Abstract:
A medical device for sympathetic nerve ablation may include an elongate shaft and an expandable member. A printed ablation electrode assembly may be disposed on an outer surface of the expandable member, the printed ablation electrode assembly including a positive electrical pathway and a ground electrical pathway printed directly on the outer surface of the expandable member. A temperature sensor may be printed directly on the outer surface of the expandable member. A method of manufacturing a medical device for sympathetic nerve ablation may include printing a conductive ink network directly on a surface of a polymeric balloon material in a flat configuration, printing at least one temperature sensor directly on the surface of the polymeric balloon material, forming the polymeric balloon material into an inflatable balloon, and attaching the inflatable balloon to an elongate catheter shaft.
Abstract:
Medical devices and methods for making and using medical devices are disclosed. An example medical device may include a catheter shaft. An expandable member may be coupled to the catheter shaft. The expandable member may be capable of shifting between a folded configuration and an expanded configuration. A plurality of flexible elements may be attached to the expandable member, with a plurality of electrode assemblies disposed on the flexible elements. The flexible elements may have a grooved substrate.
Abstract:
Methods and devices (e.g., for nerve modulation) may include at least one thermistor and a balloon having a balloon wall. In one or more embodiments, the medical device is configured and arranged to transfer heat to the medical device surroundings. In one or more embodiments, the at least one thermistor is a portion of a thermistor array disposed on the balloon wall, the thermistor array including a plurality of thermistors and operatively engaged with a source of electric current. In one or more embodiments, the device includes at least one flexible circuit mounted on the outer surface of the expandable balloon, the at least one flexible circuit including at least one temperature-sensing device that includes at least one thermistor, wherein at least a portion of a conductive layer is electronically coupled to the thermistor, with the proviso that no electrode is associated with the conductive layer.
Abstract:
Medical devices and methods for making and using medical devices are disclosed. An example medical device may include a catheter shaft. An expandable member may be coupled to the catheter shaft. The expandable member may be capable of shifting between a folded configuration and an expanded configuration. A plurality of flexible elements may be attached to the expandable member, with a plurality of electrode assemblies disposed on the flexible elements. The flexible elements may have a grooved substrate.
Abstract:
Medical devices for sympathetic nerve modulation are disclosed. An example medical device for sympathetic nerve modulation may include a catheter shaft having a distal region. An expandable member may be coupled to the distal region. A flexible circuit assembly may be attached to the expandable member. The flexible circuit assembly may include a first electrode strip, a second electrode strip, and a sensor strip disposed between the first electrode strip and the second electrode strip. The first electrode strip may include a first electrode. The second electrode strip may include a second electrode. The first electrode and the second electrode may define a pair of bipolar electrodes.
Abstract:
A medical device for sympathetic nerve ablation includes a catheter shaft and an expandable member disposed on the catheter shaft. The balloon is configured to be able to shift between an unexpanded configuration and an expanded configuration. The medical device includes an elongate electrode assembly constructed as a flexible circuit and a protective bumper member. The elongate electrode assembly may have an outer edge and may be disposed on an outer surface of the balloon. The protective bumper member may cover at least a portion of the outer edge of the elongate electrode assembly.
Abstract:
A medical device for sympathetic nerve ablation may include a catheter shaft, an expandable member disposed on or coupled to the catheter shaft, and a plurality of elongate electrode assemblies each constructed as a flexible circuit having a plurality of layers. The expandable member may be configured to shift between an unexpanded configuration and an expanded configuration. The plurality of electrode assemblies may be disposed on an outer surface of the expandable member. Each of the plurality of electrode assemblies may include enhanced tear resistance properties such as through the inclusion of a reinforcement structure with one or more of the layers of the electrode assemblies.
Abstract:
The disclosure pertains to an intravascular catheter for nerve modulation, comprising an elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end, a balloon having a lumen and a balloon wall, the balloon wall comprising RF permeable sections and non-electrically conductive sections, an electrode disposed within the balloon and extending distally to the furthest distal RF permeable section. The RF permeable sections may comprise a plurality of RF permeable windows, each window having a greater circumferential dimension than an axial dimension. The intravascular system is suited for modulation of renal nerves.
Abstract:
Medical devices and methods and making and using medical devices are disclosed. An example medical device may include an elongate shaft having a distal region. An expandable member may be coupled to the distal region. The expandable member may be capable of shifting between a first configuration and an expanded configuration. The expandable member may have a distal portion, a proximal portion, and a body portion disposed between the distal portion and the proximal portion. The body portion may have a projection formed therein that projects radially outward from the body portion. A flexible electrode assembly may be coupled to the projection.
Abstract:
Medical devices for sympathetic nerve modulation are disclosed. An example medical device for sympathetic nerve modulation may include a catheter shaft having a distal region. A compliant balloon may be coupled to the distal region. A flexible circuit assembly may be coupled to the compliant balloon. The flexible circuit assembly may include one or more electrodes. An expansion-limiting member may be coupled to the compliant balloon.