Abstract: An irrigation catheter assembly comprises an electrode sheath mount for mounting an electrode sheath. The mount has a laterally arranged aperture defined in it through which conductors for electrodes of the electrode sheath pass, in use. A connector, to which a source of irrigation fluid is connectable, is connected to a proximal end of the electrode sheath mount. The connector communicates with an interior of the mount so that, in use, fluid passes through the lumen of the electrode sheath to be delivered to a distal end of the electrode sheath.

Abstract: A steering mechanism for a catheter includes a tubular member defining a passage. The tubular member has a longitudinally extending, bend-enhancing portion formed at a predetermined region of the tubular member. An actuator is received in the passage of the tubular member, with the distal part of the actuator being fastened to a distal part of the tubular member.

Abstract: A modular catheter comprises a tubular sheath module having one or more electrodes attached to the distal end of the tubular sheath and an elongate shape-imparting mechanism module. The shape-imparting mechanism module is removably received within a lumen defined by the tubular member. The tubular sheath module and the shape-imparting mechanism module are releasably connectable to a handle module. The handle comprises a plurality of wall members defining a cavity housing one or more modules releasably connected to the handle and accessible by at least partially separating the wall members. The tubular sheath, the shape-imparting mechanism module and the handle are replaceable independently and can be sterilized for subsequent use.

Abstract: A catheter steering/insertion mechanism (10) includes an elongate element (12) insertable into a lumen of a catheter sheath to assist in imparting a predetermined shape (14) to a distal region of the catheter sheath A control element (16) is mounted co-axially about the elongate element (12). The control element (16) is flexible in bending in a first configuration and resistant to bending in a second configuration so that the predetermined shape (14) is imparted to a distal region of the elongate element (12) and, in turn, the distal region of the catheter sheath when the control element (14) is in its first configuration.

Abstract: An ablation catheter 10 includes an elongate carrier 12. A first loop 14.1 is arranged at, or adjacent, a distal end of the carrier 12. At least one sensing electrode 40 is carried on the first loop 14.1 for sensing irregular electrical activity in a patient's body. At least one further loop 14.2 is arranged proximally relative to the first loop 14.1 on the carrier 12 in a fixed orientation relative to the first loop 14.1. At least one ablating electrode 42 is carried on the second loop 14.2 for ablating a site of the patient's body where irregular electrical activity occurs.

Abstract: An ablation catheter 10 includes an elongate carrier 12. A first loop 14.1 is arranged at, or adjacent, a distal end of the carrier 12. At least one sensing electrode 40 is carried on the first loop 14.1 for sensing irregular electrical activity in a patient's body. At least one further loop 14.2 is arranged proximally relative to the first loop 14.1 on the carrier 12 in a fixed orientation relative to the first loop 14.1. At least one ablating electrode 42 is carried on the second loop 14.2 for ablating a site of the patient's body where irregular electrical activity occurs.

Abstract: An irrigation catheter assembly (10) comprises an electrode sheath mount (14) for mounting an electrode sheath (36). The mount (14) has a laterally arranged aperture (52) defined in it through which conductors for electrodes of the electrode sheath pass, in use A connector (16), to which a source of irrigation fluid is connectable, is connected to a proximal end of the electrode sheath mount (14). The connector (16) communicates with an interior of the mount (14) so that, in use, fluid passes through the lumen of the electrode sheath to be delivered to a distal end of the electrode sheath.

Abstract: A steering mechanism (10) for a catheter includes tubular member (12) defining passage (14). The tubular member (12) has longitudinally extending, bend-enhancing portion (18) formed at predetermined region of the tubular member (12). Actuator (16) is received in the passage (14) of tubular member (12), distal part (16.2) of actuator (16) being fast with a distal part (20) of the tubular member (12).

Abstract: A medical use electrical lead 10 includes an elongate body member 11 comprising an inner tubular member 12 defining a lumen 16 and a cover member 20 covering the inner tubular member 14. At least one electrode 22 is defined on an outer surface of the cover member 20. At least one pair of conductors 18 is arranged between the inner tubular member 14 and the cover member 20, the at least one pair of conductors 18 being in electrical communication with the at least one electrode 22 through the cover member 20. A radio opaque marker 28 circumscribes a periphery of the inner tubular member 14 and underlies the at least one electrode 22.

Abstract: A catheter handle (10) includes a handle body (12) having a proximal end (14) and a distal end (16) with a receiving formation (18) being defined at the distal end (16) for receiving a catheter arrangement. A steering control mechanism (22) is carried by the handle body (12), a steering device of the catheter arrangement being connectable to the steering control mechanism (22). At least one introducer zone (24) is defined by a part of the handle body (12) and is in communication with the distal end (16) of the handle body (12). A shape forming element is able to be introduced, in use, via the introducer zone (24) into a lumen of a catheter of the catheter arrangement received by the receiving formation (18).

