Abstract: An ablation catheter having self assembling large surface area distal component provided with one or more energy emitting surfaces for thermally destroying tissue. The distal component is oriented to present a compact, low profile for introduction into the heart, and after introduction is reconfigured to present a large surface area distal ablation tip assembly. The distal tip component is subsequently returned to the low profile configuration for removal from the heart. Once introduced, the energy emitting surfaces are thus carried by a distal component having significantly enlarged surface area. The enlargable distal component is produced using a plurality of pivoting sections capable of alignment into a compact profile for introduction into and removal from a living body. When reconfigured by pivoting of the sections into contact with each other, the distal component has an significantly enlarged dimension.

Abstract: A device for ablating tissue within the body has an element with an energy emitting region helically wound about and along the axis of the element. The element emits energy to create a lesion in body tissue. A sheath of a non-energy emitting material is movable over the region to adjust the impedance of the region.

Abstract: Systems and methods reduce the effective volume of an atrial appendage by deploying first and second devices into the atrium. The first device carries a first element to affect positioning of the tissue surface in a repositioned orientation. The second device carries a second element to affix the tissue surface in the repositioned orientation affected by the first device. In one embodiment, the first device carries a loop structure having a perimeter. The second device is deployed within the perimeter of said loop structure. The systems and methods attach the second device to an interior surface of an atrial appendage, and pull the atrial appendage through said loop structure to cause inversion thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus for ablating body tissue has an electrode for contacting tissue to transmit ablation energy. A tissue temperature sensing element is held in a thermally conducting carrier on the electrode. The carrier holds the tissue temperature sensing element in thermal conductive contact with tissue, while keeping the temperature sensing element in isolation from thermal conductive contact with the electrode. The carrier has prescribed thermal conductive characteristics that significantly improve the sensitivity of the temperature sensing element to tissue temperature and not the temperature of the electrode.

Abstract: A flexible electrode support is bent to define an arcuate shape that extends beyond the distal end of an associated guide body. At least one of the ends of the support is free of attachment to the distal end. By moving the free end, a user can push upon or pull against the structure to alter its arcuate shape to assure intimate contact with tissue.

Abstract: Systems and methods for ablating body tissue use 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 electrode is preferably cooled. The systems and methods include multiple temperature sensing elements. One element senses tissue temperature. A second element senses electrode temperature. A third element senses the rate at which the electrode is cooled. The systems and methods control the supply of ablation energy to the electrode based, at least in part, upon the multiple temperatures sensed by the different temperature sensing elements.

Abstract: A device for ablating tissue within the body has an element with an energy emitting region helically wound about and along the axis of the element. The element emits energy to create a lesion in body tissue. A sheath of a non-energy emitting material is movable over the region to adjust the impedance of the region.