Abstract: A process for manufacturing an electrical lead having one or more electrodes includes providing an elongate member having at least one polymeric region and further having at least one electrical conductor that extends along at least a part of a length of the elongate member and that is contained in a wall of the elongate member. A length of the at least one electrical conductor is accessed at the at least one polymeric region. An electrically conductive adhesive is applied to the length of the at least one electrical conductor that has been accessed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting a subsurface cavity. A source applies a force to ground under inspection and a plurality of sensors coupled to the ground detect resulting surface waves. A processor is configured to extract phase and frequency components of the acquired seismic data, identify a phase shift in surface waves in the ground under inspection based on the extracted phase and frequency components, and determine one or more physical characteristics of a subsurface cavity based on the identified phase shift.

Abstract: An irrigation catheter assembly comprises an electrode sheath mount for mounting an electrode sheath. The mount has a laterally arranged aperture defined in it through which conductors for electrodes of the electrode sheath pass, in use. A connector, to which a source of irrigation fluid is connectable, is connected to a proximal end of the electrode sheath mount. The connector communicates with an interior of the mount so that, in use, fluid passes through the lumen of the electrode sheath to be delivered to a distal end of the electrode sheath.

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 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 deflectable stylet for a catheter includes an elongate deflectable member with a bend-enhancing region defined at a distal part of the deflectable member. An actuator has a distal end. 1 fast with a distal end of the deflectable member, relative displacement between the actuator and the deflectable member causing deflection of the distal part of the deflectable member at the bend-enhancing region. A control member is displaceably arranged relative to the deflectable member, the control member interacting with the bend-enhancing region of the deflectable member for controlling the extent of deflection of the distal part of the deflectable member.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing an electrical lead having one or more electrodes includes providing an elongate member having at least one polymeric region and further having at least one electrical conductor that extends along at least a part of a length of the elongate member and that is contained in a wall of the elongate member. A length of the at least one electrical conductor is accessed at the at least one polymeric region. An electrically conductive adhesive is applied to the length of the at least one electrical conductor that has been accessed.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing an electrical lead having one or more electrodes includes providing an elongate member having at least one polymeric region and further having at least one electrical conductor that extends along at least a part of a length of the elongate member and that is contained in a wall of the elongate member. A length of the at least one electrical conductor is accessed at the at least one polymeric region. An electrically conductive adhesive is applied to the length of the at least one electrical conductor that has been accessed.

Abstract: A modular catheter includes an elongate tubular member having a proximal end and a closed, distal end. A lumen extends from the proximal end to the distal end and a plurality of electrodes are arranged at, or adjacent, the distal end, conductors for the electrodes being contained within a wall of the tubular member. An elongate shape-imparting mechanism is removably received within the lumen of the tubular member such that a distal end of the shape-imparting mechanism is substantially in register with the distal end of the tubular member. A control device has a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the tubular member and a proximal end of the shape-imparting mechanism being releasably connectable to the distal end of the control device.

Abstract: A modular catheter includes an elongate tubular member having a proximal end and a closed, distal end. A lumen extends from the proximal end to the distal end and a plurality of electrodes are arranged at, or adjacent, the distal end, conductors for the electrodes being contained within a wall of the tubular member. An elongate shape-imparting mechanism is removably received within the lumen of the tubular member such that a distal end of the shape-imparting mechanism is substantially in register with the distal end of the tubular member. A control device has a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the tubular member and a proximal end of the shape-imparting mechanism being releasably connectable to the distal end of the control device.

Abstract: A modular catheter includes an elongate tubular member having a proximal end and a closed, distal end. A lumen extends from the proximal end to the distal end and a plurality of electrodes are arranged at, or adjacent, the distal end, conductors for the electrodes being contained within a wall of the tubular member. An elongate shape-imparting mechanism is removably received within the lumen of the tubular member such that a distal end of the shape-imparting mechanism is substantially in register with the distal end of the tubular member. A control device has a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the tubular member and a proximal end of the shape-imparting mechanism being releasably connectable to the distal end of the control device.

Abstract: A multi-electrode lead comprises an elongate carrier having a longitudinal axis. A plurality of electrical conductors is carried by the carrier, a plurality of electrodes being connected in spaced relationship to each conductor. The electrodes are arranged at axially spaced intervals along the carrier so that, along the length of the carrier, any one electrode associated with any one of the conductors only once has an electrode associated with another one of the conductors adjacent to that any one electrode. In another aspect of the invention, an ablating device comprises an elongate tubular sleeve for effecting spot ablation of tissue, a sensing electrode catheter being receivable in a passage of a sleeve for assisting in positioning of an ablating electrode, in use. Preferably, the sensing electrode catheter is the multi-electrode lead of the first aspect of the invention.

Abstract: An ablation catheter 10 includes an elongate carrier 12. A first loop 14.1 is arranged at, or adjacent, a distal end of the carrier 12. At least one sensing electrode 40 is carried on the first loop 14.1 for sensing irregular electrical activity in a patient's body. At least one further loop 14.2 is arranged proximally relative to the first loop 14.1 on the carrier 12 in a fixed orientation relative to the first loop 14.1. At least one ablating electrode 42 is carried on the second loop 14.2 for ablating a site of the patient's body where irregular electrical activity occurs.

Abstract: An ablation catheter 10 includes an elongate carrier 12. A first loop 14.1 is arranged at, or adjacent, a distal end of the carrier 12. At least one sensing electrode 40 is carried on the first loop 14.1 for sensing irregular electrical activity in a patient's body. At least one further loop 14.2 is arranged proximally relative to the first loop 14.1 on the carrier 12 in a fixed orientation relative to the first loop 14.1. At least one ablating electrode 42 is carried on the second loop 14.2 for ablating a site of the patient's body where irregular electrical activity occurs.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing an electrical lead (10) having one or more electrodes (11) includes providing an elongate member (14) having at least one polymeric region and further having at least one electrical conductor (13) that extends along at least a part of a length of the elongate member (14) and that is contained in a wall of the elongate member. A length of the at least one electrical conductor (13) is accessed at the at least one polymeric region (34). An electrically conductive adhesive (15) is applied to the length of the at least one electrical conductor (13) that has been accessed.

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: An irrigation catheter assembly (10) comprises an electrode sheath mount (14) for mounting an electrode sheath (36). The mount (14) has a laterally arranged aperture (52) defined in it through which conductors for electrodes of the electrode sheath pass, in use A connector (16), to which a source of irrigation fluid is connectable, is connected to a proximal end of the electrode sheath mount (14). The connector (16) communicates with an interior of the mount (14) so that, in use, fluid passes through the lumen of the electrode sheath to be delivered to a distal end of the electrode sheath.

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 deflectable stylet 10 for a catheter includes an elongate deflectable member 12 with a bend-enhancing region 20 defined at a distal part of the deflectable member 12. An actuator 16 has a distal end 16.1 fast with a distal end 12.1 of the deflectable member 12, relative displacement between the actuator 16 and the deflectable member 12 causing deflection of the distal part of the deflectable member 12 at the bend-enhancing region 20. A control member 18 is displaceably arranged relative to the deflectable member 12, the control member 18 interacting with the bend-enhancing region 20 of the deflectable member 12 for controlling the extent of deflection of the distal part of the deflectable member 12.