Abstract:
Systems and methods sense electrical events in heart tissue to identify the location of an arrhythmogenic focus for ablation. The systems and methods establish a contact site between heart tissue and a curvilinear electrode array (e1-e4 or E1-E4). The systems and methods monitor signals representing electrical events sensed by the electrodes in the contact site. The signals are displayed as graphic information that represents the time sequence in which the electrodes sense a given electrical event. By moving the electrode array (e1-e4 or E1-E4) to one or more additional contact sites in the general direction of the electrode that first sensed the electrical event, the physician homes in on a contact site in which all electrodes on the array sense the given electrical event at generally the same time. This contact site contains the arrhythmogenic focus. The systems and methods convey ablating energy to bipolar pairs of the electrodes to form large bipolar lesins in heart tissue.
Abstract:
A bendable tip assembly (16) attachable to the end of a catheter (14) includes a movable internal stiffening member (61) for changing the bending characteristics of the assembly (16).
Abstract:
An electrode support structure has spline elements (22) radiating from a center hub (90) in a circumferentially spaced relationship. The spline elements (22) include terminal ends spaced from the hub which are joined to a base member (62) to form a three-dimensional structure for supporting electrodes (38). The center hub (90) lies essentially within the envelope of the spline elements (22) to present a surface free of projections that can poke into and cause tissue trauma during use.
Abstract:
A catheter (14) carries a functional component (16), like an ablating electrode, having a predetermined operating characteristic. The catheter (14) also electronically retains an identification code that uniquely identifies the predetermined characteristic. The catheter (14) is capable of transmitting the identification code to an external reader in response to a predetermined prompt. An associated apparatus, like an ablating energy source (12), reads the identification code and compares it to predetermined operating criteria. The apparatus (12) will not permit interaction with the functional catheter component (16) if the identification code indicates that the functional characteristics of the catheter (14) are not suited for the intended interaction. The catheter (14) can also store usage information to prevent reuse.
Abstract:
An antenna assembly (10) has an energy propagating region (16) that is encapsulated in a material having a high dielectric constant for minimizing the loss of dissipating conductive heat patterns about the energy propagating region (16).
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 (16) assumes a different predetermined curve configuration when bent in the two directions.
Abstract:
A steering mechanism (315) including a steering shaft (320) coupled to a controller (410) which includes a handle (540) and apparatus for manipulating the distal end (340) of the steering shaft. The steering shaft includes a flexible coiled spring (170) having a lead spring (350) fixed in position with respect to a distal end thereof in the distal end of the steering shaft. One or more steering wires (360, 370) is affixed at the distal ends thereof to the lead spring. The steering wires extend through the steering shaft to the controller, and the steering apparatus of the controller is used to place tension on one or both of the steering wires. The attachment of the distal ends of the steering wires to the lead spring may be opposite one another or may be offset for providing greater maneuverability. Tension may be placed on the steering wires by wedges (650, 660) mounted transversely to the controller housing, or by rotation of a shaft (450) mounted transversely to the controller housing, the steering wires being attached to the shaft such that rotation in one direction tenses one steering wire, and rotation in the other direction tenses the other steering wire. Two independently rotatable shafts (1560, 1590) may be used to separately control the two steering wires. The steering shaft is adapted for insertion into a lumen (45) of a catheter (40) for use in guiding the distal end of the catheter to a treatment site within a patient. The steering mechanism may also be used in conjunction with tools or apparatus which must reach into difficult locations, such as engines or other machines.
Abstract:
The apparatus comprises a probe (60) having a tip portion (64), a first electrode (72) mounted on a terminal free end of the tip portion and a second electrode (74) spaced along the tip portion from the first electrode for supplying a reference potential. The probe is constructed so as to hold the first electrode in contact with tissue of an in vivo beating heart with a positive pressure without causing macroscopic damage to the heart tissue while orienting the probe such that the second electrode is spaced from the heart tissue. A stylet (66) is retractably mounted within the probe, for allowing a physician to maneuver the probe through a vein or the like. In an alternative embodiment, a combination catheter (200) is disclosed, including pacing electrodes (215, 225) for pacing the heart while measuring the potentials thereof.