Abstract: A method of modifying contact status of one or more electrodes in a plurality of electrodes located on a medical device includes measuring an electrical characteristic of each electrode in the plurality of electrodes located on the medical device, determining a contact status for each electrode in the plurality of electrodes based on the measured electrical characteristic for the corresponding electrode, wherein the contact status is indicative of contact with adjacent tissue. The method further includes modifying the contact status of a first electrode in the plurality of electrodes based on the determined contact status of one or more other electrodes in the plurality of electrodes.

Abstract: A method of determining contact status of electrodes includes applying drive signals between pairs of electrodes, measuring a bipolar electrode complex impedance (BECI) value generated in response to the drive signals over a collection period, and determining a baseline BECI value representing a minimum value measured during the collection period. The method further includes determining contact status of the electrode by applying drive signals between pairs of electrodes over a given interval, measuring a BECI value generated in response to the drive signals, measuring a peak-to-peak value associated with the BECI values measured over the given interval, and determining contact status based on a combination of the baseline BECI value, the measured BECI value, and the peak-to-peak value associated with the measured BECI values.

Abstract: A display system configured to communicate tissue proximity data from a plurality of electrodes includes a display. The display outputs a circular graphical representation. The circular graphical representation includes a plurality of color areas forming a first circular shape. Each of the color areas communicate a categorized value for a respective electrode indicative of tissue proximity for the respective electrode. A plurality of graph areas form a second circular shape. Each of the graph areas communicate a relative value for the respective electrode indicative of the tissue proximity for the respective electrode.

Abstract: A method of determining a baseline impedance value for a first electrode in a plurality of electrodes located on a medical device for tissue contact detection includes measuring an impedance value of the first electrode generated in response to a drive signal to the first electrode. The method further includes assigning a baseline impedance value to the first electrode based on impedance values measured in a predetermined time interval and determining a confidence value associated with the baseline impedance value. The method further includes utilizing the baseline impedance value in determining contact status of the first electrode when the confidence value is at or above a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: A method of modifying contact status of one or more electrodes in a plurality of electrodes located on a medical device includes measuring an electrical characteristic of each electrode in the plurality of electrodes located on the medical device, determining a contact status for each electrode in the plurality of electrodes based on the measured electrical characteristic for the corresponding electrode, wherein the contact status is indicative of contact with adjacent tissue. The method further includes modifying the contact status of a first electrode in the plurality of electrodes based on the determined contact status of one or more other electrodes in the plurality of electrodes.

Abstract: A monitoring, managing and protecting system is provided that includes a monitoring probe working in conjunction with an ablating device. The probe is configured to be positioned in close proximity to a region of non-targeted tissue proximate an ablation site of targeted tissue and to be operatively connected to an electrical response assessment system or component. The probe includes an elongate shaft having proximal and distal ends, with a handle disposed at the proximal end thereof and a tissue monitoring and protecting apparatus disposed at the distal end thereof. The ablating device includes an elongate shaft having proximal and distal ends, with a handle mounted at the proximal end thereof and an ablation element mounted at the distal end thereof. The monitoring probe measures electrical characteristics of the non-targeted tissue and/or of the tissue between the monitoring electrode and the ablation electrode.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides electroporation systems, methods of controlling electroporation systems to limit electroporation arcs through intracardiac catheters, and catheters for electroporation systems. One method of controlling an electroporation system including a direct current (DC) energy source, a return electrode connected to the DC energy source, and a catheter connected to the DC energy source is disclosed. The catheter has a at least one catheter electrode. The method includes positioning the return electrode near a target location within a body and positioning the catheter electrode adjacent the target location within the body. A system impedance is determined with the return electrode positioned near the target location and the catheter electrode positioned within the body. The system impedance is adjusted to a target impedance to limit arcing from the catheter electrode.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides electroporation systems, methods of controlling electroporation systems to limit electroporation arcs through intracardiac catheters, and catheters for electroporation systems. One method of controlling an electroporation system including a direct current (DC) energy source, a return electrode connected to the DC energy source, and a catheter connected to the DC energy source is disclosed. The catheter has a at least one catheter electrode. The method includes positioning the return electrode near a target location within a body and positioning the catheter electrode adjacent the target location within the body. A system impedance is determined with the return electrode positioned near the target location and the catheter electrode positioned within the body. The system impedance is adjusted to a target impedance to arcing from the catheter electrode.

Abstract: An integrated electrode structure can comprise a catheter shaft comprising a proximal end and a distal end, the catheter shaft defining a catheter shaft longitudinal axis. A flexible tip portion can be located adjacent to the distal end of the catheter shaft, the flexible tip portion comprising a flexible framework. A plurality of microelectrodes can be disposed on the flexible framework and can form a flexible array of microelectrodes adapted to conform to tissue. A plurality of conductive traces can be disposed on the flexible framework, each of the plurality of conductive traces can be electrically coupled with a respective one of the plurality of microelectrodes.

Abstract: An integrated electrode structure can comprise a catheter shaft comprising a proximal end and a distal end, the catheter shaft defining a catheter shaft longitudinal axis. A flexible tip portion can be located adjacent to the distal end of the catheter shaft, the flexible tip portion comprising a flexible framework. A plurality of microelectrodes can be disposed on the flexible framework and can form a flexible array of microelectrodes adapted to conform to tissue. A plurality of conductive traces can be disposed on the flexible framework, each of the plurality of conductive traces can be electrically coupled with a respective one of the plurality of microelectrodes.

