Abstract: A method of detecting catheter movement includes positioning a first sensor in a first body cavity, monitoring a first parameter profile of the first body cavity, positioning a second sensor in a second body cavity, monitoring a second parameter profile of the second body cavity, the second parameter profile different than the first parameter profile at a first time, and, when the second parameter profile is the same as the first parameter profile at a second time after the first time, taking a catheter movement action.

Abstract: Ablation electrode assemblies include an inner core member and an outer shell surrounding the inner core member. The inner core member and the outer shell define a space or separation region therebetween. The inner core member is constructed from a thermally insulative material having a reduced thermal conductivity. In an embodiment, the space is a sealed or evacuated region. In other embodiments, irrigation fluid flows within the space. The ablation electrode assembly further includes at least one thermal sensor in some embodiments. Methods for providing irrigation fluid during cardiac ablation of targeted tissue are disclosed that include calculating the energy delivered to irrigation fluid as it flows within the ablation electrode assembly through temperature measurement of the irrigation fluid. Pulsatile flow of irrigation fluid can be utilized in some embodiments of the disclosure.

Abstract: Ablation electrode assemblies include an inner core member and an outer shell surrounding the inner core member. The inner core member and the outer shell define a space or separation region therebetween. The inner core member is constructed from a thermally insulative material having a reduced thermal conductivity. In an embodiment, the space is a sealed or evacuated region. In other embodiments, irrigation fluid flows within the space. The ablation electrode assembly further includes at least one thermal sensor in some embodiments. Methods for providing irrigation fluid during cardiac ablation of targeted tissue are disclosed that include calculating the energy delivered to irrigation fluid as it flows within the ablation electrode assembly through temperature measurement of the irrigation fluid. Pulsatile flow of irrigation fluid can be utilized in some embodiments of the disclosure.

Abstract: A device includes a handle, an expandable structure including a plurality of splines extending from a proximal hub to a distal hub, a first electrode on a first spline of the plurality of splines, an outer tube extending from the handle to the proximal hub, and a shaft extending through the outer tube from the handle to the distal hub. The expandable structure has a collapsed state and a self-expanded state. The handle is configured to retract the shaft. Retracting the shaft may expand the expandable structure outward of the self-expanded state.

Abstract: An irrigated ablation electrode assembly comprises a distal member, a first manifold, and a second manifold. The distal member includes an outer surface; an inner surface; and at least one radially extending passageway that extends from the inner surface of the distal member to the outer surface of the distal member. The first manifold includes an outer surface, an inner cavity, and at least one radially extending passageway that extends from the inner cavity to the outer surface of the first manifold. The second manifold includes an outer surface, an inner surface, and at least one radially extending passageway that extends from the inner surface of the second manifold to the outer surface of the second manifold. Other irrigated ablation electrode assemblies are also presented.

Abstract: A system for providing irrigation fluid during ablation of tissue includes a catheter, an electrode assembly, at least one thermal sensor adapted to be connected to the catheter, and a control system. The electrode assembly is adapted to be connected to an ablation generator. The thermal sensor is adapted to be operatively connected to an electronic control unit (ECU). The ECU receives as an input temperature measurement data from the thermal sensor; determines a power delivery rate value for the ablation generator responsive to the temperature measurement data; and outputs the power delivery rate value. The control system also delivers irrigation fluid to the irrigated catheter at a first flow rate in a first time period and at a second flow rate in a second time period that is temporally after the first time period. The second flow rate is at least half of the first flow rate.

Abstract: An irrigated ablation electrode assembly comprises a distal member, a first manifold, and a second manifold. The distal member includes an outer surface; an inner surface; and at least one radially extending passageway that extends from the inner surface of the distal member to the outer surface of the distal member. The first manifold includes an outer surface, an inner cavity, and at least one radially extending passageway that extends from the inner cavity to the outer surface of the first manifold. The second manifold includes an outer surface, an inner surface, and at least one radially extending passageway that extends from the inner surface of the second manifold to the outer surface of the second manifold. Other irrigated ablation electrode assemblies are also presented.

Abstract: A system for providing irrigation fluid during ablation of tissue includes a catheter, an electrode assembly, at least one thermal sensor adapted to be connected to the catheter, and a control system. The electrode assembly is adapted to be connected to an ablation generator. The thermal sensor is adapted to be operatively connected to an electronic control unit (ECU). The ECU receives as an input temperature measurement data from the thermal sensor; determines a power delivery rate value for the ablation generator responsive to the temperature measurement data; and outputs the power delivery rate value. The control system also delivers irrigation fluid to the irrigated catheter at a first flow rate in a first time period and at a second flow rate in a second time period that is temporally after the first time period. The second flow rate is at least half of the first flow rate.

Abstract: A device includes a handle, an expandable structure including a plurality of splines extending from a proximal hub to a distal hub, a first electrode on a first spline of the plurality of splines, an outer tube extending from the handle to the proximal hub, and a shaft extending through the outer tube from the handle to the distal hub. The expandable structure has a collapsed state and a self-expanded state. The handle is configured to retract the shaft. Retracting the shaft may expand the expandable structure outward of the self-expanded state.

