Abstract: A catheter for insertion in the ostium of the coronary sinus in the right atrium comprised of a main reinforced portion, an intermediate zone portion and a soft tip portion wherein a portion of the catheter is curved in a double curve, wherein the first curve is a first longitudinal curve, wherein the second curve is a second longitudinal curve, wherein the second longitudinal curve is curved in approximately the same direction as the first longitudinal curve and wherein the first and second longitudinal curves are generally coplanar.

Abstract: A catheter for insertion in the ostium of the coronary sinus in the right atrium comprised of a main reinforced portion, an intermediate zone portion and a soft tip portion wherein a portion of the catheter is curved in a double curve, wherein the first curve is a first longitudinal curve, wherein the second curve is a second longitudinal curve, wherein the second longitudinal curve is curved in approximately the same direction as the first longitudinal curve and wherein the first and second longitudinal curves are generally coplanar.

Abstract: A guiding introducer system for use in the right atrium comprised of an inner guiding introducer and an outer guiding introducer wherein the inner guiding introducer is comprised of a first and second section and the outer guiding introducer is comprised of a first, second and third section. The guiding introducer system is for use in sensing, pacing, and ablating procedures within the right atrium of the human heart.

Abstract: A guiding introducer for use in the right atrium comprised of a first, second and third section wherein the first section is a generally elongated straight section wherein merged with the distal end of the first section is a second section which is curved upward in a longitudinal curve wherein the distal end of the second section is merged with the third section. The guiding introducer is for use in sensing, pacing and ablating procedures in the right atrium of the human heart.

Abstract: A guiding introducer for use with an endomyocardial biopsy forceps is disclosed. The guiding introducer is precurved to assist in the support and placement of biopsy forceps or a bioptome in the correct location within the heart for biopsy procedures, preferably the right ventricle.

Abstract: A guiding introducer system for use in the left atrium comprised of an inner guiding introducer and an outer guiding introducer wherein the inner guiding introducer is comprised of a first and second section and the outer guiding introducer is comprised of a first and second sections. The guiding introducer system is for use in sensing, pacing, and ablating procedures within the left atrium of the human heart.

Abstract: A catheter for insertion in the ostium of the coronary sinus in the right atrium comprised of a main reinforced portion, an intermediate zone portion and a soft tip portion wherein a portion of the catheter is curved in a double curve, wherein the first curve is a first longitudinal curve, wherein the second curve is a second longitudinal curve, wherein the second longitudinal curve is curved in approximately the same direction as the first longitudinal curve and wherein the first and second longitudinal curves are generally coplanar.

Abstract: A guiding introducer for use in the left atrium comprised of a first, second and third section wherein the first section is a generally elongated straight section wherein merged with the distal end of the first section is a second section which is curved in a compound curve, first curving upward in a first longitudinal curve and simultaneously curving to the right in a second longitudinal curve, wherein the second section merges with the third section wherein said third section is a third longitudinal curve wherein the plane of the third section is angled upward at an angle of approximately 25 to about 60 degrees from the plane of the first section and wherein substantially all of the third section is coplanar.

Abstract: A catheter for mapping and ablating cardiac tissue comprising an elongated catheter body with proximal and distal ends and an electrode comprising an electrode conductor and a helical electrode comprising a series of turns which is secured to the catheter body near its distal end, wherein at least a portion of the circumference of the turns of the helical electrode portion is uncoated. Also disclosed is a process for ablating human tissue wherein a helical electrode secured to a catheter body near its distal end is utilized for an ablating procedure.

Abstract: A catheter for insertion in the ostium of the coronary sinus in the right atrium comprised of a main reinforced portion, an intermediate zone portion and a soft tip portion, wherein a portion of the catheter is curved in a compound curve formed by a first and second curve, wherein the second curve may be curved in the same direction as the first curve or out of a plane formed by the first curve.

Abstract: A guiding introducer system for use in the right atrium comprised of an inner guiding introducer and an outer guiding introducer wherein the inner guiding introducer is comprised of a first and second section and the outer guiding introducer is comprised of a first, second and third section. The guiding introducer system is for use in sensing, pacing, and ablating procedures within the right atrium of the human heart.

