St Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc

St. Jude Medical, Cardiology Division, Inc.

Fos Ulus Kuehn

Troy Terrance Tegg

Saurav Paul

Hong Cao

Harry A Puryear

Chou Thao

Reed R Heimbecher

Linda Kay Nemec

A catheter includes a body having a proximal region that extends along a longitudinal axis, a distal region predisposed into a loop via shaping wire, and a neck region between the proximal and distal regions. The loop is disposed in a plane generally orthogonal to the longitudinal axis. An activation wire is coupled to the distal region and to an actuator in a manner that allows a user to adjust the radius of the loop. The activation and shaping wires are contained within a tube-shaped constraint, such as a spring coil, within the neck in order to the neck from nodding when the activation wire is activated.

Catheter with variable radius loop

Systems and methods are disclosed for assessing electrode-tissue contact for tissue ablation. An exemplary electrode contact sensing system comprises an electrodehoused within a distal portion of a catheter shaft. At least one electro-mechanical sensoris operatively associated with the electrodewithin the catheter shaft. The at least one electro-mechanical sensoris responsive to movement of the electrodeby generating electrical signals corresponding to the amount of movement. The system may also include an output device electrically connected to the at least one electro-mechanical sensor. The output device receives the electrical signals for assessing a level of contact between the electrodeand a tissue

Systems and methods for electrode contact assessment

Systems and methods are disclosed for assessing electrode-tissue contact for tissue ablation. An exemplary electrode contact sensing system comprises an electrode housed within a distal portion of a catheter shaft. At least one electro-mechanical sensor is operatively associated with the electrode within the catheter shaft. The at least one electro-mechanical sensor is responsive to movement of the electrode by generating electrical signals corresponding to the amount of movement. The system may also include an output device electrically connected to the at least one electro-mechanical sensor. The output device receives the electrical signals for assessing a level of contact between the electrode and a tissue.

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Richfield, MN, United States of America

Fos Ulus Kuehn