Patent ID: 6408199
Filing Date: 2002-06-18
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A system for determining an arrhythmiogenic focus in heart tissue comprising:a catheter comprising: (i) an elongated body having a distal region; (ii) a first electrode mounted on the distal region for obtaining a first signal; (iii) a second electrode mounted on the distal region in close proximity to and electrically isolated from the first electrode for obtaining a second signal, the second electrode being covered by a blood-permeable membrane that, in use, prohibits direct contact between the second electrode and surrounding heart tissue; and a signal processing unit operatively connected to the catheter for comparing the first signal and the second signal and subtracting far-field activity from the first signal for obtaining near-field electrical activity and identifying a location of an arrhythmiogenic focus based on near-field electrical activity.