Catheter with insert-molded microelectrode
AssigneeBiosense Webster (Israel) Ltd.
InventorsAnand R. Rao, Keshava Datta, Thanh V. Nguyen, Thomas V. Selkee
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Abstract
An apparatus includes a catheter assembly for use in a medical procedure to conduct electrophysiological mapping. The catheter assembly includes a catheter having an end effector with a tip member. One or more insert-molded microelectrodes are located in the tip member of the end effector for conducting electrophysiological mapping. The insert-molded microelectrodes include a microelectrode and a composite that isolates the microelectrode from contact with the tip member.
Claims17
An apparatus for use in a medical procedure to conduct electrophysiological mapping, the apparatus comprising:
- (a) a body;
- and
- (b) an end effector connected with a distal end of the body, the end effector including:
- (i) a tip member at the distal end of an end effector, the tip member having a first longitudinal axis and a shell that defines an outer surface of the tip member, the tip member further having an elongated bore located in the outer surface of the shell and parallel with the first longitudinal axis, and
- (ii) an insert positionable within the elongated bore of the tip member, the insert including a microelectrode and a non-conductive molded composite configured to act as a contact barrier between the microelectrode and the shell, the insert shaped to conform to a contour of the outer surface of the shell,
- (1) the microelectrode including:
- (A) a microelectrode distal surface,
- (B) a microelectrode distal portion comprising a first outer circumference, and
- (C) an elongated microelectrode proximal portion comprising a second outer circumference, wherein the second outer circumference is smaller than the first outer circumference,
- (2) the non-conductive molded composite including:
- (A) a composite distal portion circumferentially surrounding the microelectrode distal portion,
- (B) a composite distal surface surrounding the microelectrode distal surface,
- (C) an elongated composite proximal portion surrounding the elongated microelectrode proximal portion, and
- (D) a flange formed by an inner surface of the composite distal portion and the elongated composite proximal portion, the microelectrode distal portion being seated in the flange.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.