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 sheath for an irrigation catheter comprises an elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end and defining a lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end. At least one electrode is arranged on the elongate member. A plurality of elongate elements are contained in the elongate member, the elongate elements comprising at least one electrical conductor and at least one element of a non-conductive material arranged adjacent the at least one electrical conductor to form at least one non-conductive region associated with the elongate member. At least one passage extends through a wall of the elongate member to intersect the non-conductive region and to be in communication with the lumen of the elongate member. The at least one passage has an outlet opening in, or adjacent, the at least one electrode.

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 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: An ablation catheter including a handle, a tubular irrigation member defining a fluid lumen and having a plurality of perforations proximal the distal end of the tubular irrigation member. At least one ablation electrode is arranged at the distal end of an elongate tubular sheath inserted into the lumen of the tubular irrigation member, the elongate tubular sheath being axially displaceable within the lumen of the tubular irrigation member. The ablation catheter may also include two ablation electrodes each attached to an elongate tubuar sheath which are telescopically arranged within the tubular irrigation member. The ablation electrodes may be displaceable simultaneously together or individually.

Abstract: A catheter sheath for an irrigation catheter comprises an elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end and defining a lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end. At least one electrode is arranged on the elongate member. A plurality of elongate elements are contained in the elongate member, the elongate elements comprising at least one electrical conductor and at least one element of a non-conductive material arranged adjacent the at least one conductor to form at least one non-conductive region associated with the elongate member. At least one passage extends through a wall of the elongate member to intersect the non-conductive region and to be in communication with the lumen of the elongate member. The at least one passage has an outlet opening in, or adjacent, the at least one electrode.

Abstract: A system for heating a site in a patient's body includes a transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding, the secondary winding having at least one center tap to provide a patient reference and at least two sources of radio frequency (RF) energy, the two sources of RF energy being out of phase with each other. A group of electrodes is connected to the sources of RF energy provided by the secondary winding to be simultaneously energized. The arrangement is such that there are more active electrodes connected to one of the sources of RF energy than another of the sources of RF energy with the energy supplied to one active electrode being out of phase with the energy supplied to an adjacent active electrode.

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 system 10 for heating a site in a patient's body includes a transformer 14 having a primary winding 14.2 and a secondary winding 14.3, the secondary winding 14.3 having at least one tap 16 to provide a patient reference and at least two sources 22 of radio frequency (RF) energy, the two sources 22 of RF energy being out of phase with each other. A group of electrodes 24 is connected to the sources 22 of RF energy provided by the secondary winding 14.3 to be simultaneously energised. The arrangement is such that there are more active electrodes 24 connected to one of the sources 22 of RF energy than the other of the sources 22 of RF energy with the energy supplied to one active electrode 24 being out of phase with the energy supplied to an adjacent active electrode 24.