Abstract: A surgical method and apparatus for positioning a diagnostic or therapeutic element within the body. The apparatus may be catheter-based or a probe including a relatively short shaft.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus including an energy transmission probe, having a flexible support member and at least one energy transmission device, and a coupling device including a base member adapted to be removably secured to a first portion of the flexible support member and an engagement device connected to the base member and adapted to be removably secured to a second portion of the flexible support member.

Abstract: Invasive medical catheters with distal end assemblies having a protective surface coating bonded thereto are constructed by applying a hydrophilic primer to at least a portion of a tubular polymer body. The primer coating chemically bonds to the polymer substrate by developing covalent bonding or cross linking with the substrate. A plurality of printed electrode elements are then formed on the polymer body, e.g., by a pad printing process. Once the primer coating is bonded to the polymer body, the assembly is coated with a regenerated cellulose layer, e.g., by a viscose process well known in the art. The primer coating, already bonded to the catheter body, is then bonded with the regenerated cellulose at an elevated temperature. After curing, the polymer body, primer coating and regenerated cellulose layer become a single composite material, thereby preventing the regenerated cellulose coating from any movement relative to the polymer body, and providing a secure protective layer over the electrodes.

Abstract: The present invention includes a catheter having a molded distal end assembly that includes at least one component molded therewithin. In a preferred embodiment, the catheter end assembly includes a plurality of electrodes and lead wires that are all molded into the walls of the assembly. Each such electrode has at least one thermocouple associated with it, and the thermocouple is also molded into the walls of the assembly. In manufacturing the multi-electrode end assembly, lead wires from the coils and thermocouples are preferably spiral wound within the molded walls of the assembly to reduce the possibility that lead wires may become disconnected during manufacturing and use of the catheter. Particular core pin designs with mold blocking techniques are utilized to mold the coils and lead wires into the wall of the end assembly. The molding method is generally applicable to the manufacturing of a variety of catheter distal end components and assemblies.

Abstract: A catheter assembly comprising a elongated, flexible support structure having an axis. The assembly also includes an elongated porous electrode assembly carried by the support structure along the axis for contact with tissue. The elongated porous electrode assembly comprises a wall having an exterior peripherally surrounding an interior area, a lumen to convey a medium containing ions into the interior area, and an element coupling the medium within the interior area to a source of electrical energy. At least a portion of the wall comprising a porous material is sized to allow passage of ions contained in the medium to thereby enable ionic transport of electrical energy through the porous material to the exterior of the wall to form a continuous elongated lesion pattern in tissue contacted by the wall. The support structure can have a curvilinear geometry, e.g., a loop shape, and the elongated porous electrode assembly conforms to the curvilinear geometry.

Abstract: A catheter assembly comprises a sheath, which includes a side wall enclosing an interior bore, a distal region, and an opening in the sidewall. The assembly also comprises a bendable catheter tube, which is carried for sliding movement in the interior bore. The catheter tube has a distal portion. The assembly further comprises a coupling, which joins the distal region of the sheath and the distal portion of the catheter tube. The coupling causes bending of the catheter tube outwardly through the opening, in response to sliding movement of the catheter tube within the interior bore toward the distal region of the sheath.

Abstract: A surgical method and apparatus for positioning a diagnostic or therapeutic element within the body. The apparatus may be catheter-based or a probe including a relatively short shaft.

Abstract: Systems and methods for heating or ablating tissue use a porous electrode. The porous electrode comprises a wall having an interior area that contains an electrically conductive element. At least a portion of the wall comprises a porous material sized to block passage of blood cells while passing ions. The systems and methods position the porous electrode in contact with tissue. The systems and methods couple the electrically conductive element to a source of electrical energy. The systems and methods convey a fluid medium containing ions into the interior area to enable ionic transfer of electrical energy from the electrical conducting element through the fluid medium and porous material to ablate tissue. The systems and methods also specify differing electrical resistivities for the porous material based, at least in part, upon achieving differing desired tissue heating or ablation effects.

Abstract: A catheter assembly comprises a first branch body having a first axis, a second branch body extending in a non-parallel relationship with respect to the first axis, and at least one electrode carried by the second branch body. In use, the first branch body can be located within a pulmonary vein within the left atrium, while the electrode carried by the second branch body is located in contact with endocardial tissue outside the pulmonary vein. Ablation energy can be transmitted from the electrode to contacted endocardial tissue while the first branch body is located within the pulmonary vein.

Abstract: A method of bonding sections of a catheter body together in abutting relationship including the steps of providing a temperature resistance polymeric sleeve, which sleeve preferably has a spirally wound metallic wire imbedded between its inner and outer diameters. The sleeve is inserted into ends of tubing segments to be joined together to form a catheter body. Then heat is applied over the area including the sleeve to melt the tubing over the sleeve.

