Abstract: In various embodiments, a catheter comprising an expandable electrode assembly or basket is provided. In specific embodiments, the basket is particularly useful for mapping electrical activity at one or more locations within the heart. The basket can comprise a plurality of bendable or deflectable arms. At least one of the arms may have varied flexibility over its length in the form of one or more discontinuities of stiffness or flexibility at an elbow region or other variances in flexibility over the arm's length. Such variance in flexibility may allow the arm to assume a different bent configuration or respond to external factors more positively than possible with an arm having a static or near static flexibility or stiffness over its length.

Abstract: Flexible high-density mapping catheter tips (10A) and flexible ablation catheter tips with onboard high-density mapping electrodes (18) are disclosed. These tips can be used for diagnosing and treating cardiac arrhythmias. The flexible, distal tips are adapted to conform to tissue and comprise a plurality of microelectrodes mounted to permit relative movement among at least some of the microelectrodes. The flexible tip portions may comprise a flexible framework forming a flexible array of microelectrodes (for example, a planar or cylindrical array) adapted to conform to tissue and constructed at least in part from nonconductive material in some embodiments. The flexible array of microelectrodes may be formed from a plurality of rows of longitudinally-aligned microelectrodes (18). The flexible array may further comprise, for example, a plurality of electrode-carrying arms or electrode-carrier bands. Multiple flexible frameworks may be present on a single device.

Abstract: A lumen extension member is provided for a catheter having a catheter body and an elongate electrode coupled to the catheter body. The elongate electrode defines an electrode lumen extending therethrough. The lumen extension member is positioned within the electrode lumen and is coupled to the catheter body. The lumen extension member includes a tubular member including a sidewall and at least one opening that extends through the sidewall.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a catheter that comprises an elongated catheter body (16) and an electrode assembly (10) at the distal end of the catheter body. The electrode assembly comprises a plurality of spines (11), each of the spines having a proximal end connected to the distal end of the catheter and a distal end, the distal ends of the spines being connected at a spine tip junction (13). Each spine includes an elbow (20) having at least one discontinuity in stiffness at an intermediate position between the distal end and the proximal end thereof. The spines include a plurality of electrodes (12). The electrode assembly is collapsible to a collapsed arrangement to fit within a lumen of the elongated catheter body and expandable to an expanded arrangement with the elbows of the spines bending outwardly relative to the proximal and distal ends of the spines.

Abstract: An ablation catheter comprises a catheter body extending longitudinally between a proximal end and a distal end along a longitudinal axis; and an ablation element assembly comprising ablation elements connected to the catheter body, each ablation element to be energized to produce an ablation zone. The ablation elements are distributed in a staggered configuration such that the ablation zones of the ablation elements span one or more open arc segments around the longitudinal axis, but the ablation zones of all ablation elements projected longitudinally onto any lateral plane which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis span a substantially closed loop around the longitudinal axis. Since the ablation zones do not form a closed loop, the risk of renal artery/vein stenosis is reduced or eliminated. Since the ablation zones of all ablation elements projected longitudinally onto any lateral plane span a substantially closed loop, substantially complete renal denervation is achieved.

Abstract: A lumen extension member is provided for a catheter having a catheter body and an elongate electrode coupled to the catheter body. The elongate electrode defines an electrode lumen extending therethrough. The lumen extension member is positioned within the electrode lumen and is coupled to the catheter body. The lumen extension member includes a tubular member including a sidewall and at least one opening that extends through the sidewall.

Abstract: An electrophysiology catheter for use with a steerable introducer sheath includes a flexible catheter body having a proximal end and a distal end and at least one hollow elongate tip electrode disposed at the distal end of the catheter body. The hollow elongate tip electrode includes a sidewall having at least one elongate gap that provides flexibility allowing the tip electrode to bend relative to a longitudinal axis of the catheter body. The catheter body is an independent, non-steerable structure, and can be moved via movement of the steerable introducer through which it is introduced into a patient.

Abstract: An ablation apparatus comprises an ultrasonic transducer which includes a piezoelectric element having a cylindrical shape; a plurality of external electrodes disposed on the outer surface of the piezoelectric element; and at least one internal electrode disposed on the inner surface of the piezoelectric element. The at least one internal electrode provides corresponding internal electrode portions that are disposed opposite the external electrodes with respect to the piezoelectric element, the external electrodes and the at least one internal electrode to be energized to apply an electric field across the piezoelectric element.

Abstract: A flexible tip electrode for an ablation catheter is disclosed. The catheter includes a catheter body and a hollow elongate tip electrode disposed at a distal end of the catheter body. The electrode includes a sidewall provided with one or more elongate gaps extending therethrough. The one or more elongate gaps providing flexibility in the sidewall for bending movement of the tip electrode relative to a longitudinal axis of the catheter body.

Abstract: A fluid delivery catheter configured to allow optimal fluid distribution through each electrode by varying the diameter of a catheter lumen is disclosed. Uniform or different fluid flow rates through longitudinally spaced apart elution holes may be achieved. Exemplary fluids for use with the catheter include a cooling fluid, a therapeutic fluid, and a medication.

