# US 2019/0336205 A1 · Ablation catheter with selective radial energy delivery > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0336205 A1 - Document ID: US20190336205A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/969,579 - Filed: 2018-05-02 - Published: 2019-11-07 - Earliest claimed: 2018-05-02 - Assignees: Biosense Webster (Israel) Ltd. - Applicants: Biosense Webster (Israel) Ltd. - Inventors: Debby Highsmith - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190336205A1 ## CPC - A61B 18/1492: {having a flexible, catheter-like structure, e.g. for heart ablation (A61B18/1477 takes precedence)} - A61B 18/12: by passing a current through the tissue to be heated, e.g. high-frequency current - A61B 18/14: Probes or electrodes therefor - A61B 2018/00011: {with fluids} - A61B 2018/00029: {open} - A61B 2018/0016: {Energy applicators arranged in a two- or three dimensional array} - A61B 2018/00351: {Heart} - A61B 2018/00577: {Ablation} - A61B 2018/00636: {Sensing and controlling the application of energy} - A61B 2018/00702: {Power or energy} - A61B 2018/00791: {Temperature} - A61B 2018/00839: {Bioelectrical parameters, e.g. ECG, EEG} - A61B 2018/00875: {Resistance or impedance} - A61B 2018/124: {switching the output to different electrodes, e.g. sequentially} - A61B 2018/1467: {using more than two electrodes on a single probe} - A61B 2018/1497: {Electrodes covering only part of the probe circumference} - A61B 2218/002: Irrigation - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract An electrode assembly for use with an electrophysiological catheter has a plurality of independently controlled ablation electrodes distributed radially around the electrode assembly. Two ablation electrodes may be positioned in opposition to each other. The electrode assembly may also have microelectrodes for sensing tissue and/or temperature. Methods for using a catheter equipped with such an electrode assembly may include preferentially emitting energy in a radial direction. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An electrode assembly configured to be disposed over a distal portion of a catheter body, wherein the electrode assembly comprises a flexible substrate and a plurality of independently controlled ablation electrodes distributed radially around the electrode assembly. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The electrode assembly of claim 1, comprising two ablation electrodes positioned in opposition to each other. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The electrode assembly of claim 1, comprising more than two ablation electrodes. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The electrode assembly of claim 1, wherein the electrode assembly is configured as a cylinder. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The electrode assembly of claim 4, wherein the ablation electrodes are applied to an outer surface of the substrate. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The electrode assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least one microelectrode associated with each ablation electrode. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The electrode assembly of claim 6, wherein at least some of the microelectrodes are configured to sense tissue contact. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The electrode assembly of claim 6, wherein at least some of the microelectrodes are configured to sense temperature. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The electrode assembly of claim 6, wherein at least some of the microelectrodes are positioned within a perimeter of at least one of the ablation electrodes. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The electrode assembly of claim 1, wherein each ablation electrode has a plurality of apertures configured to perfuse irrigation fluid. ### Claim 11 A catheter comprising an elongated catheter body having proximal and distal ends and an electrode assembly, wherein the electrode assembly is disposed over a distal portion of the catheter body and wherein the electrode assembly comprises a flexible substrate and a plurality of independently controlled ablation electrodes distributed radially around the electrode assembly. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The catheter of claim 11, further comprising a plurality of electrode assemblies distributed longitudinally along the catheter body. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The catheter of claim 12, wherein each electrode assembly comprises two ablation electrodes positioned in opposition to each other. ### Claim 14 A method for constructing an electrode assembly to be disposed over a catheter body, comprising providing a flexible substrate having opposing edges, applying a plurality of independently controlled ablation electrodes to a surface of the flexible substrate, and joining the opposing edges of the substrate to form a cylinder, wherein the ablation electrodes are distributed radially around the cylinder. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the electrode assembly comprises two ablation electrodes positioned in opposition to each other. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, further comprising applying at least one microelectrode associated with each ablation electrode to the surface of the substrate. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, further comprising forming a plurality of apertures configured to perfuse irrigation fluid in the substrate and the applied ablation electrodes. ### Claim 18 A method for the ablation of a portion of tissue of a patient by an operator comprising: inserting a catheter into the patient, wherein the catheter comprises: an elongated body; and an electrode assembly disposed over a distal portion of the elongated body, wherein the electrode assembly comprises a plurality of independently controlled ablation electrodes distributed radially around the electrode assembly; connecting the catheter to a system controller capable of selectively delivering power at least one of the ablation electrodes; and controlling the power to the at least one ablation electrode to ablate tissue. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein controlling the power to the at least one ablation electrode causes the electrode assembly to preferentially emit energy in a radial direction. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, further comprising receiving signals from a plurality of microelectrodes of the electrode assembly, wherein at least one microelectrode is associated with each ablation electrode and is configured to sense tissue and wherein controlling the power to the at least one ablation electrode is based at least in part on the received signals.