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Electrode array catheter

  • US 5,938,694 A
  • Filed: 02/21/1996
  • Issued: 08/17/1999
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/10/1993
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A steerable electrode array catheter, for insertion into a heart chamber for placement of multiple electrodes against the heart chamber wall in the vicinity of a target site, comprising:

  • an electrode assembly including a distal end, said distal end comprising;

    a free, unattached tip;

    an elongate electrode body which naturally assumes a curved shape when in an unconstrained, deployed position, said curved shape having one or more curved regions curving substantially more than 360°

    ;

    at least four electrodes mounted to the electrode body and positioned over more than about 360°

    of the one or more curved regions of the electrode body, said electrodes being electrically isolated from one another and naturally assuming an array when said distal end is unconstrained, said electrodes distributed along said distal end to be able to contact a portion of the chamber wall surrounding the target site, said portion being substantially less than the entire chamber wall;

    means for steering the distal end of the electrode assembly within the heart chamber to the target site; and

    a flexible delivery sheath having a hollow interior, a proximal end and a distal end, the electrode assembly slidably mounted within the hollow interior of the delivery sheath for movement between a retracted position, at least substantially housed within the hollow interior, and a deployed position, extending from the distal end of the delivery sheath, the delivery sheath having an electrode at said distal end of the delivery sheath.

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