Abstract: A catheter that includes a mechanism for deflecting a distal portion of a catheter may include a deflection knob including a first thread, a rod including a second thread that is coupled to the first thread, and a puller wire that is connected to the rod. The rod may additionally include a pocket to which the puller wire may be connected via a joining feature that may be secured in the pocket and attached to a proximal end of the puller wire. The joining feature may include a first ferrule joined, e.g., crimped, to the proximal end of the puller wire and a second ferrule secured, e.g., bonded, in the pocket and joined, e.g., crimped, to the first ferrule.

Abstract: A delivery sheath to catheter coupler includes a cylindrical shaft and a coupling member. The cylindrical shaft extends along an axis and is configured for longitudinal alignment with an insertion port of a catheter delivery sheath. The cylindrical shaft includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end along the axis. The lumen is sized to receive an end effector of a catheter. The coupling member is attached to the cylindrical shaft and is configured for selective securement to the catheter delivery sheath. The coupling member is configured to align the axis of the lumen with a longitudinal axis of the insertion port when the coupling member is selectively secured to the catheter delivery sheath.

Abstract: A flexible circuit that is substantially planar may be assembled into an electrophysiologic catheter. The flexible circuit may include various location sensing portions and force sensing portions. The flexible circuit may be deformed in a manner that improves the catheter's functionality concerning force feedback and location feedback, and then further deformed to be assembled into a small volume of the catheter.

Abstract: An electrophysiology catheter is disclosed having a balloon with a membrane. Electrodes may be disposed on the membrane. Each electrode may include a radiopaque marker. The markers may have different forms, e.g., alphanumeric or polygonal, to facilitate visualization of the electrodes using a bi-stable image and allow for selection of the appropriate electrodes to be energized during ablation of tissue. The inventive subject matter allows for proper orientation of electrodes on the balloon under a two-dimensional imaging system. This allows the operator or physician to determine if certain electrodes are adjacent or contiguous to the posterior surface of the left atrium and ablate such posterior surface for shorter duration or at a lower power to create an effective transmural lesion on the posterior wall of the left atrium while reducing the chances of damaging the adjacent anatomical structures.

Abstract: A flexible circuit that is substantially planar may be assembled into an electrophysiologic catheter. The flexible circuit may include various location sensing portions and force sensing portions. The flexible circuit may be deformed in a manner that improves the catheter's functionality concerning force feedback and location feedback, and then further deformed to be assembled into a small volume of the catheter.

Abstract: A medical instrument includes first and second knobs. The first knob is fitted on a handle of the medical instrument, and is movable along a longitudinal axis of the medical instrument to control a deflection of a medical device coupled to a distal end of the medical instrument relative to the longitudinal axis. The second knob is fitted on the handle of the medical instrument, and is movable along the longitudinal axis to control a shape of the medical device.

Abstract: An apparatus may be used with an elongate member that includes an engagement member, a hollow shaft, a compression member, a compression element, and a resilient gripping member. The hollow shaft extends from the engagement member along a longitudinal axis. The compression member is slidably disposed over the hollow shaft. The hollow shaft is disposed over the resilient gripping member and supports the compression element. The compression member has a conical inner surface including a detent feature. The conical inner surface is configured to urge the compression element radially inwards as the collar advances from the unlocked position toward the locked position where the detent feature retains the compression element. The compression element deforms the resilient gripping member radially inwards to grip the elongate member and prevents translation of the elongate member. When unlocked, the resilient gripping member moves radially away from the elongate member allowing translation.

