Transducer-based systems can be configured to display a graphical representation of a transducer-based device, the graphical representation including graphical elements corresponding to transducers of the transducer-based device, and also including between graphical elements respectively associated with a set of the transducers and respectively associated with a region of space between the transducers of the transducer-based device. Selection of graphical elements and/or between graphical elements can cause activation of the set of transducers associated with the selected elements. Selection of a plurality of graphical elements and/or between graphical elements can cause visual display of a corresponding activation path in the graphical representation. Visual characteristics of graphical elements and between graphical elements can change based on an activation-status of the corresponding transducers. Activation requests for a set of transducers can be denied if it is determined that a transducer in the set of transducers is unacceptable for activation.

An integrated electrode structure can comprise a catheter shaft comprising a proximal end and a distal end, the catheter shaft defining a catheter shaft longitudinal axis. A flexible tip portion can be located adjacent to the distal end of the catheter shaft, the flexible tip portion comprising a flexible framework. A plurality of microelectrodes can be disposed on the flexible framework and can form a flexible array of microelectrodes adapted to conform to tissue. A plurality of conductive traces can be disposed on the flexible framework, each of the plurality of conductive traces can be electrically coupled with a respective one of the plurality of microelectrodes.

Catheter systems and methods are disclosed. An exemplary catheter includes an outer tubing housing and an inner fluid delivery tubing, the inner fluid delivery tubing having at least one fluid delivery port. The catheter also includes a deployment member movable axially within the inner fluid delivery tubing. A plurality of splines are each connected at a proximal end to the outer tubing and at a distal end to deployment member. A seal is provided between the outer tubing and the inner fluid delivery tubing. A gasket is provided between the deployment member and the inner fluid delivery tubing. Both the seal and the gasket are configured to prevent blood or other fluid from ingressing into the outer tubing.

A distal end portion of an elongate shaft member of a catheter may be inserted into a liquid within a vessel. While the distal end portion of the elongate shaft member is inserted in the liquid in the vessel, a manipulable portion of the catheter may be manipulated within the liquid to remove an undesired fluid therefrom. The liquid may be pressurized to cause the liquid to flow into a lumen of the elongate shaft member from a distal end of the elongate shaft member at least toward a proximal end of the elongate shaft member to facilitate flushing of the undesired fluid from the lumen. The distal end portion of the elongate shaft member of the catheter may be inserted into the liquid within the vessel while at least the elongate shaft member is in a substantially horizontal orientation.

A medical device capable of preventing a circumferential twist of an expansion body expandable in a radial direction and effectively pressing an energy transfer element against biological tissue. The medical device includes an outer tube, an expansion body expandable in a radial direction by contracting along an axis, a pulling shaft, and a plurality of energy transfer elements disposed in the expansion body. The expansion body includes a plurality of main struts in which the energy transfer elements are disposed, and distal side support struts and proximal side support struts which are connected to the main struts. A portion of each of the main struts between a force reception portion receiving a pulling force from the pulling shaft and the energy transfer element is substantially parallel to the axis when viewed from a radially outer side.

The present invention provides a cardiac ablation system including a spline assembly and a catheter wire. The spline assembly is provided with a plurality of electrodes and a plurality of first conductive layers encapsulated therein. A total number of the plurality of first conductive layers is corresponding to a total number of the plurality of electrodes. Each of the plurality of first conductive layers is electrically connected to each of the plurality of electrodes. The spline assembly is configured to transform into various configurations along a radial direction. A distal end of the catheter wire is connected to a proximal end of the spline assembly. The catheter wire includes a plurality of second conductive layers encapsulated therein. A total number of the plurality of second conductive layers is corresponding to the total number of the plurality of first conductive layers.

A partially-masked electrode includes a conductive material and an insulated coating having an outer surface. The insulated coating defines a contoured opening that exposes or reveals an area of the conductive material, wherein the contoured opening has an upper perimeter at the outer surface of the insulated coating. When the upper perimeter of the insulated surface coating is placed in contact with a tissue of interest, wherein the tissue of interest is proximate a blood pool, the insulated coating creates a seal between the blood pool and the contoured opening so that no blood in the blood pool can contact the conductive material. This seal reduces or eliminates the reception of far field effects in the blood pool by the electrode, making it easier to locate and diagnose unhealthy tissue.

Control systems and methods for delivery of energy that may include control algorithms that prevent energy delivery if a fault is detected and may provide energy delivery to produce a substantially constant temperature at a delivery site. In some embodiments, the control systems and methods may be used to control the delivery of energy, such as radiofrequency energy, to body tissue, such as lung tissue.

Pulsed electric fields (PEFs) are transmitted to a body lumen or passageway in a manner which provides focal therapy. In some embodiments, PEFs are delivered through independent electrically active electrodes of an energy delivery body, typically in a monopolar fashion. Such delivery concentrates the electrical energy over a smaller surface area, resulting in stronger effects than delivery through an electrode extending circumferentially around the lumen or passageway. It also forces the electrical energy to be delivered in a staged regional approach, mitigating the effect of preferential current pathways through the surrounding tissue. Focal delivery of PEFs can provide increased tissue lethality by employing precise timing and sequencing of energy delivery to the electrodes.

A catheter includes, a shaft for insertion into an organ, an expandable distal-end assembly coupled to the shaft and includes splines, at least one of the splines includes a flexible substrate, configured to conform to tissue of the organ, and a sensing electrode, configured: (a) to be coupled to the flexible substrate, and (b) when in contact with the tissue, to produce a electrically signal indicative of an electrocardiogram signal sensed in the tissue, the sensing electrode including: (i) a gold substrate, formed over the flexible substrate and configured to conduct the electrically signal, (ii) a first polymer layer, formed over a first section of the gold substrate and configured to electrically isolate between the tissue and the gold substrate, and (iii) a second polymer layer, formed over a second, different, section of the gold substrate, and configured to conduct the electrocardiogram signal between the tissue and the gold substrate.