Abstract: An end effector for a catheter including a flexible circuit including a plurality of electrodes is herein disclosed. The flexible circuit is positioned at least partially within an insulative material. In some examples, the end effector includes a framework spaced from the flexible circuit and one or more position sensing loops.

Abstract: A medical instrument can be used to dilate an anatomical passageway in a patient and position laterally offset guide features relevant to a dilation catheter to facilitate asymmetric dilation of passageways, targeted remodeling of anatomical structures, septoplasty, or other procedures. The medical instrument can have laterally offset features that include a body and a shaft assembly that extends distally relative to the body. The shaft assembly can include an outer sheath, a dilation catheter assembly, and a first guide feature that extends distally relative to the outer sheath. The dilation catheter assembly can include a dilator having a first longitudinal axis, and the first guide feature can have a second longitudinal axis that is laterally offset relative to the first longitudinal axis. The dilation catheter assembly can be translated along the first guide feature.

Abstract: A dilation instrument can be configured to provide real-time tracking of components of the instrument during a surgical procedure, such as by providing real-time tracking of respective positions of the components during the procedure. The dilation instrument can include a body, a shaft assembly, a guide element, a working element, and a movement tracking feature. The guide element can translate relative to the body and have a position sensor that can provide a signal indicating a position of the guide element in three-dimensional space. The working element can translate relative to the body and the guide element. The movement tracking feature can generate a signal indicating movement of the working element relative to the body and/or the guide element.

Abstract: A method comprising shaping and joining three loop members of a catheter is disclosed herein. The method includes coupling proximal ends of each loop member to a distal portion of an elongated shaft and overlapping the first loop member, the second loop member, and the third loop member at a common distal vertex such that when the first, second, and third loop members are unconstrained, at least one of the loop members is non-coplanar with one or both of the other loop members and when the shaft is manipulated to press the loop members to a planar surface, a majority of each loop member is moved to contact the planar surface.

Abstract: An electrophysiology catheter with a distal electrode assembly having covered spine carrying a plurality of microelectrodes. One or more spines have preformed configurations including at least a first portion with a first curvature and a second portion with a second curvature, and may include a linear portion. The linear portion may be between the first and second portions. The linear portion may be distal of the first and second portions. One or more spines have a narrower portion so that different portions of the spine can have different flexibility with a degree of independence in flexibility from adjacent portions.

Abstract: Catheter shafts (such as guide catheter or dilation catheter shafts) disclosed herein can include a rigid proximal portion, a deflectable distal portion located distally from the proximal portion, and a pull wire extending from the deflectable distal portion along the proximal portion. The pull wire can drive the deflectable distal portion between a straight configuration and a bent configuration, which makes the catheter system adaptable for use with both pediatric and adult patients. Specifically, because the pull wire facilitates changing a bend angle of the deflectable distal portion of the catheter shaft, the catheter can fit in a wide variety of differently sized nasal cavities and Eustachian Tubes. Optionally, a visualizing distal tip can be positioned distally from the deflectable distal portion of the catheter shaft and include a distally facing camera that can be used to confirm that the deflectable distal portion is properly positioned in the patient.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an end effector having loop members with electrodes thereon and is usable with catheter-based systems to measure or provide electrical signals. The end effector can include three loop members that are non-coplanar when expanded unconstrained that become contiguous to a planar surface when the loop members are deflected against the surface, a mechanical linkage that joins the loop members at a distal vertex of the end effector, electrodes having surface treatment to enhance surface roughness of the electrodes, twisted pair electrode wires, a bonded spine cover, and/or any combination thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a shaft, a balloon, a tip member, and a heating feature. The tip member is distal to the balloon and has a larger outer diameter than the shaft. The heating feature is operable to ablate tissue of the Eustachian tube contacting the balloon in the expanded state. The heating feature may include an illuminating element and a photosensitive coating on the balloon. Alternatively, the heating feature may include a thermal heating element that heats the balloon inflation fluid and thereby heats the wall of the balloon. Another apparatus includes a shaft, a tip member, and an electrode assembly. The electrode assembly includes a plurality of electrodes positioned along the shaft near the distal end, proximal to the tip member. The electrodes are spaced apart from each other along a longitudinal axis and are operable to apply RF energy to tissue to thereby ablate the tissue.

Abstract: An intrabody probe with a flexible portion is configured with one or more integrated EM loops of electrically-conductive elements wherein the EM loops when exposed to one or more external magnetic fields are configured to generate voltage signals that are indicative of position of the EM loops, such as when the EM loops are subjected to an external force that results in deformation. With multiple EM loops at different locations on the flexible portion of the probe, a collection of such voltage signals from each EM loop enables a system configured to receive and process the voltage signals to determine coordinates of the EM loops in a local coordinate system and track a shape in space representative of probe deformation in real time.

Abstract: An electrode combination for an end effector of a catheter may include a reference electrode and a sensing electrode positioned such that the reference electrode is recessed in relation to the sensing electrode so that the reference electrode is inhibited from contacting tissue while the sensing electrode is in contact with tissue. The reference electrode can function to detect far-field electromagnetic noise while the sensing electrode receives electrical signals from tissue and may also receive signals from far-field electromagnetic noise. Electrocardiograms of the electrical signals from tissue can be generated by subtracting, or otherwise compensating for, the far-field noise received by the sensing electrode based on the far-field electromagnetic noise received by the reference electrode. Preferably, the reference electrode and the sensing electrode have the same surface area as each other.

