Intraluminal electrode assembly

• US 7,532,938 B2
• Filed: 09/12/2005
• Issued: 05/12/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cleveland Clinic Foundation
• Original Assignee: Cleveland Clinic Foundation
• Inventors: Machado, Sandra, Machado, Andre, Rezai, Ali
• Primary Examiner(s): Layno; Carl H
• Assistant Examiner(s): LEE, YUN HAENG NMN
• Application Number:
  US11/222,774
• Publication Number:
  US 20060058597A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,338 Days
• Field of Search: 607/116, 607/148
• US Class Current: 607/116
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0215 by means inserted into the body catheters A61M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/029 Measuring or recording blood output from the heart, e.g. minute volume A61B8/065 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/412 Detecting or monitoring sepsis
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/05 for implantation or insertion into the body, e.g. heart electrode A61N1/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0558 Anchoring or fixation means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/32 alternating or intermittent currents applying electric fields by inductive or capacitive coupling A61N1/40; microwave apparatus A61N5/02

Abstract

A minimally invasive intraluminal electrode assembly that includes a cannulated tube and a plurality of wires disposed within the cannulated tube. Each of the plurality of wires has one of a plurality of electrical contacts on a distal end thereof. The distal portion of the plurality of wires assumes a radially constrained configuration within the cannulated tube in a retracted position and a radially extended position outward of the cannulated tube in a deployed position. The electrode assembly further comprises a spring electrode connecting the plurality of electrical contacts to collectively form a substantially circular configuration in a deployed position.

Claims

1. An electrode assembly comprising:

a cannulated tube;

a plurality of wires disposed within the cannulated tube, each of the plurality of wires having one of a plurality of electrical contacts disposed on a distal end thereof, the distal portion of the plurality of wires assuming a radially constrained configuration within the cannulated tube in a retracted position and a radially extended position outward of the cannulated tube in a deployed position; and

a spring electrode having a substantially circular shape and connecting the plurality of electrical contacts to collectively form a substantially circular configuration in a deployed position.

2. The electrode assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of wires comprises six to eight wires.

3. The electrode assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of wires is fabricated from a shape memory material.

4. The electrode assembly of claim 1, wherein a proximal end of the plurality of wires is connected to a rotator at a proximal end of the cannulated tube to transfer rotational motion from the rotator to the plurality of wires.

5. The electrode assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the electrical contacts is selectively powerable.

6. A catheter comprising multiple lumens, one of the multiple lumens housing the electrode assembly of claim 1.

7. The catheter of claim 6, wherein the multiple lumens comprise:

a thermistor lumen housing a thermistor to measure cardiac output;

a pulmonary artery distal lumen housing a sensor to measure pulmonary artery pressure or pulmonary capillary wedge pressure;

a proximal right atrial lumen for housing a sensor to measure right atrial or central venous pressure;

a balloon lumen housing a balloon to isolating the right chamber of the heart from the left chamber; and

an electrode lumen housing the electrode assembly.