Ablation Electrode and Catheter Assembly for Epicardial Mapping and Ablation with Directionally Focused RF Energy

Abstract

The present invention provides various embodiments of electrodes and/or electrode tips for use in connection with ablation catheters and ablation catheter systems. In an embodiment, an electrode tip for an ablation catheter is provided, comprising an electrode carrier, a first electrode, and second electrode, each adapted to direct energy is various directions and configured to be selectively activated. In another embodiment, an electrode is provided that comprises an electrode body having an insulated portion to protect adjacent tissue from ablation while further adapted to direct energy in a downward direction towards the target tissue. Other embodiments of electrodes and/or electrode tips providing ablative elements that are directed laterally are also disclosed. Moreover, embodiments of several types of electrodes and/or electrode tips, which may include positioning, orientation, irrigating, cooling, and deflecting features, whether provided individually or in various combinations, are also disclosed.

1 .- 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . An ablation catheter, comprising:
 a catheter; and   an electrode carrier comprising a plurality of electrodes, a longitudinal axis, a proximal end, and a distal end   wherein the plurality of electrodes are disposed on a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis of the electrode carrier.   
     
     
         22 . The ablation catheter of  claim 21 , wherein the electrode carrier comprises a paddle-like shape. 
     
     
         23 . The ablation catheter of  claim 21 , wherein the plurality of electrodes are configured to direct energy in a lateral direction. 
     
     
         24 . The ablation catheter of  claim 21 , wherein at least one of the plurality of electrodes is configured to ablate tissue. 
     
     
         25 . The ablation catheter of  claim 21 , wherein at least one of the plurality of electrodes comprises a different size than another of the plurality of electrodes. 
     
     
         26 . The ablation catheter of  claim 21 , further comprising one or more conduits configured to provide an irrigant to at least a portion of the electrode carrier. 
     
     
         27 . The ablation catheter of  claim 26 , wherein the one or more conduits are configured to provide the irrigant adjacent at least one of the plurality of electrodes. 
     
     
         28 . The ablation catheter of  claim 26 , wherein the one or more conduits are configured to provide the irrigant to a non-target tissue. 
     
     
         29 . The ablation catheter of  claim 21 , wherein at least one of the electrodes is configured to be a sensing electrode. 
     
     
         30 . The ablation catheter of  claim 21 , wherein each of the plurality of electrodes is configured to be selectively activated. 
     
     
         31 . The ablation catheter of  claim 21 , wherein at least one of the plurality of electrodes is configured to deliver RF energy. 
     
     
         32 . The ablation catheter of  claim 21 , wherein at least one of the plurality of electrodes is configured to deliver focused ultrasound energy. 
     
     
         33 . The ablation catheter of  claim 21 , wherein at least one of the plurality of electrodes is configured to deliver directional energy. 
     
     
         34 . The ablation catheter of  claim 21 , further comprising a plurality of wires, wherein each of the plurality of wires is coupled to one of the plurality of electrodes and wherein each of the plurality of wires extends through the catheter to a proximal end of the catheter. 
     
     
         35 . The ablation catheter of  claim 21 , further comprising a catheter extension coupled to a distal end of the catheter and to a proximal end of the electrode carrier. 
     
     
         36 . The ablation catheter of  claim 35 , wherein the catheter extension is formed integrally with the electrode carrier. 
     
     
         37 . The ablation catheter of  claim 21 , wherein the electrode carrier is configured to sense contact with a tissue. 
     
     
         38 . The ablation catheter of  claim 21 , wherein the electrode carrier is configured to output information that can be used to determine an orientation of the electrode carrier. 
     
     
         39 . An ablation catheter, comprising:
 a catheter; and   an electrode carrier comprising a plurality of electrodes, a longitudinal axis, a proximal end, and a distal end   wherein the plurality of electrodes are disposed on a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis of the electrode carrier, and wherein the electrode carrier comprises a paddle-like shape along a plane parallel to the plane of the plurality of electrodes.   
     
     
         40 . The ablation catheter of  claim 39 , wherein at least one of the plurality of electrodes is configured to electrically isolate a target tissue and sense electrical signals in the target tissue.