Ep Technologies, Inc.

Gloria Alvarez

Stuart D Edwards

Russell B Thompson

Russell A Houser

Jerome D Jackson

Thomas M Bourne

Michael Idaomi

Jeffrey N Reynolds

A cardiac ablation catheter has an energy emitting surface for thermally destroying tissue. The surface normally presents a compact, low profile for introduction into the heart. Once introduced, the energy emitting surface can be significantly enlarged. The enlarged surface emits ablation energy sufficient to create a lesion that is significantly larger in terms of volume and geometry than the surface's initial low profile would provide.

Large surface cardiac ablation catherter that assumes a low profile during introduction into the heart

Large surface cardiac ablation catheter that assumes a low profile

A catheter having an elongated polymeric body with hollow encircling ring electrodes thereon and a method of forming the same are provided by the invention. Ring electrodes are each connected to an external electrical circuit by wires extending through the lumen, the wires each passing through an aperture through a wall of the body and being connected to an interior surface of the ring electrode. The tubular body of the catheter is expanded into a tight interference fit with the interior surfaces of the ring electrodes by heating the body to a temperature approaching its glass transition temperature to permit relief of internal stresses.

Catheter having ring electrodes secured thereon

Method of securing ring electrodes onto catheter

Growing community of inventors

Tracy, CA, United States of America

Gloria Alvarez