Abstract: A medical apparatus, including a probe having a distal end configured for insertion into a body cavity and containing a lumen that opens through the distal end, and an inflatable balloon deployable through the lumen into the body cavity such that when the balloon is deployed through the lumen and inflated, a distal pole on a distal side of the balloon is located opposite the lumen. In embodiments of the present invention, the medical apparatus also includes an electrode attached to the distal side of the inflatable balloon and extending over at least 50% of an area of the distal side of the balloon that is within 30° of arc from the distal pole.

Abstract: A flexible probe has an assembly in its distal end that includes a transmitter and a receiver that receives signals from the transmitter for sensing a position of the receiver relative to the transmitter. A resilient element disposed between the transmitter and the receiver is configured to deform in response to pressure exerted on the distal tip when the distal tip engages a wall of a body cavity.

Abstract: A flexible probe has an assembly in its distal end that includes a transmitter and a receiver that receives signals from the transmitter for sensing a position of the receiver relative to the transmitter. A pair of flat spring coils disposed between the transmitter and the receiver deform in response to pressure exerted on the distal tip when the distal tip engages a wall of a body cavity.

Abstract: A method for displaying information, including receiving measurements, with respect to an invasive probe inside a body of a subject, of probe parameters consisting of a force exerted by the probe on tissue of the subject and temperatures measured by sensors of the probe. The method further includes, responsively to the measurements, displaying in a single map on a display screen a graphical representation of a distribution of the temperatures in a vicinity of the probe and superimposing thereon a vector representation of the force.

Abstract: Ablation of cardiac tissue is carried out by inserting a probe having an ablation electrode and a plurality of microelectrodes into a body of a living subject to establish contact between two of the microelectrodes and target tissue, and energizing the ablation electrode. While the ablation electrode is energized impedances are measured between the microelectrodes, and the power level of the ablation electrode adjusted according to the impedances.

Abstract: A catheter adapted for greater mapping resolution and location precision has a basket-shaped, high density electrode assembly for large-area mapping, and an integrated distal tip providing an array of ultra-high density microelectrodes for acute focal mapping. The basket-shaped electrode assembly 18 has a plurality of electrode-carrying spines and the distal tip has a nonmetallic, electrically insulating substrate body with indentations in which microelectrodes are positioned in a manner that the outer surface is generally flush with the outer surface of the substrate body to present a generally smooth, atraumatic distal tip profile.

Abstract: A catheter has a multifunctional “virtual” tip electrode with a porous substrate and a multitude of surface microelectrodes. The surface microelectrodes are in close proximity to each other and in a variety of configurations so as to sense tissue for highly localized intracardiac signal detection, and high density local electrograms and mapping. The porous substrate allows for flow of conductive fluid for ablating tissue. The surface microelectrodes can be formed via a metallization process that allows for any shape or size and close proximity, and the fluid “weeping” from the porous substrate provides more uniform irrigation in the form of a thin layer of saline. The delivery of RF power to the catheter tip is based on the principle of “virtual electrode,” where the conductive saline flowing through the porous tip acts as the electrical connection between the tip electrode and the heart surface.

Abstract: A catheter shaft is produced by forming a first polymeric layer onto a flexible inner core while maintaining the inner core in a solid state, and solidifying the first polymeric layer, wherein the solidified first polymeric layer fails to bond with the inner core and is slidable thereon upon flexion of the shaft. A second polymeric layer may be formed over the first polymeric layer, and is slidable thereon when the shaft bends.

Abstract: Cardiac catheterization is conducted using a probe having a balloon assembly, in which a spring has a resting axially elongated configuration and a torsed, axially shortened configuration. A balloon is twisted about the spring and mechanically linked to the spring. A flexible sheath is disposed about the spring within the balloon, the sheath and the wall of the balloon defining a chamber to contain a fluid flowing therein and thereout of the balloon.

Abstract: A catheter is made by coextruding first and second molten polymers, wherein the second molten polymer forms a flexible inner core and the first molten polymer forms exactly two bands on opposite sides of the inner core. The inner core is braided, and a third molten polymer extruded onto the braid to form a flexible jacket that encloses the braid, the bands and the inner core. The bands are more rigid than the inner core, and they provide preferential in-plane bending.

