Abstract: An arterial line blood filter for use in extracorporeal blood circuits during heart bypass surgery has, among other components, a housing with a cap portion, a base portion, and a generally cylindrical wall portion. The blood filter has a filter element disposed within the housing. An inlet is positioned at an upward angle with respect to the housing and includes an opening in the generally cylindrical wall portion in fluid communication with the inlet chamber. In some embodiments the position of the inlet limits the pressure drop and prime volume of the filter. According to one embodiment, the cap portion has an upwardly sloping inner surface and there is a vent in the cap portion. The inner surface of the cap portion can have a projection proximate the vent configured to limit immobilization of gaseous microemboli within the inlet chamber.

Abstract: The catheter device comprises a drive shaft connected to a motor, and a rotor mounted on the drive shaft at the distal end section. The rotor has a frame structure which is formed by a screw-like boundary frame and rotor struts extending radially inwards from the boundary frame. The rotor struts are fastened to the drive shaft by their ends opposite the boundary frame. Between the boundary frame and the drive shaft extends an elastic covering. The frame structure is made of an elastic material such that, after forced compression, the rotor unfolds automatically.

Abstract: A device for delivering oxygen to a wound or injury includes a bandage, which includes a base defining an opening, a cover, and a locking mechanism for releasably securing the cover to the base. An oxygen source is in fluid communication with the cover, whereby oxygen is delivered to the opening in the base.

Abstract: A skin attachment member having first and second surface with a plurality of skin penetrating elements extending integrally from the first surface of the backing to a distal tip. The skin penetrating elements are sized to avoid contact with nerves below the epidermal skin layer and have a foam disposed between at least some of the skin penetrating elements. A method of using the skin attachment member to deliver a pharmaceutical composition through the skin.

Abstract: A device for dispensing fluid to a patient and indicating a fluid flow condition. The device includes a reservoir configured to provide a source of fluid under pressure. A continuous flow path in fluid communication with the source of fluid provides a continuous and substantially constant flow rate of fluid from the source to a patient. The device further includes at least one pre-biased indicator in fluid communication with the continuous flow path. The pre-biased indicator is configured to provide a discrete visual signal that the pressure of the fluid in the continuous flow path is different from a predetermined level of pressure, thereby indicating a fluid flow condition.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to control of medical fluid injection systems. For instance, in some embodiments, an injection protocol may be initiated, and an actual flow rate of the medical fluid utilized in the injection protocol may be adjusted based, at least in part, on an inherent system elasticity of the injection system.

Abstract: An administering device for administering an active substance from a multi-chamber container comprising a first chamber holding a solid active substance and a second chamber holding a dissolving liquid for the active substance, wherein the administering device comprises a mixing device for mixing the active substance with the dissolving liquid and a housing accommodating the mixing device, the container being moveable relative to the housing, and the administering device further comprising a first indicator for indicating a position of the container relative to the housing upon completion of a mixing step, and a second indicator for indicating a position of the container relative to the housing upon completion of a venting step.

Abstract: Punctal plugs for delivering therapeutic agents to the eye have a body with a portion into which the therapeutic agent is loaded and a conical anchor portion at an end of the plug.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating a tissue region employ an expandable structure projecting beyond the distal end of a catheter tube. A distal tail projects beyond the far end of the basket assembly. The distal tail includes a guidewire lumen that accommodates passage of a guidewire without threading the guidewire through the catheter tube.

Abstract: A system and method of treating urinary incontinence including a catheter and injection guide operatively disposed together. At least one needle is operatively disposed within at least one lumen and at least one channel extending through the catheter and injection guide respectively. The injection guide is transformable from a pre-injection configuration for placement in the bladder to an injection configuration for injection of a pharmaceutical such as botulinum toxin into the bladder tissue. Upon introduction of the pharmaceutical to the bladder tissue, symptoms of incontinence are alleviated.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to balloon catheter medical devices. Some balloon catheter medical devices may include a balloon surface having paclitaxel embedded in a low-molecular weight matrix substance adhered thereto and dried. The dried paclitaxel may be immediately releasable after coming into contact with tissue. Other balloon catheter medical devices may include a balloon surface having a lipophilic proliferation inhibitor, an inflammation inhibitor, or an antioxidant adhered thereto.

