A basket catheter having an end effector with multiple spines can be constructed with a combination of manufacturing techniques including at least two of the following techniques: individual spines, a loop with two spines, a cut sheet, and a cut tube. A cut sheet or a cut tube can be formed to include a distal hub that has openings through which spines of one or more additional structure can pass through so that the distal hub joins distinct structures of the end effector. This provides several alternative manufacturing techniques compared to those presently used in basket catheters which rely on only one of the aforementioned manufacturing techniques.

The disclosed technology includes basket catheters comprising a generally cylindrical structure having electrodes attached thereto. The disclosed technology can include a one-piece flex circuit comprising a proximal end and extending along a longitudinal axis to a distal end. The proximal end diverges into a plurality of first arms, each of the first arms divides into second and third arms that are connected to respective fourth arms proximate the distal end to define an elongated shape disposed about the longitudinal axis. The disclosed technology can include a structural unit for an end effector having a proximal hub, a distal hub, and a plurality of spines forming a generally cylindrical structure. The spines can comprise a plurality of first members attached to the proximal hub that diverge into a plurality of second and third members connected to respective fourth members proximate the distal hub.

The disclosed technology includes a medical probe includes a substantially cylindrical structure having a proximal circular base, a distal circular base substantially parallel to the proximal circular base, a plurality of spines extending along a longitudinal axis between the proximal circular base and the distal circular base, and one or more strips of flexible circuit substrate coupled to one or more of the plurality of spines defining an internal volume about the longitudinal axis. The plurality of spines include a trifurcation point positioned along at least a portion of the spine and a spine branch extending from the trifurcation point further comprising a bifurcation point. The one or more strips of flexible circuit substrate further include one or more conductive traces disposed on a surface of the substrate.

Variable aspiration control in surgical procedures. At least one example is a method of performing a surgical procedure, the method comprising: driving, by a surgical controller, a motor within a handpiece coupled to a resection instrument, the driving causes mechanical resection of tissue by the resection instrument; aspirating, by a peristaltic pump associated with the surgical controller, fluid and tissue fragments through a suction lumen of the resection instrument during the resection of tissue; and modulating, by the surgical controller, speed of the peristaltic pump during the driving and aspirating, the modulating responsive to an interface device defined on an exterior surface of the handpiece.

Methods and devices that displace bone or other hard tissue to create a cavity in the tissue. Where such methods and devices rely on a driving mechanism for providing moving of the device to form a profile that improves displacement of the tissue. These methods and devices also allow for creating a path or cavity in bone for insertion of bone cement or other filler to treat a fracture or other condition in the bone. The features relating to the methods and devices described herein can be applied in any region of bone or hard tissue where the tissue or bone is displaced to define a bore or cavity instead of being extracted from the body such as during a drilling or ablation procedure.

An electrosurgical snare may include a conductive distal loop that includes an uninsulated thinner portion and an uninsulated thicker portion. Respective current densities over the outer surfaces of the thinner and thicker portions may cause the uninsulated thinner portion to immediately begin cutting tissue, while the uninsulated thicker portion may initially begin coagulating the tissue.

Cardiac ablation is carried out by placing two ablation electrodes on opposite sides of a wall of the heart to generally oppose one another. The effective current transmission area of one of the electrodes is then varied according to the distance between the two electrodes or the thickness of the wall. Sufficient electrical current is transmitted between the two electrodes to achieve transmural ablation.

Cardiac ablation is carried out by placing two ablation electrodes on opposite sides of a wall of the heart to generally oppose one another. The effective current transmission area of one of the electrodes is then varied according to the distance between the two electrodes or the thickness of the wall. Sufficient electrical current is transmitted between the two electrodes to achieve transmural ablation.

A circuit configured for connecting an electrode to a catheter or sheath is disclosed. The circuit includes a member having a longitudinal axis and configured to extend along at least a portion of the length of the catheter or sheath. The circuit further includes a trace printed on the member, where the trace includes at least a longitudinal segment extending generally along at least a portion of the longitudinal axis and a transverse segment extending generally transverse to the longitudinal axis. In an embodiment, the circuit further includes a pad integral with and extending from the circuit proximal the transverse segment of the trace. A catheter or sheath assembly comprising the circuit and an electrode connected to the circuit is also disclosed. A method of forming a catheter or sheath assembly is also provided.

In one embodiment, a device is provided including an expandable support member having a first portion and a second portion is provided. The first portion is adapted to have a smaller expansion index than the second portion. A therapeutic or diagnostic instrument is supported, at least in part, by the expandable support member first portion. In another embodiment, the support member is adapted for non-uniform expansion of the first and second portions. There are also described methods of forming therapeutic devices. There are also described methods of providing therapy to tissue in a body by positioning a device in proximity to tissue in a body selected to receive therapy. Next, the expandable support member second portion is expanded until the instrument is at a therapeutic position relative to the tissue in a body selected to receive therapy. Thereafter, therapy or diagnosis is provided to the selected tissue using the device.