High resolution cardiac mapping electrode array catheter

1. A mapping device for analyzing body tissue, comprising:

an elongate shaft having a proximal section and a distal section;

an electrode assembly having a first side surface and a second side surface coupled to the distal section of the elongate shaft, the electrode assembly having a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration;

a plurality of inflatable pockets disposed on the second side surface, the plurality of inflatable pockets being separated by one or more seams that enable the electrode assembly to curve into a desired orientation;

a steering mechanism coupled to the distal section, the steering mechanism configured to steer the distal section; and

wherein the electrode assembly includes a plurality of splines including a central mid spline and a plurality of electrodes disposed on at least some of the plurality of splines, wherein the electrode assembly has a generally planar structure when expanded.

2. The mapping device of claim 1 , wherein the central mid spline includes a telescoping region.

3. The mapping device of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of splines including the central mid spline are embedded in an elastomeric polymeric backing.

4. The mapping device of claim 1 , wherein the electrodes are evenly distributed about the electrode assembly.

5. The mapping device of claim 1 , wherein the electrodes comprise a flexible circuit.

6. The mapping device of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of splines includes in the range of four to eight splines.

7. The mapping device of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of electrodes includes in the range of sixteen to sixty-four electrodes.

8. The mapping device of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of electrodes are disposed on the first side surface of the electrode assembly.

9. The mapping device of claim 1 , wherein outer splines of the plurality of splines do not include electrodes.

10. The mapping device of claim 1 , wherein the generally planar structure includes a region having a first width adjacent a proximal end thereof and tapers into a narrower second width adjacent a distal end thereof.

11. A mapping system for analyzing body tissue, comprising:

an imaging and control system;

a handle in electrical communication with the imaging and control system;

an elongate shaft connected to the handle and extending distally therefrom, the elongate shaft having a proximal section and a distal section; and

an electrode assembly having a first side surface and a second side surface coupled to the distal section of the elongate shaft, the electrode assembly capable of moving between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration, wherein the second side surface includes a plurality of inflatable pockets attached thereto, the plurality of pockets being separated by one or more seams that allow the plurality of inflatable pockets to curve into a desired orientation, the electrode assembly comprising:

a central mid spline;

a first spline having a proximal end secured to the central mid spline, a distal end secured to the central mid spline, and an intermediate region laterally spaced a distance from the central mid spline; and

a second spline having a proximal end secured to the central mid spline, a distal end secured to the central mid spline, and an intermediate region laterally spaced a distance from the central mid spline;

a first plurality of electrodes secured to the central mid spline;

a second plurality of electrodes secured to the first spline; and

a third plurality of electrodes secured to the second spline.

12. The mapping device of claim 11 , wherein the proximal ends of the first and second splines are secured to the central mid spline at a first location along a length of the central mid spline and the distal ends of the first and second splines are secured to the central mid spline at a second location along the length of the central mid spline, the second location distal to the first location.

13. The mapping system of claim 12 , further comprising:

a third spline having a proximal end secured to the central mid spline, a distal end secured to the central mid spline, and an intermediate region laterally spaced a distance from the central mid spline; and

a fourth spline having a proximal end secured to the central mid spline, a distal end secured to the central mid spline, and an intermediate region laterally spaced a distance from the central mid spline;

wherein the proximal ends of the third and fourth splines are secured to the central mid spline at a third location along a length of the central mid spline, the third location proximal to the first location and the distal ends of the third and fourth splines are secured to the central mid spline at the second location along the length of the central mid spline.

14. The mapping system of claim 13 , further comprising a fourth plurality of electrodes secured to the third spline and a fifth plurality of electrodes secured to the fourth spline.

15. The mapping system of claim 14 , wherein the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth plurality of electrodes are disposed on the first side surface of the electrode assembly.

16. The mapping system of claim 13 , further comprising:

a fifth spline having a proximal end secured to the central mid spline, a distal end secured to the central mid spline, and an intermediate region laterally spaced a distance from the central mid spline; and

a sixth spline having a proximal end secured to the central mid spline, a distal end secured to the central mid spline, and an intermediate region laterally spaced a distance from the central mid spline;

wherein the proximal ends of the fifth and sixth splines are secured to the central mid spline at a fourth location along a length of the central mid spline, the fourth location proximal to the third location and the distal ends of the fifth and sixth splines are secured to the central mid spline at a fifth location along the length of the central mid spline, the fifth location distal to the second location.

17. The mapping system of claim 11 , further comprising an elastomeric polymeric backing on the second side surface.

18. The mapping system of claim 11 , wherein when in the expanded configuration, the electrode assembly has a generally planar structure extending in line with a longitudinal axis of the elongate shaft.

19. The mapping device of claim 11 , wherein the first and second splines are formed from an electroactive polymer such that the first and second splines move between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration in response to a presence or an absence of an electric field.

20. A mapping system for analyzing body tissue, comprising:

an imaging and control system;

a handle in electrical communication with the imaging and control system;

an elongate shaft connected to the handle and extending distally therefrom, the elongate shaft having a proximal section and a distal section; and

an electrode assembly having a first side surface and a second side surface coupled to the distal section of the elongate shaft, the electrode assembly comprising:

an elastomeric polymeric backing on the second side surface comprising a plurality of inflatable pockets, wherein each pair of adjacent inflatable pockets, of the plurality of inflatable pockets, are separated by one or more seams that allow the plurality of inflatable pockets to curve into a desired orientation;

a central mid spline including a telescoping region and having a length extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the electrode assembly;

a first pair of splines each having a proximal end, a distal end, and an intermediate region laterally spaced a distance from the central mid spline, the proximal ends of the first pair of splines secured to the central mid spline at a first location along the length of the central mid spline and the distal ends of the first pair of splines secured to the central mid spline at a second location distal to the first location along the length of the central mid spline;

a second pair of splines each having a proximal end, a distal end, and an intermediate region laterally spaced a distance from the central mid spline, the proximal ends of the second pair of splines secured to the central mid spline at a third location proximal to the first location along the length of the central mid spline and the distal ends of the second pair of splines secured to the central mid spline at the second location along the length of the central mid spline;

a third pair of splines each having a proximal end, a distal end, and an intermediate region laterally spaced a distance from the central mid spline, the proximal ends of the third pair of splines secured to the central mid spline at a fourth location proximal to the third location along the length of the central mid spline and the distal ends of the third pair of splines secured to the central mid spline at a fifth location distal to the second location along the length of the central mid spline;

a first plurality of electrodes secured to the central mid spline;

a second plurality of electrodes secured to the first pair of splines; and

a third plurality of electrodes secured to the second pair of splines;

wherein the first, second, and third plurality of electrodes are disposed on the first side surface of the electrode assembly.