Patent ID: 8369921

Claim:
A catheter comprising: a shaft having a proximal portion, and a distal portion wherein said distal portion has a non-uniform stiffness along the length thereof, and wherein the stiffness of the distal portion is reduced at the outermost end thereof relative to a contiguous inner portion thereof; an electrode coupled to said distal portion of the shaft, wherein said electrode is coupled to said distal portion to allow displacement of said electrode relative to an axis defined by said stiff distal portion of said shaft; and an accelerometer configured to generate a signal indicative of an acceleration of said electrode, said catheter further comprising an electrode support structure comprising: a main assembly disposed within said distal portion of said shaft and coupled to said electrode at a distal end thereof; and a plurality of proximally directed protrusions; wherein said proximally directed protrusions are coupled to said stiff distal portion of said shaft; and wherein said support structure is configured such that electrode displacement causes a deflection of at least one of said protrusions.