Abstract: Disclosed are devices, systems, and methods for determining the dipole densities on a cardiac surface using electrodes positioned on a torso of a patient. Electrodes are integrated into a piece of clothing worn by a patient. The clothing serves to fix the position of the electrodes adjacent a patient's torso. Ultrasonic transducers and sensors are used to determine a distance between the epicardial surface and the electrodes and are also used to detect epicardial surface motion as well as epicardial wall thickness.

Abstract: The present invention includes systems, devices and methods for treating and/or diagnosing a heart arrhythmia, such as atrial fibrillation. Specifically, the present invention provides a system including a diagnostic catheter and an ablation catheter. The diagnostic catheter includes a shaft, multiple dipole mapping electrodes and multiple ultrasound transducers. The ablation catheter is slidingly received by the diagnostic catheter shaft.

Abstract: A system for determining a position of a medical device within a body is provided that reduces positional error by establishing a reference origin closer to the device and/or simplifies the system by integrating components and functions. In one embodiment, a pair of drive electrodes are affixed to opposed surfaces of the body and create a pathway for transmission of current through a position sensor related to the medical device. A pair of reference electrodes proximate the drive electrodes are coupled to a common reference node outputting a reference signal establishing the reference origin. An electronic control unit determines the position of the medical device responsive to the position signal and the reference signal. In another embodiment, a patch affixed to an external surface of the body has a base layer and multiple devices supported on the base layer, electrically isolated from one another, and configured to perform different functions.

Abstract: A system for determining a position of a medical device within a body is provided that reduces positional error by establishing a reference origin closer to the device and/or simplifies the system by integrating components and functions. In one embodiment, a pair of drive electrodes are affixed to opposed surfaces of the body and create a pathway for transmission of current through a position sensor related to the medical device. A pair of reference electrodes proximate the drive electrodes are coupled to a common reference node outputting a reference signal establishing the reference origin. An electronic control unit determines the position of the medical device responsive to the position signal and the reference signal. In another embodiment, a patch affixed to an external surface of the body has a base layer and multiple devices supported on the base layer, electrically isolated from one another, and configured to perform different functions.

Abstract: A system for determining a position of a medical device within a body is provided that reduces positional error by establishing a reference origin closer to the device and/or simplifies the system by integrating components and functions. In one embodiment, a pair of drive electrodes are affixed to opposed surfaces of the body and create a pathway for transmission of current through a position sensor related to the medical device. A pair of reference electrodes proximate the drive electrodes are coupled to a common reference node outputting a reference signal establishing the reference origin. An electronic control unit determines the position of the medical device responsive to the position signal and the reference signal. In another embodiment, a patch affixed to an external surface of the body has a base layer and multiple devices supported on the base layer, electrically isolated from one another, and configured to perform different functions.

Abstract: A mapping catheter is positioned in a heart chamber, and active electrode sites are activated to impose an electric field within the chamber. The blood volume and wall motion modulates the electric field, which is detected by passive electrode sites on the preferred catheter. Electrophysiology measurements, as well as geometry measurements, are taken from the passive electrodes and used to display a map of intrinsic heart activity.

Abstract: A computer software program is described that maps the electrical activity of a patient's heart. The software program utilizes inputs from electrodes contained within a heart chamber. Inputs from the electrodes cause the program to calculate the heart chamber volume, and then to determine the position of the electrodes within the heart chamber. The program then utilizes inputs from the electrodes to calculate the three-dimensional volumetric electrical field distribution of said heart chamber. This calculation is accomplished using a spherical harmonic series expression. Finally, the computer program displays the electrical field distribution of the heart chamber.

Abstract: A collection of measurements are taken from a set of measurement electrodes to determine the position of a catheter in a heart chamber. The preferred measurement catheter includes a relatively large dielectric volume.

Abstract: A mapping catheter assembly 10 including a flexible lead body 12 and a deformable lead body 14. A lumen 22 is provided to accept a reference catheter 18 which includes a distal tip electrode assembly 29. In use an array 16 of electrode sites are deformed into a spherical shape after the assembly is placed in a heart chamber. The reference electrode assembly 29 is advanced into contact with the heart wall to provide calibration information for the array 16.

Abstract: An array of electrode sites are placed in a heart chamber. The shape of the chamber and the location of the electrodes is determined via impedance plethysmography. Electrical measurements taken from the electrode array and referenced to a surface contacting electrode is used to generate a three-dimensional map of electrical activity. A two-dimensional map of the electrical activity within the endocardial surface is also computed.

Abstract: A novel method and apparatus for isolating and anchoring an implantable electrically stimulating probe such as a defibrillator patch electrode for use with an automatic cardioverter/defibrillator is disclosed in which a porous bio-compatible coating or enclosure covers and isolates the electrode in a way which allows electrical conductivity via bodily fluid which passes through but separates the electrode from the adjacent tissue in the manner of dissection plane which substantially prevents tissue ingrowth. The coating or enclosure controls the minimum separation distance from the closest tissue and which reduces the local current density applied to adjacent tissue when the electrode is pulsed. The system includes a provision for attaching the enclosure means to internal bodily tissue.

Abstract: An implantable cardiac electrode for use in defibrillation. The electrode comprises a plurality of layers of porous conductive screens and backed by an insulation layer. When implanted on or about the heart surface, body fluids can flow through the screens thus increasing the effective surface area of contact. Each individual layer of mesh can be microscopically textured to create indentations on the layer for further increasing the surface area of each screen, and thus, the surface area of body fluid contact. Also disclosed is an electrode without an insulative backing facing away from the heart.

Abstract: A stimulator for inducing salivation by neural stimulation comprises a housing which may be received in the oral cavity of a user, the housing enclosing electronic signal generating means and electrodes for applying a signal to neurally sensitive areas of the oral cavity to induce salivation. In its method aspect, the invention involves stimulation of salivation by the application of an electrical signal to neurally sensitive areas.

Abstract: A stimulator for inducing salivation by neural stimulation comprises a housing which may be received in the oral cavity of a user, the housing enclosing electronic signal generating means and electrodes for applying a signal to neurally sensitive areas of the oral cavity to induce salivation. In its method aspect, the invention involves stimulation of salivation by the application of an electrical signal to neurally sensitive areas.