Systems and methods for confirming the tip location of a catheter. The system can include an ivECG acquisition module for receiving ECG data from an implanted endovascular device and a notification module. The system can calculate PxI and distance parameters to determine the location of the tip of the implanted endovascular device relative to a predetermined location such as the cavoatrial junction. The system can use chaos theory and the concept of self-organized criticality (SOC) to determine parameters where P-waves are absent or atypical. The notification module can include one or more of an audio signal, a video signal, and a tactile signal. Also disclosed are systems and methods of establishing an electrical pathway within a previously positioned catheter, including saline columns and electrically conductive guidewires.

A spring assembly usable with an intravascular catheter can include a tubular body, two mounting surfaces, and a compressible framework. The tubular body extends along a longitudinal axis and is sized to traverse vasculature. Each mounting surface can be configured to engage a substantially planar electrical circuit and is positioned in the tubular body each in a respective plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The mounting surfaces face toward each other in opposite directions. The compressible framework extends between the first and second mounting surfaces. The spring assembly can further include a pair of electrical circuits mounted to the pair mounting surfaces. Each electrical circuit can include an inductive coil such that the pair of electrical circuits is a distance transducer. A change in distance between the pair of electrical circuits can be detected when the compressible framework is compressed and/or bent.

A laparoscopic suction/irrigation device of the disclosed invention encases a rigid inner cannula with a flexible outer cannula, the outer cannula functioning to insulate the inner cannula from unwanted electrical discharges. Upon translating the distal end of the outer cannula beyond the distal end of the inner cannula, the outer cannula returns to a preexisting curvilinear shape. This curved extension can thereafter be positioned via a proximal handle to concavities within the surgical site for precise and effective fluid retraction.

The invention deals with a steerable catheter system comprising a polymer shaft with a stiff and bending portion surrounded by a covering tube, where a looped shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator wire is located in lumen along an axis of the shaft at a radial position away from the center of the shaft, where the SMA wire has a looped part at the distal part of the bending portion and two ends on the proximal part of the stiff portion that are connected to connection wires. The two ends at the proximal part are provided with electrically conducting metal clamps that connect the SMA wire to the connection wires, where the clamps are provided with a protrusion that serves as an anchor for the SMA wire and where the covering tube comprises a shrunk heat shrink tube. The clamps with the protrusion serve as an anchor for the SMA wires in the polymer of the shaft. A catheter according to the invention is much more reliable and can also generate larger forces in the SMA wire that lead to larger strokes/bends at the bending portion of the catheter.

The disclosure provides a flexible, narrow medical device (such as a micro-catheter or a guidewire) that is controllably moved and steered through lumens of a body. The medical device may include an electrically-actuatable bendable portion at a distal end, which may be provided by a polymer electrolyte layer, electrodes distributed about the polymer electrolyte layer, and electrical conduits coupled to the electrodes, such that the polymer electrolyte layer deforms asymmetrically in response to an electrical signal through one or more conduits. The disclosure further includes a controller for moving the device into and out of bodily lumens and for applying the electrical signal for steering the device. The device further includes methods of preparing the polymer electrolyte layer in tubular shape.

Systems and methods for confirming the tip location of a static endovascular device are disclosed. The system can include an ivECG acquisition module for receiving ECG data from an implanted endovascular device and a notification module. The system can calculate P?I and distance parameters to determine the location of the tip of the implanted endovascular device relative to a predetermined location such as the cavoatrial junction. The system can use chaos theory and the concept of self-organized criticality (SOC) to determine parameters where P-waves are absent or atypical. The notification module can include one or more of an audio signal, a video signal, and a tactile signal. Also disclosed are systems and methods of establishing an electrical pathway within a previously positioned, endovascular device, including saline columns and electrically conductive guidewires.

A multimodality or hybrid ablation system includes an ablation apparatus for creating a lesion in target tissue. The ablation apparatus has an ablation shaft including a handle, a first portion, an ablation portion, distal tip, at least one ablation energy delivery lumen, at least one ablation energy return lumen, and a stylet lumen that extends substantially along a length of the ablation shaft from the handle to at least the ablation portion. The ablation apparatus also includes a stylet that is capable of being inserted into the stylet lumen where the stylet is made of a shape-memory material. A plurality of electrodes are arranged on the ablation portion for measuring or verifying tissue contact with the tissue and applying a pulsed electric field. Optionally, the pulsed electric field may be applied after or in parallel with freezing the target tissue.

A pulsed field ablation catheter for use in atrial fibrillation treatment having a distal steerable variable loop with multiple electrodes coupled to the distal end of a multilumen shaft and a handle coupled to the proximal end of the multilumen shaft. A shape imparting mechanism coupled to the handle is configured to change the shape of steerable loop by manipulating a steering mechanism to steer the steerable loop to the treatment site and a rotational actuator to change the diameter of the variable loop to better interface with varying human anatomy.

Provided is an aspiration catheter having a tubular shape and used to remove an embolus or a thrombus by being inserted into a blood vessel, and more particularly, a steerable and expandable aspiration catheter which may apply an effective aspiration force to an embolus or a thrombus by steering a distal tip of the catheter in a three-dimensional direction and expanding a diameter of the tip.

A medical device includes: an elongated tube having a wall defining a lumen for the elongated tube, wherein the wall of the elongated tube comprises a first opening; and a first actuating element coupled directly or indirectly to the wall of the elongated tube; wherein at least a part of the first actuating element and the first opening of the wall are located at a same longitudinal position with respect to a longitudinal axis of the elongated tube; and wherein the first actuating element is configured to change size to induce stress and/or displacement at the wall of the elongated tube to cause the elongated tube to bend.