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 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.

Abstract: A system and method for creating lesions and assessing their completeness or transmurality. Assessment of transmurality of a lesion is accomplished by monitoring the depolarization signal in a local electrogram taken using electrodes located adjacent the tissue to be ablated. Following onset of application of ablation energy to heart tissue, the local electrogram is measured with electrodes located adjacent tissue to be ablated so that the ablation energy to ablation elements can be selectively reduced or terminated when transmurality is detected.

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: A method of thermal ablation using high intensity focused ultrasound energy includes the steps of positioning one or more ultrasound emitting members within a patient, emitting ultrasound energy from the one or more ultrasound emitting members, focusing the ultrasound energy, ablating with the focused ultrasound energy to form an ablated tissue area and removing the ultrasound emitting member.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for ablating target tissue including a non-linear area of tissue in the left atrium of a patient. The method can include selecting an ablation apparatus having an ablator with a tissue engagement section, penetrating a chest cavity of the patient, and identifying the target tissue. The method can also include positioning the ablation apparatus adjacent to the target tissue so that the tissue engagement section can transfer ablation energy to the target tissue. The method can further include energizing the tissue engagement section with ablation energy in order to create a footprint on the non-linear area of tissue in the left atrium and to reduce an overall mass of excitable tissue in the left atrium.

Abstract: A catheter is fabricated by joining a first catheter body segment, the first segment including a braided or coiled filament reinforcing layer contained within an outer layer, to a second catheter body segment by thermal fusion in a zone including an interface between the first segment and the second segment and at a temperature causing ends of the filament reinforcing layer in the zone to extend outward within the outer layer. Following thermal fusion, the extending ends of the filament reinforcing layer are removed.

Abstract: A deflection mechanism for selectively inducing a bend in a catheter body includes an elongated deflection wire extending within a deflection lumen of the catheter body and into a handle. A guide track is formed within the handle and a thumb wheel is mounted proximal to the elongated guide track within the handle and supports a pinion gear; the thumb wheel and the pinion gear are adapted to be rotated about a common thumb wheel axis, which extends substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. A rack arm extends obliquely to the longitudinal axis of the handle and includes runners received by the guide track, an attachment point coupling the deflection wire to the rack arm and a linear rack engaging the pinion gear. Rotation of the thumb wheel in a first direction draws the deflection wire proximally through the deflection lumen.

Abstract: A virtual ablation electrode assembly includes a non-conductive outer cap fitted over an inner electrode to form a fluid chamber between a cap inner surface and an exterior surface of the electrode. The inner electrode includes an interior fluid trunk and one or more fluid distribution branches extending from the fluid trunk to the exterior surface. A plurality of pores extends between the cap inner surface and a cap outer surface. When the electrode is energized and when fluid is delivered through the one or more fluid distribution branches from the trunk, the conductive fluid fills the fluid chamber and flows out from the chamber through the plurality of pores of the cap establishing ionic transport of ablation energy from the inner electrode to a target site in close proximity to the cap.

Abstract: A helical ablation electrode extends from a distal end of the shaft and includes a first portion extending from a first end winding about a first diameter, a second portion extending from the first portion and winding about a second diameter smaller than the first diameter, and a second end terminating the second portion. The electrode further includes a fluid lumen extending from a location in proximity to the first end of the electrode to a location in proximity to the second end of the electrode and in fluid communication with a fluid delivery lumen of the catheter shaft. An irrigation fluid delivered through the fluid delivery lumen of the catheter shaft, from a fluid port, passes through the fluid lumen of the ablation electrode to cool the electrode.