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: Methods may include disposing a first ultraviolet (UV) adhesive in a first portion of a cavity of a mold. Methods may include disposing an electro acoustic module (EAM) in the first UV adhesive in the cavity. Methods may include disposing a second UV adhesive in a second portion of the cavity of the mold to encapsulate at least a portion of the EAM disposed therein. Methods may include causing UV light to irradiate at least a portion of the mold. The UV light may cause at least the EAM, the first UV adhesive, and the second UV adhesive to form at least a portion of a catheter tip.

Abstract: The disclosed technology includes a medical probe comprising a tubular shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, the tubular shaft extending along a longitudinal axis. The medical probe further comprises an expandable basket assembly coupled to the distal end of the tubular shaft. The basket assembly includes a plurality of electrodes with each electrode of the plurality of electrodes having a lumen therethrough. The basket assembly further includes a plurality of spines extending along the longitudinal axis and configured to bow radially outward from the longitudinal axis when the expandable basket assembly is transitioned from a collapsed form to an expanded form. Each spine includes a proximal and a distal end and a strut passing through the lumen of an electrode. The strut includes a mechanical retainer disposed on the strut to prevent the electrode from sliding proximally or distally along a length of the spine.

Abstract: The disclosed technology includes an end effector comprising a plurality of spines extending along a longitudinal axis to define a basket assembly, the plurality of spines configured to bow radially outward from the longitudinal axis to define a radius of curvature with respect to the longitudinal axis and to transition between an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration. Each spine of the plurality of spines can include a section extending radially outward from the radius of curvature defined by a remainder of each spine. The end effector can further include at least one electrode disposed on the section for each spine of the plurality of spines.

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.

Abstract: The disclosed technology includes a medical probe comprising a tubular shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, the tubular shaft extending along a longitudinal axis. The medical probe further comprises an expandable basket assembly coupled to the distal end of the tubular shaft. The basket assembly includes a plurality of electrodes with each electrode of the plurality of electrodes having a lumen therethrough. The basket assembly further includes a plurality of spines extending along the longitudinal axis and configured to bow radially outward from the longitudinal axis when the expandable basket assembly is transitioned from a collapsed form to an expanded form. Each spine includes a proximal and a distal end and a strut passing through the lumen of an electrode. The strut includes a mechanical retainer disposed on the strut to prevent the electrode from sliding proximally or distally along a length of the spine.

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: 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: 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: 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.