# US 7,610,073 B2 · Method for mapping a tubular region near the heart > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,610,073 B2 - Document ID: US7610073B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/706,601 - Filed: 2007-02-13 - Published: 2007-08-02 - Granted: 2009-10-27 - Earliest claimed: 2000-01-27 - Assignees: Biosense Webster, Inc. - Inventors: Kristine B. Fuimaono; Michel Haissaguerre - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7610073B2 ## CPC - A61B 5/6857: {with a distal pigtail shape} - A61B 5/287: Holders for multiple electrodes, e.g. electrode catheters for electrophysiological study [EPS] - A61B 5/6856: {with a distal loop} - A61M 25/01: Introducing, guiding, advancing, emplacing or holding catheters (A61M25/10 takes precedence) - A61M 25/0147: {with movable mechanical means, e.g. pull wires} - A61M 25/0152: {with pre-shaped mechanisms, e.g. pre-shaped stylets or pre-shaped outer tubes} - A61N 1/05: for implantation or insertion into the body, e.g. heart electrode (A61N1/06 takes precedence) - A61M 2025/0161: {wherein the distal tips have two or more deflection regions} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - 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)} - A61N: ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY (measurement of bioelectric currents A61B; surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body A61B18/00; anaesthetic apparatus in general A61M; incandescent lamps H01K; infrared radiators for heating H05B) ## Abstract A method is provided for mapping electrical activity within a tubular region of or near the heart having a inner circumference, such as a pulmonary vein. The method comprises inserting into the heart a distal end of a mapping catheter. The mapping catheter comprises an elongated tubular catheter body having an outer wall, proximal and distal ends, and at least one lumen extending therethrough. The catheter includes a mapping assembly comprising a tubular structure comprising a pre-formed generally circular main region generally transverse and distal to the catheter body and having an outer circumference. The tubular structure comprises a non-conductive cover over at least the main region of the mapping assembly. A plurality of electrode pairs, each comprising two ring electrodes, are carried by the generally circular main region of the mapping assembly. The method further comprises contacting the outer circumference of the generally circular main region with the inner circumference of the tubular region and mapping the electrical activity within the tubular region with the electrodes along the generally circular main region. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for mapping electrical activity within a tubular region of or near the heart having a inner circumference, the method comprising: inserting into the heart a distal end of a mapping catheter comprising: an elongated tubular catheter body having an outer wall, proximal and distal ends, and at least one lumen extending therethrough, an intermediate section having proximal and distal ends, the proximal end of the intermediate section being attached to the distal end of the catheter body, and a mapping assembly attached to the distal end of the intermediate section, the mapping assembly comprising: a tubular structure comprising a pre-formed generally circular main region generally transverse and distal to the catheter body and having an outer circumference, wherein the tubular structure comprises a non-conductive cover over at least the main region of the mapping assembly, and a plurality of electrode pairs, each comprising two ring electrodes, carried by the generally circular main region of the mapping assembly; contacting the outer circumference of the generally circular main region with the inner circumference of the tubular region; and mapping the electrical activity within the tubular region with the electrodes along the generally circular main region. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the mapping assembly further comprises a support member having shape-memory disposed within at least the main region of the mapping assembly. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the mapping assembly further comprises a generally straight distal region distal to the main region, the generally straight distal region having an atraumatic design to prevent the distal end of the mapping assembly from penetrating tissue. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the mapping assembly further comprises a generally straight proximal region attached to the catheter body and a transition region connecting the proximal region and the main region. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the generally circular main region has an outer diameter ranging from about 10 mm to about 25 mm. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the generally circular main region has an outer diameter ranging from about 12 mm to about 20 mm. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the number of ring electrode pairs along the generally circular main region ranges from about six to about fourteen. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the mapping assembly comprises ten ring electrode pairs along the generally circular main region. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the ring electrode pairs are approximately evenly spaced around the generally circular main region. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the distance between two ring electrodes of each ring electrode pair is less than about 3 mm. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the distance between two ring electrodes of each ring electrode pair is less than about 2 mm. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the distance between two ring electrodes of each ring electrode pair ranges from about 0.5 mm to about 1.5 mm. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein at least some of the ring electrodes of the electrode pairs have a length ranging from about 0.4 mm to about 0.75 mm. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein one ring electrode has a length longer than the length of the other ring electrodes. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein one ring electrode has a length ranging from about 1 mm to about 1.5 mm and all of the other ring electrodes each having a length ranging from about 0.4 mm to about 0.75 mm. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the tubular region is selected from the group consisting of pulmonary veins, the coronary sinus, the superior vena cava, and the inferior vena cava. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein at least about 50% of the outer circumference of the generally circular main region is in contact with the inner circumference of the tubular region. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein at least about 80% of the outer circumference of the generally circular main region is in contact with the inner circumference of the tubular region. ### Claim 19 A method for mapping electrical activity within a pulmonary vein of a patient, the method comprising: inserting into the pulmonary vein a mapping catheter comprising: an elongated tubular catheter body having an outer wall, proximal and distal ends, and at least one lumen extending therethrough, an intermediate section having proximal and distal ends, the proximal end of the intermediate section being attached to the distal end of the catheter body, a mapping assembly attached to the distal end of the intermediate section comprising: a tubular structure comprising a pre-formed generally circular main region generally transverse and distal to the catheter body and having an outer circumference, wherein the tubular structure comprises a non-conductive cover over at least the main region of the mapping assembly, and a plurality of electrode pairs, each comprising two ring electrodes, carried by the generally circular main region of the mapping assembly; contacting the outer circumference of the generally circular main region with an inner circumference of the pulmonary vein; and mapping the electrical activity within the pulmonary vein with the electrodes along the generally circular main region. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method according to claim 19, wherein the distance between two ring electrodes of each ring electrode pair is less than about 2 mm. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) The method according to claim 19, wherein the distance between two ring electrodes of each ring electrode pair ranges from about 0.5 mm to about 1.5 mm. ### Claim 22 (depends on 19) The method according to claim 19, wherein at least some of the ring electrodes of the electrode pairs have lengths ranging from about 0.4 mm to about 0.75 mm. ### Claim 23 (depends on 19) The method according to claim 19, wherein one ring electrode has a length longer than the length of the other ring electrodes. ### Claim 24 (depends on 19) The method according to claim 19, wherein one ring electrode has a length ranging from about 1 mm to about 1.5 mm and each of the other ring electrodes has a length ranging from about 0.4 mm to about 0.75 mm.