Abstract: An ablation catheter (10) includes an elongate carrier (12). A first loop (14.1) is arranged at or adjacent a distal end of the carrier (12). At least one sensing electrode (40) is carried on the first loop (14.1) for sensing irregular activity in a patient's body. At least one further loop (14.2) is arranged proximally relative to the first loop (14.1) on the carrier (12) in a fixed orientation relative to the first loop (14.1). At least one ablating electrode (42) is carried on the second loop (14.2) for ablating a site of the patient's body where irregular electrical activity occurs. In another form of the invention, the ablation catheter includes a carrier (12) having a loop (14) defined at the distal end, the loop (14) comprising a first arm (18) and a second arm (22), the arms (18, 22) of the loop (14) being at least partly electrically isolated with respect to each other and at least one electrode (16, 20) arranged on each arm (18, 22) of the loop (14).

Abstract: An ablation catheter 10 includes an elongate carrier 12. A first loop 14.1 is arranged at, or adjacent, a distal end of the carrier 12. At least one sensing electrode 40 is carried on the first loop 14.1 for sensing irregular electrical activity in a patient's body. At least one further loop 14.2 is arranged proximally relative to the first loop 14.1 on the carrier 12 in a fixed orientation relative to the first loop 14.1. At least one ablating electrode 42 is carried on the second loop 14.2 for ablating a site of the patient's body where irregular electrical activity occurs.

Abstract: An electrically conductive member (10) includes an elongate body (11) which has at least one electrically conductive region (20). The electrically conductive region (20) comprises a porous polymeric material coated with an electrically conductive material. A method of manufacturing the electrically conductive member (10) includes the steps of extruding an elongate body of polymeric material wherein at least one region of the elongate body is porous in nature; and coating said elongate body with an electrically conductive material such that the electrically conductive material substantially coats the pores of said at least one region.

Abstract: A multi-electrode lead (10) comprises an elongate carrier (12) having a longitudinal axis. A plurality of electrical conductors is carried by the carrier (12), a plurality of electrodes being connected in spaced relationship to each conductor. The electrodes (14) are arranged at axially spaced intervals along the carrier (12) so that, along the length of the carrier (12), any one electrode (14) associated with any one of the conductors only once has an electrode (14) associated with another one of the conductors adjacent to that any one electrode (14). In another aspect of the invention, an ablating device (50) comprises an elongate tubular sleeve (52) for effecting spot ablation of tissue, a sensing electrode catheter being receivable in the passage (54) of the sleeve (52) for assisting in positioning of the ablating electrode (56), in use Preferably, the sensing electrode catheter is the multi-electrode lead (10) of the first aspect of the invention.

Abstract: An ablation catheter (10) includes an elongate carrier (12). A first loop (14.1) is arranged at or adjacent a distal end of the carrier (12). At least one sensing electrode (40) is carried on the first loop (14.1) for sensing irregular activity in a patient's body. At least one further loop (14.2) is arranged proximally relative to the first loop (14.1) on the carrier (12) in a fixed orientation relative to the first loop (14.1). At least one ablating electrode (42) is carried on the second loop (14.2) for ablating a site of the patient's body where irregular electrical activity occurs. In another form of the invention, the ablation catheter includes a carrier (12) having a loop (14) defined at the distal end, the loop (14) comprising a first arm (18) and a second arm (22), the arms (18, 22) of the loop (14) being at least partly electrically isolated with respect to each other and at least one electrode (16, 20) arranged on each arm (18, 22) of the loop (14).

Abstract: A system (10) for heating a biological site in a patient's body includes a transformer (14) having a primary winding and a secondary winding. The secondary winding has a tap (24) to provide a ground reference and two sources of radio frequency (RF) energy. An active electrode (16) is connected to each source to apply energy from its associated source to the site, the energy applied by one electrode (16) being out of phase with the energy applied by the other electrode (16).

Abstract: An electrically conductive member (10) includes an elongate body (11) which has at least one electrically conductive region (20). The electrically conductive region (20) comprises a porous polymeric material coated with an electrically conductive material. A method of manufacturing the electrically conductive member (10) includes the steps of extruding an elongate body of polymeric material wherein at least one region of the elongate body is porous in nature; and coating said elongate body with an electrically conductive material such that the electrically conductive material substantially coats the pores of said at least one region.