Abstract: A phacoemulsification valve for controlling flow of eye fluid, consisting of an enclosure, a first lumen within the enclosure, having a first and a second termination, a second lumen within the enclosure, intersecting the first lumen, so that the first lumen separates the second lumen into a first and a second section, and a pin, that slides within the first lumen between a first position, wherein the pin prevents transfer of the eye fluid between the first and second sections and a second position, wherein the pin permits transfer of the eye fluid between the first and second sections. The valve also includes a first coil, proximate to the first termination, which when energized transfers the pin between the first and second positions, and a second coil, positioned in proximity to the second termination, which when energized transfers the pin between the second and first positions.

Abstract: Apparatus, consisting of a power supply having a first electrical connection to a relatively high voltage source and connectable to ablation circuitry in a catheter via a second electrical connection. There are rechargeable first and second subsidiary power sources in the power supply. The apparatus also has a control unit, and a first switch alternately connecting the ablation circuitry to the first and second subsidiary power sources responsively to control signals from the control unit. The apparatus also has a second switch alternately connecting one of the first and second subsidiary power sources to the high voltage source for recharging thereof responsively to the control signals while the one of the first and second subsidiary power sources is disconnected from the ablation circuitry and another of the first and second subsidiary power sources is connected to the ablation circuitry by the first switch.

Abstract: A method of delivering a combined irreversible electroporation and radio frequency (IRE/RFA) signal during ablation that includes receiving a selection of a ratio of IRE/RFA energy and a selection of an interleaved sequence of a combined IRE/RFA waveform. The interleaved sequence includes one or more adapted IRE square pulses formed by adapting generated biphasic IRE square pulses to IRE pulses having a final shape and repetition rate using a biphasic pulse shaper, and one of more RFA cycles formed from converting the generated biphasic IRE square pulses into a RF sinusoidal signal using a harmonic filter. The interleaved sequence is generated by interleaving, into a single waveform, the one or more adapted IRE square pulses with one or more cycles of the converted RF sinusoidal signal. The combined IRE/RFA output signal is outputted to a catheter electrode inside a patient's heart for application to a target tissue location.

Abstract: An anti-vacuum surge (AVS) cartridge includes a solenoid valve with a magnetic plunger having parallel flattened surfaces, in a valve cavity of a rectangular or other similar cross section. The flattened surfaces of the plunger are oppositely disposed from each other and are in line with the flow path through the aspiration channel of the AVS cartridge.

Abstract: A method, including performing an ablation of tissue using a first high RF power for a short duration, suspending RF power for a predetermined period, and using a second high RF power for a short duration forming lesions with greater surface area and greater depth through resistive heating and thermal latency. High RF power may range between 75-95 W and short duration may range between 4-5 seconds.

Abstract: A safety circuit, in the form of a switch box, for coupling with a catheter, detects DC leakage or emission from an amplifier circuit of the catheter, and switches a switch to immediately terminates (cuts-off) power to the amplifier circuit. This immediate power termination instantaneously stops DC leakage, which if left unchecked or otherwise undetected, may reach the heart, and disrupt its electrical activity and cause other damage.

Abstract: A system for identifying vortices in a vector map including multiple vectors, the system includes a processor and an output device. The processor is configured to: (i) define one or more closed loops on the vector map, and (ii) for each closed loop, identify a plurality of the vectors that cross the closed loop, calculate a vector sum of the identified vectors, and decide based on the vector sum whether a vortex is located inside the closed loop. The output device is configured to indicate one or more identified vortices to a user.

Abstract: A phacoemulsification simulation apparatus includes a trigger device, at least two sensors, and a processor. The trigger device configured to apply, to fluid at an inlet of a needle of a phacoemulsifier, a pressure profile as a function of time in response to an input waveform. The at least two sensors are configured to measure a pressure of the fluid at respective points in the phacoemulsification simulation apparatus. The processor is configured to (a) drive the trigger device with the input waveform, thereby causing the trigger device to apply the pressure profile to the inlet while the fluid is aspirated via an aspiration line, (b) receive measurements of the pressure of the fluid from the at least two sensors, and (c) analyze an aspiration performance of the phacoemulsifier in response to the measurements.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a base, including two motors and a mechanical coupling mechanism, and a cartridge shaped to define two stators and respective pairs of ports in fluidic communication with the stators. The cartridge is removably insertable into the base and includes two rotors disposed, respectively, within the stators. The mechanical coupling mechanism is configured to mechanically couple the rotors to the motors, respectively, such that, following insertion of the cartridge into the base, the motors rotate the rotors, thereby pumping fluid through the pairs of ports. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus, including a tube having proximal and distal ends and an internal lumen. The distal end may bend up to 270°, and the tube may be inserted into an eye. A planar resilient strip, having proximal and distal ends, is inserted into the internal lumen, and the strip distal end is fixed to the tube distal end. A coil spring is fixed to the strip proximal end so that a coil spring symmetry axis is coplanar with the strip. A camera, mounted with the strip distal end, images the eye interior. A wire is fixed to the strip distal end, so that a predetermined force on the wire causes the tube distal end to bend by a preset angle. A magnetometer at the tube proximal end is configured, when a nonvarying magnetic field traverses it, to provide a signal that, when taken with the preset angle, indicates a camera orientation.

