St Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc

St. Jude Medical, Cardiology Division, Inc.

John P Gerhart

Harry A Puryear

Jeremy David Dando

Scott Petersen

Troy Terrance Tegg

Saurav Paul

Tianhong Cui

Clinton W Schneider

Miao Lu

Methods of manufacturing a flexible force sensor include forming a first sensor part providing a plurality of spaced first electrode plates in an electrically non-conductive material. A second sensor part is also formed and includes a plurality of second electrode plates in an electrically non-conductive material. The second electrode plates are identical to the first electrode plates at least in terms of spacing. The first part is assembled to the second part such that each of the first electrode plates are aligned with and parallel to, yet spaced from, respective ones of the second electrode plates, establishing a plurality of capacitive sensing components. The first electrode plates are movable relative to the corresponding second electrode plates, establishing a variable gap therebetween. The sensor parts can be ring-shaped. The sensor parts can be formed via MEMS techniques, with the non-conductive material being a polymer.

Flexible sensors and related systems for determining forces applied to an object, such as a surgical instrument, and methods for manufacturing same

Disclosed herein are various catheter and catheter systems that are useful in ablating tissue that is also subject to surface perfusion, for example blood flow across and/or through tissue. A representative embodiment of a catheter useful with the present invention includes an anemometer located on an exterior surface of the distal portion of the catheter. The anemometer is thermally isolated from the distal tip to permit the anemometer to measure the cooling effect of surface perfusion. The ablation catheter may include thermal insulation to insulate the anemometer from the distal tip. Alternatively, and/or in addition, the anemometer may be positioned proximally of the distal tip. The catheter may include one or more temperature sensors thermally coupled to the distal tip to measure the temperature of the distal tip. The distal tip may include one or more spiral grooves, or one or more holes. It is contemplated that the anemometer may be positioned within any such spiral groove or hole using a thermal insulation material, such as a non-conductive adhesive. The catheter may optionally include a contact sensor on the distal portion to assess a degree of contact between the ablation catheter and tissue being treated. Various ablation systems and methods are described herein that utilize catheters as described above.

Ablation devices, systems and method for measuring cooling effect of fluid flow

A catheter comprises an elongate body extending along a first longitudinal axis and having an outermost radial surface; a coil wound in a substantially cylindrical shape and extending along a second longitudinal axis that is coincident with the first longitudinal axis. At least a portion of the coil is proximate to the outermost radial surface of the elongate body.

Catheter electrode that can simultaneously emit electrical energy and facilitate visualization by magnetic resonance imaging

An electrode for use on a medical device is disclosed. The electrode may have a main body of electrically conductive material extending along an axis and having a proximal end and a distal end. The body may be configured to emit electrical energy in accordance with a predefined diagnostic or therapeutic function. The body may have a groove disposed over an outermost surface of the body. The electrode may also include a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) tracking coil disposed in said groove. The MRI tracking coil may comprise electrically insulated wire, for example. A catheter including an electrode, as well as a method for determining the location of an electrode, are also disclosed.

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Plymouth, MN, United States of America

John P Gerhart