Abstract:
An electrode assembly for use in interventricular cardiac mapping includes one or more elongated splines each of which carries a plurality of spaced apart electrodes thereon. The body of each spline is formed of a plurality of alternating electrically conductive layers and the electrically non-conductive layers. A separate electrically conductive pathway is provided to connect each of the electrodes to a different one of the conductive layers. Each of the layers is electrically connnected to an electrical signal processing device so that signals provided by each of the electrodes can be processed.
Abstract:
A cardiac ablation catheter has an energy emitting surface for thermally destroying tissue. The surface normally presents a compact, low profile for introduction into the heart. Once introduced, the energy emitting surface can be significantly enlarged. The enlarged surface emits ablation energy sufficient to create a lesion that is significantly larger in terms of volume and geometry than the surface's initial low profile would provide.
Abstract:
A tissue ablation apparatus includes a delivery catheter with distal and proximal ends. A handle is attached to the proximal end of the delivery catheter. At least partially positioned in the delivery catheter is an electrode deployment device. The electrode deployment devices includes a plurality of retractable electrodes. Each electrode has a non-deployed state when it is positioned in the delivery catheter. Additionally, each electrode has a distended deployed state when it is advanced out of the delivery catheter distal end. The deployed electrodes define an ablation volume. Each deployed electrode has a first section with a first radius of curvature. The first section is located near the distal end of the delivery catheter. A second section of the deployed electrode extends beyond the first section, ad has a second radius of curvature, or a substantially linear geometry.
Abstract:
A fenestrated stent formed in a body lumen is provided which includes an article shaped to provide support to a section of a body lumen and allow biological material which would otherwise flow through the body lumen to flow through the article, the article being formed with fenestrations bydelivering a fluent pre-stent composition to a mold space defined by a section of a body lumen and a fluent pre-stent composition delivery device having members which define the fenestrations, andtransforming the fluent pre-stent composition to a non-fluent stent composition within the mold space.
Abstract:
An antenna assembly has an energy propagating region that is encapsulated in a material having a high dielectric constant for minimizing the loss of energy while having a high thermal conductivity for dissipating conductive heat patterns about the energy propagating region.
Abstract:
An apparatus ablates at least a portion of an interior of a body structure with a reduced chance of body structure infection. A catheter is provided with a catheter tissue interface surface and a port formed in the catheter tissue interface surface. An electrode is at least partially positioned in the interior of the catheter and is configured to be advanced and retracted in and out of the port. The electrode includes an electrode electromagmetic energy delivery surface. A disinfectant medium introduction member coupled to a source of a disinfectant medium and includes a distal end that is configured to extend into an oral cavity. An electrode advancement and retraction device is at least partially positioned in the interior of the catheter. A cable is coupled to the electrode.
Abstract:
An ablation apparatus has an introducer including an introducer lumen, a proximal portion and a distal portion. A handpiece with a proximal portion and a distal portion is coupled to the introducer proximal portion. Two or more electrodes are at least partially positioned in the introducer lumen. Each electrode is configured to be advanced from the introducer distal portion in a deployed state into a selected tissue site to define a volumetric ablation volume. A fluid delivery member is positioned on at least a portion of an exterior of one of the electrodes. The fluid delivery member is configured to be coupled to a fluid medium source. A cable is coupled to the electrodes.
Abstract:
An apparatus is provided for ablating at least a portion of a nasal concha. By ablating at least a portion of a nasal concha, the size of the nasal concha is reduced. The three nasal concha in the body (inferior, middle and superior nasal concha) form at least a portion of the three nasal meatus (inferior, middle and superior nasal meatus) in the body. By reducing the size of a nasal concha, obstruction of a nasal meatus is reduced or eliminated. As a result, air flow through the nasal meatus is improved. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a catheter having a distal portion with a dimension configured for positioning the catheter distal portion through a nostril of a patient into a nasal meatus adjacent a surface of a nasal concha and a means at the catheter distal portion for delivering sufficient ablative energy to the nasal concha to ablate at least a portion of the nasal concha through heating without penetrating the surface of the nasal concha with an element of the apparatus.
Abstract:
An endocardial ablation apparatus, for introduction into a heart chamber formed by a wall, is provides. The ablation apparatus includes an inflatable, flexible porous membrane adapted to receive an electrolytic solution, and become inflated to substantially conform an exterior surface of the membrane to the wall of the heart chamber. An inner lumenal member is surrounded by and attached to the membrane. The inner lumenal member includes a lumen that permits blood flow through the inner lumenal member and heart chamber. An introducer catheter introduces the membrane and inner lumenal member into a selected heart chamber. A plurality of RF electrodes define a circuit positioned in the membrane or on an exterior surface of the inner lumenal member. The RF electrodes transfer thermal energy to the electrolytic solution. The electrolytic solution is the electrode that provides ablation of a selected site of the heart chamber. An RF power source is coupled to the RF electrodes. A source of electrolytic solution is coupled to the membrane.
Abstract:
An ablation apparatus is provided which ablates at least a portion of an interior of a body structure while reducing a swelling response in the body structure. The apparatus provides a catheter including a catheter tissue interface surface and a port formed in the catheter tissue interface surface. An electrode is at least partially positioned in the interior of the catheter and configured to be advanced and retracted in and out of the port. The electrode includes an electrode electromagmetic energy delivery surface. A cooling element includes a cooling medium inlet conduit and a cooling medium exit conduit, both extending through an interior of the catheter forming at least a partial cooled catheter tissue interface surface. The electrode electromagnetic energy delivery surface is thermally isolated from the cooling element. An electrode advancement and retraction device is at least partially positioned in the interior of the catheter. A cable is coupled to the electrode.