Abstract: A medical device comprising a cell including an ablation element and a carrier configured to receive at least a portion of said ablation element is disclosed. The medical device further comprises a tube enclosing the cell. At least a portion of the tube includes a membrane and the tube includes at least one hole proximate the ablation element for facilitating fluid flow. The medical device further comprises a fluid inlet for providing fluid to the interior of the tube. A method of using the medical device is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to ablation electrode assemblies. The present invention further relates to an irrigated ablation electrode assembly that includes a recessed portion that can improve fluid flow around the irrigated ablation electrode. The electrode includes an outer body portion having an outer surface, and an inner cavity defined within the outer body portion. The electrode further includes at least one passageway for fluid flow from the inner cavity to the outer surface of the body of the electrode. The passageway further defines an outlet on the external surface of the electrode, therein allowing the fluid to flow on and/or around the electrode surface. The outer surface of the electrode further includes a recessed portion. The outlet of the passageway is disposed at least partially within the recessed portion. The fluid that exits the passageway may flow within the recessed portion to improve irrigation of the electrode.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved ablation electrodes and catheter assemblies, as well as methods useful in conjunction with irrigated ablation catheters. Embodiments of the present invention further relate to an irrigated catheter having irrigation fluid directed at target areas where coagulation is more likely to occur to help minimize blood coagulation and the associated problems. The present invention further relates to an ablation electrode having an outer body with a proximal portion and a distal portion an inner cavity and at least one passageway that extends to an opening on the outer surface of the electrode, wherein the passageway is directed towards the proximal portion and/or proximal end of the electrode forming an acute angle with a longitudinal axis of the electrode.

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: Steerable catheters are provided including an elongated flexible member having a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen extending therebetween (i.e., between the proximal end and the distal end). A plurality of electrical cables is bundled together and positioned within the lumen of the flexible member. The cross-section of the bundle of electrical cables is substantially ovular or rectangular so as to be bendable in two approximately opposite directions. Methods of steering such a catheter within a body include advancing the catheter within a body while a first force is applied to the bundle of electrical cables to cause the distal end of the elongate flexible member to form a bend. The catheter is farther advanced within the body while a second, opposite force is applied to the bundle of electrical cables to remove the bend in the distal end.

Abstract: A catheter actuation handle is disclosed for deflecting a distal end of a tubular catheter body including a first actuation wire extending from a proximal end of the body. The handle includes a grip portion for coupling to the proximal end of the body. A first actuator is moveably coupled to the grip portion. A first stationary gear rack is fixed relative to the grip portion. A first moveable gear rack is moveable relative to the grip portion and for coupling to the first actuation wire. A first pinion gear is coupled to the first actuator and located between, and engaged with, the first stationary gear rack and the first moveable gear rack.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optic-based sensing assembly and a system incorporating the assembly and related use of the assembly. In particular, the invention relates to an optic-based catheter assembly and related system used to determine contact between a catheter and surrounding proximate environment, such as tissue. An embodiment of such a system may, for example, be used for visualization, mapping, ablation, or other methods of diagnosis and treatment of tissue and/or surrounding areas.

Abstract: An ablation catheter having a catheter shaft and a virtual electrode, the virtual electrode comprising portholes through an outer peripheral wall of the catheter shaft and a metal electrode, the catheter being used for treatment of cardiac arrhythmia, for example, atrial fibrillation, by electrically isolating a vessel, such as a pulmonary vein, from a chamber, such as the left atrium. The catheter shaft includes a proximal portion and a distal portion. The distal portion includes an active region, which is either a looped structure transverse to the longitudinal axis of the catheter shaft, or a linear structure that extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the catheter shaft. During use, the active region is directed into contact with, for example, the wall of a pulmonary vein. Upon energization, the virtual electrode creates a continuous lesion on an inner wall of the pulmonary vein, thereby electrically isolating the pulmonary vein from the left atrium.

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: Multipolar, multi-lumen, virtual-electrode catheters having at least one surface electrode, and methods for treatment (e.g., treatment of cardiac arrhythmias) with such catheters are disclosed. The catheters have at least two internal lumens, and at least one internal, flexible electrode rides in each internal lumen. The flexible electrodes carry treatment energy (e.g., radiofrequency energy). The energy exits the catheters via at least one exit feature (e.g., slots, portholes, or micro-pores). The methods for treatment include operating the catheters in different modes depending upon location and type of treatment to be performed. The treatment energy delivered by one of the internal, flexible electrodes may be directed to the other internal, flexible electrode; or the energy delivered by one or both of the internal, flexible electrodes may be directed to one or more surface electrodes. The delivered energy establishes at least one electric field, and possibly one or more lesions, in the tissue.

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 catheter used for diagnosing and treating, for example, atrial fibrillation. The catheter includes a catheter shaft that has a proximal portion and a distal portion. The distal portion is adapted to be inserted into a body cavity having tissue to be diagnosed or treated and is disposed remotely from the proximal portion. The distal portion, which may be curved or straight, comprises an outer peripheral wall having an active region, and the distal portion has a cross-sectional configuration along the active region. The cross-sectional configuration is adapted to bias the active region against the tissue to be diagnosed or treated.

