An elongate medical device shaft may comprise an elongate body and an annular electrode disposed on the elongate body. The annular electrode may define a longitudinal axis and have an outer diameter. The outer diameter may be greater at an axial center of the electrode than at an axial end of the electrode. Additionally or alternatively, the elongate body may comprise three longitudinal sections having three wall thicknesses. The middle wall thickness may be less than the proximal and distal wall thicknesses and the distal wall thickness may be less than the proximal wall thickness. Additionally or alternatively, the shaft may comprise an inner cylindrical structure and an outer tube. The outer tube may comprise a first radial layer and a second radial layer that is radially-outward of the first radial layer, the first radial layer, second radial layer, and inner structure having different stiffnesses.

An endoscope can include a substantially rigid elongate body. A visualization channel can extend through the elongate body. An elongate viewing instrument that can advance distally and retract proximally through a visualization channel of the elongate body. The elongate viewing instrument can include a distal portion that is pre-biased to assume a curved shape when the distal portion is unconfined. The distal portion can curve when the distal portion is advanced distally to exit the visualization channel and can straighten when the distal portion is retracted proximally to enter the visualization channel. A distal end of the elongate viewing instrument can further include a light port that is configured to illuminate a target and provide an image of the illuminated target.

A medical device including a catheter having a proximal portion and a distal portion. A plurality of electrodes is disposed along the distal portion, the plurality of electrodes including a first electrode pair having a first fixed polarity and a second electrode pair having a second fixed polarity different than the first fixed polarity. A first lumen extends through the distal portion, the first lumen includes a first conductor configured to connect to a first electrode of the first electrode pair and a second conductor configured to connect to a second electrode of the first electrode pair. A second lumen extends through the distal portion and separated from the first lumen, the second lumen includes a third conductor configured to connect to a first electrode of the second electrode pair and a fourth conductor configured to connect to a second electrode of the second electrode pair.

An electrosurgical system for treating biological tissue that comprises: an electrosurgical generator to supply microwave energy; a surgical scoping device having a steerable insertion cord for insertion to a treatment site; and an electrosurgical instrument dimensioned to fit within an instrument channel that is located within the insertion cord. The electrosurgical instrument comprises: a flexible coaxial cable arranged to convey the microwave energy; and a radiating tip portion connected at an end of the coaxial cable and configured to receive microwave energy. The radiating tip portion comprises: a coaxial transmission line for conveying the microwave energy; and a needle tip mounted at an end of the proximal coaxial transmission line, wherein the electrosurgical instrument is slidable within the instrument channel to extend the needle tip beyond an end of the instrument channel to puncture biological tissue; the needle tip is arranged to deliver the microwave energy into biological tissue.

The present disclosure discusses a devices, systems and methods for transvascular, transvenous and/or transdural access, to the brain parenchyma, subarachnoid or subdural spaces. In some embodiments, the disclosed systems and methods may be used for local drug delivery, tissue biopsy, nanofluidic or microelectronic device/component delivery/insertion/implantation, in situ imaging, ablation of abnormal brain tissue and the like. Embodiments of the present disclosure include an access catheter system for extravascular procedures in the brain having an elongate, flexible tubular body, with at least one lumen extending axially there through between a proximal end, and a distal end. The access catheter system may include a side exit port and a distal end port. Further, the access catheter system may include a selective deflector positioned within the lumen configured to deflect a procedure catheter and permit a guide catheter.

An apparatus includes a shaft, configured for insertion into a body of a subject, an inflatable balloon disposed over the shaft, a plurality of leaf electrodes coupled to the balloon and shaped to define one or more leaf-electrode apertures, a tip electrode disposed at a distal end of the balloon, coupled to a distal end of the shaft, and shaped to define one or more tip-electrode apertures, a first fluid-delivery tube passing through the shaft and configured to deliver a fluid into the balloon via at least one shaft aperture in the shaft, such that the fluid passes through the leaf-electrode apertures, and a second fluid-delivery tube passing through the shaft and configured to deliver the fluid to the tip electrode, such that the fluid passes through the tip-electrode apertures. Other embodiments are also described.

An electrophysiology catheter comprising a tubular shaft, the shaft having a proximal portion, a distal portion having a distal end and a deflection region, the shaft defining a longitudinal axis and including an outer tubular jacket, and articulation member disposed within the jacket in the deflection region, the articulation member comprising a plurality of longitudinally-arranged tubular segments, a plurality of first connecting segments, and a plurality of second connecting segments, wherein adjacent tubular segments are joined by respective ones of the first and second connecting segments, and wherein all of the first and second connecting segments are disposed in a first plane extending through the longitudinal axis. A first reinforcing member and a second reinforcing member extend through the plurality of first and second connecting segments, respectively.

A described example provides an ablation catheter including an elongate tubular body having spaced apart proximal and distal ends and a lumen extending through the elongate tubular body. An ablation electrode extends from the distal end of the elongate tubular body to terminate in a distal end thereof. An elongate optical imaging probe extends through the lumen of the elongate tubular body and terminates in a distal end that is spaced a distance from the distal end of the ablation electrode. A flexible tubing extends over a length of the probe and configured to permit at least rotational movement of the probe within the flexible tubing. A distal end portion of the flexible tubing can be held at an axial position relative to the elongate tubular body to fix the distance between the distal end of the probe and the distal end of the ablation electrode.

A catheter system (100) for treating one or more treatment sites (106) within or adjacent to the heart valve (108) includes an energy source (124), a plurality of energy guides (122A), and a balloon assembly (104). The energy source (124) generates energy. The plurality of energy guides (122A) are configured to receive energy from the energy source (124). The balloon assembly (104) includes a plurality of balloons (104A) that are each positionable substantially adjacent to one or more treatment site(s) (106). Each of the plurality of balloons (104A) has a balloon wall (130) that defines a balloon interior (146). Each of the plurality of balloons (104A) is configured to retain a balloon fluid (132) within the balloon interior (146). A portion of at least one of the plurality of energy guides (122A) that receive the energy from the energy source (124) is positioned within the balloon interior (146) of each of the plurality of balloons (104A) so that plasma is formed in the balloon fluid (132) within the balloon interior (146).

An irrigated electrode assembly has a proximal portion with a proximal end and a distal portion with a distal end. The assembly includes a first conduit defining an irrigation channel and a second conduit, both of which extend from the proximal portion to the distal portion of the irrigated electrode assembly. A proximal and a distal emitter is located on the distal portion of the assembly with the distal emitter being positioned distally relative to the proximal emitter. A fluid irrigation port is defined by the proximal or distal emitter and is in fluid communication with the first conduit. An insulative spacer extends between a distal end of the proximal emitter and a proximal end of the distal emitter. An insulative body houses the first and second conduits and extends from the proximal portion of the irrigated electrode assembly to a proximal end of the proximal emitter.