Insulated ablation catheter devices and methods of use

1. A catheter device configured for vascular access, comprising:

an elongate body extending between a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the elongate body includes a lumen configured to receive a fluid;

an ablation electrode configured to provide ablative energy, wherein the ablation electrode is located distally along the elongate body and includes an inner surface, the inner surface defining a passageway fluidly connected to the lumen of the elongate body, wherein the ablation electrode includes a plurality of irrigation apertures fluidly connected to the lumen;

a sensor configured to provide a signal representative of temperature; and

an insulating chamber extending at least partially about an outer surface of the ablation electrode, wherein the outer surface has a diameter greater than a diameter of the inner surface, wherein the insulating chamber is configured to at least partially insulate the sensor from the ablation electrode, wherein the irrigation apertures are outside of the insulating chamber.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the insulating chamber extends substantially about an outer surface of the ablation electrode.

3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the insulating chamber includes at least one of a fluid and a solid material.

4. The device of claim 3 , wherein the fluid includes at least one of air, nitrogen, water, and a saline solution.

5. The device of claim 3 , wherein the solid material includes at least one of a foam, a polymer, and a ceramic material.

6. The device of claim 1 , wherein the sensor is located within the insulating chamber.

7. The device of claim 1 , further including at least one ring electrode located proximal to a distal end of the ablation electrode and along the elongate body.

8. The device of claim 7 , further including a second insulating chamber located proximal to at least one of the at least one ring electrodes.

9. The device of claim 1 , further including a ring electrode at least partially located about the insulating chamber.

10. The device of claim 1 , further including an articulation section located distally along the elongate body and controlled by a control mechanism.

11. An ablation electrode device configured to provide ablative energy to cardiac tissue, comprising:

an ablation electrode having:

a proximal section configured for attachment to an elongate body of a catheter device;

an inner surface defining a passageway configured to connect to a lumen of the elongate body, wherein the passageway is configured to receive a fluid;

a plurality of irrigation apertures fluidly connected to the passageway;

a sensor configured to provide a signal representative of a temperature of a region external to the ablation electrode; and

an insulating chamber extending at least partially about an outer surface of the ablation electrode, wherein the outer surface has a diameter greater than a diameter of the inner surface, wherein the insulating chamber is configured to at least partially insulate the sensor, wherein the sensor is disposed within the insulating chamber and is spaced apart from the ablation electrode, wherein the irrigation apertures are outside of the insulating chamber.

12. The electrode device of claim 11 , wherein the insulating chamber extends substantially about the outer surface of the ablation electrode.

13. The electrode device of claim 11 , wherein the insulating chamber includes at least one of a fluid and a solid material, wherein the fluid includes at least one of air, nitrogen, water, and a saline solution, and the solid material includes at least one of a foam, a polymer, and a ceramic material.

14. The electrode device of claim 11 , wherein the sensor is located within the insulating chamber.

15. The electrode device of claim 11 , wherein the ablation electrode is substantially linear and generally cylindrical.

16. The electrode device of claim 11 , wherein the ablation electrode is rigid.

17. The electrode device of claim 11 , further including at least one ring electrode located proximal to a distal end of the ablation electrode and along the ablation electrode.

18. The electrode device of claim 17 , further including a second insulating chamber located proximal to at least one of the at least one ring electrodes.

19. A method of manufacturing an ablation electrode, comprising the steps of:

providing a wall having an inner surface defining a passageway configured to connect to a lumen of an elongate body of a catheter device, wherein the passageway is configured to receive a fluid;

forming a plurality of irrigation apertures in the wall such that the irrigation apertures are fluidly connected to the passageway;

providing an insulating chamber extending at least partially about an outer surface of the ablation electrode, wherein the outer surface has a diameter greater than a diameter of the inner surface, wherein the irrigation apertures are outside of the insulating chamber; and

placing a sensor within the insulating chamber, wherein the sensor is configured to provide a signal representative of a temperature of a region external to the ablation electrode.

20. The method of claim 19 , wherein providing an insulating chamber includes sealing the insulating chamber prior to forming the ablation electrode.

21. The method of claim 19 , wherein the insulating chamber is filled with at least one of a fluid and a solid material, wherein the fluid includes at least one of air, nitrogen, water, and a saline solution, and the solid material includes at least one of a foam, a polymer, and a ceramic material.

22. The method of claim 19 , wherein the insulating chamber is formed from at least one of an alloy, a polymer, and a ceramic material.