A cryoablation apparatus for creating a lesion in a target tissue includes an expandable energy transfer region formed of a plurality of independent spline ablation members. Manipulation of a control member extending from a handle to the energy transfer region controllably adjusts the shape of the energy transfer region to contact complex anatomies. A service lumen extending through the length of apparatus can slidably receive an ancillary catheter such as a guide catheter or diagnostic catheter. The catheter has particular application to treating conditions of the heart. Related methods and systems are also described.

A method and apparatus for treatment of pulmonary conditions, including a device having an end effector sized and shaped to contact a nerve component on the exterior of a bronchial segment and apply energy to that nerve component.

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 catheterization is conducted with a probe having a plurality of sensors. The heart is displayed as a first graphic image. Signals from the sensors are processed according to a predefined algorithm to generate respective outputs, A region on the first graphic image that is less than all of the first graphic image is selected according to locations of the sensors, and values derived from outputs of the sensors are displayed on the selected region as a second graphic image. Thereafter, the second graphic image is removed and replaced by an updated version.

A system includes a cutting portion, an actuator coupled to the cutting portion for moving the cutting portion, a controller coupled to the actuator, and a sensor in communication with the controller. The sensor senses if tissue contacted by the cutting portion has hardness above a threshold. If the hardness is above the threshold, the controller permits cutting of the tissue and if the hardness is not above the threshold, the controller does not permit cutting of the tissue. Conversely, the system can have a mode of operation in which if the hardness is below the threshold, the controller permits cutting of the tissue and if the hardness is not below the threshold, the controller does not permit cutting of the tissue.

A method for the treatment of a patient for the purpose of lowering blood pressure and/or treating other medical conditions such as cardiac arrhythmias. A catheter having an ablation element is placed inside the body of a patient and is directed to a targeted location either on in the abdominal aorta where the right or left renal arteries branch from the aorta at or near the superior junction or ostia or on the inside of the inferior vena cava near the junction with the right renal vein or in the left renal vein at a position spatially near where the left renal artery branches from the abdominal aorta. Catheters designed for use in the method where these targeted locations are also disclosed and claimed.

The present disclosure is directed to an expandable energy delivery assembly adapted to deliver electrical energy to tissue. The assembly includes an elongate device and an expandable portion. The expandable portion includes an inflatable element, a single helical electrode disposed on the inflatable element, and at least one irrigation aperture within the inflatable element. The inflatable element is secured to the elongate device and the single helical electrode makes between about 0.5 and about 1.5 revolutions around the inflatable element. The at least one irrigation aperture is adapted to allow fluid to flow from within the inflatable element to outside the inflatable element.

A catheter-mounted balloon includes an inflatable chamber defining a volume expandable from a deflated state to an inflated state, the inflatable chamber having a distal transition portion, a proximal transition portion, and a cylindrical body portion disposed between the distal transition portion and the proximal transition portion. The cylindrical body portion of the inflatable chamber includes a pleat zone having a pleat when the inflatable chamber is in the deflated state. The catheter-mounted balloon further includes an electrode disposed along a wall of the inflatable chamber. The pleat traverses the electrode such that is electrode is pleated as well.

A catheter has a cooling distal section for freezing tissue to sub-zero temperatures with one or more miniature reverse thermoelectric or Peltier elements, also referred to herein as micro-Peltier cooling (MPC) units or electrodes. The MPC units may be on outer surface of an inflatable or balloon member or a tip electrode shell wall that has a fluid-containing interior cavity acting as a heat sink. Each MPC unit has a hot junction and a cold junction whose temperatures are regulated by the heat sink, and a voltage/current applied to the MPC units. A temperature differential of about 70 degrees Celsius may be achieved between the hot and cold junctions for extreme cooling, especially where the MPC units include semiconductor materials with high Peltier co-efficients. An outer coating of thermally-conductive but electrically-insulative material seals the MPC units to prevent unintended current paths through the MPC units.

Methods and devices are disclosed for puncturing tissue, comprising a puncture device for puncturing tissue and a supporting member for supporting the puncture device. The puncture device is capable of being insertable within the supporting member and being selectively usable in co-operation therewith during a portion of a procedure for puncturing tissue and wherein the puncture device is usable independently therefrom during another portion of the procedure. The puncture device comprises visual or tactile markers for determining the relative positioning between puncture device and supporting member.