Method of forming a flexible expandable member for use with a catheter probe

• US 5,404,638 A
• Filed: 07/11/1994
• Issued: 04/11/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 02/15/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cardiac Pathways Corp. (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Cardiac Pathways Corp. (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Imran, Mir A.
• Primary Examiner(s): VO, PETER DUNG BA
• Application Number:
  US08/272,944
• Time in Patent Office: 274 Days
• Field of Search: 29/439, 29/454, 29/458, 29/469.5, 29/874, 29/884, 128/419 P, 128/642, 128/658, 128/786
• US Class Current: 29/884
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1402 Probes for open surgery
• 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 2017/00292 mounted on or guided by flexible, e.g. catheter-like, means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22038 with a guide wire
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00083 low, i.e. electrically insulating
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00107 Coatings on the energy applicator
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0016 Energy applicators arranged in a two- or three dimensional array
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00214 Expandable means emitting energy, e.g. by elements carried thereon
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00267 having a basket shaped structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00351 Heart
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00357 Endocardium
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00577 Ablation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00839 Bioelectrical parameters, e.g. ECG, EEG
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00869 Phase
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0091 Handpieces of the surgical instrument or device
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/124 switching the output to different electrodes, e.g. sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1253 monopolar
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/126 bipolar
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1435 Spiral
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/043 in a linear array
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/287 : Holders for multiple electrodes, e.g. electrode catheters for electrophysiological study [EPS]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6858 : with a distal basket, e.g. expandable basket
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/056 : Transvascular endocardial electrode systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49222 : forming array of contacts or terminals
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49877 : of flexible wall, expansible chamber devices [e.g., bellows]

Abstract

Endocardial mapping and/or ablation system for introduction into a chamber of the heart formed by a wall by passage through a lumen leading to the chamber in the heart having blood therein comprising a catheter probe with proximal and distal extremities and having an elongate tubular member with at least one lumen extending therethrough extending the length thereof and with a distal extremity. A plurality of longitudinally and radially spaced apart electrodes are provided. An expandable device is secured to the distal extremity of the flexible elongate tubular member and is movable between a contracted position and an expanded position. The electrodes are mounted on the expandable device whereby when the expandable device is moved to the expanded position in a chamber of the heart the electrodes are moved into engagement with the wall forming the chamber of the heart in which the expandable device is disposed. An elongate element is coupled to the expandable device for moving the expandable device between the contracted and expanded positions. The expandable device has spaces therein through which the blood can flow when the expandable device is in an expanded position. Leads are in contact with the electrodes and extending through the flexible elongate tubular member. Electrical apparatus is connected to the leads for performing electrical functions with respect to the electrodes.

Claims

1. A method for forming a flexible cylindrical member for use with a catheter probe, comprising providing a generally rectangular sheet of flexible insulating material having a predetermined length and width with opposite sides extending along the length and opposite sides extending across the width, forming first and second end portions on each of the two opposite sides of the length of the sheet, placing a plurality of parallel slits in the sheet extending along the length from said end portions in directions generally perpendicular to the end portions to provide a plurality of laterally spaced apart arms extending longitudinally parallel to the slits between said end portions, providing a plurality of spaced apart electrodes on each of said arms, providing leads carried by said arms in contact with said electrodes, wrapping the sheet into a cylindrical shape, securing said first and second end portions circumferentially on each side to retain said cylindrical shape and to form a cylindrical member having proximal and distal extremities with the arms being substantially equally distributed around the circumference of the cylindrical member and causing the arms to be bowed outwardly by moving the proximal extremity of the cylindrical member relative to the distal extremity of the cylindrical member in a longitudinal direction parallel to the slits thereby bringing the proximal and distal extremities of the cylindrical member closer to each other in predetermined relative positions thereof, securing said proximal and distal extremities in said predetermined position to thereby retain the arms so that they are outwardly bowed, producing the flexible cylindrical member for use with the catheter probe.

2. A method as in claim 1 together with the step of providing spring material in the insulating material to provide springiness in the arms.

3. A method for forming a flexible expandable member for use with a catheter probe, comprising providing a flexible elongate member having first and second portions, providing a flexible elongate element of insulating material having an outer surface and first and second ends, forming a plurality of spaced apart electrodes on the element, wrapping said element into a helix onto said flexible elongate member by moving one end of the element with respect to the other end of the element in one circumferential direction and securing said first and second end portions in spaced apart positions on opposite ends of the helix on said first and second portions of the flexible elongate member to provide a flexible expandable member of cylindrical shape with the outer surface facing outwardly and rotating one end of the flexible elongate element with respect to the other end of the flexible elongate element in an opposite circumferential direction by relative rotation of said first and second portions of said flexible elongate member with respect to each other to cause the helix to expand to move the electrodes carried thereby in an outward direction.