Abstract: An electroanatomical mapping system can map electrical activation of tissue, and in particular create a slow conduction map, using a plurality of electrophysiology data points, each including local activation timing information, by computing a slow conduction metric for each point using the local activation timing information. The slow conduction metric can be used to classify points as no conduction points, slow conduction points, and normal conduction points, and the results can be graphically expressed, including as an animated representation of an activation wavefront propagating along a three-dimensional anatomical surface model.

Abstract: A method of constructing a bounding box comprises: acquiring a set of sensed data points; adding, for each sensed data point, at least one calculated data point; and defining a bounding box containing the sensed and calculated data points. A method of identifying voxels in a voxel grid corresponding to a plurality of data points comprises: calculating, for each data point, a distance between it and each voxel; creating a subset of voxels comprising voxels having a distance from one data point that is less than a predetermined distance; creating another subset comprising those voxels that neighbor a voxel in the first subset; computing, for each voxel in the second subset, a distance between it and each voxel in the first subset; and identifying each voxel in the first subset that is a distance away from each voxel in the second subset that exceeds a predetermined distance.

Abstract: An electroanatomical mapping system can map electrical activation of tissue, and in particular create a slow conduction map, using a plurality of electrophysiology data points, each including local activation timing information, by computing a slow conduction metric for each point using the local activation timing information. The slow conduction metric can be used to classify points as no conduction points, slow conduction points, and normal conduction points, and the results can be graphically expressed, including as an animated representation of an activation wavefront propagating along a three-dimensional anatomical surface model.

Abstract: A method of constructing a bounding box comprises: acquiring a set of sensed data points; adding, for each sensed data point, at least one calculated data point; and defining a bounding box containing the sensed and calculated data points. A method of identifying voxels in a voxel grid corresponding to a plurality of data points comprises: calculating, for each data point, a distance between it and each voxel; creating a subset of voxels comprising voxels having a distance from one data point that is less than a predetermined distance; creating another subset comprising those voxels that neighbor a voxel in the first subset; computing, for each voxel in the second subset, a distance between it and each voxel in the first subset; and identifying each voxel in the first subset that is a distance away from each voxel in the second subset that exceeds a predetermined distance.

Abstract: A method of constructing a bounding box comprises: acquiring a set of sensed data points; adding, for each sensed data point, at least one calculated data point; and defining a bounding box containing the sensed and calculated data points. A method of identifying voxels in a voxel grid corresponding to a plurality of data points comprises: calculating, for each data point, a distance between it and each voxel; creating a subset of voxels comprising voxels having a distance from one data point that is less than a predetermined distance; creating another subset comprising those voxels that neighbor a voxel in the first subset; computing, for each voxel in the second subset, a distance between it and each voxel in the first subset; and identifying each voxel in the first subset that is a distance away from each voxel in the second subset that exceeds a predetermined distance.

Abstract: A method of operating a positioning system by registering a first coordinate system of a first positioning system in a second coordinate system of a second positioning system includes determining an interpolation function configured to register the first, non-orthonormal coordinate system in the second, orthonormal coordinate system. Fiducial pairs are collected by the respective positioning systems, each of which contain a respective coordinate in the respective coordinate system, both of which refer to the same physical point in three dimensional space. Establishing a working interpolation function involves an analysis of the fiducial pairs using a thin-plate spline algorithm. The method further includes repeatedly obtaining a first coordinate in the first coordinate system and determining a corresponding second coordinate in the second coordinate system in accordance with the interpolation function.

Abstract: A method of detecting dislodgement of a navigational reference for a localization system includes securing a reference catheter, including at least one reference localization element, at an initial reference location within a localization field. The positions of one or more of the reference localization elements are monitored for a perceived displacement that suggests that the reference catheter has become dislodged from the initial reference location (e.g., a displacement above a certain threshold, such as about 4 mm). The direction of this perceived displacement may then be further analyzed (e.g., compared to a predicted or most likely direction of displacement) to determine whether there has been an actual dislodgement of the reference catheter, and, if so, an appropriate signal (e.g., an audible or visual warning) may be generated. Upon dislodgement, guidance may be provided to aid the practitioner in restoring the reference catheter to its initial location.

Abstract: A method of operating a positioning system by registering a first coordinate system of a first positioning system in a second coordinate system of a second positioning system includes determining an interpolation function configured to register the first, non-orthonormal coordinate system in the second, orthonormal coordinate system. Fiducial pairs are collected by the respective positioning systems, each of which contain a respective coordinate in the respective coordinate system, both of which refer to the same physical point in three dimensional space. Establishing a working interpolation function involves an analysis of the fiducial pairs using a thin-plate spline algorithm. The method further includes repeatedly obtaining a first coordinate in the first coordinate system and determining a corresponding second coordinate in the second coordinate system in accordance with the interpolation function.

Abstract: A force exerted on a distal end of an elongate medical device can be determined. A graphical representation of the distal end of the elongate medical device and a graphical representation of the force exerted on the distal end of the elongate medical device can be computed. The graphical representation of the force can emanate from the graphical representation of the distal end of the elongate medical device. A first dimension of the graphical representation of the force can be increased in response to a longitudinal force being exerted on the distal end of the elongate medical device. A second dimension of the graphical representation of force can be increased in response to a lateral force being exerted on the distal end of the elongate medical device.

