Abstract: A medical device includes a body and at least one electrode disposed thereon. The electrode includes a metallic substrate, such as a platinum group metal, an alloy of platinum group metals, or gold. The surface of the substrate is modified in a manner that increases its effective surface area without inducing bulk heating. For example, the surface of the substrate can be laser textured and/or coated, such as with titanium nitride or iridium oxide.

Abstract: A modular multi-electrode structure for use with an electrophysiology device includes a plurality of interconnected, non-conductive, tubular substrates. Each non-conductive, tubular substrate includes an outer surface and a conductor disposed on the outer surface, as well as at least one signal conductor extending along a length of the interconnected plurality of non-conductive tubular substrates. The conductor disposed on the outer surface of each non-conductive tubular substrate is in electrical communication with the at least one signal conductor. In some embodiments, the plurality of non-conductive tubular substrates includes a plurality of non-conductive polymeric substrates. In alternative embodiments, the plurality of non-conductive tubular substrates includes a plurality of non-conductive, unitary molded cylinders.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to expandable catheters for use in electrophysiology, and more specifically to high-density balloon catheters for use in diagnosing and/or treating cardiac arrhythmias. A catheter includes an elongate catheter shaft comprising a proximal end and a distal end. The elongate catheter shaft defines a longitudinal axis. The catheter includes an expandable assembly having a first delivery configuration and a second deployed configuration. The balloon member includes at least one flexible framework disposed between an outer facing layer and an inner facing layer of the top surface and/or the bottom surface of the balloon member and at least one plurality of electrodes patterned onto the flexible framework. In some embodiments, a flat balloon member includes electrodes on both sides of the planar balloon member. The balloon member may include a flexible structural element disposed within the interior cavity.

Abstract: A catheter including a catheter shaft and a mapping balloon configured for navigation within a body. The mapping balloon can be coupled to the catheter shaft, such as at a distal end of the catheter shaft. The mapping balloon can have an exterior surface including a plurality of predefined fold locations configured to allow the mapping balloon to be adjusted between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. In the collapsed configuration, the mapping balloon can include a first dimension, and in the expanded configuration the mapping balloon can have a second dimension. The second dimension can be greater than the first dimension. A plurality of electrodes can be located along the exterior surface of the mapping balloon to communicate electrical signals with an electronic control unit.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for optimizing a process of manufacturing a product. In one aspect, the method comprises repeatedly performing the following: i) selecting a configuration of input settings for manufacturing a product, based on a causal model that measures causal relationships between input settings and a measure of a quality of the product; ii) determining the measure of the quality of the product manufactured using the configuration of input settings; and iii) adjusting, based on the measure of the quality of the product manufactured using the configuration of input settings, the causal model.

Abstract: A partially-masked electrode includes a conductive material and an insulated coating having an outer surface. The insulated coating defines a contoured opening that exposes or reveals an area of the conductive material, wherein the contoured opening has an upper perimeter at the outer surface of the insulated coating. When the upper perimeter of the insulated surface coating is placed in contact with a tissue of interest, wherein the tissue of interest is proximate a blood pool, the insulated coating creates a seal between the blood pool and the contoured opening so that no blood in the blood pool can contact the conductive material. This seal reduces or eliminates the reception of far field effects in the blood pool by the electrode, making it easier to locate and diagnose unhealthy tissue.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to flexible high-density mapping catheters with a planar array of high-density mapping electrodes near a distal tip portion. These mapping catheters may be used to detect electrophysiological characteristics of tissue in contact with the electrodes, and may be used to diagnose cardiac conditions, such as cardiac arrhythmias for example.

Abstract: A modular multi-electrode structure for use with an electrophysiology device includes a plurality of interconnected, non-conductive, tubular substrates. Each non-conductive, tubular substrate includes an outer surface and a conductor disposed on the outer surface, as well as at least one signal conductor extending along a length of the interconnected plurality of non-conductive tubular substrates. The conductor disposed on the outer surface of each non-conductive tubular substrate is in electrical communication with the at least one signal conductor. In some embodiments, the plurality of non-conductive tubular substrates includes a plurality of non-conductive polymeric substrates. In alternative embodiments, the plurality of non-conductive tubular substrates includes a plurality of non-conductive, unitary molded cylinders.

Abstract: A dumbbell supporting system includes a platform having an upper surface and a lower surface. The upper surface receives a dumbbell. A mount is removably attached to a post has a vertical orientation. An arm is attached to and extends between the mount and the platform. The platform is pivotally coupled to the arm and the mount is pivotally coupled to the arm.

Abstract: A catheter including a catheter shaft and a mapping balloon configured for navigation within a body. The mapping balloon can be coupled to the catheter shaft, such as at a distal end of the catheter shaft. The mapping balloon can have an exterior surface including a plurality of predefined fold locations configured to allow the mapping balloon to be adjusted between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. In the collapsed configuration, the mapping balloon can include a first dimension, and in the expanded configuration the mapping balloon can have a second dimension. The second dimension can be greater than the first dimension. A plurality of electrodes can be located along the exterior surface of the mapping balloon to communicate electrical signals with an electronic control unit.

