Patent ID: 8224416
Filing Date: 2012-07-17
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A catheter comprising: an elongated catheter body having a proximal end and a distal end, and at least one lumen therethrough in a longitudinal direction of the elongated catheter body; and an electrode assembly at the distal end of the catheter body, the electrode assembly comprising a plurality of spines, each of the spines having a proximal end connected to the distal end of the catheter body and a distal end, the distal ends of the spines being connected at a spine tip junction, wherein each spine includes an elbow having at least one discontinuity in stiffness at an intermediate position between the distal end and the proximal end thereof, wherein the spines include a plurality of electrodes, wherein each of the spines comprises a first portion comprising a first cross-sectional shape and a first cross-sectional area, wherein each of the spines comprises a second portion comprising a second cross-sectional shape and a second cross-sectional area, and wherein at least the first cross-sectional shape is different than the second cross-sectional shape or the first cross-sectional area is different than the second cross-sectional area; wherein the electrode assembly is collapsible to a collapsed arrangement to fit within a lumen of the elongated catheter body and is expandable to an expanded arrangement with the elbows of the spines bending outwardly relative to the proximal and distal ends of the spines, the elbows of the spines moving radially outwardly from the collapsed arrangement to the expanded arrangement.