Abstract: A method of body tissue ablation includes defining an ultrahigh-power ultrashort-duration (UPUD) ablation protocol that specifies an ablation signal having (i) a target ablation power of at least 400 Watts and (ii) a pulse duration that does not exceed three seconds, for creating a specified lesion in tissue in a body of a patient. Contact is made between an ablation probe and the tissue. Using the ablation probe, the ablation signal is applied to the tissue according to the UPUD protocol, which delivers the ablation signal having the specified target ablation power and duration.

Abstract: A method of body tissue ablation includes defining an ultrahigh-power ultrashort-duration (UPUD) ablation protocol that specifies an ablation signal having (i) a target ablation power of at least 400 Watts and (ii) a pulse duration that does not exceed three seconds, for creating a specified lesion in tissue in a body of a patient. Contact is made between an ablation probe and the tissue. Using the ablation probe, the ablation signal is applied to the tissue according to the UPUD protocol, which delivers the ablation signal having the specified target ablation power and duration.

Abstract: A medical apparatus includes a probe configured for insertion into a body of a patient. The probe includes electrodes configured to contact tissue within the body. The medical apparatus further includes an electrical signal generator configured to apply between pairs of the electrodes signals of first and second types in alternation. The signals of the first type include a sequence of bipolar pulses having an amplitude sufficient to cause irreversible electrophoresis (IRE) in the tissue contacted by the electrodes. The signals of the second type include a radio-frequency (RF) signal having a power sufficient to thermally ablate the tissue contacted by the electrodes.

Abstract: A method includes receiving analog body-surface signal from body-surface electrode, and multiple analog unipolar signals from multiple unipolar electrodes of an invasive probe. A first unipolar electrode is assigned to serve as a common electrical ground and a common timing reference for the analog unipolar signals and the analog body-surface signal. The analog unipolar signals are digitized to produce digital unipolar signals sampled relative to a digital ground. Defined are an analog bipolar signal between the first unipolar electrode and a second unipolar electrode of the probe, and digital bipolar signal formed from the first unipolar electrode and the second unipolar electrode. Ground and timing offsets between the analog bipolar signal and the digital bipolar signal are estimated, while the first unipolar electrode is connected to the digital ground. The ground offset and the timing offset are applied in measuring a third unipolar signal, sensed by a third unipolar electrode.

Abstract: A method includes receiving analog body-surface signal from body-surface electrode, and multiple analog unipolar signals from multiple unipolar electrodes of an invasive probe. A first unipolar electrode is assigned to serve as a common electrical ground and a common timing reference for the analog unipolar signals and the analog body-surface signal. The analog unipolar signals are digitized to produce digital unipolar signals sampled relative to a digital ground. Defined are an analog bipolar signal between the first unipolar electrode and a second unipolar electrode of the probe, and digital bipolar signal formed from the first unipolar electrode and the second unipolar electrode. Ground and timing offsets between the analog bipolar signal and the digital bipolar signal are estimated, while the first unipolar electrode is connected to the digital ground. The ground offset and the timing offset are applied in measuring a third unipolar signal, sensed by a third unipolar electrode.

Abstract: A method of body tissue ablation includes defining an ultrahigh-power ultrashort-duration (UPUD) ablation protocol that specifies an ablation signal having (i) a target ablation power of at least 400 Watts and (ii) a pulse duration that does not exceed three seconds, for creating a specified lesion in tissue in a body of a patient. Contact is made between an ablation probe and the tissue. Using the ablation probe, the ablation signal is applied to the tissue according to the UPUD protocol, which delivers the ablation signal having the specified target ablation power and duration.

Abstract: A medical system includes a shaft, an inflatable balloon, a radial array of ultrasound transducers and a processor. The shaft is configured for insertion into a body of a patient. The inflatable balloon is coupled to a distal end of the shaft and configured to perform a treatment to surrounding anatomy. The ultrasound transducers are distributed circumferentially around the distal end of the shaft inside the balloon, and configured to transmit ultrasound waves at respective radial directions and receive respective ultrasound reflections. The processor is configured to estimate and output to a user, based on the ultrasound reflections received from the ultrasound transducers, an extent of mechanical contact between the balloon and the surrounding anatomy.

