Abstract: A cardiac arrhythmia mapping and ablation catheter has a main catheter that is provided with a loop-shaped mapping and ablation system attached to its distal end in which the loop is optionally adjustable or of relatively fixed shape resumable upon deployment. The loop carries an electrode array including a plurality of separately operable recording (mapping)/ablation electrodes in conductive relation to the external environment and arranged in spaced serial relation along the loop. Insulated conductors connect the electrodes electrically with input/output devices outside the catheter for mapping the electrical activity of the chamber wall contacted and ablating tissue as indicated. A distal extension or guide member may optionally be provided to adapt the loop specifically to addressing the tricuspid annulus or other desired location.

Abstract: A recording and ablation catheter system for creating linear lesions in the right atrial chamber of a heart is disclosed which includes an array of readily controlled electroded arcuate distal working catheter shapes that are easily deployed to contact the inner wall surface of the right atrial cardiac chamber in a manner that enables easy recording and mapping of impulses and thereafter facilitates sustained contact so that linear lesions can be produced from an array of mapping and ablation electrode devices serially spaced along the working catheter shape.

Abstract: A catheter control handle for precise spatial placement of a working catheter tip in an organ or vessel of interest is presented that is readily operable with one hand and uses a single operating knob in conjunction with a single control wire connected in the distal working catheter tip area in a manner such that longitudinal translation of the knob produces distal catheter tip deflection and rotation of the knob produces rotation of the deflected tip. The longitudinal translation of the control knob deflects the catheter tip by displacing the proximal portion of the catheter relative to the control wire and the rotation of the control knob applies rotational torque to the control wire.

Abstract: A mapping and ablation distal vascular catheter arrangement is disclosed which is suitable for association with a vascular catheter system and which includes a segmented mapping/ablation electrode system in which the lesion size including length, width and depth is made flexible and the ability to discretely map localized electrical activity using the same is preserved. The electrode system includes a plurality of serially spaced individual electrodes on the surface of a distal working catheter area which can be utilized together to produce the effect of an elongated segmented ablation electrode or individually utilized to map local electrical activity. A control system or device is provided that allows the individual electrodes to be connected to one or more receiving/recording/display devices in any desired pattern. That is, recording or mapping may be conducted using any configuration of electrodes for receiving signals.

Abstract: A vascular catheter with a distal working tip is provided with precise shape control. The tip section optionally includes a plurality of weakened segments of preferred deflection spaced from the distal end. Reciprocally operable control wires are attached distal each deflection segment and extend to a proximal control handle where they are attached to manual controls for adjusting longitudinal tension to the distal section of the catheter from just beyond the deflection segments in a manner that encourages bending or collapse of the deflection segments in the direction of the weakened or cutout areas.

Abstract: A cardiac arrhythmia ablation catheter has a highly flexible tubular distal catheter section for entering and exploring the walls of any cardiac chamber which, in turn, has a distal tip equipped with an electrode system, which may have a specialized shape, for mapping and ablating tissue and a dual-wire biplanar control system for enabling and controlling the movement of the distal catheter section and tip in any direction in a manner such that the distal tip is capable of accessing any point on the wall of the chamber entered. The dual-wire biplanar control system includes a vertical deflection control wire operable to deflect the distal tip of the catheter in a controlled manner a plane substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tubular catheter and a lateral deflection control wire operable to deflect the distal tip of the catheter in a controlled manner in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tubular catheter.

Abstract: A vascular catheter has a highly flexible distal section. A biplanar control system is provided for enabling and controlling the movement of the distal catheter section and tip in any direction in a manner such that the distal tip is capable of accessing any point on the wall of the chamber entered. Dual-wire biplanar control system embodiments include a vertical deflection control wire operable to deflect the distal tip of the catheter in a controlled manner in a vertical plane substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tubular catheter and a lateral deflection control wire operable to deflect the distal tip of the catheter in a controlled manner in a lateral plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tubular catheter. A one-wire system for both vertical and lateral control is also described.

Abstract: A cardiac arrhythmia mapping and ablation catheter has a main catheter that is provided with a mapping and ablation system attached to its distal end which includes an adjustable loop carrying an electrode array including a plurality of parallel-connected, separately operable mapping/ablation electrodes in conductive relation to the external environment and arranged in spaced serial relation along the loop. Insulated conductors connect the electrodes electrically with an input/output device outside the catheter for mapping the electrical activity of the chamber wall contacted and ablating tissue as indicated. Drawstring control wires are used to control the size, shape and deflection or posture of the loop. A distal extension may optionally be provided to adapt the loop specifically to addressing the tricuspid annulus. A fixed version is also disclosed.

Abstract: A cardiac arrhythmia ablation catheter that has a highly flexible tubular distal segment particularly adapted for navigating and exploring a ventridular cardiac chamber forming a lumen through its length which connects to a distal electrode-carrying tip which is provided with an independently rotatable tip electrode mounted at the distal end tip of the distal tip section and adapted to engage and roll over the internal surface of a ventricular heart chamber of interest without rotation of the catheter itself. A wire deflection control system is provided to deflect the distal tip system of the distal catheter section in a controlled manner and a hand-operated control is provided to control the rotation of the rotatable tip electrode.

Abstract: An implantable iontophoretic delivery system for use in applying medicinal materials rapidly to specific subcutaneous tissue sites of interest in conjunction with an implanted defibrillator is disclosed which uses a subcutaneously situated pouch for supplying medication in conjunction with a pair of defibrillator electrodes connected to a power source. One of the electrodes is located proximately with respect to the tissue of interest and is designed to dispense the medication of interest utilizing controlled electrical pulses. The pouch is connected with the administering electrode of the electrode system via pumping mechanism.