Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
151 words
An RF ablation catheter of the type comprising a flexible elongate catheter body (10) having at least one lumen (40) therethrough and having a proximal handle end (24) and a distal tip section (16) adapted to be introduced into a heart chamber, at least one electrical conductor extending from said handle (24) to said distal tip section (16) within said at least one lumen (40) for conduction of RF energy, and a distal tip electrode (20) coupled to the distal end section of the catheter body (10) and electrically coupled with said at least one electrical conductor, wherein said distal tip electrode (20) is formed with: means for providing a slip resistant, field focusing distal tip electrode exterior contour for maintaining a position of the distal tip electrode (20) bearing against the endocardium of the patient's heart, without penetrating the myocardium thereof, achieved through manipulation of the catheter distal tip section.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
88 words
The RF ablation catheter of Claim 1 wherein: said distal tip electrode (20) is formed of a generally cylindrical, electrically conductive, electrode body having a hemispheric end and a tubular side wall (96) at the distal end of said catheter body; and said exterior contour providing means further comprises: an axially disposed depression (86) in said hemispheric end; and at least one annular groove (82,84) cut in said hemispheric end between said axially disposed depression (86) and said side wall (96) and encircling said axially disposed depression (86).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
101 words
The RF ablation catheter of Claim 1 wherein: said distal tip electrode is formed of a generally cylindrical, electrically conductive, electrode body having a hemispheric end and a tubular side wall (96) at the distal end of said catheter body; and said exterior contour providing means further comprises: an axially disposed depression (86) in said hemispheric end; and a plurality of annular grooves (82,84) formed in said hemispheric end between said axially disposed depression and said side wall and encircling said axially disposed depression forming said hemispheric end into a plurality of annular ridges (92,94) surrounding said axially disposed depression (86).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
63 words
The RF ablation catheter of Claim 1 wherein: said distal tip electrode is formed of a generally cylindrical, electrically conductive, electrode body having a hemispheric end and a tubular side wall (96) at the distal end of said catheter body; and said exterior contour providing means further comprises a plurality of annular grooves (82,84) formed in said hemispheric end forming annular ridges (92,94).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
59 words
The RF ablation catheter of Claim 1 wherein: said distal tip electrode is formed of a generally cylindrical, electrically conductive, electrode body having a hemispheric end and a tubular side wall (96) at the distal end of said catheter body; and said exterior contour providing means further comprises at least one annular groove (82,84) formed in said hemispheric end.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The RF ablation catheter of Claim 5 wherein said annular groove (82,84) is formed with groove walls at an angle of about 60 - 70 degrees to the surface of the hemispheric end.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
68 words
The RF ablation catheter of Claim 1 wherein: said distal tip electrode is formed of a generally cylindrical, electrically conductive, electrode body having a hemispheric end and a tubular side wall at the distal end of said catheter body; and said exterior contour providing means further comprises at least one spiral groove (100) in the surface of the hemispheric end and side wall (96) of the electrode body.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The RF ablation catheter of Claim 7 wherein said electrode body is formed with an axially disposed depression in said hemispheric end.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
65 words
The RF ablation catheter of Claim 1 wherein: said distal tip electrode is formed of a generally cylindrical, electrically conductive, electrode body having a hemispheric end and a tubular side wall (96) at the distal end of said catheter body; and said exterior contour providing means further comprises a plurality of depressions (104) formed in the surface of the hemispheric end of the electrode body.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The RF ablation catheter of Claim 9 wherein said plurality of depressions comprise annular depressions.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
64 words
The RF ablation catheter of Claim 1 wherein: said distal tip electrode is formed of a generally cylindrical, electrically conductive, electrode body having a hemispheric end and a tubular side wall at the distal end of said catheter body; and said exterior contour providing means further comprises a plurality of depressions (104) formed in the surface of the side wall of the electrode body.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The RF ablation catheter of Claim 11 wherein said plurality of depressions comprise a plurality of elongate grooves (102) formed extending along said tubular side wall.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The RF ablation catheter of Claim 12 wherein said plurality of elongate grooves (102) formed extend along said tubular side wall and into said hemispheric end.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
The RF ablation catheter of Claim 11 wherein: said exterior contour providing means further comprises a plurality of depressions formed in the surface of the hemispheric end of the electrode body.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The RF ablation catheter of Claim 14 wherein said plurality of depressions comprise annular depressions (82,84).
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The RF ablation catheter of Claim 11 wherein said plurality of depressions comprise a plurality of elongate grooves formed extending along said tubular side wall.