Abstract: A method and system for therapy of cardiac arrythmias is provided which uses a directional electric field applied via ablation electrode for cardiac ablation together with an ultrasonic imaging system including an ultrasonic marking transducer mounted fixedly in the vicinity of the ablation electrode and having ultrasonic sensitivity characteristics either in the same direction as the ablation field or in some other direction determined by a certain defined angle relative to the direction of the ablation field.

Abstract: Cardiac ultrasonically marked leads produced by mounting one or more piezoelectric marker transducers into the leads and connecting the transducers by electrical conductors to appropriate electronic circuits which, upon reception of the scanner ultrasonic signals by the marker transducers, generate appropriate electrical signals which localize unambiguously the marker transducers in an ultrasonic echographic image, thereby permitting guiding of pacing leads and detection of their malfunctions.

Abstract: The hollow cylindrical wall of the catheter is composed of flexible, electrically insulating, ultrasonically transparent material. Embedded therein are spaced tubular-shaped ultrasonic piezoelectric transducers which substantially surround the lumen. The transducers receive signals from the imaging transducer on the body surface and serve to establish catheter location within the body during a diagnostic procedure. Electrical connector leads from the transducers are embedded in the wall and connected to a signal processor which provides an output for incorporation into the display of an echocardiograph image display system.