Mapping and ablation catheter system

#I. Field of the Invention

#The present invention relates generally to the field of mapping and ablation using steerable vascular catheters. The invention is particularly directed to recording and ablation catheter systems applicable to create continuous linear lesions in any cardiac chamber.

#II. Discussion of the Related Art

#In the drawings, wherein like numerals designate like parts throughout the same:

#FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of one embodiment of an atrial fibrillation mapping and ablation catheter in accordance with the invention with the extended length of the main tube segment broken away;

#FIGS. 2-4 illustrate a different embodiment of a mapping and ablation catheter;

#The electrical mapping and ablation system is carried by a distal working catheter or probe portion, extension or segment which, in accordance with the invention, may present itself in any of several forms. The distal portion or area is normally deployed from a main catheter or sheath in the vicinity of any cardiac chamber of interest. The electrode position and form chosen will depend on the particular surface to be addressed and the mode of access to the chamber. Also, the electrode configuration is not meant to be limited in any manner to the illustrated patterns, it being further understood that any size and pattern of electrodes consistent with mapping and ablation objectives in any part of the chamber of interest can be employed.

#The electrode systems in accordance with the distal working catheter section are generally designed so that each individual electrode is electrically connected by a separate insulated lead threaded through the catheter system to the distal end thereof where each lead is connected to a control system that enables separate mapping or recording of impulses received from each electrode and separate or ganged connection of the same electrodes for ablation. This enables ablation using any desired pattern of multiple electrodes in the serial array to produce any configuration of desired lesions. Such an arrangement of electrode control is illustrated and described in applicant's co-pending application Ser. No. 08/161,916 filed of even date with the grandparent of this application (Dec. 3, 1993) and now U.S. Pat. No. 5,454,370 issued Oct. 3, 1995, which is hereby incorporated by reference for any necessary purpose.

#The working catheter of the invention is designed to enable the skilled practitioner to achieve a greater degree of control with respect to mapping and precisely placing linear lesions in the internal surface of tissue in the vicinity of a cardiac chamber with greater facility using RF ablation or the like to achieve electrical segmentation. This is achieved by the provision of a variety of unique working catheter embodiments configured to contact continuous segments of atrial chamber surfaces. While certain of the embodiments may be described with particular reference to a specific cardiac chamber, it will be understood that the working catheters of the invention may find further equally viable use in other chambers and organs. Thus, for example, the various embodiments described with relation to atrial ablation may also be used in ventricle chambers and also in the vicinity of heart valves as well.