Abstract: A catheter system has an RF catheter, an ultrasound catheter, and an ablation generator coupled to the RF generator and the ultrasound generator. The ablation generator is capable of generating RF energy and ultrasound energy.

Abstract: A flexible catheter shaft suitable for inserting into a body of a patient comprising a deflectable, high torque transmission assembly of a slit tubular element that has either a plurality of rows of slits with anchors or at least one continuously spiraling slit on said slit tubular element and has sufficient bending and torque properties ensuring that a substantial fraction of the bending, rotational and displacement forces provided along said flexible catheter shaft are translated to bending, rotational and displacement forces at a distal end of said flexible catheter shaft.

Abstract: A catheter for sensing electrical events about a selected annulus region of the heart and for treating tissue in the selected annulus region has a handle assembly, and a shaft having a proximal end coupled to the handle assembly. The catheter also has a mapping element provided adjacent its distal end, and an ablation element positioned spaced apart along the shaft from the mapping element. The mapping element is first positioned at the desired treatment location in the selected annulus region and the desired treatment location is mapped. The ablation element is then positioned at the desired treatment location by moving the mapping element away from the desired treatment location, and the desired treatment location is ablated.

Abstract: A catheter-based method for coronary sinus mapping, pacing, and ablation, wherein a distal tip portion having longitudinally stretchable/compressible capability is pre-shaped to snugly fit into the coronary sinus with resilience and trauma-free manner, so that the distal tip portion is positioned in the sinus; the distal tip portion is deflected to expose a plurality of electrodes; and RF energy is then applied to the coronary sinus tissue through the electrodes to cause pacing, mapping, and/or ablation.

Abstract: A flexible catheter shaft suitable for inserting into a body of a patient comprising a deflectable, high torque transmission assembly of a slit tubular element that has either a plurality of rows of slits with anchors or at least one continuously spiraling slit on said slit tubular element and has sufficient bending and torque properties ensuring that a substantial fraction of the bending, rotational and displacement forces provided along said flexible catheter shaft are translated to bending, rotational and displacement forces at a distal end of said flexible catheter shaft.

Abstract: A flexible catheter shaft suitable for inserting into a body of a patient comprising a high torque transmission assembly of a slit tubular element that has either a plurality of slits or at least one continuously spiraling slit on said slit tubular element and has sufficient torque properties ensuring that a substantial fraction of the rotational and displacement forces provided along said flexible catheter shaft are translated to rotational and displacement forces at a distal end of said flexible catheter shaft.

Abstract: A catheter system comprising a delivery catheter and an inner catheter, wherein the inner catheter is deployable and has a plurality of electrodes on the lattices of a trellis fixture. During a deployed state, the trellis fixture is fully extended to have a series of electrodes on a two-dimensional plane for mapping and/or ablation purposes.

Abstract: A catheter system suitable for electrophysiology mapping and radiofrequency ablation of cardiac tissue comprises a catheter shaft having a distal end, a proximal handle, and at least a lumen extending therebetween, wherein a distal section of the shaft is either a fixed curve type or a deflectable type; and safety means being provided to maintain the integrity of the catheter by holding the long tip electrode in place, wherein the safety means is a long tip electrode with an extended flexible stem having at least one open groove or slot on the stem.

Abstract: The method for using a catheter system suitable for electrophysiology mapping and radiofrequency ablation of cardiac tissue comprises a catheter shaft having a distal end, a proximal handle, and at least one lumen extending therebetween, wherein a distal section of the shaft is either a fixed curve type or a deflectable type; and a safety means provided to maintain the integrity of the catheter, by anchoring the tip electrode in place. In one embodiment, the safety means is a tip electrode with safety anchoring pins. In another embodiment, the safety means is a long tip electrode with an extended flexible stem having at least one open slot or groove or groove on the stem.

Abstract: A catheter probe and methods for contrast media delivering comprising localized contrast media irrigation means for providing contrast media to the distal tip section, wherein the contrast media irrigation means is externally connected to a contrast media supply source; and shaft opening means for venting the contrast media out of the shaft distal end at an angle in relation to an axial reference line for optimal x-ray imaging, wherein the shaft opening means is connected to and in communication with a conduit of the contrast media irrigation means, and wherein the shaft opening means comprises at least one opening at an angle in relation to an axial reference line.

Abstract: A catheter-based method for coronary sinus mapping, pacing, and ablation, wherein a flexible electrode catheter, having a tip electrode with suspension structure, is pre-shaped to snugly fit into the coronary sinus, so that the tip electrode is positioned into the sinus; the distal section is deflected to expose a predetermined plurality of electrodes; and RF energy is then applied to the coronary sinus tissue through the electrodes to cause activation mapping, and/or ablation.

Abstract: A catheter system suitable for electrophysiology mapping and radiofrequency ablation of cardiac tissue comprises a catheter shaft having a distal end, a proximal handle, and at least a lumen extending therebetween, wherein a distal section of the shaft is either a fixed curve or deflectable; and safety anchoring means being provided to maintain the integrity of the catheter by holding the tip electrode in place. In one embodiment, the safety means is a tip electrode with safety anchoring pins. In another embodiment, the safety means is a tip electrode with extended flexible stem having open slots on said stem.

Abstract: An electrophysiology catheter suitable for radiofrequency ablation of cardiac tissue endocardially or epicardially comprises a catheter shaft whereby a distal tip section having multiple steerable curved portions, multiple long electrodes and multiple temperature sensors, further comprising a close-loop control mechanism for each electrode with a temperature sensor.

Abstract: An anchorable guidewire for use in various medical applications, said guidewire comprising an elongate guidewire body with at least one inflatable anchoring member or balloon positioned thereon and a deactuatable check valve operative to maintain inflation of the inflatable anchoring member or balloon until such time as the check valve is volitionally deactuated by a human operator. The inflatable anchoring member or balloon is preferably sized, constructed and configured such that, when fully deflated, the anchoring member or balloon will fully collapse against the outer surface of the guidewire without substantial protrusion or extension therebeyond.