IRRIGATED ABLATION CATHETER WITH SENSOR ARRAY

摘要

Systems and methods are disclosed for providing and using an irrigated ablation catheter. The catheter may include a distal shell electrode having irrigation apertures. A sensor array formed on a flexible substrate conforms to an inner surface of the electrode and an insert disposed within the interior space engages the sensor array to position sensors of the sensor array in desired locations relative to the electrode. A support seals the proximal end of the electrode and engages the insert. The plurality of sensors may be used to measure electrical and thermal characteristics surrounding the electrode and may help assess contact between the electrode and tissue and/or determine movement of the electrode during ablation.

主权项

1. A catheter, comprising:
an elongated body; an electrode mounted at a distal end of the elongated body, wherein the electrode is configured as a shell defining an interior space; a plurality of irrigation apertures formed in the shell and communicating with the interior space; a sensor array disposed within the interior space, comprising:
a flexible substrate;a plurality of sensors secured to the substrate; anda plurality of traces on the substrate coupled to the sensors; wherein the sensor array conforms to an inner surface of the electrode and each sensor extends into a corresponding plurality of orifices in the shell of the electrode, such that each sensor; an insert disposed within the interior space configured to engage the sensor array such that each sensor is positioned in a desired location relative to the electrode; and a support which forms a fluid tight seal with a proximal end of the electrode and engages a proximal end of the insert to stabilize the insert against rotational motion.