Catheter and method for mapping a pulmonary vein
AssigneeBiosense Webster, Inc.
InventorClaudio P. Plaza
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An improved catheter is provided that is particularly useful for mapping the pulmonary vein and other tubular regions of or near the heart. The catheter comprises an elongated catheter body having a proximal end, a distal end and at least one lumen extending longitudinally therethrough. A mapping assembly is mounted at the distal end of the catheter body and comprises a stem and at least two spines. The spines are moveable between a collapsed position, where each spine has a distal end attached to the stem, and a free proximal end positioned generally against the stem, and an expanded position, where the free proximal end of each spine extends outwardly from the stem. Each spine carries at least one electrode.
Claims16
A method for mapping a tubular region of or near the heart comprising:
- introducing into the tubular region the distal end of a catheter comprising:
- an elongated catheter body having a proximal end, a distal end and at least one lumen extending longitudinally therethrough;
- a mapping assembly mounted at the distal end of the catheter body and comprising:
- a stem having proximal and distal ends, and
- at least two spines, each spine having a distal end fixedly mounted to the distal end of the stem and a free proximal end, wherein the spines are moveable between a collapsed position, where the distal end of each spine is fixedly attached to the stem and the free proximal end is positioned generally against the stem, and an expanded position, where the free proximal end of each spine extends outwardly from the stem, and wherein each spine carries at least one electrode, and at least one location sensor;
- positioning the mapping assembly so that at least one electrode from each spine is near or in contact with tissue within the tubular region, wherein the positioning comprises resistively heating a support member within each spine;
- and
- recording electrical data received from the at least one electrode in contact with the tissue.
A method for mapping a tubular region of or near the heart comprising:
- introducing into the tubular region the distal end of a catheter comprising:
- an elongated catheter body having proximal and distal ends and at least one lumen extending longitudinally therethrough;
- a mapping assembly mounted at the distal end of the catheter body and comprising:
- a stem having proximal and distal ends, and
- at least two spines, each spine having a distal end fixedly mounted to the distal end of the stem and a free proximal end, wherein the spines are moveable between a collapsed position, in which the distal end of each spine is fixedly attached to the stem and the free proximal end is positioned generally against the stem, and an expanded position, in which the free proximal end of each spine extends outwardly from the stem, wherein each spine carries at least one electrode;
- and
- a spine mounting assembly for fixedly mounting the spines to the stem, the spine mounting assembly comprising:
- an outer mounting ring, and
- a mounting structure provided coaxially within the outer mounting ring;
- positioning the mapping assembly so that at least one electrode from each spine is near or in contact with tissue within the tubular region, wherein the positioning comprises resistively heating a support member within each spine;
- and
- recording electrical data received from the at least one electrode in contact with the tissue.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.