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 cardiac ablation catheter has an energy emitting surface for thermally destroying tissue. The surface normally presents a compact, low profile for introduction into the heart. Once introduced, the energy emitting surface can be significantly enlarged. The enlarged surface emits ablation energy sufficient to create a lesion that is significantly larger in terms of volume and geometry than the surface's initial low profile would provide.
Abstract:
A cardiac ablation catheter has an energy emitting surface for thermally destroying tissue. The surface normally presents a compact, low profile for introduction into the heart. Once introduced, the energy emitting surface can be significantly enlarged. The enlarged surface emits ablation energy sufficient to create a lesion that is significantly larger in terms of volume and geometry than the surface's initial low profile would provide.
Abstract:
An antenna assembly has an energy propagating region that is encapsulated in a material having a high dielectric constant for minimizing the loss of energy while having a high thermal conductivity for dissipating conductive heat patterns about the energy propagating region.
Abstract:
An improved probe for cardiac diagnosis and/or treatment includes a control handle and a catheter for insertion into the heart. The catheter has a distal end, a proximal end and at least one lumen connecting said distal and proximal ends. It also includes a flexible inner tube and an outer sheath enveloping said tube. At least one measuring electrode or ablation device is attached to the distal end of the tube. The outer sheath and the inner tube are rotatable relative to each other so that the electrode or device can be rotated within the heart without rotating the outer sheath. The sheath is also axially movable relative to the tube to selectively enclose or expose the electrode or device for use.
Abstract:
An antenna assembly has an energy propagating region that is encapsulated in a material having a high dielectric constant for minimizing the loss of energy while having a high thermal conductivity for dissipating conductive heat patterns about the energy propagating region.
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 cardiac probe employs a dynamic mounting element that supports one or more electrodes at its distal end in relatively constant surface contact against the expanding and contact endocardial surface.