Abstract: A spring assembly usable with an intravascular catheter can include a tubular body, two mounting surfaces, and a compressible framework. The tubular body extends along a longitudinal axis and is sized to traverse vasculature. Each mounting surface can be configured to engage a substantially planar electrical circuit and is positioned in the tubular body each in a respective plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The mounting surfaces face toward each other in opposite directions. The compressible framework extends between the first and second mounting surfaces. The spring assembly can further include a pair of electrical circuits mounted to the pair mounting surfaces. Each electrical circuit can include an inductive coil such that the pair of electrical circuits is a distance transducer. A change in distance between the pair of electrical circuits can be detected when the compressible framework is compressed and/or bent.

Abstract: A flexible circuit including a first segment including a base section of the flexible circuit; a second segment including a lateral wall section; a transition section between the base and lateral wall sections, the transition section being at least partially positioned adjacent a shared region of the base and lateral wall sections; and one or more electrode regions including a respective electrode, the one or more electrode regions being positioned at least partially in the transition section and the second segment.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a catheter tip by electroplating a conductive material over an insert comprising a negative to a domelike shape thereby forming a shape of the catheter tip comprising a dome with the domelike shape, selectively positioning a plurality of irrigation holes between outer and inner surfaces of the catheter tip, removing the insert thereby leaving the catheter tip and the plurality of irrigation holes, and electropolishing the catheter tip. In other examples, the insert is not removed and instead the step of electroplating causes the insert to be encapsulated with the conductive material thereby forming the catheter tip.

Abstract: A catheter and associated positioning system can include sensors and software to ascertain the extent of expansion of an expandable distal member of the catheter. Sensors on the distal member can be configured so that the system is able to determine a longitudinal dimension and a radial dimension of the distal-end assembly and determine extent of expansion of the distal member based on those metrics. At least the longitudinal dimension can be derived from advanced current localization (ACL) techniques utilizing an electrode at a distal end of the expandable distal member.

Abstract: A flexible circuit including a first segment including a base section of the flexible circuit; a second segment including a lateral wall section; a transition section between the base and lateral wall sections, the transition section being at least partially positioned adjacent a shared region of the base and lateral wall sections; and one or more electrode regions including a respective electrode, the one or more electrode regions being positioned at least partially in the transition section and the second segment.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a catheter tip by electroplating a conductive material over an insert comprising a negative to a domelike shape thereby forming a shape of the catheter tip comprising a dome with the domelike shape, selectively positioning a plurality of irrigation holes between outer and inner surfaces of the catheter tip, removing the insert thereby leaving the catheter tip and the plurality of irrigation holes, and electropolishing the catheter tip. In other examples, the insert is not removed and instead the step of electroplating causes the insert to be encapsulated with the conductive material thereby forming the catheter tip.

Abstract: Ablation and diagnostic tools having a wrapped flexible circuit are provided. The wrapped flexible circuit can include one or more electrodes on a surface layer, one or more conductive traces on one or more lower layers, and an electrically insulating substrate. The surface layer can be patterned to have multiple electrodes. The lower layer(s) can include electrode contact trace(s) and/or traces for forming thermocouple junctions. The wrapped flexible circuit can be affixed to an outer surface of a metallic tube. The electrodes can be electrically isolated from the metallic tube. The metallic tube can have a sharp end to puncture tissue during ablation or intravascular diagnostic procedure. Additionally, or alternatively, the wrapped flexible circuit can have a pointed end and sufficient structural integrity to puncture tissue during ablation or intravascular diagnostic procedure without the support of a metallic tube.

Abstract: A spring assembly usable with an intravascular catheter can include a tubular body, two mounting surfaces, and a compressible framework. The tubular body extends along a longitudinal axis and is sized to traverse vasculature. Each mounting surface can be configured to engage a substantially planar electrical circuit and is positioned in the tubular body each in a respective plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The mounting surfaces face toward each other in opposite directions. The compressible framework extends between the first and second mounting surfaces. The spring assembly can further include a pair of electrical circuits mounted to the pair mounting surfaces. Each electrical circuit can include an inductive coil such that the pair of electrical circuits is a distance transducer. A change in distance between the pair of electrical circuits can be detected when the compressible framework is compressed and/or bent.