Abstract: A system for diagnosis or treatment of tissue in a body is provided. The system includes an ablation catheter having a deformable, elongate shaft having proximal and distal ends. The catheter further includes an ablation delivery member disposed proximate the distal end of the shaft and configured to deliver ablation energy to ablate the tissue. In one embodiment, the ablation delivery member comprises an ablation electrode and may also be configured to generate a signal indicative of electrical activity in the tissue. The catheter further includes one or more sensing electrodes disposed proximate the ablation delivery member. The sensing electrodes are configured to generate signals indicative of electrical activity in the tissue. The system further includes an electronic control unit configured to control delivery of ablation energy from the ablation delivery member responsive to one or more of the generated signals indicative of electrical activity in the tissue.

Abstract: A sensing assembly for sensing contact with an object is disclosed. The contact sensing assembly may comprise an elongate tubular body. An electrode may be connected to the elongate tubular body. A vibration element is operatively connected with the electrode and configured to deliver a vibration-inducing signal to induce vibration of the electrode. A sensor is configured to monitor the electrode for a perturbation in the induced vibration. The perturbation results from contact between the electrode and the object.

Abstract: A device includes a handle, an expandable structure including a plurality of splines extending from a proximal hub to a distal hub, a first electrode on a first spline of the plurality of splines, an outer tube extending from the handle to the proximal hub, and a shaft extending through the outer tube from the handle to the distal hub. The expandable structure has a collapsed state and a self-expanded state. The handle is configured to retract the shaft. Retracting the shaft may expand the expandable structure outward of the self-expanded state.

Abstract: A device includes a handle, an expandable structure including a plurality of splines extending from a proximal hub to a distal hub, a first electrode on a first spline of the plurality of splines, an outer tube extending from the handle to the proximal hub, and a shaft extending through the outer tube from the handle to the distal hub. The expandable structure has a collapsed state and a self-expanded state. The handle is configured to retract the shaft. Retracting the shaft may expand the expandable structure outward of the self-expanded state.

Abstract: A device includes a handle, an expandable structure including a plurality of splines extending from a proximal hub to a distal hub, a first electrode on a first spline of the plurality of splines, an outer tube extending from the handle to the proximal hub, and a shaft extending through the outer tube from the handle to the distal hub. The expandable structure has a collapsed state and a self-expanded state. The handle is configured to retract the shaft. Retracting the shaft may expand the expandable structure outward of the self-expanded state.

Abstract: An ablation electrode assembly is provided with improved irrigation cooling of the assembly and ablation site. The assembly includes a proximal end configured to be coupled to a catheter shaft and a distal end configured to deliver ablation energy to tissue. The assembly further includes a fluid manifold extending from the proximal end to the distal end and configured to fluidly communicate with a fluid lumen in the catheter shaft. The fluid manifold defines an axial passageway centered about a longitudinal axis extending in the longitudinal direction of the assembly. The axial passageway has a distal end terminating prior to the distal end of the electrode assembly. The assembly further includes means for creating turbulence in fluid exiting the first axial passageway.

Abstract: An ablation electrode assembly is provided with improved irrigation cooling of the assembly and ablation site. The assembly includes a proximal end configured to be coupled to a catheter shaft and a distal end configured to deliver ablation energy to tissue. The assembly further includes a fluid manifold extending from the proximal end to the distal end and configured to fluidly communicate with a fluid lumen in the catheter shaft. The fluid manifold defines an axial passageway centered about a longitudinal axis extending in the longitudinal direction of the assembly. The axial passageway has a distal end terminating prior to the distal end of the electrode assembly. The assembly further includes means for creating turbulence in fluid exiting the first axial passageway.

Abstract: A system for providing irrigation fluid during ablation of tissue includes a catheter, an electrode assembly, at least one thermal sensor adapted to be connected to the catheter, and a control system. The electrode assembly is adapted to be connected to an ablation generator. The thermal sensor is adapted to be operatively connected to an electronic control unit (ECU). The ECU receives as an input temperature measurement data from the thermal sensor; determines a power delivery rate value for the ablation generator responsive to the temperature measurement data; and outputs the power delivery rate value. The control system also delivers irrigation fluid to the irrigated catheter at a first flow rate in a first time period and at a second flow rate in a second time period that is temporally after the first time period. The second flow rate is at least half of the first flow rate.

Abstract: An irrigated ablation electrode assembly comprises a distal member, a first manifold, and a second manifold. The distal member includes an outer surface; an inner surface; and at least one radially extending passageway that extends from the inner surface of the distal member to the outer surface of the distal member. The first manifold includes an outer surface, an inner cavity, and at least one radially extending passageway that extends from the inner cavity to the outer surface of the first manifold. The second manifold includes an outer surface, an inner surface, and at least one radially extending passageway that extends from the inner surface of the second manifold to the outer surface of the second manifold. Other irrigated ablation electrode assemblies are also presented.

Abstract: A device includes a handle, an expandable structure including a plurality of splines extending from a proximal hub to a distal hub, a first electrode on a first spline of the plurality of splines, an outer tube extending from the handle to the proximal hub, and a shaft extending through the outer tube from the handle to the distal hub. The expandable structure has a collapsed state and a self-expanded state. The handle is configured to retract the shaft. Retracting the shaft may expand the expandable structure outward of the self-expanded state.

Abstract: A device includes a handle, an expandable structure including a plurality of splines extending from a proximal hub to a distal hub, a first electrode on a first spline of the plurality of splines, an outer tube extending from the handle to the proximal hub, and a shaft extending through the outer tube from the handle to the distal hub. The expandable structure has a collapsed state and a self-expanded state. The handle is configured to retract the shaft. Retracting the shaft may expand the expandable structure outward of the self-expanded state.