| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|
| 20080234661 | Catheter employing shape memory alloy shaping wire or pull wire and method of its manufacture - An electrophysiology catheter includes an elongate catheter body having a distal end and a proximal end, a catheter tip including at least one metallic catheter component, such as an electrode, thereon, and at least one internal catheter component joined to the at least one metallic catheter component. The at least one internal catheter component includes a shape memory alloy and a metal compound that is capable of both bonding with the shape memory alloy and being metallurgically joined to the at least one metallic catheter component as by brazing. The metal compound may be a coating on or a core within the shape memory alloy. Suitable metal compounds include, without limitation, nickel, copper, brass, and combinations thereof. | 09-25-2008 |
| 20090165881 | CATHETER SHAFT AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE - A method of manufacturing a catheter assembly generally includes providing a catheter shaft having an outer layer and an inner reinforcing layer; removing at least a portion of the outer layer from a length of the distal end of the catheter shaft in order to expose a distal segment thereof; providing an inner jacket segment; axially engaging the inner jacket segment with an interior surface of the distal segment of the catheter shaft; providing an outer jacket segment around at least the exposed exterior region of the distal segment of the catheter shaft; and bonding the distal segment of the catheter shaft to the inner jacket segment and the outer jacket segment. | 07-02-2009 |
| 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 |
| 20100249568 | MEDICAL DEVICES HAVING AN ATRAUMATIC DISTAL TIP SEGMENT - A kit for the diagnosis or treatment of tissue in a body cavity includes an introducer and a catheter insertable through the lumen of the introducer having a proximal segment, a working segment and a flexible distal tip segment. The flexible distal tip segment is located adjacent the distal end of the working segment and includes a proximal end, a distal end and a pre-formed bend or curve that permits the catheter to exit the introducer in a lateral direction relative to the introducer body to prevent inadvertent damage to the tissue during a medical procedure. All or part of the working segment and the flexible distal tip segment may be adhesive-filled. The catheter may also include a plurality of sensing and/or energy delivery elements on the working segment and a shape-memory wire terminating at the distal end of the working segment. Methods of use and methods of manufacturing are also described. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100314031 | Steerable Catheter Using Flat Pull Wires and Having Torque Transfer Layer Made of Braided Flat Wires - A catheter assembly includes an inner liner made of flexible material and an outer layer having a steering mechanism. The steering mechanism includes at least one flat wire and a corresponding lumen through which the flat wire may travel. The steering mechanism may also include at least one pull ring to which the flat wires are attached. A layer of heat shrink material may encompass the outer layer. A braided wire assembly may also be provided in the outer layer, and may be formed by braiding a plurality of flat wires into a wire mesh. The overall cross-section of the catheter assembly is preferably substantially circular. A catheter shaft may include a plurality of segments of differing hardness characteristics. The outer layer typically comprises a melt processing polymer such that the catheter assembly may be laminated using heat. | 12-16-2010 |
| 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 |
