Abstract: Catheters are presented herein having planar end effectors of various configurations, generally providing a two-sided and multi-layered platform for electrodes and sensors. In some examples, the end effector has a support frame (e.g. nitinol) between a pair of flexible circuits. The end effector can also include a polymer (e.g. silicone, LCP, etc.) between the flexible circuits and encapsulating the support frame. This platform facilitates positioning of electrodes on either side (including both sides) of the end effector in a variety of spacings and facilitates ultra-tight electrode spacing and/or a large area electrode. Sensors (ultrasound transducers, navigation coils, etc.) can be layered within the end effector between outer surfaces of the flexible circuits in a variety of configurations.

Abstract: A method, consisting of modeling physical parameters representative of a probe in proximity to body tissue during an ablation procedure performed by the probe. The method also includes measuring a subgroup of the physical parameters during a non-ablation stage of the ablation procedure so as to generate measured non-ablative values of the subgroup, and measuring the subgroup of the physical parameters during an ablation stage of the ablation procedure so as to generate measured ablative values of the subgroup. In response to the modeling, the method includes generating calculated non-ablative values of the subgroup for the non-ablation stage, and generating calculated ablative values of the subgroup for the ablation stage. The method compares the measured non-ablative values with the calculated non-ablative values, and compares the measured ablative values with the calculated ablative values, so as generate optimal values of the physical parameters.

Abstract: Cryocatheter including an elongated flexible catheter member having a short rigid catheter tip for introduction into a therapy site and a heat exchange arrangement for freezing the catheter tip to a cryo-temperature from between about ?15° C. to about ?30° C. for freezing human tissue at the therapy site. Cerebral medical procedures include inter alia employing a local ice ball for sealing a bleeding rupture in an arterial wall in the case of a stroke hemorrhage, employing a local ice ball for mapping electrical disorder foci in a brain, for example, epileptic foci, and the like.

Abstract: A method, consisting of modeling physical parameters representative of a probe in proximity to body tissue during an ablation procedure performed by the probe. The method also includes measuring a subgroup of the physical parameters during a non-ablation stage of the ablation procedure so as to generate measured non-ablative values of the subgroup, and measuring the subgroup of the physical parameters during an ablation stage of the ablation procedure so as to generate measured ablative values of the subgroup. In response to the modeling, the method includes generating calculated non-ablative values of the subgroup for the non-ablation stage, and generating calculated ablative values of the subgroup for the ablation stage. The method compares the measured non-ablative values with the calculated non-ablative values, and compares the measured ablative values with the calculated ablative values, so as generate optimal values of the physical parameters.

Abstract: Described embodiments include a system that includes a current source generator and a processor. The processor is configured to drive the current source generator to supply, for application to tissue of a subject, an electric current having an amplitude that varies in accordance with a predefined function of time, such that the amplitude initially monotonically increases to a maximum value. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A probe having a temperature sensor on its distal portion is introduced into a fluid-filled body cavity of a subject, and an irrigating fluid passed through the probe. The temperature of the irrigating fluid exiting the probe differs from the temperature of the body cavity. Temperature readings of the irrigating fluid exiting the probe are recorded. A determination is made from the temperature readings that predetermined contact criteria between the probe and the interior wall of the body cavity are satisfied.

Abstract: A method, consisting of modeling physical parameters representative of a probe in proximity to body tissue during an ablation procedure performed by the probe. The method also includes measuring a subgroup of the physical parameters during a non-ablation stage of the ablation procedure so as to generate measured non-ablative values of the subgroup, and measuring the subgroup of the physical parameters during an ablation stage of the ablation procedure so as to generate measured ablative values of the subgroup. In response to the modeling, the method includes generating calculated non-ablative values of the subgroup for the non-ablation stage, and generating calculated ablative values of the subgroup for the ablation stage. The method compares the measured non-ablative values with the calculated non-ablative values, and compares the measured ablative values with the calculated ablative values, so as generate optimal values of the physical parameters.

Abstract: Described embodiments include a system that includes a current source generator and a processor. The processor is configured to drive the current source generator to supply, for application to tissue of a subject, an electric current having an amplitude that varies in accordance with a predefined function of time, such that the amplitude initially monotonically increases to a maximum value. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Provided is a neuroprotection apparatus including a scalp temperature measurement acquisition device for acquiring scalp temperature measurements at a plurality of locations on a patient's scalp during an induced hypothermia and a neuroprotection processor for processing the scalp temperature measurements for determining real time patient temperature information for display on a human head image on a display device during the induced hypothermia.

Abstract: Described embodiments include a system that includes a current source generator and a processor. The processor is configured to drive the current source generator to supply, for application to tissue of a subject, an electric current having an amplitude that varies in accordance with a predefined function of time, such that the amplitude initially monotonically increases to a maximum value. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A probe having a temperature sensor on its distal portion is introduced into a fluid-filled body cavity of a subject, and an irrigating fluid passed through the probe. The temperature of the irrigating fluid exiting the probe differs from the temperature of the body cavity. Temperature readings of the irrigating fluid exiting the probe are recorded. A determination is made from the temperature readings that predetermined contact criteria between the probe and the interior wall of the body cavity are satisfied.

