Abstract: A method uses multiple patches fixed to a surface of a body, the patches including respective electrodes in contact with the surface, and at least one of the patches configured to output a signal in response to a magnetic field applied to the body. Initially, the signal is processed to compute first magnetic and first electrical locations of the at least one of the patches. Subsequently, the signal is processed to compute second magnetic and second electrical locations of the at least one of the patches. A first relation is computed between the first magnetic and electrical locations, and a second relation is computed between the second magnetic and electrical locations. When there is a difference between the first and the second relations, a magnetic location correction is computed responsively to the difference, and the correction is applied in tracking a position of a magnetic tracking sensor inside the body.

Abstract: An ablation catheter with an expandable balloon or a basket, a plurality of electrodes disposed on the surface, and a graphical user interface (GUI) of a computer system is disclosed. The GUI includes a plurality of electrode representations, a first sector color coded plot of at least one of the plurality of electrodes, a second sector color coded plot of at least one of the plurality of electrodes, a third sector color coded plot of at least one of the plurality of electrodes, and a processor configured to receive data on the inputs based on at least one of the plurality of electrodes, change an appearance of at least one of the first, second sector, and the third sector based on the received data, and update the color coded plot of the first input.

Abstract: A system includes an expandable distal-end assembly, a proximal position sensor, a distal position sensor, and a processor. The expandable distal-end assembly is coupled to a distal end of a shaft for insertion into a cavity of an organ of a patient. The proximal and distal position sensors are located at a proximal end and a distal end of the distal-end assembly, respectively. The processor is configured to estimate a position and a longitudinal direction of the proximal sensor, and a position of the distal sensor, all in a coordinate system used by the processor. The processor is further configured to project the estimated position of the distal sensor on an axis defined by the estimated longitudinal direction, and calculate an elongation of the distal-end assembly by calculating a distance between the estimated position of the proximal sensor and the projected position of the distal sensor.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a medical probe tracking system includes a first probe, a magnetic field generator to generate a magnetic field, and processing circuitry to measure first electrical currents between body surface electrodes and first probe electrodes, receive magnetic position signals from a magnetic field sensor of a second probe, compute first position coordinates of the first probe in a first coordinate frame responsively to distribution of the first electrical currents, render an initial 3D representation of the first probe in the first coordinate frame and then compute a current-position map with respect to a second coordinate frame defined by the magnetic field generator, find a transformation between the first and second coordinate frames, apply the transformation to the first position coordinates yielding second position coordinates, and render a modified 3D representation of the first probe according to the second position coordinates in the second coordinate frame.

Abstract: A method includes, in a processor, receiving position signals that are indicative of positions of (i) multiple electrodes disposed on an inflatable balloon fitted at a distal end of a catheter, and (ii) first and second electrodes fitted on a shaft of the catheter, on either side of the balloon. The positions of the multiple electrodes disposed on the balloon are calculated based on the received position signals and based on a known distance between the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: A system includes a processor and an output device. The processor is configured to: (a) receive electrical signals indicative of measured positions of (i) one or more chest position sensors attached externally to a chest of a patient, and (ii) one or more back position sensors attached externally to a back of the patient; (b) compare between (i) a first shift between the measured positions and respective predefined positions of the one or more chest position sensors, and (ii) a second shift between the measured positions and respective predefined positions of the one or more back position sensors; and (c) produce an alert in response to detecting a discrepancy between the first and second shifts. The output device is configured to output the alert to a user.

Abstract: Catheterization is carried out by inserting a sheath into a human patient and moving a catheter having an electrode through the sheath lumen. A variation between a first threshold value and a second threshold value in electrical current through the electrode is identified. Responsively to the variation, it is reported that a portion of the catheter has transitioned between an in-sheath condition and an out-of-sheath condition. The sheath is defined and identified by the historical data of the readings of the magnetic sensor during its movements.

Abstract: Catheterization is carried out by inserting a sheath into a human patient and moving a catheter having an electrode through the sheath lumen. A variation between a first threshold value and a second threshold value in electrical current through the electrode is identified. Responsively to the variation, it is reported that a portion of the catheter has transitioned between an in-sheath condition and an out-of-sheath condition. The sheath is defined and identified by the historical data of the readings of the magnetic sensor during its movements.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a housing, which is sized and shaped to fit snugly over a connector containing first electrical contacts at an end of a cable. The electronic device further includes second electrical contacts within the housing and test circuitry. The second electrical contacts are configured and positioned to mate with the first electrical contacts when the housing is fitted over the connector. The test circuitry is contained within the housing and coupled to the second electrical contacts and configured to test a functionality of the cable.