Abstract: A catheter includes a flexible tubing having a proximal end and a distal end. The catheter also includes an electrode assembly attached to the distal end of the flexible tubing and including a first magnet therein. The electrode assembly including an electrically conductive tip electrode and an electrically nonconductive coupler which is connected between the tip electrode and the distal end of the flexible tubing. The electrically conductive tip electrode comprises a hollow elongated tip electrode including a sidewall provided with one or more elongated gaps extending through the sidewall. The one or more elongated gaps providing flexibility in the sidewall for bending movement of the tip electrode relative to a longitudinal axis of the catheter body. The first magnet is responsive to an external magnetic field to selectively position and guide the electrode assembly within a body of a patient.

Abstract: A flexible tip electrode for an ablation catheter is disclosed. The catheter includes a catheter body and a hollow elongate tip electrode disposed at a distal end of the catheter body. The electrode includes a sidewall provided with one or more elongate gaps extending therethrough. The one or more elongate gaps providing flexibility in the sidewall for bending movement of the tip electrode relative to a longitudinal axis of the catheter body.

Abstract: An ablation catheter includes an electrode assembly having a plurality of longitudinally spaced sets of spines, which include a distal set of spines each having a distal end connected to a spine distal junction and a proximal end connected to a first joint, and a proximal set of spines each having a proximal end connected to the distal end of the catheter body and a distal end connected to the first joint or a second joint. The spines include electrodes. Zero or more additional sets of spines are connected between the distal set and proximal set, such that neighboring sets of spines are connected by a joint. Each joint is flexible to permit bending along the longitudinal axis. The electrode assembly is movable between a collapsed arrangement and an expanded arrangement with the intermediate segments of the spines in the expanded arrangement moving outwardly with respect to the collapsed arrangement.

Abstract: A fluid delivery catheter configured to allow optimal fluid distribution through each electrode by varying the diameter of a catheter lumen is disclosed. Uniform or different fluid flow rates through longitudinally spaced apart elution holes may be achieved. Exemplary fluids for use with the catheter include a cooling fluid, a therapeutic fluid, and a medication.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a catheter comprising an expandable electrode assembly or basket is provided. In specific embodiments, the basket is particularly useful for mapping electrical activity at one or more locations within the heart. The basket can comprise a plurality of bendable or deflectable arms. At least one of the arms may have varied flexibility over its length in the form of one or more discontinuities of stiffness or flexibility at an elbow region or other variances in flexibility over the arm's length. Such variance in flexibility may allow the arm to assume a different bent configuration or respond to external factors more positively than possible with an arm having a static or near static flexibility or stiffness over its length.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a catheter that comprises an elongated catheter body (16) and an electrode assembly (10) at the distal end of the catheter body. The electrode assembly comprises a plurality of vines (11), each of the spines having a proximal end connected to the distal end of the catheter and a distal end, the distal ends of the spines being connected at a spine tip junction (13). Each spine includes an elbow (20) having at least one discontinuity in stiffness at an intermediate position between the distal end and the proximal end thereof. The spines include is plurality of electrodes (12). The electrode assembly is collapsible to a collapsed arrangement to fit within a lumen of the elongated catheter body and expandable to an expanded arrangement with the elbows of the spines bending outwardly relative to the proximal and distal ends of the spines.

Abstract: A method for denervation comprises introducing a distal portion of a catheter through an interior of a vessel of a patient to a location at or proximate one of a renal pelvis or a calyx. The catheter includes an elongated catheter body extending longitudinally between a proximal end and a distal end. The catheter body includes the distal portion at the distal end and a catheter lumen from the proximal end to the distal end. Energy is delivered from the distal portion to cause renal denervation, for example, by denervating at least some tissue proximate at least one of the renal pelvis or a renal vessel from a location at or proximate the renal pelvis or the calyx from a location at or proximate the calyx.

Abstract: A flexible tip electrode for an ablation catheter is disclosed. The catheter includes a catheter body and a hollow elongate tip electrode disposed at a distal end of the catheter body. The electrode includes a sidewall provided with one or more elongate gaps extending therethrough. The one or more elongate gaps providing flexibility in the sidewall for bending movement of the tip electrode relative to a longitudinal axis of the catheter body.

Abstract: An irrigated catheter with uniform cooling and/or uniform fluid distribution in longitudinally spaced apart elution holes by varying the diameter of a fluid delivery lumen. A number of elution holes are provided in a tip region of a catheter body, and these elution holes are in fluid communication with the lumen through ducts. The fluid delivery lumen may be provided with a flow constrictor to restrict flow of fluid towards the distal region.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a catheter comprising an expandable electrode assembly or basket is provided. In specific embodiments, the basket is particularly useful for mapping electrical activity at one or more locations within the heart. The basket can comprise a plurality of bendable or deflectable arms. At least one of the arms may have varied flexibility over its length in the form of one or more discontinuities of stiffness or flexibility at an elbow region or other variances in flexibility over the arm's length. Such variance in flexibility may allow the arm to assume a different bent configuration or respond to external factors more positively than possible with an arm having a static or near static flexibility or stiffness over its length.