Abstract: A method that includes selectively positioning an ablation catheter system at a treatment site comprising cardiac tissue, ablating cardiac tissue at the treatment site with the ablation catheter system using a power setting of approximately 90 W applied to tissue for approximately four (4) seconds to achieve a target electrode temperature, and achieving approximately zero incidence of steam pop occurrence in both left and right atrial ablations and complete pulmonary vein isolation, by the ablation catheter system, for all patients of a predetermined patient population suffering from paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF).

Abstract: A location pad includes two or more field-generators, one or more tracking elements, and a frame. The field-generators are configured to generate respective magnetic fields at least in a region-of-interest (ROI) of an organ of a patient, for measuring a position of a medical instrument in the ROI. The one or more tracking elements are for registering the location pad with the organ. The frame is coupled with tissue that is at least partially surrounding the organ, and the frame is configured to fix (i) the two or more field-generators at respective positions surrounding at least a portion of the ROI, and (ii) the one or more tracking elements at one or more respective predefined positions on the frame.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes generator coils to generate respective magnetic fields, a catheter including a distal end, which includes magnetic coil sensors to output electrical signals based on detection of the respective magnetic fields, and processing circuitry to receive the electrical signals from the magnetic coil sensors, select at least one of magnetic fields having a magnetic field gradient as a function of at least one of the received electrical signals, compute a difference between magnetic field magnitudes of the at least one selected magnetic field detected by the first magnetic coil sensor and the second magnetic coil sensor as a function of the electrical signals, and compute a dimension of the distal end, based on the difference between the magnetic field magnitudes of the at least one selected magnetic field and the magnetic field gradient of the at least one selected magnetic field.

Abstract: A surgical imaging system, including a first imaging device configured to generate a real-time visual image of a first field of view of a patient, and a second imaging device configured to generate a real-time thermal image of the first field of view. The system also includes a retaining structure, configured to be positioned in proximity to an eye of an operator, and a semitransparent screen configured to be mounted on the structure. The system additionally includes a processor configured to receive the images, and upon receiving an indication from the operator, to present, on the screen, the real-time visual image, or the real-time thermal image or the real-time thermal image overlaid on the real-time visual image, focused to a point in proximity to a near point of the eye while the operator can view, through the screen, a second field of view different from the first field of view.

Abstract: A location pad includes two or more field-generators, and a frame. The field-generators are configured to generate respective magnetic fields at least in a region-of-interest (ROI) of a patient organ, for measuring a position of a medical instrument in the ROI. The frame is coupled with tissue that is at least partially surrounding the organ and is configured to fix the two or more field-generators at respective positions surrounding the ROI.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product, the system comprising: a phacoemulsification probe having a needle at its distal end, the needle configured to be inserted into an eye of a patient; a pressure sensor, and a processor, configured to repeatedly: obtain a plurality of pressure values taken by the pressure sensor, each of the plurality of pressure values indicating an intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement taken during a surgical procedure; calculate an overall measurement for the surgical procedure based on the pressure values; and displaying on a display device a graphic representation of the overall measurement.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a shaft and an inflatable sleeve catheter. The shaft is configured for insertion through a sheath into a cavity of an organ of a patient. The inflatable sleeve catheter is fixed to a distal end of the shaft, with the inflatable sleeve catheter including (i) a resilient inner end section, which is fixed to the distal end of the shaft and is formed so as to assume a predefined shape when unconstrained, (ii) an inflatable sleeve that envelopes the inner end section, and a plurality of electrodes that are disposed over the inflatable sleeve and are configured to contact tissue.

Abstract: A flexible probe has an assembly in its distal end. The assembly has a distal side and a proximal side. The assembly includes first and second flat spring coils having internal edges that mate with first and second retainers, respectively. The first and second flat coils are disposed in the probe distal end proximal to the electrode and separated by a spacer. The first and second flat coils are configured to deform in response to pressure exerted on the distal tip when the tip engages a wall of the body cavity. A transmitter is disposed on one of the distal side or the proximal side of the assembly and a receiver is disposed on the opposite side. The receiver is configured to receive signals from the transmitter for sensing a position of the receiver relative to the transmitter.

Abstract: A medical system includes a catheter, a light source, a detector, a circulator, and a processor. The catheter includes a distal-end assembly for performing a medical operation on tissue in a cavity of an organ of a patient, the distal-end assembly including an optical fiber configured to guide transmitted light to interact with the tissue of the cavity, and to guide returned light that interacted with the tissue. The light source is configured to produce the transmitted light. The detector is configured to measure the returned light. The circulator is configured to couple the transmitted light from the light source to the optical fiber, and to couple the returned light from the optical fiber to the detector. The processor is configured to identify a contact of the distal-end assembly with the tissue based on the returned light measured by the detector, and to indicate the identified contact to a user.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a catheter includes a shaft assembly having a proximal and distal end, which comprises a deflectable segment including lumens running longitudinally therein, electrodes disposed at the distal end, a connector disposed at the proximal end for coupling to processing circuitry, cables disposed in first respective ones of the lumens, each cable electrically coupled to the connector and a respective group of the electrodes, wherein each cable includes a bundle of wires, each wire connected to a respective one of the electrodes in the respective group, an electrical shielding surrounding the bundle, and an electrically insulating jacket surrounding the shielding and sized to allow longitudinal movement of the respective cable within the respective lumen, respective elongated members disposed in second respective ones of the lumens, and connected to the distal end, and a manipulator connected to the elongated members to actuate the distal end via the elongated members.