Catheter having a distal section with spring sections for biased deflection

Abstract

A catheter has a distal section that includes a spring member having at least a slot, a rib and a spine for biasing the distal section for deflection within a single plane. Depending on the plurality and orientation of slot(s), rib(s) and spine(s)s, the distal section can allow for deflection in two opposing directions while allowing only limited deflection in perpendicular directions to maintain torquability, axial loading capabilities, and side force performance.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A catheter, comprising:
 an elongated catheter body;   a distal section distal the catheter body, the distal section comprising:
 a spring member having an elongated hollow body defining a longitudinal axis and a lumen extending along the length, the spring member having at least one first section and at least one second section, the at least one second section having at least two spines extending longitudinally respectively along a first side and a second side of the spring member, and at least two rows of ribs defined by slots extending respectively along a third and a fourth side of the spring member, the ribs and the slots being transverse to the longitudinal axis; 
 at least one ring electrode carried on the at least one first section of the spring member; and 
 at least one support member positioned in the lumen in the at least one first section of the spring member to support the at least one ring electrode, 
   wherein the spring member is more compressible in the second section bi-directionally in a plane intersecting the first and second sides, and less compressible in the second section in a plane intersecting the third and fourth sides.   
     
     
         2 . A catheter of  claim 1 , further comprising an irrigation tubing extending through the catheter body, into the distal section through the lumen of the spring member and reaching the at least one first section so as to provide a fluid passage to the at least one ring electrode. 
     
     
         3 . A catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the slots and ribs of each row are aligned with each other. 
     
     
         4 . A catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the slots and ribs of each row are offset from each other. 
     
     
         5 . A catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the first section is devoid of slots and ribs. 
     
     
         6 . A catheter of  claim 1 , wherein a coil sensor is wound around an outer surface of the at least one support member. 
     
     
         7 . A catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the coil sensor is wound in a groove formed in an outer surface of the at least one support member.