Catheter and method for mapping a pulmonary vein

• US 20040243011A1
• Filed: 06/02/2003
• Published: 12/02/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Biosense Webster Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Biosense Webster Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Plaza, Claudio P.
• Granted Patent: US 7,818,048 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/509
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/06 Devices, other than using radiation, for detecting or locating foreign bodies for removing same A61B17/50 ; determining position of probes within or on the body of the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/062 using magnetic field
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/287 Holders for multiple electrodes, e.g. electrode catheters for electrophysiological study [EPS]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6859 with multiple distal splines

Abstract

An improved catheter is provided that is particularly useful for mapping the pulmonary vein and other tubular regions of or near the heart. The catheter comprises an elongated catheter body having a proximal end, a distal end and at least one lumen extending longitudinally therethrough. A mapping assembly is mounted at the distal end of the catheter body and comprises at least two spines. Each spine has a proximal end attached at the distal end of the catheter body and a free distal end. Each spine carries at least one electrode. The mapping assembly is moveable between an expanded arrangement, in which each spine extends radially outward from the catheter body and is generally U-shaped, and a collapsed arrangement in which each spine is disposed generally along a longitudinal axis of the catheter body. In use, the distal end of the catheter is introduced into the pulmonary vein, and the mapping assembly is positioned so that at least one electrode from each spine is in contact with tissue within the tubular region. Electrical data received from the at least one electrode in contact with the tissue is then recorded.

Claims

1. A catheter comprising:

an elongated catheter body having a proximal end, a distal end and at least one lumen extending longitudinally therethrough;

a mapping assembly mounted at the distal end of the catheter body and comprising at least two spines, each spine having a proximal end attached at the distal end of the catheter body and a free distal end and carrying at least one electrode, wherein the mapping assembly is moveable between an expanded arrangement, in which each spine extends radially outward from the catheter body and is generally U-shaped, and a collapsed arrangement in which each spine is disposed generally along a longitudinal axis of the catheter body.

2. The catheter of claim 1, wherein each spine carries a tip electrode mounted at or near the distal end of the spine.

3. The catheter of claim 1, wherein each spine further comprises at least one location sensor.

4. The catheter of claim 1, comprising at least four spines.

5. The catheter of claim 1, comprising at least eight spines.

6. The catheter of claim 1, further comprising an irrigation tube extending through the catheter body and having an open distal end that is in communication with the outside of the distal end of the catheter body.

7. The catheter of claim 1, wherein each spine carries a tip electrode and at least one ring electrode.

8. The catheter of claim 1, wherein each spine carries at least four electrodes.

9. The catheter of claim 1, wherein each spine has a length ranging from about 4 cm to about 16 cm.

10. The catheter of claim 1, wherein each spine has a length ranging from about 6 cm to about 14 cm.

11. The catheter of claim 1, wherein each spine has a length ranging from about 9 cm to about 12 cm.

12. The catheter of claim 1, wherein each spine comprises a non-conductive covering having a support arm that has shape memory disposed therein.

13. The catheter of claim 12, wherein each support arm comprises nitinol.

14. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the axis of the distal end of the spine forms an angle α

with the axis of the catheter body less than about 70°

.

15. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the axis of the distal end of the spine forms an angle α

with the axis of the catheter body less than about 60°

.

16. A method for mapping a tubular region of or near the heart comprising:

introducing the distal end of the catheter of claim 1 into the tubular region;

positioning the mapping assembly so that at least one electrode from each spine is in contact with tissue within the tubular region;

recording electrical data received from the at least one electrode in contact with the tissue.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising repositioning the mapping assembly such that at least one electrode from each spine contacts a second different area of tissue within the tubular region;

and

recording electrical data from the second area of tissue.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the distal end of the catheter is introduced through a guiding sheath having a distal end positioned in or near the heart so that the spines of the mapping assembly are covered by the guiding sheath during introduction.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the tubular region is selected from the group consisting of the pulmonary vein, the coronary sinus, the superior vena cava, and the pulmonary outflow tract.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the tubular region is the pulmonary vein.

21. The method of claim 16, wherein each spine carries a tip electrode mounted at or near the distal end of the spine.

22. The method of claim 16, wherein each spine further comprises at least one location sensor.

23. The method of claim 16, wherein the catheter comprises at least four spines.

24. The method of claim 16, wherein the catheter comprises at least eight spines.

25. The method of claim 16, further comprising an irrigation tube extending through the catheter body and having an open distal end that is in communication with the outside of the distal end of the catheter body.

26. The method of claim 16, wherein each spine carries a tip electrode and at least one ring electrode.

27. The method of claim 16, wherein each spine carries at least four electrodes.

28. The method of claim 16, wherein each spine has a length ranging from about 4 cm to about 16 cm.

29. The method of claim 16, wherein each spine has a length ranging from about 6 cm to about 14 cm.

30. The method of claim 16, wherein each spine has a length ranging from about 9 cm to about 12 cm.

31. The method of claim 16, wherein each spine comprises a non-conductive covering having a support arm that has shape memory disposed therein.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein each support arm comprises nitinol.

33. The method of claim 16, wherein the axis of the distal end of the spine forms an angle a with the axis of the catheter body less than about 70°

.

34. The method of claim 16, wherein the axis of the distal end of the spine forms an angle α

with the axis of the catheter body less than about 60°

.