Abstract: A catheter that includes a mechanism for deflecting a distal portion of a catheter may include a deflection knob including a first thread, a rod including a second thread that is coupled to the first thread, and a puller wire that is connected to the rod. The rod may additionally include a pocket to which the puller wire may be connected via a joining feature that may be secured in the pocket and attached to a proximal end of the puller wire. The joining feature may include a first ferrule joined, e.g., crimped, to the proximal end of the puller wire and a second ferrule secured, e.g., bonded, in the pocket and joined, e.g., crimped, to the first ferrule.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an outer tube configured to be gripped by a user, and a needle slidably disposed within the outer tube. The needle includes a needle lumen, a distal needle tip configured to pierce tissue, and an electrode disposed at the distal needle tip. The needle lumen opens to the distal needle tip such that the distal needle tip is configured to deliver fluid from the needle lumen to tissue. The electrode is operable to deliver RF energy to tissue for ablating the tissue. The needle is translatable relative to the outer tube between a proximal retracted position in which the distal needle tip is housed coaxially within the outer tube, and a distal extended position in which the distal needle tip is exposed from the outer tube and configured to pierce tissue.

Abstract: A catheter that includes a mechanism for deflecting a distal portion of a catheter may include a deflection knob including a first thread, a rod including a second thread that is coupled to the first thread, and a puller wire that is connected to the rod. The rod may additionally include a pocket to which the puller wire may be connected via a joining feature that may be secured in the pocket and attached to a proximal end of the puller wire. The joining feature may include a first ferrule joined, e.g., crimped, to the proximal end of the puller wire and a second ferrule secured, e.g., bonded, in the pocket and joined, e.g., crimped, to the first ferrule.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a shaft assembly, and a visualization assembly. The body includes first and second actuators. The shaft assembly extends distally from the body and includes a rigid proximal portion and a steerable distal portion. The steerable distal portion is positioned distally relative to the rigid proximal portion. The first actuator is operable to drive the steerable distal portion to deflect laterally relative to a longitudinal axis defined by the rigid proximal portion. The steerable distal portion is configured to fit within a nasal cavity of a patient. The visualization assembly is disposed within the shaft assembly. The visualization assembly includes a camera. The second actuator is operable to drive longitudinal translation of the visualization assembly relative to the shaft assembly.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a sheath and an ablation catheter disposed within the sheath. The sheath is configured to be inserted into a cavity of a patient's head. The ablation catheter extends along a longitudinal axis and includes at least one expandable ablation member configured to selectively radially expand outwardly from a non-expanded state to an expanded state for selectively ablating tissue within the patient's head. The ablation catheter is selectively translatable relative to the sheath between a proximal retracted position and a distal extended position. In the retracted position, the at least one expandable ablation member is housed within the sheath to thereby prevent the at least one expandable ablation member from radially expanding outwardly. In the extended position, the at least one expandable ablation member is exposed from the sheath to thereby permit the at least one expandable ablation member to radially expand outwardly for contacting tissue.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a shaft assembly and an electrode assembly at a distal end of the shaft assembly. The electrode assembly includes a first conductive segment extending along a first angular range at the distal end of the shaft assembly. The first conductive segment is operable to apply RF energy to tissue at a first polarity. The electrode assembly further includes a second conductive segment angularly spaced apart from the first conductive segment. The second conductive segment extends along a second angular range at the distal end of the shaft assembly. The second conductive segment is operable to apply RF energy to tissue at a second polarity such that the first and second conductive segments are operable to apply bipolar RF energy to tissue.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an instrument body, a shaft assembly, a dilation catheter, a guidewire, and a proximal deflection actuation assembly. The dilation catheter includes an expandable dilator and is slidable relative to the shaft assembly to thereby position the dilator distally relative to the distal end of the shaft assembly. The proximal deflection actuation assembly is positioned at the proximal end of the shaft assembly and is operable to selectively deflect the length of the shaft assembly relative to the longitudinal axis of the instrument body to thereby deflect the longitudinal axis of the shaft assembly away from the longitudinal axis of the instrument body.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a shaft assembly, a deflection actuation assembly, and a dilation catheter. The shaft assembly includes a rigid proximal portion and a flexible distal portion. The deflection actuation assembly includes a rotary actuator and a first translatable actuation member at least partially disposed within the first rotary actuator. A second translatable actuation member extends through the shaft assembly and couples the first translatable actuation member with the flexible distal portion of the shaft assembly. The first rotary actuator is rotatable about a longitudinal axis to thereby drive the first and second translatable actuation members longitudinally. The flexible distal portion is configured to deflect away from the longitudinal axis in response to translation of the first and second translatable actuation members longitudinally. The dilation catheter is slidable relative to the shaft assembly and includes an expandable dilator.

