Patent ID: 8603085

Claim:
A system for selectively energizing a plurality of radial electrodes on a tip section of a catheter, comprising: a catheter comprising a tip section and a plurality of radial electrodes on the tip section; a signal generator to provide impedance test signals; a multiplexer comprising at least two channels, each channel being in communication with one of the radial electrodes on the tip section of the catheter, wherein the multiplexer is adapted to operate in a first mode wherein the multiplexer continuously switches between the channels to change electrical connection of the signal generator to a specific one of the radial electrodes, and a second mode wherein the multiplexer connects the signal generator to a selected one of the radial electrodes; an impedance measurement circuitry adapted to provide impedance measurements of each of the radial electrodes as an indication of tissue contact; an ablation energy source adapted to energize the selected radial electrode, wherein the ablation energy source is separate from the signal generator; and a switch to connect the ablation energy source to the selected radial electrode via the multiplexer operating in the second mode.