Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to an instrument for pacing, mapping, sensing, and/or ablating cardiac tissue that includes an electrogram filtering circuit. To supply radio frequency energy, the disclosed instruments are only optionally connected to a radio frequency generator. When connected to a generator, the electrogram filtering circuit can be provided in a handle of the instrument, or in a connector, for example, to protect the instrument from potentially high-powered radio frequency energy. Alternatively, various disclosed embodiments are capable of pacing/sensing as a standalone device. The connector can be provided separately from both the instrument and the generator. In some embodiments, the electrogram filtering circuit is adaptive to suit a variety of generators.

Abstract: Instrument and systems for applying ablative energy to epicardial tissue via a subxiphoid access surgical approach. The instrument has a head assembly sized and shaped for a subxiphoid surgical approach to a patient's heart and defines a contact face. The head assembly includes a paddle body, a first ablation electrode, and a second ablation electrode. The ablation electrodes are coupled to the paddle body in a spaced apart, spatially-fixed fashion. The ablation electrodes are exteriorly exposed at the contact face. A tubular member extends from the head assembly and maintains wiring connected to the ablation electrodes. The instrument is manipulable to locate the contact face on epicardial tissue of a patient's heart via a subxiphoid surgical approach, such as between the left and right pulmonary vein junctions of the posterior left atrium.

Abstract: Instrument and systems for applying ablative energy to epicardial tissue via a subxiphoid access surgical approach. The instrument has a head assembly sized and shaped for a subxiphoid surgical approach to a patient's heart and defines a contact face. The head assembly includes a paddle body, a first ablation electrode, and a second ablation electrode. The ablation electrodes are coupled to the paddle body in a spaced apart, spatially-fixed fashion. The ablation electrodes are exteriorly exposed at the contact face. A tubular member extends from the head assembly and maintains wiring connected to the ablation electrodes. The instrument is manipulable to locate the contact face on epicardial tissue of a patient's heart via a subxiphoid surgical approach, such as between the left and right pulmonary vein junctions of the posterior left atrium.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to an instrument for pacing, mapping, sensing, and/or ablating cardiac tissue that includes an electrogram filtering circuit. To supply radio frequency energy, the disclosed instruments are only optionally connected to a radio frequency generator. When connected to a generator, the electrogram filtering circuit can be provided in a handle of the instrument, or in a connector, for example, to protect the instrument from potentially high-powered radio frequency energy. Alternatively, various disclosed embodiments are capable of pacing/sensing as a standalone device. The connector can be provided separately from both the instrument and the generator. In some embodiments, the electrogram filtering circuit is adaptive to suit a variety of generators.

Abstract: Instrument and systems for applying ablative energy to epicardial tissue via a subxiphoid access surgical approach. The instrument has a head assembly sized and shaped for a subxiphoid surgical approach to a patient's heart and defines a contact face. The head assembly includes a paddle body, a first ablation electrode, and a second ablation electrode. The ablation electrodes are coupled to the paddle body in a spaced apart, spatially-fixed fashion. The ablation electrodes are exteriorly exposed at the contact face. A tubular member extends from the head assembly and maintains wiring connected to the ablation electrodes. The instrument is manipulable to locate the contact face on epicardial tissue of a patient's heart via a subxiphoid surgical approach, such as between the left and right pulmonary vein junctions of the posterior left atrium.

Abstract: Instrument and systems for applying ablative energy to epicardial tissue via a subxiphoid access surgical approach. The instrument has a head assembly sized and shaped for a subxiphoid surgical approach to a patient's heart and defines a contact face. The head assembly includes a paddle body, a first ablation electrode, and a second ablation electrode. The ablation electrodes are coupled to the paddle body in a spaced apart, spatially-fixed fashion. The ablation electrodes are exteriorly exposed at the contact face. A tubular member extends from the head assembly and maintains wiring connected to the ablation electrodes. The instrument is manipulable to locate the contact face on epicardial tissue of a patient's heart via a subxiphoid surgical approach, such as between the left and right pulmonary vein junctions of the posterior left atrium.

Abstract: An ablation catheter assembly including an elongate catheter body having a proximal portion, a distal portion and a lumen therethrough. A helical structure associated with the catheter distal portion carries a plurality of independently operable electrodes and is transformable between a low-profile configuration wherein a straightening element is positioned in the lumen and an expanded configuration wherein the straightening element is at least partially retracted from the spiral structure. When the helical structure is in the expanded configuration, a laterally offset tip portion extends distally therefrom.

Abstract: An ablation catheter assembly includes an elongate catheter body having a proximal portion, a distal portion and a lumen therethrough. A helical structure associated with the catheter distal portion carries a plurality of independently operable electrodes and is transformable between a low-profile configuration wherein a straightening element is positioned in the lumen and an expanded configuration wherein the straightening element is at least partially retracted from the spiral structure. When the helical structure is in the expanded configuration, a laterally offset tip portion extends distally therefrom.

Abstract: An ablation catheter assembly including an elongate catheter body having a proximal portion, a distal portion and a lumen therethrough. A helical structure associated with the catheter distal portion carries a plurality of independently operable electrodes and is transformable between a low-profile configuration wherein a straightening element is positioned in the lumen and an expanded configuration wherein the straightening element is at least partially retracted from the spiral structure. When the helical structure is in the expanded configuration, a laterally offset tip portion extends distally therefrom.

