A method of constructing an inflatable electrode assembly configured for irrigation, comprises: providing a flex circuit having a substrate with a pre-formed aperture, the substrate constructed of a material having a greater heat resistance or a first melting temperature; providing a balloon member with a membrane, the membrane constructed of a material having a lesser heat resistance or a second melting temperature lower than the first melting temperature of the substrate; affixing the substrate to the membrane wherein a surrounding portion of the substrate around the pre-formed aperture masks a surrounding portion of the membrane so as to expose a target portion of the membrane; and applying heat to the target portion of the membrane through the pre-formed aperture of the substrate, wherein the heat applied, without melting the substrate, melts the target portion of the membrane in forming an aperture in the membrane.

Ablation systems of the present disclosure facilitate the safe formation of wide and deep lesions. For example, ablation systems of the present disclosure can allow for the flow of irrigation fluid and blood through an expandable ablation electrode, resulting in efficient and effective cooling of the ablation electrode as the ablation electrode delivers energy at a treatment site of the patient. Additionally, or alternatively, ablation systems of the present disclosure can include a deformable ablation electrode and a plurality of sensors that, in cooperation, sense the deformation of the ablation electrode, to provide a robust indication of the extent and direction of contact between the ablation electrode and tissue at a treatment site.

A monopolar suction coagulator device is provided for use with a vacuum source and an electrosurgical generator to perform a coagulation procedure and an evacuation procedure at a surgical site. The device includes an active electrode portion at the distal end of a probe, and the probe is formed of a thermally conductive and electrically conductive, non-stick metal material along all or substantially all of its length, to aid in heat dissipation during a coagulation procedure.

A medical device may include a luminal elongate control member terminating in a first end effector. The medical device may further include a second end effector. The second end effector may be positioned within the luminal elongate control member. Further, the second end effector may be movable relative to the luminal elongate control member. Also, the medical device may be sheathless.

A surgical device is disclosed that comprises a sleeve member, a shaft member and a pair of electrodes. The shaft member extends distally of the sleeve member and has a pair of electrode channels that open at the distal end of the shaft member, wherein the electrode channels are positioned adjacent to one another. The pair of electrodes are configured to deliver energy, and one of the pair of electrodes are configured to be disposed in each electrode channel such that distal ends of each of the electrodes are arranged to protrude from the distal end of the shaft member. An irrigation annulus is formed about the electrodes. The shaft member further includes at least one lumen opening at the distal end of the shaft member.

An apparatus includes a shaft, configured for insertion into a body of a subject, an inflatable balloon coupled to a distal end of the shaft, and a plurality of electrodes coupled to a distal portion of the balloon that is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the distal end of the shaft when the balloon is inflated. Other embodiments are also described.

Methods, systems, and devices for providing treatment to a tissue in body lumens are described. The system may include a catheter, an expansion member coupled with a distal portion of the catheter, an ablation structure including one or more longitudinal electrode segments, and an ablation structure support coupled to the ablation structure configured to at least partially unfurl as the expansion member expands and furl as the expansion member contracts. The ablation structure may include multiple separately wired and/or separately controlled longitudinal electrodes, longitudinal electrode zones, or both, such that each longitudinal electrode or longitudinal electrode zone may be selectively enabled or selectively disabled. In some instances, one or more springs are coupled to the ablation structure configured to promote unfurl or furl around the expansion member. In some instances, one or more protection elements are be positioned along the catheter.

The disclosure provides a method of manufacturing a flexible circuit electrode assembly and an apparatus manufactured by said method. According to the method, an electrically conductive sheet is laminated to an electrically insulative sheet. An electrode is formed on the electrically conductive sheet. An electrically insulative layer is formed on a tissue contacting surface of the electrode. The individual electrodes are separated from the laminated electrically insulative sheet and the electrically conductive sheet. In another method, a flexible circuit is vacuum formed to create a desired profile. The vacuum formed flexible circuit is trimmed. The trimmed vacuum formed flexible circuit is attached to a jaw member of a clamp jaw assembly.

Medical devices and methods for using medical devices are disclosed. An example mapping medical device may include a catheter shaft with a plurality of electrodes. The catheter shaft may be coupled to a processor. The processor may be capable of collecting a first set of signals from a first location, collecting a second set of signals from a second location, characterizing the first set of signals over a first time period, characterizing the second set of signals over a second time period, comparing the first set of signals to the second set of signals and matching a first signal from the first set of signals with a second signal from the second set of signals.

Systems and devices are described which include a tissue cutting device including a central rotatable shaft having a first end and a second end; a motor operably coupled to the first end of the central rotatable shaft, the motor including circuitry configured to rotate the central rotatable shaft; a moveable component configured to move along at least a portion of the length of the central rotatable shaft; and an elongated flexible cutting component having a first end and a second end, the first end of the elongated flexible cutting component secured to the moveable component and the second end of the elongated flexible cutting component secured to the central rotatable shaft in proximity to the second end of the central rotatable shaft; wherein movement of the moveable component along the at least a portion of the length of the central rotatable shaft changes a shape formed by the elongated flexible cutting component.