Catheter with distal section having side-by-side loops

Abstract

The catheter allows mapping and/or ablation of the area around two or more PV ostia at the same time, with a single placement of a distal section of the catheter having a 2D configuration resembling an infinity or lazy 8 symbol. The catheter has an elongated catheter body, a distal section having at least a flexible elongated member with shape memory, the member being configured to assume a 2D configuration resembling an infinity symbol, and at least one electrode mounted on the member. The 2D configuration resembles a first loop and a second loop, wherein the first and second loops are side-by-side, generally extending in a common plane.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A catheter comprising:
 an elongated catheter body having a longitudinal axis;   at least first and second elongated members with shape memory extending from a distal end of the elongated catheter body, the at least first and second elongated members being configured to assume a 2D configuration resembling an infinity symbol, wherein the first elongated member is configured to form a first loop terminating in a first free distal end of the first elongated member and the second elongated member is configured to form a second loop terminating in a second free distal end of the second elongated member, the first and second elongated members defining an angle of about 180 degrees from each other to form the 2D configuration comprising the first and second loops extending in a common plane; and   at least one electrode mounted on each of the first and second elongated members.   
     
     
         2 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second loops are side-by-side, generally extending in the common plane. 
     
     
         3 . The catheter of  claim 1 , further comprising a deflection section distal of the elongated catheter body such that the first and second elongated members extend from a distal end of the deflection section. 
     
     
         4 . The catheter of  claim 3 , wherein the 2D configuration and the deflection section are generally in a common plane. 
     
     
         5 . The catheter of  claim 3 , wherein the 2D configuration and the deflection section are generally perpendicular to each other. 
     
     
         6 . The catheter of  claim 3 , wherein the 2D configuration and the deflection section are at an angle relative to each other. 
     
     
         7 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second loops have different sizes and/or shapes. 
     
     
         8 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second loops is independently about 270 degrees. 
     
     
         9 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one electrode mounted on each of the first and second elongated members comprises a ring electrode mounted on the first and second loops. 
     
     
         10 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one electrode mounted on each of the first and second elongated members comprises a tip electrode at the first and second free distal ends of the first and second elongated members, respectively. 
     
     
         11 . A catheter comprising:
 an elongated catheter body having a longitudinal axis;   at least first and second elongated members with shape memory extending from a distal end of the elongated catheter body, the at least first and second elongated members being configured to assume a 2D configuration resembling an infinity symbol, wherein the first elongated member is configured to form a first loop terminating in a first free distal end of the first elongated member and the second elongated member is configured to form a second loop terminating in a second free distal end of the second elongated member, the first and second loops being separated by an angle of about 180 degrees to form the 2D configuration in which the first and second loops extend in a common plane; and   at least one electrode mounted on each of the first and second members.   
     
     
         12 . The catheter of  claim 11 , further comprising a deflection section distal of the elongated catheter body such that the first and second elongated members extend from a distal end of the deflection section. 
     
     
         13 . The catheter of  claim 12 , wherein the 2D configuration and the deflection section are generally in a common plane. 
     
     
         14 . The catheter of  claim 12 , wherein the 2D configuration and the deflection section are generally perpendicular to each other. 
     
     
         15 . The catheter of  claim 12 , wherein the 2D configuration and the deflection section are at an angle relative to each other. 
     
     
         16 . The catheter of  claim 11 , wherein the first and second loops have different sizes and/or shapes. 
     
     
         17 . The catheter of  claim 11 , wherein each of the first and second loops is independently about 270 degrees. 
     
     
         18 . The catheter of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one electrode mounted on each of the first and second elongated members is mounted on the first and second loops. 
     
     
         19 . The catheter of  claim 11 , wherein each of the first and second elongated members is configured to curve back on itself into the respective first or second loop upon deployment from the distal end of the elongated catheter body. 
     
     
         20 . The catheter of  claim 19 , wherein the first and second loops are configured to separate from each other upon deployment from the distal end of the elongated catheter body by pivoting outwardly from their proximal ends in opposite directions.