Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100168550 | MULTIPLE SHELL CONSTRUCTION TO EMULATE CHAMBER CONTRACTION WITH A MAPPING SYSTEM - A system for constructing multiple shells (electronic models) indicative of the geometry and/or volume of a bodily lumen, such as a heart chamber, is configured to collect a plurality of location data points as the electrode is swept within the chamber. Each of the collected data points has an associated measured cardiac phase at which such point was acquired. The system is configured to segregate the collected electrode locations into sets based on the phase. Each set is characterized by a particular, associated phase of its constituent electrode locations. The system is configured to generate, for each set, a respective shell that will represent the chamber at the associated phase. The shells, once constructed, may be used for or in connection with a variety of diagnostic, mapping, and/or therapeutic procedures. The system is also configured to verify that the electrode is in contact with the heart tissue before using the collected data point in the shell construction (e.g., using a phase angle parameter to verify contact). | 07-01-2010 |
20100168668 | SEAL FOR CONTROLLING IRRIGATION IN BASKET CATHETERS - Catheter systems and methods are disclosed including a seal for helping direct an anticoagulant or other fluid for proper irrigation in a basket catheter. An exemplary basket catheter includes an outer tubing housing an inner fluid delivery tubing having at least one fluid delivery port. A plurality of splines each connected at a proximal end of the splines to the outer tubing and at a distal end of the splines to the inner fluid delivery tubing. The inner fluid delivery tubing is operable to be moved in a first direction relative to the outer tubing to expand the splines to a deployed position. The inner fluid delivery tubing is also operable to be moved in a second direction relative to the outer tubing to collapse the splines to an undeployed position. A porous membrane is provided over at least a portion of the inner fluid delivery tubing having the at least one fluid delivery port. A seal is provided at a proximal end of the porous membrane between the porous membrane and the outer tubing and between the porous membrane and the inner fluid delivery tubing, the seal configured for irrigating between the plurality of splines of the basket catheter while preventing fluid ingress into the outer tubing. | 07-01-2010 |
20100305423 | CATHETER HAVING DISTAL SEALING MEMBER - A catheter includes a proximal end, a distal end, a tubular member, and an inner member extending through the tubular member. The inner member is movable axially relative to the tubular member. The catheter also includes a seal member including a first portion and a second portion. The seal member extends between the tubular member and the inner member. The first portion of the seal member remains stationary relative to the tubular member, and the second portion of the seal member remains stationary relative to the inner member during relative axial movement between the tubular member and the inner member. | 12-02-2010 |
20110092969 | Ablation electrode assembly and methods for improved control of temperature - The present invention pertains to multiple piece irrigated ablation electrode assemblies wherein the irrigation channels are insulated or separated from at least one temperature sensing mechanism within the distal portion of the electrode assembly. The present invention further pertains to methods for improved assembly and accurate measurement and control of the electrode temperatures while effectively irrigating the device and target areas. | 04-21-2011 |
20120215088 | CATHETER HAVING DISTAL SEALING MEMBER - A catheter includes a proximal end, a distal end, a tubular member, and an inner member extending through the tubular member. The inner member is movable axially relative to the tubular member. The catheter also includes a seal member including a first portion and a second portion. The seal member extends between the tubular member and the inner member. The first portion of the seal member remains stationary relative to the tubular member, and the second portion of the seal member remains stationary relative to the inner member during relative axial movement between the tubular member and the inner member. | 08-23-2012 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090254078 | ABLATION ELECTRODE AND CATHETER ASSEMBLY FOR EPICARDIAL MAPPING AND ABLATION WITH DIRECTIONALLY FOCUSED RF ENERGY - The present invention provides various embodiments of electrodes and/or electrode tips for use in connection with ablation catheters and ablation catheter systems. In an embodiment, an electrode tip for an ablation catheter is provided, comprising an electrode carrier, a first electrode, and second electrode, each adapted to direct energy is various directions and configured to be selectively activated. In another embodiment, an electrode is provided that comprises an electrode body having an insulated portion to protect adjacent tissue from ablation while further adapted to direct energy in a downward direction towards the target tissue. Other embodiments of electrodes and/or electrode tips providing ablative elements that are directed laterally are also disclosed. Moreover, embodiments of several types of electrodes and/or electrode tips, which may include positioning, orientation, irrigating, cooling, and deflecting features, whether provided individually or in various combinations, are also disclosed. | 10-08-2009 |
20090287210 | Steerable short sheath access device - The present invention relates to steerable access sheath assembly ( | 11-19-2009 |
20100094279 | Circuit for a catheter or sheath and method of forming same - A circuit ( | 04-15-2010 |
20100286626 | Longitudinally incompressible, laterally flexible interior shaft for catheter - A catheter having a substantially longitudinally non-compressible non-metallic internal shaft or reinforcing member ( | 11-11-2010 |
20110028837 | Photodynamic-based myocardial mapping device and method - A photodynamic mapping device includes a shaft with a proximal end and a distal end, at least one optical electrode at the distal end of the shaft, and at least one optical fiber positioned inside the shaft. In embodiments, the at least one optical fiber extends from the distal end of the shaft and is coupled to the at least one optical electrode provided at or about an outer surface of the device. In an embodiment, at least one optical fiber is coupled, at or about the proximal end of the shaft, to a light source coupled and an optical sensor. An analyzer can be coupled to the optical sensor. Embodiments of such devices can be configured to deliver substances, such as photodynamic therapeutic substances. | 02-03-2011 |
