Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an irrigated catheter having irrigation fluid directed at a taper angle generally in parallel with a proximally tapered portion of the tip electrode to provide improved electrode surface cooling. In one embodiment, an irrigated ablation electrode assembly for use with an irrigated catheter device comprises a proximal member having at least one passageway for a fluid with an outlet disposed at an external surface of the proximal member; and a distal member connected with the proximal member and having an external surface, the distal member including an electrode. The external surface of the distal member has a tapered proximal portion narrowing toward the proximal member at a taper angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the distal member.

Abstract: An ablation and visualization device includes a shaft, at least one ablation element coupled to the distal end of the shaft, and a scope coupled to the shaft proximate the distal end. The scope may be a fiber optic endoscope, an infrared sensor, or an ultrasound sensor, and may be coupled to an output device to display imagery collected by the scope. The scope includes at least one aperture, which may be movable. An optical element, such as a lens or filter, may be positioned over the aperture. The scope may be positioned laterally relative to the ablation elements or in a plane substantially parallel to and spaced apart from the ablation elements. The scope may be positioned with the aperture positioned distally or proximally relative to the ablation elements. The scope may be slidably or rotatably coupled to the shaft.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging catheter system includes a pivot head assembly coupled between a ultrasound transducer array and the distal end of the catheter. The pivot head assembly includes a pivot joint enabling the transducer array to pivot through a large angle about the catheter centerline in response pivot cables controlled by a wheel within a handle assembly. Pivoting the ultrasound transducer array approximately 90° once the catheter is positioned by rotating the catheter shaft and bending the distal section of the catheter, clinicians may obtain orthogonal 2-D ultrasound images of anatomical structures of interest in 3-D space. Combining bending of the catheter by steering controls with pivoting of the transducer head enables a greater range of viewing perspectives. The pivot head assembly enables the transducer array to pan through a large angle to image of a larger volume than possible with conventional ultrasound imaging catheter systems.

Abstract: A process for preventing atrial premature contractions originating within a pulmonary vein from being conducted into the left atrium of a human heart. More specifically, an ablation lesion is formed which electrically isolates the located source of the atrial premature contraction in the pulmonary vein from connection with the left atrium and blocks passage of the atrial premature contraction originating from the located source.

Abstract: A cardiac ablation catheter system incorporates several different, but complementary features. The catheter includes a virtual electrode section for transferring ablation energy to form a linear lesion in cardiac tissue. The distal tip of the catheter shaft is provided with a tip electrode to perform spot ablations. The distal end of the catheter, generally including the virtual electrode section, may be operably formed into a curve with a variable radius of curvature.

Abstract: Apparatus for curative ablation are provided to achieve the inactivation or destruction of fibrillar myocardium of the so-called AF nests. In addition, fibrillar myocardium may be identified and mapped by spectral analysis and phase study of the tissue during sinus rhythm. The procedure may be performed by transseptal puncture using only one catheter for ablation and mapping. The methods may be used to localize the application targets even during an arrhythmia.

Abstract: An electrophysiology apparatus is used to measure electrical activity occurring in a heart of a patient and to visualize the electrical activity and/or information related to the electrical activity. A three-dimensional map of the electrical activity and/or the information related to the electrical activity is created.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for assessing electrode-tissue contact for tissue ablation. An exemplary electrode contact sensing system comprises an electrode housed within a distal portion of a catheter shaft. At least one electro-mechanical sensor is operatively associated with the electrode within the catheter shaft. The at least one electro-mechanical sensor is responsive to movement of the electrode by generating electrical signals corresponding to the amount of movement. The system may also include an output device electrically connected to the at least one electro-mechanical sensor. The output device receives the electrical signals for assessing a level of contact between the electrode and a tissue.

Abstract: Straight and curved catheters for treatment or diagnoses of tissue, including cardiac tissue, using hydrogel virtual electrodes and hydrogel sensing electrodes are disclosed. Each catheter comprises at least one conductive hydrogel electrode, whether a virtual electrode or a sensing electrode. Hydrogel virtual electrodes may be used to deliver ablative energy or chemotherapeutic agents to tissue. Hydrogel sensing electrodes may be used to map various electrical activity of tissue. The ablation catheters include a variety of hydrogel delivery features to deliver the conductive hydrogel electrodes against or adjacent to tissue to be treated. Each hydrogel delivery feature comprises at least one opening in the distal portion of the catheter and may also include a permeable or semi-permeable membrane. The mapping catheters include conductive hydrogel disks (i.e., conductive hydrogel sensing electrodes) and nonconductive hydrogel disks.

Abstract: The invention provides surgical systems and methods for ablating heart tissue within the interior and/or exterior of the heart. A plurality of probes is provided with each probe configured for introduction into the chest for engaging the heart. Each probe includes an elongated shaft having an elongated ablating surface of a predetermined shape. The elongated shaft and the elongated ablating surface of each probe are configured to ablate a portion of the heart. A sealing device affixed to the heart tissue forms a hemostatic seal between the probe and the penetration in the heart to inhibit blood loss therethrough.

