Abstract: A cardiac ablation method including the following steps: inserting a treatment catheter into an atrium of a heart, the treatment catheter including an ultrasound emitter; positioning the ultrasound emitter to face heart tissue within the left atrium outside of a pulmonary vein; emitting ultrasound energy from the ultrasound emitter while rotating the ultrasound emitter about a rotation axis; and ablating heart tissue with the ultrasound energy to form a lesion outside of a pulmonary vein.

Abstract: A transducer subassembly with combined imaging and therapeutic capabilities is disclosed. The subassembly includes heat sinks that are configured to maintain the transducer at a low operating temperature so that the transducer operates at high efficiency and also can handle a wider range of frequencies. The subassembly is also configured to allow cooling fluid to flow past the transducer element. One heat sink in the subassembly also acts as an acoustic matching layer and another heat sink acts as a backing Alternatively, the second heat sink which acts as a backing is optional. The transducer is configured to transmit at one power level for imaging, and at a second power level for ablating. The transducer may comprise sub-elements transmitting at different power levels. The subassembly may be operated at one power level for imaging and a second power level for ablating.

Abstract: A cardiac ablation method including the following steps: inserting a treatment catheter into an atrium of a heart, the treatment catheter including an ultrasound emitter; positioning the ultrasound emitter to face heart tissue within the left atrium outside of a pulmonary vein; emitting ultrasound energy from the ultrasound emitter while rotating the ultrasound emitter about a rotation axis; and ablating heart tissue with the ultrasound energy to form a lesion outside of a pulmonary vein.

Abstract: Echo-anatomically mapping tissue includes advancing a catheter having an ultrasound transducer toward tissue. A console adjacent the proximal end of the catheter controls catheter movement, and the ultrasound transducer senses tissue. First and second regions of the tissue are ultrasonically sensed while moving the ultrasound transducer along first, and second sensing patterns, respectively. A first 3-dimensional surface map of the first region, and a second 3-dimensional surface map of the second region are generated. The 3-dimensional surface maps are combined to form a combined surface map. Anatomical features may be identified in the first or second sensed regions. The tissue may be ultrasonically ablated while moving the ultrasound transducer along a first ablation path. The first ablation path may form a lesion around the identified anatomical features, and may be selected from a catalog of ablation paths or it may be prescribed by a physician.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for treating a patient include an ablation device for ablating a target tissue of a patient. The device includes a housing having proximal and distal ends, and an energy source adjacent the distal end of the housing. The energy source comprises an active portion and an inactive portion surrounded by and extending continuously within the active portion. The active portion comprises a first solid material and is configured to emit ablation energy towards the target tissue when the energy source is energized to create a partial or complete zone of ablation in the target tissue. The inactive portion comprises a second solid material different from the first solid material and does not actively emit energy when the energy source is energized.

Abstract: A system for ablating and mapping tissue comprises a stand alone tissue ablation system adapted to ablate the tissue, and a stand alone cardiac mapping system adapted to map the tissue. The ablation system is operably coupled with the cardiac mapping system such that mapping data from the cardiac mapping system is provided to the ablation system to create a graphical display of the tissue and the ablation system position relative to the tissue. Motion of the ablation system may be monitored and adjusted based on feedback provided by ablation system actuators as well as position sensors.

Abstract: Systems and methods for ablating tissue include an ablation device having an energy source and a sensor. The energy source provides a beam of energy directable to target tissue, and the sensor senses energy reflected back from the target tissue. The sensor collects various information from the target tissue in order to facilitate adjustment of ablation operating parameters, such as changing power or position of the energy beam. Gap distance between the energy source and target tissue, energy beam incident angle, tissue motion, tissue type, lesion depth, etc. are examples of some of the information that may be collected during the ablation process and used to help control ablation of the tissue.

Abstract: Methods for ablating tissue in a patient having atrial fibrillation comprise advancing an elongate flexible shaft through a patient's vasculature into a chamber of a heart. The elongate flexible shaft has an energy source and a sensor. Tissue in the heart is scanned with the sensor and data about the tissue is captured. The captured data is grouped into one of a plurality of tissue classifications and an anatomical map of the tissue showing the grouped data is displayed. At least a portion of the tissue is ablated so as to form a conduction block that blocks aberrant electrical pathways in the heart. The ablated tissue is grouped into one or more predefined tissue classifications during or prior to the ablation.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for an ablation device used in the treatment of atrial fibrillation comprise an elongate shaft and a positioning mechanism adjacent the distal end of the shaft. The positioning mechanism is adapted to facilitate location of an anatomic structure and also to anchor the elongate shaft adjacent the anatomic structure. The positioning mechanism comprises an electrode for stimulating the anatomic structure as well as sensing electrical signals. Also, an energy delivery element is adjacent the distal end of the shaft and is adapted to stimulate the anatomic structure and create a zone of ablation that blocks abnormal electrical activity thereby reducing or eliminating atrial fibrillation in the patient.

Abstract: Systems and methods for ablating tissue include an ablation device having an energy source and a sensor. The energy source provides a beam of energy directable to target tissue, and the sensor senses energy reflected back from the target tissue. The sensor collects various information from the target tissue in order to facilitate adjustment of ablation operating parameters, such as changing power or position of the energy beam. Gap distance between the energy source and target tissue, energy beam incident angle, tissue motion, tissue type, lesion depth, etc. are examples of some of the information that may be collected during the ablation process and used to help control ablation of the tissue.

