Abstract: The present invention pertains to multiple piece irrigated ablation electrode assemblies wherein the irrigation channels are insulated or separated from at least one temperature sensing mechanism within the distal portion of the electrode assembly. The present invention further pertains to methods for improved assembly and accurate measurement and control of the electrode temperatures while effectively irrigating the device and target areas.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to multiple piece irrigated ablation electrode assemblies wherein the irrigation channels are insulated or separated from at least one temperature sensing mechanism within the distal portion of the electrode assembly. The present invention further pertains to methods for improved assembly and accurate measurement and control of the electrode temperatures while effectively irrigating the device and target areas.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a high capacity medical device connector utilizing flexible circuits. The use of flexible circuits allows for increased channel capacity for use with future designs and capabilities of medical devices. The assembly may include pre-mounted electrical components. The connector may be designed to connect two flexible circuits. The connector may also be designed to connect a flexible circuit with existing technology, such as a pin-to-socket connector.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a high capacity medical device connector utilizing flexible circuits. The use of flexible circuits allows for increased channel capacity for use with future designs and capabilities of medical devices. The assembly may include pre-mounted electrical components. The connector may be designed to connect two flexible circuits. The connector may also be designed to connect a flexible circuit with existing technology, such as a pin-to-socket connector.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to multiple piece irrigated ablation electrode assemblies wherein the irrigation channels are insulated or separated from at least one temperature sensing mechanism within the distal portion of the electrode assembly. The present invention further pertains to methods for improved assembly and accurate measurement and control of the electrode temperatures while effectively irrigating the device and target areas.

Abstract: A system for constructing multiple shells (electronic models) indicative of the geometry and/or volume of a bodily lumen, such as a heart chamber, is configured to collect a plurality of location data points as the electrode is swept within the chamber. Each of the collected data points has an associated measured cardiac phase at which such point was acquired. The system is configured to segregate the collected electrode locations into sets based on the phase. Each set is characterized by a particular, associated phase of its constituent electrode locations. The system is configured to generate, for each set, a respective shell that will represent the chamber at the associated phase. The shells, once constructed, may be used for or in connection with a variety of diagnostic, mapping, and/or therapeutic procedures. The system is also configured to verify that the electrode is in contact with the heart tissue before using the collected data point in the shell construction (e.g.

Abstract: A catheter includes a proximal end, a distal end, a tubular member, and an inner member extending through the tubular member. The inner member is movable axially relative to the tubular member. The catheter also includes a seal member including a first portion and a second portion. The seal member extends between the tubular member and the inner member. The first portion of the seal member remains stationary relative to the tubular member, and the second portion of the seal member remains stationary relative to the inner member during relative axial movement between the tubular member and the inner member.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to multiple piece irrigated ablation electrode assemblies wherein the irrigation channels are insulated or separated from at least one temperature sensing mechanism within the distal portion of the electrode assembly. The present invention further pertains to methods for improved assembly and accurate measurement and control of the electrode temperatures while effectively irrigating the device and target areas.

Abstract: A catheter includes a proximal end, a distal end, a tubular member, and an inner member extending through the tubular member. The inner member is movable axially relative to the tubular member. The catheter also includes a seal member including a first portion and a second portion. The seal member extends between the tubular member and the inner member. The first portion of the seal member remains stationary relative to the tubular member, and the second portion of the seal member remains stationary relative to the inner member during relative axial movement between the tubular member and the inner member.

Abstract: A catheter includes a proximal end, a distal end, a tubular member, and an inner member extending through the tubular member. The inner member is movable axially relative to the tubular member. The catheter also includes a seal member including a first portion and a second portion. The seal member extends between the tubular member and the inner member. The first portion of the seal member remains stationary relative to the tubular member, and the second portion of the seal member remains stationary relative to the inner member during relative axial movement between the tubular member and the inner member.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to multiple piece irrigated ablation electrode assemblies wherein the irrigation channels are insulated or separated from at least one temperature sensing mechanism within the distal portion of the electrode assembly. The present invention further pertains to methods for improved assembly and accurate measurement and control of the electrode temperatures while effectively irrigating the device and target areas.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to multiple piece irrigated ablation electrode assemblies wherein the irrigation channels are insulated or separated from at least one temperature sensing mechanism within the distal portion of the electrode assembly. The present invention further pertains to methods for improved assembly and accurate measurement and control of the electrode temperatures while effectively irrigating the device and target areas.

