CATHETER AND METHOD FOR MAPPING PURKINJE FIBERS

摘要

An improved catheter is provided that is particularly useful for mapping thePurkinje fibers for potential diagnosis of ventricular fibrillation. Thecatheter comprises anelongated catheter body having proximal and distal ends and at least one lumenextendinglongitudinally therethrough. Mounted at the distal end of the catheter body isa mappingassembly having at least two spines, each having a proximal end attached atthe distal endof the catheter body and a free distal end. Each spine comprises at least oneelectrode,preferably a tip electrode and at least one ring electrode. An irrigation tubeextendsthrough the catheter body and has an open distal end that is in communicationwith theoutside of the distal end of the catheter body. The spines may be arranged inan expandedarrangement wherein each spine extends radially outwardly from the catheterbody or in acollapsed arrangement wherein each spine is disposed generally along thelongitudinal axisof the catheter body. In use, at least one electrode from each spine ispositioned in contactwith heart tissue to map the electrical activity of the heart. The locationsensors are used todetermine the location of each point where the electrical activity ismonitored.