Irrigated ablation electrode assembly having off-center irrigation passageway

An irrigated ablation catheter, comprising

• a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end;
• a manifold comprising a distribution cavity, wherein the manifold is configured for connection to the distal end of the catheter shaft, and wherein a longitudinal axis of a distal end portion of the distribution cavity is offset in distance from a central axis of the manifold by a first amount of offset;
• and
• an electrode coupled to a distal end of the manifold, the electrode including a first irrigation outlet, the first irrigation outlet offset in distance from the central axis by the first amount of offset, wherein the first irrigation outlet of the electrode aligns with the distal end portion of the distribution cavity, and wherein the distal end portion of the distribution cavity extends through the electrode along a direction parallel to the central axis.

A method of manufacturing an irrigated ablation catheter including an electrode assembly extending along a center axis, the method comprising

• providing an electrode of the electrode assembly with an irrigation outlet having a distal opening at a distal tip of the electrode, wherein the distal opening is offset in distance from the center axis;
• coupling the electrode to a manifold to form the assembly, wherein the manifold comprises a distribution cavity, wherein a longitudinal axis of a distal end portion of the distribution cavity is offset in distance from the central axis by a first amount of offset, wherein the distal end portion of the distribution cavity extends through the electrode along a direction parallel to the central axis, and wherein the irrigation outlet of the electrode portion aligns with the distal end portion of the distribution cavity;
• and
• coupling the assembly to a catheter shaft.