Deflectable catheter with a flexibly attached tip section

Abstract

The present invention discloses a catheter for mapping and / or ablating a region of the heart, comprises a catheter body with an intermediate section that is connected to a tip assembly by a highly flexible preshaped section. The highly flexible section presets the tip assembly at an off axis and / or off plane angles from the intermediate section, to provide the following: a) The intermediate section when deflected approximates the generally convex region of the cavo tricuspid isthmus and the preset angle of the flexible section is off axis in the same plane and same direction as deflection of the intermediate section to enable the tip assembly to contact the cavo tricuspid isthmus for ablation and / or mapping. b) The intermediate section when deflected approximates the generally concave region of the VA / RV / LA / LV and the preset angle in the same plane and opposite direction of deflection enables the tip assembly to contact the walls of the cavity for ablation and / or mapping. c) The intermediate section when deflected approximates the generally convex region of the His area and the preset off plane angle of the flexible section enable the tip assembly to contact the Bundle of His region. A high bending modulus of the flexible section enables the flexible section to absorb displacement force applied to the tip assembly, such as when the tip assembly encounters uneven tissue surface, without displacing the intermediate section. The flexible section prevents excessive force from being applied to the tip assembly, reducing the risk of any of the following: a) mechanical perforation, b) steam pop, c) burying the tip assembly in the myocardium resulting in high temperatures, low energy delivery, thrombus formation and char formation.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to catheters with tip assemblies for mapping and / or ablating cardiac regions or regions near the heart. Background technique [0002] In order to successfully map and / or ablate a region of the heart or a region near the heart, the tip assembly may desirably contact the surface of the heart without creating undue pressure. Excessive pressure can cause mechanical trauma and injury to the heart by blood flow causing steam explosion, cauterization, coagulation, embolization, and insufficient current delivery for successful tissue ablation, and / or insufficient cooling of the catheter tip. Catheter-based ablation is often performed within the heart. The interior of the heart is a complex three-dimensional structure with concave, convex and tubular structures and multiple irregularities within the convex structures or on the concave structures. Furthermore, the transition from a convex structure to a concave structure or into a...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Unsupported and thus asynchronous catheters used in the atrium may mistakenly enter the tricuspid valve

Also, the inconsistent contours within the atrium can make it difficult to access the concave region without applying excessive pressure to the convex region increasing the risk of perforation

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