An integrated guidewire includes a wire and an optical fiber. The wire is sized and shaped to move in an anatomical material transportation system of a patient. The optical fiber has proximal and distal ends, the proximal-end is coupled to a device external to the patient, the optical fiber is configured to transfer optical signals between the distal-end and the device, and the wire and the optical fiber are intertwined with respect to one another.
A61B 1/04 - Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor combined with photographic or television appliances
A61B 1/07 - Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor with illuminating arrangements using light-conductive means, e.g. optical fibres
A system includes an indifferent electrode, electrical switching circuitry, and a processor. The indifferent electrode, which is configured for placement on a body of a patient, includes multiple electrically-conducting sub-electrodes that are electrically-insulated from one another. The electrical switching circuitry is configured to receive a control signal that specifies a selected subset of the sub-electrodes, and in response to electrically connect the selected subset, so as to close an electrical circuit passing through the body of the patient. The processor is configured to determine a required surface area of the indifferent electrode, select the subset of the sub-electrodes that together have the required surface area, and instruct the electrical switching circuitry to electrically connect the selected subset of the sub-electrodes.
A robotic arm control system including a medical instrument to be inserted into a body-part, a force sensor to detect force applied by the instrument to the body-part, a robotic arm attached to the instrument, a first position sensor to track an instrument position of the instrument in the body-part, a second position sensor to track a body position of the body-part, and a controller to compute, responsively to the instrument position and the body position, a location of the instrument relative to the body-part, compare the detected force applied by the instrument to a permitted force level for application to an anatomical .feature at the computed location and send a control command to, or cut power of, the robotic arm to loosen a rigidity of at least one robotic joint in response to the detected force applied by the instrument being greater than the permitted force level.
In accordance with one embodiment, an automated probe system includes a probe configured to be reversibly inserted into a live body part, a robotic arm attached to the probe and configured to manipulate the probe, a first sensor configured to track movement of the probe during an insertion and a reinsertion of the probe in the live body part, a second sensor configured to track movement of the live body part, and a controller configured to calculate an insertion path of the probe in the live body part based on the tracked movement of the probe during the insertion, and calculate a reinsertion path of the probe based on the calculated insertion path while compensating for the tracked movement of the live body part, and send control commands to the robotic arm to reinsert the probe in the live body part according to the calculated reinsertion path.
A61B 1/00 - Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
Apparatus for calibration includes a mount and one or more acoustic targets. The mount, which is adapted to hold a medical probe, includes an acoustic imaging device that emits ultrasonic beam in a plane, while permitting an orientation of the plane of the ultrasonic beam to be adjusted. The one or more acoustic targets are arranged to continuously intersect the plane of the ultrasonic beam over a given range of orientation angles.
Methods, apparatus, and systems for medical procedures are disclosed herein and include a monitoring and processing apparatus that includes a memory configured to store a diagnostic algorithm, a sensor configured to sense a patient data of a first patient, a processor configured to generate a first diagnostic result based on the patient data and the diagnostic algorithm. A local computing device is provided and includes a processor and configured to receive the first diagnostic result via a first network, receive a first correction indication that comprises a correction of the first diagnostic result and transmit the first correction indication via a second network. A remote computing device may be provided and be configured to generate an updated diagnostic algorithm that is updated based on the first correction indication and transmit the updated diagnostic algorithm via the second network.
G16H 50/20 - ICT specially adapted for medical diagnosis, medical simulation or medical data mining; ICT specially adapted for detecting, monitoring or modelling epidemics or pandemics for computer-aided diagnosis, e.g. based on medical expert systems
G16H 40/40 - ICT specially adapted for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilities; ICT specially adapted for the management or operation of medical equipment or devices for the management of medical equipment or devices, e.g. scheduling maintenance or upgrades
A61B 5/00 - Measuring for diagnostic purposes ; Identification of persons
An integrated guidewire includes a wire and a flexible tube. The wire is sized and shaped to move in an anatomical material transportation system of a patient. The flexible tube is sized and shaped to move in the anatomical material transportation system, having proximal and distal ends, the proximal-end is coupled to a device external to the patient, the flexible tube is configured to transfer fluids between the distal-end and the device, and the wire and the flexible tube are intertwined with respect to one another.
A medical system includes a probe, an electrooptical measurement unit, and a processor. The probe, which is configured for insertion into a blood vessel of a brain, includes one or more optical fibers configured to guide an optical signal to interact with a brain clot in the blood vessel, and to output the optical signal that interacted with the brain clot. The electrooptical measurement unit is configured to collect and measure the outputted optical signal. The processor is configured to identify a composition of the brain clot by analyzing the measured optical signal from the probe.
A physiologic monitoring device is configured to detect and record signals from the sensor and to wirelessly communicate via the communication interface with a transmitter and a receiver that are disposed outside the housing, and to receive via the communication interface transmissions of commands and data from the transmitter. The device operates in a standby mode and an active mode Transmissions comprise control signals to change the mode of operation that are transmitted by the transmitter at a first frequency in a range of 1 - 10 GHz, and transfers of recorded data from the sensor to the receiver in a range of 400 - 450 MHz.
An apparatus includes an interface and a processor. The interface is configured for exchanging signals with: (i) a probe, which is inserted into a body of a patient and includes a flexible distal-end assembly, wherein the distal-end assembly comprises a magnetic position sensor and two or more intra-body electrodes, and, (ii) multiple body-surface electrodes attached externally to the body of the patient. The processor is configured to estimate, based on the signals exchanged with the probe, a spatial displacement of the magnetic sensor between consecutive measurements, and to estimate a position of the distal-end assembly in the body based on (i) the signals exchanged with the intra-body electrodes and the body-surface electrodes, (ii) a-priori known spatial relationships between two or more of the intra-body electrodes of the probe and (iii) the estimated spatial displacement of the magnetic sensor.
A61B 5/06 - Devices, other than using radiation, for detecting or locating foreign bodies
A61B 34/20 - Surgical navigation systems; Devices for tracking or guiding surgical instruments, e.g. for frameless stereotaxis
A61B 5/1455 - Measuring characteristics of blood in vivo, e.g. gas concentration, pH-value using optical sensors, e.g. spectral photometrical oximeters
11.
