Abstract: A location pad includes multiple field-generators and a frame. The multiple field-generators are configured to generate respective magnetic fields in a region-of-interest of a patient organ, so as to measure a position of a medical instrument in the region-of-interest. The frame is transparent to an X-ray radiation, and is configured to fix the multiple field-generators at respective positions surrounding the region-of-interest.

Abstract: A method for estimating a thickness of cardiac tissue undergoing ablation includes the steps of (a) applying a sequence of ablation pulses to a region of the cardiac tissue, so as to create a lesion, and (b) for a given ablation pulse in the sequence, an incremental depth added to the lesion due to the given ablation pulse is estimated. A cumulative depth of the lesion is estimated based on the cumulative depth prior to the given pulse, and on the incremental depth. An amplitude of an electrogram signal at the region is assessed after applying the given ablation pulse, and, if the amplitude exceeds a predefined threshold, an estimate of the thickness is set to be at least the cumulative depth.

Abstract: A catheter for electrophysiology applications is disclosed herein that includes a tubular member and an end effector. The end effector is coupled to a distal portion of the tubular member. The end effector includes first, second, and third loop members configured so that the first loop member defines a first plane, the second loop member defines a second plane at an angle to the first plane, and the third loop member defines a third plane at an angle to the first plane and at an angle to the second plane. Each of the first, second, and third loop members are configured as a respective single axis magnetic coil, and the first, second, and third loop members are collectively configured to function as a three axis magnetic sensor.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a medical system includes a catheter configured to be inserted into a body part of a living subject, a display configured to provide a view of at least part of a hand of a user, and a processor configured to track a position of the catheter in the body part, render to the display a three-dimensional view of an interior of an anatomical map of the body part and a representation of the catheter inside the anatomical map responsively to the tracked position, while the display is providing the view of the at least part of the hand of the user, recognize a gesture of the at least part of the hand of the user selecting a portion of the catheter, and perform an action responsively to recognizing selection by the user of the portion of the catheter.

Abstract: The disclosed technology includes an end effector for a medical probe. The end effector can comprise an expandable distal end assembly extending along a longitudinal axis. The expandable distal end assembly can extend radially outward from the longitudinal axis and define an outer diameter. The end effector can further comprise a distal tip extending distally from the expandable distal end assembly along the longitudinal axis over a tip length greater than the outer diameter. The distal tip can be fixed longitudinally in relation to the expandable distal end assembly and be deflectable with respect to the longitudinal axis. The tip can comprise an electrode configured to deliver ablative energy to tissue or receive signals from tissue.

Abstract: The disclosed technology includes an actuator subsystem for a medical probe, including an actuator, a detent, and at least one catch. The actuator is designed to move an end effector between expanded and collapsed configuration. As the actuator is moved, the catches, in conjunction with the detent, provide tactile feedback regarding a position of an end effector of the medical device.

Abstract: An irreversible electroporation and radio frequency ablation (IRE/RFA) generator includes an IRE pulse generator, harmonic filtration circuitry, and a waveform interleaver. The IRE pulse generator is configured to generate biphasic IRE pulses. The harmonic filtration circuitry is configured to convert the IRE pulses into an RF signal. The waveform interleaver, which is configured to receive the IRE pulses and the RF signal and generate an output signal having a composition of the adapted IRE pulses having a final shape and repetition rate, the converted RF sinusoidal signal, or a combined IRE/RFA output signal, by switching between the received IRE square pulses and the received converted RF sinusoidal signal.

Abstract: A medical instrument may include an expandable balloon on a distal end and a handle with a knob thereon. The knob may be movable along the handle, and the handle may include a switch disposed between the handle and the knob so that the movement of the knob relative to the handle activates and deactivates a circuit connected to the switch to provide an indication of the position of the knob in relation to the handle to a console. A catheter may include an elongated catheter shaft, an expandable member distal of the elongated catheter shaft, and a handle with a knob disposed thereon. The catheter may include a switch disposed between the knob and handle so that movement of the knob activates and deactivates a circuit connected to the switch.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting a mapping annotation for an electrophysiological (EP) mapping system. The system includes a processor comprising a machine learning algorithm configured to receive a first heartbeat at an identified cardiac spatial location including a first set of attributes information corresponding to the first heartbeat; receive a second heartbeat at the identified cardiac spatial location including a second set of attributes information corresponding to the second heartbeat; compare the first set of attributes information with the second set of attributes information; and determine which of the first heartbeat and the second heartbeat has optimal characteristics based on the compared attribute information.

