Patent ID: 7163537
Filing Date: 2007-01-16
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A catheter for ablating tissue, the catheter comprising: an elongated generally-tubular catheter body having proximal and distal ends and at least one lumen extending therethrough; and a non-retractable electrode assembly mounted at the distal end of the catheter body, the electrode assembly comprising: a generally tubular ablation electrode formed of a material having shape-memory having a generally straight exposed region with proximal and distal ends and at least one irrigation port in the exposed region through which fluid can pass from the inside to the outside of the ablation electrode, the exposed region being generally transverse to the catheter body, a tip at the distal end of the electrode assembly comprising a generally ball-shaped exposed region, and first and second distal mapping electrodes mounted distal to the exposed region of the ablation electrode, wherein at least the first distal mapping electrode is incorporated into the generally ball-shaped exposed region of the tip; a proximal temperature sensor mounted near the proximal end of the exposed region of the ablation electrode; a distal temperature sensor mounted near the distal end of the exposed region of the ablation electrode; a non-conductive protective tubing extending generally parallel to and along the outside of the exposed region of the ablation electrode, wherein the proximal and distal temperature sensors are mounted within the protective tubing; and means for introducing fluid into the tubular electrode.