CATHETER WITH MULTIFUNCTIONAL MICROINJECTION-MOLDED HOUSING
An electrophysiology catheter has a distal electrode section having a generally-cylindrical, hollow housing body, a lumen and an opening in a sidewall. A flex circuit has a first portion supported on the outer surface the housing body, and a second portion that extends into the lumen via the opening for connection to cables and/or wires in the lumen. The flex circuit has a first and second magnetic field sensing coil traces generally perpendicular to each other and a magnetic field sensing coil wire generally perpendicular thereto is wound around the housing body to form an x/y/z position sensor. One or more ring electrodes are carried on the housing body, separated by ring spacers. A force sensor is mounted on a distal end of the housing body, with strain gauges electrically connected to the flex circuit. The housing is configured to provide a distal anchor for a puller tensile.
A positioning cartridge is disclosed for use during manufacture of an electrode. The positioning cartridge may have a plurality of positioning inserts, each with proximal and distal ends, and a scaffold secured to the proximal ends of each positioning insert. The scaffold may be configured to place the positioning inserts in a defined orientation with respect to each other that corresponds to a plurality of longitudinal bores of the electrode. An electrode may be manufactured using the positioning cartridge. The positioning cartridge may have a plurality of components, such that at least one component is associated with each positioning insert. The plurality of components may be temperature sensors. The positioning cartridge may be configured to position each temperature sensor at a location adjacent an outer surface of the electrode.
G01K 1/14 - Supports; Fastening devices; Arrangements for mounting thermometers in particular locations
G01K 7/02 - Measuring temperature based on the use of electric or magnetic elements directly sensitive to heat using thermoelectric elements, e.g. thermocouples
A thermocouple assembly may feature a plurality of temperature sensors formed by thermocouple junctions. The sensors may be disposed upon a substrate, that has a curvature that biases each of the plurality of temperature sensors in a desired direction.
G01K 7/02 - Measuring temperature based on the use of electric or magnetic elements directly sensitive to heat using thermoelectric elements, e.g. thermocouples
A61B 5/367 - Electrophysiological study [EPS], e.g. electrical activation mapping or electro-anatomical mapping
A thermocouple assembly may feature a plurality of temperature sensors formed by thermocouple junctions. The sensors may be disposed within an inner diameter of the tubular element and sealed within the tubular element by thermally conductive material. An air gap may be defined by the thermally conductive material and the interior diameter of the tubular element between each pair of adjacent temperature sensors to improve thermal isolation.
G01K 7/02 - Measuring temperature based on the use of electric or magnetic elements directly sensitive to heat using thermoelectric elements, e.g. thermocouples
A thermocouple assembly may feature a plurality of temperature sensors formed by thermocouple junctions. The sensors may be disposed upon a positioner, that has a configuration that displaces each of the plurality of temperature sensors from a longitudinal axis of the positioner.
G01K 7/02 - Measuring temperature based on the use of electric or magnetic elements directly sensitive to heat using thermoelectric elements, e.g. thermocouples
A61B 5/287 - Holders for multiple electrodes, e.g. electrode catheters for electrophysiological study [EPS]
An apparatus includes a memory and a processor. The memory is configured to hold values indicative of known relative positions of multiple position sensors of a position tracking system that are coupled to a medical device. The processor is configured to receive one or more signals indicative of estimated positions of the position sensors, as measured by the position tracking system, and to initiate a responsive action in response to detecting a discrepancy between the known relative positions and the estimated positions.
An apparatus, including a magnetic field generator, a first magnetic field sensor configured for attachment to a proximal end of a surgical tool configured for insertion into a body, and a calibration device that includes a second magnetic field sensor and a proximity sensor, wherein the field sensors generate respective location signals responsive to a magnetic field emanating from the generator and traversing the field sensors. The apparatus includes a control unit, which receives the signals from all the sensors, extracts respective location and orientation coordinates of the field sensors based on the signals, computes a conversion relation between the coordinates of the first sensor and a distal end of the tool that is brought into contact with the calibration device, and subsequently applies the conversion relation, together with the coordinates of the first sensor, in providing a visual indication of a location of the distal end inside the body.
Apparatus, including a tube having a proximal end, and a distal end for insertion into a body cavity including anatomical structures, and a blade mounted at the distal end. The apparatus also includes a handle at the proximal end and including a device which generates sensible outputs upon receiving activation signals, and a position sensor fixed in a predefined disposition relative to the tube. The apparatus additionally includes a processor configured to acquire an image of the cavity, to determine, in the image, locations for each of the structures, to receive, from the sensor, a position signal indicative of a blade location of the blade within the cavity, to determine, based on the blade location and the respective structure locations, a proximity of the blade to a given structure, and to convey, to the warning device, a given activation signal in response to the proximity to the given structure.
A method of registering a patient face and using it as a touchpad interface is provided. The method includes steps of acquiring a three-dimensional anatomical image of a patient face, identifying multiple anatomical points at the predefined locations on the patient face in a first coordinate system and assigning at least one function to at least one predefined location, receiving multiple positions in a second coordinate system at the respective predefined locations on the patient face, registering the first and second coordinate systems, by correlating between the positions and the respective anatomical points on the patient face, triggering a command corresponding to the at least one assigned function and communicating the command to an electronic device. A system for registering a patient face by the method is described.
A tool, consisting of an enclosure and a rotatable knob retained by, and protruding from, the enclosure. The tool has a tube having a proximal end that is retained by the enclosure, and the tube has an axis of symmetry. A Geneva drive is retained within the enclosure, the Geneva drive consisting of a drive wheel fixedly attached to the rotatable knob and a driven wheel fixedly attached to the proximal end of the tube, so that an axis of rotation of the driven wheel coincides with the axis of symmetry of the tube. Thus, a continuous rotation of the rotatable knob causes the tube to rotate about the axis of symmetry in discrete angular steps.
A61B 17/24 - Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets for use in the oral cavity, larynx, bronchial passages or nose; Tongue scrapers
A61B 17/00 - Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets
Apparatus, consisting of a guidewire having a proximal end and a distal end which is deflectable. There is at least one wire within the guidewire that is fixed to the distal end. There are also one or more irrigation tubes within the guidewire. The apparatus has an imaging assembly enclosure, fixed to the distal end, that includes a camera, having a distal face, fixedly mounted within the enclosure, and respective deflectors for each of the one or more irrigation tubes, fixedly attached to and positioned at a distal end of the enclosure so as to deflect fluid, ejected from the one or more irrigation tubes, to pass over the camera distal face so as to clean the face. Applying tension, at the guidewire proximal end, on the at least one wire deflects the guidewire distal end, the imaging assembly enclosure attached thereto, and the camera in the enclosure.
