#$%^&*AU2011211460A120120301.pdf#####-24ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE 100611 A mapping and ablation catheter has contact force sensing capabilities at a distal end. In one embodiment, the catheter includes a catheter body, a deflectable section, and a tip distal tip section which has a tip electrode with a thin5 film pressure sensor that is adapted to detect a force vector applied to the tip electrode. The thin-film pressure sensor includes two opposing flexible and thin support members containing a pressure-sensitive material therebetween whose resistivity changes as a result of pressure and is detected by trace electrode intersections supported on interfacing surfaces of the flexible and thin support 10 members. Used with a stop member having a conforming shape against which the thin-film pressure sensor abuts when a force vector is applied to the tip electrode, the pressure sensor can have a 2-D, radially-symmetrical shape, e.g., a disc or ring configuration, or a 3-D, radially-symmetrical shape, e.g., a conical configuration. 15/08/11.19399 speci,241/15 ,~C4 -J r-) 00 -0 0 .2 (0
