US5499981A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Flexible interlaced multiple electrode assemblies
Assignee: EP Technologies Inc
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Filing: 1994-03-04
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Granted: 1996-03-19
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Expires: 2014-03-04
Abstract
Abstract A flexible electrode circuit laces through a slit sleeve to expose electrodes outside the sleeve while enclosing the rest of the circuit within the sleeve. A stiffener member extends through the sleeve to support the sleeve and the flexible electrode circuit. The stiffener member is preferably connected to and constrained at opposite ends by a hub and a base to urge the stiffener member, the sleeve, and the electrode circuit into a predetermined curvilinear contour.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas F. Kordis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 13:37
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/68; A61B5/6846; A61B5/6847; A61B5/6852; A61B5/6858; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/1492; A61B5/24; A61B5/25; A61B5/279; A61B5/28; A61B5/283; A61B5/287; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/02; A61N1/04; A61N1/05; A61N1/056; A61N1/06; A61N5/00; A61N5/06; A61N5/0601; A61B2018/00053; A61B2018/0016; A61B2018/00214; A61B2018/00267; A61B2018/00315; A61B2018/00345; A61B2018/00351; A61B2018/00357; A61B2018/00571; A61B2018/00577; A61B2018/00636; A61B2018/00773; A61B2018/00839; A61B2018/0091; A61B18/1206; A61B2018/1246; A61B2018/1253; A61B2018/1405; A61B2018/1407; A61B2018/1435; A61B2218/00; A61B2218/001; A61B2218/002; A61B2562/00; A61B2562/04; A61B2562/043
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
108 words
An electrode assembly comprising a flexible electrode circuit having at least two spaced apart electrodes, a sleeve having a side wall enclosing an axial bore, at least two pairs of spaced apart slits in the side wall for receiving the flexible electrode circuit, the circuit being laced through the slits to expose an electrode between each pair of slits while enclosing the circuit between the electrodes within the sleeve bore and, a stiffener member extending through the axial bore of the sleeve to support the sleeve and the flexible electrode circuit, the sleeve being made from a material that has been heat-shrunk in place about the stiffener member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
108 words
An electrode assembly comprising a flexible electrode circuit having at least two spaced apart electrodes, a sleeve having a side wall enclosing an axial bore, at least two pairs of spaced apart slits in the side wall for receiving the flexible electrode circuit, the circuit being laced through the slits to expose an electrode between each pair of slits while enclosing the circuit between the electrodes within the sleeve bore and, a stiffener member extending through the axial bore of the sleeve to support the sleeve and the flexible electrode circuit, the sleeve being made from a material that has been heat-shrunk in place about the stiffener member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
An assembly according to claim 1 wherein the electrode circuit comprises a length of flexible ribbon cable carrying the electrodes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
An assembly according to claim 1 wherein the electrode circuit comprises a flexible substrate that carries an electric circuit including at least one electrode.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
An assembly according to claim 1 and further including a hub and a base, and wherein the stiffener member is connected to and constrained at opposite ends by the hub and the base to urge the stiffener member, the sleeve, and the electrode circuit into a predetermined curvilinear contour.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
An assembly according to claim 1 and further including a hub and a base, and wherein the stiffener member is connected to and constrained at opposite ends by the hub and the base to urge the stiffener member, the sleeve, and the electrode circuit into a predetermined curvilinear contour.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
An assembly according to claim 1 wherein the stiffener member is made from a metallic material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
An assembly according to claim 6 wherein the stiffener member is made from a nickel titanium material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
An assembly according to claim 1 wherein the stiffener member is generally rectilinear in cross section.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
178 words
A catheter comprising an electrode circuit comprising a flexible distal region carrying at least two electrodes and a second region extending from the distal region, a sleeve having a side wall enclosing an axial bore, at least two pairs of spaced apart slits in the side wall for receiving the flexible distal region of the electrode circuit, the distal region being laced through the slits to expose an electrode between each pair of slits, while locating the circuit between the electrodes within the sleeve bore, to create a laced distal region, the second region of the electrode circuit extending proximally from the laced distal region in the sleeve bore, a guide tube having a distal end and a proximal end, and a base supporting the laced distal region upon the distal end of the guide tube with the second region of the electrode circuit extending along and attached to the guide tube between its distal end and its proximal end the sleeve being made from a material that has been heat-shrunk in place about the laced distal region.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
178 words
