Abstract: A catheter handle includes a handle body having a proximal end and a distal end and a passage extending between the proximal end and the distal end. The handle body comprises a plurality of shell parts that can be separated to access an interior of the handle body. The handle body further includes a connector mounted at the proximal end of the handle body and a strain relief arranged at the distal end, the strain relief and the connector being removably arranged relative to the handle body.

Abstract: A catheter assembly includes a catheter handle having a handle body defining a bore and having a proximal part and a distal end. A catheter sheath has a proximal part received in the bore of the handle body, the catheter sheath projecting from the distal end of the catheter handle and the proximal part of the catheter sheath carrying a series of spaced electrically conductive members. Each conductive member is electrically connected to a conductor extending in the catheter sheath from the proximal part towards a distal end of the catheter sheath. A carrier is arranged in the bore of the catheter handle, the carrier carrying a series of spaced electrical contacts with each contact being configured to make electrical contact with one of the electrically conductive members of the catheter sheath.

Abstract: A catheter sheath for a basket catheter that includes a plurality of electrical leads, each having a proximal end and a distal end and a lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end. Each electrical lead includes a tubular member of non-conductive material, a plurality of electrical conductors extending from the proximal end to the distal end laid on the non-conductive tubular member, and an outer layer of non-conductive material applied over the electrical conductors to cover the conductors. The catheter sheath further includes one or more electrodes on a distal portion of each electrical lead in electrical communication with at least one of the plurality of electrical conductors through the outer layer. An elongate shape-forming member is received in the lumen of each of the plurality of electrical leads. The shape-forming member imparts an arched shape to the distal portion of each of the electrical leads so as to form a basket shape to a distal portion of the catheter sheath.

Abstract: An electrical lead for a catheter includes an elongate member of non-conductive material having a proximal end and a distal end and defining a lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end. The elongate member further includes a tubular member of non-conductive material, a braid of conductive material applied over the tubular member, an intermediate layer of non-conductive material applied over the braid, a plurality of electrical conductors extending from the proximal end to the distal end laid on the intermediate layer, and an outer layer of non-conductive material applied over the electrical conductors to cover the conductors. At least one electrode is arranged on the outer surface of the elongate member in electrical communication with at least one of the plurality of electrical conductors through the outer layer. The braid underlies the at least one electrode but is insulated from the at least one electrode by the intermediate non-conductive layer.

Abstract: A catheter includes a handle, a catheter sheath and a stylet having a shaped distal part received within the catheter sheath. The catheter further has a shape adjustment mechanism including a stylet carrier displaceably carried by the handle and a shape adjuster in the form of a collar rotatable about the handle. Rotational movement of the shape adjuster imparts a motion to the stylet carrier to adjust the shape of the distal part of the stylet.

Abstract: An ablation catheter includes a control handle and a catheter sheath removably connectable to the control handle, the catheter sheath defining a fluid lumen and having a plurality of perforations proximal the distal end of the catheter sheath. The ablation catheter further includes a shape-imparting element inserted into the fluid lumen of the catheter sheath and removably connectable to the control handle. The shape-imparting element is connectable to an RF energy source so that, in use, the shape-imparting elements act as an electrode charging fluid into the fluid lumen to be expelled through the plurality of perforations on the catheter sheath.

Abstract: A catheter assembly comprises a first elongate tubular member having a proximal end portion defining a proximal end, a distal end portion having an opening therein and defining a distal end, and at least one lumen defined between the proximal end and the distal end. A second elongate tubular member has a proximal end portion defining a proximal end, a distal end portion defining a distal end, and at least one lumen defined between the proximal end and the distal end. The second elongate tubular member is received within the at least one lumen of the first elongate tubular member, such that the distal end portion of the second elongate tubular member projects from the opening in the distal end portion of the first elongate tubular member. An elongate, shape-imparting element is receivable in the at least one lumen of at least one of the first elongate tubular member and the second elongate tubular member.

Abstract: A catheter includes a handle, a catheter sheath and a stylet having a shaped distal part received within the catheter sheath. The catheter includes a catheter shape release mechanism comprising the catheter handle and an elongate catheter sheath carrier. The catheter sheath carrier is slidable between a first position in which the shaped distal part of the stylet lies in register with the distal part of the catheter sheath to impart that shape to the catheter sheath and a second position in which the shaped distal part of the stylet is located proximally of the distal part of the catheter sheath. The catheter shape release mechanism enables retraction of the handle and the stylet while keeping the catheter sheath in place in case the catheter snags on tissue when in use.

Abstract: A catheter assembly comprises a first elongate tubular member having a proximal end portion defining a proximal end, a distal end portion having an opening therein and defining a distal end, and at least one lumen defined between the proximal end and the distal end. A second elongate tubular member has a proximal end portion defining a proximal end, a distal end portion defining a distal end, and at least one lumen defined between the proximal end and the distal end. The second elongate tubular member is received within the at least one lumen of the first elongate tubular member, such that the distal end portion of the second elongate tubular member projects from the opening in the distal end portion of the first elongate tubular member. An elongate, shape-imparting element is receivable in the at least one lumen of at least one of the first elongate tubular member and the second elongate tubular member.

Abstract: A catheter handle assembly includes a holder having a proximal end and a distal end. An electrode sheath carrier is arranged at the distal end of the holder. A shape imparting element carrier is removably mountable to the proximal end of the holder, the shape imparting element carrier having at least one mounting formation for mounting at least a part of a shape imparting element. A slide is displaceably arranged in the holder with a distal end of the slide mounting the electrode sheath carrier and a proximal end of the slide terminating in proximity to the shape imparting element carrier.