Abstract: A method for percutaneously implanting a medical catheter, such as a gastrostomy feeding tube, and a medical catheter implanting assembly. In one embodiment, the implanting assembly includes a gastrostomy feeding tube, an inner sheath and an outer sheath. The feeding tube has an internal bolster integrally formed at its distal end. The inner sheath includes a bore extending distally from its proximal end to a point prior to its distal end and a transverse window communicating with the bore. The outer sheath includes a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal bore. The outer sheath is inserted over the inner sheath, and the feeding tube is inserted into the inner sheath, with the internal bolster being folded and tucked into the window and retained therein by the outer sheath. Movement of the outer sheath relative to the inner sheath to expose the window allows the bolster to decompress.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present safety needle assembly include a slidable needle shield. Digital pressure applied to a leaf spring retention latch removes a compressive force from a biasing member and automatically moves the needle shield from a ready-to-use configuration to a protected configuration in which the needle shield covers the sharp needle tip. In the protected configuration the needle shield is prevented from sliding proximally along the needle a sufficient distance to expose the needle tip.

Abstract: A vasoocclusive coil is reinforced with a stretch resistant member to improve safety during retraction of the coil. The stretch resistant member is fixedly attached at one end to the vasoocclusive coil, and the other end of the stretch resistant member is detachably mounted to an elongated pusher member to allow for placement and release of the vasoocclusive coil within the patient's vasculature.

Abstract: An apparatus having a shaft that can sense the depth of penetration, for penetrating into an object (the substrate). The substrate being penetrated has impedance that varies according to the depth under a surface of the substrate. The shaft has a tip for penetration and has conductive ends near to the tip of the shaft. A change of impedance of material of the object between the conductive ends can be sensed to provide information on the depth of penetration. A processor can be provided external to the object being penetrated by the shaft to gather and process the impedance information to determine whether the desired depth has been achieved.

Abstract: A peripherally inserted central venous catheter having a position indicator is used in a method of detecting movement of a catheter tip within a patient's superior vena cava. The PICC comprises a catheter having a proximal end with distance marks at measured intervals, an anchor wing system secured to the catheter's proximal end, at least one extension leg secured to the anchor wing system and the position indicator attached to the extension leg. The position indicator has an area for marking a distance signifying an initial external length of catheter which extends from the point the catheter enters the patient to the point it is attached to the anchor wing and/or marking an initial full length or the internal length of catheter which is fully within the patient. Any movement of the catheter's tip is detected by comparing the current external distance mark with the initial external distance mark.

Abstract: A flow control system that includes a vacuum device configured to control the level of vacuum applied for urging the flow of aspirated fluid from a surgical site, and a vacuum sensor configured to communicate a signal representative of the sensed vacuum level. A flow sensor control is configured to generate a signal indicative of the rate of aspirated fluid flow. A flow controller monitors the vacuum sensor and the flow measurement device, and communicates a requested vacuum level to the vacuum device for establishing a desired vacuum level. The flow controller employs a first feed back loop that compares the actual sensed vacuum level with the requested vacuum level and adjusts the requested vacuum level as needed. The flow controller implements a second feedback loop that compares the actual flow rate of aspirated fluid with a desired flow rate, and adjusts the requested vacuum level to achieve the desired flow rate.

Abstract: Injector systems including a syringe for use with a powered injector having a drive membre to inject a fluid into a patient having a first indicator positioned on the syringe at a predetermined position are described. The position of the first indicator may be associated with information about the syringe configuration. The first indicator can, for example, be positioned on a rear surface of an attachment flange of the syringe. The injector system includes sensors each having on and off states, and a shutter mechanism configured to place sensors in the on or off states. The state of each of the sensors provides a digital code corresponding to information on the syringe configuration.

