Abstract: A hand control assembly for an intravascular catheter system includes a controller and a plurality of spaced apart hand-actuated members. The intravascular catheter system includes a control console that is configured to be positioned on a support surface. Each hand-actuated member is configured to be manually actuated and is positioned away from the control console and support surface. The hand control assembly controls varying stages of an ablation procedure, including an inflation stage, ablation stage, thawing stage and/or time to isolation. Each hand-actuated member sends at least one (i) initiation signal to the controller to initiate at least one of the inflation stage, ablation stage and/or a calculation of time to isolation, and/or (ii) termination signal to the controller to terminate at least one of the inflation stage, ablation stage and/or thawing stage.

Abstract: A foot control assembly for a user to control at least one stage of an ablation procedure. The ablation procedure can include an inflation stage, an ablation stage, a time to isolation and a thawing stage. The foot control assembly includes a controller and a plurality of spaced apart foot members. Each foot member is configured to be manually actuated. Each foot member sends at least one (i) initiation signal to the controller to initiate at least one stage of the ablation procedure, and/or (ii) termination signal to the controller to terminate at least one stage of the ablation procedure. For example, the initiation signal can initiate the inflation stage, the ablation stage and/or a calculation of time to isolation. The termination signal can terminate the inflation stage, the ablation stage and/or the thawing stage.

Abstract: A remote control system for an intravascular catheter system includes a controller, a transmitter that wirelessly communicates transmitter output, and a receiver that receives the transmitter output. The receiver communicates the transmitter output to the controller to control at least a portion of the intravascular catheter system. The transmitter can include a transmitter controller and/or a transmitter interface. The transmitter controller can download, process and/or store sensor output wirelessly received from a control system. The transmitter interface can display catheter system settings and/or mirror a graphical display, and may include a touch screen. The transmitter can also wirelessly connect to technical support and/or a hospital information system. The transmitter can also wirelessly communicate transmitter output to initiate and/or terminate at least one stage of an ablation procedure.

Abstract: A timing system during an ablation procedure having a time to isolation includes an automated timer that receives a first time setting. The first time setting provides a maximum time that the ablation procedure can continue without reaching the time to isolation. A catheter system including the timing system can also include a control system that is configured to automatically stop the ablation procedure if the first time setting expires without reaching the time to isolation. The operator can input the first time setting via a graphical display of the catheter system. The automated timer can generate an expiration signal if the first time setting expires without reaching the time to isolation. The automated timer can further receive a second time setting from the operator that provides a maximum time that the ablation procedure can continue after reaching the time to isolation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a medical device having an elongate body with both a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the elongate body defines an intake lumen and an exhaust lumen. The medical device also has a first pliable element defining a cooling chamber disposed at a point along the elongate body, with the cooling chamber being in fluid communication with the intake lumen and the exhaust lumen. A second pliable element is provided which at least partially encloses the first pliable element, thereby defining a junction between the first and second pliable element. A check valve is included which is in fluid communication with the junction between the first pliable element and second pliable element, the valve further being in fluid communication with the exhaust lumen. Additionally, the medical device may include sensors or other monitoring means in fluid communication with the junction and the cooling chamber.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling the inflation, ablation, and deflation of a balloon catheter. The system includes a balloon catheter, a console, a pressurized gas or liquid inflation source, and an umbilical system to deliver pressurized coolant to the balloon catheter. The system may include controller that monitors the amount of pressure and volume within the balloon catheter. During inflation, the pressure and/or volume of fluid within the balloon is maintained at a target amount in order to provide sufficient mechanized pressure against the desired target region. The system limits the inflation pressure such that a safe quantity of gas would be released should a leak occur. If the amount falls below a certain threshold level, gas or fluid egress is presumed and the inflation process is halted.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling the inflation, ablation, and deflation of a balloon catheter. The system includes a balloon catheter, a console, a pressurized gas or liquid inflation source, and an umbilical system to deliver pressurized coolant to the balloon catheter. The system may include controller that monitors the amount of pressure and volume within the balloon catheter. During inflation, the pressure and/or volume of fluid within the balloon is maintained at a target amount in order to provide sufficient mechanized pressure against the desired target region. The system limits the inflation pressure such that a safe quantity of gas would be released should a leak occur. If the amount falls below a certain threshold level, gas or fluid egress is presumed and the inflation process is halted.

