Catheter having mapping assembly

A mapping catheter comprising:

• an elongated tubular catheter body having an outer wall, proximal and distal ends, and at least one lumen extending therethrough;
• a mapping assembly comprising:
• a tubular structure having a continuous generally circular main region generally transverse and distal to the catheter body having an outer circumference, wherein the tubular structure comprises a non-conductive cover over at least the main region of the mapping assembly, and
• a plurality of electrode pairs carried by the generally circular main region of the mapping assembly;
• and
• means for deflecting the distal end of the catheter body without altering the shape of the mapping assembly.

A catheter comprising:

• an elongated flexible tubular catheter body having an axis and proximal and distal ends;
• a mapping assembly at the distal end of the tubular body having a continuous preformed generally circular curve having an outer surface, being generally transverse to the axis of the catheter body, and having proximal and distal ends and carrying a plurality of electrode pairs;
• an electrode lead wire associated with each electrode, each electrode lead wire having proximal and distal ends and extending through the catheter body and into the mapping assembly, the distal end of each electrode lead wire being electrically connected to its associated electrode;
• a puller wire having proximal and distal ends extending through the tubular catheter body, the distal end of the puller wire being fixedly attached to the distal end of the catheter body;
• and
• a handle connected to the proximal ends of the catheter body and puller wire for moving the puller wire longitudinally relative to the catheter body, whereby longitudinal movement of the puller wire relative to the catheter body results in deflection of the distal end of the catheter body.