A61B 1/05 - Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor combined with photographic or television appliances characterised by the image sensor, e.g. camera, being in the distal end portion
A61B 1/12 - Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor with cooling or rinsing arrangements
A61B 1/227 - Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor for ears, i.e. otoscopes
A61B 1/233 - Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor for the nose, i.e. nasoscopes
A61B 1/24 - Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor for the mouth, i.e. stomatoscopes, e.g. with tongue depressors; Instruments for opening or keeping open the mouth
A61B 17/24 - Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets for use in the oral cavity, larynx, bronchial passages or nose; Tongue scrapers
A medical patch includes a substrate, an electrode, and circuitry. The substrate is configured to attach externally to a patient. The electrode is coupled to the substrate and is configured to sense electrocardiogram (ECG) signals from a heart of the patient, and to further sense electrical signals indicative of an impedance between the electrode and a probe in the heart. The circuitry is coupled to the substrate and includes a shared amplifier that is configured to simultaneously amplify the ECG signals and the electrical signals sensed by the electrode.
A method includes, receiving (i) a set of two-dimensional (2D) slices of a segmented three-dimensional (3D) anatomical image of an organ of a patient, and (ii) position signals that are indicative of respective position and orientation of a distal tip of a medical tool in the organ. An optical axis of the medical tool is estimated based on the position signals. A slice that is: (i) oriented at a predefined angle relative to the optical axis, and (ii) includes the position of the distal tip, is selected from among the slices. The selected slice is displayed to a user, together with a marker indicative of the position of the distal tip.
A61B 17/24 - Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets for use in the oral cavity, larynx, bronchial passages or nose; Tongue scrapers
24.
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PERFORMING FACIAL REGISTRATION
A method and apparatus for performing facial registration includes hovering a registration probe over a plurality of target locations on a face of a patient. An ultrasonic wave is emitted from the registration probe at each of the target locations and a return of the ultrasonic wave is received from each of the target locations. A magnetic signal is received by the registration probe from a magnetic emitter located proximate to the face of the patient to identify a location in space of the registration probe relative to the magnetic emitter. The target location of the received ultrasonic return is correlated to a location identified in space relative to the magnetic emitter.
A61B 8/00 - Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
A61B 90/00 - Instruments, implements or accessories specially adapted for surgery or diagnosis and not covered by any of the groups , e.g. for luxation treatment or for protecting wound edges
G06T 7/30 - Determination of transform parameters for the alignment of images, i.e. image registration
A method includes inserting into a patient body a medical suction tool, which includes a hollow first tube for removing material away from a Eustachian tube of a patient, and a hollow second tube disposed around the first tube. The medical suction tool is navigated to the Eustachian tube. The Eustachian tube is sealed by coupling an outer surface of the second tube to an inner surface of the Eustachian tube. While the Eustachian tube is sealed by the second tube, the material is removed away from the Eustachian tube via the first tube.
A61M 1/00 - Suction or pumping devices for medical purposes; Devices for carrying-off, for treatment of, or for carrying-over, body-liquids; Drainage systems
A61B 34/20 - Surgical navigation systems; Devices for tracking or guiding surgical instruments, e.g. for frameless stereotaxis
26.
VISUALIZING NAVIGATION OF A MEDICAL DEVICE IN A PATIENT ORGAN USING A DUMMY DEVICE AND A PHYSICAL 3D MODEL
A method includes, receiving a first sequence of first positions of a medical device that moves in a body of a patient. The first positions of the medical device are visualized to a user, by automatically moving a dummy device, external to the body, in a second sequence of second positions that mimics the first sequence.
A61B 17/24 - Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets for use in the oral cavity, larynx, bronchial passages or nose; Tongue scrapers
An ENT tool has a tool chassis haying a chassis channel and a tool chassis distal end. A tubular probe is dimensioned to be inserted into a human patient orifice, the probe is rotatable about a probe axis of symmetry, and the probe has a probe proximal end rotatingly connected to the tool chassis distal end. A balloon insertion mechanism is slidingly located within the chassis channel, and is configured to fixedly accept a balloon sinuplasty mechanism penetrating the tubular probe. A guidewire adjustment section is fixedly attached to the balloon insertion mechanism, and the section has a rotatable enclosure. A plurality of rollers are disposed within the enclosure and are configured so that on rotation of the enclosure the rollers grip and rotate a guidewire positioned between the rollers, and, absent rotation of the enclosure, release the guidewire and permit distal and proximal translation of the guidewire.
A61B 17/24 - Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets for use in the oral cavity, larynx, bronchial passages or nose; Tongue scrapers
A61M 1/00 - Suction or pumping devices for medical purposes; Devices for carrying-off, for treatment of, or for carrying-over, body-liquids; Drainage systems
A selectively expandable breast implant (100) and method for tissue expansion are provided herein. The implant includes a flexible shell (110), an expandable material (150) inside the flexible shell, and a plurality of closed conducting loops (130) within the expandable material. The closed conducting loops absorb energy from a varying magnetic field external to the implant and generate heat, to heat the surrounding expandable material, and the expandable material expands in size based on the amount of heat generated by the closed conducting loops. The expandable material comprises a plurality of expandable microspheres that expands in response to the heat created by the closed conducting loops. The heat induction mechanism enables the closed conducting loops to generate heat for expansion of the expandable material in the implant. The implant can expand uniformly or in areas designated for selective shaping.
An implant includes a hollow biocompatible shell, first and second electrodes, filling material, and circuitry. The hollow biocompatible shell is configured to be implanted in an organ of a patient. The first electrode is disposed inside the shell. The second electrode has at least one surface disposed outside the shell. The filling material, which includes carbon nanotubes (CNT), fills the shell and is configured, in response to a rupture occurring in the shell, to change a spatial orientation of the CNT and thus to cause a change in electrical conductivity of the filling material between the first electrode and the rupture. The circuitry is electrically connected to the first and second electrodes and is configured to detect the rupture by sensing the change in the electrical conductivity of the CNT, and to produce an output indicative of the detected rupture.
Apparatus, including an enclosure, a fluid-tight bag located within the enclosure, and a fluid-tight valve connected to the fluid-tight bag. The apparatus also has a tube, having a first end connected to the fluid-tight bag via the fluid-tight valve, and a second end connected to a balloon within a breast implant fitted to an implantee. The apparatus further includes a spindle, located within the enclosure, connected to the fluid-tight bag, and configured to rotate under control of the implantee so as to roll the fluid-tight bag onto the spindle or to unroll the fluid-tight bag from the spindle, and thus transfer a fluid, contained in the balloon, the tube, and the fluid-tight bag, therebetween.