Abstract: Medical devices and systems including electrical traces are provided. The medical device includes a sheath body including an inner wall, an outer wall, and a central major lumen extending through the sheath body along a longitudinal axis. The central major lumen is defined by the inner wall. The medical device further includes at least one outer lumen extending through said sheath body, wherein the at least one outer lumen is disposed between the inner wall and the outer wall, at least one electrode coupled to a distal portion of said sheath body, and at least one electrical trace. Each of the at least one electrodes is coupled to at least one electrical trace, and the electrical trace is disposed between the inner wall and the outer wall.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides electroporation systems and methods of preconditioning tissue for electroporation therapy. An electroporation generator includes an electroporation circuit, a preconditioning circuit, and a controller. The electroporation circuit is configured to be coupled to a catheter for delivering the electroporation therapy to target tissue of the patient. The electroporation circuit is further configured to transmit an electroporation signal through the catheter. The preconditioning circuit is configured to be coupled to a preconditioning electrode for stimulating skeletal muscle tissue of the patient. The preconditioning circuit is further configured to transmit a preconditioning signal to the preconditioning electrode.

Abstract: A medical device includes a body and at least one electrode disposed thereon. The electrode includes a metallic substrate, such as a platinum group metal, an alloy of platinum group metals, or gold. The surface of the substrate is modified in a manner that increases its effective surface area without inducing bulk heating. For example, the surface of the substrate can be laser textured and/or coated, such as with titanium nitride or iridium oxide.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to flexible high-density mapping catheters with a planar array of high-density mapping electrodes near a distal tip portion. These mapping catheters may be used to detect electrophysiological characteristics of tissue in contact with the electrodes, and may be used to diagnose cardiac conditions, such as cardiac arrhythmias for example.

Abstract: Medical devices and systems including electrical traces are provided. The medical device includes a sheath body (120) including an inner wall, an outer wall, and a central major lumen (20) extending through the sheath body (120) along a longitudinal axis. The central major lumen is defined by the inner wall. The medical device further includes at least one outer lumen (38) extending through said sheath body, wherein the at least one outer lumen (38) is disposed between the inner wall and the outer wall, at least one electrode (14) coupled to a distal portion of said sheath body (120), and at least one electrical trace (44). Each of the at least one electrodes (14) is coupled to at least one electrical trace (44), and the electrical trace (44) is disposed between the inner wall and the outer wall.

Abstract: Elongate medical devices with an expandable structure including elongated splines and a distal hub.

Abstract: An elongate medical device comprising an expandable structure with an expandable configuration and a collapsed configuration, a handle, operably coupled to the expandable structure, the handle further including a selective movement limiter; and a deflection control member coupled with the distal hub, where the deflection control member is configured to adjust a stiffness of the expandable structure, from a first stiffness to a second stiffness, and maintain the first stiffness or the second stiffness when the selective movement limiter couples with the deflection control member and limits a longitudinal movement of the deflection control member, and wherein the deflection control member is configured to move freely when the selective movement limiter is not coupled with the deflection control member.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides electroporation systems, methods of controlling electroporation systems to limit electroporation arcs through intracardiac catheters, and catheters for electroporation systems. One method of controlling an electroporation system including a direct current (DC) energy source, a return electrode connected to the DC energy source, and a catheter connected to the DC energy source is disclosed. The catheter has a at least one catheter electrode. The method includes positioning the return electrode near a target location within a body and positioning the catheter electrode adjacent the target location within the body. A system impedance is determined with the return electrode positioned near the target location and the catheter electrode positioned within the body. The system impedance is adjusted to a target impedance to limit arcing from the catheter electrode.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides electroporation systems, methods of controlling electroporation systems to limit electroporation arcs through intracardiac catheters, and catheters for electroporation systems. One method of controlling an electroporation system including a direct current (DC) energy source, a return electrode connected to the DC energy source, and a catheter connected to the DC energy source is disclosed. The catheter has a at least one catheter electrode. The method includes positioning the return electrode near a target location within a body and positioning the catheter electrode adjacent the target location within the body. A system impedance is determined with the return electrode positioned near the target location and the catheter electrode positioned within the body. The system impedance is adjusted to a target impedance to arcing from the catheter electrode.

Abstract: A medical device includes a body and at least one electrode disposed thereon. The electrode includes a metallic substrate, such as a platinum group metal, an alloy of platinum group metals, or gold. The surface of the substrate is modified in a manner that increases its effective surface area without inducing bulk heating. For example, the surface of the substrate can be laser textured and/or coated, such as with titanium nitride or iridium oxide.