Abstract: A deflectable stylet for a catheter includes an elongate deflectable member with a bend-enhancing region defined at a distal part of the deflectable member. An actuator has a distal end. 1 fast with a distal end of the deflectable member, relative displacement between the actuator and the deflectable member causing deflection of the distal part of the deflectable member at the bend-enhancing region. A control member is displaceably arranged relative to the deflectable member, the control member interacting with the bend-enhancing region of the deflectable member for controlling the extent of deflection of the distal part of the deflectable member.

Abstract: A catheter sheath comprises a tubular member connected to a catheter handle, the tubular sheath including one or more electrical conductors and one or more electrode rings attached to the tip of the tubular member. The tubular member further includes at least one opening that allows the one or more electrical conductor to be electrically connected to the one or more electrode rings. The electrode ring is slid over the tubular member so as to cover the opening. The tubular member and the electrode ring are subjected to heat treatment by induction heating so that the material of the tubular member melts locally around the electrode ring to form a seal between the tubular member and the electrode ring.

Abstract: A catheter includes a handle, a catheter sheath and a stylet having a shaped distal part received within the catheter sheath. The catheter further has a shape adjustment mechanism including a stylet carrier displaceably carried by the handle and a shape adjuster in the form of a collar rotatable about the handle. Rotational movement of the shape adjuster imparts a motion to the stylet carrier to adjust the shape of the distal part of the stylet.

Abstract: A catheter handle includes a handle body having a proximal end and a distal end and a passage extending between the proximal end and the distal end. The handle body comprises a plurality of shell parts that can be separated to access an interior of the handle body. The handle further includes a connector mounted at the proximal end of the handle body and a strain relief arranged at the distal end, the strain relief and the connector being removably arranged relative to the handle body.

Abstract: A catheter includes a handle, a catheter sheath and a stylet having a shaped distal part received within the catheter sheath. The catheter includes a catheter shape release mechanism comprising the catheter handle and an elongate catheter sheath carrier. The catheter sheath carrier is slidable between a first position in which the shaped distal part of the stylet lies in register with the distal part of the catheter sheath to impart that shape to the catheter sheath and a second position in which the shaped distal part of the stylet is located proximally of the distal part of the catheter sheath. The catheter shape release mechanism enables retraction of the handle and the stylet while keeping the catheter sheath in place in case the catheter snags on tissue when in use.

Abstract: A catheter assembly includes a catheter handle having a handle body defining a bore and having a proximal part and a distal end. A catheter sheath has a proximal part received in the bore of the handle body, the catheter sheath projecting from the distal end of the catheter handle and the proximal part of the catheter sheath carrying a series of spaced electrically conductive members. Each conductive member is electrically connected to a conductor extending in the catheter sheath from the proximal part towards a distal end of the catheter sheath. A carrier is arranged in the bore of the catheter handle, the carrier carrying a series of spaced electrical contacts with each contact being configured to make electrical contact with one of the electrically conductive members of the catheter sheath.

Abstract: A steerable stylet includes an elongate tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end and defining a passage with a bend-enhancing region being arranged intermediate the proximal end and the distal end. The bend-enhancing region is constituted by an array of longitudinally spaced slots. Each of at least some of the slots is substantially L-shaped and comprises a first portion arranged transversely to a longitudinal axis of the tubular member and a second portion arranged at an angle to the first portion. An actuator cooperates with the tubular member to effect bending of the tubular member about the bend-enhancing region of the tubular member.

Abstract: A catheter assembly 10 comprises a first elongate tubular member 12 having a proximal end portion 14 defining a proximal end 15, a distal end portion 18 having an opening therein 20 and defining a distal end 22, and at least one lumen 24 defined between the proximal end 15 and the distal end 22. A second elongate tubular member 26 has a proximal end portion 28 defining a proximal end 30, a distal end portion 32 defining a distal end 34, and at least one lumen 36 defined between the proximal end 30 and the distal end 34. The second elongate tubular member 26 is received within the at least one lumen 24 of the first elongate tubular member 12, such that the distal end portion 32 of the second elongate tubular member 26 projects from the opening 20 in the distal end portion 18 of the first elongate tubular member 12 An elongate, shape-imparting element 38 is receivable in the at least one lumen 24, 36 of at least one of the first elongate tubular member 12 and the second elongate tubular member 26.

Abstract: A catheter handle assembly (10) includes a holder (12) having a proximal end and a distal end. An electrode sheath carrier (14) is arranged at the distal end of the holder (12) A shape imparting element carrier (16) is removably mountable to the proximal end of the holder (12), the shape imparting element carrier having at least one mounting formation for mounting at least a part of a shape imparting element. A slide (20) is displaceably arranged in the holder with a distal end of the slide (20) mounting the electrode sheath carrier (14) and a proximal end of the slide (20) terminating in proximity to the shape imparting element carrier (16).

Abstract: A deflectable stylet 10 for a catheter includes an elongate deflectable member 12 with a bend-enhancing region 20 defined at a distal part of the deflectable member 12. An actuator 16 has a distal end 16.1 fast with a distal end 12.1 of the deflectable member 12, relative displacement between the actuator 16 and the deflectable member 12 causing deflection of the distal part of the deflectable member 12 at the bend-enhancing region 20. A control member 18 is displaceably arranged relative to the deflectable member 12, the control member 18 interacting with the bend-enhancing region 20 of the deflectable member 12 for controlling the extent of deflection of the distal part of the deflectable member 12.