A method for estimating a thickness of tissue includes receiving multiple measurements, each measurement indicating (i) a respective mechanical pressure applied to the tissue, and (ii) one or more round-trip propagation times of an ultrasound wave traversing the tissue in the presence of the respective mechanical pressure. A set of the measurements is selected, having mechanical pressures that fall in a specified partial subrange of mechanical-pressure values. The thickness of the tissue is estimated based on the round-trip propagation times in the selected set of the measurements.
A61B 8/00 - Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
A61B 8/12 - Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves in body cavities or body tracts, e.g. by using catheters
A61B 18/12 - Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by heating by passing a current through the tissue to be heated, e.g. high-frequency current
An implantable device includes a hollow biocompatible shell and filling material. The shell is configured to be implanted in an organ of a patient. The filling material is configured to fill the shell so as to assume a specified shape of the implantable device, and is visually distinguished from tissue of the organ that surrounds the implantable device.
Apparatus, including an insertion tube, configured to be inserted into a body cavity and having a first lumen having a first lumen diameter and a distal opening, and a tubular channel, having a second lumen and an outer channel diameter smaller than the first lumen diameter, inserted into the first lumen. The apparatus includes a support structure, configured to be passed through a space between an inner wall of the insertion tube and an outer wall of the tubular channel to the distal opening in a folded state and to unfold, upon exit of the support structure through the distal opening, in a direction transverse to the first lumen to reach a support dimension that is greater than the first lumen diameter. A plurality of planar two-dimensional arrays of ultrasonic transducers are supported by the support structure, the arrays having transverse dimensions less than the first lumen diameter.
A61B 18/12 - Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by heating by passing a current through the tissue to be heated, e.g. high-frequency current
B81B 3/00 - Devices comprising flexible or deformable elements, e.g. comprising elastic tongues or membranes
Cardiac catheterization is carried out by importing image data of a heart of a living subject into an image-processing computer system, representing the image data as a first model of the heart and the coronary sinus in a first coordinate space, and introducing a probe into the coronary sinus. Thereafter fluoroscopic image data of the probe are used to prepare a second model of the coronary sinus in a second coordinate space, and the first model is transformed into the second coordinate space by placing the coronary sinus of the second model in registration with the coronary sinus of the first model.
A61B 5/055 - Detecting, measuring or recording for diagnosis by means of electric currents or magnetic fields; Measuring using microwaves or radio waves involving electronic [EMR] or nuclear [NMR] magnetic resonance, e.g. magnetic resonance imaging
A61B 6/02 - Devices for diagnosis sequentially in different planes; Stereoscopic radiation diagnosis
G01R 33/563 - Image enhancement or correction, e.g. subtraction or averaging techniques of moving material, e.g. flow-contrast angiography
35.
COMPENSATION FOR HEART MOVEMENT USING CORONARY SINUS CATHETER IMAGES
Cardiac catheterization is carried out by introducing a catheter into the coronary sinus, acquiring a first set of 2-dimensional images of the catheter, thereafter acquiring a second set of 2-dimensional images of the catheter, and creating respective 2-dimensional models of the catheter in synchronized frames of the first set and the second set. The 2-dimensional models include respective tracked 2-dimensional paths of the catheter. The first and second sets are synchronized by identifying frames that are in respective phases of the cardiorespiratory cycle. First and second 3-dimensional models of the catheter are constructed from the synchronized frames, and geometrically transformed to minimize a distance function between the two models.
A61B 6/50 - specially adapted for specific body parts; specially adapted for specific clinical applications
A61B 5/00 - Measuring for diagnostic purposes ; Identification of persons
A61B 6/00 - Apparatus for radiation diagnosis, e.g. combined with radiation therapy equipment
A61B 18/12 - Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by heating by passing a current through the tissue to be heated, e.g. high-frequency current
A method, including generating a magnetic field in a region from a first magnetic field radiator located at a first position and a second magnetic field radiator located at a second position. A volume having a multiplicity of vertices is delineated within the region, and respective values of the magnetic field at the multiplicity of vertices are measured. In response to the respective values, respective first dipole moments to the first magnetic field radiator and respective second dipole moments to the second magnetic field radiator are assigned. A value of the magnetic field within the volume is calculated in terms of the first dipole moments and the second dipole moments.
A method for mapping a body organ, including receiving a three-dimensional (3D) map of the body organ having a multiplicity of map elements, each map element having a graphic attribute indicative of a local property of the body organ. The method further includes delineating a selected region of the map, so that the map is divided into the selected region and a non-selected region. The 3D map is displayed while the graphic attribute of the map elements specifically within the selected region are altered.
Catheterization of the hear is carried out with a probe having a plurality of electrodes and sensors by displaying an electroanatomical map of the heart on a monitor. During a time interval that does not exceed a duration of a cardiac cycle of the heart the following steps are performed: reading data from at least one of the electrodes and sensors, and invoking a processor to perform an algorithm on the data. The data is one of a plurality of inputs of the algorithm, and the result of the algorithm includes a transformation of the data. The method is further carried out by rendering the result of the algorithm on the monitor to modify the electroanatomical map.
Cardiac catheterization is facilitated by generating first and second electroanatomic maps of a heart of a subject and designating common spatial locations that correspond to first electrical events on the first electroanatomic map and second electrical events on the second electroanatomic map. The common spatial locations of the first electroanatomic map and the second electroanatomic map are aligned to establish an aligned map, and using the location data on the aligned map to guide a probe to a point of interest.
A method includes registering a first coordinate system of a fluoroscopic imaging system and a second coordinate system of a magnetic position tracking system. A three-dimensional (3D) map of an organ of a patient is computed using the magnetic position tracking system. A field-of-view (FOV) of the fluoroscopic imaging system in the second coordinate system is calculated using the registered first and second coordinate systems. Based on the 3D map and the calculated FOV, a two-dimensional (2D) image that simulates a fluoroscopic image that would be generated by the fluoroscopic imaging system is created, and the 2D image that simulates the fluoroscopic image is displayed.
A61B 34/10 - Computer-aided planning, simulation or modelling of surgical operations
A61B 34/20 - Surgical navigation systems; Devices for tracking or guiding surgical instruments, e.g. for frameless stereotaxis
A61B 5/055 - Detecting, measuring or recording for diagnosis by means of electric currents or magnetic fields; Measuring using microwaves or radio waves involving electronic [EMR] or nuclear [NMR] magnetic resonance, e.g. magnetic resonance imaging
Cardiac catheterization is performed by recording electrograms from a multi-electrode probe at respective locations in the heart, determining slopes and annotations in the electrograms within time windows, establishing relation-ships among the slopes and annotations of the electrograms, and determining lines of conduction block in the heart from the relationships.
