Irrigant distribution system for electrodes

Abstract

An ablation electrode assembly is provided with improved irrigation cooling of the assembly and ablation site. The assembly includes a proximal end configured to be coupled to a catheter shaft and a distal end configured to deliver ablation energy to tissue. The assembly further includes a fluid manifold extending from the proximal end to the distal end and configured to fluidly communicate with a fluid lumen in the catheter shaft. The fluid manifold defines an axial passageway centered about a longitudinal axis extending in the longitudinal direction of the assembly. The axial passageway has a distal end terminating prior to the distal end of the electrode assembly. The assembly further includes means for creating turbulence in fluid exiting the first axial passageway.

1 .- 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . An ablation electrode assembly, comprising:
 a proximal portion configured to be coupled to a catheter shaft;   a distal portion configured to deliver ablation energy to tissue;   a fluid manifold extending from said proximal portion to said distal portion and configured to fluidly communicate with a fluid lumen in the catheter shaft, said fluid manifold defining an axial passageway centered about a longitudinal axis extending in the longitudinal direction of said assembly, said axial passageway having a longitudinal axis and a distal end terminating at the distal end of the fluid manifold prior to a distal end of said electrode assembly; and,   a transverse surface, wherein the transverse surface is transverse to the longitudinal axis and wherein the transverse surface is configured to create turbulence in a fluid.   
     
     
         22 . The ablation electrode assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the axial passageway comprises a first axial passageway and the fluid manifold further comprises a second axial passageway centered about said longitudinal axis, said second axial passageway having a smaller diameter than said first axial passageway. 
     
     
         23 . The ablation electrode assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the transverse surface is disposed within the fluid manifold. 
     
     
         24 . The ablation electrode assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the transverse surface is further configured to direct the fluid parallel to the longitudinal axis of the axial passageway 
     
     
         25 . The ablation electrode assembly of  claim 21  further comprising:
 an electrode core member comprising a thermal insulator having a reduced thermal conductivity, said electrode core member defining said fluid manifold; and, 
 an electrode shell comprising an electrically conductive material, said shell configured to be connected to said electrode core member. 
 
     
     
         26 . The ablation electrode assembly of  claim 25  wherein said electrode shell is sufficiently flexible for deflection of a distal end of said electrode shell relative to a longitudinal axis of the ablation electrode assembly. 
     
     
         27 . The ablation electrode assembly of  claim 21  wherein the fluid manifold further defines a pool at the distal end of said electrode assembly. 
     
     
         28 . The ablation electrode assembly of  claim 21  wherein at least a portion of the circumference and at least a portion of the length of the axial passageway includes a coating of an electrically non-conductive material. 
     
     
         29 . An ablation electrode assembly, comprising:
 a proximal portion configured to be coupled to a catheter shaft;   a distal portion configured to deliver ablation energy to tissue; and   a fluid manifold extending from said proximal portion to said distal portion and configured to fluidly communicate with a fluid lumen in the catheter shaft, said fluid manifold comprising:
 an axial passageway defining a longitudinal axis extending in the longitudinal direction of said assembly, said axial passageway having a distal end terminating prior to said distal portion of said electrode assembly; and 
 a transverse surface, wherein the transverse surface is transverse to the longitudinal axis and wherein the transverse surface is configured to create turbulence in a fluid. 
   
     
     
         30 . The ablation electrode assembly of  claim 29  wherein said fluid manifold further defines a pool at said distal end of said electrode assembly, said distal outlet ports of said plurality of angled passageways adjacent said pool. 
     
     
         31 . The ablation electrode assembly of  claim 30  wherein said pool is substantially concave. 
     
     
         32 . The ablation electrode assembly of  claim 29  further comprising:
 an electrode core member comprising a thermal insulator having a reduced thermal conductivity, said electrode core member defining said fluid manifold; and, 
 an electrode shell comprising an electrically conductive material, said shell configured to be connected to said electrode core member. 
 
     
     
         33 . The ablation electrode assembly of  claim 32  wherein said electrode shell is sufficiently flexible for deflection of a distal end of said electrode shell relative to a longitudinal axis of the ablation electrode assembly. 
     
     
         34 . The ablation electrode assembly of  claim 32  further comprising an irrigant distribution element surrounding at least a portion of the electrode core member, the irrigant distribution element having:
 a first end; and, 
 a second end, wherein the second end of the irrigant distribution element defines a circumferential irrigation port between the irrigant distribution element and the electrode core member. 
 
     
     
         35 . The ablation electrode assembly of  claim 29  wherein at least a portion of the circumference and at least a portion of the length of the axial passageway includes a coating of an electrically non-conductive material. 
     
     
         36 . An ablation electrode assembly, comprising:
 a proximal portion configured to be coupled to a catheter shaft;   a distal portion configured to deliver therapeutic energy to tissue;   a fluid manifold comprising a longitudinal axis and extending between the proximal portion and a distal end of the distal portion distal portion; and   a transverse surface disposed within a distal end of the fluid manifold, wherein the transverse surface is configured to create turbulence in a fluid as it exits the fluid manifold, and wherein the transverse surface is further configured to direct the fluid parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fluid manifold.   
     
     
         37 . The ablation electrode assembly of  claim 36 , further comprising an electrode core member and an electrode shell, wherein the electrode core member comprises a thermal insulator having a reduced thermal conductivity, and the electrode shell comprises an electrically conductive material. 
     
     
         38 . The ablation electrode assembly of  claim 36 , further comprising an electrode shell, wherein the electrode shell is sufficiently flexible for deflection of a distal end of the electrode shell relative to a longitudinal axis of the ablation electrode assembly. 
     
     
         39 . The ablation electrode assembly of  claim 36 , wherein the transverse surface is disposed within the fluid manifold. 
     
     
         40 . The ablation electrode assembly of  claim 36 , wherein the fluid manifold is further configured to create turbulence in the distal portion.