Abstract: A cannula, such as an IV catheter introducer needle, that has a bi-directionally engageable crimp feature is described herein. The feature comprises a maximum outer diameter that is greater than an outer diameter of the cannula. Additionally, the feature comprises a proximal side and a distal side. The larger outer diameter of the proximal side can act as a proximal engagement that prevents the cannula from being entirely extracted in a proximal direction from a cannula shield. The distal side of the feature can comprise a notch that acts a distal engagement, which prevents the cannula from reemerging distally from the shield, once the cannula has been pulled into the shield. The notch can include an engagement surface that extends laterally past the cannula's outer diameter. The engagement surface can be configured to run substantially perpendicular to the cannula's longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A thrombectomy catheter with a self-inflating proximal balloon having drug infusion capabilities is described. A self-inflating balloon is formed from an inflatable thin walled section of a flexible catheter tube. The self-inflating balloon includes a plurality of outflow orifices located about the peripheral circumference thereof and located proximal to an inflow gap interposed between a fluid jet emanator and the self-inflating balloon. The self-inflating balloon is inflated and expanded by internal operating pressures by proximal composite flow of fluid from the fluid jet emanator and entrained fluid from the inflow gap to uniformly space and position the outflow orifices of the self-inflating balloon in close proximity to the thrombus or vessel walls of a blood vessel. The thrombectomy catheter may be used for, among other things, thrombectomies, embolectomies, thrombus or vessel dilation, and for the delivery of drugs to a thrombus or vessel site.

Abstract: A device, system and method for occluding fluid flow through an infusion set detached from a patient's body. The device includes a means for detecting loss of contact to a patient's body and activating an occlusion mechanism accordingly.

Abstract: A flow control system includes a drip chamber having lower and upper wall sections and a collapsible wall extending between the lower and upper wall sections, a downwardly depending valve seat attached to the lower wall section, and a valve member disposed in the drip chamber, attached to the upper wall section and having a valve surface engageable with the valve seat. The system also includes a driver rotatably engaged to the lower and upper wall sections. Upon rotation of the driver in a first direction, the collapsible wall of the drip chamber moves between a collapsed condition in which the valve seat is sealingly engaged with the valve surface and an extended condition in which the valve seat is sufficiently spaced from the valve surface to form a flow passageway between the valve surface and the valve seat and permit flow through the opening of the drip chamber.

Abstract: A surgical access device is provided having a cannula and obturator. The cannula has a housing and tube section with an anchor located about the tube section. The obturator has a mechanism to deploy the anchor and adjust the cannula length. The anchor is moveable between a deployed and undeployed state where the undeployed state facilitates insertion and removal of the access device and the deployed state assists in fixation of the cannula in an anatomic structure. Anchor deployment is independent of cannula length adjustment.

Abstract: A system and method for treating a tissue site of a patient may include sensing one or more characteristics of exudate fluid of a tissue site of a patient. A level of the sensed one or more characteristics of the exudate fluid may be measured, and, in response to the measured at least one characteristic level, treatment may be applied or altered to the tissue site.

Abstract: The ostomy system includes a pouch that is adhesively coupled to a mounting wafer. The mounting wafer has a landing zone film formed of releasable plastic and the pouch has a face plate with a resealable adhesive that secures to the landing zone of the mounting wafer. The landing zone of the mounting wafer includes one portion that is immovable with respect to the body surface that the mounting wafer is secured to and another portion that is deflectable away from the body surface. The deflectable portion of the landing zone, also referred to as the floating landing zone, is sized for gripping between the fingers during pouch separation from the mounting wafer. Gripping of the floating landing zone during pouch separation helps isolate the pouch separation force from the abdominal area underlying the mounting wafer. The mounting wafer also includes indicia border lines that facilitate alignment of the pouch face plate with the mounting wafer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a component (1) making it easier to fasten a stoma bandage (6) to skin. According to the invention, the component comprises a plastic film (2) coated with a layer (3) of a soft and skin-compatible silicone elastomer which adheres to skin. The component also has a through-opening (4) intended to be applied around a stoma.

Abstract: A disposable diaper is provided, including an absorber, a top sheet disposed to cover the upper surface of the absorber and at least partially formed of a liquid permeable material, a back sheet disposed to cover the lower surface of the absorber and formed of a liquid impermeable material, and a skin contact sheet disposed above the top sheet and formed with a stool passing opening capable of passing a stool therethrough. The stool passing opening is formed into such a shape that a posterior region posterior to a centerline in the anteroposterior direction of the stool passing opening is smaller in the opening area than an anterior region anterior to the centerline.

Abstract: An absorbent article adapted to be worn by a user includes a main body section and an absorbent body that has an absorbent member for absorbing fluid, that has a longitudinal direction, a width direction, and a thickness direction, that is superposed on a face of the main body section on a user side. The absorbent body further has one end section in the longitudinal direction joined to the main body section on a first joined section, and another end section in the longitudinal direction joined to the main body section on a second joined section. A length of the absorbent body between the first joined section and the second joined section is equal to or more than a length of the main body section between the first joined section and the second joined section.