Abstract: A guiding introducer system for use in the left atrium comprised of an inner guiding introducer and an outer guiding introducer wherein the inner guiding introducer is comprised of a first and second section and the outer guiding introducer is comprised of a first and second sections. The guiding introducer system is for use in sensing, pacing, and ablating procedures within the left atrium of the human heart.

Abstract: A catheter for insertion in the ostium of the coronary sinus in the right atrium comprised of a main reinforced portion, an intermediate zone portion and a soft tip portion wherein a portion of the catheter is curved in a double curve, wherein the first curve is a first longitudinal curve, wherein the second curve is a second longitudinal curve, wherein the second longitudinal curve is curved in approximately the same direction as the first longitudinal curve and wherein the first and second longitudinal curves are generally coplanar.

Abstract: A guiding introducer for in the left atrium comprised of a first, second and third section wherein the first section is a generally elongated straight section wherein merged with the distal end of the first section is a second section which is curved in a compound curve, first curving upward in a first longitudinal curve and simultaneously curving to the right in a second longitudinal curve, wherein the second section merges with the third section wherein said third section is a third longitudinal curve wherein the plane of the third section is angled upward at an angle of approximately 25 to about 60 degrees from the plane of the first section and wherein substantially all of the third section is coplanar.

Abstract: A guiding introducer for use in the right atrium comprised of a first, second and third section wherein the first section is a generally elongated straight section wherein merged with the distal end of the first section is a second section which is curved upward in a longitudinal curve wherein the distal end of the second section is merged with the third section. The guiding introducer is for use in sensing, pacing and ablating procedures in the right atrium of the human heart.

Abstract: A catheter for insertion in the ostium of the coronary sinus in the right atrium comprised of a main reinforced portion, an intermediate zone portion and a soft tip portion wherein a portion of the catheter is curved in a double curve, wherein the first curve is a first longitudinal curve, wherein the second curve is a second longitudinal curve, wherein the second longitudinal curve is curved in approximately the same direction as the first longitudinal curve and wherein the first and second longitudinal curves are generally coplanar.

Abstract: A steerable catheter comprised of an elongated catheter body containing one or more lumen; a catheter tip fixedly secured to the distal end of the catheter body and a steerable catheter handle attached to the proximal end of the catheter body wherein said steerable catheter handle is comprised of a mounting shaft containing a geared slide, a slide block, a slide block adjustment screw, and an adjustment screw guide; an adjustment knob comprised of a geared inset and an external rotation element for rotating the adjustment knob, a handle grip which fits over the mounting shaft and electrical connectors for attachment to the proximal end of the mounting shaft and which contain electrode electrical wires.

Abstract: A device for determining the location of the wall of an artery in a living being via a percutaeous incision or puncture. The device comprises an elongated tubular member having a distal end portion, a proximal end portion, and a passageway extending therethrough for receipt of a guide wire. The device is inserted through an introducer sheath having an open distal end into said percutaneous incision or puncture over said guide wire so its distal end portion is located within the artery and its proximal end portion is located outside of the body of the being. The has two liquid entrance ports in its distal end portion and one liquid outlet port in its proximal end portion. The liquid entrance ports and outlet port are in communication with each other through the device's passageway.

Abstract: Locking dilator and peel away introducer sheath assembly for preventing undesired rearward migration of a dilator within an introducer sheath to insure a proper longitudinal relationship. The dilator has secured to its proximal end a gripping clamp for holding securely the handle of the introducer sheath to accommodate placement of the dilator and introducer sheath into an appropriate location within a patient resulting in minimal tissue damage and trauma.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a hemostasis valve which is formed of a longitudinally extended valve housing having a first opening and a central longitudinal passage communicating with an opposite second opening. A cap is provided for enclosing the first opening of the housing, said cap having a hole to permit insertion of a catheter. Also provided is a one-piece seal located within the longitudinally extended housing, said seal comprising a sealing neck having a relatively small opening therein, communicating with a sealing chamber having opposing sealing exit lips which are both readily expandable and support shoulders on the outside of said seal adjacent to the sealing neck to provide support for the seal.