Ablation catheter with cooled linear electrode

Abstract

The ablation catheter is comprised of a guiding catheter and an inner catheter. The guiding catheter is comprised of a shaft section which is attached to an articulating section at its distal end and a first handle at its proximal end. The inner catheter is comprised of an elongated central shaft, an electrode assembly attached to the distal end of the central shaft, and a second handle attached to the proximal end of the central shaft. The electrode assembly is comprised of a flexible plastic catheter tube having an outer surface, a porous tip electrode, and at least one linear electrode carried on the outer surface of the catheter tube. The electrode assembly is articulated to better align the electrode assembly to the generally arcuate shape of the inner chambers of the heart.

1 . An ablation catheter, which catheter comprises: 
 a flexible plastic catheter tube; and    at least one linear electrode comprising a tubular array of conductive metal strands carried by said catheter tube, which catheter has a first steering mechanism; and a guiding catheter having a lumen occupied by said ablation catheter, said guiding catheter having a second steering mechanism.    
   
   
       2 . The catheter of  claim 1  in which said plastic catheter tube extends through said tubular array of conductive metal strands, said catheter tube defining a plurality of apertures to permit the flow of cooling fluid from the lumen of the catheter tube and through said apertures, to flow among said conductive metal strands.  
   
   
       3 . The catheter of  claim 2  in which a porous second electrode connects with one end of the plastic catheter tube.  
   
   
       4 . The catheter of  claim 1  in which a porous second electrode connects with one end of the plastic catheter tube.