INFLATABLE INTRAVASCULAR ELECTRODE SUPPORTS FOR NEUROMODULATION
An intravascular catheter is positionable within a blood vessel for use in transvenous stimulation of targets external to the wall of the blood vessel. The catheter includes a catheter body, a support at the distal end of the catheter body, and a plurality of electrodes carried by the support. At least a portion of the support being inflatable within the blood vessel to bias at least a portion of the plurality of electrodes into contact with the blood vessel wall.
1 . An intravascular catheter positionable within a blood vessel having a wall, comprising:
a catheter body;
a support at the distal end of the catheter body, the support including a plurality of longitudinally-extending inflatable arm members, each inflatable arm member having a free distal end;
a plurality of electrodes carried by the inflatable arm members, the inflatable arm members support being inflatable within the blood vessel to bias at least a portion of the plurality of electrodes into contact with the blood vessel wall.
2 . The catheter of claim 1 , wherein each of the inflatable arm members includes a plurality of the electrodes.
3 . The catheter of claim 2 , wherein each of the inflatable arm members includes plurality of the electrodes spaced in a longitudinal extending array.
4 . The catheter of claim 1 , wherein the support has a longitudinal axis and wherein the catheter body is longitudinally aligned with the longitudinal axis;
5 . The catheter of claim 1 , wherein the support has a longitudinal axis and wherein the catheter body is radially offset from the longitudinal axis.
6 . The catheter of claim 1 , wherein each inflatable arm member has a convex outer surface, wherein the electrodes are on the convex outer surface.
7 . The catheter of claim 1 , wherein each inflatable arm has a concave inner surface.
8 . The catheter of claim 1 , wherein each inflatable arm has a generally rectangular cross section.
9 . The catheter of claim 1 , wherein each inflatable arm has an outer surface, where the electrodes are positioned on the outer surface, and an inner surface including at least one recess.