated memory or memories for storing data such as sensor characteristics and history information. In a preferred embodiment, the stored information includes transducer offsets and gains, date code, serial number, model type, usage counter, time stamp of the last test of the device, motor characteristics and one or more checksums. The stored data is used by the device for several purposes including calibration, generation of indications such as component expiration indications and test needed indications, automatic identification of appropriate algorithms for control and data manipulation, service and billing.

Abstract: An improved radio-frequency catheter system for ablating biological tissues of a body vessel in a patient including a catheter, a deployable antenna guide disposed at the distal portion of the catheter and a radio-frequency (“RF”) antenna mounted on the antenna guide. The RF antenna includes a helical coil which defines an axial passageway to accommodate the antenna guide, and is adapted to receive and transmit RF energy for tissue ablation. Upon deployment, the antenna guide acquires a loop configuration which establishes line contact with the body vessel conformable to its internal contour to prescribe the precise and affixed tissue ablation pathway despite body vessel movements. The RF antenna is carried by the antenna guide to be deployed along the established tissue ablation pathway. Alignment of the loop with the desired tissue ablation pathway is facilitated with the use of radio-opaque markers and intracardiac electrodes mounted along the antenna guide.

Abstract: A blood pressure measurement device with a sensor locator for placing a non-invasive blood pressure measurement device over an underlying artery, the sensor locator having a plurality of extending fingers spaced from each other coupled to the non-invasive blood pressure measurement device.

Abstract: A non-invasive blood pressure sensor includes a first fluid filled sensing chamber having a diaphragm. A first transducer is fluidly coupled to the first sensing chamber to sense fluid pressure within the first chamber. A flexible body conformable wall surrounds the sensing chamber. The wall applies force to the artery while preventing pressure in a direction generally parallel to the artery from being applied to the sensing chamber. The flexible body conformable wall includes a second fluid filled chamber. A second transducer fluidly coupled to the second chamber sensing fluid pressure within the second chamber. As varying pressure is applied to the artery pressure waveforms are sensed by the first transducer. Using output signals of the first and second transducers, the sensed pressure waveform data is analyzed to derive waveform parameters from which blood pressure values are derived. The effects of motion artifacts are reduced by the use of signals from both the first and second transducers.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for calculating blood pressure of an artery having a pulse. The method includes applying a varying pressure to the artery. Pressure waveforms are sensed to produce pressure waveform data. Waveform parameters are derived from the sensed pressure waveform data. Blood pressure is then determined using the derived parameters.

Abstract: A method for determining blood pressure of an artery includes the steps of applying a pressure to the artery, sensing pressure data produced by the artery and deriving parameters for the sensed pressure data. The parameters are utilized for generating a first blood pressure value estimate using a first function of the parameters based upon a first range of pressure values and by generating at least one second blood pressure estimate using at least one second parameter function based upon a second blood pressure estimate using at least one second parameter function based upon a second pressure range different from the first pressure range. A blood pressure value is determined based upon the first blood pressure estimate and said at least one second blood pressure estimate.