# US 9,750,422 B2 · Catheter with transverse branches > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,750,422 B2 - Document ID: US9750422B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/603,415 - Filed: 2015-01-23 - Published: 2015-08-13 - Granted: 2017-09-05 - Earliest claimed: 2014-02-12 - Assignees: Biosense Webster (Israel) Ltd. - Applicants: Biosense Webster (Israel) Ltd. - Inventors: Eliahu Zino; Noam Igra; Shmuel Auerbach; Roy Urman; Yaniv Ben Zriham; Assaf Pressman - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9750422B2 ## CPC - A61B 5/287: Holders for multiple electrodes, e.g. electrode catheters for electrophysiological study [EPS] - A61B 5/6859: {with multiple distal splines} - A61B 18/1492: {having a flexible, catheter-like structure, e.g. for heart ablation (A61B18/1477 takes precedence)} - A61B 2017/00044: {Sensing electrocardiography, i.e. ECG} - A61B 2017/00053: {Mapping} - 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 2018/00351: {Heart} - A61B 2018/00577: {Ablation} - A61B 2018/00839: {Bioelectrical parameters, e.g. ECG, EEG} - A61B 2034/2051: {Electromagnetic tracking systems} - A61B 2562/125: characterised by the manufacture of electrodes - Y10T 29/49169: Assembling electrical component directly to terminal or elongated conductor - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract Apparatus, including a flexible insertion tube, having a distal segment that is configured to be inserted into a body organ. A plurality of elastic branches are connected to the distal segment of the insertion tube at different, respective locations and extend transversely away from the insertion tube at the respective locations. There are one or more respective electrodes disposed on each of the elastic branches and there are conductors traversing the elastic branches so as to couple the electrodes to the insertion tube. ## Claims ### Claim 1 Apparatus, comprising: a flexible insertion tube, having a distal segment that is configured to be inserted into a body organ; a plurality of elastic branches connected to the distal segment of the insertion tube at different, respective locations and extending transversely away from the insertion tube at the respective locations; one or more respective electrodes disposed on each of the elastic branches; and conductors traversing the elastic branches so as to couple the electrodes to the insertion tube; wherein each of the elastic branches comprises an elastic region and an inelastic region. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the elastic region is closer to the flexible insertion tube than the inelastic region. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein on application of a bending force to the each branch, the inelastic region aligns to be parallel to the insertion tube. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein on removal of the bending force the inelastic region returns to extending transversely away from the insertion tube. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the different respective locations of a pair of the elastic branches lie on a cross-sectional circle of the flexible insertion tube. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein for a cross-sectional circle of the flexible insertion tube only one of the elastic branches is connected to the circle. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the elastic branches and the distal segment lie in a common flat plane. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the elastic branches and the distal segment lie in a plurality of planes. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the elastic branches are orthogonal to the distal segment. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the elastic branches extend non-orthogonally from the distal segment. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the distal segment in a relaxed state forms a straight line. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the distal segment in a relaxed state forms a curve. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in one or more of the plurality of elastic branches the elastic region is more flexible and elastic than the remainder of the elastic branch; and wherein the remainder of the elastic branch is relatively inelastic and comprises the inelastic region. ### Claim 14 Apparatus, comprising: a flexible insertion tube, having a distal segment that is configured to be inserted into a body organ; a plurality of elastic branches connected to the distal segment of the insertion tube at different, respective locations and extending transversely away from the insertion tube at the respective locations; one or more respective electrodes disposed on each of the elastic branches; and conductors traversing the elastic branches so as to couple the electrodes to the insertion tube; wherein for a cross-sectional circle of the flexible insertion tube only one of the elastic branches is connected to the circle; and wherein the elastic branches are orthogonal to the distal segment. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein each of the elastic branches comprises an elastic region and an inelastic region. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the elastic branches and the distal segment lie in a common flat plane. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the elastic branches and the distal segment lie in a plurality of planes. