System and method for selectively energizing catheter electrodes
AssigneeBiosense Webster, Inc.
InventorEduardo Jimenez
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Abstract
The present invention is directed to a system, a method and a catheter that provide improved ablation capabilities and improved energy efficiency by selectively energizing catheter electrodes on the basis of impedance measurements. In particular, the invention is directed to the selective energization of catheter radial electrodes that together with a tip electrode form a generally continuous tissue contact surface, wherein the selection is made on the basis of impedance measurement as an indication of the amount of tissue contact of each radial electrode.
Claims18
A system for selectively energizing a plurality of radial electrodes on a tip section of a catheter, comprising:
- a signal generator to provide impedance test signals;
- a multiplexer adapted to operate in a first mode wherein the multiplexer continuously changes electrical connection between the signal generator to a specific one of the radial electrodes, and a second mode wherein the multiplexer connects the signal generator to a selected one of the radial electrodes;
- an impedance measurement circuitry adapted to provide impedance measurements of each of the radial electrodes as an indication of tissue contact;
- an ablation energy source adapted to energize the selected radial electrode, wherein the ablation energy source is separate from the signal generator;
- and
- a switch to connect the ablation energy source to the single selected radial electrode via the multiplexer operating in the second mode.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.