Abstract: A system and method is described for a catheter guidance system which allows an operator to use a mapping catheter to specify tissue target locations for the automatic guidance of a second therapeutic catheter. The operator places a mapping catheter at a desired location, and commands the catheter guidance system by either selecting a point on that catheter or one of the catheter electrode electrocardiograms. The operator may target the selected dynamic location, or tissue contact beyond that location on a specific side of the mapping catheter.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for using tissue contact technology to optimize automated cardiac chamber mapping algorithms to both speed up the mapping process and guarantee the definition of the actual chamber limits. The invention further comprises a method for conveying tissue type information to such automatic mapping algorithms so as to allow them to adapt their point collection density within areas of particular interest. The method is enhanced by the use of a magnetic chamber that employs electromagnetic coils configured as a waveguide that radiate magnetic fields by shaping the necessary flux density axis on and around the catheter distal tip so as to push, pull and rotate the tip on demand and as defined by such automatic mapping algorithms.

Abstract: An in-vivo device includes a magnetic steering unit (MSU) to maneuver it by an external electromagnetic field. The MSU may include a permanent magnets assembly to produce a magnetic force for navigating the device. The MSU may include a magnets carrying assembly (MCA) to accommodate the permanent magnet(s). The MCA may be designed to generate eddy currents, in response to AC magnetic field, to apply a repelling force. The in-vivo device may also include a multilayered imaging and sensing printed circuit board (MISP) to capture and transmit images. The MISP may include a sensing coil assembly (SCA) to sense electromagnetic fields to determine a location/orientation/angular position of the in-vivo device. Data representing location/orientation/angular position of the device may be used by a maneuvering system to generate a steering magnetic field to steer the in-vivo device from one location or state to another location or state.

Abstract: A tissue-contact seeking method and apparatus is described that enhances catheter position detection and control systems in making and maintaining continuous tissue contact in a highly dynamic frame, such as under the rigors of cardiac motion. Tissue-seeking logical routines use a tissue contact sensing system to advance a catheter to relatively continuous tissue contact, or detect obstacles, in cooperation with the catheter position detection and control systems. Additional logical routines are capable of optimizing the contact direction of the catheter tip by controlling the rotation angle and chamber position of the introducer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting position and orientation of catheter distal magnetic element end while moving in a patient's heart is described. The apparatus comprising of four sensors, detecting the magnetic field of a generated by the catheter tip. Each sensor transmits the field magnitude and direction to a detection unit, which filters the signals and removes other field sources, such, as generated by CGCI coils and external medical hardware. The method allows the measurements of magnitude corresponding to the catheter tip distance from the sensor and the orientation of the field showing the magnetic tip orientation. Since the tip's magnetic field is not symmetric, the position and orientation computation technique are not independent of each other. Hence, an iterative calculation is used to converge to a solution.

Abstract: The invention is a method of rotating a catheter while it is manually guided in order to increase the volume of space it passes through during a geometric mapping procedure as to provide a higher and more uniform location data point cloud density in a volumetric mapping system.

Abstract: A system method that tracks one or more points on the surface of a cardiac tissue throughout a cardiac cycle and collect various types of data points which are then subsequently used to generate a corresponding model of the tissue and display the model as a 3D color coded image is described. In one embodiment, the system determines the position and orientation of a distal tip of a catheter, manipulates the catheter tip so as to maintain constant contact between the tip and a region of cardiac tissue using the impedance method, acquires positional and electrical data of the tip-tissue configuration through an entire heartbeat cycle, repeats the measurements as many times as needed in different tissue regions, and forms a 3D color coded map displaying various mechanical and electrical properties of the heart using the acquired data.

Abstract: A magnetically controlled pump is implanted into the brain of a patient and delivers a plurality of medicating agents mixed with Avastin at a controlled rate corresponding to the specific needs of the patient. The current invention comprises a flexible double walled pouch that is formed from two layers of polymer. The pouch is alternately expanded and contracting by magnetic solenoid. When contracted, the medicating agent Avastin is pushed out of the pouch through a plurality of needles. When the pouch is expanded, surrounding cerebral fluid is drawn into the space between the double walls of the pouch from which it is drawn through a catheter to an analyzer. In cases where a tumor resection is not performed, an intratumoral catheter will be implanted. Cerebral fluid drawn from the patient is analyzed. The operation of the apparatus and hence the treatment is remotely controlled based on these measurements and displayed through an external controller.

Abstract: A magnetically controlled pump is implanted into the cerebrospinal fluid of a patient and delivers a plurality of medicating agents at a controlled rate corresponding to the specific needs of the patient. The current invention comprises a flexible double walled lumen, intratumoral catheter which will be implanted. Spinal fluid drawn from the patient is analyzed. Medication is delivered on a continuous metronomic basis into the CSF via an internalized pump. CSF is removed and analyzed for VEGF and other cytokines via spectrophotometer analysis or a lab on a chip. The operation of the apparatus and hence the treatment is remotely controlled based on these measurements and displayed through an external controller.

Abstract: A system and method is described for a catheter guidance system which allows an operator to use a mapping catheter to specify tissue target locations for the automatic guidance of a second therapeutic catheter. The operator places a mapping catheter at a desired location, and commands the catheter guidance system by either selecting a point on that catheter or one of the catheter electrode electrocardiograms. The operator may target the selected dynamic location, or tissue contact beyond that location on a specific side of the mapping catheter.

