Branched structures for supporting multiple electrode elements
AssigneeEP Technologies, Inc.
InventorsJames G Whayne, Sidney D Fleischman, Russell B Thompson, David K Swanson, Yi Yang
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A catheter assembly comprises a first branch body having a first axis, a second branch body extending in a non-parallel relationship with respect to the first axis, and at least one electrode carried by the second branch body. In use, the first branch body can be located within a pulmonary vein within the left atrium, while the electrode carried by the second branch body is located in contact with endocardial tissue outside the pulmonary vein. Ablation energy can be transmitted from the electrode to contacted endocardial tissue while the first branch body is located within the pulmonary vein.
Claims21
A catheter apparatus, comprising:
- a first catheter body having a side wall defining a longitudinally extending lumen, an aperture formed in the side wall, and an anchoring branch portion;
- a second catheter body located within the lumen and having a distal portion extending outwardly through the aperture and secured to the first catheter body;
- and
- a rotation control device adapted to rotate at least the distal portion of the second catheter body about an axis defined by the lumen.
A catheter apparatus, comprising:
- a sheath defining a longitudinally extending sheath lumen;
- a first catheter body having a side wall defining a longitudinally extending catheter lumen, an aperture formed in the side wall, and an anchoring branch portion;
- a second catheter body located within the catheter lumen and having a distal portion extending outwardly through the aperture and a distal end located outside the first catheter body;
- a pull wire fixedly secured to the second catheter body and extending proximally within the sheath lumen and outside the first catheter body;
- and
- a rotation control device adapted to rotate at least the distal portion of the second catheter body about an axis defined by the catheter lumen.
A catheter apparatus, comprising:
- a catheter body having a main portion extending along a longitudinal axis, defining a longitudinally extending lumen, and having a branch portion defining an end integral with the main portion and a free end, the branch portion being arranged such that the lumen and the branch portion define a non-zero angle therebetween and the free end of the branch portion is offset from the longitudinal axis;
- an anchoring branch located within the lumen, longitudinally movable relative to the lumen and extending outwardly from the lumen;
- and
- a rotation control device adapted to rotate at least the branch portion of the catheter body relative to anchoring branch.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.