# US 11,433,220 B2 · Layered high density electrode mapping catheter

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- Number: US 11,433,220 B2
- Document ID: US11433220B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/029,038
- Filed: 2018-07-06
- Published: 2019-01-10
- Granted: 2022-09-06
- Earliest claimed: 2017-07-07
- Assignees: St. Jude Medical, Cardiology Division, Inc.
- Applicants: St. Jude Medical, Cardiology Division, Inc.
- Inventors: Andrew Oliverius; Neil Hawkinson; Timothy S. Marass; Wade Welter; Nicholas Strom; Quinn Butler; James Marrs
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11433220B2

## CPC

- A61M 25/008: {Strength or flexibility characteristics of the catheter tip}
- A61B 5/287: Holders for multiple electrodes, e.g. electrode catheters for electrophysiological study [EPS]
- A61B 5/6858: {with a distal basket, e.g. expandable basket}
- A61B 18/1492: {having a flexible, catheter-like structure, e.g. for heart ablation (A61B18/1477 takes precedence)}
- A61M 25/0043: {characterised by structural features}
- A61M 25/0074: {Dynamic characteristics of the catheter tip, e.g. openable, closable, expandable or deformable}
- A61B 2018/0016: {Energy applicators arranged in a two- or three dimensional array}
- A61B 2018/00267: {having a basket shaped structure}
- A61B 2018/00357: {Endocardium}
- A61B 2018/00577: {Ablation}
- A61B 2018/00839: {Bioelectrical parameters, e.g. ECG, EEG}
- A61B 2018/1253: {monopolar}
- A61B 2018/126: {bipolar}
- A61B 2562/0209: Special features of electrodes classified in A61B5/24, A61B5/25, A61B5/283, A61B5/291, A61B5/296, A61B5/053
- A61B 2562/028: Microscale sensors, e.g. electromechanical sensors [MEMS]
- A61B 2562/164: the sensor is mounted in or on a conformable substrate or carrier
- A61M 2025/0081: {Soft tip}
- A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)}
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)

## Abstract

Various embodiments of the present disclosure can include flexible catheter tip. The flexible catheter tip can include an inboard understructure that defines a tip longitudinal axis, wherein the inboard understructure can be formed from a first continuous element that includes a first rectangular cross-section. An intermediate inboard covering can be disposed about the first continuous element that forms a distal portion of the inboard understructure. An outboard understructure can extend along the tip longitudinal axis, wherein the outboard understructure can be formed from a second continuous element that includes a second rectangular cross-section. An intermediate outboard covering can be disposed about the second continuous element that forms a distal portion of the outboard understructure.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A flexible catheter tip, comprising:
an inboard understructure that defines a tip longitudinal axis, wherein the inboard understructure is formed from a first continuous element that includes a first rectangular cross-section;
an intermediate inboard covering disposed about the first continuous element that forms a distal portion of the inboard understructure;
an inboard covering disposed about the first continuous element and the intermediate inboard covering;
an outboard understructure that extends along the tip longitudinal axis, wherein the outboard understructure is formed from a second continuous element that includes a second rectangular cross-section;
an intermediate outboard covering disposed about the second continuous element that forms a distal portion of the outboard understructure; and
an outboard covering disposed about the first continuous element and the intermediate outboard covering, wherein the intermediate inboard and outboard coverings and the inboard and outboard coverings are non-conductive coverings, and wherein each of the intermediate inboard and outboard coverings and the inboard and outboard coverings extend about a respective circumference of a respective one of the inboard understructure and the outboard understructure.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The flexible catheter tip of claim 1, wherein the intermediate inboard covering is disposed between the inboard understructure and the inboard covering.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The flexible catheter tip of claim 1, wherein the inboard covering is disposed about a majority of the first continuous element.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The flexible catheter tip of claim 1, wherein the intermediate outboard covering is disposed between the outboard understructure and the outboard covering.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The flexible catheter tip of claim 1, wherein the intermediate inboard covering and the intermediate outboard covering are formed from a heat shrink material.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The flexible catheter tip of claim 1, wherein the inboard understructure includes:
a first proximal inboard mounting arm and second proximal inboard mounting arm that extend along the tip longitudinal axis;
a first inboard arm understructure that extends distally from the first proximal inboard mounting arm;
a second inboard arm understructure that extends distally from the second proximal inboard mounting arm; and
a flared head portion connected to distal ends of the first and second inboard arm understructures.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The flexible catheter tip of claim 1, wherein the intermediate inboard covering comprises an inner intermediate inboard covering disposed about the first continuous element and an outer intermediate inboard covering disposed about the inner intermediate inboard covering.

### Claim 8

A flexible catheter tip, comprising:
a flexible understructure that defines a tip longitudinal axis, wherein the flexible understructure is formed from a first continuous element that includes a first rectangular cross-section;
an intermediate covering disposed about the first continuous element;
a covering disposed over the intermediate covering, such that the intermediate covering is disposed between the covering and the flexible understructure, wherein the intermediate covering and the covering are non-conductive coverings and extend about a circumference of the flexible understructure.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The flexible catheter tip of claim 8, further comprising a gap between the intermediate covering and the covering.

### Claim 10 (depends on 8)

The flexible catheter tip of claim 8, wherein an interference fit exists between the intermediate covering and the covering.

### Claim 11 (depends on 8)

The flexible catheter tip of claim 8, further comprising a gap between the intermediate covering and the covering, wherein a size of the gap is in a range from 0 inches to 0.004 inches.

### Claim 12 (depends on 8)

The flexible catheter tip of claim 8, wherein the intermediate covering and the covering are formed from one or more polymers.

### Claim 13 (depends on 8)

The flexible catheter tip of claim 8, wherein the intermediate covering is formed from more than one layer of material.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The flexible catheter tip of claim 13, wherein the more than one layer of material includes a heat shrink material.

### Claim 15

A flexible catheter tip, comprising:
an inboard understructure that defines a tip longitudinal axis, wherein the inboard understructure is formed from a first continuous element that includes a first rectangular cross-section, the first continuous element defining first and second inboard arm understructures and a flared head portion connected to a distal end of each of the first and second inboard arm understructures;
an intermediate inboard covering disposed about the flared head portion;
an outboard understructure that extends along the tip longitudinal axis, wherein the outboard understructure is formed from a second continuous element that includes a second rectangular cross-section, the second continuous element defining first and second outboard arm understructures and a head portion connected to a distal end of each of the first and second outboard arm understructures;
an intermediate outboard covering disposed about the second continuous element that forms the head portion;
an inboard covering disposed about the intermediate inboard covering and the flared head portion; and
an outboard covering disposed about the intermediate outboard covering and the head portion, wherein the intermediate inboard and outboard coverings and the inboard and outboard coverings are non-conductive coverings and each of the intermediate inboard and outboard coverings and the inboard and outboard coverings extend about a respective circumference of a respective on of the inboard understructure and the outboard understructure.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The flexible catheter tip of claim 15, wherein:
the intermediate inboard covering includes a first proximal end and a second proximal end; and
the first proximal end and the second proximal end being positioned at an interface between the flared head portion and the first and second inboard arm understructures.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The flexible catheter tip of claim 16, wherein:
the intermediate outboard covering includes a first proximal end and a second proximal end; and
the first proximal end and the second proximal end being positioned at an interface between the head portion and the first and second outboard arm understructures.

### Claim 18 (depends on 15)

The flexible catheter tip of claim 15, further comprising an electrode disposed on the outboard covering.