Patent US5928228A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5928228A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flexible high density multiple electrode circuit assemblies employing ribbon cable
Assignee: EP Technologies Inc
•
Filing: 1997-02-18
•
Granted: 1999-07-27
•
Expires: 2017-02-18
Abstract
Abstract An electrode circuit has a distal region for carrying at least one electrode, a proximal region for connection to external apparatus, and an intermediate region electrically coupling the distal region with the proximal region. At least one, and preferably all, of the regions comprises flexible ribbon cable having two or more adjacent tracks of electrical conduction material and adjoining electrical insulating material. Use of ribbon cable make possible highly dense, extremely reliable electrical connections. Its reliability and density obviate the need for complicated multiplexing schemes at the distal region. Instead, less complicated, proximal multiplexing schemes can be used.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas F. Kordis
- 👤 Dorin Panescu
- 👤 David K. Swanson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 03:39
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/68; A61B5/6846; A61B5/6847; A61B5/6852; A61B5/6858; A61B5/24; A61B5/25; A61B5/279; A61B5/28; A61B5/283; A61B5/287; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/1492; A61B2018/00053; A61B2018/00214; A61B2018/00267; A61B2018/1405; A61B2018/1407; A61B2018/1435; A61B2562/00; A61B2562/04; A61B2562/043
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 56
Claim 1
Independent Claim
142 words
An electrode assembly for a catheter for diagnostic evaluation or therapeutic treatment of endocardial tissue, comprising an electrode circuit having a distal region for carrying at least one electrode, a proximal region for connection to external apparatus, and an intermediate region electrically coupling the distal region with the proximal region, at least one of the distal region, the proximal region, and the intermediate region includes flexible ribbon cable comprising two or more adjacent tracks of electrical conduction material and adjoining electrical insulating material, wherein the distal region comprises a length of the flexible ribbon cable, and further includes a stiffener member supporting the length of flexible ribbon cable, and a hub and a base, wherein the stiffener member is connected to and constrained at opposite ends by the hub and the base to urge the stiffener member into a predetermined curvilinear contour.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
142 words
An electrode assembly for a catheter for diagnostic evaluation or therapeutic treatment of endocardial tissue, comprising an electrode circuit having a distal region for carrying at least one electrode, a proximal region for connection to external apparatus, and an intermediate region electrically coupling the distal region with the proximal region, at least one of the distal region, the proximal region, and the intermediate region includes flexible ribbon cable comprising two or more adjacent tracks of electrical conduction material and adjoining electrical insulating material, wherein the distal region comprises a length of the flexible ribbon cable, and further includes a stiffener member supporting the length of flexible ribbon cable, and a hub and a base, wherein the stiffener member is connected to and constrained at opposite ends by the hub and the base to urge the stiffener member into a predetermined curvilinear contour.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
An assembly according to claim 1 wherein the stiffener member is made from metallic material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
An assembly according to claim 1 wherein the stiffener member is made from nickel titanium material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
An assembly according to claim 1 wherein the stiffener member is generally rectilinear in cross section.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
165 words
An electrode assembly for a catheter for diagnostic evaluation or therapeutic treatment of endocardial tissue, comprising an electrode circuit having a distal region for carrying at least one electrode, a proximal region for connection to external apparatus, and an intermediate region electrically coupling the distal region with the proximal region, at least one of the distal region, the proximal region, and the intermediate region includes flexible ribbon cable comprising two or more adjacent tracks of electrical conduction material and adjoining electrical insulating material, wherein the distal region includes a flexible substrate that carries an electric circuit including the at least one electrode, wherein the intermediate region includes a length of the flexible ribbon cable electrically coupled to the electrical circuit of the flexible substrate, a stiffener member supporting the flexible substrate, and a hub and a base, wherein the stiffener member is connected to and constrained at opposite ends by the hub and the base to urge the stiffener member into a predetermined curvilinear contour.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
165 words
An electrode assembly for a catheter for diagnostic evaluation or therapeutic treatment of endocardial tissue, comprising an electrode circuit having a distal region for carrying at least one electrode, a proximal region for connection to external apparatus, and an intermediate region electrically coupling the distal region with the proximal region, at least one of the distal region, the proximal region, and the intermediate region includes flexible ribbon cable comprising two or more adjacent tracks of electrical conduction material and adjoining electrical insulating material, wherein the distal region includes a flexible substrate that carries an electric circuit including the at least one electrode, wherein the intermediate region includes a length of the flexible ribbon cable electrically coupled to the electrical circuit of the flexible substrate, a stiffener member supporting the flexible substrate, and a hub and a base, wherein the stiffener member is connected to and constrained at opposite ends by the hub and the base to urge the stiffener member into a predetermined curvilinear contour.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
An assembly according to claim 5 wherein the stiffener member is made from a metallic material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
An assembly according to claim 5 wherein the stiffener member is made from a nickel titanium material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
An assembly according to claim 5 wherein the stiffener member is generally rectilinear in cross section.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
70 words
An electrode assembly for a catheter for diagnostic evaluation or therapeutic treatment of endocardial tissue, comprising a length of flexible ribbon cable comprising two or more adjacent tracks of electrical conductive wire and adjoining electrical insulating material, a region on at least one of the tracks where the conductive wire is exposed, and an electrode comprising electrical conducting material overlying the region and electrically coupled to the exposed conductive wire.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