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the distal segment in a relaxed state forms a straight line. ### Claim 19 (depends on 14) The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the distal segment in a relaxed state forms a curve. ### Claim 20 Apparatus, comprising: a flexible insertion tube, having a distal segment that is configured to be inserted into a body organ; a plurality of elastic branches connected to the distal segment of the insertion tube at different, respective locations and extending transversely away from the insertion tube at the respective locations; one or more respective electrodes disposed on each of the elastic branches; and conductors traversing the elastic branches so as to couple the electrodes to the insertion tube; wherein the elastic branches and the distal segment lie in a common flat plane and elastic branches are orthogonal to the distal segment. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein each of the elastic branches comprises an elastic region and an inelastic region. ### Claim 22 (depends on 20) The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the different respective locations of a pair of the elastic branches lie on a cross-sectional circle of the flexible insertion tube. ### Claim 23 (depends on 20) The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein for a cross-sectional circle of the flexible insertion tube only one of the elastic branches is connected to the circle. ### Claim 24 (depends on 20) The apparatus according to claim 20 wherein the body organ comprises a heart, and wherein the one or more respective electrodes are configured to acquire an electrocardiograph (ECG) signal from the heart. ### Claim 25 (depends on 20) The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the body organ comprises a heart, and wherein the one or more respective electrodes are configured to ablate tissue of the heart. ### Claim 26 (depends on 20) The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the distal segment in a relaxed state forms a straight line. ### Claim 27 (depends on 20) The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the distal segment in a relaxed state forms a curve. ### Claim 28 Apparatus, comprising: a flexible insertion tube, having a distal segment that is configured to be inserted into a body organ; a plurality of elastic branches connected to the distal segment of the insertion tube at different, respective locations and extending transversely away from the insertion tube at the respective locations; one or more respective electrodes disposed on each of the elastic branches; and conductors traversing the elastic branches so as to couple the electrodes to the insertion tube; wherein the distal segment in a relaxed state forms a curve. ### Claim 29 (depends on 28) The apparatus according to claim 28, wherein each of the elastic branches comprises an elastic region and an inelastic region. ### Claim 30 (depends on 28) The apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the different respective locations of a pair of the elastic branches lie on a cross-sectional circle of the flexible insertion tube. ### Claim 31 (depends on 28) The apparatus according to claim 28, wherein for a cross-sectional circle of the flexible insertion tube only one of the elastic branches is connected to the circle. ### Claim 32 (depends on 28) The apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the elastic branches and the distal segment lie in a common flat plane. ### Claim 33 (depends on 28) The apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the elastic branches and the distal segment lie in a plurality of planes. ### Claim 34 (depends on 28) The apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the elastic branches are orthogonal to the distal segment. ### Claim 35 (depends on 28) The apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the elastic branches extend non-orthogonally from the distal segment. ### Claim 36 A method, comprising: providing a flexible insertion tube, having a distal segment that is configured to be inserted into a body organ; connecting a plurality of elastic branches to the distal segment of the insertion tube at different, respective locations so that the branches extend transversely away from the insertion tube at the respective locations; disposing one or more respective electrodes on each of the elastic branches; and arranging conductors to traverse the elastic branches so as to couple the electrodes to the insertion tube; wherein each of the elastic branches comprises an elastic region and an inelastic region. ### Claim 37 (depends on 36) The method according to claim 36, wherein on application of a bending force to the each branch, the inelastic region aligns to be parallel to the insertion tube. ### Claim 38 (depends on 36) The method according to claim 36, wherein the different respective locations of a pair of the elastic branches lie on a cross-sectional circle of the flexible insertion tube. ### Claim 39 (depends on 36) The method according to claim 36, wherein for a cross-sectional circle of the flexible insertion tube only one of the elastic branches is connected to the circle. ### Claim 40 (depends on 36) The method according to claim 36, wherein the elastic branches and the distal segment lie in a common flat plane. ### Claim 41 (depends on 36) The method according to claim 36, wherein the elastic branches and the distal segment lie in a plurality of planes. ### Claim 42 (depends on 