Abstract: An apparatus includes two or more medical systems and a low impedance path. The two or more medical systems have respective electrical outputs and respective separate isolation grounds each isolated from power lines and from earth ground, wherein the two or more medical systems are electrically coupled one with the other via the patient. The low impedance path connects the separate isolation grounds of the medical systems to one another, causing one or more leakage currents to flow via the low impedance path instead of via the patient.

Abstract: A power line interference (PLI) suppression method includes receiving an input analog signal superimposed with PLI, and digitally estimating one or more harmonics of the PLI in real-time. Responsively to the one or more digitally estimated harmonics, one or more analog harmonic waveforms are outputted, that match the respective one or more harmonics of the PLI. The input analog signal and the one or more analog harmonic waveforms are received, and the superimposed PLI in the input analog signal is suppressed using the one or more analog harmonic waveforms. An analog output signal is outputted, that corresponds to the input analog signal having the suppressed PLI.

Abstract: A system includes a signal generator, configured to pass a generated signal, which has two different generated frequencies, through a circuit including an intrabody electrode. The system further includes a processor, configured to identify, while the generated signal is passed through the circuit, a derived frequency, which is derived from the generated frequencies, on the circuit, and to generate, in response to identifying the derived frequency, an output indicating a flaw in the electrode. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: In a flexible catheterization probe a resilient member couples the tip to the distal portion of the probe and is configured to deform in response to pressure exerted on the tip when engaging tissue. A position sensor in the distal portion of the probe senses the position of the tip relative to the distal portion of the probe. The relative position changes in response to deformation of the resilient member. The position sensor generates a signal indicative of the position of the tip responsively to a magnetic field produced by a magnetic field generator located in the position sensor. The position sensor has a first coil of conductive wire having first windings, and three second coils of conductive wire having respective second windings. The second coils are symmetrically distributed about the longitudinal axis of the first coil.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of ablation. The method includes the steps of inserting a probe having an ablation electrode into a body of a living subject and urging the ablation electrode into a contacting relationship with a target tissue. A measurement of at least one electroanatomic parameter is made between the ablation electrode and the target tissue, and the measurement is haptically communicated to an operator. Responsively to the communicated measurement, ablating the target tissue using the ablation electrode.

Abstract: A system includes a signal generator, configured to pass a generated signal, which has two different generated frequencies, through a circuit including a bidirectional semiconductor device. The system further includes a processor, configured to identify, while the generated signal is passed through the circuit, a derived frequency, which derives from the generated frequencies, on the circuit, and to generate, in response to identifying the derived frequency, an output indicating that a property of the bidirectional semiconductor device is asymmetric. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A system includes a signal generator, configured to pass a generated signal, which has two different generated frequencies, through a circuit including an intrabody electrode. The system further includes a processor, configured to identify, while the generated signal is passed through the circuit, a derived frequency, which is derived from the generated frequencies, on the circuit, and to generate, in response to identifying the derived frequency, an output indicating a flaw in the electrode. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A signal return-path symmetry measurement apparatus includes a transformer and monitoring circuitry. The transformer is coupled to first and second return-path electrodes that are attached to a body of a patient and serve as a return path for an electrical signal applied to the patient. The transformer is configured to generate a return-path-difference electrical signal responsive to a difference between electrical signals returning from the first and second return-path electrodes. The monitoring circuitry is configured to generate an electrode symmetry measure responsive to the return-path-difference electrical signal.

Abstract: A system includes a display, an input device, and a processor. The processor is configured to present to a user, on the display, a GUI that illustrates multiple electrodes disposed on an expandable frame of a multi-electrode catheter, and indicates which of the electrodes is active and which of the electrodes is inactive. The processor is further configured to (a) receive, via the input device first user input that chooses between a single-electrode-selection mode and a fan-selection mode, (b) when in the single-electrode-selection mode, receive via the input device second user input that specifies for activation or deactivation individual ones of the electrodes, and (c) when in the fan-selection mode, receive via the input device third user input that specifies for activation or deactivation an angular sector including two or more of the electrodes, and activate and deactivate the electrodes responsively to the first, second and third user inputs.

Abstract: Apparatus, consisting of a probe, having a proximal end and a distal end, which is deflectable in first and second directions. The apparatus includes a probe manipulator, which is coupled to the proximal end of the probe and has first and second tactile control elements. The elements are operable by a user of the probe to deflect the distal end in the first and second directions, respectively, and are tactilely distinguishable one from the other.

Abstract: A method for performing a medical procedure, includes coupling a tip of a probe to tissue in an organ of a patient in order to apply the medical procedure using the probe. A force exerted by the tip on the tissue and a displacement of the tip created by the force are measured. A dependence of the force on the displacement is calculated. Based on the calculated dependence, a risk level of perforation of the tissue is estimated.