Abstract: The Lorentz-Active Sheath (LAS) serves as a conduit for other medical devices such as catheters, balloons, biopsy needles, etc. The sheath is inserted through a vein or other body orifice and is guided into the area of the patient where the operation is to be performed. The position and orientation of the LAS is tracked via an industry standard position detection system which senses electrical signals that are emitted from several electrodes coupled to the LAS. The signals received from the LAS are used to calculate an accurate and reliable assessment of the actual position of the LAS within the patient. The electrode signals also serve to create a reference frame which is then used to act as a motion compensation filter and fiducial alignment system for the movement of the LAS-hosted medical tool.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for incorporating a realistic simulated catheter or catheters within a catheter guidance and control system that operate from the same closed-loop position control feedback and geometric mapping data as the real position control system and are able to make contact with real and simulated datasets. These catheters may be operated in a pure simulation mode without interacting with real catheters and position control hardware, or may be used as control cursors to enhance the placement of catheter positioning targets. The catheter tip, which is focus of magnetic control, is realistically guided by the control system parameters, while the remainder of the catheter line is realistically constrained by the mapped chamber geometry and introducer sheath.

Abstract: An in-vivo device includes a magnetic steering unit (MSU) to maneuver it by an external electromagnetic field. The MSU may include a permanent magnets assembly to produce a magnetic force for navigating the device. The MSU may include a magnets carrying assembly (MCA) to accommodate the permanent magnet(s). The MCA may be designed to generate eddy currents, in response to AC magnetic field, to apply a repelling force. The in-vivo device may also include a multilayered imaging and sensing printed circuit board (MISP) to capture and transmit images. The MISP may include a sensing coil assembly (SCA) to sense electromagnetic fields to determine a location/orientation/angular position of the in-vivo device. Data representing location/orientation/angular position of the device may be used by a maneuvering system to generate a steering magnetic field to steer the in-vivo device from one location or state to another location or state.

Abstract: Described is a surgical system for monitoring a patient's condition during surgery. One aspect is a non-contact EEG sensor. The non-contact EEG sensor can be used to predict the onset of physiological disorders. Another aspect includes the use of a plurality of pressure sensors to determine the pressure applied by retractors on the patient, including the brain and other organs.

Abstract: A guided medical propulsion capsule driven by strong electro-magnetic interaction between an external AC/DC magnetic gradient-lobe generator and a set of uniquely magnetized ferrous-conductive elements contained within the capsule. The capsule is navigated through the lumens and cavities of the human body wirelessly and without any physical contact for medical diagnostic, drug delivery, or other procedures with the magnetically guiding field generator external to the human body. The capsule is equipped with at least two sets of magnetic rings, disks and/or plates each possessing anisotropic magnetic properties. The external magnetic gradient fields provide the gradient forces and rotational torques on the internal conductive and magnetic elements needed to make the capsule move, tilt, and rotate in the body lumens and cavities according to the commands of an operator.

Abstract: A system and method is described for a catheter guidance system which allows an operator to use a mapping catheter to specify tissue target locations for the automatic guidance of a second therapeutic catheter. The operator places a mapping catheter at a desired location, and commands the catheter guidance system by either selecting a point on that catheter or one of the catheter electrode electrocardiograms. The operator may target the selected dynamic location, or tissue contact beyond that location on a specific side of the mapping catheter.

Abstract: The invention is a method of rotating a catheter while it is manually guided in order to increase the volume of space it passes through during a geometric mapping procedure as to provide a higher and more uniform location data point cloud density in a volumetric mapping system.

Abstract: A magnetically controlled pump is implanted into the brain of a patient and delivers a plurality of medicating agents mixed with Avastin at a controlled rate corresponding to the specific needs of the patient. The current invention comprises a flexible double walled pouch that is formed from two layers of polymer. The pouch is alternately expanded and contracting by magnetic solenoid. When contracted, the medicating agent Avastin is pushed out of the pouch through a plurality of needles. When the pouch is expanded, surrounding cerebral fluid is drawn into the space between the double walls of the pouch from which it is drawn through a catheter to an analyzer. In cases where a tumor resection is not performed, an intratumoral catheter will be implanted. Cerebral fluid drawn from the patient is analyzed. The operation of the apparatus and hence the treatment is remotely controlled based on these measurements and displayed through an external controller.

Abstract: A magnetically controlled pump is implanted into the cerebrospinal fluid of a patient and delivers a plurality of medicating agents at a controlled rate corresponding to the specific needs of the patient. The current invention comprises a flexible double walled lumen, intratumoral catheter which will be implanted. Spinal fluid drawn from the patient is analyzed. Medication is delivered on a continuous metronomic basis into the CSF via an internalized pump. CSF is removed and analyzed for VEGF and other cytokines via spectrophotometer analysis or a lab on a chip. The operation of the apparatus and hence the treatment is remotely controlled based on these measurements and displayed through an external controller.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for using tissue contact technology to optimize automated cardiac chamber mapping algorithms to both speed up the mapping process and guarantee the definition of the actual chamber limits. The invention further comprises a method for conveying tissue type information to such automatic mapping algorithms so as to allow them to adapt their point collection density within areas of particular interest. The method is enhanced by the use of a magnetic chamber that employs electromagnetic coils configured as a waveguide that radiate magnetic fields by shaping the necessary flux density axis on and around the catheter distal tip so as to push, pull and rotate the tip on demand and as defined by such automatic mapping algorithms.