Abstract: Methods for ablating body tissue include providing an ablation device having a single ultrasound transducer; positioning the ultrasound transducer in proximity to a body tissue; controlling the ultrasound transducer to emit an ultrasound beam; and collecting amplitude mode (A-mode) ultrasound information along a sensing pattern traversed by the ultrasound beam. A 3D anatomical reference map of the body tissue is created from the A-mode ultrasound information. A graphical user interface is generated and shown on a display, wherein the graphical user interface comprises the 3D anatomical reference map and a window showing data. The data includes a distance between the ultrasound transducer and a surface of the body tissue. The method also includes identifying a target tissue on the 3D anatomical reference map; ablating the target tissue with the ultrasound transducer to create a lesion; and monitoring a lesion depth in real-time during the ablating, using the A-mode ultrasound information.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a graphical user interface for an ablation procedure include a display, a controller in electronic communication with the display, a catheter coupled to the controller, and a graphical user interface generated by the controller and shown on the display. The catheter has a distal tip comprising an ultrasound transducer. The ultrasound transducer is configured to emit an ultrasound beam. The graphical user interface includes a three-dimensional anatomical reference map of a chamber of body tissue to be ablated, where a lesion path is superimposed on the anatomical reference map; a catheter position relative to the chamber; and a window showing data. The data includes at least one of a) a distance between the ultrasound transducer and a surface of the body tissue, b) a dosing plan, c) a tissue thickness, and d) a tissue property.

Abstract: An ablation system for treating atrial fibrillation in a patient comprises an elongate shaft having proximal and distal ends, a lumen therebetween and a housing adjacent the distal end of the elongate shaft. An energy source is coupled to the housing and is adapted to deliver energy to a target tissue so as to create a zone of ablation in the target tissue that blocks abnormal electrical activity thereby reducing or eliminating the atrial fibrillation in the patient. A sensor is adjacent the energy source and adapted to detect relative position of the energy source to the target tissue or characteristics of the target tissue. The system also has a reflecting element operably coupled with the energy source and adapted to redirect energy emitted from the energy source in a desired direction or pattern.

Abstract: An ablation system for treating atrial fibrillation in a patient including an elongate shaft having proximal and distal ends, a lumen therebetween and a housing adjacent the distal end of the elongate shaft. An energy source is coupled to the housing and is adapted to deliver energy to a target tissue so as to create a zone of ablation in the target tissue that blocks abnormal electrical activity thereby reducing or eliminating the atrial fibrillation in the patient. A sensor is adjacent the energy source and adapted to detect relative position of the energy source to the target tissue or characteristics of the target tissue. The system also has a reflecting element operably coupled with the energy source and adapted to redirect energy emitted from the energy source in a desired direction or pattern.

Abstract: A cardiac ablation method including the following steps: inserting a treatment catheter into an atrium of a heart, the treatment catheter including an ultrasound emitter; positioning the ultrasound emitter to face heart tissue within the left atrium outside of a pulmonary vein; emitting ultrasound energy from the ultrasound emitter while rotating the ultrasound emitter about a rotation axis; and ablating heart tissue with the ultrasound energy to form a lesion outside of a pulmonary vein.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for creating tissue necrosis include an energy delivery apparatus that can be positioned adjacent a target treatment site such as a vessel without direct contact with the treatment site tissue. Collimated energy is then directed to the vessel to create necrotic regions in the tissue. Exemplary use in renal vessels creates necrotic regions in adjacent nerves which can alleviate hypertension in a patient.

Abstract: A method for creating a transmural lesion in tissue includes positioning a distal portion of a catheter near the tissue, where an ultrasound transducer is attached to the distal portion and is operatively coupled to a console and processor. The tissue is imaged by energizing the ultrasound transducer at a first power level to produce an ultrasound beam, where the imaging determines a thickness of the tissue, and a gap distance between the ultrasound transducer and the tissue. The tissue is ablated by energizing the ultrasound transducer at a second power level to produce the ultrasound beam. Energy delivered to the tissue during the ablating is controlled, using the processor, where the processor adjusts a speed of the ultrasound beam moving across the tissue based on the thickness and gap distance, to create the transmural lesion.

Abstract: A cardiac ablation method including the following steps: inserting a treatment catheter into an atrium of a heart, the treatment catheter including an ultrasound emitter; positioning the ultrasound emitter to face heart tissue within the left atrium outside of a pulmonary vein; emitting ultrasound energy from the ultrasound emitter while rotating the ultrasound emitter about a rotation axis; and ablating heart tissue with the ultrasound energy to form a lesion outside of a pulmonary vein.

Abstract: A tissue ablation method for treating atrial fibrillation in a patient comprises locating an ostium of a pulmonary vein and positioning an interventional catheter adjacent the ostium. The interventional catheter has an energy source. Collateral tissue adjacent the ostium is located and tissue around the ostium is ablated with energy from the energy source so as to form a contiguous lesion circumscribing the ostium. The lesion blocks aberrant electrical pathways in the tissue so as to reduce or eliminate the atrial fibrillation. The ablating is modified so as to avoid ablating or otherwise damaging the collateral tissue.

