Flexible interlaced multiple electrode assemblies

• US 5,499,981 A
• Filed: 03/04/1994
• Issued: 03/19/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: EP Technology (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: EP Technology (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Kordis, Thomas F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pellegrino, Stephen C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PEFFLEY, MICHAEL F
• Application Number:
  US08/206,133
• Time in Patent Office: 746 Days
• Field of Search: 606/41, 606/45-50, 607/115, 607/116, 607/122, 607/123, 607/125, 128/642
• 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 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 2018/00357 Endocardium
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00577 Ablation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00839 Bioelectrical parameters, e.g. ECG, EEG
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0091 Handpieces of the surgical instrument or device
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1253 monopolar
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1407 Loop
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1435 Spiral
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2218/002 Irrigation
• 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: A61N 1/06 for high-frequency therapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0601 Apparatus for use inside the body

Abstract

A flexible electrode circuit laces through a slit sleeve to expose electrodes outside the sleeve while enclosing the rest of the circuit within the sleeve. A stiffener member extends through the sleeve to support the sleeve and the flexible electrode circuit. The stiffener member is preferably connected to and constrained at opposite ends by a hub and a base to urge the stiffener member, the sleeve, and the electrode circuit into a predetermined curvilinear contour.

Claims

1. An electrode assembly comprising a flexible electrode circuit having at least two spaced apart electrodes,

a sleeve having a side wall enclosing an axial bore, at least two pairs of spaced apart slits in the side wall for receiving the flexible electrode circuit, the circuit being laced through the slits to expose an electrode between each pair of slits while enclosing the circuit between the electrodes within the sleeve bore and,

a stiffener member extending through the axial bore of the sleeve to support the sleeve and the flexible electrode circuit, the sleeve being made from a material that has been heat-shrunk in place about the stiffener member.

2. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein the electrode circuit comprises a length of flexible ribbon cable carrying the electrodes.

3. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein the electrode circuit comprises a flexible substrate that carries an electric circuit including at least one electrode.

4. An assembly according to claim 1 and further including a hub and a base, and

wherein the stiffener member is connected to and constrained at opposite ends by the hub and the base to urge the stiffener member, the sleeve, and the electrode circuit into a predetermined curvilinear contour.

5. An assembly according to claim 1 and further including a hub and a base, and

wherein the stiffener member is connected to and constrained at opposite ends by the hub and the base to urge the stiffener member, the sleeve, and the electrode circuit into a predetermined curvilinear contour.

6. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein the stiffener member is made from a metallic material.

7. An assembly according to claim 6 wherein the stiffener member is made from a nickel titanium material.

8. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein the stiffener member is generally rectilinear in cross section.

9. A catheter comprising

an electrode circuit comprising a flexible distal region carrying at least two electrodes and a second region extending from the distal region,

a sleeve having a side wall enclosing an axial bore, at least two pairs of spaced apart slits in the side wall for receiving the flexible distal region of the electrode circuit, the distal region being laced through the slits to expose an electrode between each pair of slits, while locating the circuit between the electrodes within the sleeve bore, to create a laced distal region, the second region of the electrode circuit extending proximally from the laced distal region in the sleeve bore,

a guide tube having a distal end and a proximal end, and

a base supporting the laced distal region upon the distal end of the guide tube with the second region of the electrode circuit extending along and attached to the guide tube between its distal end and its proximal end the sleeve being made from a material that has been heat-shrunk in place about the laced distal region.

10. A catheter according to claim 9

wherein the distal region of the electrode circuit comprises a length of flexible ribbon cable carrying the electrodes.

11. A catheter according to claim 9

wherein the distal region of the electrode circuit comprises a flexible substrate that carries an electric circuit including the at least one electrode.

12. A catheter according to claim 9 wherein the base supports a stiffener member extending through the axial bore of the sleeve to support the laced distal region.

13. A catheter according to claim 12

and further including a hub, and

wherein the stiffener member is connected to and constrained at opposite ends by the hub and the base to urge the stiffener member and laced distal region into a predetermined curvilinear contour.

14. A catheter according to claim 13 and further including a hub and a base, and

wherein the stiffener member is connected to and constrained at opposite ends by the hub and the base to urge the stiffener member and laced distal region into a predetermined curvilinear contour.

15. A catheter according to claim 12

wherein the stiffener member is made from a metallic material.

16. A catheter according to claim 12

wherein the stiffener member is made from a nickel titanium material.

17. A catheter according to claim 12

wherein the stiffener member is generally rectilinear in cross section.

18. A catheter comprising

at least two electrode circuits each comprising a flexible distal region carrying at least two electrodes and a second region extending from the distal region,

a sleeve for each electrode circuit, the sleeve having a side wall enclosing an axial bore, at least two pairs of spaced apart slits in the side wall for receiving the flexible distal region of the respective electrode circuit, the distal region being laced through the slits to expose an electrode between each pair of slits, while locating the circuit between the electrodes within the sleeve bore, to create a laced distal region for each electrode circuit, the second region of each electrode circuit extending proximally from the respective laced distal region in the respective sleeve bore,

a stiffener member extending through the axial bore of each sleeve to support the respective laced distal region,

a guide tube having a distal end and a proximal end

a base carried by the distal end of the guide tube, a hub,

the stiffener member being connected to and constrained at opposite ends by the hub and the base to urge the stiffener members and respective laced distal regions into a predetermined curvilinear contour, while orienting the stiffener members and respective laced distal regions in a circumferentially spaced relationship.

19. A catheter according to claim 18

wherein the distal region of each electrode circuit comprises a length of flexible ribbon cable carrying the electrodes.

20. A catheter according to claim 18

wherein the distal region of each electrode circuit comprises a flexible substrate that carries an electric circuit including the at least one electrode.

21. A catheter according to claim 18

wherein the stiffener member is made from a metallic material.

22. A catheter according to claim 18

wherein the stiffener member is made from a nickel titanium material.

23. A catheter according to claim 18

wherein the stiffener member is generally rectilinear in cross section.