Abstract: A catheter for facilitating intracardiac atrial defibrillation that includes an elongated flexible member that has a proximal end and a distal end is disclosed. Three spaced apart electrode arrays are secured around the periphery of the flexible member in a predetermined pattern so that a first electrode array is positioned within the superior vena cava, a second electrode array is positioned within the right atrium, and a third electrode array is positioned within the coronary sinus. Alternatively, the third electrode array may be positioned in the right ventricle rather than the coronary sinus. Electrical leads extend through the proximal end of the flexible member to supply electrical current to the electrode arrays, thereby defibrillating or cardioverting the heart. In other embodiments, a balloon envelope is also secured to the periphery of the flexible member adjacent the distal end.

Abstract: A catheter for facilitating intracardiac atrial defibrillation that includes an elongated flexible member that has a proximal end and a distal end is disclosed. Three spaced apart electrode arrays are secured around the periphery of the flexible member in a predetermined pattern so that a first electrode array is positioned within the superior vena cava, a second electrode array is positioned within the right atrium, and a third electrode array is positioned within the coronary sinus. Alternatively, the third electrode array may be positioned in the right ventricle rather than the coronary sinus. Electrical leads extend through the proximal end of the flexible member to supply electrical current to the electrode arrays, thereby defibrillating or cardioverting the heart.

Abstract: A catheter for indirect left atrial mapping from the left pulmonary artery is disclosed. The catheter includes an elongated flexible member with a distal end and a proximal end. Located at the distal end is a balloon and an array of mapping electrodes. Located at the proximal end is a manifold to which various ports are secured. In a second embodiment, the catheter differs from the first embodiment in that interspersed within the array of mapping electrodes are defibrillation electrodes. Also, located proximally of the array of mapping electrodes is an array of defibrillation electrodes. In a third embodiment, the catheter differs from the first embodiment in that five defibrillation electrodes are located between the array of mapping electrodes and the balloon. Located proximally of the array of mapping electrodes is an array of defibrillation electrodes.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a flexible electrode catheter is disclosed. The process involves coating the catheter with an adhesive without affecting the integrity of the polymer substrate of the catheter. The process includes the steps of corona plasma treating a catheter, coating the catheter with an adhesive, baking the adhesive on the catheter, creating radial indents, and removing portions of the coating from the indented areas so that conduction between the different electrodes is broken. Portholes are then punched into the indented conductive areas and magnetic wires are inserted through the catheter and wrapped around the indented conductive areas. A small amount of formulated silver paint is then placed around the coiled magnetic wires. The entire indent, which includes the coiled wire and the area where the coating was removed, is then filled in radially with an adhesive coating.

Abstract: A catheter for facilitating intracardiac atrial defibrillation that includes an elongated flexible member that has a proximal end and a distal end is disclosed. Three spaced apart electrode arrays are secured around the periphery of the flexible member in a predetermined pattern so that a first electrode array is positioned within the superior vena cava, a second electrode array is positioned within the right atrium, and a third electrode array is positioned within the coronary sinus. Alternatively, the third electrode array may be positioned in the right ventricle rather than the coronary sinus. Electrical leads extend through the proximal end of the flexible member to supply electrical current to the electrode arrays, thereby defibrillating or cardioverting the heart.

Abstract: A defibrillation electrophysiology catheter for stimulating the heart and sensing the resulting activity of the heart for determining a patient's potential to have an arrhythmia occur under uncontrolled circumstances and for defibrillating the heart if fibrillation occurs accidentally during the testing is disclosed. The catheter is provided with electrodes formed on the distal surface of the catheter which is placed near the patient's heart. The electrodes may be placed on the catheter in a variety of configurations. An external electrode in the form of a patch or pad is placed on the patient's back. Energy is applied to the system in order to shock the heart and defibrillate the same. The procedure is less invasive than the procedures requiring the electrodes to be implanted at or near the patient's heart and chest wall and requires less energy and time than the procedures requiring the use of two external paddles.

Abstract: A catheter has a flexible, elongate, substantially cylindrical catheter body with at least one lumen extending from the proximal end toward the distal end. One or more radial passages intersect the lumen from the outer surface of the catheter body. A conductive lead is threaded through the lumen and passage to the outer surface of the catheter where it is circumferentially wrapped about the catheter to form a lead portion. A metal sleeve electrode is rotationally swaged over the lead portion in electrically conductive contact with the lead portion. A plurality of lead portions may be formed circumferentially about a catheter body by threading the conductive lead out of a passage around the catheter and back into the passage and lumen to another passage where another lead portion is formed.

