IRRIGATED CATHETER

摘要

A catheter includes a fluid network for cooling the ablation electrode, surrounding blood and tissue. The fluid network comprises a circumferential channel having an annular shape and fluidly coupled to at least one proximal longitudinal channel configured to conduct fluid along a proximal length of the catheter. The circumferential channel is configured to conduct fluid about at least a circumferential portion of the catheter. The fluid network further comprises a plurality of distal longitudinal channels fluidly coupled to the circumferential channel, with the plurality of distal longitudinal channels being configured to conduct fluid a long a distal length of the catheter. The fluid network occupies a region of the catheter peripheral to a central longitudinal axis of the catheter such that other components of the irrigated catheter, including at least one imaging sensor, is disposed within the central region of the ablation electrode.