Biosense Webster (israel) Ltd.

Matthew W Hitzeroth

Corey Rousu

Daniele Ghidoli

Steven A Daniel

Raymond Yue-Sing Tang

Curt R Eyster

Jace P Valls

Patrick O'Fallon

Patrick Kiernan

Meiron Atias

A catheter and associated positioning system can include sensors and software to ascertain the extent of expansion of an expandable distal member of the catheter. Sensors on the distal member can be configured so that the system is able to determine a longitudinal dimension and a radial dimension of the distal-end assembly and determine extent of expansion of the distal member based on those metrics. At least the longitudinal dimension can be derived from advanced current localization (ACL) techniques utilizing an electrode at a distal end of the expandable distal member.

Determining shape of expandable distal member of a catheter

Ablation and diagnostic tools having a wrapped flexible circuit are provided. The wrapped flexible circuit can include one or more electrodes on a surface layer, one or more conductive traces on one or more lower layers, and an electrically insulating substrate. The surface layer can be patterned to have multiple electrodes. The lower layer(s) can include electrode contact trace(s) and/or traces for forming thermocouple junctions. The wrapped flexible circuit can be affixed to an outer surface of a metallic tube. The electrodes can be electrically isolated from the metallic tube. The metallic tube can have a sharp end to puncture tissue during ablation or intravascular diagnostic procedure. Additionally, or alternatively, the wrapped flexible circuit can have a pointed end and sufficient structural integrity to puncture tissue during ablation or intravascular diagnostic procedure without the support of a metallic tube.

Intravascular needle with flex circuit

A spring assembly usable with an intravascular catheter can include a tubular body, two mounting surfaces, and a compressible framework. The tubular body extends along a longitudinal axis and is sized to traverse vasculature. Each mounting surface can be configured to engage a substantially planar electrical circuit and is positioned in the tubular body each in a respective plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The mounting surfaces face toward each other in opposite directions. The compressible framework extends between the first and second mounting surfaces. The spring assembly can further include a pair of electrical circuits mounted to the pair mounting surfaces. Each electrical circuit can include an inductive coil such that the pair of electrical circuits is a distance transducer. A change in distance between the pair of electrical circuits can be detected when the compressible framework is compressed and/or bent.

Catheter contact force sensor

A flexible circuit including a first segment including a base section of the flexible circuit; a second segment including a lateral wall section; a transition section between the base and lateral wall sections, the transition section being at least partially positioned adjacent a shared region of the base and lateral wall sections; and one or more electrode regions including a respective electrode, the one or more electrode regions being positioned at least partially in the transition section and the second segment.

Flexible circuit for use with a catheter and related manufacturing method

A balloon catheter has a central tube that is configured to both structurally support and inflate a balloon membrane. The central tube has a lumen and sidewall inflation ports that provide a path for inflating the balloon. The lumen of the central tube is obstructed by a distal end piece, nose piece, or other structure to prevent fluid from exiting a distal end of the central tube. The central tube is configured such that, during inflation, inflation media is allowed to pass through an elongated shaft of the catheter, into a proximal open end of the central tube, and through the inflation ports into the balloon. The central tube can slide longitudinally in relation to the shaft to longitudinally elongate and/or truncate the balloon.

Intravascular balloon with slidable central irrigation tube

An apparatus includes a catheter shaft assembly and an end effector positioned at a distal end of the catheter shaft assembly. The end effector includes a balloon, one or more electrodes on the balloon, and a tip assembly at a distal end of the balloon. The balloon defines an interior configured to receive a fluid to inflate the balloon. The balloon is sized and configured to fit within a cardiovascular anatomical structure. The tip assembly includes a pressure relief valve that is configured to transition between a sealing state and a pressure-relieving state. In the sealing state, the pressure relief valve is configured to prevent fluid from leaking out from the interior of the balloon via the pressure relief valve. In the pressure-relieving state, the pressure relief valve is configured to provide a path for fluid to leak from the interior of the balloon via the pressure relief valve.

Pressure relief feature for irrigated RF balloon catheter

A method of manufacturing a catheter tip by electroplating a conductive material over an insert comprising a negative to a domelike shape thereby forming a shape of the catheter tip comprising a dome with the domelike shape, selectively positioning a plurality of irrigation holes between outer and inner surfaces of the catheter tip, removing the insert thereby leaving the catheter tip and the plurality of irrigation holes, and electropolishing the catheter tip. In other examples, the insert is not removed and instead the step of electroplating causes the insert to be encapsulated with the conductive material thereby forming the catheter tip.

Catheter tips and related methods

An apparatus includes a catheter and an end effector. At least a portion of the catheter is sized and configured to fit within a lumen of a human cardiovascular system. The end effector is positioned at a distal end of the catheter. The end effector includes an expandable assembly and at least one flex circuit. The expandable assembly is configured to transition between a non-expanded state and an expanded state. The expandable assembly includes at least one deformable strut or cage. Each flex circuit includes a flexible substrate secured, without an adhesive, to the expandable assembly and an electrode secured to the flexible substrate. The expandable assembly in the expanded state is configured to urge the electrode into contact with tissue. The electrode has a fishbone-like configuration that defines a longitudinally elongated portion and a plurality of fingers extending transversely from the longitudinally elongated portion.

Growing community of inventors

Azusa, CA, United States of America

Matthew W Hitzeroth