Abstract: A catheter balloon comprises an ellipsoidal membrane. A plurality of flexible circuit strips, each of which comprises a substrate and a contact electrode, are disposed about the membrane. A coating is disposed atop at least the outer surface of the membrane and may also be disposed atop a portion of each of the substrates. The coating may comprise a dielectric material, such as parylene. The coating may increase the smoothness of the balloon. When subject to internal pressures that expand the balloon, the coating may also increase the resilience of the balloon relative to a balloon that lacks the coating as determined by changes in the balloon's diameter before and after expansion.

Abstract: Flexible circuit strips of a catheter balloon may comprise a substrate and a contact electrode disposed on the substrate. A cover may be disposed over a peripheral portion of the contact electrode and an adjacent portion of the substrate The cover is intended to increase robustness of the contact electrode in response to fatigue that might arise from repeated expansion and contraction of the catheter balloon.

Abstract: The disclosed technology includes couplers, nose pieces, and strain relief hubs for ablation catheter assemblies and methods of using the same. The disclosed technology can include a medical probe having a coupler having a first portion, a second portion, and a vent port. The second portion can slide between a first position and a second position. When in the first position, the vent port can be at least partially obstructed by the first portion and, when in the second position, the vent port can be unobstructed by the first portion. The medical probe can include a nose piece having an outer diameter of less than 0.14 inches and an aperture extending therethrough. The aperture can be sized to receive a catheter. The medical probe can include a strain relief hub having a first portion and a second portion and configured to be coupled to a handle of the medical probe.

Abstract: A catheter balloon includes a membrane having a proximal end and a distal end. A plurality of substrates are bonded about the membrane. The ability of a bond's ability to withstand repeated stresses during use may be improved by using a reinforcement or a stress relief, while also minimizing the overall thickness of the balloon proximate to its distal end. The reinforcement may comprise a portion of an unassembled membrane. Alternatively, the reinforcement may comprise an adhesive-margin tip. The stress relief may be a serpentine portion of a distal tail of a substrate.