Abstract: The invention, a reusable adjustable diaper, includes: a multi-ply member having a first curvilinear portion connecting by a medial portion to a second curvilinear portion; a first elastomeric member connected to a first curved segment of multi-ply member and having a first plurality of fastening areas; a second elastomeric member connected to a second curved segment of multi-ply member and having a second plurality of fastening areas; a first plurality of fasteners connected to first curvilinear portion; a second plurality of fasteners connected to second curvilinear portion and disengagably fastenable with first plurality of fasteners; a third fastener connected to multi-ply member and disengagably fastenable with first elastomeric member at each of first plurality of fastening areas; and a fourth fastener connected to multi-ply member and disengagably fastenable with second elastomeric member at each of second plurality of fastening areas.

Abstract: A three-piece disposable absorbent article is disclosed having a longitudinal central axis and a transverse central axis. The disposable absorbent article includes front and back panels, each panel capable of being stretched and retracted in multiple directions. The back panel is also distinct and spaced apart from the front panel. The disposable absorbent article further includes an absorbent assembly situated between the front and back panels and which is attached to each by a first attachment member. The first attachment member is aligned along the longitudinal central axis. The disposable absorbent assembly includes a non-elastic absorbent that is capable of being elongated and contracted in only one direction, that direction being aligned approximately parallel to the transverse central axis.

Abstract: The blood bag system includes: a blood treating filter for treating a blood; a first bag for containing therein a blood to be supplied to the blood treating filter; a second bag for containing therein the blood treated by the blood treating filter; storage solution supply which supplies a blood component storage solution to the blood treating filter; a third bag into which a blood remaining in the blood treating filter replaced by the blood component storage solution is transferred and in which the recovered blood is temporarily contained; and a fourth bag to which a blood component separated from the treated blood contained in the second bag is transferred and in which the transferred blood component is contained.

Abstract: A method for injecting a therapeutic agent into a target tissue, the method comprising: (a) providing an expandable member; (b) positioning said expandable member in proximity to the target tissue; (c) Introducing the therapeutic agent into the expandable member until a desired pressure is achieved; and (d) creating a plurality of small apertures in the expandable member.

Abstract: A method for starting an intravenous fluid line (IV) is disclosed where a combination of a syringe body with hypodermic needle, a dual ampoule with separate reservoirs for bicarbonate and an anesthetic, a trocar and a cannula are configured so that the steps of injecting a wheal of a buffered anesthetic, retracting the needle tip, lancing a vein with the trocar, and withdrawing the trocar tip so that the cannula remains in place in the vein may be accomplished in a single coordinated action by one skilled in the method, such as with one hand while the other hand performs manipulations on the vein and IV site.

Abstract: A therapeutic agent delivery system that includes a catheter having a proximal end and an opposite distal end. The catheter has a body with a lumen defined therein. The body of the catheter includes a non-bulbous region having a substantially uniform outer diameter and a bulbous region made from an elastically deformable material. While in a first state the bulbous region has a maximum outer diameter greater than the substantially uniform outer diameter of the non-bulbous region; and while in a second state the maximum outer diameter of the bulbous region is reduced relative to that while in the first state.

Abstract: A system for efficient drainage of a body cavity includes application of vacuum at very high pressure, preferably in the range of approximately 50-500 torr or higher. The system includes the use of a drainage tube having a plurality of holes formed into the wall of a portion of the tube to be inserted in the body cavity. The area of each of the holes is preferably selected to ensure that the suction force communicated by each of the holes to areas within the body cavity is insufficient to injure the tissues exposed in the body cavity. A one-way valve maintains unidirectional flow of drained fluids and gases away from the body cavity. A vacuum relief valve prevents application of dangerous levels of vacuum pressure by opening to admit atmospheric air when vacuum pressure exceeds a predetermined threshold. A vacuum chamber separates drained fluids from drained gases.

Abstract: A negative pressure bandage is formed in a two chamber configuration having a lower chamber from which fluids and exudates are collected from an open wound on the patient and an upper chamber that is used to store the collected fluids and exudates removed by an application of a vacuum to the lower chamber. An impermeable layer separates the upper and lower chambers to keep the wound dry and promote healing. A vacuum port interconnects a fluid collection member located in the lower chamber with the upper chamber to allow the application of a vacuum that collects and removes fluids and exudates from the lower chamber. The vacuum pump can be remote and attached to the bandage by tubing or be incorporated into the bandage to provide a self-contained negative pressure bandage. An absorptive pad can be located in the upper chamber to collect and gel the collected fluids.

