Patent ID: 7429261
Filing Date: 2008-09-30
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. An ablation catheter, comprising: a catheter having a longitudinal axis and further having a proximal end and a distal end; an electrode array disposed on the distal end of the catheter, said electrode array comprising a plurality of resilient arms, each arm having a proximal arm segment and a distal arm segment resiliently or rotatably joined to each other at a bend point, whereby the electrode array may be retained in a small diameter configuration within the catheter and released to assume a large diameter configuration, wherein the large diameter configuration comprises the proximal arm segments bent radially outwardly from the catheter with the distal arm segments extending radially inwardly from the proximal arm segments, wherein in the large diameter configuration, the proximal arm segments are configured such that the same may transmit forces substantially along the longitudinal axis, such that the catheter may be controllably pushed in a distal direction to contact tissue; and at least one electrode disposed on each of the distal arm segments of the array, and wherein, in the small diameter configuration, the distal arm segments are restrained within a segment of an outer catheter tube which is distal to the proximal arm segments, and extend distally from the bend point.