Irrigated ablation catheter having parallel external flow and proximally tapered electrode

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention provide an irrigated catheter having irrigation fluid directed at a taper angle generally in parallel with a proximally tapered portion of the tip electrode to provide improved electrode surface cooling. In one embodiment, an irrigated ablation electrode assembly for use with an irrigated catheter device comprises a proximal member having at least one passageway for a fluid with an outlet disposed at an external surface of the proximal member; and a distal member connected with the proximal member and having an external surface, the distal member including an electrode. The external surface of the distal member has a tapered proximal portion narrowing toward the proximal member at a taper angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the distal member. The at least one passageway of the proximal member is configured to direct a fluid flow through the outlet in a distal direction at an angle substantially equal to the taper angle to produce an external flow that is generally parallel to the tapered proximal portion of the external surface of the distal member.