Abstract: In a flexible catheterization probe a resilient member couples the tip to the distal portion of the probe and is configured to deform in response to pressure exerted on the tip when engaging tissue. A position sensor in the distal portion of the probe senses the position of the tip relative to the distal portion of the probe. The relative position changes in response to deformation of the resilient member. The position sensor generates a signal indicative of the position of the tip responsively to a magnetic field produced by a magnetic field generator located in the position sensor. The position sensor has a first coil of conductive wire having first windings, and three second coils of conductive wire having respective second windings. The second coils are symmetrically distributed about the longitudinal axis of the first coil.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of ablation. The method includes the steps of inserting a probe having an ablation electrode into a body of a living subject and urging the ablation electrode into a contacting relationship with a target tissue. A measurement of at least one electroanatomic parameter is made between the ablation electrode and the target tissue, and the measurement is haptically communicated to an operator. Responsively to the communicated measurement, ablating the target tissue using the ablation electrode.

Abstract: A haptic feedback device receives a signal reflecting pressure exerted by a medical tool against an anatomical surface. A fastener secures the feedback device to, for example, a wrist of an operator. A haptic exertion component exerts haptic stimulation to the operator based on the received signal such that when the received signal reflects a pressure being exerted by the medical tool against the anatomical surface of a patient is in a defined range for operation of the medical tool, the exertion component exerts haptic stimulation at a predetermined level that indicates pressure of the medical tool is being exerted in the defined range. Otherwise, the exertion component does not exert a level of haptic stimulation that is equal to or more than the predetermined level or the exertion component exerts a level of haptic stimulation to the operator that is more than the predetermined level.

Abstract: In a flexible catheterization probe a resilient member couples the tip to the distal portion of the probe and is configured to deform in response to pressure exerted on the tip when engaging tissue. A position sensor in the distal portion of the probe senses the position of the tip relative to the distal portion of the probe. The relative position changes in response to deformation of the resilient member. The position sensor generates a signal indicative of the position of the tip responsively to a magnetic field produced by a magnetic field generator located in the position sensor. The position sensor has a first coil of conductive wire having first windings, and three second coils of conductive wire having respective second windings. The second coils are symmetrically distributed about the longitudinal axis of the first coil.

Abstract: In a flexible catheterization probe a resilient member couples the tip to the distal portion of the probe and is configured to deform in response to pressure exerted on the tip when engaging tissue. A position sensor in the distal portion of the probe senses the position of the tip relative to the distal portion of the probe. The relative position changes in response to deformation of the resilient member. The position sensor generates a signal indicative of the position of the tip responsively to a magnetic field produced by a magnetic field generator located in the position sensor. The position sensor has a first coil of conductive wire having first windings, and three second coils of conductive wire having respective second windings. The second coils are symmetrically distributed about the longitudinal axis of the first coil.

Abstract: A haptic feedback device receives a signal reflecting pressure exerted by a medical tool against an anatomical surface. A fastener secures the feedback device to, for example, a wrist of an operator. A haptic exertion component exerts haptic stimulation to the operator based on the received signal such that when the received signal reflects a pressure being exerted by the medical tool against the anatomical surface of a patient is in a defined range for operation of the medical tool, the exertion component exerts haptic stimulation at a predetermined level that indicates pressure of the medical tool is being exerted in the defined range. Otherwise, the exertion component does not exert a level of haptic stimulation that is equal to or more than the predetermined level or the exertion component exerts a level of haptic stimulation to the operator that is more than the predetermined level.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of ablation. The method includes the steps of inserting a probe having an ablation electrode into a body of a living subject and urging the ablation electrode into a contacting relationship with a target tissue. A measurement of at least one electroanatomic parameter is made between the ablation electrode and the target tissue, and the measurement is haptically communicated to an operator. Responsively to the communicated measurement, ablating the target tissue using the ablation electrode.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of ablation. The method includes the steps of inserting a probe having an ablation electrode into a body of a living subject and urging the ablation electrode into a contacting relationship with a target tissue. A measurement of a contact force is made between the ablation electrode and the target tissue, and the measurement is haptically communicated to an operator. The probe is adjusted responsively to the communicated measurement, to achieve a desired value of the contact force while ablating the target tissue using the ablation electrode.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of ablation. The method includes the steps of inserting a probe having an ablation electrode into a body of a living subject and urging the ablation electrode into a contacting relationship with a target tissue. A measurement of at least one electroanatomic parameter is made between the ablation electrode and the target tissue, and the measurement is haptically communicated to an operator. Responsively to the communicated measurement, ablating the target tissue using the ablation electrode.

