Abstract: A catheter sheath comprises a tubular member connected to a catheter handle, the tubular sheath including one or more electrical conductors and one or more electrode rings attached to the tip of the tubular member. The tubular member further includes at least one opening that allows the one or more electrical conductors to be electrically connected to the one or more electrode rings. The electrode ring is slid over the tubular member so as to cover the at least one opening. The tubular member and the electrode ring are subjected to heat treatment by induction heating so that the material of the tubular member melts locally around the electrode ring to form a seal between the tubular member and the electrode ring.

Abstract: A shape-imparting mechanism for a catheter that includes an elongate element dimensioned to fit within a lumen of an electrode sheath of a catheter. An insertion facilitating arrangement is carried at a distal end of the elongate element for facilitating insertion of the distal end of the elongate element into the lumen of the electrode sheath of the catheter.

Abstract: A catheter handle includes a handle body. A steering control mechanism is displaceably carried on the handle body. An electrode sheath carrier is carried on the handle body, the electrode sheath carrier being displaceable at least relative to the steering control mechanism.

Abstract: A steering mechanism for a catheter includes a tubular member defining a passage. The tubular member has a longitudinally extending, bend-enhancing portion formed at a predetermined region of the tubular member. An actuator is received in the passage of the tubular member, with the distal part of the actuator being fastened to a distal part of the tubular member.

Abstract: A catheter sheath comprises a tubular member connected to a catheter handle, the tubular sheath including one or more electrical conductors and one or more electrode rings attached to the tip of the tubular member. The tubular member further includes at least one opening that allows the one or more electrical conductor to be electrically connected to the one or more electrode rings. The electrode ring is slid over the tubular member so as to cover the opening. The tubular member and the electrode ring are subjected to heat treatment by induction heating so that the material of the tubular member melts locally around the electrode ring to form a seal between the tubular member and the electrode ring.

Abstract: A shape imparting mechanism (10) for a catheter includes an elongate element (12) dimensioned to fit within a lumen of an electrode sheath 14 of a catheter. An insertion facilitating arrangement (22) is carried at a distal end of the elongate element (12) for facilitating insertion of the distal end of the elongate element (12) into the lumen of the electrode sheath (14) of the catheter.

Abstract: A steering mechanism (10) for a catheter includes tubular member (12) defining passage (14). The tubular member (12) has longitudinally extending, bend-enhancing portion (18) formed at predetermined region of the tubular member (12). Actuator (16) is received in the passage (14) of tubular member (12), distal part (16.2) of actuator (16) being fast with a distal part (20) of the tubular member (12).

Abstract: A single use, deflectable stylet 10 for use in a catheter includes a deflectable portion 12 of a flexible material. An actuator 14 is attached to the deflectable portion 12, manipulation of the actuator 14 relative to the deflectable portion 12 causing deflection of the deflectable portion 12. The stylet 10 further includes a stiffening element 16 with the deflectable portion 12 being associated with a distal region of the stiffening element 16, the stiffening element 16 being sufficiently stiff in torsion to convert proximal rotation into substantially equivalent distal rotation.

Abstract: A catheter handle 10 includes a handle body (12). A steering control mechanism (14) is displaceably carried on the handle body (12). An electrode sheath carrier (16) is carried on the handle body (12), the electrode sheath carrier (16) being displaceable at least relative to the steering control mechanism (14).

Abstract: A formable stylet 10 includes an elongate body member 12 of a flexible material, the body member having a proximal end 14 and a distal end 16. The body member 12 has a distal portion 18 of reduced stiffness in comparison with the remainder of the body member 12, the distal portion 18 being able to be manipulated into a desired configuration.

Abstract: A composite comprising a thermoplastic matrix, a cellulosic reinforcement phase and a coupling agent for improving the interaction between the thermoplastic matrix and cellulosic phase where the coupling agent is selected from compounds comprising one or more reactive nitrogen groups.

Abstract: A composite comprising a thermoplastic matrix, a cellulosic reinforcement phase and a coupling agent for improving the interaction between the thermoplastic matrix and cellulosic phase where the coupling agent is selected from compounds comprising one or more reactive nitrogen groups.