摘要:
A steerable catheter control mechanism (30) for manipulating a pair of catheter control wires (18, 20) comprises a slider mechanism (32) coupled to the proximal ends of the control wires (18, 20) and displaceable along a linear path to place a selected one of said wires in tension without placing the other of said wires in compression.
摘要:
A medical device is disclosed which includes a deformable electrode device (12). In one illustrative embodiment, the deformable electrode is in the form of a braided member, at least a portion of which is electrically conductive. The braided member is extended over an elongated inner member (14), such as a guide wire, catheter shaft, or the like. A proximal sheath (22) is slidably extended over the inner member and is connected to the braided, electrically conductive member. The proximal sheath may be advanced distally to deform the braided member so that it defines a distally facing, ablative ring (40), and is operative to form an annular lesion.
摘要:
An Electrophysiology catheter including control, localization, and/or fluid delivery features, and methods of using the same. One embodiment of the invention is directed to an electrophysiology catheter including a superelastic wire which is shaped to bias the orientation of the catheter and a cable, and a method of controlling the catheter using the cable. Another embodiment is directed to an electrophysiology catheter including an adhesive to bias the orientation of the catheter. A further embodiment is directed to an electrophysiology catheter including an adhesive and one or more cables, and a method of controlling the catheter using the one or more cables. Another embodiment is directed to a method using acts of injecting a fluid into the heart of a patient and adjusting the diameter of an arcuate curve of the catheter. Further embodiments are directed to a catheter having multiple position sensors on an arcuate curve of the catheterm or a position sensor associated with a movable electrode of the catheter.
摘要:
A medical device is disclosed which includes a deformable electrode device (12). In one illustrative embodiment, the deformable electrode is in the form of a braided member, at least a portion of which is electrically conductive. The braided member is extended over an elongated inner member (14), such as a guide wire, catheter shaft, or the like. A proximal sheath (22) is slidably extended over the inner member and is connected to the braided, electrically conductive member. The proximal sheath may be advanced distally to deform the braided member so that it defines a distally facing, ablative ring (40), and is operative to form an annular lesion.
摘要:
A steerable catheter includes control handle having a generally tubular housing with a longitudinal slot therein in which an axially or longitudinally movable tow-part slideblock resides, and a generally cylindrical, rotatably mounted thumbwheel surrounding a distal portion of the tubular housing, for controlling the axial translation of the slideblock. The pullwire passes into the distal end of the control handle and is only secured to the proximal part of the two-part slideblock so as to prevent the user from placing the pullwire under compression. A tip radius adjusting wire is attached to and extends distally from a slide actuator in the control handle into and through the main catheter shaft portion. The free distal end of the tip radius adjusting wire is selectably locatable at different positions. The radius of curvature of the tip portion, when deflected, depends upon how far distally into the deflectable tip portion the radius adjusting wire has been advanced by the user. The electrode catheter thus has a deflectable tip whose radius of curvature is adjustable over a relatively wide range.
摘要:
A handle for use with a catheter, the handle including a housing, a cable, and a guide. The housing has a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis that extends from the proximal end of the housing to the distal end of the housing. The cable is disposed in the housing and extends through the proximal end of the housing. A portion of the cable that is disposed in the housing is movable, under compression, in a first direction that is substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the housing. The guide is disposed in the housing and is adapted to prevent the portion of the cable from moving in a second direction that is transverse to the first direction when the portion of the cable is moved in the first direction. The handle is suitable for use with an electrophysiology catheter having an elongated shaft.
摘要:
A steerable catheter includes control handle having a generally tubular housing with a longitudinal slot therein in which an axially or longitudinally movable tow-part slideblock resides, and a generally cylindrical, rotatably mounted thumbwheel surrounding a distal portion of the tubular housing, for controlling the axial translation of the slideblock. The pullwire passes into the distal end of the control handle and is only secured to the proximal part of the two-part slideblock so as to prevent the user from placing the pullwire under compression. A tip radius adjusting wire is attached to and extends distally from a slide actuator in the control handle into and through the main catheter shaft portion. The free distal end of the tip radius adjusting wire is selectably locatable at different positions. The radius of curvature of the tip portion, when deflected, depends upon how far distally into the deflectable tip portion the radius adjusting wire has been advanced by the user. The electrode catheter thus has a deflectable tip whose radius of curvature is adjustable over a relatively wide range.
摘要:
Catheters for mapping and/or ablation are disclosed. In one embodiment, the catheter comprises a handle, a flexible shaft, a tip assembly, and a cable. The handle includes an actuator and is attached, at its distal end, to the proximal end of the flexible shaft. The flexible shaft has a longitudinal axis that extends along a length of the shaft. The proximal end of the tip assembly is attached to the distal end of the shaft and includes a fixed bend of approximatley ninety degrees relative to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. The distal end of the tip assembly includes an arcuate curve having a diameter. The arcuate curve is oriented in a plane that is approximatley perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. The cable is attached to the actuator and the distal end of the tip assembly, and extends through the shaft. The cable is adapted to change the diameter of the arcuate curve in response to movement of the actuator.
摘要:
A snap-fit assembly for the distal tip of a catheter is provided. The assembly includes a thermally insulative core and a thermally conductive ablation electrode arranged to interlock with one another by snapping the two together. The core has a proximal end which is shaped to readily fit within the distal tip of an ablation catheter and includes a head which temporarily compresses as it is inserted into the ablation electrode. A method of making the distal tip assembly is also provided.