Abstract: The system and methods of the invention gauge the amount or quality of the contact between body tissue and one or more electrodes supported on a catheter. In further aspects, the invention concerns methods for controlling power delivery to particular electrodes on a catheter in response to tissue contact data derived from that electrode or other electrodes during the ablation procedure. The invention monitors and processes information concerning the number of pulses of pulsed radio-frequency energy that are delivered during an ablation procedure. The amount or quality of tissue contact is gauged by comparing the number of pulses delivered to a particular electrode during the interval to either the number of pulses delivered to at least one other electrode of the plural electrodes or data derived during the ablation procedure.

Abstract: An electrode providing electrical contact with a patient's skin includes a conductive member adapted for connection to an external electrical apparatus, and a multilayer system for providing electrical interface between the patient's skin and the conductive member. The multilayer system includes a first layer of an electrically conductive gel having a relatively low peel strength, for removably contacting the patient's skin, and a second layer of an electrically conductive gel having a relatively high peel strength, for contacting said conductive member. The first and second layers are laminated with a sponge third layer therebetween.

Abstract: A catheter system and method are provided which change the temperature of a fluid, such as blood, by heat transfer. Selective cooling or heating of an organ may be performed by changing the temperature of the blood feeding the organ. The catheter system includes an inlet lumen and an outlet lumen structured and arranged to carry a working fluid having a temperature different from the adjacent blood. The outlet lumen is configured to induce turbulence in the adjacent fluid passing adjacent the outlet lumen.

Abstract: A catheter for delivering energy to a surgical site is disclosed. The catheter includes at a proximal end a handle and at a distal end a probe. The catheter includes at least one energy delivery device and an activation element. The at least one energy delivery device is located at the distal end of the catheter to deliver energy to portions of the surgical site. The activation element is located at the distal end of the catheter, to transition the probe from a linear to a multi-dimensional shape, within the surgical site. Methods for deploying the probe from the linear to multi-dimensional shape are disclosed.

Abstract: A monitoring catheter that inserts into the patient's esophagus alone or in combination with an existing catheter, such as a feeding or aspiration tube. The monitoring catheter includes a pair of EMG electrodes on an exposed surface that contact the patient's esophageal wall to measure the activity of the diaphragm and/or a pair of pressure detecting mechanisms that measure the pressures within the patient at separate locations. The electrodes are sized and spaced from one another so as to maximize detection of diaphragm muscle activity while minimizing detection of noise. The pressure detecting mechanisms are sized and spaced apart to measure the patient's esophageal and gastric pressures, for example. If necessary, an attaching mechanism secures at least a portion of the monitoring catheter to the existing catheter so that the monitoring catheter uses the existing catheter as a tracking guide.

Abstract: Invasive medical catheters with distal end assemblies having a protective surface coating bonded thereto are constructed by applying a hydrophilic primer to at least a portion of a tubular polymer body. The primer coating chemically bonds to the polymer substrate by developing covalent bonding or cross linking with the substrate. A plurality of printed electrode elements are then formed on the polymer body, e.g., by a pad printing process. Once the primer coating is bonded to the polymer body, the assembly is coated with a regenerated cellulose layer, e.g., by a viscose process well known in the art. The primer coating, already bonded to the catheter body, is then bonded with the regenerated cellulose at an elevated temperature. After curing, the polymer body, primer coating and regenerated cellulose layer become a single composite material, thereby preventing the regenerated cellulose coating from any movement relative to the polymer body, and providing a secure protective layer over the electrodes.

Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed for treating a uterine disorder which receive its blood supply from a uterine artery. In particular, uterine fibroids are effectively treated by occluding the uterine arteries using trans-vaginal, trans-uterine, transrectal, or retroperitoneal approaches. The devices and methods are advantageous because the inventive procedures may be performed by a patient's gynecologist in the course of treatment, avoiding the need for referrals to specialist practitioners and for more radical treatments, such as hysterectomies. The methods include both temporary and permanent occlusion of the arteries. A cannula carries an imaging device and a member which will easily penetrate tissue, the member including a device which partially or completely, and temporarily or permanently, occludes a uterine artery.

