摘要:
Catheters, systems, and methods are provided for performing medical procedures, such as tissue ablation, adjacent the ostia of anatomical vessels, such as pulmonary veins. The catheter comprises an elongated flexible catheter body, which includes a proximal shaft portion and a distal shaft portion, and a tracking element carried by the distal shaft portion. The proximal section is pre-shaped to form a curve having an apex sized to be inserted into the vessel ostium, and a distal section configured to contact the adjacent tissue when the curve apex is inserted within the vessel ostium. The method may comprise inserting the curve apex into the vessel ostium to place the distal section in contact with a first tissue site adjacent the vessel ostium, and determining a location of the tracking element(s) within a coordinate system while the distal section is in contact with the first tissue site.
摘要:
Steerable catheter that has fluid transfer capability is provided. The catheter includes an elongate flexible shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, an operative element carried at the distal end of the shaft, and a medium conveying conduit carried within the elongate shaft, the conduit having a distal end that is affixed relative to the distal end of the elongate shaft, and a proximal end that is configured to move relative to the proximal end of the shaft. In this manner, the proximal end of the medium conveying conduit is allowed to slide relative to the proximal end of the shaft as the distal end of the shaft changes shape, thereby preventing kinking of the conduit.
摘要:
A flexible, steerable intravascular catheter includes an elongate flexible shaft having a heterogeneous or multi-zone stiffness profile or structure. A first or distal portion of the catheter shaft may have a substantially constant or distinct stiffness or flexibility, a second, intermediate or transition section is proximal relative to, and less flexible than, the first section, and a third section is proximal relative to, and also less more flexible than, the first section. The third section also includes a substantially constant or distinct stiffness or flexibility. The flexibility or stiffness of the second section varies along its length, e.g., in a substantially linear, step-like or ramp-like manner to provide a smooth or gradual transition between the stiffness of the first or distal section and the flexibility or stiffness of the third or proximal section.
摘要:
An apparatus which includes a dual loop structure that carries a plurality of operative elements. A guide with a distal indentation that may be used to reorient a dual loop structure.
摘要:
Electrophysiological electrodes including an at least substantially planar distal end and/or surface discontinuities at or adjacent to the distal end are disclosed.
摘要:
The present inventions provide assemblies, probes, and methods for creating circumferential lesions in tissue, e.g., the tissue within or around the ostium of a vessel. An ablation probe with an ablative structure can be placed in contact within or around the ostium of the vessel. A diagnostic probe can be introduced through a lumen within the ablation probe and inserted into the vessel. The energy can be provided to the ablative structure to create a circumferential lesion within or around the ostium of the vessel, and the diagnostic structure can be used to diagnose the tissue to determine whether the circumferential lesion can be properly created.
摘要:
A surgical method and apparatus for positioning a diagnostic or therapeutic element within the body. The apparatus may be catheter-based or a probe including a relatively short shaft.
摘要:
A catheter assembly having a sheath, which includes a side wall enclosing an interior bore, and a distal region. The assembly also has a bendable catheter tube, which is carried for sliding movement in the interior bore. A pull wire also runs through the interior bore of the sheath, preferably within a lumen. The catheter tube has a distal portion with a coupling which joins the distal portion of the catheter tube and the distal portion of the pull wire. Relative movement of the pull wire and the sheath causes bending of the catheter tube outwardly through the opening, in response to sliding movement of the catheter tube within the interior bore toward the distal region of the sheath.
摘要:
A surgical method and apparatus for positioning a diagnostic or therapeutic element within the body. The apparatus may be catheter-based or a probe including a relatively short shaft.