Abstract: An intravascular catheter system for cardiac mapping is disclosed which includes a housing having opposed proximal and distal portions, an elongated catheter shaft operatively associated with the distal portion of the housing, an elongated electrical conduit operatively associated with the proximal portion of the housing and an elongated irrigation conduit operatively associated with the proximal portion of the housing, wherein an irrigated basket assembly is operatively associated with a distal end portion of the catheter shaft and it includes a plurality of circumferentially arranged electrically insulated tubular splines each having a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart mapping electrodes thereon.

Abstract: A radial artery compression band is disclosed for circumferential placement around the wrist of a patient to apply hemostasis pressure to a wound, which includes a first arcuate band portion including a radially outwardly extending support frame, a second elongated band portion including a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart radially outwardly extending ramped engagement teeth, a third elongated band portion extending between the first and second band portions and including a radially inwardly facing compression structure for applying hemostasis pressure to the wound, and a band adjustment mechanism mounted within the support frame of the first arcuate band portion and including an axially rotatable shaft having a worm gear section with a continuous helical thread for selectively intermeshing with the ramped engagement teeth on the second elongated band portion to adjust band tension through axial rotation of the shaft.

Abstract: An implantable medical device includes an elongated tubular body having opposed proximal and distal end portions and defining a longitudinal axis. The elongated tubular body includes an interior lumen extending therethrough. A plurality of axially spaced apart electrode rings are operatively associated with the distal end portion of the tubular body. The electrode rings are formed from at least one of bismuth or pyrolytic graphite. A plurality of electrical conductors extend through the interior lumen of the tubular body. Each of the electrical conductors is operatively associated with a respective one of the plurality of electrode rings. The electrical conductors are formed from at least one of bismuth or carbon fiber.

Abstract: A steerable intravascular catheter includes a handle assembly having opposed proximal and distal end portions and defining a longitudinal axis therebetween. An elongated sheath extends from the distal end portion of the handle assembly, has opposed proximal and distal end portions, and includes a tubular body wall forming a central lumen for accommodating the introduction of a device and a fluid lumen radially outward from and parallel to the central lumen. The distal end portion of the elongated sheath is deflectable relative to the proximal end portion of the elongated sheath. A rotatable actuation assembly is associated with the handle assembly for controlling deflection of the distal end portion of the elongated sheath. An inflatable occlusion balloon is positioned on an outer surface of the distal end portion of the elongated sheath. The fluid lumen of the elongated sheath is in fluid communication with an interior of the balloon.

Abstract: An implantable stimulation lead is disclosed that includes an elongated lead body having opposed proximal and distal end portions, the lead body being formed from a material having at least one circumferential seal region associated with the distal end portion thereof within which a cylindrical electrode is positioned, the seal region being formed from at least one transition component made from a material that is softer than the material from which the lead body is formed.

Abstract: An electro-physiology mapping catheter is disclosed which includes an elongated body having opposed proximal and distal end portions and defining a longitudinal axis therebetween, the distal end portion of the body forming a generally circular mapping loop that extends through a plane oriented generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the elongated body, the circular mapping loop having an inwardly bent distal tip section.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an implantable lead includes forming an elongated lead body core that defines a longitudinal axis. The elongated lead body core has a plurality of axially extending channels that are circumferentially spaced apart from one another around the elongated lead body core. The method also includes positioning an electrode ring around the elongated lead body core and electrical conductors. The method includes positioning a respective electrical conductor in each of the axially extending channels and positioning a dielectric insulator ring around the elongated lead body core and electrical conductors.

Abstract: An implantable medical device includes an elongated tubular body having opposed proximal and distal end portions and defining a longitudinal axis. The elongated tubular body includes an interior lumen extending therethrough. A plurality of axially spaced apart electrode rings are operatively associated with the distal end portion of the tubular body. The electrode rings are formed from at least one of bismuth or pyrolytic graphite. A plurality of electrical conductors extend through the interior lumen of the tubular body. Each of the electrical conductors is operatively associated with a respective one of the plurality of electrode rings. The electrical conductors are formed from at least one of bismuth or carbon fiber.

Abstract: A catheter for ablation of the interior walls of the renal artery includes an elongated catheter body having opposing proximal and distal end portions, a plurality of axially spaced apart electrodes aligned along the distal end portion of the catheter body, and a catheter handle at the proximal end portion of the catheter body including means for operatively connecting the handle to a generator, wherein energy from the generator is provided to the plurality of electrodes for ablation of the renal artery, wherein the handle is configured to steer the distal end portion of the catheter body in at least one direction.