Abstract: A force exerted on a distal end of an elongate medical device can be determined. A graphical representation of the distal end of the elongate medical device and a graphical representation of the force exerted on the distal end of the elongate medical device can be computed. The graphical representation of the force can emanate from the graphical representation of the distal end of the elongate medical device. A first dimension of the graphical representation of the force can be increased in response to a longitudinal force being exerted on the distal end of the elongate medical device. A second dimension of the graphical representation of force can be increased in response to a lateral force being exerted on the distal end of the elongate medical device.

Abstract: A force exerted on a distal end of an elongate medical device can be determined. A graphical representation of the distal end of the elongate medical device and a graphical representation of the force exerted on the distal end of the elongate medical device can be computed. The graphical representation of the force can emanate from the graphical representation of the distal end of the elongate medical device. A first dimension of the graphical representation of the force can be increased in response to a longitudinal force being exerted on the distal end of the elongate medical device. A second dimension of the graphical representation of force can be increased in response to a lateral force being exerted on the distal end of the elongate medical device.

Abstract: A method of detecting dislodgement of a navigational reference for a localization system includes securing a reference catheter, including at least one reference localization element, at an initial reference location within a localization field. The positions of one or more of the reference localization elements are monitored for a perceived displacement that suggests that the reference catheter has become dislodged from the initial reference location (e.g., a displacement above a certain threshold, such as about 4 mm). The direction of this perceived displacement may then be further analyzed (e.g., compared to a predicted or most likely direction of displacement) to determine whether there has been an actual dislodgement of the reference catheter, and, if so, an appropriate signal (e.g., an audible or visual warning) may be generated. Upon dislodgement, guidance may be provided to aid the practitioner in restoring the reference catheter to its initial location.

Abstract: A method of detecting dislodgement of a navigational reference for a localization system includes securing a reference catheter, including at least one reference localization element, at an initial reference location within a localization field. The positions of one or more of the reference localization elements are monitored for a perceived displacement that suggests that the reference catheter has become dislodged from the initial reference location (e.g., a displacement above a certain threshold, such as about 4 mm). The direction of this perceived displacement may then be further analyzed (e.g., compared to a predicted or most likely direction of displacement) to determine whether there has been an actual dislodgement of the reference catheter, and, if so, an appropriate signal (e.g., an audible or visual warning) may be generated. Upon dislodgement, guidance may be provided to aid the practitioner in restoring the reference catheter to its initial location.

Abstract: A system for visually rendering an elongate medical device in a body is provided. The system includes an electronic control unit configured to find a measured physical location for each of a plurality of position sensors on the elongate medical device. The electronic control unit is further configured to apply a spline function to each of the measured physical locations to determine a display location for each position sensor. The electronic control unit is further configured to interpolate between display locations of adjacent position sensors to identify display locations for portions of the elongate medical device between adjacent position sensors. The electronic control unit is further configured to generate image data for display of an image of the elongate medical device including the display locations of the position sensors and the display locations of the portions of the elongate medical device between adjacent position sensors.

Abstract: A method of constructing a bounding box comprises: acquiring a set of sensed data points; adding, for each sensed data point, at least one calculated data point; and defining a bounding box containing the sensed and calculated data points. A method of identifying voxels in a voxel grid corresponding to a plurality of data points comprises: calculating, for each data point, a distance between it and each voxel; creating a subset of voxels comprising voxels having a distance from one data point that is less than a predetermined distance; creating another subset comprising those voxels that neighbor a voxel in the first subset; computing, for each voxel in the second subset, a distance between it and each voxel in the first subset; and identifying each voxel in the first subset that is a distance away from each voxel in the second subset that exceeds a predetermined distance.

Abstract: A force exerted on a distal end of an elongate medical device can be determined. A graphical representation of the distal end of the elongate medical device and a graphical representation of the force exerted on the distal end of the elongate medical device can be computed. The graphical representation of the force can emanate from the graphical representation of the distal end of the elongate medical device. A first dimension of the graphical representation of the force can be increased in response to a longitudinal force being exerted on the distal end of the elongate medical device. A second dimension of the graphical representation of force can be increased in response to a lateral force being exerted on the distal end of the elongate medical device.

Abstract: A method of constructing a bounding box comprises: acquiring a set of sensed data points; adding, for each sensed data point, at least one calculated data point; and defining a bounding box containing the sensed and calculated data points. A method of identifying voxels in a voxel grid corresponding to a plurality of data points comprises: calculating, for each data point, a distance between it and each voxel; creating a subset of voxels comprising voxels having a distance from one data point that is less than a predetermined distance; creating another subset comprising those voxels that neighbor a voxel in the first subset; computing, for each voxel in the second subset, a distance between it and each voxel in the first subset; and identifying each voxel in the first subset that is a distance away from each voxel in the second subset that exceeds a predetermined distance.

Abstract: Medical navigation and mapping system and methods are disclosed for modeling both unobstructed and obstructed portions of a catheter. An exemplary system includes a rendering component operatively associated with an output device. The rendering component overlays a plurality of data images on one another to generate a three-dimensional image representing both the internal tissue and a visible portion of a catheter body. An enhancement component is configured to overlay a silhouette on the three-dimensional image. The silhouette represents an obstructed portion of the catheter body.