Magnetically guided catheter
First Claim
1. A catheter comprising:
- a flexible tubing having a proximal end and a distal end;
an electrode assembly attached to the distal end of the flexible tubing, the electrode assembly including an electrically conductive tip electrode;
a coupler connected between the tip electrode and the distal end of the flexible tubing, the coupler and the tip electrode being coupled by an interlocking connection having a first end coupled to the tip electrode and a second end, the coupler connected to the distal and of the flexible tubing;
a first magnet partially press fit in the second end of the interlocking connection of the coupler such that one end of the first magnet extends out of the coupler;
a fluid lumen extending through the flexible tubing to the coupler, the fluid lumen extending completely through the first magnet and connecting to at least one port formed in the electrode assembly; and
a second magnet spaced from the electrode assembly along a longitudinal axis of the tubing;
wherein the first magnet and the second magnet are responsive to an external magnetic field to selectively position and guide the electrode assembly within a body of a patient.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A catheter comprising a flexible tubing having a proximal end and a distal end. An electrode assembly is attached to the distal end of the flexible tubing. The electrode assembly includes an electrically conductive tip electrode and a coupler which is connected between the tip electrode and the distal end of the flexible tubing. The coupler and the tip electrode are coupled by an interlocking connection. A first magnet is at least partially housed in the coupler. A fluid lumen extends through the flexible tubing to the coupler. The fluid lumen extends completely through the first magnet and connects to at least one port formed in the electrode assembly. A second magnet is spaced from the electrode assembly along a longitudinal axis of the tubing. The first magnet and the second magnet are responsive to an external magnetic field to selectively position and guide the electrode assembly within a body of a patient.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A catheter comprising:
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a flexible tubing having a proximal end and a distal end; an electrode assembly attached to the distal end of the flexible tubing, the electrode assembly including an electrically conductive tip electrode; a coupler connected between the tip electrode and the distal end of the flexible tubing, the coupler and the tip electrode being coupled by an interlocking connection having a first end coupled to the tip electrode and a second end, the coupler connected to the distal and of the flexible tubing; a first magnet partially press fit in the second end of the interlocking connection of the coupler such that one end of the first magnet extends out of the coupler; a fluid lumen extending through the flexible tubing to the coupler, the fluid lumen extending completely through the first magnet and connecting to at least one port formed in the electrode assembly; and a second magnet spaced from the electrode assembly along a longitudinal axis of the tubing; wherein the first magnet and the second magnet are responsive to an external magnetic field to selectively position and guide the electrode assembly within a body of a patient. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A catheter comprising:
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a flexible tubing having a proximal end and a distal end; an electrode assembly attached to the distal end of the flexible tubing and including a first magnet at least partially therein, the electrode assembly including an electrically conductive tip electrode; an internal coupler connected between the tip electrode and the distal end of the flexible tubing, the internal coupler having a first end coupled to the tip electrode and a second end, the coupler connected to the distal end of the flexible tubing, wherein the first magnet is partially press fit in the second end of the internal coupler such that one end of the first magnet extends out of the internal coupler; and a second magnet spaced from the electrode assembly along a longitudinal axis of the tubing; wherein the flexible tubing is a unitary tubing, and wherein the second magnet is pushed inside the flexible tubing after the unitary flexible tubing is formed; wherein the first magnet and the second magnet are responsive to an external magnetic field to selectively position and guide the electrode assembly within a body of a patient; a lumen passing through the first magnet and the second magnet, and in fluid communication with the electrode assembly, wherein the electrode assembly has at least one row of irrigation ports. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification