Abstract: A catheter carries a position sensor in a distal, on-axis position in an irrigated ablation tip electrode. The tip electrode has a shell wall that defines a cavity through which fluid flows and exits via fluid ports formed in the shell wall. The cavity is sealed by an internal member extends into the cavity with a baffle portion and a distal portion. The distal portion safely houses the position sensor and the baffle portion diffuses and disperses fluid entering the tip electrode for a more uniform flow through the cavity. The distal portion is configured to provide an annular region that runs along the length of the tip electrode to better feed fluid to the more distal fluid ports on the tip electrode for more uniform cooling at all locations on the tip electrode.

Abstract: A catheter is responsive to external and internal magnetic field generators for generating signals representing position and pressure data, with a reduced number of sensing coil leads for minimizing lead breakage and failure. The catheter includes a flexible joint with pressure sensing and position coils, at least pair of a pressure sensing coil and a position coil are serially connected. Methods of calibrating a catheter for position and pressure sensing, and detecting magnetic field interference with one catheter by another catheter or other metal or ferrous object advantageously use signals between two sets of sensors as a “back up” or “error check”.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system for simulating a mock press conference for fantasy sports. The method includes presenting a plurality of topics and corresponding questions to a user. The questions are pre-loaded and recorded by a reporter representing a media outlet. The method also includes allowing the user to select a topic and a question. Further, the method includes recording the user's response to the question within a pre-defined time period to develop a corresponding Mock Press Conference video. Furthermore, the method includes processing the Mock Press Conference video once the user successfully completes responding to the question. Moreover, the method includes synchronizing the Mock Press Conference video with the question for automatic playback to simulate a real-life press conference broadcast with media flashes.

Abstract: A catheter carries a position sensor in a distal, on-axis position in an irrigated ablation tip electrode. The tip electrode has a shell wall that defines a cavity through which fluid flows and exits via fluid ports formed in the shell wall. The cavity is sealed by an internal member extends into the cavity with a baffle portion and a distal portion. The distal portion safely houses the position sensor and the baffle portion diffuses and disperses fluid entering the tip electrode for a more uniform flow through the cavity. The distal portion is configured to provide an annular region that runs along the length of the tip electrode to better feed fluid to the more distal fluid ports on the tip electrode for more uniform cooling at all locations on the tip electrode.

Abstract: An irrigated ablation catheter includes a tip electrode with a thin shell and a plug, defining a plenum chamber. The tip electrode has an inlet of a predetermined size and noncircular shape, and a predetermined number of outlet fluid ports having a predetermined diameter in the shell wall. The tip electrode thus considers a diffusion ratio of total fluid output area to fluid input area, and a fluid port ratio, and considers a fluid inlet aspect ratio where the fluid inlet has a noncircular radial cross-section. The plenum chamber has a narrow proximal portion opening to a wider distal portion so that fluid pressure decreases while fluid velocity increases thereby increasing turbulence which decreases momentum for a more uniform distribution of fluid in the tip electrode. Extending distally from the plug is a baffle member shaped to diffuse fluid entering the tip electrode and to house an electromagnetic position sensor.

Abstract: A catheter is responsive to external and internal magnetic field generators for generating position data of the catheter position and pressure data to determine pressured exerted on a distal end of the catheter when engaged with tissue, with a reduced number of sensing coils and reduced number of sensing coil leads for minimizing lead breakage and failure. The catheter includes a distal section adapted for engagement with patient tissue, where the distal section has a proximal portion, a distal portion and a flexible joint with a resilient member adapted to allow axial displacement and angular deflection between the proximal and distal portions of the distal section. The catheter may have three or less sensing coils with three or less leads, each transmitting signals between a respective sensing coil and the signal processor.

Abstract: An irrigated ablation catheter includes a tip electrode with a thin shell and a plug to provide a plenum chamber. The tip electrode has an inlet of a predetermined size and noncircular shape, and outlets in the form of fluid ports formed in the thin shell wall. The plurality of the fluid ports is predetermined, as is their diameter. Each fluid port has a tapered configuration, for example, a frustoconical configuration, with a smaller inlet diameter and a larger outlet diameter.

Abstract: A catheter includes a tip electrode with a shell and a support member to provide a plenum chamber. The support member is formed with a U-shaped passage for a safety line to wrap around and secure the support member (with the shell affixed thereto) to the catheter. Additional passages are formed in the support member to accommodate components such as irrigation tubing, lead wires and a thermocouple wire pair. A method of manufacture provides distal installation and/or anchoring of the safety line, lead wire and thermocouple wire pair in the support member prior to sealing the support member and mounting the shell.

Abstract: A catheter is responsive to external and internal magnetic field generators for generating signals representing position and pressure data, with a reduced number of sensing coil leads for minimizing lead breakage and failure. The catheter includes a flexible joint with pressure sensing and position coils, at least pair of a pressure sensing coil and a position coil are serially connected. Methods of calibrating a catheter for position and pressure sensing, and detecting magnetic field interference with one catheter by another catheter or other metal or ferrous object advantageously use signals between two sets of sensors as a “back up” or “error check”.

Abstract: A catheter carries a position sensor in a distal, on-axis position in an irrigated ablation tip electrode. The tip electrode has a shell wall that defines a cavity through which fluid flows and exits via fluid ports formed in the shell wall. The cavity is sealed by an internal member extends into the cavity with a baffle portion and a distal portion. The distal portion safely houses the position sensor and the baffle portion diffuses and disperses fluid entering the tip electrode for a more uniform flow through the cavity. The distal portion is configured to provide an annular region that runs along the length of the tip electrode to better feed fluid to the more distal fluid ports on the tip electrode for more uniform cooling at all locations on the tip electrode.