Abstract: A directionally limited illuminating balloon catheter includes a multi-lumen shaft having a distal end and a hollow balloon portion disposed at the distal end and inflated through the shaft, the balloon portion having a light source illuminating only a portion of the environment outside the balloon portion. The balloon portion can have a directionally limited light source directing substantially all illumination towards the shaft. Also provided is a directionally illuminating balloon catheter kit including a set of illuminating catheters each having the light source with different sized illuminating areas to illuminate a different sized partial portion of the environment outside the balloon portion.

Abstract: A device, a system, or a method is described for treating a disease or a condition of one or more joints of articulating bone in a mammalian subject. The device provides one or more medicaments to one or more joints of the mammalian subject. A device is described that includes an enclosure including one or more sensors, a controller, and one or more applicators configured to surround one or more joints of articulating bone of a mammalian subject, wherein the one or more sensors are configured to detect one or more physiological conditions of the one or more joints of the mammalian subject, and the controller, configured to communicate with the one or more sensors, is configured to activate the one or more applicators, and wherein the one or more applicators are configured to inject one or more medicaments to one or more joint tissues of the mammalian subject.

Abstract: Methods, systems and devices for assessing residual insulin time of a patient are provided. In one embodiment, the method and the device can be implemented by receiving a confirmation that an insulin dose has been administered to the patient; repetitively receiving a value corresponding to the patient's blood glucose level; identifying at least two consecutively received values based on a predetermined criteria; and, selecting the residual insulin time corresponding to a time period between the confirmation that the insulin dose has been administered and a time corresponding to the identification of the at least two consecutively received values.

Abstract: An endoscopic tissue anchor deployment device includes a handle, an elongated shaft defining an internal lumen, and an end effector attached to the distal end of the elongated shaft. A tissue anchor catheter is removably inserted through the lumen of the elongated shaft, the catheter having a tissue anchor assembly that is deployable from its distal end. In some embodiments, the handle includes a pin and track assembly that define a series of handle actuation steps corresponding to deployment steps for the deployment device end effector and the tissue anchor catheter. In some embodiments, the handle includes a catheter stop member that prevents movement of the tissue anchor catheter under certain circumstances, and a handle stop member that prevents actuation of the handle under certain circumstances.

Abstract: A remote controlled actuator includes an elongated spindle guide section and a distal end member fitted to a distal end thereof for alteration in attitude. The distal end member rotatably supports a spindle for holding a tool. The spindle guide section includes a rotary shaft for transmitting rotation of a tool rotation drive source to the spindle. An attitude altering member inserted in a guide hole is selectively advanced or retracted by an attitude control drive source. An initial attitude hold control unit controls the attitude control drive source so that an initial attitude holding force necessary to maintain the distal end member in the initial attitude can be applied to the attitude altering member. An attitude alteration control unit controls the attitude control drive source so that the attitude of the distal end member can be altered by a force larger than the initial attitude holding force.

Abstract: An intraocular light probe has a mask or shield affixed at its distal end thereof which forms a directed light beam for intraocular illumination of target tissues or intraocular application of therapeutic light. The mask or shield serves to more fully focus, intensify and direct the beam toward target tissues. The mask or shield also helps direct light away from other tissues and away from the eyes of the surgeon. This lessens unwanted glare. By placing a light probe beneath a surgical instrument such as a phacoemulsifier or vitrector, laser, cutting instrument (e.g., scissors or knife), forceps or probe/manipulator, whether as part of or separate from an infusion sleeve, a mask or shield effect is created. This has the same benefits of directing the beam toward target tissues, away from other tissues and away from the eyes of the surgeon.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing material with focused electromagnetic radiation, comprises: a source emitting electromagnetic radiation, means for directing the radiation onto the material, means for focusing the radiation on or in the material, a unit for generating a pattern in the optical path of the electromagnetic radiation, an at least partially reflective surface in the optical path before the focus of the focused radiation, said pattern being imaged onto said at least partially reflective surface through at least part of said directing means and said focusing means, at least one detector onto which an image of the pattern is reflected by said surface and which generates electrical signals corresponding to said image, said image containing information on the position of the focus, a computer receiving said electrical signals and programmed to process said image so as to generate an electrical signal depending on the focal position, and a divergence adjustment element arranged in said optical path and adapt

Abstract: An ophthalmic surgery system for delivering light to a surgical site includes an ophthalmic surgical console including a light source to generate light and a processor operably coupled to the light source and a surgical handpiece operably coupled to the ophthalmic surgical console via an optical fiber for delivering light from the from the light source to a surgical site. The processor is configured to adjust the light source to ensure an output light level at the surgical site is substantially consistent over a period of time.

