Patent ID: 8380275

Claim:
A mapping catheter comprising: an elongated body configured and arranged for insertion into patient vasculature, wherein a distal end of the elongated body comprises: a distal portion comprising a plurality of electrodes, a proximal portion disposed proximal to the distal portion, and a reduced-dimension portion disposed between the proximal portion and the distal portion, the reduced-dimension portion having a cross-sectional dimension that is less than corresponding cross-sectional dimensions of both a proximally-positioned adjacent section of the proximal portion and a distally-positioned adjacent section of the distal portion; wherein the distal end is formed, at least in part, from a memory shape material that bends into a preformed shape upon release from a confined space, the preformed shape comprising a first loop formed, at least in part, by the distal portion, wherein the first loop is transverse to a longitudinal axis of the proximal portion, wherein the reduced-dimension portion is configured and arranged to bend such that the reduced-dimension portion advances distally through the first loop when the first loop is held in a fixed position and a force is applied along the longitudinal axis of the proximal portion in a distal direction.