# US 8,273,084 B2 · Atrial ablation catheter and method of use > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,273,084 B2 - Document ID: US8273084B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/197,425 - Filed: 2008-08-25 - Published: 2008-12-11 - Granted: 2012-09-25 - Earliest claimed: 2004-11-24 - Assignees: Medtronic Ablation Frontiers LLC - Inventors: Christopher G. Kunis; Thomas M. Castellano; Marshall L. Sherman; Randell L. Werneth - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8273084B2 ## CPC - A61B 18/1492: {having a flexible, catheter-like structure, e.g. for heart ablation (A61B18/1477 takes precedence)} - A61B 2018/0016: {Energy applicators arranged in a two- or three dimensional array} - A61B 2018/00214: {Expandable means emitting energy, e.g. by elements carried thereon} - A61B 2018/00267: {having a basket shaped structure} - A61B 2018/00351: {Heart} - A61B 2018/1475: {Electrodes retractable in or deployable from a housing} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract An atrial ablation catheter and methods for its use. The endocardial catheter includes an electrode array particularly adapted to locate and ablate foci of arrhythmia which are required for sustained atrial fibrillation is provided. The array is easily deployed and retracted from the catheter, and presents a distally oriented electrode array that can be pressed against the wall of the atrium. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An ablation catheter adapted to ablate atrial wall tissue, comprising: an inner catheter tube; an outer catheter tube slidably mounted on the inner catheter tube; an electrode array having at least two resilient arms coupled to the inner catheter tube, each of the at least two resilient arms having a delivery configuration and an expanded configuration and comprising a distal arm section, a proximal arm section, and a bend section disposed between the distal arm section and the proximal arm section; and a plurality of electrodes coupled to the distal arm section of each of the at least two resilient arms, wherein each of the resilient arms is disposed within the outer catheter tube in the delivery configuration and each of the resilient arms is withdrawn from the outer catheter tube in the expanded configuration to form a planar array of substantially triangular faces oriented parallel to a longitudinal axis of the catheter. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The ablation catheter of claim 1, wherein the at least two resilient arms are adapted to bend at the bend section when it expands from the delivery configuration to the expanded configuration. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The ablation catheter of claim 1 wherein the proximal arm section forms an acute angle with the distal arm section at the bend section when the at least two resilient arm are in the expanded configuration. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The ablation catheter of claim 1 wherein the at least two resilient arms comprises a wire. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The ablation catheter of claim 1 further comprising a pin extending into the inner catheter tube, the pin being longitudinally slidable relative to the inner catheter tube. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The ablation catheter of claim 5 wherein the proximal arm section is attached to the inner catheter tube and the distal arm section is attached to the pin. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The ablation catheter of claim 1 further adapted to map atrial wall tissue. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The ablation catheter of claim 1 wherein the bend section is pre-formed in the at least two resilient arms. ### Claim 9 An ablation catheter adapted to ablate atrial wall tissue, comprising: an inner catheter tube; an outer catheter tube slidably mounted on the inner catheter tube; an electrode array having at least two resilient arms coupled to the inner catheter tube, each of the at least two resilient arms having a delivery configuration and an expanded configuration and comprising a distal arm section, a proximal arm section, and a bend section disposed between the distal arm section and the proximal arm section; and a plurality of electrodes coupled to the distal arm section of the at least two resilient arms, wherein each of the resilient arms is disposed within the outer catheter tube in the delivery configuration and each of the resilient arms self-expands in the expanded configuration responsive to withdrawal of the outer catheter tube to form a planar array of triangular faces. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The ablation catheter of claim 9, wherein the at least two resilient arms are adapted to bend at the bend section when it expands from the delivery configuration to the expanded configuration. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The ablation catheter of claim 9 wherein the proximal arm section forms an acute angle with the distal arm section at the bend section when the at least two resilient arms are in the expanded configuration. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The ablation catheter of claim 9 wherein the at least two resilient arms comprises a wire. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The ablation catheter of claim 9 further comprising a pin extending into the inner catheter tube, the pin being longitudinally slidable relative to the inner catheter tube. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The ablation catheter of claim 13 wherein the proximal arm section is attached to the inner catheter tube and the distal arm section is attached to the pin. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The ablation catheter of claim 9 further adapted to map atrial wall tissue. ### Claim 16 (depends on 9) The ablation catheter of claim 9 wherein the bend section is preformed in the at least two resilient arms. ### Claim 17 An ablation catheter adapted to ablate atrial wall tissue, comprising: an inner catheter tube; an outer catheter tube slidably mounted on the inner catheter tube; an electrode array having at least two resilient arms coupled to the inner catheter tube, each of the at least two resilient arms having a delivery configuration and an expanded configuration and comprising a distal arm section, a proximal arm section, and a bend section disposed between the distal arm section and the proximal arm section; and a plurality of electrodes coupled to the distal arm section of each of the at least two resilient arms, wherein each of the resilient arms is disposed within the outer catheter tube in the delivery configuration and each of the resilient arms is withdrawn from the outer catheter tube in the expanded configuration; in the expanded configuration, the distal arm sections extend radially outward from the inner catheter tube and resiliently form a plane substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the catheter.