Abstract: A probe having a temperature sensor on its distal portion is introduced into a fluid-filled body cavity of a subject, and an irrigating fluid passed through the probe. The temperature of the irrigating fluid exiting the probe differs from the temperature of the body cavity. Temperature readings of the irrigating fluid exiting the probe are recorded. A determination is made from the temperature readings that predetermined contact criteria between the probe and the interior wall of the body cavity are satisfied.

Abstract: A method, consisting of modeling physical parameters representative of a probe in proximity to body tissue during an ablation procedure performed by the probe. The method also includes measuring a subgroup of the physical parameters during a non-ablation stage of the ablation procedure so as to generate measured non-ablative values of the subgroup, and measuring the subgroup of the physical parameters during an ablation stage of the ablation procedure so as to generate measured ablative values of the subgroup. In response to the modeling, the method includes generating calculated non-ablative values of the subgroup for the non-ablation stage, and generating calculated ablative values of the subgroup for the ablation stage. The method compares the measured non-ablative values with the calculated non-ablative values, and compares the measured ablative values with the calculated ablative values, so as generate optimal values of the physical parameters.

Abstract: A method, consisting of modeling physical parameters representative of a probe in proximity to body tissue during an ablation procedure performed by the probe. The method also includes measuring a subgroup of the physical parameters during a non-ablation stage of the ablation procedure so as to generate measured non-ablative values of the subgroup, and measuring the subgroup of the physical parameters during an ablation stage of the ablation procedure so as to generate measured ablative values of the subgroup. In response to the modeling, the method includes generating calculated non-ablative values of the subgroup for the non-ablation stage, and generating calculated ablative values of the subgroup for the ablation stage. The method compares the measured non-ablative values with the calculated non-ablative values, and compares the measured ablative values with the calculated ablative values, so as generate optimal values of the physical parameters.

Abstract: Provided is a neuroprotection apparatus including a scalp temperature measurement acquisition device for acquiring scalp temperature measurements at a plurality of locations on a patient's scalp during an induced hypothermia and a neuroprotection processor for processing the scalp temperature measurements for determining real time patient temperature information for display on a human head image on a display device during the induced hypothermia.

Abstract: Cryocatheter including an elongated flexible catheter member having a short rigid catheter tip for introduction into a therapy site and a heat exchange arrangement for freezing the catheter tip to a cryo-temperature from between about ?15° C. to about ?30° C. for freezing human tissue at the therapy site. Cerebral medical procedures include inter alia employing a local ice ball for sealing a bleeding rupture in an arterial wall in the case of a stroke hemorrhage, employing a local ice ball for mapping electrical disorder foci in a brain, for example, epileptic foci, and the like.

Abstract: Cryocatheter including an elongated flexible catheter member having a short rigid catheter tip for introduction into a therapy site and a heat exchange arrangement for freezing the catheter tip to a cryo-temperature from between about ?15° C. to about ?30° C. for freezing human tissue at the therapy site. Cerebral medical procedures include inter alia employing a local ice ball for sealing a bleeding rupture in an arterial wall in the case of a stroke hemorrhage, employing a local ice ball for mapping electrical disorder foci in a brain, for example, epileptic foci, and the like.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing and using an irrigated ablation catheter. The catheter may include a distal shell electrode having irrigation apertures. An insert disposed within the electrode has protrusions that mate with orifices in the shell of the electrode. Each protrusion has a port communicating with at least one interior lumen in the insert and a sensor is disposed in each port. A support seals the proximal end of the electrode and engages the insert. The plurality of sensors may be used to measure electrical and thermal characteristics surrounding the electrode and may help assess contact between the electrode and tissue and/or determine movement of the electrode during ablation.

Abstract: A probe having a temperature sensor on its distal portion is introduced into a fluid-filled body cavity of a subject, and an irrigating fluid passed through the probe. The temperature of the irrigating fluid exiting the probe differs from the temperature of the body cavity. Temperature readings of the irrigating fluid exiting the probe are recorded. A determination is made from the temperature readings that predetermined contact criteria between the probe and the interior wall of the body cavity are satisfied.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing and using an irrigated ablation catheter. The catheter may include a distal shell electrode having irrigation apertures. An insert disposed within the electrode has protrusions that mate with orifices in the shell of the electrode. Each protrusion has a port communicating with at least one interior lumen in the insert and a sensor is disposed in each port. A support seals the proximal end of the electrode and engages the insert. The plurality of sensors may be used to measure electrical and thermal characteristics surrounding the electrode and may help assess contact between the electrode and tissue and/or determine movement of the electrode during ablation.