Abstract: A catheter that includes a mechanism for deflecting a distal portion of a catheter is disclosed. The catheter may comprise a deflection knob including a first thread, a rod including a second thread that is coupled to the first thread, and a puller wire that is connected to the rod. The rod may additionally include a pocket to which the puller wire may be connected via a joining feature that may be secured in the pocket and attached to a proximal end of the puller wire. The joining feature may comprise a first ferrule joined, e.g., crimped, to the proximal end of the puller wire and a second ferrule secured, e.g., bonded, in the pocket and joined, e.g., crimped, to the first ferrule.

Abstract: An irrigated electrophysiology balloon catheter with flexible-circuit electrodes is disclosed. To help prevent fluids, e.g., irrigation fluid or air, from passing between a space between an inner tubular shaft and an outer tubular shaft of the catheter, a first seal and a second seal may be provided about locations where the inner tubular shaft emerges from the outer tubular shaft. The materials and dimensions of these seals are instrumental in ensuring that the seals are sufficiently robust such that they do not fail during use of the catheter. Additionally, the flexible-circuit electrodes may include substrates adhered to the balloon. Delamination of these substrates may be prevented by use of a reinforcement component that extends the length of the balloon.

Abstract: A medical instrument includes a shaft, a distal-end assembly and a puller-wire. The shaft is configured for insertion into a body of a patient. The distal-end assembly, which is coupled to the shaft, includes a telescopic assembly, configured to elongate so as to collapse the distal-end assembly, and to compress so as to expand the distal-end assembly. The distal-end assembly further includes an elastic element, coupled to self-elongate and thus elongate the telescopic assembly. The distal-end assembly also includes an inflatable balloon, which is coupled to the telescopic assembly and is configured to collapse by the telescopic assembly elongating, and to expand by the telescopic assembly compressing. The puller-wire runs through the shaft and is connected to a distal end of the telescopic assembly, and is configured, when pulled, to compress the telescopic assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a shaft assembly, a deflection actuation assembly, and a dilation catheter. The shaft assembly includes a rigid proximal portion and a flexible distal portion. The deflection actuation assembly includes a rotary actuator and a first translatable actuation member at least partially disposed within the first rotary actuator. A second translatable actuation member extends through the shaft assembly and couples the first translatable actuation member with the flexible distal portion of the shaft assembly. The first rotary actuator is rotatable about a longitudinal axis to thereby drive the first and second translatable actuation members longitudinally. The flexible distal portion is configured to deflect away from the longitudinal axis in response to translation of the first and second translatable actuation members longitudinally. The dilation catheter is slidable relative to the shaft assembly and includes an expandable dilator.

Abstract: A medical instrument includes a shaft, a distal-end assembly and a puller-wire. The shaft is configured for insertion into a body of a patient. The distal-end assembly, which is coupled to the shaft, includes a telescopic assembly, configured to elongate so as to collapse the distal-end assembly, and to compress so as to expand the distal-end assembly. The distal-end assembly further includes an elastic element, coupled to self-elongate and thus elongate the telescopic assembly. The distal-end assembly also includes an inflatable balloon, which is coupled to the telescopic assembly and is configured to collapse by the telescopic assembly elongating, and to expand by the telescopic assembly compressing. The puller-wire runs through the shaft and is connected to a distal end of the telescopic assembly, and is configured, when pulled, to compress the telescopic assembly.