Abstract: A method, including receiving from a sensor affixed to a probe, signals output by the sensor in response to a calibrated magnetic field, and estimating, using calibration data, location coordinates of the sensor. Using the calibration data and the estimated location, an estimated vector including orientation coordinates is computed, and updated orientation coordinates that best fit the received signals to the estimated vector are computed for the estimated location. Based on the updated orientation, updated location coordinates that best fit the received signals to the estimated vector are computed. The steps of computing the vector, computing the orientation, and computing the location and monitoring changes in the updated location are repeated until the changes are linear. Upon the changes being linear, a final location of the sensor is computed using a linear projection from the updated location, and a position of the probe is presented based on the final location.

Abstract: A medical patch includes a substrate, an electrode, and circuitry. The substrate is configured to attach externally to a patient. The electrode is coupled to the substrate and is configured to sense electrocardiogram (ECG) signals from a heart of the patient, and to further sense electrical signals indicative of an impedance between the electrode and a probe in the heart. The circuitry is coupled to the substrate and includes a shared amplifier that is configured to simultaneously amplify the ECG signals and the electrical signals sensed by the electrode.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems for medical procedures are herein and include an external or implantable monitoring and processing apparatus that includes a memory, a sensor and a processor. The processor may be configured to receive biometric patient data from the sensor and transmit, via a first network, the biometric patient data based on a triggering cause. A local computing device may be configured to receive the biometric patient data via the first network, generate a combined patient data based at least on the received biometric patient data, and transmit the combined patient data via a second network. A remote computing system configured to receive the combined patient data via the second network, determine that a critical event is detected based on the combined patient data, and initiate a critical event action based on determining that the critical detected.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, an upright member, a frame, and a plurality of field generating elements. The body is configured to be positioned between a patient's back and a backrest of a chair. The upright member extends upwardly from the body. The frame has a curved configuration configured to partially surround a patient's head. The field generating elements are configured to generate an electromagnetic field around a patient's head partially surrounded by the frame.

Abstract: A method for location tracking, includes measuring one or more first impedance-magnitudes, between a probe located at a location in an organ of a patient and one or more body-surface electrodes, at a first electrical frequency. One or more second impedance-magnitudes, between the probe located at the location and the one or more body-surface electrodes, are measured at a second electrical frequency. Based on the measured first and second impedance-magnitudes, one or more probe zero-frequency impedance-magnitudes between the probe and the one or more body-surface electrodes are estimated. The location of the probe in the organ is estimated based on the one or more probe zero-frequency impedance-magnitudes.

Abstract: A medical system includes a probe, an electrooptical measurement unit, and a processor. The probe, which is configured for insertion into a blood vessel of a brain, includes one or more optical fibers configured to guide an optical signal to interact with a brain clot in the blood vessel, and to output the optical signal that interacted with the brain clot. The electrooptical measurement unit is configured to collect and measure the outputted optical signal. The processor is configured to identify a composition of the brain clot by analyzing the measured optical signal from the probe.

Abstract: The subject of this disclosure is devices, systems, and uses thereof to treat a plurality of patients for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. The solution can include delivering a multi-electrode radiofrequency balloon catheter and a multi-electrode diagnostic catheter to one or more targeted pulmonary veins; ablating tissue of the one or more targeted pulmonary veins using the multi-electrode radiofrequency balloon catheter; diagnosing the one or more targeted pulmonary veins using the multi-electrode diagnostic catheter; and achieving at least one of a predetermined clinical effectiveness and acute effectiveness of the method or use based on use of the multi-electrode radiofrequency balloon catheter and the multi-electrode diagnostic catheter in the isolation of the one or more targeted pulmonary veins.

Abstract: A method includes, in a calibration phase, positioning a calibration-tool, including a mapping-electrode and a sensor of a location-measuring system, in an organ. The calibration-tool is tracked at different positions in the organ using the location-measuring system. A set of calibration data points is generated at the respective different positions, each calibration data point including signal-values obtained using the mapping-electrode and a corresponding position measurement of the sensor by the location-measuring system. The method further includes, in an investigation phase that is subsequent to the calibration phase, positioning an investigation-tool at a location in the organ. The signal-values at the location are measured using a mapping-electrode of the investigation-tool.

Abstract: A method, including pressing a distal end of a medical probe against a wall of a body cavity, and receiving from the probe first measurements of a force exerted by the distal end on the wall. The method also includes receiving from the probe second measurements indicating a displacement of the wall in response to the force. The method further includes estimating a thickness of the wall based on the first and the second measurements.

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: Thermography of an ablation site is carried out by navigating a probe into contact with target tissue in the heart, obtaining a first position of a position sensor in the probe and acquiring a first magnetic resonance thermometry image of the target tissue. The method is further carried out during ablation by iteratively reading the position sensor to obtain second positions, and acquiring a new magnetic resonance thermometry image of the target tissue when the distance between the first position and one of the second positions is less than a predetermined distance. The images are analyzed to determine the temperature of the target tissue.

