Medtronic, Inc.

James M Speckien

Joseph F Lessar

Robert E Kraska

James E Upton

Duane L Rosenberg

Mark T Stewart

Eduardo N Warman

Johnson E Goode

Boone B Owens

Mark A Taube

Steerable electrophysiology catheters for use in mapping and/or ablation of accessory pathways in myocardial tissue of the heart wall and methods of use thereof are disclosed. The catheter comprises a catheter body and handle, the catheter body having a proximal section and a distal section and manipulators that enable the deflection of a distal segment of the distal tip section with respect to the independently formed curvature of a proximal segment of the distal tip section through a bending or knuckle motion of an intermediate segment between the proximal and distal segments. A wide angular range of deflection within a very small curve or bend radius in the intermediate segment is obtained. At least one distal tip electrode is preferably confined to the distal segment which can have a straight axis extending distally from the intermediate segment. The curvature of the proximal segment and the bending angle of the intermediate segment are independently selectable. The axial alignment of the distal segment with respect to the nominal axis of the proximal shaft section of the catheter body can be varied between substantially axially aligned (0&#xb0; curvature) in an abrupt knuckle bend through a range of about &#x2212;90&#xb0; to about +180&#xb0; within a bending radius of between about 2.0 mm and 7.0 mm and preferably less than 5.0 mm. The proximal segment curve can be independently formed in a range of about &#x2212;180&#xb0; through about +270&#xb0; with respect to the axis of the proximal shaft section to provide an optimum angular orientation of the distal electrode(s). The distal segment can comprise a highly flexible elongated distal segment body and electrode(s) that conform with the shape and curvature of the heart wall.

Heart wall ablation/mapping catheter and method

Steerable electrophysiology catheters for use in mapping and/or ablation of accessory pathways in myocardial tissue of the heart wall and methods of use thereof are disclosed. The catheter comprises a catheter body and handle, the catheter body having a proximal section and a distal section and manipulators that enable the deflection of a distal segment of the distal tip section with respect to the independently formed curvature of a proximal segment of the distal tip section through a bending or knuckle motion of an intermediate segment between the proximal and distal segments. A wide angular range of deflection within a very small curve or bend radius in the intermediate segment is obtained. At least one distal tip electrode is preferably confined to the distal segment which can have a straight axis extending distally from the intermediate segment. The curvature of the proximal segment and the bending angle of the intermediate segment are independently selectable. The axial alignment of the distal segment with respect to the nominal axis of the proximal shaft section of the catheter body can be varied between substantially axially aligned (0&#xb0; curvature) in an abrupt knuckle bend through a range of about &#x2212;90&#xb0; to about +180&#xb0; within a bending radius of between about 2.0 mm and 7.0 mm and preferably less than 5.0 mm. The proximal segment curve can be independently formed in a about +180&#xb0; through about +270&#xb0; with respect to the axis of the proximal shaft section to provide an optimum angular orientation of the distal electrode(s). The distal segment can comprise a highly flexible elongated distal segment body and electrode(s) that conform with the shape and curvature of the heart wall.

A hermetically sealed medical device such as a cardioverter is disclosed, where the device contains an electrochemical capacitor having at least one electrode formed from a particularly efficacious electrode material. In one embodiment of the present invention, the electrode material comprises electrically conductive carbon, a soluble salt, a non-aqueous liquid solvent and a gel-former. The electrode material of the present invention is especially well adapted for use in multi-layer capacitors in which very thin layers are desirable. The thin layers of the electrochemical capacitor of the present invention are characterized in having very low electrical resistance, and thus permit the capacitor to be discharged very rapidly.

Electrochemical capacitor for implantable medical device

An electrode material for an electrochemical capacitor and electrochemical capacitors utilizing the electrode material. The electrode material comprises electrically conductive carbon, a soluble salt, a non-aqueous liquid solvent, and a gel-former. Such a solid electrode material is especially well adapted for use in multi-layer capacitors in which such components can be made very thin, thereby providing a very low resistance for the device and permitting rapid discharge of the capacitor.

Electrochemical capacitor with electrode and electrolyte layers having

A medical electrical lead having a polyurethane outer sheath and one or more coiled metal conductors. The metal conductors are optimized for use in conjunction with a polyurethane sheath and are provided with a barrier coating of a biocompatible metal. The conductors may additionally be provided with an outer, insulative coating.

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Vadnais Heights, MN, United States of America

James M Speckien