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Catheter with contoured ablation electrode

  • US 4,896,671 A
  • Filed: 08/01/1988
  • Issued: 01/30/1990
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/01/1988
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A catheter which can be advanced through a body vessel to an internal organ for high voltage electroshock ablation of a desired portion of the internal organ without arcing, said catheter comprising:

  • an electrode for conducting electrical energy to the desired portion of the internal organ, said electrode having a smoothly curved surface free of sharp edges;

    an elongated conductor coupled to said electrode, said conductor having a proximal end for coupling to an external source of electrical energy;

    electrical insulation surrounding said elongated conductor, said conductor and said insulation defining an electrical lead having a central axis, said electrical lead having suitable diameter and flexibility to be advanced through the body vessel to the internal organ, said electrical lead having a cross-sectional dimension at the junction with said electrode that is less than the maximum cross-sectional dimension of said electrode; and

    a flexible, insulating sheath surrounding a major portion of said electrical lead, said insulating sheath having a diameter approximately equal to the maximum cross-sectional dimension of said electrode, said insulating sheath being tapered from full diameter at a first point on said central axis to the diameter of said electrical lead at a second point on said central axis adjacent to said electrode.

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