Abstract: An apparatus for use with an endoscope or other ENT instrument includes a hub, a shaft assembly, and one or more navigation sensors. The hub being configured to receive a portion of the endoscope and including a fluid port. The shaft assembly extends from the hub and defines a hollow interior. The hollow interior is configured to receive a tubular portion of the endoscope and communicate fluid within the shaft assembly to an open distal end of the shaft assembly. At least one of the one or more navigation sensors is disposed proximate the distal end of the shaft assembly. The one or more navigation sensors are configured to communicate with an IGS navigation system to locate at least a portion of the shaft assembly in three dimensional space.

Abstract: An electrophysiology catheter with a distal electrode assembly having covered spine carrying a plurality of microelectrodes. One or more spines have preformed configurations including at least a first portion with a first curvature and a second portion with a second curvature, and may include a linear portion. The linear portion may be between the first and second portions. The linear portion may be distal of the first and second portions. One or more spines have a narrower portion so that different portions of the spine can have different flexibility with a degree of independence in flexibility from adjacent portions.

Abstract: The disclosed technology includes an electrical connector for a catheter device comprising a body extending along a longitudinal axis from a proximal portion to a distal portion, the proximal portion configured to be attached to a tubular shaft and the distal portion configured to be attached to an end effector. The electrical connector can comprise a plurality of proximal electrical pads disposed on the body at the proximal portion, the proximal electrical pads configured to be in electrical communication with a plurality of tubular shaft electrical pads. The electrical connector can comprise a plurality of distal electrical pads disposed on the body at the distal portion, the distal electrical pads configured to be in electrical communication with a plurality of end effector electrical pads. The electrical connector can comprise a plurality of electrical traces. Each electrical trace can connect a respective proximal electrical pad to a respective distal electrical pad.

Abstract: A catheter system to record and map electrical signals by cardiac tissues before, during, and/or after the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias in a group of patients. The system can include an elongated body; a distal electrode assembly comprising a proximal stem, a plurality of spines emanating from the stem; and a plurality of nonconductive spine covers, each surrounding a respective spine. Each spine can cover one or more tensile members of the respective spine cover. The system can be configured to achieve clinically improved performance and safety of catheter configurations as to accessibility into target areas of a beating heart.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a shaft and an end effector at a distal end of the shaft. The end effector is sized to fit in an anatomical passageway within a subject's cardiovascular system. The end effector includes at least one electrode pair that is configured to contact cardiovascular tissue and thereby pick up electrocardiogram signals. Each electrode pair includes first and second electrodes spaced apart along a longitudinal axis from each other by a gap area located between the electrodes, the gap area having a gap length with respect to the longitudinal axis such that a length of one of the electrodes along the longitudinal axis is equal to or greater than the gap length; and a ratio of an area defined by the gap area to one electrode area is equal to or less than one.

Abstract: A catheter adapted or high density mapping and/or ablation of tissue surface has a distal electrode matrix having a plurality of spines arranged in parallel configuration on which a multitude of electrodes are carried in a grid formation for providing uniformity and predictability in electrode placement on the tissue surface. The matrix can be dragged against the tissue surface upon deflection (and/or release of the deflection) of the catheter. The spines generally maintain their parallel configuration and the multitude of electrodes generally maintain their predetermined relative spacing in the grid formation as the matrix is dragged across the tissue surface in providing very high density mapping signals. The spines may have free distal ends, or distal ends that are joined to form loops for maintaining the spines in parallel configuration.

Abstract: A method includes inserting a variable distance electrode assembly within a patient. A first electrode of the variable distance electrode assembly is placed adjacent to a targeted tissue area. A second electrode of the variable distance electrode assembly is placed adjacent to the targeted tissue area such that the first electrode and the second electrode are spaced from each other to define a first distance. The first and second electrodes are activated to apply electrical energy to the targeted tissue area. The first electrode is translated relative to the second electrode to define a second distance between each other while the first electrode and the second electrode continue to apply electrical energy to the targeted tissue area.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a body and a shaft assembly extending distally from the body. The shaft assembly includes a malleable distal portion and an enlarged tip positioned at a distal end of the malleable distal portion. The shaft assembly further includes a position sensor positioned within the enlarged tip. The position sensor is configured to generate a signal indicating a position of the enlarged tip in three-dimensional space. The shaft assembly further includes an illuminating element positioned within the enlarged tip. The illuminating element is configured to emit light. The shaft assembly further includes an inflatable balloon positioned proximal to the enlarged tip. The inflatable balloon is configured to dilate a passageway in an ear, nose, or throat of a patient.

Abstract: A catheter adapted or high density mapping and/or ablation of tissue surface has a distal electrode matrix having a plurality of spines arranged in parallel configuration on which a multitude of electrodes are carried in a grid formation for providing uniformity and predictability in electrode placement on the tissue surface. The matrix can be dragged against the tissue surface upon deflection (and/or release of the deflection) of the catheter. The spines generally maintain their parallel configuration and the multitude of electrodes generally maintain their predetermined relative spacing in the grid formation as the matrix is dragged across the tissue surface in providing very high density mapping signals. The spines may have free distal ends, or distal ends that are joined to form loops for maintaining the spines in parallel configuration.

Abstract: A catheter system to record and map electrical signals by cardiac tissues before, during, and/or after the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias in a group of patients. The system can include an elongated body; a distal electrode assembly comprising a proximal stem, a plurality of spines emanating from the stem; and a plurality of nonconductive spine covers, each surrounding a respective spine. Each spine can cover one or more tensile members of the respective spine cover. The system can be configured to achieve clinically improved performance and safety of catheter configurations as to accessibility into target areas of a beating heart.