Abstract: An ablation system includes an ablation generator, catheter, and a closed-loop ablation processor operably coupled thereto. The processor receives baseline tissue properties, such as baseline tissue impedance, tissue thickness, tissue anatomical location, tissue type, catheter-tissue contact force, catheter stability against the tissue, and baseline electrogram signal morphology. The processor also receives waveform parameters for the generator. Using the baseline tissue properties and the waveform parameters, the processor determines whether pulsed field or radiofrequency ablation therapy should be delivered and computes corresponding target ablation metric(s), such as a target ablation index. The processor then commands the generator to deliver ablation therapy to the tissue and monitors lesion formation using intra-therapeutic tissue properties (and waveform parameters) to compute intra-therapeutic ablation metric(s) and comparing the intra-therapeutic ablation metric(s) to the target ablation metric(s).

Abstract: Elongate medical devices with an expandable structure including elongated splines and a distal hub. An elongate medical device includes a handle including a control mechanism, a catheter shaft, and an expandable structure including elongated splines and a distal hub. Each of the elongated splines includes a shape memory material and an interactive element. Each of the elongated splines includes a respective spline proximal end and a spline distal end. Each of the spline proximal ends is connected to the catheter shaft distal end. Each of the spline distal ends is connected to the distal hub. A deflection control member is connected to the distal hub. The control mechanism is drivingly coupled to the distal hub via the deflection control member and operable to selectively vary a position of the distal hub relative to the catheter shaft distal end to selectively vary an amount of expansion of the expandable structure.

Abstract: Elongate medical devices with an expandable structure including elongated splines and a distal hub.

Abstract: High-density mapping catheters with an array of mapping electrodes are disclosed. These catheters can be used for diagnosing and treating cardiac arrhythmias, for example. The catheters are adapted to contact tissue and comprise a flexible framework including the electrode array. The array of electrodes may be formed from a plurality of columns of longitudinally-aligned and rows of laterally-aligned electrodes.

Abstract: A partially-masked electrode includes a conductive material and an insulated coating having an outer surface. The insulated coating defines a contoured opening that exposes or reveals an area of the conductive material, wherein the contoured opening has an upper perimeter at the outer surface of the insulated coating. When the upper perimeter of the insulated surface coating is placed in contact with a tissue of interest, wherein the tissue of interest is proximate a blood pool, the insulated coating creates a seal between the blood pool and the contoured opening so that no blood in the blood pool can contact the conductive material. This seal reduces or eliminates the reception of far field effects in the blood pool by the electrode, making it easier to locate and diagnose unhealthy tissue.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatic detection of phrenic nerve stimulation are disclosed. A plurality of pacing pulses are delivered between an associated pair of electrodes of a plurality of electrodes. For each of the plurality of pacing pulses, a corresponding diaphragm movement during delivery of the pacing pulse is measured. For each of the plurality of pacing pulses, it is determined, based on the corresponding measured diaphragm movement, whether the pacing pulse results in phrenic nerve capture. For each pacing pulse that results in phrenic nerve capture, the pair of electrodes associated with that pacing pulse is recorded.

Abstract: An electroanatomical mapping system can map electrical activation of tissue, and in particular create a slow conduction map, using a plurality of electrophysiology data points, each including local activation timing information, by computing a slow conduction metric for each point using the local activation timing information. The slow conduction metric can be used to classify points as no conduction points, slow conduction points, and normal conduction points, and the results can be graphically expressed, including as an animated representation of an activation wavefront propagating along a three-dimensional anatomical surface model.

Abstract: Elongate medical devices with an expandable structure including elongated splines and a distal hub.

Abstract: An elongate medical device comprising an expandable structure with an expandable configuration and a collapsed configuration, a handle, operably coupled to the expandable structure, the handle further including a selective movement limiter; and a deflection control member coupled with the distal hub, where the deflection control member is configured to adjust a stiffness of the expandable structure, from a first stiffness to a second stiffness, and maintain the first stiffness or the second stiffness when the selective movement limiter couples with the deflection control member and limits a longitudinal movement of the deflection control member, and wherein the deflection control member is configured to move freely when the selective movement limiter is not coupled with the deflection control member.

Abstract: A partially-masked electrode includes a conductive material and an insulated coating having an outer surface. The insulated coating defines a contoured opening that exposes or reveals an area of the conductive material, wherein the contoured opening has an upper perimeter at the outer surface of the insulated coating. When the upper perimeter of the insulated surface coating is placed in contact with a tissue of interest, wherein the tissue of interest is proximate a blood pool, the insulated coating creates a seal between the blood pool and the contoured opening so that no blood in the blood pool can contact the conductive material. This seal reduces or eliminates the reception of far field effects in the blood pool by the electrode, making it easier to locate and diagnose unhealthy tissue.

