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 |
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 |
20100168717 | MULTI-LUMEN MEDICAL DEVICES AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURING SAME - A method of manufacturing a catheter shaft includes extruding an inner polymeric layer having a main lumen and two or more side lumens spaced about the main lumen; forming an outer polymeric layer about the inner polymeric layer; and inserting at least one elongate member, such as a wire, through each side lumen of the inner polymeric layer. The side lumens are less than about ⅕ the size of the main lumen. The method may further include the step of forming a braided layer between the inner polymeric layer and the outer polymeric layer. In an alternate embodiment, the method includes co-extruding an inner polymeric layer and a multi-lumen layer, the multi-lumen layer having two or more side lumens; forming an outer polymeric layer about the multi-lumen layer; and inserting at least one elongate member through each side lumen. Catheter assemblies made according to the described methods are also disclosed. | 07-01-2010 |
20100198041 | Apparatus and method for positioning and retention of catheter - A catheter for anchoring an electrode in a coronary sinus includes an elongate catheter body adapted to be inserted into a coronary sinus and at least one electrode on the catheter body. The elongate catheter body also includes at least one anchor movable between an undeployed configuration and a deployed configuration. When the anchor is in the undeployed configuration, the catheter may be introduced into and removed from the coronary sinus. When the anchor is in the deployed configuration, the anchor engages a tissue surface of the coronary sinus to inhibit movement between the catheter body and the coronary sinus, preferably without completely occluding the coronary sinus. The anchor may be a section of the catheter body having an expandable axial cross-section, an expandable member mounted on the catheter body, one or more wire anchors, or a flexible section of the catheter body. | 08-05-2010 |
20100292687 | Methods and Systems for Occluding Vessels During Cardiac Ablation - A method is provided for ablating a portion of the myocardium. The method includes inserting an occlusion catheter into a vessel on a heart, occluding the vessel using the occlusion catheter, inserting an ablation catheter into a chamber of the heart, positioning the ablation catheter against the myocardium, and ablating a portion of the myocardium while the vessel is occluded. The system includes an occlusion catheter having a catheter body including a tubular member having a distal portion and a bend located in the distal portion, a balloon located proximal of the bend and configured to contact an inner surface of the coronary sinus when positioned therewithin, a plurality of marker bands positioned on the catheter body, and a plurality of electrodes positioned on the catheter body. | 11-18-2010 |
20100324552 | Methods and systems for occluding vessels during cardiac ablation incuding optional electroanatomical guidance - A method is provided for ablating a portion of the myocardium. The method includes inserting an occlusion catheter into a vessel on a heart, occluding the vessel using the occlusion catheter, inserting an ablation catheter into a chamber of the heart, positioning the ablation catheter against the myocardium, and ablating a portion of the myocardium while the vessel is occluded. The system includes an occlusion catheter having a catheter body including a tubular member having a distal portion and a bend located in the distal portion, a balloon located proximal of the bend and configured to contact an inner surface of the CS when positioned therewithin, a plurality of marker bands positioned on the catheter body, and a plurality of electrodes positioned on the catheter body. One or more electrodes or coils can be used as a reference for an electroanatomical system and can be disposed on the occlusion catheter. | 12-23-2010 |
20110112476 | DEVICE FOR REDUCING AXIAL SHORTENING OF CATHETER OR SHEATH DUE TO REPEATED DEFLECTION - A deflectable medical device incorporates a strut that is configured to reduce or eliminate axial shortening of the deflectable portion of the medical device, for example, the deflectable distal end portion of a catheter or access sheath. The strut may is coaxially disposed in the medical device in the section that is contemplated to undergo the repeated deflection. The strut provides improved column strength and axial restoration. The strut may be stent-like device, an elongate device having opposing ends coupled by a connecting lattice involving a plurality of helical connecting elements or a tube having a plurality of circumferentially-extending slots arranged in longitudinally-extending rows. | 05-12-2011 |
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 |
20120035460 | MOVABLE MAGNET FOR MAGNETICALLY GUIDED CATHETER - A catheter is disclosed having a flexible tubing with a proximal end and a distal end. The catheter comprising at least one movable magnet provided within the distal end of the flexible tubing. A control mechanism is operable to selectively activate the at least one movable magnet from the proximal end of the flexible tubing. The at least one movable magnet is responsive to an external magnetic field to position and guide the distal end of the flexible tubing within a body of a patient. | 02-09-2012 |
20120035605 | MAGNETICALLY GUIDED CATHETERS - 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. | 02-09-2012 |
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 |
20120130217 | MEDICAL DEVICES HAVING ELECTRODES MOUNTED THEREON AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURING THEREFOR - Medical devices, methods of manufacturing medical devices, and systems comprising medical devices are provided. The device comprises a shaft having a major lumen sized to receive a second medical device and an electrode mounted thereon. The shaft includes an inner liner and outer layer. The method of manufacture includes forming a shaft by forming an inner liner and an outer layer by covering the inner liner with a polymeric material. The method further includes mounting an electrode onto the shaft of the device, and then heating and cooling the shaft. The system comprises a medical device having a shaft and an electrode mounted thereon. The shaft has a major lumen sized to receive another device. The system further comprises an electronic control unit configured to receive signals from the electrode and to determine a position of the electrode and/or monitor electrophysiological data. | 05-24-2012 |
20130158479 | DEVICE FOR REDUCING AXIAL SHORTENING OF CATHETER OR SHEATH DUE TO REPEATED DEFLECTION - A deflectable medical device incorporates a strut that is configured to reduce or eliminate axial shortening of the deflectable portion of the medical device, for example, the deflectable distal end portion of a catheter or access sheath. The strut may is coaxially disposed in the medical device in the section that is contemplated to undergo the repeated deflection. The strut provides improved column strength and axial restoration. The strut may be stent-like device, an elongate device having opposing ends coupled by a connecting lattice involving a plurality of helical connecting elements or a tube having a plurality of circumferentially-extending slots arranged in longitudinally-extending rows. | 06-20-2013 |
20140018749 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COUPLING A TUBE WITH A MEDICAL DEVICE HANDLE - An elongate medical device handle may comprise a body defining an interior, an exterior, and a connector port extending between the interior and the exterior and defining an axis. The connector port comprises a portion having a polygonal cross-section taken transverse to the axis. In an embodiment, the polygonal cross-section may comprise a star shape. In an embodiment, a connector, such as a fluid connector, may be secured in the connector port using an adhesive. | 01-16-2014 |
20140094768 | Movable magnet for magnetically guided catheter - A catheter is disclosed having a flexible tubing with a proximal end and a distal end. The catheter comprising at least one movable magnet provided within the distal end of the flexible tubing. A control mechanism is operable to selectively activate the at least one movable magnet from the proximal end of the flexible tubing. The at least one movable magnet is responsive to an external magnetic field to position and guide the distal end of the flexible tubing within a body of a patient. | 04-03-2014 |