Abstract: Assessment apparatus is provided, including a set of one or more radiators, which is adapted to generate an energy field at at least one fundamental frequency. A receiving sensor is adapted to generate a first signal responsive to the energy field when an interfering article is at a first location relative to the receiving sensor, and is adapted to generate a second signal responsive to the energy field when the interfering article is at a second location relative to the receiving sensor. A control unit is adapted to (a) receive and analyze the first and second signals, in order to compute a fingerprint signal characteristic of the interfering article, and (b) store, in a database, data indicative of the fingerprint signal, in association with an identity of the interfering article.

Abstract: Visualization of a probe when impedance-based measurement technology is being used is improved by stabilizing a displayed image of the probe or catheter. Using a model of reasonable probe shapes and a matching algorithm, an erroneous probe image is adjusted so that it assumes a realistic shape on a display. A range of positional variations is also incorporated in the model. When an apparent probe position exceeds a permissible range of motion, the probe image is constrained to a realistic position.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns position-sensing apparatus, having radiators which generate electromagnetic energy fields and a position sensor which generates sensor signals responsive to the energy fields. Reference elements are placed at respective positions near the sensor to generate reference signals responsive to the energy fields. And, a control unit is used to calculate a position of the sensor based on sensor signals and reference element errors in order to account for the effects of interfering metal objects.

Abstract: A stent having a lattice and defining a substantially cylindrical configuration has a first open end and a second open end. The lattice has a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration and a plurality of adjacent hoops. Each hoop has a plurality of adjacent loops and a plurality of bridges connect adjacent hoops. A plurality of extensions are provided on the lattice. And, each of the hoops, bridges and extensions define a cell.

Abstract: A method for producing a coil assembly includes overlaying printed circuit traces on a core. The traces include terminals for coupling to conductive connections on a base on which the coil assembly is to be mounted. Two or more wires are wrapped around the core so as to define two or more coils, wrapped in different, respective directions. The ends of the wires are coupled to the printed circuit traces, so as to connect the wires through the traces to the terminals.

Abstract: A stent includes a lattice defining a substantially cylindrical configuration having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, and a middle portion between the proximal end and the distal end. The lattice being moveable from a crimped state to an expanded state, and a plurality of adjacent hoops. Each hoop has a plurality of adjacent loops. Additionally, the stent further includes a plurality of bridges connecting adjacent hoops and a plurality of extensions on the lattice. Each of the hoops and bridges define a cell. The proximal end portion and the distal end portion of the lattice have at least one cell respectively and the middle portion of the lattice has at least one cell. The plurality of extensions are on the middle portion of the lattice. The plurality of extensions are cantilevered projections from the bridges and/or hoops of the lattice.

Abstract: An image of an electro-anatomical map of a body structure having cyclical motion is overlaid on a 3D ultrasonic image of the structure. The electro-anatomical data and anatomic image data are synchronized by gating both electro-anatomical data acquisition and an anatomic image at a specific point in the motion cycle. Transfer of image data includes identification of a point in the motion cycle at which the 3-dimensional image was captured or is to be displayed.

Abstract: Monitoring intracardiac ablation progress in near real time is accomplished by evaluating capture of a pacing signal while ablation energy is concurrently directed to a target site. Sufficiency of ablation is indicated by failure of signal capture at a maximum predetermined pacing voltage. A common electrode in a cardiac catheter is simultaneously used to test pacing capture and to deliver ablation energy.

Abstract: Apparatus for testing an opto-switch includes a first sense resistor coupled between a power source and an input of the opto-switch, and a second sense resistor coupled to an output of the opto-switch. A test circuit is coupled to sense a first current flowing through the first sense resistor and a second current flowing through the second sense resistor and to generate a test signal responsively to a relation between the first and second currents. A controller is coupled to receive the test signal and to perform a protective action when the test signal exceeds a predetermined limit.

Abstract: Ventricular tachycardia signals are induced in a living subject. Pace-mapped signals are then obtained from multiple points within the ventricle, and automatically compared numerically with the induced signals. Recognition of a high degree of cross correlation between the induced signals and one or more of the pace-mapped signals identifies arrhythmogenic foci or pathways, which may then be ablated, so that the arrhythmia becomes non-inducible.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for locating arrhythmogenic cardiac focus. A training set of electrical signal data is acquired and automatically analyzed to identify CFAE locations. The data representing the CFAE locations are and subjected to determinations of medical significance, such as ablation decisions, by a battery of physicians. The decisions and descriptive statistics of the data are fitted to a binary logistic mixed model, in which the physician decisions are treated as random effects. The model is then applied to patient CFAE data to establish estimates of medical significance, such as suitability for ablation.