Abstract: A steerable medical device can include a sheath defining a longitudinal axis having a deflectable distal end portion, and at least one lateral passage extending therethrough and configured to accommodate at least one steering cable and a steering handle operatively associated with a proximal end portion of the sheath and having an actuation mechanism operatively connected to the at least one steering cable accommodated within the at least one lateral passages of the sheath for steering the deflectable distal end portion of the sheath in at least one direction relative to the longitudinal axis thereof.

Abstract: A system for use in a renal denervation procedure includes a catheter having proximal and distal end portions, a sensor configured to sense a condition of one or more nerves, the sensor operatively associated with the distal end portion of the catheter, and at least one electrode disposed on the distal end portion of the catheter for delivering energy to renal tissue. A catheter includes a catheter body defining a distal end portion and a proximal end portion, and a sensor for sensing a renal sympathetic nerve, the sensor disposed on the distal end portion of the catheter body, wherein the sensor is configured to sense an electromagnetic signal from the renal sympathetic nerve.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus is disclosed for delivering a therapeutic device to a desired location within the vasculature of a patient, which includes an elongated tubular body defining a longitudinal axis and having opposed proximal and distal end portions, the tubular body including an outer wall surrounding an interior lumen, wherein an elongated target opening is formed through the outer wall of the tubular body within the distal end portion thereof in communication with the interior lumen. At least one distal sensing electrode is provided on the tubular body adjacent a distal side of the target opening, and at least one proximal sensing electrode is provided on the tubular body adjacent a proximal side of the target opening, wherein the sensing electrodes allow placement of the target opening within the vasculature of a patient for the delivery of a therapeutic device to a desired location.

Abstract: A catheter assembly is disclosed that includes a primary hub having opposed proximal and distal end portions, and at least two secondary hubs operatively connected to the proximal end portion of the primary hub, each secondary hub including a body having opposed proximal and distal ends, the proximal end of each secondary hub body adapted and configured for connection with a removable side port.

Abstract: An implantable stimulation lead is disclosed that includes an elongated lead body having opposed proximal and distal end portions, the lead body being formed from a material having at least one circumferential seal region associated with the distal end portion thereof within which a cylindrical electrode is positioned, the seal region being formed from at least one transition component made from a material that is softer than the material from which the lead body is formed.

Abstract: An electro-physiology mapping catheter is disclosed which includes an elongated body having opposed proximal and distal end portions and defining a longitudinal axis therebetween, the distal end portion of the body forming a generally circular mapping loop that extends through a plane oriented generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the elongated body, the circular mapping loop having an inwardly bent distal tip section.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus includes an elongated handle assembly having opposed proximal and distal end portions and an interior cavity. An elongated sheath extends from the proximal end of the handle assembly, through the interior cavity of the handle assembly and out from the distal end portion of the handle assembly. The sheath includes an interior lumen extending therethrough and a distal end portion of the sheath is deflectable. The surgical apparatus includes a steering mechanism operatively associated with the handle assembly for controlling deflection of the deflectable distal end portion of the sheath. The steering mechanism includes a pull wire retraction assembly configured to selectively retract a pull wire to deflect the distal end portion of the sheath and a telescoping tube system for straightly guiding the pull wire as the pull wire retraction assembly moves within the interior cavity of the handle assembly.

Abstract: A steerable intravascular catheter is disclosed which includes an elongated sheath having a tubular body wall defining a central lumen and a deflectable distal end portion, a pair of laterally opposed elongated pull wires extending through the tubular body wall of the sheath and terminating within the distal end portion thereof, and a handle assembly having a longitudinal axis and operatively associated with a proximal end portion of the sheath, the handle assembly including an rotatable control knob for controlling bi-directional deflection of the distal end portion of the sheath, wherein bi-directional angular rotation of the control knob about the longitudinal axis of the handle assembly effectuates corresponding reciprocal axial movement of the laterally opposed pull wires in opposed axial directions and corresponding bi-directional deflection of the distal end portion of the sheath.

Abstract: A shaft for a diagnostic catheter which includes a tubular core formed from a polyamide material, a braided layer surrounding the tubular core and formed from stainless steel strands, an inner layer surrounding the braided layer and formed from a polyimide material, and an outer layer surrounding the inner layer and formed from a polyether block amide material.

Abstract: An ablation device is disclosed for forming a generally circular lesion on the interior wall of a blood vessel, which includes an elongated catheter deployable from a steerable guiding sheath and having a distal end portion adapted and configured for movement into a generally circular open looped condition when deployed from the guiding sheath, wherein the distal end portion of the catheter includes at least one flexible electrode that extends along the distal end portion of the catheter without interruption, so that when the distal end portion of the catheter is deployed from the guiding sheath into a generally circular open looped condition, the flexible electrode conforms to a circular configuration.