Electrode assembly having an atraumatic distal tip

• US 9,585,588 B2
• Filed: 05/21/2015
• Issued: 03/07/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/2014
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Kozlowski, Michael C., Marecki, Andrew T., Foster, Daniel J., Byron, Mary M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cohen, Lee S
• Application Number:
  US14/718,909
• Publication Number:
  US 20150342491A1
• Time in Patent Office: 656 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1492 having a flexible, catheter-like structure, e.g. for heart ablation A61B18/1477 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00526 Methods of manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0016 Energy applicators arranged in a two- or three dimensional array
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00267 having a basket shaped structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00351 Heart
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00357 Endocardium
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00577 Ablation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00839 Bioelectrical parameters, e.g. ECG, EEG
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1467 using more than two electrodes on a single probe
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/12 Manufacturing methods specially adapted for producing sensors for in-vivo measurements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/287 Holders for multiple electrodes, e.g. electrode catheters for electrophysiological study [EPS]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6858 with a distal basket, e.g. expandable basket
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49004 including measuring or testing of device or component part

Abstract

A catheter including expandable electrode assembly having a distal cap that mechanically engages a locking feature provided on the distal ends of each of two or more flexible splines forming a portion of the expandable electrode assembly is described. The distal cap defines an atraumatic distal tip of the catheter. The catheter may be used in a cardiac mapping and/or ablation procedure.

Claims

1. A catheter comprising:

an elongate catheter body extending from a proximal end to a distal end;

an expandable electrode assembly disposed at the distal end of the catheter body, the electrode assembly comprising a plurality of flexible splines extending from the distal end of the catheter body to a distal cap;

wherein the distal cap comprises a plurality of slots disposed about an outer circumference of the distal cap, and a cylindrical shape defining an interior cavity;

wherein the plurality of flexible splines include a first spline comprising a distal end defining a locking feature secured within one of the plurality of slots provided in the distal cap, the locking feature comprising an aperture formed therein, the expandable electrode assembly configured to be transitioned between a collapsed configuration suitable for delivery and an expanded configuration; and

two or more electrodes located on the first spline; and

an adhesive disposed within the distal cap to further secure the locking feature.

2. The catheter according to claim 1, wherein the distal cap comprises a rounded tip having an aperture defined therein.

3. The catheter according to claim 1, wherein a height is greater than a width for each of the slots.

4. The catheter according to claim 1, wherein the locking feature defined by the distal end of the first spline comprises a first portion having a first width and a second portion having a second width, the first width greater than the second width.

5. The catheter according to claim 1, wherein the distal cap comprises a rounded distal end and defines an atraumatic distal tip of the catheter.

6. The catheter according to claim 1, wherein each of the slots are spaced an equal distance from one another about the outer circumference of the distal cap.

7. The catheter according to claim 1, further comprising an actuation member coupled to the expandable electrode assembly.

8. The catheter according to claim 1, wherein the locking feature defined by the distal end of the first spline comprises an arrowhead shape.

9. The catheter according to claim 1, wherein the distal cap serves as a distal tip electrode.

10. A catheter comprising:

an elongate catheter body extending from a proximal end to a distal end;

an expandable electrode assembly disposed at the distal end of the catheter body, the electrode assembly comprising a plurality of flexible splines including a first spline extending from the distal end of the catheter body to a distal cap, the distal cap comprising a cylindrical shape defining an interior cavity and a plurality of slots including a first slot disposed about an outer circumference of the distal cap, the first spline comprising a distal end defining a locking feature secured within the first slot, the locking feature comprising an aperture formed therein, the interior cavity of the distal cap containing an adhesive to further secure the locking feature, the expandable electrode assembly configured to be transitioned between a collapsed configuration suitable for delivery and an expanded configuration

two or more electrodes located on the first spline; and

an actuation member coupled to the expandable electrode assembly.