Abstract:
An electrode support structure comprises a distal hub (48) and a proximal base (12) aligned along a major axis with the distal hub (48). An array of generally flexible spline elements (180) extends between the hub (48) and the base (12). The spline elements (180) each have an elongated axis that, at the base (12), extends generally parallel to the major axis and, at the hub (48), extends at an angle measured relative to the major axis of between 45 degrees and 110 degrees. The spline elements (180) collectively define a distal surface (66) lying within an envelope that approximates the curvature of endocardial tissue and within which envelope the distal hub (48) lies. According to this aspect of the invention, the distal surface (66), when contacting endocardial tissue, increases in surface area in response to force applied generally along the major axis to mediate tissue pressure.
Abstract:
Devices and procedures are shown for non-surgically repositioning an atrial appendage (17) using a grasping catheter (40), and for affixing the appendage in the new position, thereby minimizing thrombus formation, especially for patients with atrial fibrillation.
Abstract:
This invention is systems and methods that ablate body tissue using an electrode (16) for contacting tissue at a tissue electrode interface to transmit ablation energy at a determinable power level. The systems and methods include an element (50) to remove heat from the electrode (16) at a determinable rate. The systems and methods employ a processing element (98) to derive a prediction of the maximum tissue temperature condition occurring beneath the tissue electrode interface. The processing element (98) controls the power level of ablation energy transmitted by the electrode (16), or the rate at which the electrode (16) is cooled, or both, based, at least in part, upon the maximum tissue temperature prediction.
Abstract:
Analog or digital systems (10) and methods generate a composite signal derived from a biological event in a time sequential fashion. A first set of signals derived from a biological event using a first group of sensors (20) during a first time interval is input. A second set of signals derived from the biological event during a second time interval sequentially after the first time interval using a second group of sensors (36) is input. The second group of sensors has at least one common sensor that is part of the first group and other sensors that are not part of the first group. The first and second sets of signals are time aligned using signals sensed by the at least one common sensor, thereby generating the composite signal. The time alignment is done by shifting the first and second sets of signals either with or without computing a time difference between them.
Abstract:
Systems and methods employ an energy emitting electrode (16) to heat tissue. The systems and methods control the application of energy to the electrode (16) using adjustments that take into account, in a non-linear fashion, changes in monitored operating conditions.
Abstract:
Systems and methods well suited for use in catheter based tissue ablation systems employ thermocouples (80) for temperature sensing at an energy emitter site (30). The sensed temperature is used to control the energy output from the energy source to maintain tissue temperature within desired parameters. The systems combine accuracy with compact, low profile construction.
Abstract:
This invention is a system and associated method to ablate body tissue using multiple emitters (30) of ablating energy. The system and method convey ablating energy individually to each emitter (30) in a sequence of power pulses. The system and method periodically sense the temperature of each emitter (30) and compare the sensed temperatures to a desired temperature established for all emitters (30) to generate a signal individually for each emitter (30) based upon the comparison. The system and method individually vary the power pulse to each emitter (30) based upon the signal for that emitter to maintain the temperatures of all emitters essentially at the desired temperature during tissue ablation.
Abstract:
Systems and methods examine heart tissue morphology using three or more spaced apart electrodes (38), at least two of which are located within the heart (12) in contact with endocardial tissue. The systems and methods transmit electrical current through a region of heart tissue lying between selected pairs of the electrodes (38), at least one of the electrodes (38) in each pair being located within the heart (12). The systems and methods derive the electrical characteristic of tissue lying between the electrode (38) pairs based, at least in part, upon sensing tissue impedances. The systems and methods make possible the use of multiple endocardial electrodes (38) for making multiple measurements of the electrical characteristics of heart tissue. Multiplexing can be used to facilitate date processing. The systems and methods almost make possible the identification of regions of low relative electrical characteristics, indicative of infarcted tissue, without invasive surgical techniques.
Abstract:
A device for ablating tissue within the body has an element (224) with an energy emitting region helically wound about and along the axis of the element. The element emits energy to create a lesion in body tissue. A sheath (240) of a non-energy emitting material is movable over the region to adjust the impedance of the region.
Abstract:
A catheter (10) has an electrode tip assembly (16) that is bendable at the selection of the user in two different directions. The electrode tip assembly assumes different, asymmetric, predetermined configurations when bent in the two directions and is manipulated by steering wires (56, 58) adjustably and tangentially connected to the lateral edges (44, 46) of a rotatable cam (41) located in the catheter handle (12).