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: Systems and methods supply ablation energy to an electrode in contact with tissue to form a tissue-electrode interface. The system and methods sense, simultaneously with ablation, at least two tissue temperature conditions using at least two tissue temperature sensing elements which are held within a carrier that is substantially isolated from thermal conductive contact with the electrode. The carrier holds the tissue temperature sensing elements in a spaced apart relationship in thermal conductive contact with tissue at different depths beneath the tissue-electrode interface. The systems and methods control the supply of ablation energy to the electrode based, at least in part, upon temperatures sensed by the tissue temperature sensing elements.

Abstract: Systems and associated methods position arrays of multiple emitters of ablating energy in straight or curvilinear positions in contact with tissue to form elongated lesion patterns. The elongated lesion patterns can continuous or interrupted, depending upon the orientation of the energy emitters.

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: An electrode support structure comprises a guide body having at its distal end a flexible spline leg. The spline leg is flexed to define an arcuate shape to facilitate intimate contact against tissue. An electrode element is carried by the spline leg for movement along its axis. The structure includes a control element coupled to the electrode element. The control element remotely imparts force to move the electrode element along the axis of the spline leg. Therefore, in use, the physician can cause the electrode element to travel along a path that the spline leg defines, without otherwise changing the location of the guide body.

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 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 ablating body tissue use an electrode for contacting tissue to form a tissue-electrode interface. The electrode is coupled to a source of ablation energy for transmitting ablation energy at a prescribed ablation power level into tissue to form, over a prescribed ablation time period, a therapeutic result. The therapeutic result includes a lesion that extends beneath the tissue-electrode interface to a boundary depth between viable and nonviable tissue and a maximum tissue temperature developed within the lesion between the tissue-electrode interface and the boundary depth. The systems and methods include an element to cool the electrode. An input element inputs a desired therapeutic result including at least a targeted lesion boundary depth.

Abstract: Systems and associated methods for ablating body tissue employ an electrode for contacting tissue to form a tissue-electrode interface. The electrode is adapted to be connected to a source of ablation energy to conduct ablation energy for transmission by the electrode into tissue at the tissue-electrode interface. The systems and methods also include an element to cool the electrode. The systems and methods hold a tissue temperature sensing element in a carrier in thermal conductive contact with tissue beneath the tissue-electrode interface. The systems and methods include a controller that is coupled to the tissue temperature sensing element to control either the supply of ablation energy, or the rate at which the electrode is cooled, or both based, at least in part, upon temperature sensed by the temperature sensing element.

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: Systems and methods using an electrode able to transmit heating or ablation energy into tissue include first and second sensing elements associated with the electrode for measuring first and second temperatures. The electrode also includes a heating element in thermal conductive contact with the electrode for heating the electrode. The systems and methods sequentially activate the heating element and sense temperatures without transmitting tissue heating or ablation energy, and then transmit heating or ablation energy and sense temperatures without activating the heating element, to derive from the sensed temperatures a prediction of maximum tissue temperature.

Abstract: Structures having asymmetric mechanical properties provide enhanced ability to support therapeutic or diagnostic elements in contact with tissue in an interior body region. The support structure includes a first region, which exhibits a first mechanical property affecting tissue contact, and a second region spaced from the first region about the axis, which exhibits a second mechanical property, different than the first mechanical property, affecting tissue contact. In a preferred embodiment, the first and second mechanical properties correlate with stiffness of the respective first and second regions, with the first region being more flexible (i.e., less stiff) than the second region. The first region, due to its greater flexibility, is more conformal to tissue than the second region. The less flexible (i.e., more stiff) second region imparts greater force against the tissue to urge the more flexible first region toward intimate tissue contact.

Abstract: A device for creating the lesions in body tissue includes a support element having an electromagnetic energy emitting region. When caused to emit electromagnetic energy, the region creates a single continuous lesion that is long and thin, having a length that is substantially greater than its width.

Abstract: A catheter device for inserting a tightened lasso of material into a body by remote control includes a removable end component which provides ratchet-like tightening but prevents loosening of the lasso.

Abstract: Systems and methods support arrays of multiple electrodes in asymmetric pattern, either radially, or axially, or both. Radial asymmetry makes it possible provide localized density of electrodes. Axial asymmetry makes it possible to locate electrodes in a pattern that closely conforms to the irregular contours of an interior body cavity, like the heart. In a preferred embodiment, the systems and methods operate the multiple electrode arrays to form continuous lesion patterns.

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: Elongated spline members are threaded through a hub to form depending spline legs. In one embodiment, the spline members are threaded through a puncturable material on the hub. In another embodiment, the spline members are threaded through a slotted hub, which is then encapsulated by a sealing, elastomeric material. In another embodiment, multiple spline members are looped and woven together beyond a distal end of the hub, and the distal end of the hub serves to exert a force that maintains the woven relationship of the spline members. The spline legs, which radiate from the hub, preferable carry one or more diagnostic or therapeutic elements, such as electrodes. Preferably, a base constrains the terminal ends of the spline legs in a normally expanded geometry between the hub and base.