Abstract:
An irrigated tip catheter comprises a catheter body, a tip section, and a porous tip electrode. The catheter body has an outer wall, proximal and distal ends, and a lumen extending therethrough. The tip section comprises a segment of flexible tubing having proximal and distal ends and at least one lumen therethrough. The proximal end of the tip section is fixedly attached to the distal end of the catheter body. The porous tip electrode is fixedly attached to the distal end of the tubing of the tip section. The tip electrode has an outer surface and comprises a body and an insert. The body comprises a porous material through which fluid can pass and has a cavity therein. The insert, which comprises a non-porous material, is contained within the cavity of the shell. The insert has at least one passage extending therethrough in fluid communication with a lumen in the tip section. An infusion tube having proximal and distal ends extends through the central lumen in the catheter body. The distal end of the infusion tube is in fluid communication with the proximal end of the passage in the tip electrode, whereby fluid can flow through the infusion tube, into the passage in the tip electrode and through the porous material of tip electrode to the outer surface of the tip electrode.
Abstract:
A radio frequency (RF) ablation catheter system utilizes a flexible, tubular electrode that is selectively extendable from a distal end of a catheter body. The flexible, tubular electrode creates a continuous linear lesion when a longitudinal side of the electrode is arcuately positioned against an interior wall of the human body and the electrode is energized while a cooling fluid passes through the electrode. The catheter system also includes mechanisms for remotely manipulating and extending the electrode. Preferably, the catheter body include a catheter shaft and a flexible tip section such that the distal end of the catheter is steerable. The invention also includes a method of operating the RF catheter ablation system so as to create arcuate linear lesions.
Abstract:
An ablation catheter system, including a guiding/mapping catheter assembly and a laser catheter. The guiding/mapping catheter includes ring electrodes, tip electrodes, a moveable fixation wire, and a central catheter lumen for an ablation catheter. A laser catheter includes an optical fiber for passing laser energy, tip electrodes, an optical fiber port, and thermocouples on the end of hypodermic tubing.
Abstract:
The invention relates to an ablation catheter which controls the temperature and reduces the coagulation of biological fluids on a tip of a catheter, prevents the impedance rise of tissue in contact with the catheter tip, and maximizes the potential energy transfer to the tissue, thereby allowing an increase in the lesion size produced by the ablation. The ablation catheter includes a catheter body. The ablation catheter also includes a tip for monitoring electrical potentials, and applying electrical energy to a biological tissue. A fluid source is positioned at one end of the catheter for supplying a fluid flow through the catheter to the tip means. Passages are positioned within the tip in a variety of manners for directing the fluid flow through the tip means to the exterior surface of the tip to control the temperature and form a protective fluid layer around the tip. Monitoring structure is also positioned within the tip structure for measurement of the electrical potentials in a biological tissue. Ablation structure is also positioned within the tip for application of ablative energy to the biological tissue.
Abstract:
The subject invention pertains to novel microorganisms useful for the control of unwanted grasses and other weeds. The microorganisms of the subject invention are discovered through a unique process which involves isolating plant pathogens from asymptomatic plants.
Abstract:
The subject invention pertains to novel microorganisms useful for the control of unwanted grasses and other weeds. The microorganisms of the subject invention are discovered through a unique process which involves isolating plant pathogens from asymptomatic plants.
Abstract:
The invention relates to an ablation catheter which controls the temperature and reduces the coagulation of biological fluids on a tip of a catheter, prevents the impedance rise of tissue in contact with the catheter tip, and maximizes the potential energy transfer to the tissue, thereby allowing an increase in the lesion size produced by the ablation. The ablation catheter includes a catheter body. The ablation catheter also includes a tip for monitoring electrical potentials, and applying electrical energy to a biological tissue. A fluid source is positioned at one end of the catheter for supplying a fluid flow through the catheter to the tip means. Passages are positioned within the tip in a variety of manners for directing the fluid flow through the tip means to the exterior surface of the tip to control the temperature and form a protective fluid layer around the tip. Monitoring structure is also positioned within the tip structure for measurement of the electrical potentials in a biological tissue. Ablation structure is also positioned within the tip for application of ablative energy to the biological tissue.
Abstract:
Laser catheters according to the invention include multiple optical fibers for delivery of laser energy to a pre-determined treatment site in the therapeutic treatment of cardiac tissue. A fixation device fixes the distal end of the catheter to the treatment site. Temperature sensing devices disposed on the fixation device provide a temperature depth profile of the tissue treatment site, which can be used to control the treatment. Multi-piece, single-piece and porous tip catheters are disclosed.
Abstract:
The present invention provides an irrigated ablation electrode that includes a plurality of high L/d interior fluid passageways and/or slit-shaped apertures to provide for a lower rate of fluid flow and a more uniform distribution of fluid over an exterior surface of the electrode and reduce propensity for aperture blockage. In some embodiments, the slit-shaped apertures have an aspect ratio of at least three, at least five, at least ten, or at least fifteen. Some embodiments include maintaining a pressure drop of at least 345 pascals between irrigation fluid inside the irrigated ablation electrode and fluid immediately outside the electrode when the irrigation fluid has a flow rate of no more than five milliliters per minute (5 ml/min). Some embodiments include a low-density insert with a plurality of fluid channels on its exterior surface to more efficiently cool the electrode and provide a faster thermal response.
Abstract:
A tear-away sheath (8) having a tubular element (10) with a distal end and a proximal end, at least one axial fault line (12), and an integral stop (16) is disclosed. The tear-away sheath may also have a handle (14) or closing element at the proximal end. An angioplasty balloon catheter (22) having the disclosed tear-away sheath is also disclosed.