Mapping electrode balloon

An electrode balloon for use in anatomical cavities for picking up bioelectrical signals from walls thereof simultaneously in a multitude of sites for the mapping of activation potentials thereof, comprising an inflatable tight member defining a chamber;

• means connected to said chamber for filling the inflatable tight member;
• an extensible knitting constituted of closely stitched fine threads covering at least said chamber and provided with a plurality of sensor electrodes distributed thereon for contacting the walls of a cavity when said inflatable member is inflated by a fluid conveyed through said means for filling into said chamber;
• conductor means connected to said sensor electrodes and adapted for connection to a means for recording and processing the signals picked up thereby;
• and a flexible handles extending from said chamber for guiding said inflatable member into the cavity, said knitting being adapted for conferring to said inflatable member a shape similar to that of the cavity.

A method for picking up bioelectrical signals from the walls of anatomical cavities simultaneously in a multitude of sites for the mapping of activation potentials thereof, comprising the steps of:

• a) providing an electrode balloon comprising an inflatable tight member defining a chamber and having an opening at a proximal end thereof in connection with a flexible tube, an extensible cover means covering at least said chamber and provided with a plurality of sensor electrodes distributed thereon,, insulated electrical conductors connected to said sensor electrodes and to a means for recording and processing the signals picked up thereby, and a flexible tutor means extending within said chamber from a distal end of said inflatable member through and past said proximal end thereof for providing said electrode balloon with a handle;
• b) introducing in said tutor means a flexible intubation guide adapted for conferring a shape thereto for facilitating an insertion of said inflatable member into a cavity of a patient;
• c) inserting said inflatable member into the cavity;
• d) supplying a liquid through said tube in said chamber for inflating said inflatable member, whereby said cover means confers to said inflatable member a shape similar to that of the cavity and said sensor electrodes contact walls of the cavity;
• and
• e) picking up by way of said sensor electrodes the bioelectrical signals of the walls of the cavity simultaneously in a multitude of sites.

A method for picking up bioelectrical signals from the walls of anatomical cavities simultaneously in a multitude of sites for the mapping of activation potentials thereof, comprising the steps of:

• a) providing an electrode balloon comprising an inflatable tight member defining a chamber, a flexible filling means connected to said chamber, an extensible knitting constituted of closely stitched fine threads covering at least said chamber and provided with a plurality of sensor electrodes distributed thereon, conductor means connected to said sensor electrodes and connected to a means for recording and processing the signals picked up thereby, and a flexible tubular handle extending from said chamber;
• b) introducing in said handle a flexible intubation guide adapted for conferring a shape thereto for facilitating an insertion of said inflatable member into a cavity;
• c) inserting said inflatable member into the cavity;
• d) supplying a liquid by way of said filling means in said chamber for inflating said inflatable member, whereby said knitting confers to said inflatable member a shape similar to that of the cavity and said sensor electrodes contact walls of the cavity;
• and
• e) picking up by way of said sensor electrodes the bioelectrical signals of the walls of the cavity simultaneously in a multitude of sites.