Abstract: The present invention involves a surgical device and method of use, particularly an assembly and method incorporating a shaped expandable member along the distal region of an ablation device to facilitate ablation of a circumferential region of tissue engaged by the expandable member. The ablation device assembly includes an elongate body with a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and a longitudinal axis. A contact member is located along the distal end portion of the elongate body. The contact member has a circumferential wall and is expandable from a radially collapsed condition to a radially expanded condition. The contact member also includes a single chamber having a single bulbous section. The single bulbous section has a plurality of longitudinally adjacent circumferential regions wherein adjacent regions have dissimilar wall thicknesses.

Abstract: The present invention involves a surgical device and method of use, particularly an assembly and method incorporating a shaped expandable member along the distal region of an ablation device to facilitate ablation of a circumferential region of tissue engaged by the expandable member. The ablation device assembly includes an elongate body with a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and a longitudinal axis. A contact member is located along the distal end portion of the elongate body. The contact member has a circumferential wall and is expandable from a radially collapsed condition to a radially expanded condition. The contact member also includes a single chamber having a single bulbous section. The single bulbous section has a plurality of longitudinally adjacent circumferential regions wherein adjacent regions have dissimilar wall thicknesses.

Abstract: A deflectable device, such as a catheter, is provided that includes a hinge that enhances the ability of the device to deflect or bend within a predetermined plane. The catheter comprises an elongated tubular catheter body having proximal and distal ends and at least one lumen extending therethrough. A distal segment is provided distal to the distal end of the catheter body. A tubular hinge is provided between the distal end of the catheter body and the proximal end of the distal segment. The hinge has an axis and at least one lumen extending therethrough. The tube includes at least one slot, and preferably a plurality of slots, extending part of the way through the hinge generally transverse to the axis of the hinge.

Abstract: A deflectable catheter includes a catheter body, an intermediate section, a tip electrode and a control handle for deflecting the catheter by manipulation of a puller element that is made of a high modulus fiber material and extends through the catheter body and the intermediate section. The proximal end of the puller element is housed in the control handle and the distal end of the puller element is in a wrapped configuration and engages with a distal tip member or the intermediate section.

Abstract: A catheter grip adapted to couple with an introducer or sheath holds a catheter in position while in use in a patient's body. The grip has a hub defining a channel through which the catheter extends, a pair of grip members that work with each other to hold the catheter body between them, a pair of separators to release the catheter body, and a pair of tabs for the doctor to actuate the separators. Each pair of the grip members and the separators is situated on a different diameter of a surface that extends across the channel and each grip member and separator is diametrically opposed to its mate. Movement between the grip members and the separators is coordinated in that as the grip members move toward each other the separators move away from each other, and vice versa.

Abstract: An improved steerable catheter with in-plane deflection comprises a catheter body having proximal and distal ends and a lumen extending therethrough and a tip section at the distal end of the catheter body. The tip section comprises a flexible plastic tubing having a pair of diametrically-opposed lumens extending therethrough. The catheter also provides two puller wires manipulated through a control handle at the proximal end of the catheter body. Each puller wire extends through one of the pair of lumens in the tip section and through the lumen of the catheter body and is anchored to the control handle at its proximal end and anchored to the tip section at its distal end. The deflection mechanism is configured to generally define a plane along which deflection most readily occurs and an edge along which deflection is most readily avoided.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a catheter clamp that is affixable to a patient's skin to hold a catheter in position while in use within a patient's body. In one embodiment, the clamp has a base adapted to be removably adhered to the patient's skin, two clamp members supported on the base and defining a region therebetween to receive the catheter body, the clamp members being adapted to move between an open position and a closed position, and locking means for releasably locking said clamp members in said closed position to hold the catheter body in a generally fixed position relative to said clamp.

Abstract: A catheter grip adapted to couple with an introducer or sheath holds a catheter in position while in use in a patient's body. The grip has a hub defining a channel through which the catheter extends, a pair of grip members that work with each other to hold the catheter body between them, a pair of separators to release the catheter body, and a pair of tabs for the doctor to actuate the separators. Each pair of the grip members and the separators is situated on a different diameter of a surface that extends across the channel and each grip member and separator is diametrically opposed to its mate. Movement between the grip members and the separators is coordinated in that as the grip members move toward each other the separators move away from each other, and vice versa.

Abstract: A catheter has a three-dimensional, hollow ablation assembly that carries at least one ribbon electrode for circumferential ablation. In one embodiment, the assembly has a free-form framework that is constructed of multiple tensile members or wires that are interwoven such that the length of the framework increases while the circumference of the framework decreases, and vice versa. The assembly can also have a self-expanding stent-type framework which is mounted on the expander. In another alternative embodiment, the framework is a tubular or cylindrical structure whose side wall has longitudinal slots between longitudinal slats for radial expansion to a greater circumference when the length is decreased. The flexible ribbon electrode on the assembly is elastic, or is pleated so that it folds when the framework is collapsed and unfolds when the framework is deployed.

Abstract: An improved steerable catheter comprises an elongated tubular catheter body with a flexible tip section. A pair of slidably mated puller wires fixedly attached to each other at their distal ends extend from a handle at the proximal end of the catheter body through a lumen in the catheter body and into a lumen in the tip section. Proximal movement of one puller wire relative to the other results in deflection of the tip section.