Abstract: Systems and methods are described for planning of catheter ablation procedures, and in particular for planning of the placement of lesions and/or parameters used in ablation. In some embodiments, planning is based on thermal and/or dielectric simulation of lesions, individualized to the anatomy of the particular patient. Optionally, a plan comprises planning of a path along which an ablation lesion is to be formed, the ablation lesion optionally comprising one or more sub-lesions. The plan is optionally optimized for one or more criteria including, for example: minimization of path length, minimization of sub-lesion number, simplification of catheter maneuvering, avoidance of collateral damage to non-target tissue, access to the target dependent on anatomy shape and/or catheter mechanics, and/or features of the target anatomy such as tissue wall thickness and/or fiber direction.

Abstract: A method of performing dielectric-based imaging is disclosed comprising exciting at least one pair of electrodes according to an excitation scheme, the at least one pair of electrodes comprising at least one pair of in-body electrodes (also referred herein below intra-body electrode) located inside of the examined living body, measuring and recording voltages developing on the in-body electrodes during the excitation according to the excitation scheme, solving an inverse problem to achieve a 3D dielectric map from the recorded voltages and optionally providing a 3D image of the body tissues based on the 3D dielectric map.

Abstract: A method of estimating a location of a catheter in a heart chamber with respect to a model is provided. The model is generated based on readings received from the catheter. The method, in some embodiments, includes receiving readings from the catheter when the catheter is in the location to be estimated; and estimating the location based on the location readings received together with a completeness indicator, indicative of a completeness of the model. Examples of completeness indicators include elapsed time and variance in the model data.

Abstract: A tissue imaging method of imaging a target tissue including: providing a plurality of hardware electrodes; sending and receiving electrical signals using the plurality of hardware electrodes to produce measurement data; selecting a virtual electrode model, where each the virtual electrode includes two or more hardware electrodes; processing the measurement data using the virtual electrode model to provide a processed data output; and reconstructing an image using the processed data output.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of graphically presenting an indicating marker over a 3-D model of a tissue surface during a catheterization procedure, comprising determining a region over the 3-D model, deforming the indicating marker to congruently match a shape defined by the 3-D model across the region at a plurality of positions; and rendering the 3-D model into an image including the deformed indicating marker by generating an image of the 3-D model covered by said deformed indicating marker.

Abstract: Methods and systems of computing parameter values of one or more model parameters are described. The model models structural and dielectric properties of a structure in a human or an animal body. An exemplary method includes: accessing voltage measurements made at different places in the vicinity of the structure by one or more in-body field sensing electrodes in response to currents applied to one or more field supplying electrodes; and computing the parameter values by adjusting the parameter values to fit predicted voltage values to the accessed voltage measurements, wherein the predicted voltage values are predicted from the model for the currents applied to the field supplying in-body electrodes.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for planning of catheter ablation procedures, and in particular for planning of the placement of lesions and/or parameters used in ablation. In some embodiments, planning is based on thermal and/or dielectric simulation of lesions, individualized to the anatomy of the particular patient. Optionally, a plan comprises planning of a path along which an ablation lesion is to be formed, the ablation lesion optionally comprising one or more sub-lesions. The plan is optionally optimized for one or more criteria including, for example: minimization of path length, minimization of sub-lesion number, simplification of catheter maneuvering, avoidance of collateral damage to non-target tissue, access to the target dependent on anatomy shape and/or catheter mechanics, and/or features of the target anatomy such as tissue wall thickness and/or fiber direction.

Abstract: Devices and methods for assessing tissue contact based on dielectric properties and/or impedance sensing are disclosed. In some embodiments, one or more probing frequencies are delivered via electrodes including an electrode in proximity to a tissue (for example, myocardial tissue). In some embodiments, dielectric parameter values, optionally together with other known and/or estimated tissue characteristics, are measured to determine a contact quality with the tissue. In some embodiments, dielectric contact quality is used, for example, in guiding the formation of a lesion (for example, RF ablation of heart tissue to alter electrical transmission characteristics).

Abstract: There is provided a computer implemented method of reconstructing an image of a body cavity shape of a subject based on a plurality of location indications, indicating locations of at least one sensor disposed on an intrabody probe within the body cavity, the method comprising: receiving data indicative of the plurality of location indications, identifying based on the data at least a first group and a second group of location indications, and reconstructing the body cavity from the data, using a first reconstruction method for the first group of location indications, and a second reconstruction method for the second group of location indications.

Abstract: Devices and methods for tissue lesion assessment and/or creation based on dielectric properties are disclosed. In some embodiments, one or more probing frequencies are delivered via electrodes including an electrode in proximity to a tissue (for example, myocardial tissue). Measured dielectric properties (such as impedance properties), optionally together with other known and/or estimated tissue characteristics, are used to determine the lesion state of the tissue. In some embodiments, a developing lesion state is monitored during treatment formation of a lesion (for example, ablation of heart tissue to alter electrical transmission characteristics).

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of graphically presenting an indicating marker over a 3-D model of a tissue surface during a catheterization procedure, comprising determining a region over the 3-D model, deforming the indicating marker to congruently match a shape defined by the 3-D model across the region at a plurality of positions; and rendering the 3-D model into an image including the deformed indicating marker by generating an image of the 3-D model covered by said deformed indicating marker.

Abstract: A method of performing conductivity-based imaging is disclosed comprising exciting at least one pair of electrodes according to an excitation scheme. The at least one pair of electrodes comprising a surface electrode located on the surface of an examined body and at least one in-body electrode located inside of the examined living body. Voltages developing on the surface electrodes and on the in-body electrodes during the excitation according to the excitation scheme arc measured, an inverse problem is solved to achieve a 3D conductivity map from the measured voltages, and a 3D image of the body tissues based on the 3D conductivity map is provided.

Abstract: A method of evaluating electrical impedance across a gap between a first catheter electrode and a second catheter electrode, both carried on a same catheter is provided. The method includes: receiving measurements of electrical voltages; and evaluating the electrical impedance across the gap based on the measurements of the electrical voltages. In some embodiments, the electrical voltages include: a first electrical voltage, which is a voltage measured between a reference electrode and the first catheter electrode measured under a first alternating electrical current having a first frequency and flowing through a conductor from an electrical source to the first catheter electrode, and a second electrical voltage, which is a voltage measured between the reference electrode and the second catheter electrode under the first alternating electrical current.

Abstract: Systems and method for remote field measurement-based mapping of anatomical structures (e.g., using impedance image of electrical fields) are described. In some embodiments, an image of features within a target region is produced by analysis of a spatial pattern of field measurements made in a measurement region remote from the target region features; for example, but not exclusively, by treating the spatial arrangement of field measurements in some portion of the measurement region as indicating the spatial (e.g., angular and/or distance) arrangement of features (e.g., anatomical structure of topography and/or tissue type) in the target region.

Abstract: A method of generating a combined image of a body part from a sequence of partially overlapping source images of the body part, each of the partially overlapping source images showing the body part at one of a plurality of different times, the source images being ordered in the sequence according to the different times, the method including defining a temporally coherent sequence of transformations, for registering the partially overlapping source images in the sequence with each other, registering the source images to each other using the defined temporally coherent sequence of transformations, to obtain co-registered images, and combining at least some of the co-registered images into a combined image. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Abstract: Electrical field imaging is performed using optionally any of a range of medical implements having a designated medical use (e.g., having a working portion for manipulating tissue); and furthermore supplied with at least one electrode that is used to transmit and/or receive an electrical field which interacts with the dielectric properties of tissue. In some embodiments, the at least one electrode is supplied as an add-on assembly, optionally as part of a kit including the medical implement.