| abstract |
A multi-electrode ablation catheter comprises a plurality of thick-walled gold alloy electrodes mounted on the tip section of an elongated electrophysiology catheter. Each electrode is electrically connected to a switching unit by leads comprising paired copper and constantan wires. The switching unit is electrically connected to an RF generator, a temperature monitor and an ECG monitor. The switching unit enables an operator to switch between a first mode for monitoring ECG and a second mode for delivering RF energy for tissue ablation to a selected electrode and monitoring the temperature of that electrode. The copper wire of the lead delivers RF energy and the copper wire and constantan wire combine to form a thermocouple for temperature monitoring. |