Catheter with high density electrode spine array
A catheter adapted or high density mapping and/or ablation of tissue surface has a distal electrode matrix having a plurality of spines arranged in parallel configuration on which a multitude of electrodes are carried in a grid formation for providing uniformity and predictability in electrode placement on the tissue surface. The matrix can be dragged against the tissue surface upon deflection (and/or release of the deflection) of the catheter. The spines generally maintain their parallel configuration and the multitude of electrodes generally maintain their predetermined relative spacing in the grid formation as the matrix is dragged across the tissue surface in providing very high density mapping signals. The spines may have free distal ends, or distal ends that are joined to form loops for maintaining the spines in parallel configuration.
1. A catheter comprising:
an elongated catheter body; and
a distal electrode assembly, the distal electrode assembly comprising at least three spines extending in a common plane, each spine having at least one electrode, a proximal spine portion, a distal spine portion, and a free distal end,
wherein the catheter body defines a longitudinal axis, and each proximal spine portion is configured to extend at an angle from the longitudinal axis of the catheter body and each distal spine portion is configured to extend generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the catheter body and generally parallel to each other distal spine Portion.
2. The catheter of claim 1 , further comprising an intermediate deflection section between the catheter body and the distal electrode assembly.
3. The catheter of claim 1 , wherein the distal electrode assembly has an electrode density ranging between about 12 and 16 electrodes per square centimeter.
4. The catheter of claim 1 , wherein the distal electrode assembly has an electrode density of about 32 electrodes per 2.2 cm 2 .
5. The catheter of claim 1 , wherein each spine comprises a shape memory member and a nonconductive covering.
6. The catheter of claim 1 , wherein the at least three spines ranges between about three and ten.
7. The catheter of claim 1 , wherein the distal electrode assembly is configured to maintain the distal portions of the at least three spines in parallel arrangement upon exertion of a contact force.
8. The catheter of claim 1 , wherein inner proximal spine portions extend at lesser angles from the longitudinal axis of the catheter body, and outer proximal spine portions extend at greater angles from the longitudinal axis of the catheter body.
9. A catheter comprising:
an elongated catheter body; and
a distal electrode assembly, the distal electrode assembly comprising a plurality of spines extending in a common plane, each spine having one or more electrodes, a proximal spine portion, a distal spine portion, and a free distal end,
wherein the one or more electrodes are arranged in a predetermined pattern within the distal electrode assembly;
wherein the catheter body defines a longitudinal axis, each proximal spine portion is configured to extend at an angle from the longitudinal axis of the catheter body, and each distal spine portion is configured to extend generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the catheter body, and
wherein inner proximal spine portions extend at lesser angles from the longitudinal axis of the catheter body, and outer proximal spine portions extend at greater angles from the longitudinal axis of the catheter body.
10. The catheter of claim 9 , further comprising an intermediate deflection section between the catheter body and the distal electrode assembly.
11. The catheter of claim 9 , wherein the distal electrode assembly has an electrode density ranging between about 12 and 16 electrodes per square centimeter.
12. The catheter of claim 9 , wherein the distal electrode assembly has an electrode density of about 32 electrodes per 2.2 cm 2 .
13. The catheter of claim 9 , wherein each spine comprises a shape memory member and a nonconductive covering.
14. The catheter of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of spines ranges between about two and ten.
15. The catheter of claim 9 , wherein the distal electrode assembly is configured to maintain the distal portions of the plurality of spines in parallel arrangement upon exertion of a contact force.
16. A catheter comprising:
an elongated catheter body; and
a distal electrode assembly, the distal electrode assembly comprising a plurality of spines extending in a common plane, each spine having at least one electrode, a proximal spine portion, a distal spine portion, and a free distal end, the distal electrode assembly having an electrode density ranging between about 12 and 16 electrodes per square centimeter,
wherein the catheter body defines a longitudinal axis, and each proximal spine portion is configured to extend at an angle from the longitudinal axis of the catheter body and each distal spine portion is configured to extend generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the catheter body.
17. The catheter according to claim 16 , further comprising an intermediate deflection section between the catheter body and the distal electrode assembly.
18. The catheter of claim 16 , wherein the distal electrode assembly has an electrode density of about 32 electrodes per 2.2 cm 2 .
19. The catheter of claim 16 , wherein the plurality of spines ranges between about two and ten.
20. The catheter of claim 16 , wherein inner proximal spine portions extend at lesser angles from the longitudinal axis of the catheter body, and outer proximal spine portions extend at greater angles from the longitudinal axis of the catheter body.
21. The catheter of claim 16 , wherein the distal electrode assembly is configured to maintain the distal portions of the plurality of spines in parallel arrangement upon exertion of a contact force.