Abstract:
An improved assembly for steering and orienting a functional element at the distal end of a catheter tube holds the functional element with its major axis aligned with the axis of the catheter tube for convenient steering to a tissue site. The mechanism can also pivot the functional element in response to an external force to orient the major axis of the functional element generally parallel to the plane of the tissue site, without bending the catheter tube.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for contacting heart valve tissue with a catheter tip electrode adapted for atrioventricular (AV) node mapping and modification is provided. The tip is conformed to rest stably and comfortably on a cardiac valve such as the mitral or tricuspid valve. The tip has a peanut shape consisting of two electrode lobes joined by a narrower connecting piece. The tip rests on the valve at the connecting piece and is secured by the adjoining lobes. The connecting piece itself may either be insulating or electrically conductive. The catheter may also include standard mapping and/or pacing electrodes. The catheter may further include a steering mechanism for positioning the catheter at various treatment sites in the heart.
Abstract:
A method of regulating temperature at a tissue site comprising measuring sphincter tissue temperature at or near a tissue site, comparing the measured sphincter tissue temperature to a desired temperature, increasing an existing flow rate of a cooling solution to the tissue site if the measured tissue temperature exceeds the desired temperature, and maintaining the existing flow rate of the cooling solution to the tissue site if the measured temperature does not exceed the desired temperature.
Abstract:
An obesity treatment system has a first treatment region sized and configured for deployment in a duodenum and a second treatment region sized and configured for deployment in a stomach. The first and second treatment regions are spaced apart a distance sized and configured to permit simultaneous deployment of the first treatment region in the duodenum and deployment of the second treatment region in the stomach. The first and second treatment regions each carry at least one electrode, which can deliver energy to ablate tissue in and the duodenum.
Abstract:
A sphincter treatment apparatus includes an energy delivery device introduction member including a proximal end with a first radius of curvature and a distal end with a second radius of curvature. The introduction member is configured to be introduced into the sphincter in a non-deployed state and to be expanded to a deployed state to at least partially expand the sphincter or an adjoining structure. An energy delivery device is coupled to the introduction member. A retainer member is coupled to the energy delivery device introduction member and configured to controllably position the introduction member in an orifice of the sphincter.
Abstract:
A method of forming a composite lesion pattern in a tissue region at or near a sphincter comprising providing a catheter having a plurality of energy delivery devices coupled to the catheter. The catheter is introduced at least partially into the sphincter. Energy is delivered from the energy delivery devices to produce the composite lesion pattern. The composite lesion pattern comprises a radial distribution of lesions about the tissue region and a longitudinal distribution of lesions along the tissue region.
Abstract:
An apparatus to treat a sphincter has a support member. A sphincter electropotential mapping device includes a mapping electrode. The sphincter electropotential mapping device is coupled to the support member and configured to detect aberrant myoelectric activity of the sphincter.
Abstract:
An apparatus includes an expandable member. The expandable member is sized to be positionable in a sphincter. An energy delivery device is positioned on a surface of the expandable member. The energy delivery device has a configuration that provides sufficient energy delivery to create lesions in the interior of the sphincter. When the expandable member is removed from the sphincter, the sphincter returns to its closed or contracted configuration.
Abstract:
An apparatus to treat a sphincter has a support member. A sphincter electropotential mapping device includes a mapping electrode. The sphincter electropotential mapping device is coupled to the support member and configured to detect aberrant myoelectric activity of the sphincter.
Abstract:
A sphincter treatment apparatus includes an energy delivery device introduction member including a proximal end with a first radius of curvature and a distal end with a second radius of curvature. The introduction member is configured to be introduced into the sphincter in a non-deployed state and to be expanded to a deployed state to at least partially expand the sphincter or an adjoining structure. An energy delivery device is coupled to the introduction member. A retainer member is coupled to the energy delivery device introduction member and configured to controllably position the introduction member in an orifice of the sphincter.