Patent ID: 8007495
Filing Date: 2011-08-30
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A catheter comprising: an elongated catheter body having proximal and distal ends and at least one lumen therethrough; a three-dimensional ablation assembly at or near the distal end of the catheter body, said assembly having a framework defining a length and a circumference, the assembly movable into a collapsed configuration with a greater length and a lesser circumference and an expanded configuration with a lesser length and a greater circumference, the framework comprising a plurality of tensile members interwoven in a manner such that the length increases as the circumference decreases and vice versa, the tensile members having proximal ends mounted between a proximal tubing and an outer proximal ring, and wherein the expanded configuration of the framework has a variable shape that changes to conform to nonuniformly shaped tubular regions; said assembly also having a ribbon electrode extending along said circumference, said ribbon electrode adapted to move with said framework; a first electrode lead wire connected to the ribbon electrode; a tip electrode mounted at or near a distal end of the ablation assembly; a second electrode lead wire connected to the tip electrode; and an expander attached to the tensile members and extending through at least the distal end of the catheter body, whereby, in use, the expander can be moved longitudinally relative to the catheter body to expand and collapse the assembly, wherein a portion of the expander extending through the distal end of the catheter body extends through a first tubing within the proximal tubing in the distal end of the catheter body, and the first and second electrode lead wires extend between the first tubing and the proximal tubing.