Abstract: A method and system for assessing lesion formation in tissue is provided. The system includes an electronic control unit (ECU) configured to acquire magnitudes for a component of a complex impedance between an electrode and tissue, and the power applied to the tissue during lesion formation. The ECU is configured to calculate a value responsive to the complex impedance component and the power. The value is indicative of a predicted lesion depth, a likelihood the lesion has reached a predetermined depth, or a predicted tissue temperature. The method includes acquiring magnitudes for a component of a complex impedance between an electrode and tissue and the power applied during lesion formation. The method includes calculating a value responsive to the complex impedance component and the power, the value being indicative of a predicted lesion depth, a likelihood the lesion has reached a predetermined depth, and/or a predicted tissue temperature.

Abstract: An ablation catheter includes a flexible elongated shaft having a flexible electrode at its distal end. The flexible electrode includes an inner, flexible, electrically-conductive element and an outer, flexible, electrically-conductive polymer layer in electrical contact with the inner, flexible, electrically-conductive element. The catheter further includes an electrically insulative sheath surrounding at least a portion of the flexible electrode and a linear displacement mechanism capable of adjusting at least one of the electrically insulative sheath and the flexible electrode to vary a length of the flexible electrode exposed at the distal end of the shaft. Also disclosed is an adjustable length ablation electrode and methods of ablating tissue.

Abstract: In an electrophysiology (EP) lab, a bedside interface device allows an EP physician to directly control various diagnostic and therapeutic systems, including an electro-anatomic mapping system. The bedside interface device can include a computer with wireless communication capability as well as a touch-responsive display panel and voice recognition. The bedside interface device can also be a hand-graspable wireless remote control device that is configured to detect motions or gestures made with the remote control by the physician, allowing the physician to directly interact with the mapping system. The bedside interface device can also be a motion capture camera configured to determine motion patterns of the physician's arms, legs, trunk, face and the like, which are defined in advance to correspond to commands for the mapping system. The bedside interface device may also include voice recognition capabilities to allow a physician to directly issue verbal commands to the mapping system.

Abstract: Catheter systems include direction-sensitive, multi-polar tip electrode assemblies for electroporation-mediated therapy, electroporation-induced primary necrosis therapy and electric field-induced apoptosis therapy, including configurations for producing narrow, linear lesions as well as distributed, wide area lesions. A monitoring system for electroporation therapy includes a mechanism for delivering electrochromic dyes to a tissue site as well as a fiber optic arrangement to optically monitor the progress of the therapy as well as to confirm success post-therapy. A fiber optic temperature sensing electrode catheter includes a tip electrode having a cavity whose inner surface is impregnated or coated with thermochromic/thermotropic material that changes color with changes in temperature. An optic fiber/detector arrangement monitors the thermochromic or thermotropic materials, acquiring a light signal and generating an output signal indicative of the spectrum of the light signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for photodynamic ablation of cardiac tissue via an esophagus are disclosed. An exemplary system includes an ablation catheter having an expandable distal end for securing the ablation catheter in the esophagus. The distal end of the ablation catheter contains at least one light source operable to activate a photodynamic substance delivered to the target area of the cardiac tissue to be ablated and form a lesion. The system also includes at least one feedback device contained in the distal end of the ablation catheter. The at least one feedback device provides feedback for at least one of: positioning a distal end of an ablation catheter in a desired position in the esophagus adjacent a target area of the cardiac tissue to be ablated, forming an adequate lesion, and assessing lesion formation.

Abstract: A method and system for determining a likelihood of barotrauma occurring in tissue during the formation of a lesion therein is provided. The system includes an electronic control unit (ECU). The ECU is configured to acquire at least one value of at least one component of a complex impedance between an electrode and the tissue. The ECU is further configured to calculate an index responsive to the at least one value of the at least one complex impedance component. The index is indicative of a likelihood of barotrauma occurring in the tissue. The method comprises acquiring at least one value of at least one component of a complex impedance between an electrode and the tissue. The method further comprises calculating an index responsive to the at least one value of the at least one complex impedance component. The calculating index is indicative of a likelihood of barotrauma occurring in the tissue.

Abstract: A system for displaying characteristics of target tissue during an ablation procedure is provided that includes an electronic control unit (ECU) configured to receive data regarding electrical properties of the target tissue for a time period. The ECU is also configured to determine a value responsive to the data and indicative of at least one of a predicted depth of a lesion in the target tissue, a predicted temperature of the target tissue, and a likelihood of steam pop of the target tissue for the time period. The system further includes a display device operatively connected to the ECU. The display device is configured to receive the value and display a visual representation indicative of at least one of a predicted depth of a lesion in the target tissue, a predicted temperature of the target tissue, and a likelihood of steam pop of the target tissue for the time period.

