US 2011/0213231 A1 · Bendable catheter arms having varied flexibility

Abstract

In various embodiments, a catheter comprising an expandable electrode assembly or basket is provided. In specific embodiments, the basket is particularly useful for mapping electrical activity at one or more locations within the heart. The basket can comprise a plurality of bendable or deflectable arms. At least one of the arms may have varied flexibility over its length in the form of one or more discontinuities of stiffness or flexibility at an elbow region or other variances in flexibility over the arm's length. Such variance in flexibility may allow the arm to assume a different bent configuration or respond to external factors more positively than possible with an arm having a static or near static flexibility or stiffness over its length.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A catheter, the catheter comprising:

an elongated body having a proximal end and a distal end;
and
an electrode assembly at the distal end of the elongated body, the electrode assembly comprising a plurality of arms, each of the arms having a proximal end connected to the distal end of the elongated body and a distal end, the distal ends of the arms being connected at a tip junction, wherein the electrode assembly is collapsible to a collapsed arrangement to fit within a lumen of a shaft and is expandable to an expanded arrangement;
wherein at least one arm of the plurality of arms comprises:
at least one electrode;
and
a support member comprising a distal portion, a proximal portion, and an intermediate portion therebetween, wherein one of the distal and proximal portions define a first width and the intermediate portion defines a second width, and wherein the first width is greater than the second width.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Bendable catheter arms having varied flexibility

Life of this patent

Bendable catheter arms having varied flexibility

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20