Abstract:
A device comprising a flexible, elongate member (16) having proximal (17) and distal (18) extremities and having a plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart elements (31-34) disposed in the distal extremity (18). A control mechanism (12) is secured to the proximal extremity (17) of the flexible, elongate member (16) and includes a housing (41), a first control member (56) slidably mounted in the housing (41) and a second control member (64) rotatably mounted in the housing (41). Electrical circuitry couples the control member (56, 64) to the elements (31-34) whereby movement of the control members (56, 64) translates into movement of the distal extremity (18) of the flexible, elongate member (16).
Abstract:
A catheter (11) for use in radiofrequency ablation of the myocardium of the heart of a patient having a flexible elongate member (12) with at least one lumen (13) extending therethrough and having proximal (14) and distal extremities (16). A needle-like electrode (23) formed of a conducting material is mounted on the distal extremity of the flexible elongate member (12). A conductor (26) extends through the lumen (13) and is connected to the electrode (23). Radiofrequency energy is supplied to said conductor (26) and to the electrode (23) to cause ablation of the myocardium.
Abstract:
A catheter probe (501) is provided for introduction into a chamber of the heart having blood therein and formed by a wall through a lumen leading to the chamber. The catheter probe includes a flexible elongate tubular member (502) having proximal and distal extremities (502a, 502b) and a lumen (576) extending therebetween. A plurality of longitudinally-extending spaced-apart arms (511) having interconnected proximal and distal extremities (511a, 511b) are carried by the distal extremity of the flexible elongate tubular member. The arms are movable between a contracted position and an expanded position in which they bow outwardly from the longitudinal axis of the catheter probe. The arms subtend an angle of approximately 180 DEG or less about the longitudinal axis when in the expanded position. A plurality of longitudinally spaced-apart electrodes (512) are carried by each of the arms. Electrical conductors (541) extend through the elongate tubular member and are connected to the electrodes for performing electrical functions with respect to the electrodes. A wire (611) is slidably carried within the lumen for causing the arms to move to the expanded position. The electrodes carried by the arms can be urged against a portion of the wall of the heart when the arms are in the expanded position to map the portion of the wall.
Abstract:
This invention is an endocardial mapping apparatus (11) for mapping the wall of a chamber of the heart having blood therein. The apparatus (11) includes a basket assembly (22) that is carried by a distal extremity (17) of a flexible elongate tubular member (13) and is movable between contracted and expanded positions. The basket assembly (22) has a plurality of spaced apart arms (25) with joined proximal and distal extremities (27, 28) and a plurality of electrodes (36) carried by each arm (25). The arms (25) have spaces (33) therebetween when the basket assembly (22) is in an expanded position. A rotatable member (41) is rotatably coupled to the joined distal extremities (28) and is disposed within the basket assembly (22). At least one electrode (57) is carried by the rotatable member (41) for engaging the wall of the heart. A torque knob (68) is coupled to the rotatable member (68) for rotating the member (41) within the basket assembly (22) and for bowing it radially outwardly into a space (33) between the arms (25).
Abstract:
An apparatus (96) for performing an operation inside a body in the vicinity of a wall therein which includes a flexible elongate member (97) having proximal and distal extremities. The distal extremity (98) is adapted to be inserted into the body for performing the operation therein and the proximal extremity is adapted to be disposed outside the body. A pressure sensor (47) is carried by the distal extremity (98) of the flexible elongate member (97) for sensing the force being applied to the distal extremity in bringing it into engagement with the wall so that the force being applied to the distal extremity can be controlled.
Abstract:
This invention is an assembly (11) for use in performing a medical procedure within a region in a body of a patient (17) having a vessel (18) therein comprising a multi-port introducer (12) adapted to be inserted into a vessel of the patient. The multi-port introducer includes an elongate body (21) having proximal (22) and distal (23) extremities and has spaced apart lumens (28) extending from the proximal extremity toward the distal extremity. The elongate tubular body has ports (26) therein at the proximal extremity in communication with the lumens and openings (29) in the distal extremity in communication with the lumens. The elongate tubular body has a length so that it can extend from the exterior of the body to said region in the body. A plurality of catheters (13) are provided. Each of the catheters is slidably disposed in a separate lumen in the multi-port introducer and has a distal extremity (38) adapted to be disposed in the vessel of the patient.
Abstract:
An endocardial catheter (11) for mapping and/or ablation for use in a chamber of a heart defined by a wall comprising a flexible elongate tubular member (12) having proximal and distal extremities. A basket assembly (17) is mounted on the distal extremity of the flexible elongate member and is movable between expanded and contracted positions. The basket assembly (17) has electrodes (23) carried thereby which are adapted to be moved into engagement with the wall of the heart via a push-pull element (31). The proximal extremity of the flexible elongate member (13) is secured to the push-pull element for sensing the force being applied to the push-pull element by the basket assembly (17) as the heart is beating to ascertain whether or not the electrodes (23) are in continuous engagement with the wall of the heart.