20110160593 | INTRACARDIAC IMAGING SYSTEM UTILIZING A MULTIPURPOSE CATHETER - A three dimensional physiological mapping system utilizing an intracardiac echo catheter capable of being located in six degrees of freedom by a visualization, navigation, or mapping system. An echocardiography image of the intracardiac echo catheter may be projected within a geometric model of the visualization, navigation, or mapping system where the location of the projected image is adjusted in response to user input identifying a structure present in the echocardiography image and the geometric model. | 06-30-2011 |
20110160721 | Irrigated Catheter Employing Multi-Lumenal Irrigation Tubing - An irrigated catheter includes a catheter body having both proximal and distal irrigation passageways. A first fluid delivery tube feeds the proximal irrigation passageway and is fluidly isolated from the distal irrigation passageway, while a second fluid delivery tube feeds the distal irrigation passageway and is fluidly isolated from the proximal irrigation passageway. Typically, the first and second fluid delivery tubes will be unitary, at least through the catheter body. The overall shape of the first and second fluid delivery tubes, as well as their respective lumens, may vary as necessary for a particular application of the irrigated catheter. The system also includes an irrigation fluid source and at least one pump to deliver the irrigation fluid through the irrigation passageways. Typically, the pump will be a volume-driven pump, such as a rolling pump. | 06-30-2011 |
20110208165 | Seal for controlling irrigation in basket catheters - An exemplary basket catheter includes an outer tubing housing an inner fluid delivery tubing having at least one fluid delivery port. A plurality of splines are each connected at a proximal end of the splines to the outer tubing and at a distal end of the splines to the inner fluid delivery tubing. The inner fluid delivery tubing is operable to be moved in a first direction to expand the splines; and in a second direction to collapse the splines. A porous membrane is provided over at least a portion of the inner fluid delivery tubing. A seat is provided at a proximal end of the porous membrane between the porous membrane and the outer tubing and between the porous membrane and the inner fluid delivery tubing, the seal configured for irrigating between the plurality of splines of the basket catheter while preventing fluid ingress into the outer tubing. | 08-25-2011 |
20110213231 | Bendable catheter arms having varied flexibility - In various embodiments, a catheter comprising an expandable electrode assembly or basket is provided. In specific embodiments, the basket is particularly useful for mapping electrical activity at one or more locations within the heart. The basket can comprise a plurality of bendable or deflectable arms. At least one of the arms may have varied flexibility over its length in the form of one or more discontinuities of stiffness or flexibility at an elbow region or other variances in flexibility over the arm's length. Such variance in flexibility may allow the arm to assume a different bent configuration or respond to external factors more positively than possible with an arm having a static or near static flexibility or stiffness over its length. | 09-01-2011 |
20120108938 | Steerable sheath access device - The present invention relates to steerable access sheath assembly including at least one electrode. Moreover, the present invention relates to a steerable sheath access device for use in cardiovascular procedures. Embodiments of the present invention including steerable access sheaths or introducers may provide cardiovascular access for various ablation tools and devices for the performance of various ablation procedures or procedures involving alternate energy sources. | 05-03-2012 |
20120143298 | CATHETER ELECTRODE ASSEMBLIES AND METHODS OF CONSTRUCTION THEREFOR - 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. | 06-07-2012 |
20130172712 | ELECTRICALLY TRANSPARENT INTRODUCER SHEATH - An introducer sheath for a medical device is provided. The sheath includes a deformable, elongate body disposed about a longitudinal axis. The body has proximal and distal ends and defines a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends and configured to allow passage of the medical device therethrough. The body is configured to allow an electric current to pass radially between a space outside of the body and the lumen such that the position of the medical device within a patient can be monitored and electrogram readings from body tissues can be measured while the device is in the sheath. In some embodiments of the invention, the body may include a one or more apertures extending from the radially outer surface of the body to the lumen or a portion of the body may be made from a conductive and/or fluid permeable material. | 07-04-2013 |
20130172715 | ELECTRODE SUPPORT STRUCTURE ASSEMBLIES - 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. | 07-04-2013 |
20140088591 | Catheter electrode assemblies and methods for construction therefor - 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. | 03-27-2014 |
20140148674 | Bendable catheter arms having varied flexibility - In various embodiments, a catheter comprising an expandable electrode assembly or basket is provided. In specific embodiments, the basket is particularly useful for mapping electrical activity at one or more locations within the heart. The basket can comprise a plurality of bendable or deflectable arms. At least one of the arms may have varied flexibility over its length in the form of one or more discontinuities of stiffness or flexibility at an elbow region or other variances in flexibility over the arm's length. Such variance in flexibility may allow the arm to assume a different bent configuration or respond to external factors more positively than possible with an arm having a static or near static flexibility or stiffness over its length. | 05-29-2014 |
20140336494 | ELECTRODE SUPPORT STRUCTURE ASSEMBLIES - 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. | 11-13-2014 |