Elongate medical device including chamfered ring electrode and variable shaft

Abstract

An elongate medical device shaft may comprise an elongate body and an annular electrode disposed on the elongate body. The annular electrode may define a longitudinal axis and have an outer diameter. The outer diameter may be greater at an axial center of the electrode than at an axial end of the electrode. Additionally or alternatively, the elongate body may comprise three longitudinal sections having three wall thicknesses. The middle wall thickness may be less than the proximal and distal wall thicknesses and the distal wall thickness may be less than the proximal wall thickness. Additionally or alternatively, the shaft may comprise an inner cylindrical structure and an outer tube. The outer tube may comprise a first radial layer and a second radial layer that is radially-outward of the first radial layer, the first radial layer, second radial layer, and inner structure having different stiffnesses.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . An elongate medical device assembly comprising:
 an elongate shaft body having an outer diameter; and   at least one annular electrode configured to deliver ablative energy, the at least one annular electrode disposed on the elongate shaft body, the at least one annular electrode comprising a first edge and a second edge, the first edge comprising a rounded edge which extends around a circumference of the at least one annular electrode;   wherein the outer diameter of the first edge is less than an outer diameter of an axial center of the at least one annular electrode.   
     
     
         20 . The elongate medical device assembly of  claim 19 , wherein the first edge comprises a radially-inward edge or a radially-outward edge. 
     
     
         21 . The elongate medical device assembly of  claim 19 , wherein the second edge comprises a rounded edge which extends around the circumference of the annular electrode and an outer diameter of the second edge is less than an outer diameter of the axial center of the annular electrode. 
     
     
         22 . The elongate medical device assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the first edge comprises a radially-inward edge and the second edge comprises a radially-outward edge. 
     
     
         23 . The elongate medical device assembly of  claim 19 , wherein the at least one annular electrode is configured to deliver at least one of radiofrequency ablative energy and high intensity focused ultrasound ablative energy. 
     
     
         24 . The elongate medical device assembly of  claim 19 , wherein the elongate shaft body comprises a plurality of flexible spines, and wherein the at least one annular electrode is disposed on at least one of the plurality of spines. 
     
     
         25 . The elongate medical device assembly of  claim 24 , wherein the plurality of flexible spines form a basket assembly. 
     
     
         26 . The elongate medical device assembly of  claim 25 , further comprising an introducer, wherein the basket assembly is configured to be advanced and retracted from the introducer. 
     
     
         27 . The elongate medical device assembly of  claim 19 , wherein a length of the annular electrode is about 1 millimeter to about 1.3 millimeter. 
     
     
         28 . The elongate medical device assembly of  claim 19 , wherein the at least one annular electrode is disposed on the elongate shaft body. 
     
     
         29 . An elongate medical device assembly comprising:
 an elongate shaft body having an outer diameter; and   at least one annular electrode configured to deliver ablative energy, the at least one annular electrode disposed on the elongate shaft body, the at least one annular electrode comprising a first edge and a second edge, the first edge comprising a chamfer edge which extends around a circumference of the at least one annular electrode;   wherein the outer diameter of the first edge is less than an outer diameter of an axial center of the at least one annular electrode.   
     
     
         30 . The elongate medical device assembly of  claim 29 , wherein the first edge comprises a radially-inward edge or a radially-outward edge. 
     
     
         31 . The elongate medical device assembly of  claim 29 , wherein the second edge comprises a chamfer edge which extends around the circumference of the annular electrode and an outer diameter of the second edge is less than an outer diameter of the axial center of the annular electrode. 
     
     
         32 . The elongate medical device assembly of  claim 31 , wherein the first edge comprises a radially-inward edge and the second edge comprises a radially-outward edge. 
     
     
         33 . The elongate medical device assembly of  claim 29 , wherein the chamfer edge is a partial chamfer which extends over less than a full thickness of the annular electrode. 
     
     
         34 . The elongate medical device assembly of  claim 29 , wherein the chamfer edge is a full chamfer which extends over a full thickness of the annular electrode. 
     
     
         35 . The elongate medical device assembly of  claim 29 , wherein the at least one annular electrode is configured to deliver at least one of radiofrequency ablative energy and high intensity focused ultrasound ablative energy. 
     
     
         36 . The elongate medical device assembly of  claim 29 , wherein the elongate shaft body comprises a plurality of flexible spines, and wherein the at least one annular electrode is disposed on at least one of the plurality of spines. 
     
     
         37 . The elongate medical device assembly of  claim 29 , wherein a length of the annular electrode is about 1 millimeter to about 1.3 millimeter. 
     
     
         38 . The elongate medical device assembly of  claim 29 , wherein the at least one annular electrode is disposed on the elongate shaft body.