摘要:
A catheter tube carries an imaging element for visualizing tissue. The catheter tube also carries a support structure, which extends beyond the imaging element for contacting surrounding tissue away from the imaging element. The support element stabilizes the imaging element, while the imaging element visualizes tissue in the interior body region. The support structure also carries a diagnostic or therapeutic component to contact surrounding tissue.
摘要:
Collapsible electrode assemblies and associated methods employ an array of filaments assembled to form a mesh structure. The mesh structure is adapted to selectively assume an expanded geometry having a first maximum diameter and a collapsed geometry having a second maximum diameter less than the first maximum diameter. Preferably, at least one of the filaments includes an electrically conductive material adapted for coupling to a source of ablation energy for transmitting ablation energy.
摘要:
Electrode structures are formed from flexible, porous, or woven materials. One such structure is made by forming first and second body sections, each including a peripheral edge. The first and second body sections are joined together about their peripheral edges with a seam, thereby forming a composite structure. Another one of such structures is made by forming a body having a three dimensional shape and opposite open ends, and at least partially closing at least one of the opposite ends by forming a seam. Another one of such structures is formed from a sheet of material having peripheral edges. The sheet is placed on the distal end of a fixture, while the peripheral edges of the sheet are gathered about the proximal end of a fixture, thereby imparting to the sheet a desired shape. At least one pleat is formed to secure the gathered peripheral edges together. The seams or pleats are formed by thermal bonding, or ultrasonic welding, or laser welding, or adhesive bonding, or sewing.
摘要:
Improved folding electrode assemblies and associated methods employ a structure comprising a wall peripherally enclosing an interior. The structure is adapted to selectively assume a geometry that changes between an expanded geometry having a first maximum diameter and a collapsed geometry having a second maximum diameter less than the first maximum diameter. At least one folding region in the wall is adapted to fold upon itself along a predefined fold line as the structure geometry changes. The folding region is formed when a portion of the wall is coated with an electrically conductive material for the purpose of transmitting electrical ablating energy, while another portion of the wall is left free of the electrically conductive material. Alternatively, the folding region is formed by forming an array of apertures in the wall.
摘要:
Enhanced electrical connections for electrodes are provided. In one implementation, an electrode body comprises a first electrically nonconductive layer and a second electrically nonconductive layer overlying at least a portion of the first layer. An intermediate region is formed between the first and second layers. An electrically conductive pathway extends within the intermediate region. An formed opening extends to the intermediate region, exposing a part of the electrically conductive pathway. An electrically conductive material is deposited on the second layer so that a part of the electrically conductive material passes through the opening to establish electrical contact between the electrically conductive material and the electrically conductive pathway.
摘要:
A porous electrode assembly for tissue heating and ablation systems and methods includes a wall having an exterior peripherally surrounding an interior area. The assembly includes a lumen to convey a medium containing ions into the interior area. An element couples the medium within the interior area to a source of electrical energy. According to the invention, the wall includes at least two spaced apart zones. Each zone comprises a porous material sized to pass ions contained in the medium, to thereby enable ionic transport of electrical energy from the source through the medium and porous material to the exterior of the wall. In a preferred embodiment, the at least two zones are spaced apart by a third zone comprising a material that blocks passage of ions contained in the medium.
摘要:
Systems and methods analyze biopotential morphologies in body tissue. The systems and methods use a template of a biopotential event of known cause in body tissue. The template comprises a plot of variations in biopotentials over time and not a spacial distribution of endocardial surface activation. The systems and methods compare this template to a sample of a biopotential event externally triggered in body tissue. The sample comprises a plot of variations in biopotentials over time and not a spacial distribution of endocardial surface activation. The systems and methods generate an output based upon the comparison. The systems and methods can be used to compare an event-specific template of a cardiac event of known diagnosis to a sample of a paced cardiac event. The comparison yields a matching factor indicating how alike the input sample is to the input template. The systems and methods compare the matching factor to a predetermined value to determine the location of sites that are potentially appropriate for ablation. A matching factor that indicates close similarity between the sample and the template suggests that the pacing site lies close to a region potentially appropriate for ablation to treat the arrhythmia.
摘要:
Systems and methods use an array of multiple electrodes supported for operative association with a region of heart tissue, in tandem with a roving second electrode supported for movement relative to the multiple electrode means for operative association with selected, different regions of endocardial tissue within the heart. An analog or digital processing element conditions one of the multiple electrodes and the roving electrode to emit a pacing signal while the other one of the multiple electrodes and the roving electrode records paced electrograms occurring as a result of the pacing signal. A processing element and method input a template of a cardiac event of known diagnosis sensed using the array of multiple electrodes. The processing element and method inputs a sample of a cardiac event acquired by pacing from at least one roving electrode and sensed with the array of multiple electrodes. The processing element and method electronically compare the input sample to the input template and generates an output based upon the comparison. The output can aid the physician in locating potentially appropriate sites for ablation.
摘要:
An interface for association with an electrode structure deployed in contact with heart tissue generates a real image of the electrode structure acquired by an imaging device. The interface also generates an idealized image of the electrode structure based at least in part upon the real image. The interface displays either the real image, or the idealized image, or both on a display screen.
摘要:
An electrode support structure has spline elements radiating from a center hub in a circumferentially spaced relationship. The spline elements include terminal ends spaced from the hub which are joined to a base member to form a three dimensional structure for supporting electrodes. The center hub lies essentially within the envelope of the spline elements to present a surface free of projections that can poke into and cause tissue trauma during use.