Abstract: A cryoablation catheter, including a first capsule body, a core tube and a heat insulation part, wherein the first capsule body is mounted at a front end of the core tube, and has a front end area adapted for fitting to myocardial tissue during a cryoablation process and a rear end area exposed to blood; the core tube has a first looping path provided therein which is adapted for a first fluid with low temperature to be filled into or flow out of the first capsule body; the heat insulation part is at least partially fitting to the rear end area, and is adapted for reducing heat exchange efficiency between the first fluid and the blood in an atrium. The cryoablation operating apparatus and the cryoablation equipment thereof can effectively reduce the heat exchange between the cryoablation catheter and the blood during a cryoablation process.

Abstract: A catheter configured to deliver therapeutic energy to a tissue is disclosed. The catheter comprises an elongate shaft extending along a shaft longitudinal axis. The catheter further comprises a flexible tip assembly coupled to a distal end of the elongate shaft, the flexible tip assembly comprising at least three mapping electrodes equally spaced about a circumference of the flexible tip, a flexible ablation electrode, and a plurality of irrigation ports. The catheter further comprises an irrigation lumen extending through the elongate shaft and into an interior of the flexible tip assembly, wherein the irrigation lumen is configured to direct irrigation fluid to the plurality of irrigation ports.

Abstract: The instant disclosure relates to electrophysiology catheters for tissue ablation within a cardiac muscle, for example. In particular, the instant disclosure relates to an electrophysiology ablation balloon catheter with a combination of coated and uncoated surfaces for focusing ablation energy at a desired portion of tissue.

Abstract: A catheter configured to deliver therapeutic energy to a tissue can include can include an elongate shaft extending along a shaft longitudinal axis and comprising a shaft proximal end and a shaft distal end. The catheter can include a flexible tip assembly comprising a tip assembly outer surface, wherein the flexible tip assembly is connected to the shaft distal end and is configured to deliver therapeutic energy to the tissue, and wherein the flexible tip assembly further includes. The flexible tip assembly can include an insulative layer comprising an insulative layer outer surface, wherein the insulative layer is disposed on the tip assembly outer surface and a mapping electrode disposed on the insulative layer outer surface.

Abstract: A fluid delivery catheter configured to allow optimal fluid distribution through each electrode by varying the diameter of a catheter lumen is disclosed. Uniform or different fluid flow rates through longitudinally spaced apart elution holes may be achieved. Exemplary fluids for use with the catheter include a cooling fluid, a therapeutic fluid, and a medication.

Abstract: A lumen extension member is provided for a catheter having a catheter body and an elongate electrode coupled to the catheter body. The elongate electrode defines an electrode lumen extending therethrough. The lumen extension member is positioned within the electrode lumen and is coupled to the catheter body. The lumen extension member includes a tubular member including a sidewall and at least one opening that extends through the sidewall.

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 catheter is disclosed comprising a catheter shaft including a proximal end and a distal end. A flexible framework can be connected to the distal end of the catheter shaft, wherein the flexible framework includes a plurality of heating electrodes and a temperature sensor. The plurality of heating electrodes can be configured to be heated to a first temperature, the first temperature being lower than which radio frequency ablation is performed. The plurality of heating electrodes can be configured to be heated to a second temperature, the second temperature being a temperature at which radio frequency ablation is performed.

Abstract: A catheter apparatus comprises an elongated catheter body having a distal end, a proximal end, and at least one fluid lumen extending longitudinally therein; and a plurality of flexible electrode segments on a distal portion of the catheter body adjacent the distal end, each pair of neighboring flexible electrode segments being spaced from each other longitudinally by a corresponding electrically nonconductive segment. Each flexible electrode segment comprises a sidewall provided with one or more elongated stiffness reductions extending through the sidewall, the one or more elongated stiffness reductions providing flexibility in the sidewall for bending movement relative to a longitudinal axis of the catheter body. The electrically nonconductive segment is substantially smaller in length than each of the corresponding pair of neighboring flexible electrode segments.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an irrigated catheter ablation apparatus comprises an elongated body having a distal end, a proximal end, and at least one fluid lumen extending longitudinally therein; and a plurality of segmented ablation electrodes on a distal portion of the elongated body. The electrodes are spaced from the proximal end and from the distal end of the elongated body by electrically nonconductive segments. The electrodes are spaced from each other longitudinally by electrically nonconductive segments. For each electrode that is longitudinally disposed next to one of the nonconductive segments, an edge is formed between an electrode end of the electrode and a nonconductive segment end of the nonconductive segment. A plurality of elution holes are disposed adjacent to the edges. A plurality of ducts establish fluid communication between the elution holes and the fluid lumen.