Abstract: Electrophysiological signals from a graphical representation of an electrophysiology map including a plurality of electrophysiology data points can be sorted by receiving user inputs specifying a number of virtual electrodes for a virtual catheter and defining a pathway of the virtual catheter. A corresponding number of virtual electrodes can be defined on the pathway of the virtual catheter, and one or more electrophysiology data points relevant to electrical activity at the virtual electrodes can be identified, allowing output of a graphical representation of electrophysiological signals corresponding to the identified electrophysiology data points. Relevant electrophysiology data points can be identified by applying one or more relevance criterion, such as a distance criterion, a bipole orientation criterion, a time criterion, and/or a morphology criterion.

Abstract: Electrophysiological signals from a graphical representation of an electrophysiology map including a plurality of electrophysiology data points can be sorted by receiving user inputs specifying a number of virtual electrodes for a virtual catheter and defining a pathway of the virtual catheter. A corresponding number of virtual electrodes can be defined on the pathway of the virtual catheter, and one or more electrophysiology data points relevant to electrical activity at the virtual electrodes can be identified, allowing output of a graphical representation of electrophysiological signals corresponding to the identified electrophysiology data points. Relevant electrophysiology data points can be identified by applying one or more relevance criterion, such as a distance criterion, a bipole orientation criterion, a time criterion, and/or a morphology criterion.

Abstract: An integrated electrode structure can comprise a catheter shaft comprising a proximal end and a distal end, the catheter shaft defining a catheter shaft longitudinal axis. A flexible tip portion can be located adjacent to the distal end of the catheter shaft, the flexible tip portion comprising a flexible framework. A plurality of microelectrodes can be disposed on the flexible framework and can form a flexible array of microelectrodes adapted to conform to tissue. A plurality of conductive traces can be disposed on the flexible framework, each of the plurality of conductive traces can be electrically coupled with a respective one of the plurality of microelectrodes.

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: An integrated electrode structure can comprise a catheter shaft comprising a proximal end and a distal end, the catheter shaft defining a catheter shaft longitudinal axis. A flexible tip portion can be located adjacent to the distal end of the catheter shaft, the flexible tip portion comprising a flexible framework. A plurality of microelectrodes can be disposed on the flexible framework and can form a flexible array of microelectrodes adapted to conform to tissue. A plurality of conductive traces can be disposed on the flexible framework, each of the plurality of conductive traces can be electrically coupled with a respective one of the plurality of microelectrodes.

Abstract: An integrated electrode structure can comprise a catheter shaft comprising a proximal end and a distal end, the catheter shaft defining a catheter shaft longitudinal axis. A flexible tip portion can be located adjacent to the distal end of the catheter shaft, the flexible tip portion comprising a flexible framework. A plurality of microelectrodes can be disposed on the flexible framework and can form a flexible array of microelectrodes adapted to conform to tissue. A plurality of conductive traces can be disposed on the flexible framework, each of the plurality of conductive traces can be electrically coupled with a respective one of the plurality of microelectrodes.

Abstract: An electrophysiological laboratory system comprises a subsystem configured to perform diagnostic and/or therapeutic functions, a medical device, and an interface module disposed therebetween. The medical device comprises a shaft having proximal and distal portions, high- and low-impedance electrical pathways disposed within the shaft, and an electrode disposed at the distal portion of the shaft and electrically coupled to one or both of the high- and low-impedance electrical pathways. The electrode is configured to perform diagnostic and/or therapy delivery functions. The interface module comprises a high-impedance channel configured to couple the high-impedance pathway of the medical device to the subsystem, and to attenuate magnetic resonance RF and gradient field pulses generated by the MRI system. The interface module further comprises a low-impedance channel configured to couple the low-impedance pathway of the medical device to the subsystem.

Abstract: A system for determining a location of an electrode of a medical device (e.g., a catheter) in a body of a patient includes a localization block for producing an uncompensated electrode location, a motion compensation block for producing a compensation signal (i.e., for respiration, cardiac, etc.), and a mechanism for subtracting the compensation signal from the uncompensated electrode location. The result is a corrected electrode location substantially free of respiration and cardiac artifacts. The motion compensation block includes a dynamic adaptation feature which accounts for changes in a patient's respiration patterns as well as intentional movements of the medical device to different locations within the patient's body. The system further includes an automatic compensation gain control which suppresses compensation when certain conditions, such as noise or sudden patch impedance changes, are detected.

Abstract: An electrophysiological laboratory system comprises a subsystem configured to perform diagnostic and/or therapeutic functions, a medical device, and an interface module disposed therebetween. The medical device comprises a shaft having proximal and distal portions, high- and low-impedance electrical pathways disposed within the shaft, and an electrode disposed at the distal portion of the shaft and electrically coupled to one or both of the high- and low-impedance electrical pathways. The electrode is configured to perform diagnostic and/or therapy delivery functions. The interface module comprises a high-impedance channel configured to couple the high-impedance pathway of the medical device to the subsystem, and to attenuate magnetic resonance RF and gradient field pulses generated by the MRI system. The interface module further comprises a low-impedance channel configured to couple the low-impedance pathway of the medical device to the subsystem.

Abstract: An integrated electrode structure can comprise a catheter shaft comprising a proximal end and a distal end, the catheter shaft defining a catheter shaft longitudinal axis. A flexible tip portion can be located adjacent to the distal end of the catheter shaft, the flexible tip portion comprising a flexible framework. A plurality of microelectrodes can be disposed on the flexible framework and can form a flexible array of microelectrodes adapted to conform to tissue. A plurality of conductive traces can be disposed on the flexible framework, each of the plurality of conductive traces can be electrically coupled with a respective one of the plurality of microelectrodes.