Abstract: A method for transforming solid, three-dimensional image data into three-dimensional surface data first smoothes the surface of the solid image by removing extraneous voxels both attached to main surface of the solid image as well as extraneous voxels about the main image before the surface transformation. Once the solid image is transformed into a surface image, the method again cleans the surface by removing any significantly spiked structures that appear out of place when considered with respect to the surrounding topography. The amount of data required to render the surface image is reduced by removing surface facets that fall within a planar threshold of the surrounding topography. The topography is also compressed in local areas to bring the topography toward a median level. The method may further cycle to attempt to reduce additional surface facets that may fall now within the threshold limit.

Abstract: A connection system for connecting a hemostasis valve to a splittable sheath is disclosed. The connection system includes an adapter fitting having a shaft defining a lumen. The shaft has a proximal end and a distal end. On an external surface of the proximal end of the shaft, threading is provided for engagement with the hemostasis valve. A cannula portion defines the distal end of the shaft for interfacing with a splittable sheath. A wedge is disposed on an external surface of the cannula portion for interfacing with a weakened portion of the splittable sheath. A sliding connector is disposed about the shaft for engagement with the splittable sheath. Upon a first level of engagement between the sliding connector and the splittable sheath, a fluid-tight seal is created. Upon a second level of engagement between the sliding connector and the splittable sheath, the wedge initiates separation of the splittable sheath.

Abstract: An ablating device has a cover which holds an interface material such as a gel. The cover contains the interface material during initial placement of the device. The ablating device may also have a removable tip or a membrane filled with fluid. In still another aspect, the ablating device may be submerged in liquid during operation.

Abstract: The instant invention is directed toward an ablation catheter and sheath incorporating wire rail system. The catheter may have a combination of rigid and flexible components to orient an ablation electrode at the distal tip toward the target tissue. The wire rail acts to guide an ablation tip along the tissue to aid in the formation of spot or continuous linear lesions on a trabecular surface, e.g., in the right atrium along the isthmus between the ostium of the inferior vena cava and the tricuspid valve.

Abstract: A brush electrode catheter and a method for using the brush electrode catheter for tissue ablation are disclosed. The brush electrode catheter comprises a plurality of flexible filaments or bristles for applying ablative energy (e.g., RF energy) to target tissue during the formation of spot or continuous linear lesions. Interstitial spaces are defined among the filaments of the brush electrode, and the interstitial spaces are adapted to direct conductive or nonconductive fluid, when present, toward the distal ends of the brush filaments. The brush electrode facilitates electrode-tissue contact in target tissue having flat or contoured surfaces. The flexible filaments may be selectively trimmed to give a desired tip configuration or a desired standoff distance between the tissue and the conductive filaments in the brush electrode. Also, the filaments may be grouped into clusters. A shielded-tip brush electrode, including a flexible boot, is also disclosed.

Abstract: A brush electrode and a method for using the brush electrode for tissue ablation are disclosed. The brush electrode comprises a plurality of flexible filaments or bristles for applying ablative energy (e.g., RF energy) to target tissue during the formation of spot or continuous linear lesions. Interstitial spaces are defined among the filaments of the brush electrode, and the interstitial spaces are adapted to direct conductive or nonconductive fluid, when present, toward the distal ends of the brush filaments. The brush electrode facilitates electrode-tissue contact in target tissue having flat or contoured surfaces. The flexible filaments may be selectively trimmed to give a desired tip configuration or a desired standoff distance between the tissue and the conductive filaments in the brush electrode. Also, the filaments may be grouped into clusters. A shielded-tip brush electrode, including a flexible boot, is also disclosed.

Abstract: An ablation catheter used for treatment of, for example, atrial fibrillation by electrically isolating a vessel, such as a pulmonary vein, from a chamber, such as the left atrium. The ablation catheter has a virtual electrode and a catheter shaft. The virtual electrode comprises a porous conductor. The catheter shaft includes a proximal portion and a distal portion. The distal portion includes an active region, which is either a looped structure transverse to the longitudinal axis of the catheter shaft, or a linear structure that extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the catheter shaft. During use, the active region is directed into contact with, for example, the wall of a pulmonary vein and, upon energization, the virtual electrode creates a continuous lesion at or near the ostium of the pulmonary vein, thereby electrically isolating the pulmonary vein from the left atrium.

Abstract: A surgical device incorporates a brush electrode for tissue ablation and other forms of electrosurgical treatment. A plurality of flexible filaments compose the brush electrode, through which therapeutic energy (e.g., RF energy) is applied to target tissue for the formation of spot or continuous linear lesions, cauterization, incision, and desiccation. A fluid delivery system is used in conjunction with the brush electrode to apply fluid to the filaments and surgical site.