Multiple-electrode catheter assembly and method of operating such a catheter assembly
First Claim
1. A multiple-electrode catheter assembly comprising:
- (a) a hollow catheter having an internal elongated channel and a flexible distal portion, a plurality of electrodes being spaced along said flexible distal portion; and
(b) an inner element slidingly engaged within said elongated channel, said inner element having a steering mechanism configured for selectively deflecting a steerable distal portion of said inner element and wherein said inner element further includes at least one outwardly facing electrical contact, said electrical contact being configured such that, by moving said inner element along said internal elongated channel, said electrical contact is selectively brought into alignment for forming an electrical connection with each of at least two of said plurality of electrodes.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A multiple-electrode catheter assembly includes a hollow catheter having an internal elongated channel and a flexible distal portion. A number of electrodes are spaced along the flexible distal portion. An inner element, slidingly engaged within the elongated channel, has a steering mechanism configured for selectively deflecting a steerable distal portion of the inner element. According to additional, or alternative, features, the inner element includes sliding contacts for forming electrical connections with the electrodes, and displaceable locating elements for determining the position of an electrode during operation. Also provided is a method for operating such a catheter.
69 Citations
31 Claims
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1. A multiple-electrode catheter assembly comprising:
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(a) a hollow catheter having an internal elongated channel and a flexible distal portion, a plurality of electrodes being spaced along said flexible distal portion; and
(b) an inner element slidingly engaged within said elongated channel, said inner element having a steering mechanism configured for selectively deflecting a steerable distal portion of said inner element and wherein said inner element further includes at least one outwardly facing electrical contact, said electrical contact being configured such that, by moving said inner element along said internal elongated channel, said electrical contact is selectively brought into alignment for forming an electrical connection with each of at least two of said plurality of electrodes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A multiple-electrode catheter assembly comprising:
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(a) a hollow catheter having an internal elongated channel and a hollow distal portion, a plurality of electrodes being spaced along said hollow distal portion; and
(b) an inner element slidingly engaged within said elongated channel, said inner element having an actuating distal portion including at least one outwardly facing electrical contact, said electrical contact being configured such that, by moving said inner element along said internal elongated channel, said electrical contact is selectively brought into alignment for forming an electrical connection with each of at least two of said plurality of electrodes. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A multiple-electrode catheter assembly comprising:
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(a) a hollow catheter having an internal elongated channel and a hollow distal portion, a plurality of electrodes being spaced along said hollow distal portion; and
(b) an inner element slidingly engaged within said elongated channel, said inner element having a sensing distal portion including at least one locating element, said locating element forming part of a location sensing system for determining a position of at least one point within said inner element, such that, by moving said inner element along said internal elongated channel, said locating element is selectively brought into alignment for determining the position of each of at least two of said plurality of electrodes. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A method for performing a procedure using a multiple-electrode assembly, the method comprising:
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(a) providing a hollow catheter having a distal portion with a plurality of independently operable electrodes;
(b) deploying a steering mechanism within said hollow catheter so as to be slidable along a length of said distal portion;
(c) guiding the catheter to a position in which each of the electrodes lies adjacent to a corresponding region of tissue;
(d) sliding the steering mechanism along said distal portion to a first position and actuating the steering mechanism so as to ensure effective contact of at least a first of said electrodes with the corresponding region of tissue during operation of said first electrode; and
(e) sliding the steering mechanism along said distal portion to a second position and actuating the steering mechanism so as to ensure effective contact of at least a second of said electrodes with the corresponding region of tissue during operation of said second electrode. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification