# US 2014/0194716 A1 · Catheter with multiple spines of different lengths arranged in one or more distal assemblies > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0194716 A1 - Document ID: US20140194716A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/736,794 - Filed: 2013-01-08 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2013-01-08 - Assignees: Biosense Webster (Israel) Ltd. - Applicants: Biosense Webster (Israel), Ltd. - Inventors: Nhut Diep; Tom Allen Ditter; Raymond Estrada; Kristine Fuimaono; Debby Grunewald; Ryan Hoitink; Eduardo Jimenez; Armida Manriquez - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140194716A1 ## CPC - A61B 5/6859: {with multiple distal splines} - A61B 5/0036: {including treatment, e.g., using an implantable medical device, ablating, ventilating} - A61B 5/287: Holders for multiple electrodes, e.g. electrode catheters for electrophysiological study [EPS] - A61B 18/1492: {having a flexible, catheter-like structure, e.g. for heart ablation (A61B18/1477 takes precedence)} - A61B 5/02007: {Evaluating blood vessel condition, e.g. elasticity, compliance} - A61B 2017/00867: {shape memory effect} - A61B 2018/0016: {Energy applicators arranged in a two- or three dimensional array} - A61B 2018/00214: {Expandable means emitting energy, e.g. by elements carried thereon} - A61B 2018/00345: {Vascular system} - A61B 2018/00386: {Coronary vessels} - A61B 2018/00404: {Blood vessels other than those in or around the heart} - A61B 2018/1435: {Spiral} - A61B 2018/1475: {Electrodes retractable in or deployable from a housing} - A61B 2034/2051: {Electromagnetic tracking systems} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract A catheter having a distal assembly with multiple spines with proximal ends affixed to the catheter and free distal ends. The spines have different lengths so distal ends of the spines trace different circumferences along an inner tissue surface of a tubular region to minimize risk of vein stenosis. The spine lengths can be configured so that the distal ends trace a helical pattern. The distal assembly may have a plunger which deflects the spines when moved longitudinally relative to the distal assembly. The catheter may include a second distal assembly distal of a first distal assembly wherein the first and second distal assemblies are separated by a fixed distanced or an adjustable distance. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A catheter, comprising: an elongated catheter body; and a distal assembly distal of the catheter body and comprising at least two spines, each spine having a proximal end attached at the distal end of the catheter body and a free distal end, wherein each spine comprises: a support arm having shape memory; a non-conductive covering in surrounding relation to the support arm; and at least one electrode; wherein each of the at least two spines each has a different length. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The catheter of claim 1, wherein the at least one electrode is mounted at or near the distal end of the spine and electrically isolated from the support arm ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The catheter of claim 1, wherein the at least one electrode includes at least one ring electrode mounted in surrounding relation to the non-conductive covering. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The catheter of claim 1, wherein each support arm comprises nitinol. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The catheter of claim 1, wherein the distal assembly is moveable between an expanded arrangement, in which each spine extends radially outward from the catheter body, and a collapsed arrangement, in which each spine is disposed generally along a longitudinal axis of the catheter body. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The catheter of claim 5, wherein, when the distal assembly is in its expanded arrangement, each spine extends radially outwardly from the catheter body and forms a curved shape. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The catheter of claim 5, wherein, when the distal assembly is in its expanded arrangement, each spine extends radially outwardly from the catheter body and forms a substantially straight line. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The catheter of claim 1, wherein the distal ends is adapted to trace a helical pattern along an inner tissue surface of a tubular region. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The catheter of claim 8, wherein the helical pattern ranges between about 180 and 360 degrees. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The catheter of claim 8, further comprising a plunger having a cam surface to deflect the spines. ### Claim 11 A catheter, comprising: an elongated catheter body; and a first distal assembly distal of the catheter body and a second distal assembly distal of the first assembly, each of the first and second distal assemblies comprising a mounting assembly and at least two spines, each spine having a proximal end attached to the mounting assembly and a free distal end, wherein each spine comprises: a support arm having shape memory; a non-conductive covering in surrounding relation to the support arm; and at least one electrode; wherein each spine of a distal assembly has a different length. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) A catheter of claim 11, wherein the second distal assembly has a generally straight proximal portion extending from the mounting assembly of the first distal assembly. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) A catheter of claim 11, wherein the generally straight proximal portion has a fixed relationship to the mounting assembly of the first distal assembly. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) A catheter of claim 11, wherein the generally straight proximal portion is adapted for telescopically movement relative to the mounting assembly of the first distal assembly. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) A catheter of claim 11, wherein the distal ends of the spines of the first and second distal assemblies trace a generally helical pattern. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) A catheter of claim 15, wherein the distal ends of the spines of the first distal assembly trace the generally helical pattern from about 0 degrees to about 360 degrees and the distal ends of the spines of the second distal assembly trace the generally helical pattern from about 360 degrees to about 720 degrees. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) A catheter of claim 11, wherein the distal ends of the spines of the first and second assemblies trace a plurality of circumferences along an inner tissue surface of a tubular region. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) A catheter of claim 11, wherein the generally straight proximal portion of the second distal assembly includes a plunger having a cam surface adapted to deflect the spines of the first distal assembly. ### Claim 19 (depends on 11) A catheter of claim 11, wherein each of the distal assemblies has at least five spines. ### Claim 20 (depends on 11) A catheter of claim 11 wherein at least one of the distal assemblies has a unibody support structure.