Abstract: A system includes a catheter, a pulse generator and a controller. The catheter is configured for insertion into a body of a patient, and includes at least a first electrode, a second electrode and a third electrode, which are disposed at a distal end of the catheter and are configured to contact tissue within the body. The pulse generator is configured to apply one or more bipolar ablation pulses between the first and second electrodes, for ablating the tissue in contact with the first and second electrodes. The controller is configured to: (i) control the pulse generator to apply the one or more bipolar ablation pulses between the first and second electrodes, (ii) receive a signal indicative of a voltage, measured between the third electrode and a reference during application of the ablation pulses, and (iii) issue a notification in response to detecting that the voltage violates a predefined criterion.

Abstract: A system includes a display and a processor. The processor is configured to (a) receive multiple signals sensed by multiple electrodes of a multi-electrode catheter in a heart of a patient, (b) determine which of the electrodes are to be active in an ablation procedure, and (c) present the multiple signals to a user, on the display, using a graphical user interface (GUI) that (i) visualizes the signals from the electrodes determined to be active by a first graphical feature, and (ii) visualizes the signals from the electrodes determined not to be active by a second graphical feature, different from the first graphical feature.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products implement embodiments of the present invention that include grouping a set of electrodes disposed at a distal end of a medical probe and configured to contact tissue in a body cavity into a plurality of groups of adjacent electrodes. A set of selectable widgets having a one-to-one correspondence with the groups are presented on a display, and in response to receiving an input indicating selection of a given widget, an ablation selection status of one or more of the electrodes in the group corresponding to the selected widget can be toggled.

Abstract: A robotic manipulator is attachable to a proximal end of a medical instrument. A processor linked to the manipulator transmits control signals to the manipulator to cause the manipulator to displace the medical instrument to achieve a desired position and orientation of the medical instrument. A contact force sensor is disposed on the medical instrument and linked to the processor. The control signals are issued by the processor responsively to force indications received from the contact force sensor.

Abstract: A power generator is disclosed for use with a medical tool used to perform a medical ablation procedure. The power generator comprises a power supply configured to generate a DC voltage, a phase shifter configured to shift signal transmission phase angles, a plurality of switched-mode amplifiers each configured to convert the DC voltage received from the power supply to an AC voltage signal. The power generator also comprises a processor configured to control a phase shift of each AC voltage signal converted by the switched-mode amplifiers and an amplitude of each AC voltage signal converted by the switched-mode amplifiers. Each AC voltage signal is provided to one of a plurality of ablation electrodes of a medical tool.

Abstract: A method that includes selectively positioning an ablation catheter system at a treatment site; and ablating tissue at the treatment site with the ablation catheter system using a power setting of approximately 90W applied to tissue for approximately four (4) second increments with a break period of approximately 4 seconds between applications.

Abstract: A system, method and software product for detecting and controlling respiratory status of a patient based on estimated respiratory status that includes ventilating a patient using a first electrode, configured to be coupled to a chest of the patient at a first position, and to produce a first electrocardiogram (ECG) signal; a second electrode, configured to be coupled to the chest at a second position different from the first position, and to produce a second ECG signal; and a processor, which is configured to: (i) produce a first filtered signal by applying a first filter to the first ECG signal, and a second filtered signal by applying a second filter to the second ECG signal, (ii) estimate, by comparing between the first and second filtered signals, an electrical impedance between the first and second electrodes, which is indicative of a respiratory status of the patient, and (iii) control the ventilation system to apply a ventilation scheme responsively to the estimated electrical impedance.

Abstract: A pulsed field ablation (PFA) system includes a composite electrode, a body-surface electrode, a PFA generator, and a processor. The composite electrode is coupled to a distal end of a catheter configured for insertion into an organ of a patient. The body-surface electrode is configured to be attached to a skin of the patient. The PFA generator is configured to be electrically connected to the composite electrode of the catheter and to the body-surface electrode, and to generate Direct-Current (DC) PFA pulses. The processor is configured to control the PFA generator to apply the DC PFA pulses between the composite electrode and the body-surface electrode while the composite electrode is placed in contact with target tissue of the organ and the body-surface electrode is in contact with the skin of the patient.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems for medical procedures are disclosed herein and include receiving a first set of biometric data for a first portion of a body part and determining a first range of values in the first set of biometric data, determining first visual characteristics based on the first range of values and rendering a global view of the first portion of the body part rendered with the first visual characteristics. A second range of values in a second set of biometric data for a second portion of the body part may be determined and the second portion of the body part may be a subset of the first portion of the body part. Second visual characteristics may be determined based on the second range of values and a local view including the second portion of the body part rendered with the second visual characteristics may be rendered.

Abstract: A location tracking system maps anatomical structures in a first coordinate system, in a fixed position within a medical imaging system, which captures 3D images in a second coordinate system. The 3D images are converted to and stored in a standardized format in a third coordinate system in accordance with a first coordinate transformation. A first 3D image captured by the imaging system is registered with the first coordinate system so as to produce a second coordinate transformation. The first and second coordinate transformations are combined so as to derive a third coordinate transformation between the first and third coordinate systems. A second 3D image of a body of a subject, captured by the imaging system, is processed in order to extract image features in the third coordinate system. The extracted image features are joined with location data captured by the location tracking system by applying the third coordinate transformation.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a catheter apparatus is configured to be inserted into a body part of a living subject, and including an elongated deflectable element including a distal end, an expandable basket assembly disposed at the distal end and comprising a plurality of splines and a plurality of electrodes disposed on the splines, an irrigation channel disposed in the elongated deflectable element, and an inflatable balloon disposed in the expandable basket assembly and including a plurality of irrigation holes in fluid connection with the irrigation channel.

