Abstract: Described herein is a medical device including a medical device including a device body and a plurality of extensions. The device body includes a first side, a second side, and a plurality of expandable cells. The plurality of expandable cells have a proximal edge and a distal edge. The plurality of expandable cells extends laterally between and connects the first and second sides. The plurality of extensions extend longitudinally from each of the first and second sides. A first plurality of extensions extend proximally from a proximal end of each side to beyond the proximal edge and a second plurality of extensions extend distally from a distal end of each side to beyond the distal edge. The first and second pluralities of extensions have coiled ends.

Abstract: Multi-electrode ablation systems, methods, and controllers are described. In one example, a method of beginning an ablation procedure using a multi-electrode ablation system is described. The method includes selectively coupling the output of a power supply to a first electrode of a plurality of electrodes to increase a temperature at the first electrode to a first temperature set-point and limit a rate of increase of the temperature at the first electrode to a predetermined first rate.

Abstract: Flexible high-density mapping catheter tips and flexible ablation catheter tips with onboard high-density mapping electrodes are disclosed. These tips can be used for diagnosing and treating cardiac arrhythmias. The flexible, distal tips are adapted to conform to tissue and comprise a plurality of microelectrodes mounted to permit relative movement among at least some of the microelectrodes. The flexible tip portions may comprise a flexible framework forming a flexible array of microelectrodes (for example, a planar or cylindrical array) adapted to conform to tissue and constructed at least in part from nonconductive material in some embodiments. The flexible array of microelectrodes may be formed from a plurality of rows of longitudinally-aligned microelectrodes. The flexible array may further comprise, for example, a plurality of electrode-carrying arms or electrode-carrier bands. Multiple flexible frameworks may be present on a single device.

Abstract: A connection device for a deflectable medical device, such as a catheter, comprises an elongate planarity wire having a proximal end and a distal end, an elongate activation wire having a proximal end a distal end, a passage and an interface. The passage extends through the planarity wire near the distal end of the planarity wire. The distal end of the activation wire extends through the passage. The interface is between the passage and the activation wire, and may comprise one or more of the following: a hook and bore interface, a detent interface, a mechanical interface, or a metallurgical interface.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an improved vascular occlusion device for occlusion of a passageway, cavity, or the like. According to one embodiment, a medical device for occluding a left atrial appendage is provided. The medical device includes a first portion having at least one plane of occlusion that is configured to be positioned outside of the left atrial appendage, and a second portion having at least one plane of occlusion that is configured to be at least partially positioned within a cavity defined by the left atrial appendage.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to systems and apparatuses for detecting and correcting for magnetic field distortions within a magnetic field used for medical magnetic localization systems. In one example embodiment, a system is disclosed including a magnetic field generator and a magnetic detection sensor. The magnetic field generator generates the magnetic field for localization of a catheter within the patient. The magnetic detection sensor includes a plurality of sensor coils positioned at fixed distances and orientations relative to one another. Each of the sensor coils sense the magnetic field within a sensing region aligned with a longitudinal axis of the sensor coil, and outputs an electrical signal indicative of the sensed magnetic field. The plurality of sensing coils form two substantially contiguous sensing regions, a first continuous sensing region above the magnetic detection sensor, and a second continuous sensing region below the magnetic detection sensor.

Abstract: A medical device includes a body and at least one electrode disposed thereon. The electrode includes a metallic substrate, such as a platinum group metal, an alloy of platinum group metals, or gold. The surface of the substrate is modified in a manner that increases its effective surface area without inducing bulk heating. For example, the surface of the substrate can be laser textured and/or coated, such as with titanium nitride or iridium oxide.

Abstract: A three-dimensional geometric image of an anatomical region is generated from a plurality of two-dimensional echographic image slices of the region. The image slices are filtered using a reaction-diffusion partial differential equation model before being arranged into a voxel space. Each voxel is then assigned a voxel value to create a volumetric data set from which the volumetric image can be rendered. The image is rendered from far to near, relative to a preset viewing direction, by an alpha-blending process. The alpha value at any given voxel can be determined using the magnitude of the density gradient vector at that voxel. Similarly, the direction of the density gradient vector at a given voxel can be used as a surface normal vector for shading purposes at that voxel.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a means of holding, securing, or self-locking an actuating mechanism, such as a plunger-type or slide-type actuating mechanism, on a medical device having a deflected distal region using pinch points without the need for a secondary restraining or locking mechanism within the medical device. The present disclosure also provides a means to reduce the force experienced by a user during the deflection of a medical device such that use fatigue is lessened or eliminated. Various embodiments of the present disclosure are set forth herein.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to measuring impedance across a plurality of electrode pairs. The disclosed systems and methods may simultaneously provide drive signals between electrode pairs and then sense the voltage signals that develop at the electrodes. Digital signal processing may be used to synchronously demodulate the voltage signal at each electrode to determine impedances at the electrodes. Each electrode pair may be driven at a unique frequency to allow for significantly increasing a number of electrode pairs and/or increasing drive current magnitudes. Synchronous demodulation allows the unique frequencies to be detected independent of each other while minimizing crosstalk. Typically, the drive frequencies are made orthogonal by setting the drive frequencies at harmonics of a common base frequency and measuring a response over an integer number of cycles.

