Abstract: A catheter with a mechanism for omni-directional deflection of a catheter shaft includes a shaft assembly and a controller. The shaft assembly includes a first tubular component that has a preformed curvilinear distal section, a second, substantially straight tubular component with a main axis and an outer shaft. The first and second components are configured for slidable movement therebetween while preserving common rotation so that when the second component is axially moved in a distal direction, the second component deflects the preformed curvilinear section towards the main axis while orientation of the outer shaft is preserved. The controller is configured to effect relative axial movement between the first and second components as well as to effect rotation of the first and second components (and thus also of the preformed curvilinear distal section) without any rotation of the shaft relative to the handle.

Abstract: A deflectable catheter shaft section is disclosed comprising an elongated body extending along a longitudinal axis with a distal end and a proximal end. First and second pull wires can extend along the elongated body and can have a proximal end and a distal end. First and second pull wire liners can be disposed over a portion of one of the first and second pull wires, respectively. Each of the first and second pull wires can have a proximal end and a distal end. A first gap can exist between the proximal end of the first pull wire liner and the proximal end of the elongated body and a second gap can exist between the proximal end of the second pull wire liner and the proximal end of the elongated body.

Abstract: A family of catheter electrode assemblies includes a flexible circuit having a plurality of electrical traces and a substrate; a ring electrode surrounding the flexible circuit and electrically coupled with at least one of the plurality of electrical traces; and an outer covering extending over at least a portion of the electrode. A non-contact electrode mapping catheter includes an outer tubing having a longitudinal axis, a deployment member, and a plurality of splines, at least one of the plurality of splines comprising a flexible circuit including a plurality of electrical traces and a substrate, a ring electrode surrounding the flexible circuit and electrically coupled with at least one of the plurality of electrical traces; and an outer covering extending over at least a portion of the ring electrode. A method of constructing the family of catheter electrode assemblies is also provided.

Abstract: A distal tip assembly for an elongate medical device having an axis comprises a shaft having a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, a wall, and a central lumen extending axially between said proximal end portion and said distal end portion. The distal tip assembly further comprises a position sensor disposed in an outer sleeve such that the sensor can shift relative to the sleeve. The sleeve is disposed at least in part in the wall and is substantially fixed thereto.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward systems and methods for detecting force applied to a distal tip of a medical catheter. In some embodiments, a medical catheter with a deformable body near a distal tip of the catheter deforms in response to a force applied at the distal tip, and a force sensor detects various components of the deformation. Processor circuitry may then, based on the detected components of the deformation, determine a force applied to the distal tip of the catheter.

Abstract: Embodiments include a catheter shaft (12) having an elongated structure with a distal portion (18) and proximal portion (16). The distal portion (18) can include a distal tip (36), a proximal connector (38), and a plurality of pivoting hollow cylindrical segments (40) disposed between the proximal connector (38) and distal tip (36) along a longitudinal axis extending through the elongated structure. A plurality of connections (42, 44) can be disposed along diametrically opposed sides of the distal portion (18) and configured to connect the distal tip (36), the pivoting hollow cylindrical segments (40), and the proximal connector (38). A diametrically opposed pair of tabs (54-1, 54-2) can extend from an inner wall of each of the pivoting hollow cylindrical segments (40) to form first and second pullwire tunnels (81-1, 81-2). First and second pullwires (52-1, 52-2) can extend through the first and second pullwire tunnels (81-1, 81-2).

Abstract: Actuators for steerable medical devices are disclosed that not only deflect or steer a portion of a medical device (e.g., a distal portion of a catheter shaft), but also include mechanisms for actively returning the deflected portion of the medical device to an initial configuration (e.g., straight or substantially straight). These active return-to-straight mechanisms may return a catheter shaft from a deflected configuration to a substantially straight configuration throughout a medical procedure, may employ one or more tension members extending along the catheter shaft, and may comprise a gross return actuator and a fine return actuator. For example, the gross return actuator may be configured to partially reverse the deflection of the distal portion of the catheter; and the fine return actuator may be configured to continue reversing the deflection. The gross return actuator may automatically trigger or actuate (mechanically or electromechanically) the fine return actuator.

Abstract: An electrode support structure assembly is provided comprising an electrode support structure including a plurality of splines. Each of the plurality of splines can have a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The assembly further comprises a first element defining an axis and comprising an outer surface. The outer surface comprises a plurality of slots configured to receive the distal end portion of each of the plurality of splines. The first element is configured such that the distal end portion of each of the plurality of splines may move with respect to each slot. In accordance with some embodiments, the distal end portion of each of the plurality of splines comprises a section configured for engagement with the first element, wherein the section comprises a shoulder.

Abstract: A medical device for the diagnosis or treatment of tissue in a body and method for fabricating the same are provided. The device includes comprises a first shaft and a second shaft. The first shaft includes a longitudinal axis, and the second shaft includes a second shaft axial end disposed within the first shaft. The second shaft is connected to the first shaft by a first nested lap joint formed between the first shaft and the second shaft.

