Patent ID: 6663573
Filing Date: 2003-12-16
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A method for measuring near-field electrical activity at a location in a heart comprising:introducing into the heart a catheter comprising: an elongated tubular body having a distal region and a circumferential recess along the length of the distal region, a first electrode mounted on the distal region in close proximity to the circumferential recess, and a second electrode mounted within the circumferential recess, the second electrode being configured such the second electrode is not in direct contact with heart tissue but is in contact with blood when the distal region is positioned against heart tissue at a side of the distal region; positioning the distal region at the location in the heart so that the first electrode is in direct contact with heart tissue; obtaining a first signal with the first electrode; obtaining a second signal with the second electrode; comparing the first signal and the second signal to obtain the near-field electrical activity at the location in the heart.