Abstract: Medical apparatus includes one or more magnetic field generators, which are configured to generate magnetic fields within a body of a patient. An invasive probe includes an insertion tube having a distal end, which is configured for insertion into the body, and a plurality of flexible splines configured to be deployed from the distal end of the insertion tube. Each spline includes a flexible, multilayer circuit board and a conductive trace that is formed in at least one layer of the circuit board and is configured to define one or more coils, which are disposed along a length of the spline and output electrical signals in response to the magnetic fields. A processor is coupled to receive and process the electrical signals output by the coils in order to derive respective positions of the flexible splines in the body.

Abstract: A medical probe includes an insertion tube for insertion into a patient's body, and multiple arms that are attached to a distal end of the insertion tube. Each arm includes a braid of wires that traverse the arm. Multiple electrodes are coupled to the arms and electrically connected to respective selected wires of the braid. The electrodes are configured to exchange signals over the wires with a system external to the patient body.

Abstract: A method for displaying information, including receiving measurements, with respect to an invasive probe inside a body of a subject, of probe parameters consisting of a force exerted by the probe on tissue of the subject and temperatures measured by sensors of the probe. The method further includes, responsively to the measurements, displaying in a single map on a display screen a graphical representation of a distribution of the temperatures in a vicinity of the probe and superimposing thereon a vector representation of the force.

Abstract: A contact force sensor is constructed using a spring in which a resilient member is interposed between two contacting elements. Extensions connected to the resilient member are in contact with the elements. A force applied to at least one of the elements causes a deformation of the spring that correlates with a displacement of the elements relative to one another.

Abstract: Ablation of cardiac tissue is carried out by inserting a probe having an ablation electrode and a plurality of microelectrodes into a body of a living subject to establish contact between two of the microelectrodes and target tissue, and energizing the ablation electrode. While the ablation electrode is energized impedances are measured between the microelectrodes, and the power level of the ablation electrode adjusted according to the impedances.

Abstract: A catheter includes an insertion tube, a flexible substrate and one or more electrical devices. The insertion tube is configured for insertion into a patient body. The flexible substrate is configured to wrap around a distal end of the insertion tube and includes electrical interconnections. The electrical devices are coupled to the flexible substrate and are connected to the electrical interconnections.

Abstract: An implantable device includes a hollow biocompatible shell and filling material. The shell is configured to be implanted in an organ of a patient. The filling material is configured to fill the shell so as to assume a specified shape of the implantable device, and is visually distinguished from tissue of the organ that surrounds the implantable device.

Abstract: A medical probe for insertion has at least one distal electrode coupled to an energy source to apply energy to tissue inside the body. A plurality of apertures are formed in the electrode. A fluid-directing assembly is disposed in the distal section of the probe having an axial channel that is in fluid communication with at least one trans-axial channel disposed at right angles to the axial channel and leading to an exterior of the assembly. A blocking terminus is disposed forward of the at least one trans-axial channel that prevents irrigation fluid from flowing axially in a forward direction so that the fluid flows outwardly into the lumen of the electrode in at least one trans-axial direction.

Abstract: An implant includes a hollow biocompatible shell, first and second electrodes, filling material, and circuitry. The hollow biocompatible shell is configured to be implanted in an organ of a patient. The first electrode is disposed inside the shell. The second electrode has at least one surface disposed outside the shell. The filling material, which includes carbon nanotubes (CNT), fills the shell and is configured, in response to a rupture occurring in the shell, to change a spatial orientation of the CNT and thus to cause a change in electrical conductivity of the filling material between the first electrode and the rupture. The circuitry is electrically connected to the first and second electrodes and is configured to detect the rupture by sensing the change in the electrical conductivity of the CNT, and to produce an output indicative of the detected rupture.

Abstract: Cardiac catheterization is conducted using a probe having a balloon assembly, in which a spring has a resting axially elongated configuration and a torsed, axially shortened configuration. An inflatable balloon is twisted about the spring and mechanically linked to the spring. A flexible sheath is disposed about the spring within the balloon, the sheath and the wall of the balloon defining a chamber to contain a fluid flowing therein and thereout for inflation of the balloon and deflation of the balloon so as to energize and de-energize the spring.