A CATHETER

摘要

A catheter sheath (12) includes a tubular member (14), a distal region of the tubular member defining a plurality of discrete elements (18), the discrete elements (18) being displaceable between a first, inoperative position in which the discrete elements (18) extend substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the tubular member (14) and a second, operative position in which at least a portion (20) of each of the discrete elements (18) projects outwardly transverse to the longitudinal axis of the tubular member (14). At least one electrode (42) carried at least by the portion (20) of the at least one of the discrete elements (18), the at least one electrode (42) being exposed when the discrete elements (18) are in their second position. A sleeve (38) is mounted about the tubular member (14). A bracing structure (22, 30, 34) is interposed between a distal part of the sleeve (38) and the portions (20) of the discrete elements (18) to brace the portions (20) of the discrete elements (18) in their operative position.