Mapping catheter with spiral electrode assembly
A mapping catheter adapted for use in a heart chamber, has a distal mapping assembly with a spiral ribbon that is radially expandable and contractable by means of an expander so that electrodes on the ribbon can contact heart wall at a plurality of locations simultaneously. The expander extends the length of the catheter between a control handle and a distal end of the spiral ribbon. The expander can be controlled directly at its proximal end by a user or the expander can be responsive to a puller wire controlled by a user interface on the control handle.
1. A catheter, comprising:
an elongated body;
an elongated expander extending through the elongated body, and
a distal electrode assembly distal a distal end of the elongated body, including:
a band member configured in a spiral form about the expander, the band member having a length between a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end being fixed to the expander, the proximal end being in a fixed relationship with the elongated body;
a plurality of electrodes carried on the band member; and
two support members with shape memory, each support member extending along a respective lengthwise edge of the band member to flexibly support the spiral form;
wherein the expander is longitudinally movable relative to the elongated body to vary the spiral form of the band member.
2. A catheter of claim 1 , wherein the band member has an outer surface that faces outwardly along the spiral form and the electrodes are mounted on the outer surface.
3. A catheter of claim 1 , wherein the expander is longitudinally movable relative to the elongated body to vary the spiral form of the band member between a radially expanded configuration and a radially contracted configuration.
4. A catheter of claim 1 , wherein the electrodes are elongated and generally parallel to the expander.
5. A catheter of claim 1 , wherein the expander has an exposed proximal end adapted for direct manipulation by a user for longitudinal movement relative to the elongated body.
6. A catheter of claim 1 , further comprising:
a control handle with a user interface assembly, and a puller wire extending through the elongated body and having a distal end anchored in the expander and a proximal end responsive to the user interface assembly for longitudinal movement relative to the elongated body.
7. A catheter of claim 6 , wherein the user interface assembly includes an interface configured for linear motion relative to a control handle housing.
8. A catheter of claim 6 , wherein the user interface assembly includes an interface configured for rotational movement relative to a control handle housing.
9. A catheter, comprising:
a catheter body;
a deflectable intermediate section distal of the catheter body;
an elongated expander extending through the catheter body and the intermediate section, and
a distal electrode assembly distal a distal end of the intermediate section, including:
a band member configured in a spiral form about the expander, the band member having a length between a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end being fixed to the expander, the proximal end being fixed at or near a distal end of the intermediate section;
a plurality of electrodes carried on the band member; and
two support members with shape memory, each support member extending along a respective lengthwise edge of the band member to flexibly support the spiral form;
wherein the expander is longitudinally movable relative to the elongated body to vary the spiral form of the band member between a radially expanded configuration and a radially contracted configuration.
10. A catheter of claim 9 , wherein the band member has an outer surface that faces outwardly along the spiral form and the electrodes are mounted on the outer surface.
11. A catheter of claim 9 , wherein the expander is longitudinally movable relative to the catheter body to vary a separation distance between the proximal and distal ends of the band member.
12. A catheter of claim 9 , wherein the electrodes are elongated and generally parallel to the expander.
13. A catheter of claim 9 , wherein the expander is adapted for longitudinal movement relative to the catheter body by direct manipulation by a user of a proximal end of the expander.
14. A catheter of claim 9 , further comprising:
a control handle with a user interface assembly, and
a puller wire extending through the catheter body and having a distal end anchored in the expander and a proximal end responsive to the user interface assembly for longitudinal movement relative to the catheter body and the intermediate section.
15. A catheter of claim 14 , wherein the user interface assembly includes an interface configured for linear motion relative to a control handle housing.
16. A catheter of claim 14 , wherein the user interface assembly includes an interface configured for rotational movement relative to a control handle housing.
17. A catheter of claim 9 , further comprising a distal position sensor housed at or near a distal end of the expander, and a proximal position sensor positioned proximal of the distal position sensor.