Patent ID: 6795721
Filing Date: 2004-09-21
Classification: A61B,A61M

Abstract:
A method for mapping electrical activity within a tubular region of or near the heart having an inner circumference, the method comprising:inserting into the heart the distal end of a catheter having an elongated flexible tubular catheter body having an axis and proximal and distal ends; a mapping assembly at the distal end of the tubular body having a preformed generally circular main region having an outer surface, being generally transverse to the axis of the catheter body, having proximal and distal ends and carrying a plurality of spaced apart electrodes; an electrode lead wire associated with each electrode, each electrode lead wire having proximal and distal ends and extending through the catheter body and into the mapping assembly, the distal end of each electrode lead wire being electrically connected to its associated electrode; first and second puller wires, each puller wire having proximal and distal ends and extending through the tubular catheter body, the distal end of each puller wire being anchored at or near the distal end of the catheter body; and a handle connected to the proximal ends of the catheter body and puller wires for moving the puller wires longitudinally relative to the catheter body, whereby longitudinal movement of a puller wire relative to the catheter body results in deflection of the distal end of the catheter body; contacting the outer circumference of the generally circular main region with the inner circumference of the tubular region; and mapping the electrical activity within the tubular region with the at least one electrode along the generally circular main region.