Multi-electrode ablator tip having dual-mode, omni-directional feedback capabilities

Abstract

Electrode assemblies include segmented electrodes disposed on a catheter. The segmented electrodes can be constructed at the tip of the catheter. Tip electrodes can be constructed from an electrically insulative substrate comprising an inner lumen, an external tip surface, and a plurality of channels extending from the inner lumen to the external tip surface, a plurality of segmented electrodes, and a plurality of spot electrodes. Each of the plurality of segmented electrodes and each of the plurality of spot electrodes can be laterally separated from each other by an electrically non-conductive substrate portion and each of the spot electrodes and each of the segmented electrodes can be electrically coupled to at least one wire or conductor trace.

1 .- 26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . A tip electrode comprising:
 an electrically insulative substrate comprising an inner lumen and an external tip surface, wherein the electrically insulative substrate comprises a rigid material;   a plurality of segmented ablation electrodes disposed on the electrically insulative substrate; and   a plurality of wire or conductor traces,   
       wherein each of the plurality of segmented ablation electrodes is coupled to at least one of the plurality of wire or conductor traces and wherein each of the plurality of segmented ablation electrodes are laterally separated from each other by an electrically insulative gap. 
     
     
         28 . The tip electrode according to  claim 27  further comprising a plurality of channels extending from the inner lumen to the external tip surface. 
     
     
         29 . The tip electrode according to  claim 27 , further comprising a plurality of thermal sensors, wherein at least one of the plurality of wire or conductor traces comprises a conductor pair and wherein one of the plurality of thermal sensor is electrically coupled to the conductor pair. 
     
     
         30 . The tip electrode according to  claim 27 , further comprising a plurality of spot electrodes disposed on the electrically insulative substrate. 
     
     
         31 . The tip electrode according to  claim 30 , wherein each of the plurality of spot electrodes are laterally separated from the plurality of segmented ablation electrodes by an electrically insulative gap. 
     
     
         32 . The tip electrode according to  claim 31 , wherein each of the spot electrodes are electrically coupled to at least one of the plurality of wire or conductor traces. 
     
     
         33 . The tip electrode according to  claim 31 , wherein at least one of the plurality of spot electrodes is disposed within the lateral confines of at least one of the plurality of segmented ablation electrodes. 
     
     
         34 . The tip electrode according to  claim 31 , further comprising a thermal sensor disposed adjacent one of the plurality of spot electrodes such that the thermal sensor can be electrically connected to a conductor pair electrically connected to the spot electrode. 
     
     
         35 . The tip electrode according to  claim 31 , wherein each of the spot electrodes is disposed within a separate segmented ablation electrode. 
     
     
         36 . The tip electrode according to  claim 27 , wherein each of the plurality of segmented ablation electrodes extend in a longitudinal direction along a length of the tip electrode. 
     
     
         37 . A system for ablating tissue comprising:
 a tip electrode comprising:
 an electrically insulative substrate comprising an inner lumen and an external tip surface; and 
 a plurality of segmented ablation electrodes, 
 wherein at least one of the plurality of segmented ablation electrodes is disposed on the electrically insulative substrate, wherein each of the plurality of segmented ablation electrodes are laterally separated from each other by an electrically insulative gap and wherein each of the segmented ablation electrodes are electrically coupled to at least one wire or conductor; and 
   an electronic control unit configured to control the plurality of segmented ablation electrodes to bipolar ablate cardiac tissue.   
     
     
         38 . The system according to  claim 37 , wherein the electronic control unit is configured to bipolar ablate cardiac tissue. 
     
     
         39 . The system according to  claim 37 , further comprising a plurality of spot electrodes disposed on the electrically insulative substrate. 
     
     
         40 . The system according to  claim 39 , wherein the electronic control unit is further configured to use the plurality of spot electrodes for at least one of: orientation independent sensing, pacing, location sensing/tracking, and local impedance sensing. 
     
     
         41 . The system according to  claim 39 , wherein at least one of the spot electrodes is disposed within one of the plurality of segmented ablation electrodes. 
     
     
         42 . The tip electrode according to  claim 39 , further comprising a thermal sensor disposed adjacent one of the plurality of spot electrodes such that the thermal sensor can be electrically connected to a conductor pair electrically connected to the spot electrode. 
     
     
         43 . A tip electrode comprising:
 an electrically insulative substrate comprising an inner lumen and an external tip surface;   a plurality of segmented ablation electrodes; and   a plurality of wire or conductor traces,   wherein at least one of the plurality of segmented ablation electrodes is disposed on the electrically insulative substrate, wherein each of the plurality of segmented ablation electrodes are laterally separated from each other by an electrically insulative gap, and wherein each of the segmented ablation electrodes are electrically coupled to at least one of the plurality of wire or conductor traces.   
     
     
         44 . The system according to  claim 43 , further comprising a plurality of spot electrodes disposed on the electrically insulative substrate. 
     
     
         45 . The system according to  claim 44 , wherein at least one of the spot electrodes is disposed within one of the plurality of segmented ablation electrodes. 
     
     
         46 . The tip electrode according to  claim 44 , further comprising a thermal sensor disposed adjacent one of the plurality of spot electrodes such that the thermal sensor can be electrically connected to a conductor pair electrically connected to the spot electrode.