Abstract: A surgical apparatus for delivering a conductive fluid to a target site for subsequent formation of a virtual electrode to ablate bodily tissue at the target site by applying a current to the delivered conductive fluid. The surgical apparatus includes an elongated device forming a helical needle. The helical needle is configured to engage bodily tissue and is hollow for delivering conductive fluid from a fluid source. Finally, the helical needle terminates in a needle tip. In one preferred embodiment, an electrode is associated with the helical needle for applying a current to conductive fluid delivered from the helical needle. During use, following delivery of conductive fluid, the electrode applies a current to the delivered conductive fluid for creating a virtual electrode. The virtual electrode ablates bodily tissue contacted by the conductive fluid.

Abstract: A device for ablating tissue is provided. The device comprises a conductive element with a channel for irrigating fluid formed therein, which is in contact with a non-conductive microporous interface. All or a portion of the interface may be removable. When the interface is removed, a portion of the conductive element is exposed for use in ablating tissue. Methods of using the device and of removing the interface are also provided.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus for delivering a conductive fluid to a target site for subsequent formation of a virtual electrode to ablate bodily tissue at the target site by applying a current to the delivered conductive fluid. The surgical apparatus includes an elongated device forming a helical needle. The helical needle is configured to engage bodily tissue and is hollow for delivering conductive fluid from a fluid source. Finally, the helical needle terminates in a needle tip. In one preferred embodiment, an electrode is associated with the helical needle for applying a current to conductive fluid delivered from the helical needle. During use, following delivery of conductive fluid, the electrode applies a current to the delivered conductive fluid for creating a virtual electrode. The virtual electrode ablates bodily tissue contacted by the conductive fluid.

Abstract: A device for ablating tissue is provided. The device comprises a conductive element with a channel for irrigating fluid formed therein, which is in contact with a non-conductive microporous interface. All or a portion of the interface may be removable. When the interface is removed, a portion of the conductive element is exposed for use in ablating tissue. Methods of using the device and of removing the interface are also provided.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus for delivering a conductive fluid to a target site for subsequent formation of a virtual electrode to ablate bodily tissue at the target site by applying a current to the delivered conductive fluid. The surgical apparatus includes an elongated device forming a helical needle. The helical needle is configured to engage bodily tissue and is hollow for delivering conductive fluid from a fluid source. Finally, the helical needle terminates in a needle tip. In one preferred embodiment, an electrode is associated with the helical needle for applying a current to conductive fluid delivered from the helical needle. During use, following delivery of conductive fluid, the electrode applies a current to the delivered conductive fluid for creating a virtual electrode. The virtual electrode ablates bodily tissue contacted by the conductive fluid.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus for delivering a conductive fluid to a target site for subsequent formation of a virtual electrode to ablate bodily tissue at the target site by applying a current to the delivered conductive fluid. The surgical apparatus includes an elongated device forming a helical needle. The helical needle is configured to engage bodily tissue and is hollow for delivering conductive fluid from a fluid source. Finally, the helical needle terminates in a needle tip. In one preferred embodiment, an electrode is associated with the helical needle for applying a current to conductive fluid delivered from the helical needle. During use, following delivery of conductive fluid, the electrode applies a current to the delivered conductive fluid for creating a virtual electrode. The virtual electrode ablates bodily tissue contacted by the conductive fluid.

Abstract: A device for ablating tissue is provided. The device comprises a conductive element with a channel for irrigating fluid formed therein, which is in contact with a non-conductive microporous interface. All or a portion of the interface may be removable. When the interface is removed, a portion of the conductive element is exposed for use in ablating tissue. Methods of using the device and of removing the interface are also provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating a virtual electrode to ablate bodily tissue. The surgical apparatus includes an inner tube and an outer tube. The inner tube defines a proximal portion and a distal portion. The distal portion forms an orifice for distributing a conductive solution from the inner tube and further forms an electrode. The outer tube coaxially receives the inner tube such that the outer tube is slidable relative to the inner tube. With this configuration, the outer tube selectively blocks flow of conductive solution from the orifice. During use, conductive solution distributed from the orifice is subjected to a current from the electrode, thereby creating a virtual electrode.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus for delivering a conductive fluid to a target site for subsequent formation of a virtual electrode to ablate bodily tissue at the target site by applying a current to the delivered conductive fluid. The surgical apparatus includes an elongated device forming a helical needle. The helical needle is configured to engage bodily tissue and is hollow for delivering conductive fluid from a fluid source. Finally, the helical needle terminates in a needle tip. In one preferred embodiment, an electrode is associated with the helical needle for applying a current to conductive fluid delivered from the helical needle. During use, following delivery of conductive fluid, the electrode applies a current to the delivered conductive fluid for creating a virtual electrode. The virtual electrode ablates bodily tissue contacted by the conductive fluid.