Abstract: The instant disclosure relates to electrophysiology catheters for tissue ablation within a cardiac muscle. In particular, the instant disclosure relates to an electrophysiology ablation balloon catheter with an electrode coil that is wrapped around at least a portion of the balloon and delivers ablation energy at a desired portion of tissue.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to flexible high-density mapping catheters with a planar array of high-density mapping electrodes near a distal tip portion. These mapping catheters may be used to detect electrophysiological characteristics of tissue in contact with the electrodes, and may be used to diagnose cardiac conditions, such as cardiac arrhythmias for example.

Abstract: A medical device is provided in which one or both ends of the device encourage the formation of tissue across substantially the entire area of the respective end that is exposed to the blood flow for reducing the risk of a thrombotic embolism. The medical device includes a tubular structure having at least one expanded volume portion and a tapered transition portion. The tubular structure may be made through the braiding of a number of strands, and a first end feature may be used to secure the proximal strand ends. The proximal strand ends may be secured via the proximal end of the first end feature, such that the tapered transition portion is formed over the circumferential surface of the first end feature, and only a proximal end surface (or a portion of the proximal end surface) of the first end feature is exposed to the path of flowing blood.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to, for example, a high-thermal-sensitivity ablation catheter tip including a thermally-insulative ablation tip insert supporting at least one temperature sensor electrically coupled to a flexible electronic circuit and encapsulated, or essentially encapsulated, by a conductive shell. Also disclosed is a method of controlling the temperature of an ablation catheter tip while creating a desired lesion using various forms of energy and energy delivery.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve for replacing a native valve includes a stent extending between a proximal end and a distal end and including a plurality of struts forming cells, the stent having a collapsed condition and an expanded condition. At least one runner is coupled a cell, the at least one runner being configured to transition from a first configuration to a second configuration when the stent moves from the collapsed condition to the expanded condition, the at least one runner projecting radially outwardly from the cell in the second configuration. A valve assembly is disposed within the stent, the valve assembly including a plurality of leaflets, a cuff at least partially disposed on a luminal surface of the stent, and a covering material disposed on an abluminal surface of the stent and covering the at least one runner in the second configuration.

Abstract: A medical device for the diagnosis or treatment of tissue in a body and method for fabricating the same are provided. The device includes comprises a first shaft and a second shaft. The first shaft includes a longitudinal axis, and the second shaft includes a second shaft axial end disposed within the first shaft. The second shaft is connected to the first shaft by a first nested lap joint formed between the first shaft and the second shaft.

Abstract: In an electrode assembly for a catheter system, a plurality of struts extends from a proximal end to a distal end of the electrode assembly. Each strut has a longitudinally extending proximal leg, a longitudinally extending distal leg, and a center segment extending between and interconnecting the proximal leg and the distal leg. Each strut includes at least one electrode thereon, as well as one or more hinged aspects.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an ablation catheter that includes an irrigation conduit, a force sensor, an electrode tip assembly, a seal, and a temperature sensor. The irrigation conduit defines an irrigation lumen configured to carry irrigation fluid to a distal end of the ablation catheter. The force sensors include a deformable body coupled to the irrigation conduit adjacent a distal end thereof. The electrode tip assembly is coupled to the deformable body and extends distally therefrom, and defines an interior cavity in fluid communication with the irrigation lumen and an exterior cavity in which a distal portion of the deformable body is received. The seal is disposed between the electrode tip assembly and the deformable body, and inhibits fluid flow between the interior cavity and the exterior cavity. The temperature sensor is coupled to the electrode tip assembly and extends from the electrode tip assembly through the irrigation lumen.

Abstract: A cuff management device for use when loading a prosthetic heart valve includes a body extending between a first end and a second end, a plurality of legs disposed at the first end, and one or more segments disposed at the second end, the one or more segments having one or more protrusion on an interior surface thereof.

Abstract: Medical devices and systems including electrical traces are provided. The medical device includes a sheath body (120) including an inner wall, an outer wall, and a central major lumen (20) extending through the sheath body (120) along a longitudinal axis. The central major lumen is defined by the inner wall. The medical device further includes at least one outer lumen (38) extending through said sheath body, wherein the at least one outer lumen (38) is disposed between the inner wall and the outer wall, at least one electrode (14) coupled to a distal portion of said sheath body (120), and at least one electrical trace (44). Each of the at least one electrodes (14) is coupled to at least one electrical trace (44), and the electrical trace (44) is disposed between the inner wall and the outer wall.