Abstract: A method of modeling a surface from a plurality of geometry points representing an object generally includes binning the plurality of geometry points into an n-dimensional array of cells and associating a binary value with each cell; applying a dilation algorithm to the binned plurality of geometry points to output a dilated binary representation of the plurality of geometry points; applying an erosion algorithm to the dilated binary representation of the plurality of geometry points to output a segmented volume; and applying a surface construction algorithm to the segmented volume to form a surface model of the object.

Abstract: A deflectable tip cardiac electrophysiology/ablation lumen catheter includes first and second passages, one of which communicates with an inflatable member or balloon. The second passage terminates in an opening or port downstream of the inflatable member. The second passage is adapted to introduce a liquid during an electrophysiology study while the inflatable member prevents backflow of an injected liquid or dye and blood, or is adapted to alternatively receive a guide wire or other medical device therethrough.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention controlling power distribution in an ablation control apparatus or the like. In one embodiment, a power switching apparatus comprises a first switch assembly having an input end to receive a power input signal, the first switch assembly having a plurality of output channels; a second switch assembly coupled to the output channels of the first switch assembly; a plurality of power receiving members coupled to the second switch assembly; and a controller controlling the first switch assembly to selectively transmit the power input signal to the output channels one at a time in a cyclical manner according to a first switching rate.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a catheter includes providing an outer shaft having a lumen therethrough and at least one catheter component disposed at least partially within the lumen, placing an inner shaft within the lumen such that the at least one catheter component is located between the shafts, thereby forming a catheter assembly having an outer surface, and applying energy to the catheter assembly to melt at least the outer shaft to bond the outer shaft to the inner shaft. A unitary catheter shaft having the at least one catheter component substantially embedded therein results. The durometer of the outer shaft may differ from the durometer of the inner shaft, such that the catheter shaft varies radially in durometer. The durometer of the catheter shaft may also vary longitudinally. A shaping wire may be provided to form the distal end of the catheter shaft into a desired shape.

Abstract: A cardiac navigation system including a mapping catheter, a control system coupled to the mapping catheter, an electrode array, and means for driving an electrical current across the electrode array. The mapping catheter includes means for sensing an electrical field. The control system includes means for receiving sensed signals from the mapping catheter. The cardiac navigation system includes at least one electrode array including means for providing an electrical field across three axes. The three axes are approximately orthogonal with respect to one another. The means for driving an electrical current across the three axes includes means for providing a plurality of individual current sources to the electrode array.

Abstract: Systems and methods for photodynamic ablation of cardiac tissue via an esophagus are disclosed. An exemplary system includes an ablation catheter having an expandable distal end for securing the ablation catheter in the esophagus. The distal end of the ablation catheter contains at least one light source operable to activate a photodynamic substance delivered to the target area of the cardiac tissue to be ablated and form a lesion. The system also includes at least one feedback device contained in the distal end of the ablation catheter. The at least one feedback device provides feedback for at least one of: positioning a distal end of an ablation catheter in a desired position in the esophagus adjacent a target area of the cardiac tissue to be ablated, forming an adequate lesion, and assessing lesion formation.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for creating a complex model of the human anatomy. The anatomy may be modeled using multiple geometries. Generally, a plurality of line-of-sight models may be combined into a composite model. Multiple clouds of points may be used to create surface models which may then be merged into a common volume. The resulting composite model may include portions that are not within a line of sight of a mean center point of the composite model. The surface models may be modeled using polygons, including for example, triangles. Disclosed herein are also ways in which electrophysiology data and/or other information may be mapped from a measurement point to a point on the composite model.

Abstract: A system for connecting a hemostasis valve to a splittable sheath includes an interface formed between a ledge on the proximal end of a cannula portion of the hemostasis valve and an engagement structure aligned with the handles of the splittable sheath. Pulling the handles to split the sheath likewise disengages the ledge from the engagement structure. A snap ring on the cannula portion engages a snap ring in the lumen of a sheath hub formed on the proximal end of the splittable sheath. An O-ring between the cannula portion and the sheath hub provides a fluid-tight seal.

Abstract: A guidable, or steerable, or deflectable catheter is provided that includes a proximal portion and a distal portion for insertion into a body cavity. A selectively deflectable segment having an anisotropic bending stiffness for deflection in individual planes is incorporated into the distal portion of the catheter shaft. Upon actuation of pull wires, the distal deflectable segment may be deflected to move/sweep the distal catheter tip through a sweeping plane. The anisotropic bending stiffness of the distal deflectable segment permits in-plane movement of the distal catheter tip in the sweeping plane while resisting any out-of-plane movements. In one arrangement, stiffening elements are selectively disposed within the distal deflectable segment such that the out-of-plane bending stiffness is largely increased and greater than the in-plane bending stiffness for deflection in the sweeping plane.

Abstract: A method of generating a three-dimensional model of at least a portion of a heart includes inserting an electrode within the portion of a heart, robotically moving the electrode therein, periodically detecting position information of the electrode to generate a plurality of location points defining a space occupied by the portion of the heart, and generating a three-dimensional model of the portion of the heart including position information for at least some of the plurality of location points within the portion of the heart. The plurality of location points includes at least some location points on the surface of the heart and at least some location points interior thereto. The model is generated by utilizing a surface construction algorithm such as a shrink-wrap algorithm to identify the surface points and isolate or eliminate the interior points.