Abstract: A device for ablating tissue is provided. The device comprises a conductive element with a channel for irrigating fluid formed therein, which is in contact with a non-conductive microporous interface. All or a portion of the interface may be removable. When the interface is removed, a portion of the conductive element is exposed for use in ablating tissue. Methods of using the device and of removing the interface are also provided.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus for delivering a conductive fluid to a target site for subsequent formation of a virtual electrode to ablate bodily tissue at the target site by applying a current to the delivered conductive fluid. The surgical apparatus includes an elongated device forming a helical needle. The helical needle is configured to engage bodily tissue and is hollow for delivering conductive fluid from a fluid source. Finally, the helical needle terminates in a needle tip. In one preferred embodiment, an electrode is associated with the helical needle for applying a current to conductive fluid delivered from the helical needle. During use, following delivery of conductive fluid, the electrode applies a current to the delivered conductive fluid for creating a virtual electrode. The virtual electrode ablates bodily tissue contacted by the conductive fluid.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating a virtual electrode to ablate bodily tissue. The surgical apparatus includes an inner tube and an outer tube. The inner tube defines a proximal portion and a distal portion. The distal portion forms an orifice for distributing a conductive solution from the inner tube and further forms an electrode. The outer tube coaxially receives the inner tube such that the outer tube is slidable relative to the inner tube. With this configuration, the outer tube selectively blocks flow of conductive solution from the orifice. During use, conductive solution distributed from the orifice is subjected to a current from the electrode, thereby creating a virtual electrode.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating a virtual electrode to ablate bodily tissue. The surgical apparatus includes an inner tube and an outer tube. The inner tube defines a proximal portion and a distal portion. The distal portion forms an orifice for distributing a conductive solution from the inner tube and further forms an electrode. The outer tube coaxially receives the inner tube such that the outer tube is slidable relative to the inner tube. With this configuration, the outer tube selectively blocks flow of conductive solution from the orifice. During use, conductive solution distributed from the orifice is subjected to a current from the electrode, thereby creating a virtual electrode.

Abstract: A pressure control valve, fabricated using micromachining techniques, comprises, in one embodiment a substrate having a central orifice therein and having a sealed chamber formed therein, one wall of which being defined by a flexible membrane. An inlet control element is supported by the membrane such that it is disposed over the central orifice, such that normally a gap is defined between the inlet control element and the central orifice and hence the valve is open. When the pressure differential, between external pressure and pressure in the chamber, exceeds a predetermined threshold, the membrane deforms, drawing the inlet control element toward the substrate such that the inlet control element seats over the central orifice, closing the valve. In another embodiment a flexible membrane cooperates with a valve substrate to form a closed chamber, and a valve lid, coupled to the membrane, extends over one or more holes in the substrate, forming a gap between the valve lid and the substrate.

Abstract: A lead connection suitable for use in connecting a flexible coiled lead to an implantable device. The implantable device is provided with a threaded projection having an outer diameter sized with respect to the inner diameter of the lead's conductor coil to provide a secure interconnection therewith when attached thereto. The threaded projection is disposed on top and around a feedthrough pin projecting out of the implanted device's hermetic canister. The threaded projection is screwed into the conductor coil establishing sound electrical contact between the projection and the conductor. A strain relief collar surrounds the post and lead, and a twist-and-pull type connecting ring surrounds the base of the strain relief collar. The connecting post is prevented from being unscrewed from the conductor coil, since an unscrewing motion tends to tighten the conductor coil around the threaded post.

Abstract: A connector for establishing an external connection with multiple-conductor implantable leads. The connector body is generally cylindrical in shape and includes a unique twist lock design. The cylindrical connector body has two sections which rotate axially with respect to one another, from an `open` position to a `closed` position. Each of the sections has a longitudinal slot therein extending along its surface parallel to the cylindrical axis of the connector. In the `open` position, the slots in the respective sections are in alignment, forming a single longitudinal opening. The opening is keyed to accept an elongated end piece from a lead stylet, the end piece being attached to the end of the implantable electrode. The end piece supports the end of the lead such that the multiple, spaced apart electrical contacts disposed on the lead are exposed on at least one side.

Abstract: A lead connection suitable for use in connecting a flexible coiled lead to an implantable device. The implantable device is provided with a threaded projection having an outer diameter sized with respect to the inner diameter of the lead's conductor coil to provide a secure interconnection therewith when attached thereto. The threaded projection is disposed on top and around a feedthrough pin projecting out of the implanted device's hermetic canister. The threaded projection is screwed into the conductor coil establishing sound electrical contact between the projection and the conductor. A strain relief collar surrounds the post and lead, and a twist-and-pull type connecting ring surrounds the base of the strain relief collar. The connecting post is prevented from being unscrewed from the conductor coil, since an unscrewing motion tends to tighten the conductor coil around the threaded post.

Abstract: A control handle for use in rotating a catheter and for rotating a working means at the end of the catheter.

Abstract: A connector assembly for a body implantable medical system which interconnects a medical agent providing subsystem with a medical agent delivering subsystem. The connector assembly establishes an interconnected contact force between the medical agent providing and delivering subassemblies that is operator independent. In a preferred embodiment, the connector assembly is formed as an over-center toggle carried by the delivering subassembly. The toggle may be formed of first and second legs, the first leg being a beam spring pivotally secured adjacent one end of the second leg. The other end of the beam spring may be anchored to the medical providing subassembly while that subassembly and the second leg other end are provided with cooperating arcuate bearing surfaces.

Abstract: An enclosure of the type having a plurality of members weldable to each other to enclose and hermetically seal a pulse generator. In the present invention, the members consist of first and second members or segments each having a continuous side wall with the side walls having generally circular termini of substantially equal diameter. When the sidewall termini are in abutting relation to each other, rotation of the members about the axes of the circular termini will present the entirety of the abutment to substantially the same location for sealing, as by welding, for example. One or both of the side walls may be provided with one or more recessed areas to facilitate electrical communication with the enclosed pulse generator, each recessed area being formed by a platform subtending a portion of the arc of the sidewall circular termini and a web extending between the platform and the subtended portion of the circular termini.