Abstract: A flexible circuit including a first segment including a base section of the flexible circuit; a second segment including a lateral wall section; a transition section between the base and lateral wall sections, the transition section being at least partially positioned adjacent a shared region of the base and lateral wall sections; and one or more electrode regions including a respective electrode, the one or more electrode regions being positioned at least partially in the transition section and the second segment.

Abstract: A flexible circuit including a first segment including a base section of the flexible circuit; a second segment including a lateral wall section; a transition section between the base and lateral wall sections, the transition section being at least partially positioned adjacent a shared region of the base and lateral wall sections; and one or more electrode regions including a respective electrode, the one or more electrode regions being positioned at least partially in the transition section and the second segment.

Abstract: An electrophysiology catheter has an elongated catheter shaft and a distal assembly with a flex circuit and a support member on which the flex circuit is supported in a generally cylindrical form. The support member has a post extending longitudinally through the cylindrical form of the flex circuit which delivers irrigation fluid into the cylindrical form. The post can be configured to define multiple irrigation chambers within the distal assembly. One or more flow directors movable in the post selectively direct irrigation fluid within the distal assembly. Apertures in the flex circuit allow the irrigation fluid to exit to outside the distal assembly.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a catheter tip by electroplating a conductive material over an insert comprising a negative to a domelike shape thereby forming a shape of the catheter tip comprising a dome with the domelike shape, selectively positioning a plurality of irrigation holes between outer and inner surfaces of the catheter tip, removing the insert thereby leaving the catheter tip and the plurality of irrigation holes, and electropolishing the catheter tip. In other examples, the insert is not removed and instead the step of electroplating causes the insert to be encapsulated with the conductive material thereby forming the catheter tip.

Abstract: An electrophysiology catheter has an elongated catheter shaft and a distal assembly with a flex circuit and a support member on which the flex circuit is supported in a generally cylindrical form. The support member has a post extending longitudinally through the cylindrical form of the flex circuit which delivers irrigation fluid into the cylindrical form. The post can be configured to define multiple irrigation chambers within the distal assembly. One or more flow directors movable in the post selectively direct irrigation fluid within the distal assembly. Apertures in the flex circuit allow the irrigation fluid to exit to outside the distal assembly.

Abstract: A catheter including: an elongated body sized to traverse vasculature; a lumen formed in the elongated body; and a pull-wire. The elongated body has a transition zone disposed between proximal and distal ends of the elongated body, a first shaft extending from the proximal end of the elongated body to the transition zone and defining a longitudinal axis, and a second shaft extending proximally from the distal end to the transition zone. The lumen defines a curved path curved about the longitudinal axis and extending from the distal end to the transition zone, and a straight path extending from the transition zone to the proximal end. The pull wire extends within the curved and straight paths, and is anchored to the second shaft such that translation of the pull-wire near the proximal end deflects the second shaft substantially along the curved path.

Abstract: An extracorporeal blood processing system comprises a plastic molded compact manifold that supports a plurality of molded blood and dialysate fluidic pathways along with a plurality of relevant sensors, valves and pumps. A disposable dialyzer is connected to the molded manifold to complete the blood circuit of the system. The compact manifold is also disposable in one embodiment and can be detachably installed in the dialysis machine.

Abstract: Examples presented herein generally include systems and methods which can contact electrodes to cardiac tissue while sensing electrical potential from fluids near the tissue. The electrodes in contact with the tissue can be carried by an end effector and can be used to sense and/or ablate the tissue they contact. A reference electrode can be insulated by a shaft connected to the end effector so that the reference electrode can sense the electrical potentials from the fluids near the tissue while being prevented, by the shaft geometry, from contacting the cardiac tissue. In some examples, the reference electrode can be tubular, having an inner surface that is configured to contact and sense electrical potentials from the fluids and an electrically insulated outer surface. Configured as such, the reference electrode can serve as an extension of an irrigation tube extending through the shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an end effector having loop members with electrodes thereon and is usable with catheter-based systems to measure or provide electrical signals. The end effector can include three loop members that are non-coplanar when expanded unconstrained that become contiguous to a planar surface when the loop members are deflected against the surface, a mechanical linkage that joins the loop members at a distal vertex of the end effector, electrodes having surface treatment to enhance surface roughness of the electrodes, twisted pair electrode wires, a bonded spine cover, and/or any combination thereof.

Abstract: The specification discloses a portable dialysis machine having a detachable controller unit and base unit. The controller unit includes a door having an interior face, a housing with a panel, where the housing and panel define a recessed region configured to receive the interior face of the door, and a manifold receiver fixedly attached to the panel. The base unit has a planar surface for receiving a container of fluid, a scale integrated with the planar surface, a heater in thermal communication with the planar surface, and a sodium sensor in electromagnetic communication with the planar surface. Embodiments of the disclosed portable dialysis system have improved structural and functional features, including improved modularity, ease of use, and safety features.