36) The method according to claim 36, wherein the elastic branches are orthogonal to the distal segment. ### Claim 43 (depends on 36) The method according to claim 36, wherein the elastic branches extend non-orthogonally from the distal segment. ### Claim 44 (depends on 36) The method according to claim 36, wherein the distal segment in a relaxed state forms a straight line. ### Claim 45 (depends on 36) The method according to claim 36, wherein the distal segment in a relaxed state forms a curve. ### Claim 46 (depends on 36) The method according to claim 36, wherein in one or more of the plurality of elastic branches the elastic region is more flexible and elastic than the remainder of the elastic branch; and wherein the remainder of the elastic branch is relatively inelastic and comprises the inelastic region. ### Claim 47 A method, comprising: providing a flexible insertion tube, having a distal segment that is configured to be inserted into a body organ; connecting a plurality of elastic branches to the distal segment of the insertion tube at different, respective locations so that the branches extend transversely away from the insertion tube at the respective locations; disposing one or more respective electrodes on each of the elastic branches; and arranging conductors to traverse the elastic branches so as to couple the electrodes to the insertion tube; wherein for a cross-sectional circle of the flexible insertion tube only one of the elastic branches is connected to the circle; and wherein the elastic branches are orthogonal to the distal segment. ### Claim 48 (depends on 47) The method according to claim 47, wherein each of the elastic branches comprises an elastic region and an inelastic region. ### Claim 49 (depends on 47) The method according to claim 47, wherein the elastic branches and the distal segment lie in a common flat plane. ### Claim 50 (depends on 47) The method according to claim 47, wherein the elastic branches and the distal segment lie in a plurality of planes. ### Claim 51 (depends on 47) The method according to claim 47, wherein the distal segment in a relaxed state forms a straight line. ### Claim 52 (depends on 47) The method according to claim 47, wherein the distal segment in a relaxed state forms a curve. ### Claim 53 A method, comprising: providing a flexible insertion tube, having a distal segment that is configured to be inserted into a body organ; connecting a plurality of elastic branches to the distal segment of the insertion tube at different, respective locations so that the branches extend transversely away from the insertion tube at the respective locations; disposing one or more respective electrodes on each of the elastic branches; and arranging conductors to traverse the elastic branches so as to couple the electrodes to the insertion tube; wherein the elastic branches and the distal segment lie in a common flat plane and the elastic branches are orthogonal to the distal segment. ### Claim 54 (depends on 53) The method according to claim 53, wherein each of the elastic branches comprises an elastic region and an inelastic region. ### Claim 55 (depends on 53) The method according to claim 53, wherein the different respective locations of a pair of the elastic branches lie on a cross-sectional circle of the flexible insertion tube. ### Claim 56 (depends on 53) The method according to claim 53, wherein for a cross-sectional circle of the flexible insertion tube only one of the elastic branches is connected to the circle. ### Claim 57 (depends on 53) The method according to claim 53, wherein the distal segment in a relaxed state forms a straight line. ### Claim 58 (depends on 53) The method according to claim 53, wherein the distal segment in a relaxed state forms a curve. ### Claim 59 A method, comprising: providing a flexible insertion tube, having a distal segment that is configured to be inserted into a body organ; connecting a plurality of elastic branches to the distal segment of the insertion tube at different, respective locations so that the branches extend transversely away from the insertion tube at the respective locations; disposing one or more respective electrodes on each of the elastic branches; and arranging conductors to traverse the elastic branches so as to couple the electrodes to the insertion tube; wherein the distal segment in a relaxed state forms a curve. ### Claim 60 (depends on 59) The method according to claim 59, wherein each of the elastic branches comprises an elastic region and an inelastic region. ### Claim 61 (depends on 59) The method according to claim 59, wherein the different respective locations of a pair of the elastic branches lie on a cross-sectional circle of the flexible insertion tube. ### Claim 62 (depends on 59) The method according to claim 59, wherein for a cross-sectional circle of the flexible insertion tube only one of the elastic branches is connected to the circle. ### Claim 63 (depends on 59) The method according to claim 59, wherein the elastic branches and the distal segment lie in a common flat plane. ### Claim 64 (depends on 59) The method according to claim 59, wherein the elastic branches and the distal segment lie in a plurality of planes. ### Claim 65 (depends on 59) The method according to claim 59, wherein the elastic branches are orthogonal to the distal segment. ### Claim 66 (depends on 59) The method according to claim 59, wherein the elastic branches extend non-orthogonally from the distal segment.