Systems and methods for linear spines forming a spherical basket for improved tissue contact and current delivery

A spine basket assembly comprising:

• a plurality of spines extending radially from a central axis, the plurality of spines comprising a first plurality of spines and a second plurality of spines that alternate about the central axis;
• a cut-out defining a first open area of empty space proximate the central axis, the first open area of empty space approximating a first virtual circle including a first diameter from the central axis, the cut-out extending into each of the plurality of spines for a first length to define a first open slot defined in each of the first plurality of spines and a second open slot defined in each of the second plurality of spines, each first open slot and each second open slot being contiguous to a circumference of a second virtual circle greater than the first virtual circle, each first open slot tapering in width from the first open area of empty space towards a proximal portion of the spine basket assembly, each second open slot comprising a respective aperture that defines a third area of empty space such that each spine of the second plurality of spines bulges outwardly, in a width direction of each spine of the second plurality of spines, in a region proximate the respective aperture;
• and
• one or more electrodes coupled to each of the spines of the plurality of spines.

A method of constructing a medical probe, the method comprising:

• cutting a planar sheet of material to form a plurality of linear spines including a central spine intersection, the plurality of linear spines comprising a first plurality of linear spines and a second plurality of linear spines that alternate about a central axis;
• cutting a discrete cutout at the central spine intersection, the discrete cutout defining a first open area of empty space proximate the central axis, the first open area of empty space approximating a first virtual circle including a first diameter from the central axis, the discrete cutout extending into each of the plurality of linear spines for a first length to define a first open slot defined in each of the first plurality of linear spines and a second open slot defined in each of the second plurality of linear spines, each first open slot and each second open slot being contiguous to a circumference of a second virtual circle greater than the first virtual circle, each first open slot tapering in width from the first open area of empty space towards a proximal portion of the plurality of linear spines, each second open slot comprising a respective aperture that defines a third area of empty space such that each linear spine of the second plurality of linear spines bulges outwardly, in a width direction of each spine of the second plurality of spines, in a region proximate the respective aperture;
• inserting each spine of the plurality of linear spines into a lumen of at least one electrode;
• and
• fitting ends of the plurality of linear spines to a tubular shaft sized to traverse vasculature such that the central spine intersection is positioned at a distal end of the medical probe and respective spines are movable from a tubular configuration to a bowed configuration.