Abstract: A catheter for use in a patient's heart, especially for mapping a tubular region of the heart, has a catheter body, a deflectable intermediate section and a distal mapping assembly that has a generally circular portion adapted to sit on or in a tubular region of the heart. A control handle of the catheter allows for single-handed manipulation of various control mechanisms that can deflect the intermediate section and contract the mapping assembly by means of a deflection control assembly and a rotational control assembly. The deflection control assembly has a deflection arm and a rocker member. The rotational control assembly has an outer rotational member, an inner rotational member and a cam. A pair of puller members are responsive to the deflection control assembly to bi-directionally deflect the intermediate section. A third puller member is responsive to the rotational control assembly to contract the generally circular portion of the mapping assembly.

Abstract: An EP catheter includes a tubular body having a proximal region, a neck region, and a distal portion predisposed into an in-plane dual loop (at least, approximately, more or less) configuration and including a plurality of diagnostic electrodes. In deflectable catheter forms, at least one activation wire extends through at least a portion of the proximal region of the catheter body and is adapted to deflect the distal portion up to approximately 180 degrees relative to the proximal region. The catheter can be operated manually by a clinician or via a clinician-surrogate such as a computer processor-controlled surgical system. In addition, a variety of localization, visualization, and/or orientation-specific elements can be incorporated into the devices described, depicted, and claimed herein (e.g., metallic coil members, active impedance emitting or receiving electrodes, fluoroscopically opaque materials, and the like).

Abstract: A catheter for use in a patient's heart, especially for mapping a tubular region of the heart, has a catheter body, a deflectable intermediate section and a distal a mapping assembly that has a generally circular portion adapted to sit on or in a tubular region of the heart. A control handle of the catheter allows for single-handed manipulation of various control mechanisms that can deflect the intermediate section and contract the mapping assembly by means of a deflection control assembly and a linear control assembly. The deflection control assembly has a deflection arm and a rocker member. The linear control assembly has a linear control member, an inner rotational member and a cam. A pair of puller members are responsive to the deflection control assembly to bi-directionally deflect the intermediate section. A third puller member is responsive to the linear control assembly to contract the generally circular portion of the mapping assembly.

Abstract: A method for sensing multiple local electric voltages from endocardial surface of a heart, includes: providing a system for sensing multiple local electric voltages from endocardial surface of a heart, including: a first elongate tubular member having a lumen, a proximal end and a distal end; a basket assembly including: a plurality of flexible splines for guiding a plurality of exposed electrodes, the splines having proximal portions, distal portions and medial portions therein between, wherein the electrodes are substantially flat electrodes and are substantially unidirectionally oriented towards a direction outside of the basket.

Abstract: Described herein are microelectrode array devices, and methods of fabrication, assembly and use of the same, to provide highly localized neural recording and/or neural stimulation to a neurological target. The device includes multiple microelectrode elements arranged protruding shafts. The protruding shafts are enclosed within an elongated probe shaft, and can be expanded from their enclosure. The microelectrode elements, and elongated probe shafts, are dimensioned in order to target small volumes of neurons located within the nervous system, such as in the deep brain region. Beneficially, the probe can be used to quickly identify the location of a neurological target, and remain implanted for long-term monitoring and/or stimulation.

Abstract: An apparatus for medical diagnosis and/or treatment is provided. The apparatus includes a flexible substrate, an intermediate bus disposed on the flexible substrate, and a plurality of sensing elements disposed on the flexible substrate and coupled to the intermediate bus. The plurality of sensing elements and intermediate bus are disposed on the flexible substrate such that the sensing elements are disposed at areas of minimal strain of the flexible substrate.

Abstract: Physiological monitoring can be provided through a wearable monitor that includes a flexible extended wear electrode patch and a removable reusable monitor recorder. The wearable monitor sits centrally on the patient's chest along the sternum, which significantly improves the ability to sense cutaneously cardiac electric signals, particularly those generated by the atrium. The electrode patch is shaped to fit comfortably and conformal to the contours of the chest approximately centered on the sternal midline. To counter the dislodgment due to compressional and torsional forces, non-irritating adhesive is provided on the underside, or contact, surface of the electrode patch, but only on the distal and proximal ends.

Abstract: An apparatus for medical diagnosis and/or treatment is provides. The apparatus includes a flexible substrate forming an inflatable body and a plurality of sensing elements disposed on the flexible substrate. The plurality of sensing elements are disposed about the inflatable body such that the sensing elements are disposed at areas of minimal curvature of the inflatable body in a deflated state.

Abstract: An implantable medical device for performing therapy or monitoring a physiological condition. The device includes components for connecting the device to a trunk line. These components connect the device to the trunk line in such way that the components move over the trunk line. Internal to these components are conductors, including a coil, that are arranged to complementary inductively exchange signals with conductors internal to the trunk line. As a result of this inductive signal exchange the implantable medical device at least one of: receives power signals; receives signals that regulate the operation of the device; or transmits signal representative of the physiological state monitored by the device.

Abstract: A garment and/or garment system with health-monitoring (e.g., cardiovascular monitoring) capability, substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims.