Abstract: A method includes receiving analog body-surface signal from body-surface electrode, and multiple analog unipolar signals from multiple unipolar electrodes of an invasive probe. A first unipolar electrode is assigned to serve as a common electrical ground and a common timing reference for the analog unipolar signals and the analog body-surface signal. The analog unipolar signals are digitized to produce digital unipolar signals sampled relative to a digital ground. Defined are an analog bipolar signal between the first unipolar electrode and a second unipolar electrode of the probe, and digital bipolar signal formed from the first unipolar electrode and the second unipolar electrode. Ground and timing offsets between the analog bipolar signal and the digital bipolar signal are estimated, while the first unipolar electrode is connected to the digital ground. The ground offset and the timing offset are applied in measuring a third unipolar signal, sensed by a third unipolar electrode.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein include apparatus that includes an electrical interface and a processor. The processor is configured to receive, via the electrical interface, a first signal that indicates a time-varying force that was applied to a portion of tissue, and one or more second signals that are derived from ultrasound reflections received from the portion of tissue. The processor is further configured to learn, from the first signal and the second signals, a dependency of a thickness of the portion of tissue on the force applied to the portion of tissue. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A medical system includes a shaft, an inflatable balloon, a radial array of ultrasound transducers and a processor. The shaft is configured for insertion into a body of a patient. The inflatable balloon is coupled to a distal end of the shaft and configured to perform a treatment to surrounding anatomy. The ultrasound transducers are distributed circumferentially around the distal end of the shaft inside the balloon, and configured to transmit ultrasound waves at respective radial directions and receive respective ultrasound reflections. The processor is configured to estimate and output to a user, based on the ultrasound reflections received from the ultrasound transducers, an extent of mechanical contact between the balloon and the surrounding anatomy.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein include apparatus that includes an electrical interface and a processor. The processor is configured to receive, via the electrical interface, a first signal that indicates a time-varying force that was applied to a portion of tissue, and one or more second signals that are derived from ultrasound reflections received from the portion of tissue. The processor is further configured to learn, from the first signal and the second signals, a dependency of a thickness of the portion of tissue on the force applied to the portion of tissue. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: The problem of accessing an injection port transcutaneously is resolved using wireless position transducers in an inflation port assembly and in an injection syringe. The measurements provided by the transducers indicate to the practitioner the position and orientation of syringe relative to the injection port. A console provides a visual indication of the relative position and orientation so as to guide the practitioner to insert the syringe at the proper site and in the proper direction and to penetrate the port cleanly and correctly.

Abstract: The problem of accessing an injection port transcutaneously is resolved using wireless position transducers in an inflation port assembly and in an injection syringe. The measurements provided by the transducers indicate to the practitioner the position and orientation of syringe relative to the injection port. A console provides a visual indication of the relative position and orientation so as to guide the practitioner to insert the syringe at the proper site and in the proper direction and to penetrate the port cleanly and correctly.

Abstract: A magnetic position tracking system for performing a medical procedure on a patient who is positioned on an upper surface of a table includes a location pad, which is positioned on the upper surface of the table beneath the patient. The location pad includes one or more field generators, which are operative to generate respective magnetic fields and are arranged so that a thickness dimension of the location pad is no greater than 3 centimeters. A position sensor is fixed to an invasive medical device for insertion into a body of the patient, and is arranged to sense the magnetic fields so as to measure a position of the medical device in the body.

Abstract: Monitoring intracardiac ablation progress in near real time is accomplished by evaluating capture of a pacing signal while ablation energy is concurrently directed to a target site. Sufficiency of ablation is indicated by failure of signal capture at a maximum predetermined pacing voltage. A common electrode in a cardiac catheter is simultaneously used to test pacing capture and to deliver ablation energy.

Abstract: A probe for insertion into the body of a subject includes a sensor, a first microcircuit, which stores first calibration data with respect to the sensor, and a first connector at the proximal end of the probe. A probe adapter includes a second connector, which mates with the first connector, a signal processing circuit, which is processes the sensor signal, and a second microcircuit, which stores second calibration data with respect to the signal processing circuit. A microcontroller in the adapter receives the first and second calibration data and computes combined calibration data. The adapter includes a third connector, which mates with a fourth connector on a console. The console includes signal analysis circuitry, which analyzes the processed signal using the combined calibration data provided by the probe adapter.

Abstract: The position of an imaging catheter in a body structure such as the heart is automatically controlled by a robotic manipulator such that its field of view at all times includes the distal end of a second catheter that is employed to effect a medical procedure. A processor receives signals from position sensors in the catheters. The processor utilizes the information received from the sensors and continually determines any deviation of the second catheter from the required field of view of the imaging catheter. The processor transmits compensation instructions to the robotic manipulator, which when executed assure that the imaging catheter tracks the second catheter.

Abstract: An image of an electro-anatomical map of a body structure having cyclical motion is overlaid on a 3D ultrasonic image of the structure. The electro-anatomical data and anatomic image data are synchronized by gating both electro-anatomical data acquisition and an anatomic image at a specific point in the motion cycle. Transfer of image data includes identification of a point in the motion cycle at which the 3-dimensional image was captured or is to be displayed.

Abstract: A method for calibrating an ultrasound probe includes directing the probe to receive ultrasonic waves reflected from a target that includes one or more linear elements, which are arranged to intersect the beam plane of the probe at respective intersection points. Signals are received from the probe responsively to the reflected ultrasonic waves, and the probe is aligned by modifying at least one of a position and an orientation of the probe responsively to the signals so that the intersection points occur in a desired location in the beam plane.

Abstract: A method for tracking an object includes fixing to the object a transmitter for transmitting a position-indicative magnetic field and providing a map of distortion of the position-indicative magnetic field caused by the object. A distorted magnetic field transmitted from the object is sensed. The distorted magnetic field includes the position-indicative magnetic field subject to the distortion caused by the object. Estimated coordinates of the object based on the sensed, distorted magnetic field are determined. The estimated coordinates and the map are used to compute corrected coordinates.