Abstract: Methods for ablating tissue in a patient having atrial fibrillation comprise advancing an elongate flexible shaft through a patient's vasculature into a chamber of a heart. The elongate flexible shaft has an energy source and a sensor. Tissue in the heart is scanned with the sensor and data about the tissue is captured. The captured data is grouped into one of a plurality of tissue classifications and an anatomical map of the tissue showing the grouped data is displayed. At least a portion of the tissue is ablated so as to form a conduction block that blocks aberrant electrical pathways in the heart. The ablated tissue is grouped into one or more predefined tissue classifications during or prior to the ablation.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for an ablation device used in the treatment of atrial fibrillation comprise an elongate shaft and a positioning mechanism adjacent the distal end of the shaft. The positioning mechanism is adapted to facilitate location of an anatomic structure and also to anchor the elongate shaft adjacent the anatomic structure. The positioning mechanism comprises an electrode for stimulating the anatomic structure as well as sensing electrical signals. Also, an energy delivery element is adjacent the distal end of the shaft and is adapted to stimulate the anatomic structure and create a zone of ablation that blocks abnormal electrical activity thereby reducing or eliminating atrial fibrillation in the patient.

Abstract: Systems and methods for ablating tissue include an ablation device having an energy source and a sensor. The energy source provides a beam of energy directable to target tissue, and the sensor senses energy reflected back from the target tissue. The sensor collects various information from the target tissue in order to facilitate adjustment of ablation operating parameters, such as changing power or position of the energy beam. Gap distance between the energy source and target tissue, energy beam incident angle, tissue motion, tissue type, lesion depth, etc. are examples of some of the information that may be collected during the ablation process and used to help control ablation of the tissue.

Abstract: Systems and methods for ablating tissue include an ablation device having an energy source and a sensor. The energy source provides a beam of energy directable to target tissue, and the sensor senses energy reflected back from the target tissue. The sensor collects various information from the target tissue in order to facilitate adjustment of ablation operating parameters, such as changing power or position of the energy beam. Gap distance between the energy source and target tissue, energy beam incident angle, tissue motion, tissue type, lesion depth, etc. are examples of some of the information that may be collected during the ablation process and used to help control ablation of the tissue.

Abstract: A cardiac ablation method including the following steps: inserting a treatment catheter into an atrium of a heart, the treatment catheter including an ultrasound emitter; positioning the ultrasound emitter to face heart tissue within the left atrium outside of a pulmonary vein; emitting ultrasound energy from the ultrasound emitter while rotating the ultrasound emitter about a rotation axis; and ablating heart tissue with the ultrasound energy to form a lesion outside of a pulmonary vein.

Abstract: A tissue ablation system for treating fibrillation in a patient comprises a steerable interventional catheter having an energy source that emits a beam of energy to ablate tissue thereby creating a conduction block for aberrant electrical pathways. The system also includes a handle disposed near a proximal end of the interventional catheter and has an actuation mechanism for steering the interventional catheter. A console allows the system to be controlled and provides power to the system, and a display pod is electrically coupled with the console. The display pod has a display panel to display system information to a user and allows the user to control the system. A catheter pod is releasably coupled with the handle electrically and mechanically, and also electrically coupled with the display pod.

Abstract: A tissue ablation system for treating fibrillation in a patient comprises a steerable interventional catheter having an energy source that emits a beam of energy to ablate tissue thereby creating a conduction block for aberrant electrical pathways. The system also includes a handle disposed near a proximal end of the interventional catheter and has an actuation mechanism for steering the interventional catheter. A console allows the system to be controlled and provides power to the system, and a display pod is electrically coupled with the console. The display pod has a display panel to display system information to a user and allows the user to control the system. A catheter pod is releasably coupled with the handle electrically and mechanically, and also electrically coupled with the display pod.

Abstract: An ablation system for treating atrial fibrillation in a patient comprises an elongate shaft having proximal and distal ends, a lumen therebetween and a housing adjacent the distal end of the elongate shaft. An energy source is coupled to the housing and is adapted to deliver energy to a target tissue so as to create a zone of ablation in the target tissue that blocks abnormal electrical activity thereby reducing or eliminating the atrial fibrillation in the patient. A sensor is adjacent the energy source and adapted to detect relative position of the energy source to the target tissue or characteristics of the target tissue. The system also has a reflecting element operably coupled with the energy source and adapted to redirect energy emitted from the energy source in a desired direction or pattern.

Abstract: A transducer subassembly with combined imaging and therapeutic capabilities is disclosed. The subassembly includes heat sinks that are configured to maintain the transducer at a low operating temperature so that the transducer operates at high efficiency and also can handle a wider range of frequencies. The subassembly is also configured to allow cooling fluid to flow past the transducer element. One heat sink in the subassembly also acts as an acoustic matching layer and another heat sink acts as a backing Alternatively, the second heat sink which acts as a backing is optional. The transducer is configured to transmit at one power level for imaging, and at a second power level for ablating. The transducer may comprise sub-elements transmitting at different power levels. The subassembly may be operated at one power level for imaging and a second power level for ablating.

Abstract: A tissue ablation system for treating fibrillation in a patient comprises a steerable interventional catheter having an energy source that emits a beam of energy to ablate tissue thereby creating a conduction block for aberrant electrical pathways. The system also includes a handle disposed near a proximal end of the interventional catheter and has an actuation mechanism for steering the interventional catheter. A console allows the system to be controlled and provides power to the system, and a display pod is electrically coupled with the console. The display pod has a display panel to display system information to a user and allows the user to control the system. A catheter pod is releasably coupled with the handle electrically and mechanically, and also electrically coupled with the display pod.