Abstract: A catheter with ablation and potential sensing capabilities is adapted for outer circumferential contact with an opening of a tubular region and inner circumferential contact within the tubular region. The catheter has a proximal electrode assembly and a distal electrode assembly for ablation of an ostium and potential sensing inside the pulmonary vein so that it is possible to obtain ECG signals inside a pulmonary vein when ablating around the ostium. The distal electrode assembly has an elongated member defining a longitudinal axis and a plurality of spines surrounding the member and converging at their proximal and distal ends, where each spine has at least one electrode and a curvature so that the spine bows radially outwardly from the member.

Abstract: Electrodes providing excellent recording and physical stability. Electrodes are disclosed that may include a plurality of small teeth that possess a novel design shape and orientation. The shallow and relatively long teeth run parallel to the rim of the electrode that presses against the patient's skin. When the electrode is twisted onto skin, the tiny teeth penetrate the stratum corneum and move nearly horizontally under the stratum corneum, thus anchoring the electrode securely to the skin. The electrodes cause minimal discomfort to the patient since the small teeth do not extend to the pain fibers which are located in deeper layers of the skin. The electrodes may be fabricated in a variety of geometries including cylindrical, disk, and blunt bullet or top shapes. In some instances, the electrodes may be connected to detachable leads having magnetic properties.

Abstract: A system for sensing monophasic action potentials from endocardial tissue of a heart, includes: a plurality of flexible splines; an anchor for securably affixing the proximal portions of the splines; a tip for securably affixing the distal portions of the splines; and a polymeric member including opposed a first open end and a second open end defining an open lumen therein between, where at least one of the plurality of flexible splines is at least partially disposed within the lumen of the polymeric member; a flexible electrode assembly strip with two or more exposed electrodes oppositely disposed on at least a portion of the outer surface of the polymeric member.

Abstract: An implantable electrode lead for transmitting electrical impulses to excitable bodily tissue and/or for transmitting electrical signals tapped at bodily tissue to a detection unit. The electrode lead including a distal electrode, a proximal electrode connector, and an electrode supply lead which connects the electrode, or each electrode, to the electrode connector, or each electrode connector, and extends in a lead body, wherein the lead body includes a hinged alignment of hard elements.

Abstract: In one configuration, an adherent device to adhere to a skin of a subject includes a stretchable base layer having an upper side and a lower side and an adhesive coating on the lower side to adhere the base layer to the skin of the subject. The base layer has at least two openings extending therethrough, each of the at least two openings having a size. The adherent device also includes a stretchable covering layer positioned above and adhered to the base layer with an adhesive to define at least two pockets. The adherent device also includes at least two gels, each gel having a size larger than the size of openings to retain the gel substantially within the pocket, and a circuit carrier supported with the stretchable base layer to measure at least one physiologic signal of the subject. Other configurations and methods are also claimed.

Abstract: Physiological monitoring can be provided through a wearable monitor that includes a flexible extended wear electrode patch and a removable reusable monitor recorder. The wearable monitor sits centrally on the patient's chest along the sternum, which significantly improves the ability to sense cutaneously cardiac electric signals, particularly those generated by the atrium. The electrode patch is shaped to fit comfortably and conformal to the contours of the chest approximately centered on the sternal midline. The electrode patch is made from a type of stretchable spunlace fabric. To counter patient bending motions and prevent disadhesion of the electrode patch, the outward-facing aspect of the backing, to which a (non-stretchable) flexible circuit is fixedly attached, stretches at a different rate than the backing's skin-facing aspect, where a skin adhesive removably affixes the electrode patch to the skin.

Abstract: An embodiment of an open-irrigated catheter system comprises a tip section, a distal insert, and mapping electrodes. The tip section has an exterior wall that defines an open interior region within the tip section. The exterior wall includes mapping electrode openings and irrigation ports. The exterior wall is conductive for delivering radio frequency (RF) energy for an RF ablation procedure. The irrigation ports are in fluid communication with the open interior region to allow fluid to flow from the open interior region through the irrigation ports. The distal insert is positioned within the tip section to separate the open region into a distal fluid reservoir and a proximal fluid reservoir. The mapping electrodes are positioned in the mapping electrode openings in the tip section.

Abstract: A biomedical sensor for detecting EMG signals may include a non-conducting fixed framework supporting a symmetrical arrangement of four electrode surfaces, configured as two signal detection contacts, each with a respective associated signal reference contact. The mechanical and electrical configuration act together to suppress movement artifact.

Abstract: A biomedical sensor for detecting EMG signals may include a non-conducting fixed framework supporting a symmetrical arrangement of four electrode surfaces, configured as two signal detection contacts, each with a respective associated signal reference contact. The mechanical and electrical configuration act together to suppress movement artifact.

Abstract: Devices, and methods for measuring bioimpedance signals are disclosed. One aspect may include a headset apparatus including a retainer and electrodes. The retainer may be configured to position the electrodes on the head of a subject so as to obtain bioimpedance signals indicative of hemodynamic conditions associated with an MCA territory. A processor may be included to measure and analyze the obtained bioimpedance signals, and to output information for predicting hemodynamic conditions associated with an MCA territory.