A catheter includes an insertion tube, a flexible substrate and one or more electrical devices. The insertion tube is configured for insertion into a patient body. The flexible substrate is configured to wrap around a distal end of the insertion tube and includes electrical interconnections. The electrical devices are coupled to the flexible substrate and are connected to the electrical interconnections.

Ablation electrode assemblies include an inner core member and an outer shell surrounding the inner core member. The inner core member and the outer shell define a space or separation region therebetween. The inner core member is constructed from a thermally insulative material having a reduced thermal conductivity. In an embodiment, the space is a sealed or evacuated region. In other embodiments, irrigation fluid flows within the space. The ablation electrode assembly further includes at least one thermal sensor in some embodiments. Methods for providing irrigation fluid during cardiac ablation of targeted tissue are disclosed that include calculating the energy delivered to irrigation fluid as it flows within the ablation electrode assembly through temperature measurement of the irrigation fluid. Pulsatile flow of irrigation fluid can be utilized in some embodiments of the disclosure.

An assembly for radiofrequency ablation of tissue. The assembly includes a cannula and an electrode. A cannula body includes a cannula bend, and a single side opening radially positioned on an outer side of the cannula body. The outer side may be opposite an inner side on which a tip terminates at a point. A cannula hub may include indicia on a face that corresponds to the inner side. An electrode bend of an electrode body may be formed at a same axial location along its length as the cannula bend is formed along the length of the cannula body. The electrode may include a thermocouple near a distal end of the electrode body to be either directed through the single side opening in a dual active tip mode, or seated in a distal section of the cannula body in a single active tip mode.

Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to, for example, a high-thermal-sensitivity ablation catheter tip. More specifically, various aspects of the present disclosure are directed to improved thermocouple response to temperature changes associated with an ablation electrode and/or tissue in contact therewith. Such an ablation catheter tip facilitates reduced lag in an ablation control system's response to the sensed temperature changes.

Systems and methods for controllable delivery of pressurized refrigerant to a medical device, such as a cryoablation catheter. In some examples, a delivery system includes a tank holding the pressurized refrigerant, an electrical heater arranged to heat the tank, and an electronic controller connected to regulate the heater based on input signals received from a plurality of sensors including a temperature sensor in thermal contact with the exterior surface of the tank and a pressure sensor for measuring pressure in the refrigerant-delivery line connecting the tank to the medical device. In operation, the electronic controller processes the input signals by comparing values of at least some of the input signals with respective threshold values and uses logic operations configured for combined processing of two or more of the input signals to decide when to switch the heater between an ON state and an OFF state.

An unattended approach can increase the reproducibility and safety of the treatment as the chance of over/under treating of a certain area is significantly decreased. On the other hand, unattended treatment of uneven or rugged areas can be challenging in terms of maintaining proper distance or contact with the treated tissue, mostly on areas which tend to differ from patient to patient (e.g. facial area). Delivering energy via a system of active elements embedded in a flexible pad adhesively attached to the skin offers a possible solution. The unattended approach may include delivering of multiple energies to enhance a visual appearance.

The present invention relates to systems for use for radio frequency ablation. The systems can include one or more of an ablation tool, power source for use with the ablation tool and a backstop for use in conjunction with the ablation tool during surgical procedures. Preferred ablation tools comprise a series of three or more blade-shaped electrodes disposed in a linear, curved, curvilinear or circular array. The backstops are useful for reducing direct physical and thermal heat transfer injuries to the patient or surgeon during procedures using radiofrequency (RF) ablation devices.

A medical probe, consisting of an insertion tube having a distal end configured for insertion into a body of a patient and containing a lumen having an electrical conductor for conveying electrical energy. The probe also has a conductive cap attached to the distal end of the insertion tube and coupled electrically to the electrical conductor, the cap including a side wall having multiple longitudinal bores therein. There are a plurality of thermocouples disposed in respective ones of the longitudinal bores, and an electrically conductive cement at least partially fills the longitudinal bores so as to secure the thermocouples in the bores while making electrically conductive contact between the thermocouples and the conductive cap.

A lumen extension member is provided for a catheter having a catheter body and an elongate electrode coupled to the catheter body. The elongate electrode defines an electrode lumen extending therethrough. The lumen extension member is positioned within the electrode lumen and is coupled to the catheter body. The lumen extension member includes a tubular member including a sidewall and at least one opening that extends through the sidewall.

A cauterization device includes a handpiece configured to be grasped by a user. The handpiece includes a housing, a heat control circuit, and a control switch. A cannula has a cannula lumen, a cannula side wall surrounding the cannula lumen, a cannula proximal end portion, and a cannula distal end. The cannula proximal end portion is coupled to the housing of the handpiece. A stylet has a shaft portion and a distal heat conductive body. The distal heat conductive body is electrically coupled to the heat control circuit. The distal heat conductive body has a first end and a tapered portion that distally terminates at a second end. The shaft portion is located, at least in part, in the cannula lumen. The insulator member is configured to thermally separate the cannula distal end from the distal heat conductive body of the stylet.