Radio-frequency ablation and direct current electroporation catheters

Abstract

Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to flexible catheters for both electrophysiology mapping and ablation using a high-density array of electrodes. These catheters may be used to detect electrophysiological characteristics of tissue in contact with the electrodes, and conduct monopolar and bipolar ablations of the tissue.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 62 / 674,314, filed 21 May 2018, which is hereby incorporated by reference as though fully set forth herein.BACKGROUND[0002]a. Field[0003]The instant disclosure relates to radio-frequency ablation catheters for treating myocardial tissue within a cardiac muscle, for example. In particular, the instant disclosure relates to basket and planar array catheters including a plurality of electrodes positioned in a high-density array.[0004]b. Background Art[0005]Catheters have been used for cardiac medical procedures for many years. Catheters can be used, for example, to diagnose and treat cardiac arrhythmias, while positioned at a specific location within a body that is otherwise inaccessible without a more invasive procedure.[0006]Conventional ablation catheters may include, for example, a plurality of adjacent ring electrodes encircling the longitudinal axis of a basket cathe...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011]Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to flexible catheters for both electrophysiology mapping and ablation using a high-density array of electrodes. These catheters may be used to detect electrophysiological characterist...

Problems solved by technology

When conducting an ablation therapy on myocardial tissue, the beating of the heart, especially if erratic or irregular, makes it difficult to keep adequate contact between electrodes and tissue for a sufficient len...

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