Abstract: A catheter apparatus includes an elongated body having a distal portion including a distal end, a plurality of flexible segments, and at least one intermediate segment that is less flexible than the flexible segments. Adjacent flexible segments are spaced from each other longitudinally by the at least one intermediate segment. Each of the flexible segments include a sidewall having at least one elongated gap extending at least partially therethrough and forming interlocking members. The at least one intermediate segment is shorter than the flexible segments.

Abstract: A catheter apparatus comprises an elongated catheter body having a distal end, a proximal end, and at least one fluid lumen extending longitudinally therein; and a plurality of flexible electrode segments on a distal portion of the catheter body adjacent the distal end, each pair of neighboring flexible electrode segments being spaced from each other longitudinally by a corresponding electrically nonconductive segment. Each flexible electrode segment comprises a sidewall provided with one or more elongated stiffness reductions extending through the sidewall, the one or more elongated stiffness reductions providing flexibility in the sidewall for bending movement relative to a longitudinal axis of the catheter body. The electrically nonconductive segment is substantially smaller in length than each of the corresponding pair of neighboring flexible electrode segments.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ablation catheter for treatment of a patient's tissue by delivery of high-voltage pulses comprising a catheter shaft and an ablation portion being arranged at a distal end of the catheter shaft with a plurality of electrodes accommodated along the ablation portion, wherein the ablation portion forms a spiral and comprises a first loop section and a neighboring second loop section, wherein an inner diameter of the first loop section increases towards an inner diameter of the second loop section starting from a first end of the first loop section located opposite the second loop section, wherein the first loop section has a greater stiffness than the second loop section.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ablation catheter for treatment of a patient's tissue, for example for a PVI procedure on a patient's heart, comprising an elongated catheter shaft and an ablation portion being arranged at a distal end of the catheter shaft with a plurality of electrodes accommodated along the ablation portion, wherein the ablation portion comprises at least two loop sections forming a three-dimensional spiral. In order to increase safety of ablation treatment, spare adjacent tissue (e.g. nerves, vessels, esophagus) and shorten ablation time, a pitch, or clearance of two neighboring loop sections is greater than an ionization threshold of the medium around the distal section, for example blood or gases resulted from electrolysis. The invention further relates to an operation method of such ablation catheter.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an irrigated catheter ablation apparatus comprises an elongated body having a distal end, a proximal end, and at least one fluid lumen extending longitudinally therein; and a plurality of segmented ablation electrodes on a distal portion of the elongated body. The electrodes are spaced from the proximal end and from the distal end of the elongated body by electrically nonconductive segments. The electrodes are spaced from each other longitudinally by electrically nonconductive segments. For each electrode that is longitudinally disposed next to one of the nonconductive segments, an edge is formed between an electrode end of the electrode and a nonconductive segment end of the nonconductive segment. A plurality of elution holes are disposed adjacent to the edges. A plurality of ducts establish fluid communication between the elution holes and the fluid lumen.

Abstract: A mapping and ablation catheter is presented. The mapping and ablation catheter comprising an elongated catheter shaft and an ablation portion being arranged at a distal end of the catheter shaft, wherein: the ablation portion comprises a plurality of loop segments; at least one first loop segment of the plurality of loop segments exhibits one or more ablation electrodes, the one or more ablation electrodes being configured for delivering energy to vascular tissue; the loop segments together form a three-dimensional spiral; and respective diameters of the loop segments are such that each loop segment rests on a neighboring loop segment when the three-dimensional spiral is compressed. The plurality of loop segments comprises a stabilizer loop segment, which does not does not exhibit any electrodes, wherein the stabilizer loop segment is the most proximal loop segment of the plurality of loop segments.

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 catheter is disclosed comprising a catheter shaft including a proximal end and a distal end. A flexible framework can be connected to the distal end of the catheter shaft, wherein the flexible framework includes a plurality of heating electrodes and a temperature sensor. The plurality of heating electrodes can be configured to be heated to a first temperature, the first temperature being lower than which radio frequency ablation is performed. The plurality of heating electrodes can be configured to be heated to a second temperature, the second temperature being a temperature at which radio frequency ablation is performed.