A method, including recording parameters indicative of a quality of ablation performed at one or more sites in a region of a human heart, and receiving a set of electrophysiological signals indicative of a wave of electrical activation flowing through the region. The method further includes identifying locations within the region at which the wave is blocked from flowing and estimating confidence levels with respect to a blockage of the wave at the locations in response to the signals and the parameters. The method also includes displaying a map of the human heart including an indication of the confidence levels.
A probe having a contact force sensor is inserted into a cardiac chamber and an image of the blood pool is generated. A portion of the blood pool is removed from the image to retain a remaining portion of the blood pool. A determination is made that the distal segment of the probe is within the remaining portion of the blood pool, and responsively to the determination the contact force sensor is manually zeroed.
A61M 25/095 - Arrangements for enabling the detection of the internal position of the catheter, e.g. radiographically
A61B 1/05 - Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor combined with photographic or television appliances characterised by the image sensor, e.g. camera, being in the distal end portion
A61B 8/12 - Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves in body cavities or body tracts, e.g. by using catheters
A method includes displaying a position of a distal end of a medical probe that is being navigated in an organ of a patient on a three-dimensional (3D) map of the organ. In response to an event, a plane of interest including the distal end is selected, a real-time Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) slice of the organ is acquired at the selected plane, and the MRI slice is displayed overlaid on the 3D map.
A61B 5/055 - Detecting, measuring or recording for diagnosis by means of electric currents or magnetic fields; Measuring using microwaves or radio waves involving electronic [EMR] or nuclear [NMR] magnetic resonance, e.g. magnetic resonance imaging
45.
IDENTIFICATION AND VISUALIZATION OF GAPS BETWEEN CARDIAC ABLATION SITES
A method includes receiving locations of multiple ablation sites formed on a surface of a heart. Distances are measured among at least some of the ablation sites based on the locations. One or more gaps between the ablation sites, which meet an alerting criterion, are identified. The identified gaps are indicated to an operator.
A61B 18/00 - Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body
A61B 34/10 - Computer-aided planning, simulation or modelling of surgical operations
A61B 34/20 - Surgical navigation systems; Devices for tracking or guiding surgical instruments, e.g. for frameless stereotaxis
A61B 18/12 - Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by heating by passing a current through the tissue to be heated, e.g. high-frequency current
An apparatus includes a detector assembly, a positioning unit, and interface circuitry. The detector assembly includes an array of multiple magnetic field detectors. The positioning unit is configured to fix the detector assembly at one or more known positions relative to a location pad, which generates magnetic fields for performing position measurements on an intra-body magnetic field detector using a positioning system. The interface circuitry is configured to output electrical signals that are produced by the magnetic field detectors of the detector assembly when the detector assembly is fixed at the known positions, so as to calibrate the position measurements performed by the positioning system.
A61B 34/20 - Surgical navigation systems; Devices for tracking or guiding surgical instruments, e.g. for frameless stereotaxis
A61B 5/055 - Detecting, measuring or recording for diagnosis by means of electric currents or magnetic fields; Measuring using microwaves or radio waves involving electronic [EMR] or nuclear [NMR] magnetic resonance, e.g. magnetic resonance imaging
A61B 5/06 - Devices, other than using radiation, for detecting or locating foreign bodies
A61M 25/095 - Arrangements for enabling the detection of the internal position of the catheter, e.g. radiographically
47.
SYNCHRONIZING BETWEEN IMAGE SEQUENCES OF THE HEART ACQUIRED AT DIFFERENT HEARTBEAT RATES
A method for performing a medical procedure includes holding a non-linear dependence between the duration of a given phase within a cardiac cycle and a respective heartbeat rate. First and second image sequences of the dynamic activity of the heart of a patient, acquired at respective different first and second heartbeat rates of the heart, are received. Synchronization between the first and second image sequences is performed based on the non-linear dependence, on the first and second heartbeat rates, and on a given common heartbeat rate. The first and second image sequences are played in synchronization with the common heartbeat rate.
A61B 5/02 - Measuring pulse, heart rate, blood pressure or blood flow; Combined pulse/heart-rate/blood pressure determination; Evaluating a cardiovascular condition not otherwise provided for, e.g. using combinations of techniques provided for in this group with electrocardiography; Heart catheters for measuring blood pressure
H04N 21/242 - Synchronization processes, e.g. processing of PCR [Program Clock References]
G16H 30/40 - ICT specially adapted for the handling or processing of medical images for processing medical images, e.g. editing
Catheterization of the heart is carried out by inserting a probe having electrodes into a heart of a living subject, recording a bipolar electrogram and a unipolar electrogram from one of the electrodes at a location in the heart, and defining a window of interest wherein a rate of change in a potential of the bipolar electrogram exceeds a predetermined value. An annotation is established in the unipolar electrogram, wherein the annotation denotes a maximum rate of change in a potential of the unipolar electrogram within the window of interest. A quality value is assigned to the annotation, and a 3-dimensional map is generated of a portion of the heart that includes the annotation and the quality value thereof.
Compensation for a field-perturbing element in a magnetic tracking system for locating a probe is achieved by creating a reaction field model while the field-perturbing element is in known positions. A magnetic field location sensor is disposed between the field-perturbing element and magnetic field generators of the tracking system. Magnetic field readings from the location sensor and from a magnetic field sensor on the probe are taken while the field-perturbing element is present. The position of the field-perturbing element is estimated from the location sensor readings, and a predicted reaction field calculated from the reaction field model. A compensated measurement is obtained by subtracting the predicted reaction field from the field detected by the location sensor. The readings from the probe sensor are adjusted using the compensated measurement in order to calculate the true position of the probe.
A61B 5/05 - Detecting, measuring or recording for diagnosis by means of electric currents or magnetic fields; Measuring using microwaves or radio waves
A61B 34/20 - Surgical navigation systems; Devices for tracking or guiding surgical instruments, e.g. for frameless stereotaxis
A61B 5/06 - Devices, other than using radiation, for detecting or locating foreign bodies
A61M 25/095 - Arrangements for enabling the detection of the internal position of the catheter, e.g. radiographically
50.
