Steerable
electrophysiology catheters for use in mapping and / or
ablation of accessory pathways in
myocardial tissue of the
heart wall and methods of use thereof are disclosed. The
catheter comprises a
catheter body and
handle, the
catheter body having a proximal section and a distal section and manipulators that enable the deflection of a
distal segment of the distal tip section with respect to the independently formed curvature of a proximal segment of the distal tip section through a bending or
knuckle motion of an intermediate segment between the proximal and distal segments. A wide
angular range of deflection within a very small curve or
bend radius in the intermediate segment is obtained. At least one distal tip
electrode is preferably confined to the
distal segment which can have a straight axis extending distally from the intermediate segment. The curvature of the proximal segment and the bending angle of the intermediate segment are independently selectable. The axial alignment of the
distal segment with respect to the nominal axis of the proximal shaft section of the catheter body can be varied between substantially axially aligned (0° curvature) in an abrupt
knuckle bend through a range of about −90° to about +180° within a bending
radius of between about 2.0 mm and 7.0 mm and preferably less than 5.0 mm. The proximal segment curve can be independently formed in a about +180° through about +270° with respect to the axis of the proximal shaft section to provide an optimum
angular orientation of the distal
electrode(s). The distal segment can comprise a highly flexible elongated distal segment body and
electrode(s) that conform with the shape and curvature of the
heart wall.