Abstract: A medical visualization apparatus includes two or more imaging devices, two or more robotic arms, multiple magnetic sensors coupled with the imaging devices, and a processor. The two or more imaging devices are configured to acquire images of an organ of a patient. The two or more robotic arms are configured to move the respective imaging devices. The multiple magnetic sensors are configured to output, in response to a magnetic field of a position tracking system, signals indicative of positions and viewing directions of the imaging devices. The processor is configured to estimate a position and a viewing direction of each of the imaging devices based on the signals, and, using the estimated positions and viewing directions, combine the images of the organ acquired by the imaging devices into a virtual reality (VR) image of the organ, and present the VR image to a user on a VR viewer.

Abstract: A catheter includes a shaft, an expandable frame, a first set of electrodes, and a second set of electrodes. The shaft is configured for insertion into an organ of a patient. The expandable frame is fitted at a distal end of the shaft. The first set of electrodes is disposed over a distal portion of the expandable frame, and configured to be placed in contact with a tissue in the organ. The second set of electrodes is disposed on a proximal portion of the expandable frame, and configured to be inter-connected to form a common electrode.

Abstract: A system includes: (i) a processor, configured to receive position signals indicative of a first position of a first electrode coupled to a catheter, and a second position of a second electrode coupled to the catheter; calculate, based on the position signals, a distance between the first and second electrodes; and produce a first indication, in response to finding that the calculated distance is larger than a first threshold, a second indication, in response to finding that the calculated distance is smaller than the first threshold and larger than a second threshold, and a third indication, in response to finding that the calculated distance is smaller than the second threshold, and (ii) a display, configured to present a first symbol, in response to receiving the first indication, a second symbol, in response to receiving the second indication, and a third symbol, in response to receiving the third indication.

Abstract: A medical apparatus includes a probe configured for insertion into a body of a patient and including three or more electrodes arrayed along a distal portion of the probe and configured to contact tissue within the body. An electrical signal generator is configured to apply between a selected pair of the electrodes signals having an amplitude sufficient to ablate the tissue contacted by the pair of the electrodes. A controller is configured to measure an electrical current flowing through at least one of the electrodes not included in the selected pair while applying the signals, and to issue a notification indicating that the tissue was inadequately ablated if the measured electrical current exceeds a preset threshold.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a medical system includes a catheter configured to be inserted into a body part of a living subject, and including a deflectable element having a distal end, an expandable distal end assembly disposed at the distal end of the deflectable element, and comprising a plurality of assembly electrodes, and configured to expand from a collapsed form to an expanded deployed form, a proximal electrode disposed at the distal end of the deflectable element proximally to the expandable distal end assembly, and extending circumferentially around the deflectable element, at least one electrical connection configured to electrically connect together at least two of the assembly electrodes to act as a combined assembly electrode, and an ablation power generator configured to be connected to the catheter, and apply an electrical signal between the combined assembly electrode and a selected electrode.

Abstract: A catheter includes a shaft for insertion into an organ of a patient, an expandable distal-end assembly, and one or more electrodes. The expandable distal-end assembly is coupled to the shaft and to an apex of the catheter, and includes multiple splines. In at least a given spline among the multiple splines, at least sixty percent of a length of the given spline is non-insulated and is configured to make contact with tissue of the organ and to apply radiofrequency (RF) pulses to the tissue. The one or more electrodes are coupled to at least one of (i) an insulated section of one or more of the splines, and (II) the apex, and, when placed in contact with the tissue, the one or more electrodes are configured to sense electrical signals in the tissue.

Abstract: A catheter includes a shaft for insertion into an organ of a patient, and an expandable distal-end assembly, which is coupled to the shaft and to an apex of the catheter, and includes multiple splines. In at least a given spline among the multiple splines, at least sixty percent of a length of the given spline is non-insulated and is configured to make contact with tissue of the organ and to apply radiofrequency (RF) pulses to the tissue.

Abstract: An irreversible electroporation (IRE) method includes selecting electrodes of a catheter placed in contact with tissue in an organ, for applying IRE pulses between the selected electrodes. An impedance is measured between the selected electrodes. Based on the measured impedance, an IRE protocol is chosen, that has parameters that meet a predefined safety criterion under the measured impedance. The IRE pulses are applied according to the chosen protocol.

Abstract: A medical apparatus includes a probe, including an insertion tube configured for insertion into a body cavity of a patient and a basket assembly, which has a proximal end that is connected distally to the insertion tube and includes a plurality of resilient spines, which are configured to bow radially outward around a longitudinal axis of the basket assembly and are conjoined at a distal end of the basket assembly. A plurality of electrodes are configured to contact tissue in the body cavity and include radial electrodes disposed on the spines and an axial electrode disposed on the longitudinal axis of the basket assembly. An electrical signal generator is configured to apply to the electrodes, including the axial electrode, pulses having an amplitude sufficient to cause irreversible electroporation (IRE) in the tissue contacted by the electrodes.