Abstract: The present invention provides a medical device having an elongate body with both a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the elongate body defines an intake lumen and an exhaust lumen. The medical device also has a first pliable element defining a cooling chamber disposed at a point along the elongate body, with the cooling chamber being in fluid communication with the intake lumen and the exhaust lumen. A second pliable element is provided which at least partially encloses the first pliable element, thereby defining a junction between the first and second pliable element. A check valve is included which is in fluid communication with the junction between the first pliable element and second pliable element, the valve further being in fluid communication with the exhaust lumen. Additionally, the medical device may include sensors or other monitoring means in fluid communication with the junction and the cooling chamber.

Abstract: A medical apparatus and system for determining contact assessment includes a catheter having an elongate body having a proximal end, a distal end opposite the proximal end, and defining an injection lumen and an exhaust lumen, an expandable membrane defining a cooling chamber disposed at a point along the elongate body, the cooling chamber in fluid communication with the injection lumen and the exhaust lumen, and a contact assessment element which may be a temperature sensor located proximate the coolant return lumen for measuring an internal temperature of the chamber. The system may include the catheter, a console having a fluid supply, an exhaust path and at least one control mechanism operationally coupled to the temperature sensor for processing a temperature signal received from the temperature sensor. The apparatus and system can also have multiple electrodes to measure and process various impedances to determine contact assessment.

Abstract: The present invention provides a medical device having an elongate body with both a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the elongate body defines an intake lumen and an exhaust lumen. The medical device also has a first pliable element defining a cooling chamber disposed at a point along the elongate body, with the cooling chamber being in fluid communication with the intake lumen and the exhaust lumen. A second pliable element is provided which at least partially encloses the first pliable element, thereby defining a junction between the first and second pliable element. A check valve is included which is in fluid communication with the junction between the first pliable element and second pliable element, the valve further being in fluid communication with the exhaust lumen. Additionally, the medical device may include sensors or other monitoring means in fluid communication with the junction and the cooling chamber.

Abstract: A method for purging a cryotreatment system, in particular, for clearing moisture and thus preventing ice blockages within a fluid flow path that may be formed when moisture pockets within the fluid flow path of the system are encountered by a first injection of refrigerant at the beginning of a cryotreatment procedure. The method may include injecting refrigerant from a refrigerant source into a fluid delivery conduit at a preselected pressure for a first period of time, the refrigerant flowing from the fluid delivery conduit through a fluid injection element and into a fluid recovery conduit, and evacuating refrigerant from the fluid recovery conduit by vacuum pressure generated by the vacuum pump for a second period of time. This method may be repeated for a plurality of cycles.

Abstract: A method of treating tissue is provided, including positioning a portion of a catheter in proximity to cardiac tissue; measuring an impedance value with the catheter; determining a respiratory rate based at least in part on the measured impedance value; and thermally treating the cardiac tissue with the catheter.

Abstract: The present invention provides a medical device having an elongate body with both a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the elongate body defines an intake lumen and an exhaust lumen. The medical device also has a first pliable element defining a cooling chamber disposed at a point along the elongate body, with the cooling chamber being in fluid communication with the intake lumen and the exhaust lumen. A second pliable element is provided which at least partially encloses the first pliable element, thereby defining a junction between the first and second pliable element. A check valve is included which is in fluid communication with the junction between the first pliable element and second pliable element, the valve further being in fluid communication with the exhaust lumen. Additionally, the medical device may include sensors or other monitoring means in fluid communication with the junction and the cooling chamber.