Abstract: A method for monitoring an electrocardiogram (ECG) signal of a subject, includes digitally sampling an average signal from at least a first ECG electrode, determining an average interference frequency, and digitally sampling and buffering a raw ECG signal from at least a second ECG electrode. The method further includes: filtering the raw ECG signal to generate a residual signal; calculating, based on the residual signal, a first amplitude and a first phase shift of a primary interference signal at the average interference frequency and a second amplitude and a second phase shift of one or more harmonic interference signals at respective multiples of the average interference frequency; and digitally subtracting the primary interference signal and the one or more harmonic interference signals from the raw ECG signal so as to generate and output a clean ECG signal.

Abstract: A method for calibrating an ultrasound probe includes directing the probe to receive ultrasonic waves reflected from a target that includes one or more linear elements, which are arranged to intersect the beam plane of the probe at respective intersection points. Signals are received from the probe responsively to the reflected ultrasonic waves, and the probe is aligned by modifying at least one of a position and an orientation of the probe responsively to the signals so that the intersection points occur in a desired location in the beam plane.

Abstract: A method for pre-planning and performing a cardiac procedure on a heart includes acquiring an image or map of the heart; displaying the image or map of the heart; marking at least one feature on the image or map; calculating dimensions of the at least one feature; identifying one or more points on or within the heart for treatment; determining paths to the one or more points on or within the heart for treatment; simulating insertion of a sheath into the heart; simulating insertion of a medical device through the sheath and within the heart; verifying that the one or more points on or within the heart can be accessed for treatment; and performing a medical procedure on or within the heart.

Abstract: A method for position sensing includes inserting a probe comprising at least one electrode into a body of a subject, and passing electrical currents through the body between the at least one electrode and a plurality of locations on a surface of the body. Respective characteristics of the currents passing through the plurality of the locations are measured in order to determine position coordinates of the probe.

Abstract: A probe for insertion into the body of a subject includes a sensor, a first microcircuit, which stores first calibration data with respect to the sensor, and a first connector at the proximal end of the probe. A probe adapter includes a second connector, which mates with the first connector, a signal processing circuit, which is processes the sensor signal, and a second microcircuit, which stores second calibration data with respect to the signal processing circuit. A microcontroller in the adapter receives the first and second calibration data and computes combined calibration data. The adapter includes a third connector, which mates with a fourth connector on a console. The console includes signal analysis circuitry, which analyzes the processed signal using the combined calibration data provided by the probe adapter.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for ablating tissue of a patient by applying ultrasound energy to the tissue. The apparatus is typically delivered to the targeted tissue via a catheter and includes an ultrasound array, which is adapted to be driven as a phased array to concentrate the ultrasound energy on the targeted tissue while avoiding surrounding tissue.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for image registration includes accepting a three-dimensional (3-D) image of an organ. The image includes a first plurality of image points with respective image coordinates. A map defining a distribution of values of a physiological parameter over the organ is accepted. The map includes a second plurality of map points with respective map coordinates. Confidence levels are associated with one or more of the map coordinates and image coordinates. Weights are assigned to at least some of the map points and image points responsively to the confidence levels of the respective map coordinates and image coordinates. The 3-D image is fitted with the map by calculating a geometrical transformation between the map coordinates and the image coordinates based on the weights.

Abstract: A biodegradable intralumenal device that is capable of drug delivery. The device has circular hoops connected by one or more flexible links defining a substantially cylindrical configuration capable of having a closed configuration and an open configuration. Each hoop mateably connects with or interlocks with an adjacent hoop in the open configuration in order to retain this configuration subsequent to delivery of the device.

Abstract: A position sensing system includes a probe adapted to be introduced into a body cavity of a subject. The lasso-shaped probe includes a magnetic field transducer in the rigid section proximal to the flexible lasso-shaped distal section which has at least one probe electrode. A control unit is configured to measure position coordinates of the probe using the magnetic field transducer. The control unit also measures an impedance between the at least one probe electrodes and one or more points on a body surface of the subject. Using the measured position coordinates, the control unit calibrates the measured impedance and provides an indication of the deformation and deflection of the flexible lasso-shaped distal section in relation to the magnetic field transducer in the rigid proximal section.