Abstract: The present invention is a catheter actuation handle for deflecting a distal end of a tubular catheter body, the handle including an auto-locking mechanism. The handle comprises upper and lower grip portions, an actuator, and an auto-locking mechanism. The auto-locking mechanism is adapted to hold a deflected distal end of the catheter in place without input from the operator. When the distal end of the catheter is deflected from its zero position, it typically will seek a return to its zero position, and as a result exerts a force on the actuator. The auto-locking mechanism acts by providing a second force that resists this force from the distal end and holds the distal end in place. As a result, the operator does not need to maintain contact with the buttons to maintain the distal end 18 in a set position once placed there by actuating the actuator.

Abstract: The present invention is a catheter actuation handle for deflecting a distal end of a tubular catheter body, the handle including an auto-locking mechanism. The handle comprises upper and lower grip portions, an actuator, and an auto-locking mechanism. The auto-locking mechanism is adapted to hold a deflected distal end of the catheter in place without input from the operator. When the distal end of the catheter is deflected from its zero position, it typically will seek a return to its zero position, and as a result exerts a force on the actuator. The auto-locking mechanism acts by providing a second force that resists this force from the distal end and holds the distal end in place. As a result, the operator does not need to maintain contact with the buttons to maintain the distal end 18 in a set position once placed there by actuating the actuator.

Abstract: The present invention is a catheter actuation handle for deflecting a distal end of a tubular catheter body, the handle including an auto-locking mechanism. The handle comprises upper and lower grip portions, an actuator, and an auto-locking mechanism. The auto-locking mechanism is adapted to hold a deflected distal end of the catheter in place without input from the operator. When the distal end of the catheter is deflected from its zero position, it typically will seek a return to its zero position, and as a result exerts a force on the actuator. The auto-locking mechanism acts by providing a second force that resists this force from the distal end and holds the distal end in place. As a result, the operator does not need to maintain contact with the buttons to maintain the distal end 18 in a set position once placed there by actuating the actuator.

Abstract: The present invention is a catheter actuation handle for deflecting a distal end of a tubular catheter body, the handle including an auto-locking mechanism. The handle comprises upper and lower grip portions, an actuator, and an auto-locking mechanism. The auto-locking mechanism is adapted to hold a deflected distal end of the catheter in place without input from the operator. When the distal end of the catheter is deflected from its zero position, it typically will seek a return to its zero position, and as a result exerts a force on the actuator. The auto-locking mechanism acts by providing a second force that resists this force from the distal end and holds the distal end in place. As a result, the operator does not need to maintain contact with the buttons to maintain the distal end 18 in a set position once placed there by actuating the actuator.

Abstract: The present invention is a catheter actuation handle for deflecting a distal end of a tubular catheter body, the handle including an auto-locking mechanism. The handle comprises upper and lower grip portions, an actuator, and an auto-locking mechanism. The auto-locking mechanism is adapted to hold a deflected distal end of the catheter in place without input from the operator. When the distal end of the catheter is deflected from its zero position, it typically will seek a return to its zero position, and as a result exerts a force on the actuator. The auto-locking mechanism acts by providing a second force that resists this force from the distal end and holds the distal end in place. As a result, the operator does not need to maintain contact with the buttons to maintain the distal end in a set position once placed there by actuating the actuator.

Abstract: A compensation circuit has a predetermined, known complex impedance and is located in a handle of a catheter or in a distal end of a cable that connects to the catheter. The compensation circuit is probed with a pilot signal produced by a compensation control that is external to the catheter, by way of an electrical connection through the connecting cable. The compensation control measures the complex impedance, which is the combination of the circuit's known impedance as well as that of the cable. The compensation control then determines the difference between the measured and the known complex impedances. The difference represents that which is attributable to the cable, and is used to compensate or cancel out such cable-related contributions to complex impedance in measurements made over other electrical connections in the same cable.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a catheter suitable for medical procedures such as cardiac ablation. The catheter includes a front-loaded catheter tip with an electrically active element. In an embodiment, a catheter includes an elongate catheter shaft assembly having an inner shaft member with a distal end and a proximal end, and an outer shaft member with a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen between the distal end and the proximal end. The inner shaft member may be inserted into the lumen of the outer shaft member along a longitudinal direction. The inner shaft member may include, at the distal end, a catheter tip member having a lateral dimension that is larger than a lateral dimension of the lumen of the outer shaft member. The catheter tip member may include at least one electrically active element.

Abstract: A compensation circuit has a predetermined, known complex impedance and is located in a handle of a catheter or in a distal end of a cable that connects to the catheter. The compensation circuit is probed with a pilot signal produced by a compensation control that is external to the catheter, by way of an electrical connection through the connecting cable. The compensation control measures the complex impedance, which is the combination of the circuit's known impedance as well as that of the cable. The compensation control then determines the difference between the measured and the known complex impedances. The difference represents that which is attributable to the cable, and is used to compensate or cancel out such cable-related contributions to complex impedance in measurements made over other electrical connections in the same cable.

Abstract: The present invention is a catheter actuation handle 14 for deflecting a distal end 18 of a tubular catheter body 12, the handle including an auto-locking mechanism, 54. The handle comprises upper and lower grip portions 24a, 24b, an actuator 20, and an auto-locking mechanism, 54. The auto-locking mechanism 54 is adapted to hold a deflected distal end 18 of the catheter 10 in place without input from the operator. When the distal end 18 of the catheter 10 is deflected from its zero position, it typically will seek a return to its zero position, and as a result exerts a force on the actuator 20. The auto-locking mechanism 54 acts by providing a second force that resists this force from the distal end 18 and holds the distal end 18 in place. As a result, the operator does not need to maintain contact with the buttons 22a, 22b to maintain the distal end 18 in a set position once placed there by actuating the actuator 20.