Abstract: Catheters, systems, and methods are provided for performing medical procedures, such as tissue ablation, adjacent the ostia of anatomical vessels, such as pulmonary veins. The catheter comprises an elongated flexible catheter body including a proximal shaft portion and a distal shaft portion, which has a proximal section pre-shaped to form a curve having an apex sized to be inserted into an anatomical vessel, such as a pulmonary vein, and a distal section configured to contact an ostium of the vessel when the curve apex is inserted within the vessel ostium. The catheter further comprises a steering mechanism configured for decreasing a radius of curvature of the curve.

Abstract: An implantable tongue sensor/stimulator device is disclosed for sensing and monitoring physiological parameters and providing a reactive stimulation to a patient. The device includes a main upper disc member carrying one or more micro-biomedical sensors for sensing multiple physiological parameters and one or more stimulation electrodes for creating stimulating sensations in the tongue, a lower tongue plate member that includes a battery for powering the device circuitry and a locking mechanism for locking the device in place when it is implanted, and an intermediate assembly including a central tongue rod member and conducting tubes for penetrating a tongue and connecting the upper disc with the lower disc. The device contains a wireless transmitter for transmitting data from the device.

Abstract: Catheters and methods are provided for performing medical procedures. The catheter comprises an elongated flexible integrated catheter body having proximal and distal shaft portions, a central support positioned inside the distal shaft and at least one operative element carried by the distal shaft portion. The distal shaft portion has a proximal section configured to be internally actuated to form a simple curve with an apex that can be inserted into the vessel ostium, an intermediate section pre-shaped to form a curve that bends opposite the simple curve, and a distal section configured to be placed into a non-radial relationship with the vessel ostium when the apex of the simple curve is inserted into the vessel ostium.

Abstract: Catheters and methods are provided for performing medical procedures, such as tissue ablation, adjacent the ostia of anatomical vessels, such as pulmonary veins. The catheter comprises an elongated flexible integrated catheter body having proximal and distal shaft portions and at least one operative element carried by the distal shaft portion. The distal shaft portion has a proximal section configured to be internally actuated (e.g., using a steering mechanism or pre-shaping the proximal section) to form a simple curve with an apex that can be inserted into the vessel ostium, an intermediate section pre-shaped to form a curve that bends opposite the simple curve, and a distal section configured to be placed into a non-radial relationship (tangential or oblique) with the vessel ostium when the apex of the simple curve is inserted into the vessel ostium.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) ablation system and methods for using the radio frequency ablation system are disclosed. The RF ablation system may include an elongated member, an RF generator, and a processor. The elongated member may include a distal portion including one or more electrodes and the RF generator may be operatively coupled to one or more of the electrodes. The processor, which may be coupled to one or more of the electrodes, may obtain an output signal from the electrodes and may monitor changes in a frequency spectra of an electrical signal received with the output signal. The processor may determine a level of one or more characteristics that are proportional to an amplitude of the electrical signal, proportional to the frequency of the electrical signal, or proportional to both of the amplitude and the frequency of the electrical signal.

Abstract: An implantable tongue sensor/stimulator device is disclosed for sensing and monitoring physiological parameters and providing a reactive stimulation to a patient. The device includes a main upper disc member carrying one or more micro-biomedical sensors for sensing multiple physiological parameters and one or more stimulation electrodes for creating stimulating sensations in the tongue, a lower tongue plate member that includes a battery for powering the device circuitry and a locking mechanism for locking the device in place when it is implanted, and an intermediate assembly including a central tongue rod member and conducting tubes for penetrating a tongue and connecting the upper disc with the lower disc. The device contains a wireless transmitter for transmitting data from the device.

Abstract: A catheter system for creating lesions for the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias is disclosed that includes a catheter having a distal ablation segment that has an electrode array comprising a plurality of spaced ablation and recording electrode devices arranged in a tight loop configuration that is used to create a series of overlapping loop-shaped ablation footprints to produce a continuous lesion resembling a chain-link configuration.

Abstract: A cryoablation method, system, and device that allows for real-time and accurate assessment and monitoring of PV occlusion and lesion formation without the need for expensive imaging systems and without patient exposure to radiation. The system includes a cryoballoon catheter with a cryoballoon, a distal electrode, a proximal electrode, and a temperature sensor. Impedance measurements recorded by the electrodes may be used to predict ice formation, quality of pulmonary vein occlusion, and lesion formation.

Abstract: A plurality of catheter-based ablation apparatus embodiments are provided that address several areas of atrial target tissue and which feature firm and consistent ablation element to tissue contact enabling the creation of effective continuous lesions.

Abstract: An electrophysiology system comprises an ablation catheter, a radiofrequency generator, and a mapping processor. The ablation catheter has a tissue ablation electrode and a plurality of microelectrodes distributed about the circumference of the tissue ablation electrode and electrically isolated therefrom. The plurality of microelectrodes define a plurality of bipolar microelectrode pairs. The mapping processor is configured to acquire output signals from the bipolar microelectrode pairs, compare the output signals, and generate an output to a display providing a visual indication of a characteristic of the microelectrodes and the tissue ablation electrode relative to myocardial tissue to be mapped and/or ablated.