Abstract: A catheter has an inflatable assembly at its distal portion, including a containment chamber, an axial core and a plurality of longitudinally oriented partitions extending from the axial core to the wall of the chamber to divide the containment chamber into at least four inflatable sectors. Hydraulic valves are connected to respective sectors to enable selective inflation of the sectors by a fluid when the valves are connected to a source of the fluid, and at least one surface electrode is mounted on each of the sectors. When introduced into a heart chamber and diametrically opposed sectors are inflated the assembly is stably fixed against the walls of the heart chamber and readings can be obtained from the surface electrodes of the inflated sectors.

Abstract: Catheterization is carried out by inserting a sheath into a human patient and moving a catheter having an electrode through the sheath lumen. A variation between a first threshold value and a second threshold value in electrical current through the electrode is identified. Responsively to the variation, it is reported that a portion of the catheter has transitioned between an in-sheath condition and an out-of-sheath condition. The sheath is defined and identified by the historical data of the readings of the magnetic sensor during its movements.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a housing, which is sized and shaped to fit snugly over a connector containing first electrical contacts at an end of a cable. The electronic device further includes second electrical contacts within the housing and test circuitry. The second electrical contacts are configured and positioned to mate with the first electrical contacts when the housing is fitted over the connector. The test circuitry is contained within the housing and coupled to the second electrical contacts and configured to test a functionality of the cable.

Abstract: A method, including performing a first registration of a tracking system, which is configured to track a location of a probe within a human body organ, with a baseline coordinate system, and measuring first locations of the probe within the organ following the first registration. First indicators marking the first locations with a first visual effect are presented on an image of the organ, at positions on the image that are determined based on the first registration. After measuring the first locations, a second registration of the tracking system with the baseline coordinate system is performed, and second locations of the probe within the organ following the second registration are measured. Second indicators marking the second locations with a second effect, which is visually distinct from the first effect, are presented on the image of the organ, at positions on the image that are determined based on the second registration.

Abstract: A method, using multiple patches fixed to a surface of a body, the patches including respective electrodes in contact with the surface, and at least one of the patches configured to output a signal in response to a magnetic field applied to the body. Initially, the signal is processed to compute first magnetic and first electrical locations of the at least one of the patches. Subsequently, the signal is processed to compute second magnetic and second electrical locations of the at least one of the patches. A first relation is computed between the first magnetic and electrical locations, and a second relation is computed between the second magnetic and electrical locations. When there is a difference between the first and the second relations, a magnetic location correction is computed responsively to the difference, and the correction is applied in tracking a position of a magnetic tracking sensor inside the body.

Abstract: A catheter has an inflatable assembly at its distal portion, including a containment chamber, an axial core and a plurality of longitudinally oriented partitions extending from the axial core to the wall of the chamber to divide the containment chamber into at least four inflatable sectors. Hydraulic valves are connected to respective sectors to enable selective inflation of the sectors by a fluid when the valves are connected to a source of the fluid, and at least one surface electrode is mounted on each of the sectors. When introduced into a heart chamber and diametrically opposed sectors are inflated the assembly is stably fixed against the walls of the heart chamber and readings can be obtained from the surface electrodes of the inflated sectors.

Abstract: A catheter has an inflatable assembly at its distal portion, including a containment chamber, an axial core and a plurality of longitudinally oriented partitions extending from the axial core to the wall of the chamber to divide the containment chamber into at least four inflatable sectors. Hydraulic valves are connected to respective sectors to enable selective inflation of the sectors by a fluid when the valves are connected to a source of the fluid, and at least one surface electrode is mounted on each of the sectors. When introduced into a heart chamber and diametrically opposed sectors are inflated the assembly is stably fixed against the walls of the heart chamber and readings can be obtained from the surface electrodes of the inflated sectors.

Abstract: A catheter has an inflatable assembly at its distal portion, including a containment chamber, an axial core and a plurality of longitudinally oriented partitions extending from the axial core to the wall of the chamber to divide the containment chamber into at least four inflatable sectors. Hydraulic valves are connected to respective sectors to enable selective inflation of the sectors by a fluid when the valves are connected to a source of the fluid, and at least one surface electrode is mounted on each of the sectors. When introduced into a heart chamber and diametrically opposed sectors are inflated the assembly is stably fixed against the walls of the heart chamber and readings can be obtained from the surface electrodes of the inflated sectors.