Abstract: An ablation catheter assembly includes an elongate catheter body having a proximal portion, a distal portion and a lumen therethrough. A helical structure associated with the catheter distal portion carries a plurality of independently operable electrodes and is transformable between a low-profile configuration wherein a straightening element is positioned in the lumen and an expanded configuration wherein the straightening element is at least partially retracted from the spiral structure. When the helical structure is in the expanded configuration, a laterally offset tip portion extends distally therefrom.

Abstract: An ablation device for use in a surgical procedure, including a first member having a first elongated shaft and a first jaw extending from a distal end of the first elongated shaft, and a second member having a second elongated shaft and a second jaw extending from a distal end of the second elongated shaft, wherein the second elongated shaft is at least partially positioned within an inner tubular opening of the first elongated shaft, and wherein the second jaw has a bottom surface that is generally parallel to at least a portion of a top surface of the first jaw. The ablation device further includes a handle extending from a proximal end of the first elongated shaft and a finger grip extending radially outwardly relative to an outer surface of the first elongated shaft.

Abstract: An ablation catheter assembly includes an elongate catheter body having a proximal portion, a distal portion and a lumen therethrough. A helical structure associated with the catheter distal portion carries a plurality of independently operable electrodes and is transformable between a low-profile configuration wherein a straightening element is positioned in the lumen and an expanded configuration wherein the straightening element is at least partially retracted from the spiral structure. When the helical structure is in the expanded configuration, a laterally offset tip portion extends distally therefrom.

Abstract: Instrument and systems for applying ablative energy to epicardial tissue via a subxiphoid access surgical approach. The instrument has a head assembly sized and shaped for a subxiphoid surgical approach to a patient's heart and defines a contact face. The head assembly includes a paddle body, a first ablation electrode, and a second ablation electrode. The ablation electrodes are coupled to the paddle body in a spaced apart, spatially-fixed fashion. The ablation electrodes are exteriorly exposed at the contact face. A tubular member extends from the head assembly and maintains wiring connected to the ablation electrodes. The instrument is manipulable to locate the contact face on epicardial tissue of a patient's heart via a subxiphoid surgical approach, such as between the left and right pulmonary vein junctions of the posterior left atrium.

Abstract: A hemostat-type device for ablative treatment of tissue, particularly for treatment of atrial fibrillation, is constructed with features that provide easy and effective treatment. The device may include a swiveling head assembly that allows the jaws to be adjusted in pitch and/or roll. The device may include a malleable or articulating handle shaft, as well as, malleable or curved rigid jaws that can permit curved lesion shapes. A locking detent can secure the jaws in a closed position during the procedure. The device may include one or more remote actuators making the hemostat-type device useful for minimally invasive procedures.

Abstract: The present invention provides devices, instruments, systems, and methods to navigate medical instruments within the thoracic cavity. More specifically, the present invention provides a navigation system comprising medical instruments having electromagnetic tracking functionality and the integration of previously acquired imaging into a user interface of the navigation system.

Abstract: A trans-septal guide catheter for providing access through the septum separating a first heart chamber from a second heart chamber that includes an elongated guide catheter body extending between guide catheter proximal and distal ends. A distal segment of the guide catheter is adapted to be inserted through the septum to locate the distal segment of the guide catheter within one of the first heart chamber and the second heart chamber. The catheter body encloses a guide catheter lumen adapted to provide access into the one of the first heart chamber and the second heart chamber through a guide catheter lumen proximal end opening and a guide catheter lumen distal end opening. A retention mechanism engages the septum and maintains the distal segment of the guide catheter extending into the one of the first heart chamber and the second heart chamber.

Abstract: A device and method for ablating tissue is disclosed comprising the steps of acquiring an anatomical image of a patient, correlating the image to the patient, guiding an ablating member within the patient while tracking the position of the ablating member in the patient, positioning the ablating member in a desired position to ablate tissue, emitting ablating energy from the ablating member to form an ablated tissue area and removing the ablating member from the patient.

Abstract: A device for ablating tissue at a desired location in a body, the device comprising: a pair of floating jaws moveable between a spaced apart open position and a closed position, the pair of jaws comprising at least one ablating element for ablating tissue located between the jaws; a handle comprising controls for remotely controlling the movement of the jaws and the at least one ablative element; and a flexible neck connecting the jaws and handle, wherein the neck is flexible so as to permit the jaws to be maneuverable in the body with respect to the handle. A system for guiding an ablation device to a desired location in a body.

Abstract: A device for ablating tissue at a desired location in a body, the device comprising: a pair of jaws moveable between a spaced apart open position and a closed position, the pair of jaws comprising at least one ablating element for ablating tissue located between the jaws; a handle comprising controls for remotely controlling the movement of the jaws and the at least one ablative element, wherein the controls for the at least one ablative element comprise a trigger mechanism for applying ablative energy to the at least one ablating element; a neck connecting the jaws and handle; and a lockout mechanism for preventing the trigger mechanism from applying ablative energy when the jaws are in the open position.

Abstract: A method of using an ablation device to ablate tissue at a desired location, wherein the ablation device comprises: a pair of floating jaws moveable between a spaced apart open position and a closed position, the pair of jaws comprising at least one ablating element for ablating tissue located between the jaws; a handle comprising controls for remotely controlling the movement of the jaws and the at least one ablative element; and a flexible neck connecting the jaws and handle, wherein the neck is flexible so as to permit the jaws to be maneuverable in the body with respect to the handle; the method comprising the steps of: providing the ablation device; delivering the jaws to a desired location; positioning the jaws in the open position around tissue desired to be ablated; closing the jaws to the closed position on the tissue by using the controls on the handle portion of the ablation device; and activating the at least one ablating element by using the controls on the handle portion of the ablation device a