A catheter comprising an electrode circuit comprising a flexible distal region carrying at least two electrodes and a second region extending from the distal region, a sleeve having a side wall enclosing an axial bore, at least two pairs of spaced apart slits in the side wall for receiving the flexible distal region of the electrode circuit, the distal region being laced through the slits to expose an electrode between each pair of slits, while locating the circuit between the electrodes within the sleeve bore, to create a laced distal region, the second region of the electrode circuit extending proximally from the laced distal region in the sleeve bore, a guide tube having a distal end and a proximal end, and a base supporting the laced distal region upon the distal end of the guide tube with the second region of the electrode circuit extending along and attached to the guide tube between its distal end and its proximal end the sleeve being made from a material that has been heat-shrunk in place about the laced distal region.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
A catheter according to claim 9 wherein the distal region of the electrode circuit comprises a length of flexible ribbon cable carrying the electrodes.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
A catheter according to claim 9 wherein the distal region of the electrode circuit comprises a flexible substrate that carries an electric circuit including the at least one electrode.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
A catheter according to claim 9 wherein the base supports a stiffener member extending through the axial bore of the sleeve to support the laced distal region.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
44 words
A catheter according to claim 12 and further including a hub, and wherein the stiffener member is connected to and constrained at opposite ends by the hub and the base to urge the stiffener member and laced distal region into a predetermined curvilinear contour.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
47 words
A catheter according to claim 13 and further including a hub and a base, and wherein the stiffener member is connected to and constrained at opposite ends by the hub and the base to urge the stiffener member and laced distal region into a predetermined curvilinear contour.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
A catheter according to claim 12 wherein the stiffener member is made from a metallic material.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
A catheter according to claim 12 wherein the stiffener member is made from a nickel titanium material.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
A catheter according to claim 12 wherein the stiffener member is generally rectilinear in cross section.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
214 words
A catheter comprising at least two electrode circuits each comprising a flexible distal region carrying at least two electrodes and a second region extending from the distal region, a sleeve for each electrode circuit, the sleeve having a side wall enclosing an axial bore, at least two pairs of spaced apart slits in the side wall for receiving the flexible distal region of the respective electrode circuit, the distal region being laced through the slits to expose an electrode between each pair of slits, while locating the circuit between the electrodes within the sleeve bore, to create a laced distal region for each electrode circuit, the second region of each electrode circuit extending proximally from the respective laced distal region in the respective sleeve bore, a stiffener member extending through the axial bore of each sleeve to support the respective laced distal region, a guide tube having a distal end and a proximal end a base carried by the distal end of the guide tube, a hub, the stiffener member being connected to and constrained at opposite ends by the hub and the base to urge the stiffener members and respective laced distal regions into a predetermined curvilinear contour, while orienting the stiffener members and respective laced distal regions in a circumferentially spaced relationship.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
214 words
A catheter comprising at least two electrode circuits each comprising a flexible distal region carrying at least two electrodes and a second region extending from the distal region, a sleeve for each electrode circuit, the sleeve having a side wall enclosing an axial bore, at least two pairs of spaced apart slits in the side wall for receiving the flexible distal region of the respective electrode circuit, the distal region being laced through the slits to expose an electrode between each pair of slits, while locating the circuit between the electrodes within the sleeve bore, to create a laced distal region for each electrode circuit, the second region of each electrode circuit extending proximally from the respective laced distal region in the respective sleeve bore, a stiffener member extending through the axial bore of each sleeve to support the respective laced distal region, a guide tube having a distal end and a proximal end a base carried by the distal end of the guide tube, a hub, the stiffener member being connected to and constrained at opposite ends by the hub and the base to urge the stiffener members and respective laced distal regions into a predetermined curvilinear contour, while orienting the stiffener members and respective laced distal regions in a circumferentially spaced relationship.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
A catheter according to claim 18 wherein the distal region of each electrode circuit comprises a length of flexible ribbon cable carrying the electrodes.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
29 words
A catheter according to claim 18 wherein the distal region of each electrode circuit comprises a flexible substrate that carries an electric circuit including the at least one electrode.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
16 words
A catheter according to claim 18 wherein the stiffener member is made from a metallic material.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
A catheter according to claim 18 wherein the stiffener member is made from a nickel titanium material.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
16 words
A catheter according to claim 18 wherein the stiffener member is generally rectilinear in cross section.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-03-19 | 1999-09-18 | 2000-03-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-03-19 | 2003-09-18 | 2004-03-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-03-19 | 2007-09-18 | 2008-03-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |