Catheter having closed electrode assembly with spines of uniform length
A catheter comprising an elongated catheter body, and an electrode assembly distal of the catheter body, the assembly comprising a plurality of spines, wherein each spine has a distal end that is connected to the distal end of at least one other spine, wherein each spine has an electrode-carrying portion, the electrode-carrying portions of all spines of the assembly being in a single common plane, and wherein all spines of the assembly have a uniform exposed total length.
1. A catheter comprising:
an elongated catheter body; and
an electrode assembly distal of the catheter body, the assembly comprising a plurality of spines,
wherein the plurality of spines includes at least three spines,
wherein each spine has a distal end that is connected to the distal end of at least one other spine,
wherein each spine has an electrode-carrying portion, the electrode-carrying portions of all spines of the assembly being in a single common plane,
wherein all spines of the assembly have a uniform exposed total length,
wherein the electrode-carrying portions are linear, and
wherein the electrode-carrying portions are parallel with a longitudinal axis of the catheter.
2. The catheter of claim 1 , wherein the electrode-carrying portions are parallel with each other.
3. The catheter of claim 1 , wherein the assembly has longitudinal symmetry.
4. The catheter of claim 1 , wherein each spine has a mirror counterpart spine.
5. The catheter of claim 1 , wherein each spine has a nonconductive covering.
6. The catheter of claim 1 , wherein each spine has at least one ring electrode.
7. The catheter of claim 1 , wherein each spine has at least one irrigated ring electrode.
8. The catheter of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of spines includes less than eight spines.
9. The catheter of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of spines includes less than six spines.
10. A catheter comprising:
an elongated catheter body; and
an electrode assembly distal of the catheter body, the assembly comprising a plurality of spines,
wherein the plurality of spines includes at least three spines,
wherein each spine has a distal end that is connected to the distal end of at least one other spine,
wherein each spine has an electrode-carrying portion, the electrode-carrying portions of all spines of the assembly being in a single common plane,
wherein all spines of the assembly have a uniform exposed total length, and
wherein each spine has at least a divergent proximal portion.
11. The catheter of claim 10 , wherein at least one spine has a convergent proximal portion that is distal of the divergent proximal portion.
12. A catheter comprising:
an elongated catheter body; and
an electrode assembly distal of the catheter body, the assembly comprising a plurality of spines,
wherein the plurality of spines includes at least three spines,
wherein each spine has a distal end that is connected to the distal end of at least one other spine,
wherein each spine has an electrode-carrying portion, the electrode-carrying portions of all spines of the assembly being in a single common plane,
wherein all spines of the assembly have a uniform exposed total length, and
wherein each spine has at least a convergent distal portion.
13. The catheter of claim 12 , wherein at least one spine has a divergent distal portion that is proximal of the convergent distal portion.