Abstract: A catheter for ablating tissue is disclosed that has a self-centering multiray electrode assembly. The self-centering multiray electrode assembly may have a plurality of spines, each of which a preshaped, expanded configuration that curves to change an orientation of the spine from being directed towards the distal end of catheter body to being directed towards the proximal end of the catheter body. The ablation electrodes engage ostial tissue when a maximal outer diameter of the self-centering multiray electrode assembly is engaged with an inner diameter of a vessel. The compliance of each spine may vary along its length. When the self-centering multiray electrode assembly is engaged within a vessel, the ablation electrodes are brought into contact with tissue and may be used to form lesions in a circumferential path around the vessel.

Abstract: A check valve may include a valve body forming a central passage extending from a first side of the valve body to a second side of the valve body. A valve pin may be located within the central passage, where the valve pin includes a sealing head that selectively contacts a valve seat of the valve body to control flow of a fluid through the central passage. A spring may be included, where the spring has a first end that is fixed relative to the valve pin and a second end fixed to a spring seat. The valve body and the spring seat may be fixed to one another without the use of threads.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing and using an irrigated ablation catheter. The catheter may include a distal shell electrode having irrigation apertures. A sensor array formed on a flexible substrate conforms to an inner surface of the electrode and an insert disposed within the interior space engages the sensor array to position sensors of the sensor array in desired locations relative to the electrode. A support seals the proximal end of the electrode and engages the insert. The plurality of sensors may be used to measure electrical and thermal characteristics surrounding the electrode and may help assess contact between the electrode and tissue and/or determine movement of the electrode during ablation.

Abstract: A steerable catheter is disclosed, having an elongated, tubular catheter body with at least one deflection member slidably disposed within a lumen, secured at a distal end to a tip section and terminating in an interconnect at a proximal end and a handle releasably attached to the proximal end of the catheter body. The handle has at least one sliding member coupled to an actuator, such that manipulation of the actuator causes relative longitudinal movement with respect to the handle, wherein the interconnect and the sliding member engage when the handle is attached to the catheter body so that the relative longitudinal movement of the sliding member is transmitted to the deflection member and wherein the interconnect and the sliding member disengage when the handle is released from the catheter body.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for performing an ablation procedure by obtaining a signal from an acoustic sensor used to detect occurrence of a steam pop and adjust the ablation in response to the steam pop detection.

Abstract: A steerable catheter is disclosed, having an elongated, tubular catheter body with at least one deflection member slidably disposed within a lumen, secured at a distal end to a tip section and terminating in an interconnect at a proximal end and a handle releasably attached to the proximal end of the catheter body. The handle has at least one sliding member coupled to an actuator, such that manipulation of the actuator causes relative longitudinal movement with respect to the handle, wherein the interconnect and the sliding member engage when the handle is attached to the catheter body so that the relative longitudinal movement of the sliding member is transmitted to the deflection member and wherein the interconnect and the sliding member disengage when the handle is released from the catheter body.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing and using an irrigated ablation catheter. The catheter may include a distal shell electrode having irrigation apertures. An insert disposed within the electrode has protrusions that mate with orifices in the shell of the electrode. Each protrusion has a port communicating with at least one interior lumen in the insert and a sensor is disposed in each port. A support seals the proximal end of the electrode and engages the insert. The plurality of sensors may be used to measure electrical and thermal characteristics surrounding the electrode and may help assess contact between the electrode and tissue and/or determine movement of the electrode during ablation.

