Abstract: A device and associated method for performing ablation procedures on anatomical structures accessible from within the chambers of the heart to form lesions that electrically isolate the tissue.

Abstract: A device and associated method for performing ablation procedures on anatomical structures accessible from within the chambers of the heart to form lesions that electrically isolate the tissue.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a guidewire having a shaped three dimensional guide section. In the preferred embodiment the guide section is helical, and exerts an outward radial force on a lumen the guidewire is constrained in. The outward radial force can be measured or calculated according to methods of the present invention. Also described is a system comprising a guidewire and catheter where the force of the catheter exerts on a body lumen can also be calculated. Apparatus and methods of making the guidewire are also disclosed, as well as alternative embodiments of the guidewire.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a guidewire having a shaped three dimensional guide section. In the preferred embodiment the guide section is helical, and exerts an outward radial force on a lumen the guidewire is constrained in. The outward radial force can be measured or calculated according to methods of the present invention. Also described is a system comprising a guidewire and catheter where the force the catheter exerts on a body lumen can also be calculated. Apparatus and methods of making the guidewire are also disclosed, as well as alternative embodiments of the guidewire.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of making a guidewire with a preformed three dimensional profile is described. The Apparatus comprises a mandrel having a screw thread for receiving a core wire and at least one securing means for holding the core wire onto the mandrel. The core wire must be retained under tension in order to properly impart the desired shape into the core wire. A system and method of using the apparatus is disclosed comprising the steps of loading the core wire onto the mandrel, securing the core wire and mandrel and then heating the assembly until the wire takes the desired shape.

Abstract: A vascular catheter includes a flexible catheter body having proximal and distal ends and an elongate housing secured to the distal end of the catheter body. An interactional device is disposed on one side of the housing, and at least two spaced-apart inflatable chambers are located on the other side of the housing generally at its proximal and distal ends, respectively. The inflatable chambers may be expanded simultaneously or separately, and the spaced-apart positioning of the chambers provides for stable positioning of the housing during atherectomy procedures, imaging procedures, and the like. The balloon is conveniently connected to the housing by an integral flange structure which is secured through an inflation aperture on the housing side. The balloon may be inflated through an annular inflation which is defined by a separate isolation tube disposed in the central lumen of the catheter body.

Abstract: A vascular catheter includes a flexible catheter body having proximal and distal ends and an elongate housing secured to the distal end of the catheter body. An interactional device is disposed on one side of the housing, and at least two spaced-apart inflatable chambers are located on the other side of the housing generally at its proximal and distal ends, respectively. The inflatable chambers may be expanded simultaneously or separately, and the spaced-apart positioning of the chambers provides for stable positioning of the housing during atherectomy procedures, imaging procedures, and the like. The balloon is conveniently connected to the housing by an integral flange structure which is secured through an inflation aperture on the housing side. The balloon may be inflated through an annular inflation which is defined by a separate isolation tube disposed in the central lumen of the catheter body.

Abstract: An up-spray deflector cup for use in an irrigation device of the type suspended from an overhead traveling irrigation system for discharging water from a downwardly directed nozzle in close proximity to the ground, the deflector cup being positioned centrally below the nozzle and serving to deflect water from the nozzle upwardly and radially outwardly as diametrically opposed from choped sprays. The deflector cup includes two concentric sets of deflecting surfaces for deflecting water from different size nozzles risible with the irrigation device.