Abstract: A directional reflective shield assembly (25) is provided for a microwave ablation instrument (20) having an antenna (23) coupled to a transmission line (21). The antenna (23) is formed to generate an electric field sufficiently strong to cause tissue ablation. The shield assembly (25) includes a cradle device (26) disposed about the antenna (23) in a manner substantially shielding a surrounding area of the antenna (23) from the electric field radially generated therefrom. The cradle device (26) further provides a window portion (27) communicating with the antenna (23) which is strategically located relative the antenna to direct a majority of the field generally in a predetermined direction.

Abstract: With reference to the figure, an ablation catheter (1) for use in heart surgery comprises a probe (2), a tubular electrode (3) mounted on the probe, so as to axially be slidable relative thereto, and remote-operated actuator means (4) for so sliding the electrode (3). The probe (2) is of electrically-insulating material, and comprises a tip (6), an axially-extending shaft (7), and a rear end portion (8). A surface groove (9) is formed in the probe which extends longitudinally up to the tip (6). The groove (9) locates a conductor (10) which interconnects the electrode (3) with a controllable source (15) of electrical energy and is enclosed in an insulating sheath (16) of flexible construction. The flexible sheath (16), and conductor (10) therein are axially slidable within the groove (9) of the catheter (1). The sheath (16) provides for electrical insulation of the conductor (10) as the electrode (3) is moved along the probe shaft (7).

Abstract: The concentration of glucose in the anterior chamber of an eye is non-invasively measured by guiding a beam through a polarizer (4), a quarter wave plate (6), a polarization modulator (20), and an analyzer (7). After initializing the polarizer and the analyzer to extinguish the beam, it is guided parallel to the iris (56) of the eye (50) and introduced into the anterior chamber (57), wherein it is refracted, impinges on and is reflected from the iris, and exits the anterior chamber approximately collinear with the portion (55A) of the beam incident on the anterior chamber. The beam then is guided onto a detector (10), and a sufficient signal is applied to the polarization modulator to extinguish the beam. The signal represents the glucose concentration in the patient's blood.

Abstract: A deflectable interstitial ablation device includes an elongated housing, an electrode mounted within the elongated housing, a driver coupled to the electrode, an imaging device integrally mounted within the elongated housing and a deflection system disposed within the elongated housing. The elongated housing has a proximal end, a distal end, and a deflectable segment. The electrode is deployable from a first position within the elongated housing to a second position a predetermined distance beyond the distal end of the elongated housing. The electrode further has a flexible portion capable of deflecting with the deflectable segment of the elongated housing, and can be deployed by the driver with a sufficient force such that penetration of the urethral wall occurs in a single motion. The imaging device further has a flexible portion capable of deflecting with the deflectable segment of the elongated housing.

Abstract: An electrode assembly adapted to be attached to the skin over selected facial muscle groups picks up signals to be analyzed by an anesthesia adequacy monitor that measures the level of awareness of a living animal, typically a human being. The electrode assembly also includes a stimulator that stimulates a facial nerve to determine the level of paralysis, or neuro muscular block, of the facial muscles. Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing the electrode assembly by printing a pattern of electrically conductive material through a silk-screen or an ink type process onto a flexible layer, and then coating the result with a non-conducting adhesive except at points corresponding to sensing points for the desired muscle groups. Finally, a method for using such sensing and stimulating devices is shown in determining and maintaining an appropriate level of patient awareness, muscle paralysis, and analgesia under anesthesia.