Abstract: A method and system for assessing lesion formation in tissue is provided. The system includes an electronic control unit (ECU) configured to acquire magnitudes for a component of a complex impedance between an electrode and tissue, and the power applied to the tissue during lesion formation. The ECU is configured to calculate a value responsive to the complex impedance component and the power. The value is indicative of a predicted lesion depth, a likelihood the lesion has reached a predetermined depth, or a predicted tissue temperature. The method includes acquiring magnitudes for a component of a complex impedance between an electrode and tissue and the power applied during lesion formation. The method includes calculating a value responsive to the complex impedance component and the power, the value being indicative of a predicted lesion depth, a likelihood the lesion has reached a predetermined depth, and/or a predicted tissue temperature.

Abstract: A photodynamic mapping device includes a shaft with a proximal end and a distal end, at least one optical electrode at the distal end of the shaft, and at least one optical fiber positioned inside the shaft. In embodiments, the at least one optical fiber extends from the distal end of the shaft and is coupled to the at least one optical electrode provided at or about an outer surface of the device. In an embodiment, at least one optical fiber is coupled, at or about the proximal end of the shaft, to a light source coupled and an optical sensor. An analyzer can be coupled to the optical sensor. Embodiments of such devices can be configured to deliver substances, such as photodynamic therapeutic substances.

Abstract: A system and method for diagnosis or treatment of tissue is provided. One or more optic fibers are disposed within a deformable, tubular body. An electronic control unit activates an electromagnetic radiation source to direct a first set of electromagnetic radiation through a first optic fiber to the tissue. The unit also receives a signal generated by an electromagnetic radiation sensor in response to a second set of electromagnetic radiation received through the first optic or a second fiber. The second set of electromagnetic radiation originates from the tissue in response to the first set of electromagnetic radiation and may be reflected or emitted by a substance contained in the tissue that alters radiation characteristics of the tissue. Finally, the unit is configured to determine a characteristic of the tissue (e.g. the distance from the tissue to the tubular body) responsive to the signal.

Abstract: Catheter systems and methods are disclosed for anchoring the catheter system to tissue, e.g., for delivery of biologic or chemical agents, or other therapeutic fluid during various procedures. An exemplary tissue anchoring catheter comprises an outer catheter shaft connected to a catheter handle. A delivery sheath is provided within the outer catheter shaft, the delivery sheath housing a needle. At least one anchor is operatively associated with the delivery sheath, the at least one anchor operable at the catheter handle to secure the delivery sheath to tissue for conveying biologic or chemical agents, or other therapeutic fluid from the needle to the tissue. The tissue anchoring catheter may further comprise sensing means such as piezoelectric, pressure, thermistor, thermocouple, or ultrasound sensors.

Abstract: A system for constructing multiple shells (electronic models) indicative of the geometry and/or volume of a bodily lumen, such as a heart chamber, is configured to collect a plurality of location data points as the electrode is swept within the chamber. Each of the collected data points has an associated measured cardiac phase at which such point was acquired. The system is configured to segregate the collected electrode locations into sets based on the phase. Each set is characterized by a particular, associated phase of its constituent electrode locations. The system is configured to generate, for each set, a respective shell that will represent the chamber at the associated phase. The shells, once constructed, may be used for or in connection with a variety of diagnostic, mapping, and/or therapeutic procedures. The system is also configured to verify that the electrode is in contact with the heart tissue before using the collected data point in the shell construction (e.g.

Abstract: An ablation catheter includes a flexible elongated shaft having a flexible electrode at its distal end. The flexible electrode includes an inner, flexible, electrically-conductive element and an outer, flexible, electrically-conductive polymer layer in electrical contact with the inner, flexible, electrically-conductive element. The catheter further includes an electrically insulative sheath surrounding at least a portion of the flexible electrode and a linear displacement mechanism capable of adjusting at least one of the electrically insulative sheath and the flexible electrode to vary a length of the flexible electrode exposed at the distal end of the shaft. Also disclosed is an adjustable length ablation electrode and methods of ablating tissue.

Abstract: A method and system for ablation of cardiac tissue in a living being via the esophagus is provided. The method includes the step of introducing a photodynamic substance to the cardiac tissue. A deformable, elongated body defining a proximal end and a distal end is inserted into an esophagus of the living being. The distal end of the elongated body is located proximate the cardiac tissue. A first set of electromagnetic radiation is then directed from the distal end of the elongated body towards the cardiac tissue. Reflective and opaque surfaces at the distal end of the elongated body may be used to direct the electromagnetic radiation and an expandable membrane at the distal end may be used to urge the distal end of the elongated body to a predetermined position within the esophagus.

Abstract: Catheter systems and methods are disclosed for anchoring the catheter system to tissue, e.g., for delivery of biologic or chemical agents, or other therapeutic fluid during various procedures. An exemplary tissue anchoring catheter comprises an outer catheter shaft connected to a catheter handle. A delivery sheath is provided within the outer catheter shaft, the delivery sheath housing a needle. At least one anchor is operatively associated with the delivery sheath, the at least one anchor operable at the catheter handle to secure the delivery sheath to tissue for conveying biologic or chemical agents, or other therapeutic fluid from the needle to the tissue. The tissue anchoring catheter may further comprise sensing means such as piezoelectric, pressure, thermistor, thermocouple, or ultrasound sensors.