Abstract:
A family of catheter electrode assemblies includes a flexible circuit 68 having a plurality of electrical traces and a substrate 72; a ring electrode surrounding the flexible circuit 68 and electrically coupled with at least one of the plurality of electrical traces; and an outer covering 90 extending over at least a portion of the electrode 62. A non-contact electrode mapping catheter includes an outer tubing 90 having a longitudinal axis, a deployment member 114, and a plurality of splines 116, at least one of the plurality of splines 116 comprising a flexible circuit 68 including a plurality of electrical traces and a substrate 72, a ring electrode 62 surrounding the flexible circuit 68 and electrically coupled with at least one of the plurality of electrical traces; and an outer covering 90 extending over at least a portion of the ring electrode 62. A method of constructing the family of catheter electrode assemblies is also provided.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to deflectable access sheath assembly. The present invention relates to deflectable sheaths and catheters, including a deflectable sheath access device (10) or introducer, wherein the deflection and movement of the sheath access device (10) is controlled through the relative movement of a plurality of sheaths (20,22) with respect to one another. Moreover, the present invention relates to catheter assemblies designed for increased flexibility.
Abstract:
A steerable medical catheter (18) is provided having proximal and distal portions and a selectively deflectable distal segment (24) having anisotropic bending stiffness for deflection of the shaft (16) in individual planes. Upon actuation of pull wires (26), the distal deflectable segment deflects to move/sweep the distal catheter tip (20) through a sweeping plane (100). The anisotropic bending stiffness of the distal deflectable segment permits in-plane movement of the distal catheter tip (20) in the sweeping plane (100) while resisting out-of-plane movements. In one arrangement, stiffening elements are selectively disposed within the distal deflectable segment (24) such that the out-of-plane bending stiffness increases to a value greater than the in-plane bending stiffness in the sweeping plane. In another arrangement, the cross section of a distal deflectable segment is altered to produce anisotropic area inertias of moment about its centroidal axes, and thus anisotropic bending stiffnesses
Abstract:
The present invention is a catheter actuation handle (14) for deflecting a distal end (18) of a tubular catheter body (12), the handle including an auto-locking mechanism, (54). The handle comprises upper and lower grip portions (24a, 24b), an actuator (20), and an auto-locking mechanism, (54). The auto-locking mechanism (54) is adapted to hold a deflected distal end (18) of the catheter (10) in place without input from the operator. When the distal end (18) of the catheter (10) is deflected from its zero position, it typically will seek a return to its zero position, and as a result exerts a force on the actuator (20). The auto-locking mechanism (54) acts by providing a second force that resists this force from the distal end (18) and holds the distal end (18) in place. As a result, the operator does not need to maintain contact with the buttons (22a, 22b) to maintain the distal end (18) in a set position.
Abstract:
The invention relates to an optic-based sensing assembly and a system incorporating the assembly and related use of the assembly. In particular, the invention relates to an optic-based catheter assembly (10) and related system used to determine contact between a catheter (12) and surrounding proximate environment, such as tissue. An embodiment of such a system may, for example, be used for visualization, mapping, ablation, or other methods of diagnosis and treatment of tissue and/or surrounding areas.
Abstract:
An electrode catheter device with indifferent electrode for direct current tissue therapies is disclosed. An example of the catheter device has a flexible tubing with at least one ablation electrode. The catheter device also may also be used with a sheath for introducing the flexible tubing inside a patient's body. An indifferent electrode on the sheath can provide a ground for a direct current (DC) pulse to deliver electrical energy and create an electrical field adjacent a tissue. Various other embodiments are also disclosed.
Abstract:
A magnetically-guided catheter (100) includes a tip positioning magnet in the distal electrode assembly (112) configured to interact with externally applied magnetic fields for magnetically-guided movement. A magnetically-guided mapping catheter (100) includes an electrically-conductive capsule in the form of a casing (146) that includes a distal ablation surface and isolates the positioning magnet from bio-fluids to prevent corrosion. An irrigated ablation catheter includes a manifold (206) isolating the positioning magnet(s) from contact with irrigation fluid. Devices and methods for manufacturing magnetically driven electrode-catheter with flexible tethering includes one or more fibers, distributed centrally or peripherally within a catheter shaft and oriented longitudinally, transversely, angularly or spirally. A C-shaped extruded catheter introducer (and re-introducer) includes a longitudinally-extending opening for insertion of a magnetically-guided catheter, removal of the introducer from the catheter and constructed to facilitate its re-use.
Abstract:
A mechanism for omni-directional deflection of a catheter (100) includes a shaft assembly (102) and a controller (104a). Shaft assembly (102) includes first tubular component (118) with a preformed curvilinear distal section, a second straight tubular component (120) with a main axis, and an outer shaft (122). The components (118,120) slide therebetween while preserving common rotation so that when component (120) is axially moved distally, the component (120) deflects the preformed curvilinear section towards the main axis while preserving orientation of outer shaft (122). Controller (104a) effects relative axial movement as well effecting rotation between first and second components (118,120) (and thus also of the preformed curvilinear distal section) without rotating the shaft (122) relative to the handle (112). Varying the deflection of the preformed curvilinear section in combination with variable rotational movement achieves omni-directional distal tip bending.
Abstract:
A robotic surgical system 10 includes a track 14, a catheter holding device 16 including a catheter receiving portion 26 translatably associated with the track 14, a translation servo mechanism 18 to control translation of the catheter holding device 16 relative to the track 14, a catheter deflection control mechanism 20, a deflection servo mechanism 22 to control the catheter deflection control mechanism 20, and a controller 24 to control at least one of the servo mechanisms. The catheter receiving portion 26 is adapted for quick installation and removal of a catheter 12. The catheter receiving portion 26 may be rotatable, with a rotation servo mechanism to control the rotatable catheter receiving portion 26. The controller 24 controls at least one of the deflection and rotation servo mechanisms to maintain a substantially constant catheter deflection as the catheter 12 rotates. An introducer, which may be steerable, and an expandable, collapsible sterile tube may also be provided.
Abstract:
Catheter ultrasound systems including a sheath, a handle (2), a sheath lumen, and an ultrasound catheter (196) disposed within the lumen of the sheath with ultrasound elements (220) capable of visualizing anatomical regions. The handle (2) allowing the ultrasound catheter (196) to rotate with respect to the sheath using a rotation adjustment knob within the handle or alternatively a separate manipulation handle attached to the proximal end of the ultrasound catheter (196). The sheath, ultrasound catheter (196), or both may also include one or more electrodes or other location sensor for both orienting the ultrasound element (220) as well as for diagnostic purposes.