Abstract: A defibrillation electrophysiology catheter for stimulating the heart and sensing the resulting activity of the heart for determining a patient's potential to have an arrhythmia occur under uncontrolled circumstances and for defibrillating the heart if fibrillation occurs accidentally during the testing is disclosed. The catheter is provided with electrodes formed on the distal surface of the catheter which is placed near the patient's heart. The electrodes may be placed on the catheter in a variety of configurations. An external electrode in the form of a patch or pad is placed on the patient's back. Energy is applied to the system in order to shock the heart and defibrillate the same. The procedure is less invasive than the procedures requiring the electrodes to be implanted at or near the patient's heart and chest wall and requires less energy and time than the procedures requiring the use of two external paddles.

Abstract: A defibrillation electrophysiology catheter for stimulating the heart and sensing the resulting activity of the heart for determining a patient's potential to have an arrhythmia occur under uncontrolled circumstances and for defibrillating the heart if fibrillation occurs accidentally during the testing is disclosed. The catheter is provided with electrodes formed on the distal surface of the catheter which is placed near the patient's heart. The electrodes may be placed on the catheter in a variety of configurations. An external electrode in the form of a patch or pad is placed on the patient's back. Energy is applied to the system in order to shock the heart and defibrillate the same. The procedure is less invasive than the procedures requiring the electrodes to be implanted at or near the patient's heart and chest wall and requires less energy and time than the procedures requiring the use of two external paddles.

Abstract: A single-use, disposable electrophysiology catheter having an elongated flexible tube with a proximal end and a distal end and a cable permanently secured to the proximal end via a connector is disclosed. The cable has a length of approximately four feet and is in the form of a folded ribbon, encased in a perforated plastic wrap until it is ready to be used. In this manner, the cable remains sterile until it is ready to be used. When the cable is needed, the wrap is torn along the perforation by pulling on the cable. The cable also has an adapter on its proximal end which may be used to attach an extension cable if a greater length is necessary.

Abstract: A catheter has an electrically conductive material coated, deposited, or otherwise formed directly on the outer surface of the catheter. Preferably, an outer electrode is formed by ion-beam assisted deposition using a preselected metal for efficient vaporization onto the designated surface region of the catheter body. Alternatively, the electrically conductive coating may be formed by sputtering the metal onto that region of the catheter, vacuum deposition, spraying, or printing the electrically conductive material onto the entire surface region. Portions of the coating may be removed by directing a laser beam onto the outer surface of the catheter and ablating such portions.

Abstract: A steerable catheter comprises an elongated flexible member that has a proximal end and a distal end. The flexible member further has a plurality of lumens which extend from the proximal end to the distal end thereof. In one embodiment, a stylet is slidably receivable in one of the lumens and has a bent portion formed along the length thereof. The bent portion causes a segment of the flexible member in contact with the same to bend. In a second embodiment, the stylet is straight and the flexible member has a bent portion. In yet another embodiment, both the stylet and flexible member include a bent portion. A plurality of electrodes are secured around the periphery of the flexible member in a predetermined pattern. A plurality of electrical leads extend through the proximal end of the flexible member and through a corresponding one of the plurality of lumens. The electrical leads are adapted to supply electrical current to the electrodes.

Abstract: A catheter for facilitating intracardiac atrial defibrillation includes an elongated flexible member that has a proximal end and a distal end. The flexible member further has a plurality of lumens that extend from the proximal end to the distal end thereof. An opening is formed through the flexible member adjacent the distal end thereof. One of the lumens communicates with the opening. A balloon envelope is secured to the periphery of flexible member and surrounds the opening. Connected to one end of the lumen associated with the opening is an air inlet tube. A syringe is provided to supply air through the inlet tube, through the lumen and out the opening in order to inflate the balloon envelope. A plurality of spaced apart electrode bands are secured around the periphery of the flexible member in a predetermined pattern. A plurality of electrical leads extend through the proximal end of the flexible member and through corresponding lumens to supply electrical current to the electrode bands.