Abstract: A catheter with tactile indication of deflection, comprising a shaft, a control handle with a housing configured with an indent, and a deflection lever mounted on the housing over the indent and configured to deflect the shaft with rotation of the deflection lever. The deflection lever includes a ball bearing and a spring screw configured to mobilize the ball bearing into elastic contact with the indent when the deflection lever is rotated into a neutral position, where the engagement between the ball bearing and the indent provides a tactile indication of shaft deflection detected by an operator holding the deflection lever.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a mapping catheter useful for mapping tubular regions in and around the heart. The catheter comprises an elongated tubular catheter body. A mapping assembly is provided at the distal end of the catheter body. The mapping assembly comprises a tubular structure comprising a pre-formed generally circular main region generally transverse and distal to the catheter body and having an outer circumference. The tubular structure comprises a non-conductive cover over at least the main region of the mapping assembly. A plurality of electrodes are carried by the generally circular main region of the mapping assembly. A control handle is mounted at the proximal end of the catheter body. A contraction wire extends through the catheter body and non-conductive cover of the mapping assembly for contracting the generally circular main region of the mapping assembly.