Abstract: A partially-masked electrode includes a conductive material and an insulated coating having an outer surface. The insulated coating defines a contoured opening that exposes or reveals an area of the conductive material, wherein the contoured opening has an upper perimeter at the outer surface of the insulated coating. When the upper perimeter of the insulated surface coating is placed in contact with a tissue of interest, wherein the tissue of interest is proximate a blood pool, the insulated coating creates a seal between the blood pool and the contoured opening so that no blood in the blood pool can contact the conductive material. This seal reduces or eliminates the reception of far field effects in the blood pool by the electrode, making it easier to locate and diagnose unhealthy tissue.

Abstract: An electroanatomical mapping system can map electrical activation of tissue, and in particular create a slow conduction map, using a plurality of electrophysiology data points, each including local activation timing information, by computing a slow conduction metric for each point using the local activation timing information. The slow conduction metric can be used to classify points as no conduction points, slow conduction points, and normal conduction points, and the results can be graphically expressed, including as an animated representation of an activation wavefront propagating along a three-dimensional anatomical surface model.

Abstract: High-density mapping catheters with an array of mapping electrodes are disclosed. These catheters can be used for diagnosing and treating cardiac arrhythmias, for example. The catheters are adapted to contact tissue and comprise a flexible framework including the electrode array. The array of electrodes may be formed from a plurality of columns of longitudinally-aligned and rows of laterally-aligned electrodes.

Abstract: A medical device includes an elongate shaft extending along a shaft longitudinal axis and includes a shaft proximal portion and a shaft distal portion. The medical device can include an electrode disposed on the shaft distal portion. The medical device can include a first conductor lead and a second conductor lead, each of the conductor leads electrically being coupled to the electrode. A thermocouple junction formed via a thermocouple conductor can be electrically coupled to the electrode and the first conductor lead.

Abstract: An elongate medical device comprising an expandable structure with an expandable configuration and a collapsed configuration, a handle, operably coupled to the expandable structure, the handle further including a selective movement limiter; and a deflection control member coupled with the distal hub, where the deflection control member is configured to adjust a stiffness of the expandable structure, from a first stiffness to a second stiffness, and maintain the first stiffness or the second stiffness when the selective movement limiter couples with the deflection control member and limits a longitudinal movement of the deflection control member, and wherein the deflection control member is configured to move freely when the selective movement limiter is not coupled with the deflection control member.

Abstract: High-density mapping catheters with an array of mapping electrodes are disclosed. These catheters can be used for diagnosing and treating cardiac arrhythmias, for example. The catheters are adapted to contact tissue and comprise a flexible framework including the electrode array. The array of electrodes may be formed from a plurality of columns of longitudinally-aligned and rows of laterally-aligned electrodes.

Abstract: High-density mapping catheters with an array of mapping electrodes are disclosed. These catheters can be used for diagnosing and treating cardiac arrhythmias, for example. The catheters are adapted to contact tissue and comprise a flexible framework including the electrode array. The array of electrodes may be formed from a plurality of columns of longitudinally-aligned and rows of laterally-aligned electrodes.

Abstract: High-density mapping catheters with an array of mapping electrodes are disclosed. These catheters can be used for diagnosing and treating cardiac arrhythmias, for example. The catheters are adapted to contact tissue and comprise a flexible framework including the electrode array. The array of electrodes may be formed from a plurality of columns of longitudinally-aligned and rows of laterally-aligned electrodes.

Abstract: A kit for use in cryoablation procedures includes a cryoablation catheter having a cryoballoon positioned about its distal region. A pressure sensor is positioned distally of the cryoballoon. The catheter can be introduced into a patient's left atrium and the cryoballoon inflated. The cryoballoon can then be advanced into contact with a pulmonary vein wall in a manner that occludes the pulmonary vein. Occlusion can be verified by measuring a pressure within the pulmonary vein. Once occlusion is verified, the cryoballoon can be cooled to form a circumferential lesion about the pulmonary vein.

Abstract: High-density mapping catheters with an array of mapping electrodes are disclosed. These catheters can be used for diagnosing and treating cardiac arrhythmias, for example. The catheters are adapted to contact tissue and comprise a flexible framework including the electrode array. The array of electrodes may be formed from a plurality of columns of longitudinally-aligned and rows of laterally-aligned electrodes.