Abstract: The present disclosure includes an electrosurgical apparatus for treating tissue at a target site. The apparatus has a shaft with a proximal end and a distal portion, the distal portion comprising a return electrode and electrode support. There is also at least one active electrode on the shaft distal portion, which has a proximal portion and a distal portion and a plurality of aspiration apertures disposed therebetween. These apertures are fluidly connected to a fluid aspiration cavity that is located within the electrode support, and the cavity is connected with a fluid aspiration element that is located along the shaft. The plurality of apertures vary in size and are generally arranged so that the larger sized apertures are disposed towards the electrode proximal portion and the smaller sized apertures are generally located towards the electrode distal portion.

Abstract: A tool for slitting an elongate sheath from about an elongate member that is disposed within a longitudinally extending lumen of the sheath includes a longitudinally extending tail portion projecting rearward of a slitting edge and a nose portion of the tool; a lower surface of the nose portion is disposed beneath the slitting edge for engaging a portion of the elongate member. The tail portion of the tool, approximately aligned with the sheath lumen when the lower surface engages the elongate member and a leading edge of the nose portion is within the sheath lumen, is sized to fit within the sheath lumen after the sheath is slit by the slitting edge. A passageway between the nose portion and the tail portion allows a proximal segment of the elongate member to bend away from the tail portion when the elongate member is engaged by the nose portion.

Abstract: An electromagnetic receiver assembly is included in a navigation element for a therapy delivery system. If the system is modular, the navigation element may be an insertable module thereof and/or include a lumen to receive another insertable module.

Abstract: Steerable electrophysiology catheters for use in mapping and/or ablation of accessory pathways in myocardial tissue of the heart wall and methods of use thereof are disclosed. The catheter comprises a catheter body and handle, the catheter body having a proximal section and a distal section and manipulators that enable the deflection of a distal segment of the distal tip section with respect to the independently formed curvature of a proximal segment of the distal tip section through a bending or knuckle motion of an intermediate segment between the proximal and distal segments. A wide angular range of deflection within a very small curve or bend radius in the intermediate segment is obtained. At least one distal tip electrode is preferably confined to the distal segment which can have a straight axis extending distally from the intermediate segment. The curvature of the proximal segment and the bending angle of the intermediate segment are independently selectable.

Abstract: A medical therapy delivery device that includes a shaft formed by an outer layer and a deflectable tip that includes a tapered portion. A manipulator wire extends through the shaft to adjust deflection of a second portion of the shaft relative to a first portion. The outer layer forms a single shaft lumen having a first lumen portion positioned about a thru lumen tubing and a second lumen portion, offset from and in fluid communication with the first lumen portion, the second lumen portion having a first side wall, a second side wall and a bottom wall extending between the first side wall and the second side wall, the thru lumen tubing. The first side wall, the second side wall and the bottom wall position the manipulator wire within the second lumen portion.

Abstract: A method of locating a target site for delivering a therapy to a patient that includes advancing a delivery device having a steerable portion and a deflectable tip having a tapered portion to an area along a first site. A contrast media is delivered through a thru lumen and outward from a distal end of the delivery device in fluid communication with the thru lumen to position the contrast media along the first site and the delivery device is further advanced toward the first site and within the first site, or the delivery device is further advanced toward the first site and within the first site without the contrast. The contrast media is then delivered from the distal end of the delivery device within the first site to locate the target site.