An apparatus (20f) for removing a blockage from a body of a subject includes a reference electrode (26), configured for insertion into the body, an electrically-insulative element (68) covering the reference electrode, the electrically-insulative element being shaped to define a gap (72) that exposes a portion of the reference electrode, an active electrode (28) covering the electrically-insulative element, and an electrically-conductive element (32) passing through the reference electrode and electrically connected to the active electrode, the electrically-conductive element being configured to electrically connect the active electrode to a power source (34) such that application, by the power source, of a voltage between the active electrode and the reference electrode causes the active electrode to attract the blockage. Other embodiments are also described.

Apparatus, systems, and methods are provided for monitoring AF episodes, delivering ATP pulses, and/or achieving electrical isolation of the left atrial appendage (LAA) of a patient's heart and/or preventing thrombus formation after electrical isolation. For example, devices are provided that may implanted from within the left atrium, e.g., to isolate the LAA, prevent thrombus formation within the LAA, facilitate endothelialization, and/or deliver pacing.

Provided is a catheter including a shaft having a distal end removably connected to a distal portion and a proximal end coupled to a holder; a loop disposed near the distal end and configured to curl around a tissue and receive, via the shaft, energy to denervate at least a portion of the tissue; a loop control disposed on a butt of the holder and configured to deliver a mechanical bending force to the loop. The loop includes at least a portion made of a shape-memory alloy whose shape changes at a critical temperature. In a first mode, the loop is configured to curl around the tissue at a first curvature at a temperature below the critical temperature by the mechanical bending force. In a second mode, the loop is configured to curl around the tissue at a second curvature at a temperature above the critical temperature.

A medical device which can be inserted into a tapered biological lumen and can effectively ablate a wide range. The medical device includes an elongated shaft, a plurality of electrically independent electrodes disposed in a distal portion of the elongated shaft, the plurality of electrically independent electrodes extending along an axial direction of the shaft portion and deformable in a radial direction of the elongated shaft, and a plurality of electrically independent conductors including an embedded portion embedded in the elongated shaft, the plurality of electrically independent conductors and configured to allow a current to flow to the plurality of electrodes. At least one of the plurality of electrically independent conductors has a protruding portion protruding from a distal surface of the shaft portion, and connected to one of the plurality of electrically independent electrodes.

The present invention concerns a system (100) for analyzing electrophysiological data, especially intracardial electrogram data, the system (100) comprising a data processing and control unit (15) for processing the electrophysiological data, a data output unit comprising a data output screen (324) for displaying results of electrophysiological data analysis, wherein the data processing and control unit (15) being configured to receive electrophysiological data obtained from a mapping catheter assembly (110, 111) that comprises an electrode assembly (120, 80) with a plurality of n electrodes (82), each electrode (82) configured for measuring electrophysiological data in the form of electrogram signals. The data processing and control unit (15) comprises an engine for performing an optical flow analysis of the electrophysiological data to generate series of vector data (40) representing the average speed and direction of movement of clusters of the electrophysiological data, the data output unit being configured to display the vector data on a data output screen (324) of the data output unit.

A catheter configured to guide and support a balloon catheter for use in and around a pulmonary vein and its ostium, has an elongated shaft and a distal assembly, the elongated shaft including a proximal portion with a first flexibility and a distal portion including a second flexibility greater than the first flexibility, the distal assembly including an elbow portion and a generally circular portion generally transverse to the longitudinal axis, the generally circular portion including a third flexibility greater than the second flexibility. Single axis location sensors and sensing ring electrodes are carried on the generally circular portion.

Tissue may be cut and extracted from an interior location in a patient's body using a probe or tool which both effects cutting and causes vaporization of a liquid or other fluid to propel the cut tissue through an extraction lumen of the cutting device. The cutting may be achieved using an electrosurgical electrode assembly, including a first electrode on a cutting member and a second electrode within a cutting probe or tool. Thus, over a first cutting portion, radio frequency current may help cut the tissue and over a second or over transition region, the RF current may initiate vaporization of the fluid or other liquid to propel the tissue from the cutting device.

Methods for using a surgical device integrating a suction mechanism with a coagulation mechanism for improving lesion creation capabilities. The device comprises an elongate member having an insulative covering attached about means for coagulating soft tissue. Openings through the covering expose regions of the coagulation-causing elements and are coupled to lumens in the elongate member which are routed to a vacuum source and a fluid source to passively transport fluid along the contacted soft tissue surface in order to push the maximum temperature deeper into tissue.

An ablation apparatus places electrodes at the perimeter of a cavity. In an embodiment, the alternating electric field is used to expose the cavity to enough energy to ablate the cavity. In an embodiment, two modes are used to expose different regions of the cavity to different amounts of power for so that the thermal effect is more uniform. In an embodiment, the electrodes have a relatively large surface area so as to avoid charring the cavity, but are shaped so as to fit within a body orifice. For example, the diameter of the sheathed housing the electrodes during penetration may be only 5.5 mm.

Apparatus, systems, and methods are provided for monitoring AF episodes, delivering ATP pulses, and/or achieving electrical isolation of the left atrial appendage (LAA) of a patient's heart and/or preventing thrombus formation after electrical isolation. For example, devices are provided that may implanted from within the left atrium, e.g., to isolate the LAA, prevent thrombus formation within the LAA, facilitate endothelialization, and/or deliver pacing.