Abstract: A medical apparatus includes a shaft, an expandable frame, a membrane, a diagnostic electrode, a reference electrode, and a processor. The shaft is configured for insertion into an organ of a patient. The expandable frame is coupled to a distal end of the shaft. The diagnostic electrode, which is disposed on an external surface of the expandable frame, is configured to sense diagnostic signals when in contact with tissue. The reference electrode is disposed on a surface of the expandable frame directly opposite the diagnostic electrode, wherein the reference electrode is electrically insulated from the tissue and is configured to sense interfering signals.

Abstract: A catheter includes a shaft, an expandable frame, a first set of electrodes, and a second set of electrodes. The shaft is configured for insertion into an organ of a patient. The expandable frame is fitted at a distal end of the shaft. The first set of electrodes is disposed over a distal portion of the expandable frame, and configured to be placed in contact with a tissue in the organ. The second set of electrodes is disposed on a proximal portion of the expandable frame, and configured to be inter-connected to form a common electrode.

Abstract: A position sensor includes a flexible substrate formed into a three-dimensional (3D) shape. At least first and second field-sensing coils are formed in first and second respective layers of the flexible substrate, such that in the 3D shape the first and second field-sensing coils have first and second respective axes that are not parallel to one another.

Abstract: Apparatus, consisting of a power supply having a first electrical connection to a relatively high voltage source and connectable to ablation circuitry in a catheter via a second electrical connection. There are rechargeable first and second subsidiary power sources in the power supply. The apparatus also has a control unit, and a first switch alternately connecting the ablation circuitry to the first and second subsidiary power sources responsively to control signals from the control unit. The apparatus also has a second switch alternately connecting one of the first and second subsidiary power sources to the high voltage source for recharging thereof responsively to the control signals while the one of the first and second subsidiary power sources is disconnected from the ablation circuitry and another of the first and second subsidiary power sources is connected to the ablation circuitry by the first switch.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an end effector having loop members with electrodes thereon and is usable with catheter-based systems to measure or provide electrical signals. The end effector can include three loop members that are non-coplanar when expanded unconstrained that become contiguous to a planar surface when the loop members are deflected against the surface, a mechanical linkage that joins the loop members at a distal vertex of the end effector, electrodes having surface treatment to enhance surface roughness of the electrodes, twisted pair electrode wires, a bonded spine cover, and/or any combination thereof.

Abstract: An expandable balloon, which is coupled to a distal end of a shaft for insertion into an organ of a patient, includes an expandable membrane, one or more electrodes and one or more respective conductive coils. The one or more electrodes are disposed over an external surface of the membrane. The one or more respective conductive coils are each disposed proximate a respective RF ablation electrode. The one or more conductive coils are configured as magnetic sensors.

Abstract: The disclosed technology includes a magnetic location sensor which may comprise first and second spiral coils that can be disposed on a planar substrate. The first and second spiral coils may be disposed about respective first and second center axes, wherein each of the first and second coils can be configured to generate a voltage when subjected to a magnetic field. The magnetic location sensor may also comprise a high-magnetic-permeability planar member that can be disposed near one of the first and second spiral coils. The high-magnetic-permeability planar member can be disposed on the magnetic location sensor such that if the planar substrate is wrapped around a cylindrical substrate, the high-magnetic-permeability planar member may be disposed on an intersection of the first and second center axes.

Abstract: A method of delivering a combined irreversible electroporation and radio frequency (IRE/RFA) signal during ablation that includes receiving a selection of a ratio of IRE/RFA energy and a selection of an interleaved sequence of a combined IRE/RFA waveform. The interleaved sequence includes one or more adapted IRE square pulses formed by adapting generated biphasic IRE square pulses to IRE pulses having a final shape and repetition rate using a biphasic pulse shaper, and one of more RFA cycles formed from converting the generated biphasic IRE square pulses into a RF sinusoidal signal using a harmonic filter. The interleaved sequence is generated by interleaving, into a single waveform, the one or more adapted IRE square pulses with one or more cycles of the converted RF sinusoidal signal. The combined IRE/RFA output signal is outputted to a catheter electrode inside a patient's heart for application to a target tissue location.

Abstract: Classification of heartbeats based on intracardiac and body surface electrocardiogram (ECG) signals are provided. Intracardiac ECG (IC-ECG) signals and body surface ECG (BS-ECG) signals are processed to perform heartbeat classifications. A BS annotation of BS-ECG signals reflective of a sensed heartbeat is defined, the BS annotation including a BS annotation time value. IC annotations of IC-ECG signals which reflect atrial-activity or ventricular activity of the sensed heartbeat are also defined, each IC annotation including an IC annotation time value. The IC-ECG signals are discriminated as A-activity or V-activity and IC annotations are designated as IC-A annotations or IC-V annotations, respectively. A respective A/V time sequence comparison of IC annotations reflective of the sensed heartbeat is made with one or more time sequence templates for heartbeat classification.