Abstract: A transducer subassembly with combined imaging and therapeutic capabilities is disclosed. The subassembly includes heat sinks that are configured to maintain the transducer at a low operating temperature so that the transducer operates at high efficiency and also can handle a wider range of frequencies. The subassembly is also configured to allow cooling fluid to flow past the transducer element. One heat sink in the subassembly also acts as an acoustic matching layer and another heat sink acts as a backing Alternatively, the second heat sink which acts as a backing is optional. The transducer is configured to transmit at one power level for imaging, and at a second power level for ablating. The transducer may comprise sub-elements transmitting at different power levels. The subassembly may be operated at one power level for imaging and a second power level for ablating.

Abstract: Systems and methods for ablating tissue include an ablation device having an energy source and a sensor. The energy source provides a beam of energy directable to target tissue, and the sensor senses energy reflected back from the target tissue. The sensor collects various information from the target tissue in order to facilitate adjustment of ablation operating parameters, such as changing power or position of the energy beam. Gap distance between the energy source and target tissue, energy beam incident angle, tissue motion, tissue type, lesion depth, etc. are examples of some of the information that may be collected during the ablation process and used to help control ablation of the tissue.

Abstract: A cardiac ablation method including the following steps: inserting a treatment catheter into an atrium of a heart, the treatment catheter including an ultrasound emitter; positioning the ultrasound emitter to face heart tissue within the left atrium outside of a pulmonary vein; emitting ultrasound energy from the ultrasound emitter while rotating the ultrasound emitter about a rotation axis; and ablating heart tissue with the ultrasound energy to form a lesion outside of a pulmonary vein.

Abstract: A transducer subassembly with combined imaging and therapeutic capabilities is disclosed. The subassembly includes heat sinks that are configured to maintain the transducer at a low operating temperature so that the transducer operates at high efficiency and also can handle a wider range of frequencies. The subassembly is also configured to allow cooling fluid to flow past the transducer element. One heat sink in the subassembly also acts as an acoustic matching layer and another heat sink acts as a backing Alternatively, the second heat sink which acts as a backing is optional. The transducer is configured to transmit at one power level for imaging, and at a second power level for ablating. The transducer may comprise sub-elements transmitting at different power levels. The subassembly may be operated at one power level for imaging and a second power level for ablating.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a graphical user interface for an ablation procedure include a display, a controller in electronic communication with the display, a catheter coupled to the controller, and a graphical user interface generated by the controller and shown on the display. The catheter has a distal tip comprising an ultrasound transducer. The ultrasound transducer is configured to emit an ultrasound beam. The graphical user interface includes a three-dimensional anatomical reference map of a chamber of body tissue to be ablated, where a lesion path is superimposed on the anatomical reference map; a catheter position relative to the chamber; and a window showing data. The data includes at least one of a) a distance between the ultrasound transducer and a surface of the body tissue, b) a dosing plan, c) a tissue thickness, and d) a tissue property.

Abstract: A method of mapping tissue includes sensing a first region and a second region of a chamber of body tissue. The sensing includes moving an ultrasound transducer of a catheter over a surface of the region along a sensing pattern, and using the ultrasound transducer to gather a set of echo-anatomical data in an amplitude mode at a plurality of points along the sensing pattern. The set of echo-anatomical data comprises distances between the ultrasound transducer and the surface at the plurality of points. A three-dimensional surface map is generated using the set of echo-anatomical data from each region. The surface maps of the regions are combined to form a combined surface map. Methods also include using a set of echo-anatomical data to generate a three-dimensional surface map of a region, from a detected border of the body tissue and detected motion phases of the region.

Abstract: A system for ablating and mapping tissue comprises a stand alone tissue ablation system adapted to ablate the tissue, and a stand alone cardiac mapping system adapted to map the tissue. The ablation system is operably coupled with the cardiac mapping system such that mapping data from the cardiac mapping system is provided to the ablation system to create a graphical display of the tissue and the ablation system position relative to the tissue. Motion of the ablation system may be monitored and adjusted based on feedback provided by ablation system actuators as well as position sensors.

Abstract: Systems and methods for ablating tissue include an ablation device having an energy source and a sensor. The energy source provides a beam of energy directable to target tissue, and the sensor senses energy reflected back from the target tissue. The sensor collects various information from the target tissue in order to facilitate adjustment of ablation operating parameters, such as changing power or position of the energy beam. Gap distance between the energy source and target tissue, energy beam incident angle, tissue motion, tissue type, lesion depth, etc. are examples of some of the information that may be collected during the ablation process and used to help control ablation of the tissue.

Abstract: Methods for ablating tissue in a patient having atrial fibrillation comprise advancing an elongate flexible shaft through a patient's vasculature into a chamber of a heart. The elongate flexible shaft has an energy source and a sensor. Tissue in the heart is scanned with the sensor and data about the tissue is captured. The captured data is grouped into one of a plurality of tissue classifications and an anatomical map of the tissue showing the grouped data is displayed. At least a portion of the tissue is ablated so as to form a conduction block that blocks aberrant electrical pathways in the heart. The ablated tissue is grouped into one or more predefined tissue classifications during or prior to the ablation.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for an ablation device used in the treatment of atrial fibrillation comprise an elongate shaft and a positioning mechanism adjacent the distal end of the shaft. The positioning mechanism is adapted to facilitate location of an anatomic structure and also to anchor the elongate shaft adjacent the anatomic structure. The positioning mechanism comprises an electrode for stimulating the anatomic structure as well as sensing electrical signals. Also, an energy delivery element is adjacent the distal end of the shaft and is adapted to stimulate the anatomic structure and create a zone of ablation that blocks abnormal electrical activity thereby reducing or eliminating atrial fibrillation in the patient.