70 words
An electrode assembly for a catheter for diagnostic evaluation or therapeutic treatment of endocardial tissue, comprising a length of flexible ribbon cable comprising two or more adjacent tracks of electrical conductive wire and adjoining electrical insulating material, a region on at least one of the tracks where the conductive wire is exposed, and an electrode comprising electrical conducting material overlying the region and electrically coupled to the exposed conductive wire.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
47 words
An electrode assembly according to claim 9 wherein the ribbon cable has a width formed by the adjacent tracks and adjoining electrical insulating material, and wherein the electrode extends across the width of the ribbon cable, overlying the region and a contiguous area of the adjacent track.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
An electrode assembly according to claim 9 wherein the electrode is deposited upon the region.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
48 words
An electrode assembly according to claim 11 wherein the ribbon cable has a width formed by the adjacent tracks and adjoining electrical insulating material, and wherein the electrode is deposited across the width of the ribbon cable, overlying the region and a contiguous area of the adjacent track.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
An electrode assembly according to claim 11 wherein the electrode comprises an undercoat deposition of titanium and an overcoat deposition of platinum.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
An electrode assembly according to claim 11 wherein the electrode comprises a deposition of an alloy of platinum and iridium.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
An electrode assembly according to claim 11 wherein the electrode is about 5 to about 200 microinches thick.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
An electrode assembly according to claim 9 and further including a stiffener member supporting the length of ribbon cable and the overlying electrode.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
44 words
An electrode assembly according to claim 16 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 into a predetermined curvilinear contour.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
An assembly according to claim 16 wherein the stiffener member is made from a metallic material.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
An assembly according to claim 16 wherein the stiffener member is made from a nickel titanium material.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
An assembly according to claim 16 wherein the stiffener member is generally rectilinear in cross section.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
156 words
An electrode assembly for a catheter for diagnostic evaluation or therapeutic treatment of endocardial tissue, comprising a length of flexible ribbon cable comprising first and second adjacent tracks of electrical conductive wire and adjoining electrical insulating material, a first region on the first track where the conductive wire is exposed, a second region on the second track where the conductive wire is exposed, the first and second regions being longitudinally spaced apart along the length of the ribbon cable by the adjoining electrical insulating material, a first electrode comprising an electrical conducting material overlying the first region and electrically coupled to the exposed conductive wire in the first track, but not to the exposed conductive wire in the second track, and a second electrode comprising an electrical conducting material overlying the second region and electrically coupled to the exposed conductive wire in the second track, but not to the exposed conductive wire in the first track.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
156 words
An electrode assembly for a catheter for diagnostic evaluation or therapeutic treatment of endocardial tissue, comprising a length of flexible ribbon cable comprising first and second adjacent tracks of electrical conductive wire and adjoining electrical insulating material, a first region on the first track where the conductive wire is exposed, a second region on the second track where the conductive wire is exposed, the first and second regions being longitudinally spaced apart along the length of the ribbon cable by the adjoining electrical insulating material, a first electrode comprising an electrical conducting material overlying the first region and electrically coupled to the exposed conductive wire in the first track, but not to the exposed conductive wire in the second track, and a second electrode comprising an electrical conducting material overlying the second region and electrically coupled to the exposed conductive wire in the second track, but not to the exposed conductive wire in the first track.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
74 words
An electrode assembly according to claim 21 wherein the ribbon cable has a width formed by the adjacent first and second tracks and adjoining electrical insulating material, wherein the first electrode extends across the width of the ribbon cable, overlying the first region and the adjacent second track, and wherein the second electrode extends across the width of the ribbon cable, overlying the second region and a contiguous area of the adjacent first track.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
15 words
An electrode assembly according to claim 21 wherein the electrode is deposited upon the region.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
77 words
An electrode assembly according to claim 22 wherein the ribbon cable has a width formed by the adjacent tracks and adjoining electrical insulating material, wherein the first electrode is deposited across the width of the ribbon cable, overlying the first region and a contiguous area of the adjacent second track, and wherein the second electrode is deposited across the width of the ribbon cable, overlying the second region and a contiguous area of the adjacent first track.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
26 words
An electrode assembly according to claim 23 wherein the first and second electrodes each comprise an undercoat deposition of titanium and an overcoat deposition of platinum.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
24 words
An electrode assembly according to claim 23 wherein the first and second electrodes each comprise a deposition of an alloy of platinum and iridium.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
21 words
An electrode assembly according to claim 23 wherein the first and second electrodes are each about 5 to 200 microinches thick.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
26 words
An electrode assembly according to claim 21 and further including a stiffener member supporting the length of ribbon cable and the overlying first and second electrodes.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
44 words
