System and method for selectively energizing catheter electrodes

摘要

The present invention is directed to a system, a method and a catheter that provide improved ablation capabilities and improved energy efficiency by selectively energizing catheter electrodes on the basis of impedance measurements. In particular, the invention is directed to the selective energization of catheter radial electrodes that together with a tip electrode form a generally continuous tissue contact surface, wherein the selection is made on the basis of impedance measurement as an indication of the amount of tissue contact of each radial electrode.

主权项

1. A system for selectively energizing electrodes on a catheter, comprising:
a catheter having a catheter body, and a tip section carrying a tip electrode and a plurality of radial electrodes proximal the tip electrode; a signal generator to provide impedance test signals; 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 separate from the signal generator; a multiplexer comprising at least two channels, each channel being in communication with one of the plurality of radial electrodes, wherein the multiplexer is adapted to operate in a switch mode wherein the multiplexer continuously switches between the channels to change electrical connection between the signal generator and a specific one of the radial electrodes, and a lock mode wherein the multiplexer connects the signal generator to the single radial electrode having the highest impedance measurement; and a switch to connect the ablation energy source to the single radial electrode having the highest impedance measurement to the exclusion of the remaining radial electrodes via the multiplexer operating in the lock mode.