Abstract: An irrigated ablation catheter includes a tip electrode with a thin shell and a plug, defining a plenum chamber. The tip electrode has an inlet of a predetermined size and noncircular shape, and a predetermined number of outlet fluid ports having a predetermined diameter in the shell wall. The tip electrode thus considers a diffusion ratio of total fluid output area to fluid input area, and a fluid port ratio, and considers a fluid inlet aspect ratio where the fluid inlet has a noncircular radial cross-section. The plenum chamber has a narrow proximal portion opening to a wider distal portion so that fluid pressure decreases while fluid velocity increases thereby increasing turbulence which decreases momentum for a more uniform distribution of fluid in the tip electrode. Extending distally from the plug is a baffle member shaped to diffuse fluid entering the tip electrode and to house an electromagnetic position sensor.

Abstract: An irrigated ablation catheter includes a tip electrode with a thin shell and a plug, defining a plenum chamber. The tip electrode has an inlet of a predetermined size and noncircular shape, and a predetermined number of outlet fluid ports having a predetermined diameter shell wall. The tip electrode thus considers a diffusion ratio of total fluid output area to fluid input area, and a fluid port ratio, and considers a fluid inlet aspect ratio where the fluid inlet has a noncircular radial cross-section. The plenum chamber has a narrow proximal portion opening to a wider distal portion so that fluid pressure decreases while fluid velocity increases thereby increasing turbulence which decreases momentum for a more uniform distribution of fluid in the tip electrode. Extending distally from the plug is a baffle member shaped to diffuse fluid entering the tip electrode and to house an electromagnetic position sensor.

Abstract: A catheter is responsive to external and internal magnetic field generators for generating position data of the catheter position and pressure data to determine pressured exerted on a distal end of the catheter when engaged with tissue, with a reduced number of sensing coils and reduced number of sensing coil leads for minimizing lead breakage and failure. The catheter includes a distal section adapted for engagement with patient tissue, where the distal section has a proximal portion, a distal portion and a flexible joint with a resilient member adapted to allow axial displacement and angular deflection between the proximal and distal portions of the distal section. The catheter may have three or less sensing coils with three or less leads, each transmitting signals between a respective sensing coil and the signal processor.

Abstract: An irrigated ablation catheter includes a tip electrode with a thin shell and a plug to provide a plenum chamber. The tip electrode has an inlet of a predetermined size and noncircular shape, and outlets in the form of fluid ports formed in the thin shell wall. The plurality of the fluid ports is predetermined, as is their diameter. Each fluid port has a tapered configuration, for example, a frustoconical configuration, with a smaller inlet diameter and a larger outlet diameter.

Abstract: A catheter is responsive to external and internal magnetic field generators for generating signals representing position and pressure data, with a reduced number of sensing coil leads for minimizing lead breakage and failure. The catheter includes a flexible joint with pressure sensing and position coils, at least pair of a pressure sensing coil and a position coil are serially connected. Methods of calibrating a catheter for position and pressure sensing, and detecting magnetic field interference with one catheter by another catheter or other metal or ferrous object advantageously use signals between two sets of sensors as a “back up” or “error check”.

Abstract: A catheter includes a tip electrode with a shell and a support member to provide a plenum chamber. The support member is formed with a U-shaped passage for a safety line to wrap around and secure the support member (with the shell affixed thereto) to the catheter. Additional passages are formed in the support member to accommodate components such as irrigation tubing, lead wires and a thermocouple wire pair. A method of manufacture provides distal installation and/or anchoring of the safety line, lead wire and thermocouple wire pair in the support member prior to sealing the support member and mounting the shell.

Abstract: A catheter tip electrode has a tissue contacting surface which electrically conducts RF energy to the tissue and is more thermally conductive than adjacent non-electrically conductive coating or cover which prevents RF conduction to the tissue contacting that surface. The tip electrode has a shell with a nonablating hollow proximal neck portion and a distal ablating portion defining a fluid chamber, and a plug-like support member which is configured with a fluid channel on its outer surface so a fluid passage is provided between the member and the neck portion for convective or direct cooling of the nonablating neck portion and nonconductive tubing covering it.

Abstract: A catheter tip electrode has a tissue contacting surface which electrically conducts RF energy to the tissue and is more thermally conductive than adjacent non-electrically conductive coating or cover which prevents RF conduction to the tissue contacting that surface. The tip electrode has a shell with a nonablating hollow proximal neck portion and a distal ablating portion defining a fluid chamber, and a plug-like support member which is configured with a fluid channel on its outer surface so a fluid passage is provided between the member and the neck portion for convective or direct cooling of the nonablating neck portion and nonconductive tubing covering it.

Abstract: A power receptacle module for a work surface having multiple power receptacles includes a mounting frame configured to be received within an aperture in the work surface, a pivoting receptacle assembly pivotally mounted in the mounting frame and configured to pivot between a first orientation and a second orientation, relative to the mounting frame. The pivoting receptacle assembly has a flat face plate and a plurality of power receptacles fixedly mounted below the flat face plate. When the pivoting receptacle assembly is in the first orientation, the flat face plate is flush with a top surface of the work surface, and the plurality of power receptacles are hidden below the work surface. When the pivoting receptacle assembly is in the second orientation, the flat face plate is disposed at an oblique angle relative to the work surface, and the plurality of power receptacles are exposed.

Abstract: An irrigated ablation catheter includes a tip electrode with a thin shell and a plug to provide a plenum chamber. The tip electrode has an inlet of a predetermined size and noncircular shape, and outlets in the form of fluid ports formed in the thin shell wall. The plurality of the fluid ports is predetermined, as is their diameter. Each fluid port has a tapered configuration, for example, a frustoconical configuration, with a smaller inlet diameter and a larger outlet diameter.