Abstract: A radiation emitting apparatus is disclosed that emits a substantially homogenous beam of radiation from an irregularly shaped output end. As described herein, a radiation emitting apparatus includes a bundled fiber guide coupled to an energy distribution tuner. The bundled fiber guide is coupled to the energy distribution tuner to receive a substantially uniform distribution of high power energy. The bundled fiber guide is configured to distribute the energy to emit a substantially uniform distribution of lower power energy toward a target surface, such as a body surface. The bundled fiber guide may include a plurality of fused optic fibers, a plurality of beam splitting mirror elements, or tapered waveguides.

Abstract: The device of the invention takes the form of a catheter/probe and is a closed loop system in which cryogen is delivered along the length of the catheter/probe to the tip where freezing occurs, and then recirculated. The device is a tube within a tube and comprises a number of parts including supply and return (internal) tubes, outer sheath (external tube) seaJed to the inner tubes at one or both ends with a gas filled lumen between the internal and external tubes. The lumen of the external tube is filled with a saturated gas which solidifies upon cooling, thereby creating a vacuum along the catheter length and providing for insulation between the inner and outer tubes, and preventing freezing along the probe shaft length. The outside surface of the internal tubes is modified to potentiate gas nucleation on the outer surfaces of the internal tubes when cooled.

Abstract: A method of performing a cryotherapy procedure can include introducing a cryotherapy balloon catheter at a treatment site inside a patient's body; regulating, during a first phase of a cryotherapy procedure, flow of cryogenic fluid to and exhaust from a distal balloon portion of the cryotherapy balloon catheter to cause an initial pressure to be maintained inside the distal balloon portion that is sufficiently high to cause an outer wall of the distal balloon portion to be pressed against body tissue at the treatment site; and regulating, during a second phase of the cryotherapy procedure, flow of cryogenic fluid to and exhaust from the distal balloon portion to cause a) a temperature inside the distal balloon portion to reach a value sufficient to deliver therapeutic levels of cryotherapy to the body tissue, and b) a second-phase pressure to be maintained that is within a threshold value of the initial pressure.

Abstract: A catheter for insertion into and treatment of tissue in a patient comprises a radio frequency (RF) electrode having an elongated body that conducts electrical RF energy to a conductive tip. An insulating sleeve surrounds the elongated body. In a first mode of operation, the conductive tip is exposed outside the insulating sleeve and the RF electrode delivers RF energy that erodes the tissue of the patient and creates a tunnel through which the catheter can advance into the tissue of the patient. In a second mode of operation, the insulating sleeve and/or the RF electrode is retracted and a second treatment apparatus treats the tissue.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for the ablation of regions of the digestive tract to achieve hemostasis and to eradicate chronically bleeding lesions as occur with gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE), portal hypertensive gastropathy (PHG), radiation proctopathy and colopathy, arteriovenous malformations, and angiodysplasia. Ablation is typically provided in a wide-field manner, and in conjunction with sufficient pressure to achieve coaptive coagulation. Ablation, as provided the invention, starts at the mucosa and penetrates deeper into the gastrointestinal wall in a controlled manner. Ablation control may be exerted by way of electrode design and size, energy density, power density, number of applications, pattern of applications, and pressure. Control may also be provided by a fractional ablation that ablates some tissue within a target region and leaves a portion substantially unaffected.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ablation catheter which controls the temperature and reduces the coagulation of biological fluids on an electrode of a catheter, prevents the impedance rise of tissue in contact with the electrode, and maximizes the potential energy transfer to the tissue, thereby allowing an increase in the lesion size produced by the ablation. The electrode includes passages positioned to allow blood and other biological fluids to flow into and out of an inner cavity of the electrode. This fluid flow produced the desired cooling effect and is accomplished, for example, by a reciprocating plunger or piston, or by a balloon that is alternately inflated and deflated.