REAL-TIME COMMUNICATION BETWEEN MEDICAL DEVICES OVER A DICOM NETWORK
A method includes sending from a first medical device to a second medical device a request for data using a communication protocol that includes messages for conveying medical measurement results. In response to the request, at least one message is produced in the second medical device that includes the requested data and a dummy payload instead of the medical measurement results, and the at least one message is sent from the second medical device to the first medical device using the communication protocol.
H04N 5/321 - Transforming X-rays with video transmission of fluoroscopic images
G16H 30/20 - ICT specially adapted for the handling or processing of medical images for handling medical images, e.g. DICOM, HL7 or PACS
H04L 67/12 - Protocols specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
A61B 5/06 - Devices, other than using radiation, for detecting or locating foreign bodies
Apparatus for controlling motion of an invasive probe relative to a sheath enclosing the probe. The apparatus includes an outer casing, configured for connection to the sheath. The apparatus further includes a drive mechanism, fixedly connected to the outer casing. The drive mechanism has a first set of components, configured to translate the probe along a direction parallel to an axis of the probe, in order to advance and retract the probe with respect to the sheath in a translational stepwise manner. The drive mechanism also includes a second set of components, configured to rotate the probe around the axis of the probe, in order to rotate the probe clockwise and counter-clockwise, with respect to the sheath, in a rotational stepwise manner.
Methods and systems for preparing electroanatomic maps of the heart operate using a probe that has been inserted into a heart chamber by emitting electrical calibration signals from external locations that are outside the subjects body, receiving the calibration signals in a plurality of intra-cardiac electrodes on the probe, and determining functional relationships between the emitted calibration signals and the received calibration signals. Thereafter, electrophysiological signals from respective origins in the heart are detected in the external locations, and the functional relation-ships are applied to the detected electrophysiological signals to calculate intracardiac potentials at the respective origins.
A method for displaying information, including receiving measurements, with respect to an invasive probe inside a body of a subject, of probe parameters consisting of a force exerted by the probe on tissue of the subject and temperatures measured by sensors of the probe. The method further includes, responsively to the measurements, displaying in a single map on a display screen a graphical representation of a distribution of the temperatures in a vicinity of the probe and superimposing thereon a vector representation of the force.
A61B 5/06 - Devices, other than using radiation, for detecting or locating foreign bodies
A61B 18/12 - Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by heating by passing a current through the tissue to be heated, e.g. high-frequency current
54.
MODEL BASED RECONSTRUCTION OF THE HEART FROM SPARSE SAMPLES
A parametric model representing a portion of a heart is constructed using a statistical prior of the shape from a dataset of other instances of the portion. Using a mapping electrode, electrical data is acquired in a plurality of locations in the portion of the heart of a subject. The parametric model is fitted to the electrical data and the statistical prior to produce an isosurface of the portion of the heart and a reconstruction of its shape.
A61B 5/107 - Measuring physical dimensions, e.g. size of the entire body or parts thereof
G16H 50/50 - ICT specially adapted for medical diagnosis, medical simulation or medical data mining; ICT specially adapted for detecting, monitoring or modelling epidemics or pandemics for simulation or modelling of medical disorders
A61B 18/12 - Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by heating by passing a current through the tissue to be heated, e.g. high-frequency current
A catheter handle, including a housing, configured to be gripped by an operator of a catheter coupled to the housing during a medical procedure using the catheter, the housing being formed of a first polymer and having an aperture formed therein. The handle includes an insert, formed of a second polymer, and configured to be introduced into the aperture so as to mate therewith. The handle further includes a plurality of contacts, configured to be implanted into the insert in a preset spatial relationship.
A61M 25/16 - Making or assembling not otherwise provided for
H01R 24/38 - Two-part coupling devices, or either of their cooperating parts, characterised by their overall structure having concentrically or coaxially arranged contacts
A61M 25/01 - Introducing, guiding, advancing, emplacing or holding catheters
A61M 25/18 - Connecting catheters or probes to hubs
H01R 43/00 - Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing, assembling, maintaining, or repairing of line connectors or current collectors or for joining electric conductors
56.
IRRIGATED CATHETER TIP WITH TEMPERATURE SENSOR ARRAY
A medical probe includes an insertion tube having a distal end configured for insertion into a body of a patient and containing a lumen for conveying an irrigation fluid and an electrical conductor for conveying electrical energy. A conductive cap is attached to the distal end of the insertion tube and coupled electrically to the electrical conductor. The conductive cap has an outer surface perforated by multiple apertures and defines an inner cavity in fluid communication with the lumen of the insertion tube so as to permit the irrigation fluid from the lumen to flow out of the cap through the apertures. A plurality of temperature sensors are mounted within the conductive cap in thermal communication with the outer surface and are thermally insulated from the irrigation fluid in the inner cavity.
Medical apparatus includes a flexible insertion shaft, which is adapted for insertion into a body of a patient. A resilient end section is fixed to the distal end of the insertion shaft and is formed so as to assume, when unconstrained, an arcuate shape. One or more electrodes are disposed at respective locations along the end section. A first lumen runs from the insertion shaft through the end section so as to convey an irrigation fluid to exit the end section through perforations of the electrodes. A second lumen runs through the insertion shaft to a distal opening and is configured to permit a guide wire to pass through the second lumen from the proximal end of the insertion shaft to exit distally through the distal opening, while conveying the irrigation fluid from the proximal end through the distal opening together with the guide wire.
Medical apparatus includes a sheath having a lumen with a distal opening. A flexible probe, which is adapted for insertion through the sheath, includes an insertion shaft, an end section, which is connected to the distal end of the insertion shaft, a tip electrode extending over the tip of the end section, and proximal electrodes distributed along the end section. The probe is manipulable, within the sheath, between a retracted configuration in which the end section is contained within the lumen so that only the tip electrode protrudes through the distal opening, and an extended configuration in which the entire end section protrudes from the distal opening and assumes an arcuate shape. An energy generator applies electrical energy only to the tip electrode while the probe is in the retracted configuration and to at least the proximal electrodes while the probe is in the extended configuration.
A61B 5/06 - Devices, other than using radiation, for detecting or locating foreign bodies
A61B 18/18 - Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by applying electromagnetic radiation, e.g. microwaves
A61M 25/01 - Introducing, guiding, advancing, emplacing or holding catheters
59.
PATIENT MOVEMENT COMPENSATION IN INTRA-BODY PROBE TRACKING SYSTEMS
A method includes receiving a position of an intra-body probe inserted into an organ of a living body in a first coordinate system. Fluoroscopic images of the body are received. A movement of the body in the fluoroscopic images is measured in a second coordinate system. The received position of the intra-body probe in the first coordinate system is corrected using the movement identified in the second coordinate system.