Abstract: In a flexible catheterization probe a resilient member couples the tip to the distal portion of the probe and is configured to deform in response to pressure exerted on the tip when engaging tissue. A position sensor in the distal portion of the probe senses the position of the tip relative to the distal portion of the probe. The relative position changes in response to deformation of the resilient member. The position sensor generates a signal indicative of the position of the tip responsively to a magnetic field produced by a magnetic field generator located in the position sensor. The position sensor has a first coil of conductive wire having first windings, and three second coils of conductive wire having respective second windings. The second coils are symmetrically distributed about the longitudinal axis of the first coil.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of ablation. The method includes the steps of inserting a probe having an ablation electrode into a body of a living subject and urging the ablation electrode into a contacting relationship with a target tissue. A measurement of at least one electroanatomic parameter is made between the ablation electrode and the target tissue, and the measurement is haptically communicated to an operator. Responsively to the communicated measurement, ablating the target tissue using the ablation electrode.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of ablation. The method includes the steps of inserting a probe having an ablation electrode into a body of a living subject and urging the ablation electrode into a contacting relationship with a target tissue. A measurement of a contact force is made between the ablation electrode and the target tissue, and the measurement is haptically communicated to an operator. The probe is adjusted responsively to the communicated measurement, to achieve a desired value of the contact force while ablating the target tissue using the ablation electrode.

Abstract: An ablation apparatus includes a flexible probe adapted for insertion into a heart of a living subject. The probe has a distally disposed ablation electrode to be brought into contact with a target tissue in the heart, and has facilities for measuring contact force with the target tissue. The apparatus includes a transmitter, operative to transmit an indication of the contact force to a wearable device having an actuator operative to haptically stimulate the operator responsively to the indication.

Abstract: An ablation apparatus includes a flexible probe adapted for insertion into a heart of a living subject. The probe has a distally disposed ablation electrode to be brought into contact with a target tissue in the heart, and has facilities for measuring contact force with the target tissue. The apparatus includes a transmitter, operative to transmit an indication of the contact force to a wearable device having an actuator operative to haptically stimulate the operator responsively to the indication.

Abstract: An apparatus, consisting of a rolling element, which is resting on a surface, and a force-sensing device, which is coupled to the surface. The force-sensing device is configured to make a first measurement indicative of a force exerted in a direction perpendicular to the surface. The force is exerted by a force-sensing probe pressing against the rolling element so as to hold the rolling element stationary. The apparatus further includes a calibration processor, which is configured to collect the first measurement from the sensing device, to collect a second measurement indicative of the force from the force-sensing probe, and to calibrate the force-sensing probe based on the first and second measurements.

Abstract: An apparatus, consisting of a rolling element, which is resting on a surface, and a force-sensing device, which is coupled to the surface. The force-sensing device is configured to make a first measurement indicative of a force exerted in a direction perpendicular to the surface. The force is exerted by a force-sensing probe pressing against the rolling element so as to hold the rolling element stationary. The apparatus further includes a calibration processor, which is configured to collect the first measurement from the sensing device, to collect a second measurement indicative of the force from the force-sensing probe, and to calibrate the force-sensing probe based on the first and second measurements.