Abstract: The present invention provides a medical device having an elongate body with both a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the elongate body defines an intake lumen and an exhaust lumen. The medical device also has a first pliable element defining a cooling chamber disposed at a point along the elongate body, with the cooling chamber being in fluid communication with the intake lumen and the exhaust lumen. A second pliable element is provided which at least partially encloses the first pliable element, thereby defining a junction between the first and second pliable element. A check valve is included which is in fluid communication with the junction between the first pliable element and second pliable element, the valve further being in fluid communication with the exhaust lumen. Additionally, the medical device may include sensors or other monitoring means in fluid communication with the junction and the cooling chamber.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling the inflation, ablation, and deflation of a balloon catheter. The system includes a balloon catheter, a console, a pressurized gas or liquid inflation source, and an umbilical system to deliver pressurized coolant to the balloon catheter. The system may include controller that monitors the amount of pressure and volume within the balloon catheter. During inflation, the pressure and/or volume of fluid within the balloon is maintained at a target amount in order to provide sufficient mechanized pressure against the desired target region. The system limits the inflation pressure such that a safe quantity of gas would be released should a leak occur. If the amount falls below a certain threshold level, gas or fluid egress is presumed and the inflation process is halted.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling the inflation, ablation, and deflation of a balloon catheter. The system includes a balloon catheter, a console, a pressurized gas or liquid inflation source, and an umbilical system to deliver pressurized coolant to the balloon catheter. The system may include controller that monitors the amount of pressure and volume within the balloon catheter. During inflation, the pressure and/or volume of fluid within the balloon is maintained at a target amount in order to provide sufficient mechanized pressure against the desired target region. The system limits the inflation pressure such that a safe quantity of gas would be released should a leak occur. If the amount falls below a certain threshold level, gas or fluid egress is presumed and the inflation process is halted.

Abstract: A medical apparatus and system for determining contact assessment includes a catheter having an elongate body having a proximal end, a distal end opposite the proximal end, and defining an injection lumen and an exhaust lumen, an expandable membrane defining a cooling chamber disposed at a point along the elongate body, the cooling chamber in fluid communication with the injection lumen and the exhaust lumen, and a contact assessment element which may be a temperature sensor located proximate the coolant return lumen for measuring an internal temperature of the chamber. The system may include the catheter, a console having a fluid supply, an exhaust path and at least one control mechanism operationally coupled to the temperature sensor for processing a temperature signal received from the temperature sensor. The apparatus and system can also have multiple electrodes to measure and process various impedances to determine contact assessment.

Abstract: A method for purging a cryotreatment system, in particular, for clearing moisture and thus preventing ice blockages within a fluid flow path that may be formed when moisture pockets within the fluid flow path of the system are encountered by a first injection of refrigerant at the beginning of a cryotreatment procedure. The method may include injecting refrigerant from a refrigerant source into a fluid delivery conduit at a preselected pressure for a first period of time, the refrigerant flowing from the fluid delivery conduit through a fluid injection element and into a fluid recovery conduit, and evacuating refrigerant from the fluid recovery conduit by vacuum pressure generated by the vacuum pump for a second period of time. This method may be repeated for a plurality of cycles.

Abstract: A medical apparatus and system for determining contact assessment includes a catheter having an elongate body having a proximal end, a distal end opposite the proximal end, and defining an injection lumen and an exhaust lumen, an expandable membrane defining a cooling chamber disposed at a point along the elongate body, the cooling chamber in fluid communication with the injection lumen and the exhaust lumen, and a contact assessment element which may be a temperature sensor located proximate the coolant return lumen for measuring an internal temperature of the chamber. The system may include the catheter, a console having a fluid supply, an exhaust path and at least one control mechanism operationally coupled to the temperature sensor for processing a temperature signal received from the temperature sensor. The apparatus and system can also have multiple electrodes to measure and process various impedances to determine contact assessment.

Abstract: A method of treating tissue is provided, including positioning a portion of a catheter in proximity to cardiac tissue; measuring an impedance value with the catheter; determining a respiratory rate based at least in part on the measured impedance value; and thermally treating the cardiac tissue with the catheter.