An electrode assembly according to claim 28 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 into a predetermined curvilinear contour.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
16 words
An assembly according to claim 28 wherein the stiffener member is made from a metallic material.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
17 words
An assembly according to claim 28 wherein the stiffener member is made from a nickle titanium material.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
16 words
An assembly according to claim 28 wherein the stiffener member is generally rectilinear in cross section.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
25 words
A catheter comprising a guide body having a distal end, and an electrode assembly according to claim 9 or 21 supported at the distal end.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
24 words
A catheter according to claim 33 and further including a stiffener member supporting the electrode assembly beyond the distal end of the guide body.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
52 words
A catheter according to claim 34 and further including a base carried by the distal end of the catheter body and a hub, wherein the stiffener member includes proximal and distal ends attached to constrained by, respectively, the base and the hub to urge the stiffener member into a predetermined curvilinear contour.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
16 words
A catheter according to claim 34 wherein the stiffener member is made from a metallic material.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
17 words
A catheter according to claim 34 wherein the stiffener member is made from a nickle titanium material.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
16 words
A catheter according to claim 34 wherein the stiffener member is generally rectilinear in cross section.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
170 words
A catheter for diagnostic evaluation or therapeutic treatment of endocardial tissue, comprising a guide body having a proximal end and a distal end, a handle attached to the proximal end of the guide body, an electrode assembly comprising a distal region carrying at least one electrode attached to the distal end of the guide body, an intermediate region extending from the distal region and carried by the guide body between its distal and proximal ends, and a proximal region extending from the intermediate region and carried by the handle, wherein at least one of the distal region, the proximal region, and the intermediate region of the electrode assembly comprises a length of flexible ribbon cable, the ribbon cable comprising two or mare adjacent tracks of electrical conduction material and adjoining electrical insulating material, and a multiplexer carried by the handle, the multiplexer including an input electrically coupled to the proximal region of the electrode assembly in the handle and an output electrically coupled to a connector member outside the handle.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
170 words
A catheter for diagnostic evaluation or therapeutic treatment of endocardial tissue, comprising a guide body having a proximal end and a distal end, a handle attached to the proximal end of the guide body, an electrode assembly comprising a distal region carrying at least one electrode attached to the distal end of the guide body, an intermediate region extending from the distal region and carried by the guide body between its distal and proximal ends, and a proximal region extending from the intermediate region and carried by the handle, wherein at least one of the distal region, the proximal region, and the intermediate region of the electrode assembly comprises a length of flexible ribbon cable, the ribbon cable comprising two or mare adjacent tracks of electrical conduction material and adjoining electrical insulating material, and a multiplexer carried by the handle, the multiplexer including an input electrically coupled to the proximal region of the electrode assembly in the handle and an output electrically coupled to a connector member outside the handle.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
44 words
A catheter according to claim 39 wherein the distal region, the proximal region, and the intermediate region of the electrode assembly includes a continuous length of flexible ribbon cable comprising two or more adjacent tracks of electrical conduction material and adjoining electrical insulating material.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
28 words
A catheter according to claim 39 and further including a stiffener member supporting the length of flexible ribbon cable that comprises the distal end of the electrode assembly.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
43 words
A catheter according to claim 41 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 into a predetermined curvilinear contour.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
16 words
A catheter according to claim 41 wherein the stiffener member is made from a metallic material.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
17 words
A catheter according to claim 41 wherein the stiffener member is made from a nickle titanium material.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
16 words
A catheter according to claim 41 wherein the stiffener member is generally rectilinear in cross section.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
62 words
A catheter according to claim 39 wherein the distal region includes a flexible substrate that carries an electric circuit including the at least one electrode, and wherein the intermediate and proximal regions include a continuous length of the flexible ribbon cable electrically coupled at one end to the electrical circuit of the flexible substrate and to the other end to the multiplexer.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
16 words
A catheter according to claim 46 and further including a stiffener member supporting the flexible substrate.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
43 words
A catheter according to claim 47 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 into a predetermined curvilinear contour.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
16 words
A catheter according to claim 47 wherein the stiffener member is made from a metallic material.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
17 words
A catheter according to claim 47 wherein the stiffener member is made from a nickle titanium material.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
16 words
A catheter according to claim 47 wherein the stiffener member is generally rectilinear in cross section.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3557794A
Cited
US4461304A
Cited
US5010894A
Cited
US5343860A
Cited
US5156151A
Cited
US5201903A
Cited
US5515848A
Cited
US5524338A
Cited
US5255679A
Cited
US5293869A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-07-26 | 2003-01-25 | 2003-07-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-07-26 | 2007-01-25 | 2007-07-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-07-26 | 2011-01-25 | 2011-07-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |