Abstract: An electrophysiologically guided arrhythmia ablation system for ventricular tachycardia or other arrhythmia. The system combines a system for recording the electrical activtion time of various parts of the heart for locating an active site of the arrhythmia, with a system for delivering energy for ablation of the arrhythmia. The system has the capability of processing local myocardial electrical activation data and triggering the ablation energy source when at the active site or inhibiting the release of potentially harmful energy when the device is not at an active site. The process includes identification of an active site occurs during the 20-80%, preferably 35-50%, time period of a diastolic interval. The diastolic interval is monitored by appropriate electrical connections between the heart and a monitor. A mapping device also connects to the monitor which maps for indicating an active site.

Abstract: An electrophysiologically guided arrhythmia ablation system for ventricular tachycardia or other arrhythmias. The system includes recording the electrical activation time of various parts of the heart for locating the active site of the arrhythmia. The system has the capability of processing local myocardial electrical activation data. The process includes identification of an active site which occurs during the 20-80%, preferably 35-50%, time period of a diastolic interval. The diastolic interval is monitored by appropriate electrical connections between the heart and a monitor. A mapping device connects to the monitor which maps for indicating an active site. The active site is then a site for preferred placement of an electrode for a defibrilator.

Abstract: A technique for percutaneous treatment of idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis (IHSS) and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). IHSS and HCM are diseases of the heart in which the septum of the left ventricle thickens resulting in reduced ventricular performance. Current treatments involve drug therapy or a medical intervention called an interoperative myotomy/myectomy using the Morrow procedure. The present invention uses laser energy delivered via fiber optics placed percutaneously to irradiate the thickened septum to reduce tissue volume of the septum and enhance left ventricular function.

Abstract: A technique for the treatment of ventricular tachycardia. The ventricles are endocardially mapped by way of an electrophysiological workup. This mapping locates the tachycardial foci and other abnormalities in conduction. A special catheter containing an optical fiber is percutaneously inserted into a blood vessel and advanced into the ventricle. The distal tip of the catheter is positioned adjacent to each of the tachycardia generating sites. A medical laser is used to irradiate each site via the optical fiber. The tissue at each site is thereby photocoagulated or ablated to remove the source of the tachyarythmia.