Ablation catheter

Abstract

An ablation catheter 10 includes an elongate carrier 12. A first loop 14.1 is arranged at, or adjacent, a distal end of the carrier 12. At least one sensing electrode 40 is carried on the first loop 14.1 for sensing irregular electrical activity in a patient's body. At least one further loop 14.2 is arranged proximally relative to the first loop 14.1 on the carrier 12 in a fixed orientation relative to the first loop 14.1. At least one ablating electrode 42 is carried on the second loop 14.2 for ablating a site of the patient's body where irregular electrical activity occurs.

1 - 27 . (canceled) 
   
   
       28 . An ablation catheter which includes
 an elongate carrier defining an outer periphery, the elongate carrier comprising a tubular member defining a lumen, electrical conductors arranged about a part of the tubular member defining the lumen and the conductors being covered with a coating of an insulating material so that the conductors are embedded in a wall of the tubular member with the coating defining the outer periphery of the tubular member; and   at least one ablating electrode carried on the outer periphery, the at least one ablating electrode being shaped to be on an operatively outer part only of the carrier and being in electrical communication with at least some of the conductors of the carrier by removal of a part of the coating of insulating material with the at least one electrode overlying the opening.   
   
   
       29 . The catheter of  claim 28  in which the outer periphery of the carrier is a radially outer part of at least one loop defined by the carrier and the at least one electrode is carried partially about the radially outer part of the at least one loop. 
   
   
       30 . The catheter of  claim 28  in which the at least one electrode is of semi-cylindrical shape.