Abstract: An electrophysiology system comprises an ablation catheter, a radiofrequency generator, and a mapping processor. The ablation catheter has a tissue ablation electrode and a plurality of microelectrodes distributed about the circumference of the tissue ablation electrode and electrically isolated therefrom. The plurality of microelectrodes define a plurality of bipolar microelectrode pairs. The mapping processor is configured to acquire output signals from the bipolar microelectrode pairs, compare the output signals, and generate an output to a display providing a visual indication of a characteristic of the microelectrodes and the tissue ablation electrode relative to myocardial tissue to be mapped and/or ablated.

Abstract: Catheters, systems, and methods are provided for performing medical procedures, such as tissue ablation, adjacent the ostia of anatomical vessels, such as pulmonary veins. The catheter comprises an elongated flexible catheter body, which includes a proximal shaft portion and a distal shaft portion, and a tracking element carried by the distal shaft portion. The proximal section is pre-shaped to form a curve having an apex sized to be inserted into the vessel ostium, and a distal section configured to contact the adjacent tissue when the curve apex is inserted within the vessel ostium. The method may comprise inserting the curve apex into the vessel ostium to place the distal section in contact with a first tissue site adjacent the vessel ostium, and determining a location of the tracking element(s) within a coordinate system while the distal section is in contact with the first tissue site.

Abstract: Catheters, systems, and methods are provided for performing medical procedures, such as tissue ablation, adjacent the ostia of anatomical vessels, such as pulmonary veins. The catheter comprises an elongated flexible catheter body, which includes a proximal shaft portion and a distal shaft portion, and a tracking element carried by the distal shaft portion. The proximal section is pre-shaped to form a curve having an apex sized to be inserted into the vessel ostium, and a distal section configured to contact the adjacent tissue when the curve apex is inserted within the vessel ostium. The method may comprise inserting the curve apex into the vessel ostium to place the distal section in contact with a first tissue site adjacent the vessel ostium, and determining a location of the tracking element(s) within a coordinate system while the distal section is in contact with the first tissue site.

Abstract: Catheters, systems, and methods are provided for performing medical procedures, such as tissue ablation, adjacent the ostia of anatomical vessels, such as pulmonary veins. The catheter comprises an elongated flexible catheter body, which includes a proximal shaft portion and a distal shaft portion, and a tracking element carried by the distal shaft portion. The proximal section is pre-shaped to form a curve having an apex sized to be inserted into the vessel ostium, and a distal section configured to contact the adjacent tissue when the curve apex is inserted within the vessel ostium. The method may comprise inserting the curve apex into the vessel ostium to place the distal section in contact with a first tissue site adjacent the vessel ostium, and determining a location of the tracking element(s) within a coordinate system while the distal section is in contact with the first tissue site.

Abstract: Catheters and methods are provided for performing medical procedures, such as tissue ablation, adjacent the ostia of anatomical vessels, such as pulmonary veins. The catheter comprises an elongated flexible integrated catheter body having proximal and distal shaft portions and at least one operative element carried by the distal shaft portion. The distal shaft portion has a proximal section configured to be internally actuated (e.g., using a steering mechanism or pre-shaping the proximal section) to form a simple curve with an apex that can be inserted into the vessel ostium, an intermediate section pre-shaped to form a curve that bends opposite the simple curve, and a distal section configured to be placed into a non-radial relationship (tangential or oblique) with the vessel ostium when the apex of the simple curve is inserted into the vessel ostium.

Abstract: A plurality of catheter-based ablation apparatus embodiments are provided that address several areas of atrial target tissue and which feature firm and consistent ablation element to tissue contact enabling the creation of effective continuous lesions.

Abstract: A plurality of catheter-based ablation apparatus embodiments are provided that address several areas of atrial target tissue and which feature firm and consistent ablation element to tissue contact enabling the creation of effective continuous lesions.

Abstract: A method for performing cryotherapy on a target tissue region in a body includes positioning a first cooling element in a first location in a body adjacent a target tissue region, positioning a second cooling element in a second location in the body adjacent the target tissue region, and cooling the respective first and second cooling elements so as to cool the target tissue region.

Abstract: A method for performing cryotherapy on a target tissue region in a body includes positioning a first cooling element in a first location in a body adjacent a target tissue region, positioning a second cooling element in a second location in the body adjacent the target tissue region, and cooling the respective first and second cooling elements so as to cool the target tissue region.

Abstract: Catheters, systems, and methods are provided for performing medical procedures, such as tissue ablation, adjacent the ostia of anatomical vessels, such as pulmonary veins. The catheter comprises an elongated flexible catheter body including a proximal shaft portion and a distal shaft portion, which has a proximal section pre-shaped to form a curve having an apex sized to be inserted into an anatomical vessel, such as a pulmonary vein, and a distal section configured to contact an ostium of the vessel when the curve apex is inserted within the vessel ostium. The catheter further comprises a steering mechanism configured for decreasing a radius of curvature of the curve.