Catheter system and electrode assembly for intraprocedural evaluation of renal denervation

A catheter system comprising:

• a catheter shaft;
• and
• an electrode assembly carried by the catheter shaft and including:
• a proximal hub;
• a distal hub;
• a first spline extending between the proximal hub and the distal hub;
• a first ablation electrode positioned at a first axial location defined at a first distance between the proximal hub and the distal hub, wherein the first spline includes a proximal portion and a distal portion that are configured to be electrically activated together, and that are configured to be electrically activated independent of the first ablation electrode, and wherein the first ablation electrode is positioned on the first spline between the proximal portion and the distal portion of the first spline;
• and
• a second spline extending between the proximal hub and the distal hub, the second spline spaced circumferentially apart from the first spline, wherein the second spline includes a second ablation electrode positioned at a second axial location defined at a second distance between the proximal hub and the distal hub, the second axial location different from the first axial location, whereby the second ablation electrode is axially offset from the first ablation electrode, and whereby no ablation electrode of the electrode assembly is located in a same radial plane as any other ablation electrode of the electrode assembly,
• wherein the first spline is interconnected with a first electrical wire to allow the first spline to function as a first stimulation electrode,
• wherein the second spline is interconnected with a second electrical wire to allow the second spline to function as a second stimulation electrode, and
• wherein the first stimulation electrode and the second stimulation electrode are configured to elicit a physiological response capable of being measured when energized.