Abstract: An ablation device includes an elongate catheter body having a lumen extending therethrough and a distal region. An ablation element, such as one or more ultrasound transducers, is disposed within the distal region such that it can emit ablative energy outwardly relative to the longitudinal axis of the catheter body. A balloon is positioned about the distal region of the catheter body, typically with the ablation element positioned within the balloon. The balloon is expandable outwardly from an outer surface of the catheter body such that, when the balloon is inflated, an exterior surface of the balloon stably engages an interior wall of a blood vessel without occluding blood flow therethrough. For example, the balloon can be cross-shaped when inflated. To create circumferential lesions without repositioning the catheter, the ablation element can rotate about and/or slide along the longitudinal axis of the catheter body.

Abstract: A deflectable catheter shaft section is disclosed comprising an elongated body extending along a longitudinal axis and comprising a distal end and a proximal end; and a plurality of lumens extending along the longitudinal axis of the elongated body, wherein at least one of the lumens is abutting at least another one of the lumens. A catheter comprising the deflectable catheter shaft section and a method of manufacturing the deflectable catheter shaft section are also disclosed. A catheter incorporating a deflectable catheter shaft section can further comprise first and second compression coils disposed over pull wires located within the catheter, wherein the compression coils are unattached to the catheter or components thereof, but can be constrained by a shaft coupler at a distal end of each of the compression coils and by at least a portion of a handle assembly at a proximal end of each of the compression coils.

Abstract: A medical device for the diagnosis or treatment of tissue in a body and method for fabricating the same are provided. The device includes comprises a first shaft and a second shaft. The first shaft includes a longitudinal axis, and the second shaft includes a second shaft axial end disposed within the first shaft. The second shaft is connected to the first shaft by a first nested lap joint formed between the first shaft and the second shaft.

Abstract: Actuators for steerable medical devices are disclosed that not only deflect or steer a portion of a medical device (e.g., a distal portion of a catheter shaft), but also include mechanisms for actively returning the deflected portion of the medical device to an initial configuration (e.g., straight or substantially straight). These active return-to-straight mechanisms may return a catheter shaft from a deflected configuration to a substantially straight configuration throughout a medical procedure, may employ one or more tension members extending along the catheter shaft, and may comprise a gross return actuator and a fine return actuator. For example, the gross return actuator may be configured to partially reverse the deflection of the distal portion of the catheter; and the fine return actuator may be configured to continue reversing the deflection. The gross return actuator may automatically trigger or actuate (mechanically or electromechanically) the fine return actuator.

Abstract: A deflectable catheter shaft section is disclosed comprising an elongated body extending along a longitudinal axis with a distal end and a proximal end. First and second pull wires can extend along the elongated body and can have a proximal end and a distal end. First and second pull wire liners can be disposed over a portion of one of the first and second pull wires, respectively. Each of the first and second pull wires can have a proximal end and a distal end. A first gap can exist between the proximal end of the first pull wire liner and the proximal end of the elongated body and a second gap can exist between the proximal end of the second pull wire liner and the proximal end of the elongated body.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to an intravascular catheter with a coupler near a distal end which facilitates precise positioning of an end effector and one or more magnetic localization sensors.

Abstract: A medical device is provided comprising a shaft comprising a first segment and a second segment. The first segment is configured to buckle upon application of a first critical force. The second segment includes an outer surface and an inner surface and is configured to buckle upon application of a second critical force. The second critical force is lower than the first critical force. The medical device further comprises a coil disposed radially inwardly of the inner surface of the second segment.

Abstract: Deflection actuators configured to provide variable mechanical advantage and to optionally maintain a desired state of deflection are disclosed. Each deflection actuator may comprise a plurality of planar components, at least one of which is adapted to move relative to at least one other component. The planar components may comprise a channeled platform and a pivotable base mounted adjacent to the channeled platform. The platform may comprise a slider trough to slidably retain a slider. The base may have a cam arm pivotally connected to it and adapted to push a slider in its trough, whereby pivoting of the pivotable base relative to the channeled platform produces linear motion by the slider in its slider trough. The deflection actuator may also comprise a friction-lock knob, a knob receiver, and a pivot hub to selectably produce friction between various components to hold a catheter shaft in a desired state of deflection.

Abstract: A distal tip assembly for an elongate medical device having an axis comprises a shaft having a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, a wall, and a central lumen extending axially between said proximal end portion and said distal end portion. The distal tip assembly further comprises a position sensor disposed in an outer sleeve such that the sensor can shift relative to the sleeve. The sleeve is disposed at least in part in the wall and is substantially fixed thereto.

Abstract: A magnetically-guided catheter includes a tip positioning magnet in the distal electrode assembly configured to interact with externally applied magnetic fields for magnetically-guided movement. A magnetically-guided mapping catheter includes an electrically-conductive capsule in the form of a casing that includes a distal ablation surface and isolates the positioning magnet from bio-fluids to prevent corrosion. An open irrigation ablation catheter includes an isolated manifold that isolates the positioning magnet from contact with irrigation fluid to prevent corrosion.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting relative positioning of medical devices located within a human body, the apparatus comprising an inner elongate member comprising a plurality of electrodes and a first sensor member, where the first sensor member is located a known distance from each of the plurality of electrodes, and an outer elongate member comprising a first sensor, and an outer sensor member located between the first sensor and an inner wall of the outer elongate member, where the inner elongate member is configured to move within the outer elongate member and the first sensor is configured to sense a signal generated by movement of the inner elongate member relative to the outer elongate member, and a position detection module including an electronic control unit configured to detect a position of the first sensor member relative to the first sensor based on the signal.