Ablation catheter
OwnerJoseph C. Griffin III, David A. Jenkinsinventors
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Abstract
An ablation catheter designed to make long linear lesions by utilizing long flexible electrodes and conducting energy between the electrodes. One aspect of this invention includes the adding of a radiopaque material beneath the flexible electrodes. Another aspect is to co-extrude the conductor wires within the body of the catheter material. Another aspect of the invention is a junction box whereby defibrillating energy can be utilized through all electrodes on the catheter.
Claims21
A catheter intended for use in the ablation of human tissue havingat least one pair of electrodes greater than 5 millimeters in length adhered to the catheter surface of the area toward the distal end of the catheter, said catheter containing isolated conductor wires connecting each electrode to an electrical connector at the proximal end of the catheter, where each of the electrodes within a pair are equal in size, length, and thickness and are positioned parallel to each other along the longitudinal axis of the catheter, separated by a certain defined spacing, where one electrode within a pair is considered the conducting anode, and the other electrode within the pair the conducting cathode, to be electrically conductive in order to create a linear lesion along the tissue interface essentially between the electrode pair.
A method of manufacturing an electrode catheter, with one or more conductor wires extending from an electrical connector on the proximal end through the catheter to the distal portion of the catheter, including the steps of manufacturing as follows:
- 1) Stripping the catheter surface away from the conductor wire(s) by laser means,
- 2) Filling in the “stripped” area with a conductive potting material so as to form an essentially smooth outer catheter diameter with a conductive area exposed, connected to the inner conductor wires.
An electrode catheter, including an insulative catheter body comprised of an elongated flexible member having a distal end and a proximal end, one or more electrodes adhered to the area at the distal end, connected to the proximal end via conductor wires, where such conductor wires are imbedded within, and extruded as part of, the insulative catheter body, as opposed to being contained within a hollow portion or lumen of the catheter.
An electrode catheter, containing one or more thin flexible electrodes, where such electrodes contain a radiopaque lining between the electrode material and the main catheter shaft.
A method of manufacturing a catheter, wherein a radiopaque outer layer of material is extruded as an integral part of the extruded tubing, and wherein such radiopaque outer layer is defined, or etched, by use of laser.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.