Flexible electrode catheter and process for manufacturing the same

• US 6,440,488 B2
• Filed: 12/04/2000
• Issued: 08/27/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ep Medsystems Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Ep Medsystems Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Inventors: Abbate, Anthony, Griffin, Joseph C. III
• Primary Examiner(s): LEE, KEVIN L
• Application Number:
  US09/729,649
• Publication Number:
  US 20010032006A1
• Time in Patent Office: 631 Days
• Field of Search: 607/122, 607/116, 607/115, 607/119, 427/2.3, 427/2.11, 427/2.12, 427/2.24, 427/534, 427/123, 427/105
• US Class Current: 427/2.3
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/05 for implantation or insertion into the body, e.g. heart electrode A61N1/06 takes precedence

Abstract

A process for manufacturing a flexible electrode catheter is disclosed. The process involves coating the catheter with an adhesive without affecting the integrity of the polymer substrate of the catheter. The process includes the steps of corona plasma treating a catheter, coating the catheter with an adhesive, baking the adhesive on the catheter, creating radial indents, and removing portions of the coating from the indented areas so that conduction between the different electrodes is broken. Portholes are then punched into the indented conductive areas and magnetic wires are inserted through the catheter and wrapped around the indented conductive areas. A small amount of formulated silver paint is then placed around the coiled magnetic wires. The entire indent, which includes the coiled wire and the area where the coating was removed, is then filled in radially with an adhesive coating.

Claims

1. A method for forming an electrophysiology catheter with at least one electrode on the outer surface thereof comprising the steps of:

providing a catheter body having an elongated flexible tubular member with an outer surface having a proximal end and a distal end;

forming a coating of an electrically conductive material on said outer surface of said tubular member;

forming a radial groove of predetermined axial length in said outer surface in the area within the coated area while maintaining the electrical conductivity of said conductive material;

removing at least one portion of said coating within said groove so that at least two coated portions result that are electrically insulated from one another;

forming a port hole in said groove in the area of said conductive material to create communication between the interior and exterior of said tubular member;

extending an elongated flexible wire through said tubular member from said proximal end and out of said port hole;

wrapping said wire around said coating within said groove, and

filling said groove with an adhesive filler material to form a smooth substantially continuous outer surface on said catheter.

2. An electrophysiology catheter with at least one electrode on the outer surface thereof comprising:

a catheter body having an elongated flexible tubular member with an outer surface having a proximal end and a distal end;

an electrode in the form of a coating of an electrically conductive material on at least a portion of said outer surface of said tubular member;

a radial groove of predetermined axial length in said outer surface, a portion of the surface of said groove being coated with said electrically conductive material and being in electrical contact with said electrode, another portion of said surface of said groove being electrically insulated from said electrode;

a port hole in said groove in the area of said conductive material creating communication between the interior and exterior of said tubular member;

an elongated flexible wire extending through said tubular member from said proximal end and out of said port hole and having its end wrapped around said coating within said groove, and

an adhesive filler material filling said groove to form a smooth substantially continuous outer surface on said catheter.