MULTIPLE ELECTRODE SUPPORT STRUCTURES HAVING OPTIMAL BIO-MECHANICAL CHARACTERISTICS

摘要

An electrode support structure comprises a distal hub (48) and a proximal base (12) aligned along a major axis with the distal hub (48). An array of generally flexible spline elements (180) extends between the hub (48) and the base (12). The spline elements (180) each have an elongated axis that, at the base (12), extends generally parallel to the major axis and, at the hub (48), extends at an angle measured relative to the major axis of between 45 degrees and 110 degrees. The spline elements (180) collectively define a distal surface (66) lying within an envelope that approximates the curvature of endocardial tissue and within which envelope the distal hub (48) lies. According to this aspect of the invention, the distal surface (66), when contacting endocardial tissue, increases in surface area in response to force applied generally along the major axis to mediate tissue pressure.