Abstract: A haptic feedback device receives a signal reflecting pressure exerted by a medical tool against an anatomical surface. A fastener secures the feedback device to, for example, a wrist of an operator. A haptic exertion component exerts haptic stimulation to the operator based on the received signal such that when the received signal reflects a pressure being exerted by the medical tool against the anatomical surface of a patient is in a defined range for operation of the medical tool, the exertion component exerts haptic stimulation at a predetermined level that indicates pressure of the medical tool is being exerted in the defined range. Otherwise, the exertion component does not exert a level of haptic stimulation that is equal to or more than the predetermined level or the exertion component exerts a level of haptic stimulation to the operator that is more than the predetermined level.

Abstract: A wiring assembly includes a differential input port, a differential output port, and first and second pairs of electrical conductors. The differential input port is configured to receive a differential signal from a sensor at a first end of the wiring assembly. The differential output port is configured to output the differential signal at a second end of the wiring assembly. The first and second pairs of electrical conductors are laid out in a three-dimensional (3D) crossover configuration relative to one another and configured to conduct the differential signal from the first end to the second end, and to cancel pickup of a magnetic field by the wiring assembly. The electrical conductors of each pair are connected to one another at the first end and at the second end.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a controllable signal source and a processor. The controllable signal source is configured to apply an Alternating Current (AC) signal to multiple electrodes of a multi-electrode catheter immersed in an aquatic solution. The processor is configured to, responsively to the applied AC signal, estimate a respective surface impedance or a respective electrical noise level of each of the electrodes. The processor is further configured to disconnect each electrode, independently of other electrodes, when the estimated surface impedance or electrical noise level of the electrode drops below a preset value.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a controllable signal source and a processor. The controllable signal source is configured to apply an Alternating Current (AC) signal to multiple electrodes of a multi-electrode catheter immersed in an aquatic solution. The processor is configured to, responsively to the applied AC signal, estimate a respective surface impedance or a respective electrical noise level of each of the electrodes. The processor is further configured to disconnect each electrode, independently of other electrodes, when the estimated surface impedance or electrical noise level of the electrode drops below a preset value.

Abstract: In a flexible catheterization probe a resilient member couples the tip to the distal portion of the probe and is configured to deform in response to pressure exerted on the tip when engaging tissue. A position sensor in the distal portion of the probe senses the position of the tip relative to the distal portion of the probe. The relative position changes in response to deformation of the resilient member. The position sensor generates a signal indicative of the position of the tip responsively to a magnetic field produced by a magnetic field generator located in the position sensor. The position sensor has a first coil of conductive wire having first windings, and three second coils of conductive wire having respective second windings. The second coils are symmetrically distributed about the longitudinal axis of the first coil.

Abstract: In a flexible catheterization probe a resilient member couples the tip to the distal portion of the probe and is configured to deform in response to pressure exerted on the tip when engaging tissue. A position sensor in the distal portion of the probe senses the position of the tip relative to the distal portion of the probe. The relative position changes in response to deformation of the resilient member. The position sensor generates a signal indicative of the position of the tip responsively to a magnetic field produced by a magnetic field generator located in the position sensor. The position sensor has a first coil of conductive wire having first windings, and three second coils of conductive wire having respective second windings. The second coils are symmetrically distributed about the longitudinal axis of the first coil.

Abstract: A haptic feedback device receives a signal reflecting pressure exerted by a medical tool against an anatomical surface. A fastener secures the feedback device to, for example, a wrist of an operator. A haptic exertion component exerts haptic stimulation to the operator based on the received signal such that when the received signal reflects a pressure being exerted by the medical tool against the anatomical surface of a patient is in a defined range for operation of the medical tool, the exertion component exerts haptic stimulation at a predetermined level that indicates pressure of the medical tool is being exerted in the defined range. Otherwise, the exertion component does not exert a level of haptic stimulation that is equal to or more than the predetermined level or the exertion component exerts a level of haptic stimulation to the operator that is more than the predetermined level.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for detecting metal disturbance during a medical procedure includes a probe having an insertion tube, a joint and a joint sensor, contained within the probe, for sensing a position of the insertion tube. The joint sensor has first and second subassemblies that are magnetic transducers. A processor is used for measuring force using the joint sensor, and has a threshold field value stored therein. The processor compares a sensed field value to the threshold field value and identifies a presence metal when the sensed field value is greater than the threshold field value.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of ablation. The method includes the steps of inserting a probe having an ablation electrode into a body of a living subject and urging the ablation electrode into a contacting relationship with a target tissue. A measurement of at least one electroanatomic parameter is made between the ablation electrode and the target tissue, and the measurement is haptically communicated to an operator. Responsively to the communicated measurement, ablating the target tissue using the ablation electrode.