An irrigated electrophysiology catheter has a tip electrode having a shell,and a supportmember configured to plug the shell and support one or more tip componentsand/or facilitate theirfunctions. Advantageously, the support member has an electrically-conductiveinterface portionand an insert-molded portion, wherein the interface portion, typicallyconstructed of a preciousmetal alloy, is structurally minimized, yet still configured for electricalconnection with the shelland the lead wire, so as to reduce the amount and hence the cost of itsmanufacture, whereas theinsert-molded portion is constructed of a significantly less-costly materialand is readily configuredwith micro-complex 3-D geometry adapted to support tip structure and functionsincludingirrigation, force sensing and temperature sensing, as a further cost savingsin the manufacturing ofthe tip electrode by reducing materials, labor and time.