Abstract: A catheter assembly having a sheath, which includes a side wall enclosing an interior bore, and a distal region. The assembly also has a bendable catheter tube, which is carried for sliding movement in the interior bore. A pull wire also runs through the interior bore of the sheath, preferably within a lumen. The catheter tube has a distal portion with a coupling which joins the distal portion of the catheter tube and the distal portion of the pull wire. Relative movement of the pull wire and the sheath causes bending of the catheter tube outwardly through the opening, in response to sliding movement of the catheter tube within the interior bore toward the distal region of the sheath.

Abstract: Devices and methods for ablating body tissue. The devices include a support body and at least one elongated electrode. Adjacent windings are spaced apart to impart enhanced flexibility to the elongated electrode.

Abstract: Porous electrode assemblies for tissue heating and ablation systems and methods enable ionic transport of electrical energy to occur substantially free of liquid perfusion.

Abstract: A multiple electrode array senses electrical events in heart tissue at different orientations in a localized region. First, second, and third electrode elements are spaced apart along different axes. The electrodes are electrically isolated from each other. The spaced apart and electrically isolated electrodes sense multiple bipolar signals measured along the different axes. The electrode array can, without changing position, continuously record multiple electrical events at different relative orientations within a localized area. The spacing and orientation of electrodes on the array permit the physician to detect a small volume signal (like one associated with an accessory pathway) and to differentiate it from nearby large volume signals (like those associated with atrial and ventricular potentials).

Abstract: A catheter including fluoroscopic marker components disposed in the catheter distal end portion to provide enhanced fluoroscopic visibility of the catheter end portion. Various embodiments of the marker include a cylindrical plug disposed within the catheter tip, a half section catheter tip, a longitudinal stripe along a sidewall of the catheter end portion, and multiple combinations of marker plugs and marker stripes to provide enhanced in vivo fluoroscopically visible catheter disposition information to the physician. An enhanced embodiment of the present invention includes an orientation marker that is disposed on the steering handle, particularly on the control knob, to provide visual and tactile information to the catheter user regarding the direction to manipulate the control knob in order to maneuver the catheter distal end portion.

Abstract: A catheter having a proximal portion and a distal portion terminating in a distal tip, is provided with a spring assembly contained within its distal tip portion for providing a bias against side to side deflection of the distal tip. The assembly preferably includes a central wire having a first diameter, which central wire extends from the proximal portion of the catheter to the distal portion, and a plurality of wires secured to the central wire adjacent the distal end thereof. Each of the wires is stranded together, preferably twisted helically, around the central wire and preferably has a second diameter substantially smaller than the first diameter. Alternatively, the stranded wires can be attached along and parallel to the larger diameter wire, and the latter wire is of a substantially greater length than the stranded wires.

Abstract: Collapsible electrode assemblies and associated methods employ an array of filaments assembled to form a mesh structure. The mesh structure is adapted to selectively assume an expanded geometry having a first maximum diameter and a collapsed geometry having a second maximum diameter less than the first maximum diameter. Preferably, at least one of the filaments includes an electrically conductive material adapted for coupling to a source of ablation energy for transmitting ablation energy.

Abstract: A collapsible electrode body is assembled to an end of a catheter tube. A generally rigid stem element having an exterior diameter is connected to the catheter tube. A flexible tube, which has an initial interior diameter smaller than the exterior diameter of the stem element, is deformed into a desired geometry for the electrode body, including a neck region with an enlarged interior diameter greater than the exterior diameter of the stem element. The neck region is slipped about the stem element. Heat is applied to shrink the neck region about the stem element and form a first interference fit junction therebetween. A sleeve is fitted about the first interference fit junction, and heat is applied to shrink the sleeve about the interference fit junction and form a second interference fit junction therebetween. Preferably, after the first interference fit junction is formed, additional heat is applied to thermally fuse the neck region to the stem region.

Abstract: A catheter has an electrode tip assembly that is bendable at the selection of the user in two different directions. The electrode tip assembly assumes different asymmetric predetermined curve configurations when bent in the two directions and is manipulated by means of steering wires adjustably connected tangentially to the lateral edges of a rotatable cam located in the catheter handle.

Abstract: Improved folding electrode assemblies and associated methods employ a structure comprising a wall peripherally enclosing an interior. The structure is adapted to selectively assume a geometry that changes between an expanded geometry having a first maximum diameter and a collapsed geometry having a second maximum diameter less than the first maximum diameter. At least one folding region in the wall is adapted to fold upon itself along a predefined fold line as the structure geometry changes. The folding region is formed when a portion of the wall is coated with an electrically conductive material for the purpose of transmitting electrical ablating energy, while another portion of the wall is left free of the electrically conductive material. Alternatively, the folding region is formed by forming an array of apertures in the wall.