# US 7,412,274 B2 · Multi-tip steerable catheter > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,412,274 B2 - Document ID: US7412274B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/322,581 - Filed: 2005-12-30 - Published: 2006-05-18 - Granted: 2008-08-12 - Earliest claimed: 2002-10-30 - Assignees: Biosense Webster, Inc. - Inventors: Ruth N. Mejia - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7412274B2 ## CPC - A61M 25/0147: {with movable mechanical means, e.g. pull wires} - A61B 5/287: Holders for multiple electrodes, e.g. electrode catheters for electrophysiological study [EPS] - A61M 25/0136: {Handles therefor} - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract An improved catheter is provided that is particularly useful for simultaneously mapping electrical activity at multiple locations within the heart. The catheter comprises an elongated catheter body having proximal and distal ends and at least one lumen extending longitudinally therethrough. A control handle is attached to the proximal end of the catheter body. A mapping assembly is mounted to the distal end of the catheter body. The mapping assembly comprises at least two elongated flexible spines, each spine having a proximal end attached to the distal end of the catheter body and a free distal end. Each spine carries at least one electrode along its length. The catheter further comprises at least two spine puller wires, each spine puller wire corresponding to one of the at least two spines. Each spine puller wire has a proximal end anchored in the handle and a distal end anchored at or near the distal end of its corresponding spine such that, in use, longitudinal movement of a spine puller wire relative to the catheter body results in deflection of the spine in which the spine puller wire is anchored. The use of a plurality of spines permits simultaneous mapping of multiple points, increasing the speed of mapping of regions of interest. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A catheter comprising: an elongated catheter body having a proximal end, a distal end and at least one lumen extending longitudinally therethrough; a control handle attached to the proximal end of the catheter body; a mapping assembly mounted at a junction at the distal end of the catheter body and comprising at least two elongated flexible spines, each spine having a proximal end attached at or near the distal end of the catheter body and a free distal end, wherein each spine carries at least one electrode along its length, each spine further comprising a support member having shape memory; and at least two spine puller wires, each spine puller wire corresponding to one of the at least two spines, wherein each spine puller wire has a proximal end anchored in the handle and a distal end anchored at or near the distal end of its corresponding spine such that, in use, longitudinal movement of a spine puller wire relative to the catheter body results in deflection of the spine to which the spine puller wire is anchored. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The catheter of claim 1, wherein each spine comprises a tip electrode mounted at the distal end of the spine. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The catheter of claim 1, wherein each spine comprises an atraumatic tip mounted at the distal end of the spine. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The catheter of claim 1, wherein each spine comprises a plastic cap mounted at the distal end of the spine. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The catheter of claim 1, wherein each spine further comprises at least one location sensor. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The catheter of claim 1, wherein the number of spines ranges from two to twelve. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The catheter of claim 1, wherein the number of spines ranges from three to eight. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The catheter of claim 1, wherein the catheter further comprises a catheter puller wire having a proximal end anchored in the control handle and a distal end anchored at or near the junction of the mapping assembly and the catheter body such that, in use, longitudinal movement of the catheter puller wire relative to the catheter body results in deflection of the catheter body at or near the junction. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The catheter of claim 1, wherein each electrode has a length of up to about 2 mm. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The catheter of claim 1, wherein each spine carries a plurality of electrodes, and the distance between electrodes on each spine ranges from about 1 mm to about 10 mm. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The catheter of claim 10, wherein the distance between electrodes on each spine ranges from about 2 mm to about 5 mm. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The catheter of claim 1, wherein each spine carries from 2 to about 20 electrodes. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The catheter of claim 1, wherein each spine carries from 3 to 10 electrodes. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The catheter of claim 1, wherein the support member comprises nitinol.