Catheter shape detection for map and ablate catheters

An electroporation catheter for use with tissue, comprising:

• an elongated shaft having a distal region;
• and
• an electrode assembly operably coupled to the distal region, the electrode assembly having a plurality of spaced-apart electrodes disposed on a plurality of splines to generate an electric field, the splines configurable in an expanded position wherein the plurality of spaced-apart electrodes are in a selected spatial relationship, and wherein the splines are deformable relative to the expanded position when subjected to a force;
• wherein the plurality of splines form a basket defining a cavity in the expanded position, wherein each of the plurality of splines includes a proximal end and a distal end, the basket coupled to the distal region wherein the distal ends of the splines form a distal tip region of the basket, the shaft having a distal basket region extending into and terminating within the cavity;
• and
• wherein the plurality of electrodes includes a measurement electrode disposed within the basket on the distal basket region of the shaft, the measurement electrode configured to not contact the tissue when the splines are in the expanded position.

A process for facilitating an ablation in a patient's heart, the process comprising:

• generating an electric field with a catheter in the heart, the catheter including an electrode assembly having a plurality of spaced-apart electrodes disposed on a plurality of splines to generate the electric field, the splines configurable in an expanded position wherein the plurality of spaced-apart electrodes are in a selected spatial relationship, and wherein the splines are deformable relative to the expanded position when subjected to a force;
• and
• measuring an electrical signal received from an electrode of the plurality of spaced-apart electrodes in response to the electric field, the electrical signal indicative of a parameter of the electric field;
• determining a deformation of the splines relative to the expanded position based on the measured electrical signal wherein the deformation of the splines is determined based on determining, from the measured electrical signal, a location of each of the plurality of electrodes with respect to the electrode assembly.