Abstract: A flexible circuit including a first segment including a base section of the flexible circuit; a second segment including a lateral wall section; a transition section between the base and lateral wall sections, the transition section being at least partially positioned adjacent a shared region of the base and lateral wall sections; and one or more electrode regions including a respective electrode, the one or more electrode regions being positioned at least partially in the transition section and the second segment.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a catheter tip by electroplating a conductive material over an insert comprising a negative to a domelike shape thereby forming a shape of the catheter tip comprising a dome with the domelike shape, selectively positioning a plurality of irrigation holes between outer and inner surfaces of the catheter tip, removing the insert thereby leaving the catheter tip and the plurality of irrigation holes, and electropolishing the catheter tip. In other examples, the insert is not removed and instead the step of electroplating causes the insert to be encapsulated with the conductive material thereby forming the catheter tip.

Abstract: A deflectable catheter with biased deflection characteristics has an elongated catheter body having a micro-injection molded spine that is configured with a center core, outwardly extending opposing struts, and one or more sets of longitudinally-aligned and discrete fins, wherein the struts resist deflection of the spine in a first plane and bias deflection of the spine in a second plane, wherein parameters of the discrete fins define deflection characteristics of the spine in the second plane.

Abstract: Ablation and diagnostic tools having a wrapped flexible circuit are provided. The wrapped flexible circuit can include one or more electrodes on a surface layer, one or more conductive traces on one or more lower layers, and an electrically insulating substrate. The surface layer can be patterned to have multiple electrodes. The lower layer(s) can include electrode contact trace(s) and/or traces for forming thermocouple junctions. The wrapped flexible circuit can be affixed to an outer surface of a metallic tube. The electrodes can be electrically isolated from the metallic tube. The metallic tube can have a sharp end to puncture tissue during ablation or intravascular diagnostic procedure. Additionally, or alternatively, the wrapped flexible circuit can have a pointed end and sufficient structural integrity to puncture tissue during ablation or intravascular diagnostic procedure without the support of a metallic tube.

Abstract: An extracorporeal blood processing system comprises a plastic molded compact manifold that supports a plurality of molded blood and dialysate fluidic pathways along with a plurality of relevant sensors, valves and pumps. A disposable dialyzer is connected to the molded manifold to complete the blood circuit of the system. The compact manifold is also disposable in one embodiment and can be detachably installed in the dialysis machine.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing and using an irrigated ablation catheter. The catheter may include a distal shell electrode having irrigation apertures. A sensor array formed on a flexible substrate conforms to an inner surface of the electrode and an insert disposed within the interior space engages the sensor array to position sensors of the sensor array in desired locations relative to the electrode. A support seals the proximal end of the electrode and engages the insert. The plurality of sensors may be used to measure electrical and thermal characteristics surrounding the electrode and may help assess contact between the electrode and tissue and/or determine movement of the electrode during ablation.

Abstract: An extracorporeal blood processing system comprises a plastic molded compact manifold that supports a plurality of molded blood and dialysate fluidic pathways along with a plurality of relevant sensors, valves and pumps. A disposable dialyzer is connected to the molded manifold to complete the blood circuit of the system. The compact manifold is also disposable in one embodiment and can be detachably installed in the dialysis machine.

Abstract: The specification discloses a portable dialysis machine having a detachable controller unit and base unit. The controller unit includes a door having an interior face, a housing with a panel, where the housing and panel define a recessed region configured to receive the interior face of the door, and a manifold receiver fixedly attached to the panel. The base unit has a planar surface for receiving a container of fluid, a scale integrated with the planar surface, a heater in thermal communication with the planar surface, and a sodium sensor in electromagnetic communication with the planar surface. Embodiments of the disclosed portable dialysis system have improved structural and functional features, including improved modularity, ease of use, and safety features.

Abstract: An electrophysiology catheter has an elongated catheter shaft and a distal assembly with a flex circuit and a support member on which the flex circuit is supported in a generally cylindrical form. The support member has a post extending longitudinally through the cylindrical form of the flex circuit which delivers irrigation fluid into the cylindrical form. The post can be configured to define multiple irrigation chambers within the distal assembly. One or more flow directors movable in the post selectively direct irrigation fluid within the distal assembly. Apertures in the flex circuit allow the irrigation fluid to exit to outside the distal assembly.

Abstract: The specification discloses a portable dialysis machine having a detachable controller unit and base unit. The controller unit includes a door having an interior face, a housing with a panel, where the housing and panel define a recessed region configured to receive the interior face of the door, and a manifold receiver fixedly attached to the panel. The base unit has a planar surface for receiving a container of fluid, a scale integrated with the planar surface, a heater in thermal communication with the planar surface, and a sodium sensor in electromagnetic communication with the planar surface. Embodiments of the disclosed portable dialysis system have improved structural and functional features, including improved modularity, ease of use, and safety features.