Abstract: A method for positioning a balloon, which is fitted at a distal end of a catheter, at an ostium of a blood vessel of a patient, includes attempting to achieve circumferential physical contact between the balloon and an entire circumference of the ostium. One or more slices across the ostium are imaged with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and the extent of blood flow along the circumference of the ostium is estimated using the MRI. Based on the estimated extent of blood flow, an extent of the circumferential physical contact between the balloon and the ostium is indicated to a user.

Abstract: Apparatus, including an enclosure, a fluid-tight bag located within the enclosure, and a fluid-tight valve connected to the fluid-tight bag. The apparatus also has a tube, having a first end connected to the fluid-tight bag via the fluid-tight valve, and a second end connected to a balloon within a breast implant fitted to an implantee. The apparatus further includes a spindle, located within the enclosure, connected to the fluid-tight bag, and configured to rotate under control of the implantee so as to roll the fluid-tight bag onto the spindle or to unroll the fluid-tight bag from the spindle, and thus transfer a fluid, contained in the balloon, the tube, and the fluid-tight bag, therebetween.

Abstract: Fast recovery electrocardiogram (ECG) signal method and apparatus are provided. In one embodiment, an ECG apparatus includes an input for receiving a biometric cardiogram signal, such as a Wilson Central Terminal (WCT) signal, and a combiner, such as an adder, for producing a compensated signal. Processing circuitry produces an ECG reflective of the compensated signal and also outputs a signal corresponding to high frequency response of the compensated signal to compensate for low response of the biometric cardiogram signal to high frequency spikes. A resultant ECG is produced by the processing circuitry having pacing signal contribution within the biometric cardiogram signal cancelled.

Abstract: A physiologic monitoring device is configured to detect and record signals from the sensor and to wirelessly communicate via the communication interface with a transmitter and a receiver that are disposed outside the housing, and to receive via the communication interface transmissions of commands and data from the transmitter. The device operates in a standby mode and an active mode Transmissions comprise control signals to change the mode of operation that are transmitted by the transmitter at a first frequency in a range of 1-10 GHz, and transfers of recorded data from the sensor to the receiver in a range of 400-450 MHz.

Abstract: A method includes, in a processor, receiving example representations of geometrical shapes of a given type of organ. In a training phase, a neural network model is trained using the example representations. In a modeling phase, the trained neural network model is applied to a set of location measurements acquired in an organ of the given type, to produce a three-dimensional model of the organ.

Abstract: A catheter adapted or high density mapping and/or ablation of tissue surface has a distal electrode array with offset spine loops, each spine loop having at least a pair of linear portions and a distal portion connecting the pair of linear portions, and one or more electrodes on each linear portion. The linear portions of the plurality of offset spine loops are arranged in-plane a single common plane, and the distal portions of the plurality of offset spine loops are arranged off-plane from the single common plane.

Abstract: An ECG signal correlation and display system is provided which includes memory configured to store ECG data corresponding to electrical signals, acquired over time, from different areas of a heart and location data corresponding to acquired location signals indicating locations of the different areas of the heart from which the electrical signals are acquired. The system also includes a processing device configured to generate, from the ECG data and the location data, mapping information for displaying a map of the heart and determine a location of an anatomical region of the heart on the map. The processing device is also configured to determine which of the plurality of electrical signals are acquired from the anatomical region of the heart and generate correlated ECG signal information for displaying the electrical signals determined to be acquired from the anatomical region of the heart.

Abstract: A method for anatomical diagnosis includes measuring, using a catheter that includes a position sensor and an electrode, over multiple cycles of a beating heart, electrical activity and mechanical motion at a plurality of locations contacted by the catheter on a heart wall within a chamber of the heart. Based on the measured mechanical motion, a magnitude of a mechanical strain is computed over the cycles at the locations. In one embodiment, the computed strain is used in identifying a group of the locations at which the magnitude of the mechanical strain is below a predefined strain threshold and a voltage of the electrical activity is below a predefined voltage threshold as a locus of scar tissue. In another embodiment, a pathological condition of the heart is identified based on a characteristic of the mechanical strain computed over the left ventricle during the diastolic phase.

Abstract: A medical device includes a disposable Ear-Nose-Throat (ENT) tool, a reusable handle, and a processor. The ENT tool is configured to perform a medical procedure in a patient ENT organ. The reusable handle is configured to hold and control the disposable ENT tool, and includes a position sensor configured to produce one or more position signals that are indicative of a first position of the reusable handle. The processor is configured to receive the position signals from the position sensor, and to estimate, based on the position signals, a second position of the disposable ENT tool in the patient ENT organ.