Catheter with Flow Diverter and Force Sensor

Abstract

A catheter probe comprises an insertion tube, and a distal end with a distal electrode, a force sensor to detect force on the distal electrode, and an irrigated electrode mounted on a coupling member of the force sensor, which has a tubular form surrounding a central space occupied by components, including force sensing coils. A fluid diverter that passes fluid to the proximal irrigated electrode is configured as an insert or an integrated projection of the coupling member, which configuration minimizes its space demand within the coupling member. Thus, the diameter of the distal end need not be increased. The fluid diverter has a proximal entry opening and a distal exit opening connected by a fluid passage with at least a radial branch and at least an axial branch. The irrigated electrode is mounted over the distal exit opening to receive fluid from the fluid passage.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A catheter probe, comprising:
 an insertion tube defining a longitudinal axis;   a distal electrode;   a proximal electrode;   a joint sensing assembly disposed between the insertion tube and the distal electrode, the joint sensing assembly including a transmitting coil and a plurality of receiving coils spaced apart along the longitudinal axis of the insertion tube,   a coupling member having a first portion coupled to the transmitting coil and a second portion coupled to the plurality of receiving coils, the second portion of the coupling member having a proximal portion with a central space and a proximal opening with a slot,   a diverter positioned in the slot, the diverter having a proximal entry opening and a distal exit opening, the diverter having a fluid passage with a radial branch and an axial branch; and   a first tubing extending from a proximal end of the insertion tube to the proximal entry opening of the diverter, the first tubing configured to supply irrigation fluid to the fluid passage, and the proximal electrode is mounted on the proximal portion of the joint sensing assembly and is positioned over the distal exit opening.   
     
     
         2 . The catheter probe of  claim 1 , wherein the diverter is configured as an insert affixed in the slot. 
     
     
         3 . The catheter probe of  claim 1 , wherein the coupling member includes a tubular form with a convex outer surface, and the diverter includes a convex outer surface. 
     
     
         4 . The catheter probe of  claim 1 , wherein the diverter includes an inner surface with a concavity. 
     
     
         5 . The catheter probe of  claim 1 , wherein the diverter includes an outer surface with an indent formation that extends around a peripheral edge of the outer surface. 
     
     
         6 . The catheter probe of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal electrode is configured with a side wall providing a space gap around the proximal portion. 
     
     
         7 . The catheter probe of  claim 1 , further comprising an insulating sheath mounted on the proximal portion and the diverter, the sheath having a through-hole aligned with the distal exit opening of the diverter. 
     
     
         8 . The catheter probe of  claim 1 , further comprising a second tubing extending from the proximal end of the insertion tube to the distal electrode, the second tubing configured to supply irrigation fluid to the distal electrode. 
     
     
         9 . The catheter probe of  claim 1 , wherein the transmitting coil and the plurality of receiving coils are housed in the central space. 
     
     
         10 . The catheter probe of  claim 9 , wherein the diverter is positioned in substantially the same axial plane as the receiving coils, but at a different azimuthal angle. 
     
     
         11 . The catheter probe of  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of receiving coils include three coils located in the same axial plane at different azimuthal angles about longitudinal axis, and have respective axes of symmetry generally parallel to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         12 . The catheter probe of  claim 11 , wherein the three receiving coils are spaced azimuthally at approximately 120° apart at the same radial distance from the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         13 . The catheter probe of  claim 12 , wherein the three receiving coils generate electrical signals in response to a magnetic field transmitted by coil  82  in order to measure a displacement of coupling member parallel to the longitudinal axis as well as to measure an angular deflection of the coupling member from the longitudinal axis.