Abstract: A catheter for ablating tissue is disclosed that has a self-centering multiray electrode assembly. The self-centering multiray electrode assembly may have a plurality of spines, each of which a preshaped, expanded configuration that curves to change an orientation of the spine from being directed towards the distal end of catheter body to being directed towards the proximal end of the catheter body. The ablation electrodes engage ostial tissue when a maximal outer diameter of the self-centering multiray electrode assembly is engaged with an inner diameter of a vessel. The compliance of each spine may vary along its length. When the self-centering multiray electrode assembly is engaged within a vessel, the ablation electrodes are brought into contact with tissue and may be used to form lesions in a circumferential path around the vessel.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for performing an ablation procedure by obtaining a signal from an acoustic sensor used to detect occurrence of a steam pop and adjust the ablation in response to the steam pop detection.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing and using an irrigated ablation catheter. The catheter may include a distal shell electrode having irrigation apertures. An insert disposed within the electrode has protrusions that mate with orifices in the shell of the electrode. Each protrusion has a port communicating with at least one interior lumen in the insert and a sensor is disposed in each port. A support seals the proximal end of the electrode and engages the insert. The plurality of sensors may be used to measure electrical and thermal characteristics surrounding the electrode and may help assess contact between the electrode and tissue and/or determine movement of the electrode during ablation.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing and using an irrigated ablation catheter. The catheter may include a distal shell electrode having irrigation apertures. A sensor array formed on a flexible substrate conforms to an inner surface of the electrode and an insert disposed within the interior space engages the sensor array to position sensors of the sensor array in desired locations relative to the electrode. A support seals the proximal end of the electrode and engages the insert. The plurality of sensors may be used to measure electrical and thermal characteristics surrounding the electrode and may help assess contact between the electrode and tissue and/or determine movement of the electrode during ablation.

Abstract: A pressure regulator valve has a housing that defines a fluid passage and a flat seat disposed around an opening of the fluid passage and exit ports. A pin with a raised conforming elastomeric embossment that contacts the seat when the valve is closed is axially disposed in the housing. The pin is biased to maintain the elastomeric embossment in contact with the seat to maintain the valve closed and control an opening pressure of the valve. Flow of fluid through and out of the pressure regulator valve housing is controlled through adjustment of a level of this biasing. The fluid flows across the flat seat and between the flat seat and the embossment when the valve is open in such a manner that the flow is generally laminar and such that the valve minimizes pressure gain at the onset of flow.

Abstract: An patch and sensor assembly for use in an EP mapping system has two portions: a reusable portion and a disposable portion. The reusable portion houses the biosensors used in magnetic based location and mapping systems and the electrical lead necessary to communicate between the biosensor and the mapping system. The reusable portion may also contain a portion of the electrode necessary to receive electrical signals from the body of the patient. The disposable portion of the patch and sensor assembly contains an adhesive covered flexible patch having at least a portion of the electrode used to receive electrical signals form the body of the patient and may contain the electrical lead necessary to communicate such an electrical signal to the mapping system. The disposable portion contains a receptacle adapted to receive and mechanically secure the reusable portion to the disposable portion of the assembly.

Abstract: A device for application of a self-adhesive product, wherein the device operates with at least a first step and a second step. The first step and second step being temporally separate. A device for application of a flowable product includes a first section and a second section, the first section being sized such that at least a portion of the first section fits within the second section, the first section being slidable relative to the second section. A device includes a first section having a protrusion extending from its outer surface that fits through a slot in the second section.

Abstract: A device employed by a user for applying a self-adhesive product to a surface may include an outer housing configured for gripping by a single hand of the user, the outer housing having a distal end, and a volume of self-adhesive product disposed within the outer housing. An automatic dispensing mechanism is disposed within the outer housing and operatively coupled to the outer housing and the volume of self-adhesive product, the automatic dispensing mechanism configured to advance at least a portion of the volume of self-adhesive product through the outer housing distal end in response to a manual actuation force applied to the outer housing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to certain 1-substituted-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-3-benzazepine derivatives of Formula (I), that are modulators of the 5HT2C receptor. Accordingly, compounds of the present invention are useful for the prophylaxis or treatment of 5HT2C receptor associated diseases, conditions or disorders, such as, obesity and related disorders.

Abstract: The present invention relates to certain 1-substituted-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-3-benzazepine derivatives of Formula (I), that are modulators of the 5HT2C receptor. Accordingly, compounds of the present invention are useful for the prophylaxis or treatment of 5HT2C receptor associated diseases, conditions or disorders, such as, obesity and related disorders.

Abstract: A pressure regulator valve has a housing that defines a fluid passage and a flat seat disposed around an opening of the fluid passage and exit ports. A pin with a raised conforming elastomeric embossment that contacts the seat when the valve is closed is axially disposed in the housing. The pin is biased to maintain the elastomeric embossment in contact with the seat to maintain the valve closed and control an opening pressure of the valve. Flow of fluid through and out of the pressure regulator valve housing is controlled through adjustment of a level of this biasing. The fluid flows across the flat seat and between the flat seat and the embossment when the valve is open in such a manner that the flow is generally laminar and such that the valve minimizes pressure gain at the onset of flow.