| abstract |
A mapping and ablation distal vascular catheter arrangement is disclosed which is suitable for association with a vascular catheter system and which includes a segmented mapping/ablation electrode system in which the lesion size including length, width and depth is made flexible and the ability to discretely map localized electrical activity using the same is preserved. The electrode system includes a plurality of serially spaced individual electrodes on the surface of a distal working catheter area which can be utilized together to produce the effect of an elongated segmented ablation electrode or individually utilized to map local electrical activity. A control system or device is provided that allows the individual electrodes to be connected to one or more receiving/recording/display devices in any desired pattern. That is, recording or mapping may be conducted using any configuration of electrodes for receiving signals. This allows signals or propagated wavefronts to be detected between the most likely electrodes, i.e., the tissue of interest to be used. The control system further permits ganging of the electrodes in any manner when connected to a source of RF ablation energy. |