Abstract: A medical treatment system includes an antenna for radiating energy from a source of electromagnetic energy and including a first radiating element and a second radiating element having a conductor helically wound and coaxially positioned around the first radiating element to receive energy radiated by the first radiating element. The first and second radiating elements are positioned substantially along a longitudinal axis of the antenna with the first radiating element having a proximal end coupled to the source of electromagnetic energy. With this arrangement, energy from the electromagnetic source is efficiently conveyed from the first radiating element and then resonates the coaxially positioned and helically wound second radiating element.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an electro-surgical instrument with a rich graphical user interface (GUI) capability and a verifiable hardware and software platform meeting Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requirements. The rich GUI makes for a device which is more easily operated than prior art devices which lacked a sophisticated user interface. The increased functionality is achieved without sacrificing the ability to validate the device for FDA purposes. This goal is achieved by a dual processor design. In the dual processor design a control or master processor with verifiable source code implements the functions of: power delivery, temperature measurement, power measurement and power control. A display or slave processor, is functionally isolated from the first processor receiving only messages from the first processor. In a first embodiment of the invention an electro-surgical instrument is disclosed.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the invention an apparatus for power measurement in an electro-surgical instrument is disclosed. The apparatus includes: sensors, a first summer and differencer, a peak detector, a second summer and differencer, and a multiplier. The sensors produce a voltage signal and a current signal proportional to a voltage and a current delivered by the first channel to the surgical site. The first summer and differencer sum the voltage signal together with the current signal to produce a first signal and difference the voltage signal with the current signal to produce a second signal. The peak detector couples to the first summer and differencer to form a third and a fourth signal proportional respectively to peak voltage levels in the first and the second signals. The second summer and differencer produce a fifth signal and a sixth signal proportional respectively to a difference and a sum of the third signal and the fourth signal.

Abstract: Device for hyperthermia treatment in a body cavity comprising a catheter (10) to be introduced into the body cavity and being closed at the distal end thereof. An elastically expandable hose piece (18) is mounted at this end, which is sealingly connected to the catheter at both ends of the hose piece. Two passages (11, 12) extend through the catheter and can be connected each to an associated liquid conduit (26, 27) at the proximal end of the catheter. The passages open under the hose piece through side apertures (21, 22) in the catheter so that the hose piece can be expanded as a balloon by the supply of liquid through one passage liquid being drained off through the other passage. The device comprises external means (28, 31) for circulating liquid through the hose piece on the catheter and heating of the circulating liquid.

Abstract: A generator of a complex energy wave, having audio, radio and light components, including an audio frequency oscillator, a radio frequency transmitter, a radio frequency amplifier, an antenna tuner, an antenna, tuned coaxial cables and an optional reverberation unit.

Abstract: A steerable ablation catheter system suitable for radiofrequency ablation of intracardiac tissue comprises two parts: a disposable catheter shaft with a deflectable tip at the distal end of the shaft; and a handle with steering mechanisms, wherein the two parts are engaged and disengaged through a pair of the quick coupling and locking connecting units.

Abstract: A system for recanalizing an occluded blood vessel including a centering catheter employed to center an ablative guide wire within the blood vessel as the guide wire traverses the occlusion. The centering catheter includes a catheter body with an operative lumen through which the ablative guide wire is slidingly disposed. The centering catheter further includes a distally disposed centering mechanism that, when activated, centers the ablative guide wire within the blood vessel as it traverses the occlusion. The centering mechanism can comprise various embodiments including a single inflatable balloon or segmented inflatable balloon, which is in fluid communication with an inflation lumen. An airless preparation lumen may be disposed within the inflation lumen for ease of centering catheter preparation. The ablative guide wire includes insulation that is preferably formed of heat shrink tubing, which is stretched prior or concurrently with the heating process.

Abstract: An implantable medical device is used to deliver a dosage of radiation to a localized site within a patient. The device is coated with a chelator selected for its bonding affinity with a specific radioisotope. A base layer and optionally a spacer layer is first applied to the device to provide a proper foundation for the chelator. Just prior to implantation, the device is immersed in a solution of the radioisotope which enables a preselected amount of such radioisotope to be adsorbed.