Abstract: A catheter includes a proximal end, a distal end, a tubular member, and an inner member extending through the tubular member. The inner member is movable axially relative to the tubular member. The catheter also includes a seal member including a first portion and a second portion. The seal member extends between the tubular member and the inner member. The first portion of the seal member remains stationary relative to the tubular member, and the second portion of the seal member remains stationary relative to the inner member during relative axial movement between the tubular member and the inner member.

Abstract: Catheter systems and methods are disclosed including a seal for helping direct an anticoagulant or other fluid for proper irrigation in a basket catheter. An exemplary basket catheter includes an outer tubing housing an inner fluid delivery tubing having at least one fluid delivery port. A plurality of splines each connected at a proximal end of the splines to the outer tubing and at a distal end of the splines to the inner fluid delivery tubing. The inner fluid delivery tubing is operable to be moved in a first direction relative to the outer tubing to expand the splines to a deployed position. The inner fluid delivery tubing is also operable to be moved in a second direction relative to the outer tubing to collapse the splines to an undeployed position. A porous membrane is provided over at least a portion of the inner fluid delivery tubing having the at least one fluid delivery port.

Abstract: A system for constructing multiple shells (electronic models) indicative of the geometry and/or volume of a bodily lumen, such as a heart chamber, is configured to collect a plurality of location data points as the electrode is swept within the chamber. Each of the collected data points has an associated measured cardiac phase at which such point was acquired. The system is configured to segregate the collected electrode locations into sets based on the phase. Each set is characterized by a particular, associated phase of its constituent electrode locations. The system is configured to generate, for each set, a respective shell that will represent the chamber at the associated phase. The shells, once constructed, may be used for or in connection with a variety of diagnostic, mapping, and/or therapeutic procedures. The system is also configured to verify that the electrode is in contact with the heart tissue before using the collected data point in the shell construction (e.g.

Abstract: A catheter for treating tissue is disclosed, the catheter having slotted openings on a circumference of its distal portion, wherein each slotted opening spans at least about 25% of the circumference of the catheter. The disclosed catheter is capable of treating a variety of tissue in a variety of configurations. For example, in an ablation catheter of the disclosed invention, the slotted openings on the distal portion allow the ablation catheter to create effective lesions in both the pulmonary veins and the posterior wall of the left atrium. The ablation catheter preferably carries a conductive medium to help deliver ablation energy (e.g., RF) to the tissue being ablated. The configuration of the catheter permits ablation to be conducted in many varieties and geometric orientations independently of the tissue orientation. Also disclosed is a method of ablating tissue using catheter with slotted openings.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to multiple piece irrigated ablation electrode assemblies wherein the irrigation channels are insulated or separated from at least one temperature sensing mechanism within the distal portion of the electrode assembly. The present invention further pertains to methods for improved assembly and accurate measurement and control of the electrode temperatures while effectively irrigating the device and target areas.

Abstract: A thermal therapy catheter for preferentially treating tissue adjacent to a body lumen includes a catheter shaft that is insertable into the body lumen. An energy-emitting element is carried by the catheter shaft, and is operable to radiate a generally symmetrical energy pattern. The catheter shaft includes a plurality of cooling lumens around the energy-emitting element, configured for circulation of a fluid therethrough. An attenuating element is located in at least one of the plurality of cooling lumens and is arranged to modify the generally symmetrical energy pattern radiated by the energy-emitting element to deliver an asymmetrical energy pattern to the tissue adjacent to the body lumen.