A coordinate system registration module, including radiopaque elements arranged in a fixed predetermined pattern and configured, in response to the radiopaque elements generating a fluoroscopic image, to define a position of the module in a fluoroscopic coordinate system of reference. The module further includes one or more connections configured to fixedly connect the module to a magnetic field transmission pad at a predetermined location and orientation with respect to the pad, so as to characterize the position of the registration module in a magnetic coordinate system of reference defined by the magnetic field transmission pad.
Testing a thermocouple-based RF ablation system is carried out by connecting a temperature simulator to an ablator module. The ablator module is operative to vary a radiofrequency power output thereof in a predefined manner in response to predefined variations in a temperature signal from the simulator. The method is further carried out by delivering RF power from the ablator module to the temperature simuator, and while delivering RF power, performing the steps of: communicating temperature signals from the temperature simulator to the ablator module, varying the communicated temperature signals, and verifying that a variation in the power output of the ablator module in response to varying the temperature signals conforms to the predefined manner.
G01R 31/00 - Arrangements for testing electric properties; Arrangements for locating electric faults; Arrangements for electrical testing characterised by what is being tested not provided for elsewhere
A61B 18/12 - Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by heating by passing a current through the tissue to be heated, e.g. high-frequency current
A61B 18/18 - Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by applying electromagnetic radiation, e.g. microwaves
Methods and systems for mapping cardiac electrical activity employ a cardiac catheter having a plurality of spines mounted at the distal end, each spine having a plurality of electrodes. Electrical signal data are obtained from the heart via the electrodes, and respective intracardiac locations and orientations of the spines are sensed. An electroanatomic map of the heart is derived from the signal data, and presented as a graphic representation of the respective intracardiac locations and orientations of the spines, with distinctive graphical indicia of at least portions of the spines. The method is further carried out by displaying the electroanatomic map, and responsively to the displayed electroanatomic map, adjusting at least one of the locations and orientations of at least one of the spines.
An apparatus includes an intra-body probe and a processor. The intra-body probe includes an electrode, which is configured to contact tissue in a heart. The processor is configured to receive an electrical signal from the electrode, to distinguish a local component, due to the tissue with which the electrode is in contact, in the electrical signal from a remote-field contribution to the signal, and to control a therapeutic procedure applied to the tissue responsively to the distinguished local component.
A61B 18/12 - Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by heating by passing a current through the tissue to be heated, e.g. high-frequency current
A medical probe, including a flexible insertion tube having a distal end for insertion into a body cavity and including one or more sensors mounted in the distal end, and a handle coupled to a proximal end of the insertion tube. The medical probe also includes a cable having a proximal end and a distal end, which is coupled to the handle so as to receive signals conveyed through the insertion tube from the one or more sensors, and a base unit coupled to the proximal end of the cable. The base unit contains a power source, and a probe wireless transceiver coupled to receive the signals from the cable and to communicate over a wireless connection with a control console.
A catheter adapted for insertion into a body of a subject has at least one electrode disposed on its distal section. the electrode is coupled to an energy source to ablate tissue that is placed in contact with the electrode. The electrode has a wall with a plurality of perforations formed therethrough, and has edges defining a peripheral section that is adjacent the edges and a central section remote from the edges, wherein the wall of the peripheral section is thicker than the wall of the central section. A lumen passing through the insertion tube is coupled to deliver a fluid to the tissue via the perforations. In operation, the electrode functions as an effective heat sink.
A61B 18/02 - Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by cooling, e.g. cryogenic techniques
A61B 34/20 - Surgical navigation systems; Devices for tracking or guiding surgical instruments, e.g. for frameless stereotaxis
Apparatus, including a sheath, consisting of a lumen having a sheath distal end which is configured to be inserted into a human patient. A magnetic structure is fixedly attached to the sheath distal end. The apparatus includes a probe, having a probe distal end which is configured to be inserted through the lumen into the human patient. The probe includes a magnetic transducer which is disposed in the probe distal end and which is configured to generate a signal in response to a magnetic field. The apparatus further includes a processor which is configured to sense a change in the signal due to proximity of the magnetic structure to the transducer.
A method for performing a medical procedure includes bringing a probe into contact with an organ in a body of a patient. A map of the organ is displayed, and the location of the probe relative to the map is tracked. A therapy is applied via the probe at multiple tissue sites in the organ with which the probe is brought into contact. Stability of the contact between the probe and the tissue sites is assessed while applying the therapy. The map is automatically marked, responsively to the assessed stability, to indicate the tissue sites at which the therapy was applied.
A61B 18/12 - Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by heating by passing a current through the tissue to be heated, e.g. high-frequency current
A61B 5/00 - Measuring for diagnostic purposes ; Identification of persons
A61B 5/06 - Devices, other than using radiation, for detecting or locating foreign bodies
Methods and systems achieve tissue ablation, which is carried out by inserting a probe having an ablation electrode into a body of a living subject, and while the ablation electrode is in a non-contacting relationship to a target tissue, making a pre-contact determination of a phase of an electrical current passing between the ablation electrode and another electrode. The ablation electrode is placed in contact with the target tissue, and while the ablation electrode is in the contacting relationship, a dosage of energy is applied via the ablation electrode to the target tissue for ablation thereof. Iterative intra-operative determinations of the phase of the electrical current are made. When one of the intra-operative determinations satisfies a termination criterion, the energy application is terminated.
A method includes disposing multiple medical probes to acquire physiological data concurrently from a living body. The data is sent from the multiple medical probes by transmitting over wireless channels respective sequences of data packets that are marked with respective packet numbers. A synchronization signal that is broadcast to the multiple probes is received in the probes. In response to receiving the synchronization signal, the packet numbers that are to be assigned in the probes to subsequent data packets in the respective sequences are reset.
A method consisting of formulating a one-to-one correspondence between locations on a three-dimensional surface of a body cavity and coordinates in a two--dimensional coordinate frame representative of the locations. The method also includes recording respective time-varying electrical potentials at the locations. The method further includes displaying a map of the two--dimensional coordinate frame, and presenting respective graphic representations of the time-varying electrical potentials at positions in the map corresponding to the coordinates of the locations.
A medical device has a flexible elongated body, a handle connected to the elongated body, at least one spine connected to the elongated body, and a flexible sheet attached to the at least one spine. The flexible sheet has a plurality of electrodes thereon, wherein the flexible sheet and the plurality of electrodes define a mapping assembly for mapping electrical information in tissue, and wherein the at least one spine and the flexible sheet is movable from a collapsed configuration to a deployed configuration.
