System and Method for Performing Ablation and Other Medical Procedures Using An Electrode Array with Flexible Circuit

• US 20090240249A1
• Filed: 06/02/2009
• Published: 09/24/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Rui Xing Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Cardima, Inc.
• Inventors: Chan, Eric K.Y., Belman, Yuri
• Application Number:
  US12/476,832
• Publication Number:
  US 20090240249A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/41
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1492 having a flexible, catheter-like structure, e.g. for heart ablation A61B18/1477 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00084 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0016 Energy applicators arranged in a two- or three dimensional array
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00702 Power or energy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00791 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00797 measured by multiple temperature sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00821 measured by a thermocouple
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00875 Resistance or impedance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/287 Holders for multiple electrodes, e.g. electrode catheters for electrophysiological study [EPS]

Abstract

A probe for use in medical procedures includes a longitudinal member, a flexible sheath, and a flexible circuit. The longitudinal member includes at least one electrode and at least one thermocouple disposed thereon. The flexible sheath is coupled to and at least partially surrounding the longitudinal member. The flexible circuit is coupled to the sheath and also to the at least one electrode and the at least one thermocouple. The flexible circuit is configured to provide power to the at least one electrode and a return path to the at least one thermocouple.

Claims

1. A probe for use in medical procedures, comprising:

a longitudinal member that includes at least one electrode and at least one thermocouple disposed thereon;

a flexible sheath coupled to and at least partially surrounding the longitudinal member;

a flexible circuit physically coupled to the sheath and being coupled to the at least one electrode and the at least one thermocouple, the flexible circuit configured to provide power to the at least one electrode and a return path to the at least one thermocouple.

2. The probe of claim 1 further comprising connector pins that couple the flexible circuit to the at least one electrode and the at least one thermocouple.

3. The probe of claim 2 wherein the connector pins comprise pins that are configured to provide a bounce between the flexible circuit and the at least one electrode.

4. The probe of claim 1 where the sheath is comprised of silicon.

5. The probe of claim 1 where the flexible circuit comprises a single member that extends along a longitudinal axis of the sheath.

6. The probe of claim 1 wherein the longitudinal member is constructed of a flexible material.

7. The probe of claim 1 wherein the probe includes a proximal end and a distal end and wherein the flexible circuit comprises circuit traces adapted to be attached to a terminal connector, the terminal connector positioned at the distal end of the probe.

8. The probe of claim 7 wherein at least some of the traces are embedded in the sheath.

9. The probe of claim 7 wherein the traces comprise a common conductor for each of the thermocouples.

10. The probe of claim 1 wherein the at least one electrode comprises a plurality of electrodes and wherein the at least one thermocouple comprises a plurality of thermocouples and each of the plurality of electrodes is juxtaposed between a selected two of the plurality of thermocouples.

11. The probe of claim 1 wherein the at least one electrode and at least one thermocouple are disengagably attached to the flexible circuit.

12. A probe for use in medical procedures, comprising:

a longitudinal member having a plurality of coiled electrodes and a plurality of thermocouples disposed longitudinally thereon, each of the plurality of coiled electrodes spaced between a selected two of the plurality of thermocouples;

a flexible sheath embedded into and at least partially surrounding the longitudinal member;

a flexible circuit coupled to the sheath and being coupled to the plurality of electrodes and the plurality of thermocouples, the flexible circuit configured to provide power to the at least one electrode and a return path to the at least one thermocouple.

13. The probe of claim 12 further comprising connector pins that couple the flexible circuit to the plurality of electrodes and the plurality of thermocouples.

14. The probe of claim 13 wherein the connector pins comprise pins that are configured to provide a bounce between the flexible circuit and the at least one electrode.

15. The probe of claim 12 where the sheath is comprised of silicon.

16. The probe of claim 12 where the flexible circuit comprises a single member that extends along a longitudinal axis of the sheath.

17. The probe of claim 12 wherein the longitudinal member is constructed of a flexible material.

18. The probe of claim 12 wherein the probe includes a proximal end and a distal end and wherein the flexible circuit comprises circuit traces adapted to be attached to a terminal connector, the terminal connector positioned at the distal end of the probe.