Abstract: A pull wire assembly for a steerable medical device can include wire lock and a wire. The wire lock includes a spool body having first and ends and first and second rims respectively around the first and second ends. A through-hole extends diametrically through the spool body. The wire enters through a distal end of the through-hole, emerges through a proximal end of the through-hole, wraps around an exterior of the spool body, re-enters into the distal end of the through-hole, and re-emerges through the proximal end of the through-hole. The wire may make multiple such passes. The wire may also be tensioned to at least partially embed into the surface of the spool body.

Abstract: A pull wire assembly for a steerable medical device can include wire lock and a wire. The wire lock includes a spool body having first and ends and first and second rims respectively around the first and second ends. A through-hole extends diametrically through the spool body. The wire enters through a distal end of the through-hole, emerges through a proximal end of the through-hole, wraps around an exterior of the spool body, re-enters into the distal end of the through-hole, and re-emerges through the proximal end of the through-hole. The wire may make multiple such passes. The wire may also be tensioned to at least partially embed into the surface of the spool body.

Abstract: A three-dimensional geometric model of a heart can be generated from a plurality of two-dimensional image slices of the heart collected using an intracardiac echocardiography (“ICE”) catheter. Each image slice can be associated with localization information for the ICE catheter. The image slices can be output in a plurality of voxels according to their associated localization information, thereby creating a three-dimensional geometric model of the heart. Data sufficiency of the three-dimensional model can also be graphically represented. For example, data sufficiency can be represented using voxel opacity, a one-dimensional illustration, a two-dimensional illustration, and/or a data collection cue.

Abstract: Aspects of the instant disclosure relate to an elongated medical device. In particular, the instant disclosure relates to apparatuses for sensing contact force. In various embodiments, a force sensing element including a tip and a catheter shaft, wherein the tip is configured to move relative to the shaft when an external force is applied to the tip comprising a transmitter configured to transmit a transmitter signal when external force is applied to the tip, a first plurality of sensors and a second plurality of sensors positioned proximate the transmitter, wherein each of the sensors is configured to receive the transmitter signal and the first plurality of sensors is longitudinally offset from the second plurality of sensors.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to an intravascular catheter with a coupler near a distal end which facilitates precise positioning of an end effector and one or more magnetic localization sensors.

Abstract: A three-dimensional geometric model of a heart can be generated from a plurality of two-dimensional image slices of the heart collected using an intracardiac echocardiography (“ICE”) catheter. Each image slice can be associated with localization information for the ICE catheter. The image slices can be output in a plurality of voxels according to their associated localization information, thereby creating a three-dimensional geometric model of the heart. Data sufficiency of the three-dimensional model can also be graphically represented. For example, data sufficiency can be represented using voxel opacity, a one-dimensional illustration, a two-dimensional illustration, and/or a data collection cue.

Abstract: Aspects of the instant disclosure relate to an elongated medical device. In particular, the instant disclosure relates to apparatuses for sensing contact force. In various embodiments, a force sensing element including a tip and a catheter shaft, wherein the tip is configured to move relative to the shaft when an external force is applied to the tip comprising a transmitter configured to transmit a transmitter signal when external force is applied to the tip, a first plurality of sensors and a second plurality of sensors positioned proximate the transmitter, wherein each of the sensors is configured to receive the transmitter signal and the first plurality of sensors is longitudinally offset from the second plurality of sensors.

Abstract: A medical system for locating a catheter distal tip within a body using a plurality electrical position sensors and a magnetic position sensor in conjunction with an acceleration sensor or rotational encoder. The system locates the catheter by using signals from the acceleration sensor or rotational encoder and magnetic sensors to compensate for positioning errors associated with electric positioning sensors.

Abstract: An ablation device includes an elongate catheter body having a lumen extending therethrough and a distal region. An ablation element, such as one or more ultrasound transducers, is disposed within the distal region such that it can emit ablative energy outwardly relative to the longitudinal axis of the catheter body. A balloon is positioned about the distal region of the catheter body, typically with the ablation element positioned within the balloon. The balloon is expandable outwardly from an outer surface of the catheter body such that, when the balloon is inflated, an exterior surface of the balloon stably engages an interior wall of a blood vessel without occluding blood flow therethrough. For example, the balloon can be cross-shaped when inflated. To create circumferential lesions without repositioning the catheter, the ablation element can rotate about and/or slide along the longitudinal axis of the catheter body.

Abstract: An ablation catheter (10) includes a body (12) having a distal end (16), a hollow tip (22) attached to the distal end and an ultrasound transducer assembly positioned within the hollow tip and mounted to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the catheter body. The hollow tip includes an acoustically transparent shell, which allows acoustic energy to pass to and from the ultrasound transducer assembly, and an electrically-conductive coating on its exterior surface, which allows ablating energy to be delivered to an adjacent tissue. A plurality of ribs extend inwardly from an inner surface of the shell. A system (100) incorporating the ablation catheter and methods of using the same to ablate, image and/or monitor tissue are also disclosed.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to an intravascular catheter with a coupler near a distal end which facilitates precise positioning of an end effector and one or more magnetic localization sensors.

Abstract: An apparatus for imaging tissue in three dimensions (e.g. ICE catheter) includes a shaft, a static imaging element (20) disposed within the shaft, an oscillating energy deflector (24) positioned within the beam path of the imaging element, and a drive assembly operable to oscillate the energy deflector. The imaging element can be acoustic or electromagnetic, and the energy deflector can be a prism, a lens or an acoustic mirror. By oscillating the energy deflector and/or by providing an asymmetric energy deflector, a plurality of two-dimensional image slices can be obtained. These image slices can then be assembled into a three-dimensional volumetric image.

Abstract: A system and method for assessing effects of ablation therapy on tissue in a body includes a) acquiring at least one ultrasound image of a region of interest; b) delivering ultrasound ablative energy from an ultrasound transducer to the region of interest; c) emitting electromagnetic radiation from an optic fiber to cause generation of a photoacoustic wave from tissue in the region of interest; d) receiving a tissue response signal from the ultrasound transducer indicative of a characteristic of tissue responsive to the electromagnetic radiation; and e) analyzing the tissue response signal to determine at least one characteristic of the tissue responsive to the ablation therapy.

Abstract: A catheter, system and method for assessing effects of ablation therapy on tissue are provided. Various embodiments includes an emitter such as an optic fiber disposed within a sheath, echographic probe or catheter shaft that emits electromagnetic radiation through an opening in the shaft towards the tissue to cause generation of a photoacoustic wave from the tissue. An ultrasound transducer disposed on an echographic probe or catheter shaft generates a signal indicative of a characteristic of the tissue responsive to the photoacoustic wave. In certain embodiments, the emitter and transducer are carried by a separate sheath and echographic probe, respectively. In other embodiments, the emitter is disposed within the shaft of the echographic probe. In still other embodiments, the emitter, transducer and an ablation delivery element are integrated into a single structure to permit both ablation of the tissue and assessment of the effects of the ablation on the tissue.

Abstract: A medical system for locating a catheter distal tip within a body using a plurality electrical position sensors and a magnetic position sensor in conjunction with an acceleration sensor or rotational encoder. The system locates the catheter by using signals from the acceleration sensor or rotational encoder and magnetic sensors to compensate for positioning errors associated with electric positioning sensors.