摘要:
An elongate elastomeric structure having controlled surface texture. Plasma deposition is used to create controlled features, such as ridges, on the external surface of an elongate elastomeric surface, such as the external surface of silicone tubing. The invention has particular applicability in the medical device field, such as the fabrication of implantable leads, catheters, and medical devices incorporating them.
摘要:
A method of assessing a tissue ablation treatment, including positioning a medical device adjacent a target tissue; measuring a first impedance magnitude a first frequency with the medical device; measuring a first impedance phase at a second frequency with the medical device; ablating at least a portion of the target tissue with the medical device; measuring at second impedance magnitude at a third frequency with the medical device; measuring a second impedance phase at a fourth frequency with the medical device; comparing at least one of (i) the first and second impedance magnitudes and (ii) the first and second impedance phases; and providing an indication of the efficacy of the ablation treatment based at least in part on the comparison.
摘要:
Systems and methods for assessing electrode position, including positioning a plurality of electrodes within a heart and proximate a pulmonary vein; obtaining an impedance measurement from each of the plurality of electrodes; determining whether any of the plurality of electrodes is located within the pulmonary vein based at least in part on the obtained impedance measurements; and generating an indication if at least one of the plurality of electrodes is determined to be located within the pulmonary vein.
摘要:
An ablation catheter assembly includes an elongate catheter body having a proximal portion, a distal portion and a lumen therethrough. A helical structure associated with the catheter distal portion carries a plurality of independently operable electrodes and is transformable between a low-profile configuration wherein a straightening element is positioned in the lumen and an expanded configuration wherein the straightening element is at least partially retracted from the spiral structure. When the helical structure is in the expanded configuration, a laterally offset tip portion extends distally therefrom.
摘要:
A catheter assembly for treatment of cardiac arrhythmia. The catheter assembly includes a catheter body and an ablative energy source. The catheter body includes a proximal portion, an intermediate portion, and a distal portion. The intermediate portion extends from the proximal portion and defines a longitudinal axis. The distal portion extends from the intermediate portion and includes an ablation section and a tip. The ablation section forms a loop defining a diameter greater than an outer dimension of a pulmonary vein ostium. The tip extends distally from the ablation section and is configured to locate a pulmonary vein. Finally, the ablative energy source is associated with the ablation section. With this configuration, upon activation of the energy source, the ablation section ablates a desired lesion pattern. In one preferred embodiment, the ablation section forms a distally decreasing radius helix, whereas the tip includes a relatively linear leader section. With this one preferred configuration, the tip readily locates a pulmonary vein and guides the ablation section to a seated relationship about a pulmonary vein ostium (or extra-ostial).
摘要:
A method of placing an electrical lead of an implantable cardiac device inside a heart of a patient. The method includes securing a tool to an atrial appendage of the heart to hold onto the atrial appendage, piercing the atrial appendage, and creating an aperture in the atrial appendage while holding the atrial appendage with the tool. The method also includes moving a distal end of the electrical lead into the heart through the aperture in the atrial appendage and into a ventricle of the heart. Furthermore, the method includes coupling the distal end of the electrical lead to cardiac tissue in the ventricle and delivering an electrical signal to the cardiac tissue in the ventricle of the heart to maintain a predetermined heartbeat of the heart.
摘要:
A catheter body includes a proximal portion, an intermediate portion extending from the proximal portion and defining a longitudinal axis, and a distal portion extending from the intermediate portion and terminated by a distal end of the catheter body; the distal portion forms a coil about a central loop axis, which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. A first lumen extends through the proximal and intermediate portions of the catheter body and is terminated at an opening proximal to an ablation section, which is formed along the coil.
摘要:
The present invention relates to fabrication methods and apparatus for irrigating medical catheters. Such catheters include at least one section of standard thermoplastic catheter tubing coupled to a section of porous tubing (e.g., ePTFE and the like). A source of fluid couples to the porous portion of tubing to dispense diverse fluids. The manufacturing technique overcomes the inability of such porous material to liquefy and/or bond to most available adhesives by creating a mechanical-based coupling. One aspect of the present invention involves pre-treatment of a portion of a porous material such as ePTFE; that is, a “pre-imbibing” process is employed wherein the ePTFE is saturated with a solution of solvent and dissolved thermoplastic resin. After the solution evaporates a resin-based interstitial residue provides suitable structure that fuses to adjacent thermoplastic material during application of heat, such as during thermal bonding. The present may be used to prepare virtually any porous material for thermoplastic bonding.
摘要:
A medical electrical lead with a tip-ring assembly optimized to resist damage during extraction. The lead includes an elongated plastic tube and at least two elongated conductors mounted in the plastic tube. A tip-ring assembly is mounted to the distal end of the tube, the tip-ring assembly including a ring electrode coupled to one of the conductors, a tip electrode located distal to the ring electrode and coupled to another of the conductors and two molded plastic components separately fabricated of a plastic harder than the plastic tube, adhered to one another and together defining a circumferential groove in which the ring electrode is located and mechanically coupled to the tip electrode. The tip electrode may be provided with a proximally extending electrode shank covered by a tine sleeve which is fabricated of a plastic softer than the molded plastic components and is adhered to more distally located molded plastic component. The more distally located molded plastic component preferably overlaps the electrode shank to provide a stronger structure.
摘要:
An elongate elastomeric structure having controlled surface texture. Plasma deposition is used to create controlled features, such as ridges, on the external surface of an elongate elastomeric surface, such as the external surface of silicone tubing. The invention has particular applicability in the medical device field, such as the fabrication of implantable leads, catheters, and medical devices incorporating them.