A method, including positioning body-electrodes in galvanic contact with a body of a patient and locating a probe in the body of the patient. The method further includes tracking positions of the probe during respiration of the patient and determining indications related to impedances between the body-electrodes during the respiration. The method also includes calculating a function relating the positions of the probe to the indications, and applying the function to identify end-expirium points of the respiration based on subsequent indications related to the impedances.
A method, consisting of generating, using a plurality of magnetic transmitters, a magnetic field in a region and introducing a field perturbing element into the region. The method includes characterizing multiple images of each magnetic transmitter in the field perturbing element, and calculating a reaction magnetic field in the region based on the characterized images. The method further includes positioning a probe in the region and measuring a perturbed magnetic field at the probe, and determining a location of the probe in response to the measured perturbed magnetic field and the calculated reaction magnetic field.
G01B 7/004 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of electric or magnetic techniques for measuring coordinates of points
A61B 5/055 - Detecting, measuring or recording for diagnosis by means of electric currents or magnetic fields; Measuring using microwaves or radio waves involving electronic [EMR] or nuclear [NMR] magnetic resonance, e.g. magnetic resonance imaging
A61B 5/06 - Devices, other than using radiation, for detecting or locating foreign bodies
A61M 25/095 - Arrangements for enabling the detection of the internal position of the catheter, e.g. radiographically
74.
SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING TISSUE ABLATION USING TEMPERATURE SENSORS
Body tissue ablation is carried out by inserting a probe into a body of a living subject, urging the probe into contact with a tissue in the body, generating energy at a power output level, and transmitting the generated energy into the tissue via the probe. While transmitting the generated energy the ablation is further carried out by determining a measured temperature of the tissue and a measured power level of the transmitted energy, and controlling the power output level responsively to a function of the measured temperature and the measured power level. Related apparatus for carrying out the ablation is also described.
A61B 5/055 - Detecting, measuring or recording for diagnosis by means of electric currents or magnetic fields; Measuring using microwaves or radio waves involving electronic [EMR] or nuclear [NMR] magnetic resonance, e.g. magnetic resonance imaging
A61B 18/20 - Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by applying electromagnetic radiation, e.g. microwaves using laser
A method, including: receiving an input indicative of respective apparent locations of a plurality of points disposed along a length of a probe inside a body of a subject, and applying a model of known mechanical properties of the probe to the respective apparent locations so as to minimize a first cost function with respect to shapes that can be assumed by the probe in the body. The method further includes choosing a shape responsively to the minimized first cost function and determining preliminary coordinates of the apparent locations responsively to the shape, minimizing a second cost function with respect to differences between the apparent locations and the preliminary coordinates, and generating corrected coordinates of the points along the length of the probe based on the minimized second cost function.
Apparatus, including a current source which has a transformer having a primary winding coupled to receive input power. The transformer has a secondary winding having a first plurality of secondary taps configured to supply electrical power at an ablation frequency to an electrode in contact with body tissue. The issue has an impedance, and is ablated by the electrical power. The current source has a second plurality of capacitors. The apparatus also includes a controller which is configured to select one of the secondary taps and at least one of the capacitors in response to the impedance and the ablation frequency, and to connect the selected secondary tap to the selected at least one of the capacitors.
A61B 18/12 - Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by heating by passing a current through the tissue to be heated, e.g. high-frequency current
Apparatus, including an energy generator, configured to supply first ablation power modulated at a first frequency and second ablation power modulated at a second frequency different from the first frequency. The apparatus also includes a probe, having at least one electrode coupled to receive the first and second ablation powers simultaneously and to dissipate the first and second ablation powers in body tissue in contact with the at least one electrode.
A61B 18/12 - Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by heating by passing a current through the tissue to be heated, e.g. high-frequency current
78.
VISUALIZATION OF CATHETER-TISSUE CONTACT BY MAP DISTORTION
A method, including constructing a simulated surface of a body cavity, and pressing a distal end of a probe against a wall of the body cavity. While pressing the distal end against the wall, position measurements are accepted from the probe indicating a position of the probe within the body cavity, and force measurements are accepted from the probe indicating a force between the distal end and the wall. A distortion in the simulated surface is created at the position indicated by the position measurements, so as to form a distorted surface, upon detecting that the force measurements exceed a predefined amount. The distorted surface is then displayed.
A calibration apparatus includes a fixture coupled to hold a distal end of a medical probe. An actuator is configured to press against the distal tip of the probe and apply to the distal tip multiple force vectors having respective magnitudes and angles with respect to the distal end, so as to cause a deformation of the distal tip relative to the distal end. A sensing device is configured to measure the magnitudes of the force vectors applied by the actuator. A calibration processor is configured to receive from the probe first measurements indicative of the deformation of the distal tip in response to the force vectors, to receive from the sensing device second measurements indicative of the magnitudes of the force vectors, and to compute, based on the angles and the first and second measurements, calibration coefficients for assessing the force vectors as a function of the first measurements.
Tissue ablation systems and methods are provided, wherein a cardiac catheter incorporates a pressure detector for sensing a mechanical force against the distal tip when engaging an abla-tion site. Responsively to the pressure detector, a controller computes an ablation volume according to relationships between the contact pressure against the site, the power output of an ablator, and the energy application time. A monitor displays a map of the heart which includes a visual indication of the com-puted ablation volume. The monitor may dynamically display the progress of the ablation by varying the visual indication.
A61B 18/12 - Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by heating by passing a current through the tissue to be heated, e.g. high-frequency current
Tissue ablation is carried out using insertion tube having at least one ablation electrode, a first temperature sensor disposed on the distal portion sufficiently proximate the ablation electrode to detect heat generated during the ablation procedure, a second temperature sensor disposed on the distal portion sufficiently distant from the ablation electrode to be unable to detect the heat, and electronic logic circuitry linked to the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor and programmed to compute a temperature differential between respective temperatures sensed by the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor when conveying the electromagnetic energy. Satisfactory contact status between the ablation electrode and the target tissue is indicated when the temperature differential exceeds a predetermined threshold.
A method of mapping includes receiving inputs measured by a probe at respective locations inside a body cavity of a subject. At each of the respective locations, a respective contact quality between the probe and a tissue in the body cavity is measured. The inputs for which the respective contact quality is outside a defined range are rejected, and a map of the body cavity is created using the inputs that are not rejected.
patents
